The sun., 1901-03-14
S Mr.. THOMPSON GETS
S HIS PUNISHMENT

Scene: The reception room, which the
head of the house will persist in calling the
front parlor. Dramatis personae: The
Regular One, familarly known as Jim. He
is discovered solus, wal liking nervously t.
and fro and looking T6m time to time at
the clock to see whether 1t has not stopped
Maid appears in the hall before the door
way with feather duster, whereupon Jim
clears his throat to attract her attention.
IlM-Er-did you say that | was
u here, Ella?
Maid (with "a sympathetic smile)-
Yes, sir; told her. She said that she
would be down in just about minute
Jim-Oh. thank you very much, Ella
(Looks at the clock again and notes
that ten and "a half minutes and some
odd seconds must have elapsed since he
was announced. Six minutes more are
marked off on the dial and then there
comes rustling sound from the stair.
way. Jim throws himself with great
agility into a chair, grabbing a boob
from the table in mid fight, which
book, when he has seated himself, he
appears to read with feverish interest
The Object, called Lisette. enters and
seems to conceal a. slight surprised
! Lisette--Oh, it's you.
Jim (rising, with one finger holding
his place in the book)-Yes; it's me
Good evening. (Shakes her extended
hand Imply. There is a slight pause.)
Li<ette (politsly)-Won't you sit
down?
Jim-Thank you. I've been sitting
here almost long enough to make stand
ing agreeable as change, but sup.
pose might as well.
Lisette-I am sorry If / kept you
waiting, but I was dressing to go out.
Jim (rising, and with pronounced
chill in his voice)-oh, in that case
Lsette with the same sweet polite
ness)-Please don't hurry away. i
have plenty of time--only I thought
would dress early-because don't like
to keep people waiting.
(The Regular One hesitates. makes e
step toward the door, stops, hesitates
some more, and then returns to his
chair There is another pause.)
Jim icon expressione)-"People2' p
Lisette (raising her eyebrows)-
"People?" beg your pardon, but |
don't quite understand.
Jim-You said "people"-you didn't
like to keep people waiting.
Lisette-Ohl Why, no. | don't.
know that, as a general thing, people
don't like to be kept waiting. and !
consider other peoples feelings.
Jim---I am glad to hear you say that
To tell the truth, hadn't suspected it.
Lisette (airily)4No?
Jim-No.
Lsette (coldly)-Thank you. You
seem to be trying to make yourself
agreeable this evening.
Jim with equal coldness)- am only
too oconscious of my deficiencies. know
that l am not as agreeable as-well,
other people.
Lisette-To be perfectly frank with
you, you are not. just at present.
(The Regular One rises, says Good
evening" and strides toward the door
with savage energy. The Object takes
notice that there is obstinacy expressed
In the set Of his shoulders and no hest
tation in his walk.)
Lisette (calling) -Jim-Mr. Thomp-
son!
Gin the hall the Regular One lays
down his hat and stands in listening
attitude, biting his mustache Then.
as there is no second summons. he re.
turns TO the young woman and stands
before her with his arms folded. She
is interested in hole in her handker-
chief, but she presently raises her eyes
in an effective way that she has.)
Jim-Well?
LSette-Well?
Jim You called me, did you not?
Lisette-Oh, yes; you were leaving
your gloves. On the table there.
t1le makes an impatient movement
and, taking up his gloves, turns to go
again.)
Lisette-You are rather abrupt this
evening, aren't you?
Jim (bitterly lapsing into vernacu
lar)-Well, ] can tumble without ten
Story building falling on me.
Lisette-What on earth do YOU
mean?
Jim-Well, don't care to stay wher,
| am not wanted-and / am perfectly
willing to give "other people" a chance
Lisette-You are Oh. | see Be-
cause said that you were not agree.
able. Well, do you consider that you
are?
Jim-Good-evening.
Lisette with quiet dignity)-Sit
iown a. moment. Mr.. Thompson. No,
not if you are anxious to go. wouldn't
keep you for anything in the world
laughs ripplingly.) | didn't mean it
at all. You are most agreea ble-posi-
lively charming ! don't
know when ! have been entertained so
much. How do you do it2
Jim with concentrated bitterness
Il am glad that amuse you,
Lisette with cheerful assent-Oh,
you do, Naughgs again,)
Jim-Whep you can control your
amusement perhaps you will be kind
enough to tell me what you have to say
to me.
Lisette-Did tell you l had some
thing to say to you?
Jim-I inferred that yon had OF ron