Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-03-29
! Mr.. THOMPSON GETS
| HIS PUNISHMENT

front parlor Dyamatis personae: The
Regular One, Familiarity known as Jim. He
is discovered solus, walking nervously to
and fro and looking from time to time at
the clock to see whether 1t has not stopped
Maid appears in the hall before the door
way with a feather duster, whereupon Jim
clears his throat to attract her attention.
TIM-Er-did you say that / was
81 here, Ella?
Maid with sympathetic SMILEY
Yes, sir; told her. She said that she
would be down in just about minute.
Jim-Oh. thank you very much, Ella.
Uooks at the clock again and notes
that ten and 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 chair, grabbing book
from the table in mid flight, which
book, when he has seated himself, he
appears to read with feverish interest.
The Object, called Lisette, enters and
seems to conceal slight surprise.)
Llsette-Ou, IL 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.)
Lisette (politely)-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 we'll.
Lisette-I am sorry if I kept you
waiting, but was dressing to GO out.
Jim (rising, and with pronounced
chill in his voice) -Oh, in that case
Lisette with the same sweet polite
ness)-Please don't hurry away. l
have plenty Of time-only thought
would dress early-because don't like
to keep people waiting.
(The Regular One hesitates, makes q
step toward the door, stops, hesitates
some more, and then returns to his
chair. There is another pause.)
Jim icon expressione)-"People?"
Lisette (raising her eyebrows)-
"People?" / beg your pardon, but l
don't quite understand
Jim-You said "people"-you didn't
like to keep people waiting.
Lisette-Oh! Why, no. don't.
know that, as a general thing, people
don't like to be kept waiting, and /
consider other peoples feelings.
JIM am glad to hear you say that.
To tell the truth, hadn't suspected it.
Lisette (airily)-No?
Jim-No.
Lisette (coldly)-Thank you. You
seem to be trying to make yourself
\ agreeable this evening.
y Jim with equal coldness)- am only
too conscious Of my deficiencies. know
that / am not as agreeable as--well,
other people.
Lisette-To be perfectly frank with
rou. 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-
ron!
I'm 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?
Lisette-Well?
Jim--You called me, did you not?
Lisette-Oh, yes; you were leaving
your gloves. On the table there.
(He 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 On
story building falling on me.
Lisette-What on earth do you
mean?
Jim-Well. ! don't care to stay where
/ am not wanted-and I am perfectly
willing to give "other people" chance.
Lisette--You are Oh, see! Be-
cause / said that you were not agree
able. Well, do you consider that you
tare?
Jim--Good-evening.
Lisette with quiet dignity)-Sit
down moment, Mr.. Thompson. No,
not IL you are anxious to go. wouldn't
keep you for anything in the world
laughs ripplingly.) / didn't mean 1t
at all. You are most agreeable-posi-
lively charming -delightful. / don't
know when have been entertained so
much How do you do it?
Jim with concentrated bitterness)
II ain glad that amuse you.
Lisette with cheerful assenD-Ob