The Cabinet Minister - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
Don't think you're neglected, child. I cannot provide for everybody at once.
LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART.
No, mamma.
DOWAGER.
But having completely settled Imogen, I shall commence the adjustment of your future after lunch.
[LADY MACPHAIL enters.]
LADY MACPHAIL.
Ah!
DOWAGER.
Dear Lady Macphail! What glorious news!
LADY MACPHAIL.
[Rapturously, with her hand upraised.] Now let the worn banner of the Macphail be run up on the crumbling tower of Castle Ballocheevin!
DOWAGER.
Certainly--by all means.
LADY MACPHAIL.
Now let the roar of the pipes startle the eaglets on the summit of black Ben-Muchty!
DOWAGER.
I hope such arrangements will be made.
LADY MACPHAIL.
Let the shriek of the wild birds resound on the sh.o.r.es of Loch-na-Doich!
DOWAGER.
[Bringing IMOGEN forward.] But you haven't seen Imogen yet.
LADY MACPHAIL.
[Embracing her.] Child! Ah, when Colin learns your answer to his suit you shall listen to such words as none but a Macphail can utter to his betrothed.
DOWAGER.
Doesn't he know?
LADY MACPHAIL.
Not yet. He went out early to watch the sun gild the gray peak of Ben-Auchter.
[LADY TWOMBLEY enters, looking very troubled.]
IMOGEN.
Mamma. [LADY MACPHAIL, the DOWAGER, and LADY EUPHEMIA talk together.]
Mamma, everybody has congratulated me. Have you nothing to say?
[LADY TWOMBLEY places her hand fondly on IMOGEN's head.]
LADY TWOMBLEY.
[In a sepulchral voice.] Did Phipps dry your head thoroughly last night?
IMOGEN.
Yes, mamma.
LADY TWOMBLEY.
Then all's well, I suppose. [SIR JULIAN'S flute is heard. To herself.]
The first Bill--the first Bill due next week.
[She sits staring at the fire as SIR JULIAN enters, playing the flute.]
IMOGEN.
Papa.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Imogen, my dear, amidst severe official worries I must not omit to join in the general paean of rejoicing.
IMOGEN.
Thank you, papa.
SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.
Sir Colin may lack that inexhaustible flow of anecdote with which I have often been credited.
IMOGEN.
He may, papa.
