Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08

please, DieKi Fix that horrid motor and
let's get started again! You know how
anxious l am to get to the lawn fete before
everything settles down. Besides, I'm wear
ing this gown for the first time. and want
Anyway, I'm wearing it in your honor-at
least partly (this somewhat lamely). And
want the Williams to see you too. I've been
telling them about you all summer: how
bright you are: how we've been the best
of Platonic friends for ever SO long: and
TRENwAY (griml): There's no such thing as
Platonic friendship.-never was and never
will be,-and you know it. Old Plato
nincompoop, or consummate joker. And
if YOU have been working that racket, you
have been deliberately fibbing-that's all
there is about it Furthermore. | resolutely
decline to be sidetracked in any such trans
parent manner. That's Just where I've been
so easy all these months. Whenever I've
tried to make you say the one thing that
counts, I've always been mark enough to be
led off into winding bypaths by some of
your .littering generalities about nothing,
and there I've stuck! No. sir! I'm wise
now. I've got to have my answer!
ALICIA (at'itt quick fash OF spiriD: All right
then. mol
TRENwAy Quietly: That's no answer at all.
I've heard that lots of times. That's only
another bypath
Trenudy euiuees his true mdscnliuity By light
ing another cigarette. resting yet more comfortably
against the stump, and appearing as irritdtfngly
com pfdeeut as possible.
ALICIA (a,1th still more spiri): But mean it!
l mean mol | would never marry man
who is SO pig-so determined I'd be afraid
TRENwAy: Then I'm discharged Bounced?
Fired: Handed the chilled steel mallet? If
that's the case, I'll have to quit work right
Off Can't do anything more. it's against
the union rules.
Treuwdr disposes himself even more ldsily.
He 7rdfts the smoke up in the air as though blou'
ing rings the only thing Of interest in all the
settles back as for siege. There is, hoarever,
just the faintest suggestion OF a pont on her lips.
This fact, diseoUered BY Trenlpdp from the cor
ner of his eye, seems to afford him considerable
quiet joy.
Neither speaks for at least thirty seconds.
ALICIA (starting forardrd tit sudden anxiety
It's getting awfully late, Dick.
TRENwAY (drousily): Uh-huh-
Another long hdtj-minnte passes.
ALICIA: Please, Dick. be good! Please fix
that nasty machine, and let's get started
Well miss everything: and besides, if any
one should come along, this would look too
ridiculousi
TRENwAY (reassnriugl): Nobody ever uses
this road: it's private.
A verr long qndrter-tutnnte OF silence, broken
only By another OF the queer, gnrgling chngs from
fle motor.
ALICIA: If you won't fix the auto, I'm going
to walk to Williams
TRENwAy: Three country miles; all up hill.
ALICIA Desperately: Then I'll give up the
whole thing and go back homei l think
you're simply too mean
TRENwAY: Four miles that way
The silence might be cut 7Uitjr a iackknife
Treupav begins TO tumble in his pockets. and
finally brings forth a little square boz 1ehioh he
examines Alicia eoUertly matches
him her curiosity grolrtng like the green bay tree
Then he drdsps mass of letters, memoranda
papers, and lshauot from his pocket. noting each
lvih exaggerated. and 10 Alicia e1asperating.
care. He seems somewhat puzzled, and at last
7srth ,ery innocent and matter OF fact air.
peaks:
TRENwAY: Where is Clara Alien staying now,
at Beechurst?
ALICIA (rataer upset by the question; but not too
much SO to be a little resentfnD: haven't the