The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25

CutnDertS0n (sympathetiCally' -
know. It's the same with Grace. She's
always here.
Craven-And now they want me to be
always here. They're at me every day
to join the club--to stop my grumbling
I suppose. That's what | want to con-
suit you about. Do you think l ought
to join?
Cuthbertson--Well, IL you have no
conscientious objection
Craven (testily interrupting him)--
I object to the existence Of the place
on principle; but what's the use Of
that? Here 1t Is in spite Of my objec-
ton, and I may as well have the bene-
fit Of any good that may be in 1t.
Cuthbertson (soothing him)--Of
course; that's the only reasonable view
OF the matter. Well. the fact is it's
not so inconvenient as You might think.
When you're at home you have the
house more to yourself; and when you
want to have your family about you
you can dine with them at the club.
Craven mot much attracted by this)
True.
Cuthbertson-Besides II you don't
want to dine with them you needn't.
Craven convinced very true.
But don't they carry on here. rather?
Cuthbertson--Oh. no. they don't ex-
actly carry on. OF course the usual
tone of the club Is low. because the
women smoke and earn their own living
and all that; but still there's nothing
actually to complain Of. And it's con-
venient. certainly. tCharteris comes in.
looking round for them.)
Craven (rising)-Do you know I've a
great mind to join just to see what it's
like. Would you mind putting me up?
Cuthbertson-Delight Dan. delight
ed. HE grasps Craven's hand.)
Charters quitting one hand on Cra-
ven's shoulder and the other on Cuth-
bertson' s)-Bless you. my children.
(Cuthbertson. a little wounded in his
dignity. moves away. The Colonel takes
the jest in the utmost good humor)
Craven tcordially)-Hello.
Charters ito Craven) Hope haven't
disturbed your chat by coming too soon.
Craven-Not at all Welcome. dear
boy. ,Shakes his hand)
Charteris-Thats right. I'm earlier
than | intended. The fact is I have
something rather pressing to say to
Cuthbertson.
Craven-Private?
Charteris-Not particularly. (To
Cuthbertson) Only what we were
speaking of last night.
Cuthbertson-Well. Charters. I think
that is private. or ought to be.
Craven tgoing up toward the tablet
I'll just take look at the Times
Charters (stopping him-Oh. it's NJ
secret: everybody in the club guesses Ii.
ITO Cuthbertson.) Has Grace never
mentioned to you that she wants 10
marry me?
Cuthbertson (ndignantly)-She has
mentioned that you want to marry her
Charteris-Ah; but then It's not wha;
I want, but what Grace wants, that will
weigh with you.
Craven "a little shocked) - Excuse
me. Charteris: this is private. I'll leave
you to yourselves. again moves tow
ard the tablet
Charteris-Wait n bit. Craven: you're
concerned in this. Julia wants to marry
me. too.
Craven lin a tone OF the stronges,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES really Now upon
my life and soul,
Charters-It's a fact, I assure you
Didn't II strike you as rather odd, our
being up there last night and Mrs
Tranfield not with us?
Craven-Well. yes, it did. But you
explained 1t. And now really. Char
teris. ! must say your explanation was
in shocking bad taste before Julia.
Charteris-Never mind. II was a
good. fat. healthy. bouncing lie.
Craven and charlottesville.
Charteris-Didn't you suspect that?
Craven-Certainly not. Did you. 10?
Cuthbertson-No. most emphatically
Craven-What's more. don't believe