Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17

A DIALOGUE.

Scene: A parlor at night, with q wood
fire burning A greyhound is stretched In
front Of the fire. Enter two young people.
He. Only half-past 1Oi thought it was a
great deal later than that. How short
the play must have been. And now, Lou
Use. please tell me how long you are going
to let me sit here with you.
She throwing of her hat and taking a
chair in front of the fire, meanwhile
speaking to the greyhound). How do you
do. old Pizarro, you treasure. you sweet
heart! Come and let me give you kiss.
Isn't he q dear, Henry?
He. A perfect darling. But you haven
told me how long I may stay.
She. Oh, I suppose a cousin may stay till
quarter of II. but not a moment later.
He. Thank you. CTakes a chair beside
hers) By the way, haven't yet told you
of an interesting remark I overheard at
the theater tonight. 1t came from a
young woman who sat behind US. and
who whispered 1t to her neighbor. What
do you think she said?
She. How in the world am I to know?
Something hattering to you, I suppose.
Perhaps she remarked that the back Of
your head was full Of thought
He. No, she didn't; although she might
have, for that is where my cerebellum Is
situated. I don't know where yours is
What she said was this Il give her exact
words): I'm bet you anything you like
that that young couple in front of US Is
engaged to be married"
She. Uaughing.) Gracious! What a mis-
take she mdde And how could you think
1t worth while to repeat such silly
speech?
He. silly! Do you really think it so?
She. Naturally.
He. 1 don't. "a pause) Suppose we were.
Louise. Dreamily3 Just suppose we
11pk
She More dr. eamily) All. Henry suppose
we were. Wouldn't 1T be dreadful?
He. You know you don't mean that.
She Really? Perhaps you know more
about 1T than I do.
He. No. not exactly that. but aren't you
rather hard on me? Am I such a bad
fellow, after all. Louise? Honor bright
would 1t be so disagreeable to you, just
to suppose, just to make believe, you
know? Cooking at her tenderlyD
She. Isn't this delightful! 1 do believe he
is getting sentimental. Now. my fanciful
cousin, will you please tell me what good
never happen?
He. Everything is possible. Louise.
She. You know very well that you don't
think SO. Henry. and you are only trying
mind what.
He. You may laugh. but assure you the
remark OF that young woman at the the
alter sounded very pleasant in my ears.
lief why, by Jove, I'll help it along!" and
from that moment took great delight in
acting the part that the public had as
signed to me-
did you act the part?
He. Wen, since you force me to explain I
VIII tell You. 1 whispered softly and
often to you: read the program with
and finally, l turned my back to Ham
lets soliloquy and gazed on the coil of
your hair. "
She. Henry. you are a goose! And did 1.-The
pupilc, as you cali her. say anything
more? L am afraid she was having fun
with you "
He (sulkily). Since you are In such a friyo
lous mood. l won't tell you what she did
very nice.
She. Oh, please. tell me. Henry,
He. So you do really want to know? I am
surprised. But don't think you deserve
TO know, since you are disobliging and
refuse to take part in my little game.
She (after a pause). Henry, 1 believe you
are in love with somebody.
He. You ought to know.
She. Is she nice? Is she tail? What Is her
coloring? Do tell me about her.
He. You ought to know.
She. Come. come, Henry! this isn't pretty
at ALL
He. Very WELL if you are so extremely dig
nified. must go. tRises) Goodnight,
Miss Hypatia. Forgive me for being
odious to you; am but man after all
Qragically)-a weak, affectionate man (go-
ing)-
She. Henry. please stay minute. You are
so funny.
He Ia: the door. Couldn't think of 1t for a
moment. Besides, 1t is quarter to
eleven and 1t wouldn't be proper. You
said yourself.
She. Yes. know; but, but laughs and hest
tates) suppose we were! Then you might
stay till eleven.
IL
And, mind. you can't go back on it.
SETTLING himself IN his chair and rubbing
his hands.) Well. Louise, how perfectly
charming of you this is. Now. candidly.
for you and me to be sitting here together
in front of fire, In love with each other
and engaged to be married? What state
of bliss 1 am in! 1 feel like rolling over
on the rug and kicking up my heels in the
air! Eth. Pizarro, old boy, what would
you think of that?
She. Is this the language of betrothal!
He. OF course it is. It must be. for am 1
not your tiance? Oh! but (pauses) how
funny! 1t just occurs to me that 1 have
never even proposed to you.
She. Never mind about that, Henry; 1
will take it for granted. Besides. I should
refuse you.
He. But you can't. Aren't you already
engaged to me? You can't go back on
your word, Louise. Oh. no. let US do this
thing properly. This is scene first-you
and l are sitting alone in front Of the
fire. The SHOWS without are beating
against the window pane, and the wind
whistles shrilly in the chimney. Heaven
help the poor souls that have to cross
the mountain heights tonight! Your
Henry, himself, has soon to plunge into
that storm. Louise. and before he goes
he wants to hear 1t spoken by those ruby
Il beg pardon, don't get angry)-he wants
to hear you tell him that he is more to
you than all the rest of the wide, wide
world. Now, Louise, are you ready. for
l am about to begin.
She. Begin what? l am not quite sure that
1 like this game 1 am afraid you know
more about 1t than do.
He. doubt that.