Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-07-29
UNCUT LEAVES.

ist; Miss Sibyl Kennedy, 90; Mrs. Ken
nedy, her mother.
Scene-Mrs. Kennedy's drawing room
in Queens Gate. Time, 5 p. m.
Mr.. Fenton (who has just been shown
into the drawing room, which is empty,
to himself )-Lucky l didn't call earlier
Evidently they've just come in. If only l
could get Sibyl to myself for little time
today, think I'd risk it. almost think
she cares for me, but then these women
are such actresses that one can't be GER
tain. Moves toward reading ta5le.)
All, there's the copy of the 'Turn Of the
Tide which lent her! Well, it's far the
best thing I've done and think it ought
to appeal to her. (Takes up the volume
and mechanically turns over the leayes.)
Why, good heavens, it isn't cut! She
hasn't read single page! puts the book
DOWN. OF course she's got good deal to
do, but still she's had it fully three weeks,
and did think
(Enter Miss Kennedy.) Miss Kennedy
How d'you do, Mr.. FentonY So
sorry to have kept you! Mother and l
have been doing some shopping, and
we've only just got back. She'll be down
directly ITO herself.) He looks very
dismal today. Is he going to use his
chanceP (Aloud) All, see you're look
ing at tho Turn of the Tide!" It's dis
graceful of me to have kept it SO long, but
I've SO little time for reading, you know
Mr.. Fenton-Oh, / quite understand!
Ito himself.) dare say it isn't her fault
| (Aloud.) Pray keep the book as long as
you please
Miss Kennedy Thanks, very much, but
quito meant to send it back yesterday.
In fact finished it long ago! liked it
SO very much.
Mr.. Fenton-Indeedl *** (Icily.)
The-er binding is rather pretty, isn't it?
Miss Kennedy (aside)-Why on earth is
he glaring at me like that9 (Aloud.) The
binding? Really, didn't notice it par
ticularly. But the story is quite charm
ing. Once began it / couldn't put it
down till had reached the last page.
Mr.. Fenton-Yes, 1 should have sup
posed you were rapid reader. People say
that one can get very good idea of a
modern novel from study Of the title
page and glance here and there where
the leaves don't need cutting. What did
you think of the chapter in which Sir
Gregory-er-steals tho letter. (Aside.
Now I'll have her.
Miss Kennedy (dubiously)-Well, it's
very strange. 1 don't remember that part
Arc you sure you're not thinking of an
other story of yours?
Mr.. Fenton Ito himself)--Sho guessed
was inventing that. (Aloud.) Perhaps
you 'ro right-one is apt to confuse books
you know. But should be extremely in
terested to listen to your criticism of the
"Turn of the Tide"
Miss Kennedy-No, don't believe you
would. You have too poor an opinion Of
the writer.
Mr.. Fenton-Ah, that would be i'm
possiblel And think you've got quite rs
much right to pronounce judgment on it
as q good number of the revewers-in
fact, you seem to have studied it in much
the same way. Besides, can't help feel
ing that you really know far more about
the art Of fiction than do.
Miss Kennedy (aside)-What on earth
does he mean? I'm certain he intends to
be disagreeable. But why2 (Aloud) I'm
not sure that follow you, Mr.. Fenton.
know writer's sometimes say that the
newspaper critics only cut page or two
|
suppose that L
Mr.. Certainly not. Unlike
them, you-cut the book altogether. It's
really very good of you to have studied II
SO carefully, because it's so pleasant te
think that ones friends take such an in
terest in ones work. And, as said
you've convinced me this afternoon that
you yourself have great capabilities in the
direction of fiction. (Rises.) I've an ap-
pointment at 6, so I'm afraid l mustn't
stay. Will you make my apologies to Mrs.
Kennedy?
Miss Kennedy (flushing)-Oh, pray
don't let us detain you, them But here
is mother. (Enter Mrs. Kennedy.) Mr..
Fenton was just saying goodby, mother
he has an appointment he tells me.
Mrs. Kennedy-Surely you can stay and
have some tea? No9 Well, goodby, then.
Oh, by tho way 1 hope Slbyl apologized
for keeping your book SO long? You can
imagine how interested she has been in 1t
Mr.. Fenton-Oh, but indeed I can, Mrs
Kennedy AS I'm going straight home
I'll take it back with me.
Mrs. Kennedy-Why not let us send iti
Well, If you really mean 1t. Sibyl, dear,
would you get Mr.. Fenton's novelp
think it's on the small table in the library.
Mr.. Fenton-Er-I beg your pardon
but, unless Pm mistaken, see it on the
table over there.
Mrs. Kennedy-What9 Oh, that isn't
yours! You see we weren't going to let
you defraud yourself of your royalties, and
both Sibyl and 1 were SO charmed with
the ''Turn of the Tide that we just
bought another copy for our library. The
one you SO kindly lent us is down stairs,
and-what is the matter, Mr.. Fenton9
Mr.. Fenton Qn great confusion)-Only
-a-a very stupid mistake Of mine
was thinking-er, that today was Wednes-
day - no, that 1t wasn't Wednesday,
that is, mean-at least, 1t can wait-that
appointment spoke OIL find, in fact
Miss Kennedy (much surprised, but
coming nobly to the rescue)-Then you
will stop and have tea, after allp
Mr.. Fenton-Thank you SO much. ]
really think l will. (And he does.)-
| plook or1 Whito