The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-03-28
Mr.. THOMPSON GETS
HIS PUNISHMENT

Scene: The reception room, which the
head of the house will persist in calling the
front parlor. Dramatis personae: The
Regular One, familiarly 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 feather duster, whereupon Jim
clears his throat to attract her attention.
TIM-Er-did you say that l was
V here, Ella?
Maid with sympathetic SMILEY
Yes. sir; told her. She said that she
would be down in just about . minute.
Jin-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 of ON the dial and then there
comes . rustling sovnd from the stair.
way. Jim throws himself with great
agility into . chair, grabbing book
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 . slight surprise.)
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 (politely)-Won't you sit
down?
Jim-Thank you. I've been sitting
here almost long enough to make stand
ing agreeable as q change, but sup
pose I might as we'll.
Lisette-I am sorry if I kept you
waiting, but was dressing to 60 out.
Jim (rising, and with a 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 a
step toward the door, stops, hesitates
some more, and then returns to his
chair. There is another pause.)
Jim icon expressione) e)-"PeopleT
Lisette (raising her eyebrows)-
"Peopls?" 1 beg your pardon, but |
don't quite understand.
Jim---You said "people"-you didn't
like to keep people waiting.
Lisette-Oh! Why, no. 1 don't. !
know that. as q 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.
Jim with equal coldness)- )-I am only
too conscious Of my deficiencies. know
that I am not as agreeable as-well,
other people. w..
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 IL obstinacy expressed
10 the. set Of his shoulders and no hest.
tation in his walk.)
Lisette (calling)-Jim-Mr. Thonp.
son!
I'm the hall the Regular One lays
down his hat and stands in listening z
attitude. biting bis mustache. Then,
a. there 10 no second summons, he re.
turns to the young woman and stands
before her with his arms folded. She
Is interested in a hole in her handker.
chief, but she presently raises her eyes
in an effective way that she has)
Jim-Well?
| Lisette-Weli? ~
Jim-You called me. did you not?
Lisette-Oh. yes; you were leaving
your gloves. On the table there.
Gle makes an impatient movement
and. taking up his gloves. turns to 60
again.) .
Lisette-You are rather abrupt this
evening. aren't you?
Jim (bitterly lapsing into vernacu.
ar)-Well. I can tumble without ten.
story building Telling 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 20 give ''other people" chance
Lisette-You are Oh. I see! Be.
cause said that you were not agree.
sble. Well, do you consider that yor
are?
misunderstanding.
Lisette with quiet dignity)-si'
down . moment, Mr.. Thompson. No.
not IL you are anxious to 60. Iwouldn't
keep you for anything In the world.
(Laughs ripplingly.) didn't mean it
at all. You are most agreea ble-posi-
lively charming-delightful. don't
know when have been entertained SO
much. Hsw DO you do II?
Jim with concentrated bitterness)
- am glad that amuse you.
Lisetto with cheerfuI assehtJ-Oh,
you do. (Laughs agsin.)
Tm-When you can control your
amusement psrhaps you viii bs kind
enough TO tsti me what ysa have TO ssy
to ne. "a ,,.s,, >
I3sstss- N I sen 70. ~ sous- <.