The sun., 1919-10-26

Major William Cardew (Kenneth
Dougias). Freddie's best friend. who
was reported killed in the war.
William had asked Frederick to look
after his wife. Mrs. Shuttleworth
Marguerite st. John) is victoria's s
mother Frederick has just returned
fror1 the club and he and his wife
have been having their usual little
spat
victoria-Confess that you've been a
perfect pig.
Frederick-A brute beast, darling.
viotoria-D'you know that I asked
you to give me a little kiss just now.
It's not a request that I'm in the habit
Of having ignored.
Ffederick-I trust it's not one that
you're In the habit of making to. all
and sundry. Gle kisses her).
Wctoria-Now tell me why you for
got to take me out to luncheon to-
day.
Frederick didn't forget. 1 was
prevented. II haven't had any
luncheon myself. I'll just ring and
ask the cook to send me up something.
victoria-My poor lamb. the cook
left this morning.
Frederick-Again?
victoria-How dyou mean again7
This il the first time she's left.
Frederick-Hang It all. she's only
been here a week.
victoria-You needn't get cross
about It It's much more annoying
for me than for you.
day,,t J,arv x.,hx, ~,
earth you can't keep your servants.
Victoria-No one can keep servants
nowadays.
Frederick-Other people do.
victoria-Please don't speak to me
like that, Freddie. I'm not used to It.
Frederick shall speak to you ex-
actly as I choose.
Victoria-It's so petty to lose your
temper just because you can't have
something to eat. should have
thought after spending two years in
the trenches you'd be accustomed to
going without a meal now and then.
Frederick-For goodness sake, don't
make a scene.
Victoria-It's not I who am making
a scene. It's you who are making
scene.
Frederick-victoria. beg you to
control yourself.
Victoria-After all the anxiety suf-
fered on your account when you were
IN France. I do think you might have
q little consideration for me.
Frederick-Considering that for the
last year I've had q perfectly safe
cushy job at the War Office, 1 think
you might by now have recovered from
any anxiety you felt on my account.
Vctoria-Must I remind you that
my nerves are shattered by poor Bill's
death7
Frederick-No, but I was confident
you would.
Victoria-The doctor said I should
need the greatest attention for sew
eral years. don't believe shall ever
quite get over it should have
thought even II you didn't love me any
more you'd have a little human pity
for me. That's all I ask, just the toll
Grant kindness you'd show to dog who
was fond of you. (Working herself
up into a passion.) Heaven knows I'm
not exacting. l do everythingI can
to make you happy. I'm patience it
self. Even my worst enemy would
have to admit that I'm unselfsh. CAS-
he is about to speak.) You weren't
obliged to marry me. ! didn't ask you
to. You pretended you loved me. /
would never have married you II II
hadn't been for Bill. You were his
greatest friend. You made me love
you because you spoke so beautifully
of him. (He Is Just going to say some
thing, but she goes on implacably)
That's my mistake. I've loved you too
much. You're not big enough to bear
so great a love. (Heading off the words
she sees he is about to speak.) Bill
would never have treated me like that.
Bill wouldn't have taken my poor. low
ing heart and thrown it aside like an
old hat. Bill loved me. He would al
ways have loved me. I adored that
man. He waited on me hand and foot.
He was the most unselfish man I ever
knew. He was a hero. He's the only
man I every really cared for. I was
mad ever to think of marrying you.
mad. mad. madl I shall never be
happy again. I would give anything
in the world to have my dear. dear
Bill back again.
Frederick-I'm glad you feel like
that about II because he'll be here in
about three minutes.
Victoria drought up short)-What?
What on earth d'you mean by that?
Frederick-He rang me up at the
club a little while ago.
Victoria-FTeddie! What are you
talking about? Are you mad7
Frederick-No. Nor drunk-
Victoria--I don't understand Who
talked to you?
Frederick-Bill.
Victoria-Bin' Bill whof
Frederick-Bill Cardew.
Wetoria-But, poor darling, he's
dead.
Frederice-He showed no sign OF it
on the telephone.
Victoria,-But Freddie.
Freddie. oh, you're pulling my leg.
It's too beastly Of you. How can you
be so heartless?
Frederick-Well, just wait and you'll
see for yourself, Cooking at his wrist
watch.) In about two and a half min
utes now, should think.
Victoria (Coaxing him)-Now, Fred
die. don't be vindictive. daresay I
was rather catty. / didn't mean II.
You know adore you. You can have
a fire In your study, and damn the
food controller. I'm sorry for all I
said Just now. There. now it's all
right, isn't It?