The Big Drum Part 60

[_To_ PHILIP, _laying a hand on his shoulder._] My daughter has brought great humiliation upon us--upon her family, my dear Philip--by this--I must be harsh--by this unladylike transaction----

LADY FILSON.

I have never felt so ashamed in my life!

SIR RANDLE.

[_To_ PHILIP.] By-and-by I shall be better able to command language in which to express my profound regret. [_Offering his hand._] For the present--good night, and G.o.d bless you!

PHILIP.

[_Shaking_ SIR RANDLE_'s hand mechanically._] Good night.

[_As_ SIR RANDLE _turns away,_ LADY FILSON _comes to_ PHILIP. BERTRAM, _having helped_ OTTOLINE _with her cloak, now brings_ LADY FILSON_'s wrap from the vestibule._ SIR RANDLE _takes it from him, and_ BERTRAM _then returns to the vestibule and puts on his overcoat._

LADY FILSON.

[_To_ PHILIP, _who rises._] You must have us to dinner another time, Philip. If I eat a crust to-night it will be as much as I shall manage.

[_Speaking lower, with genuine feeling._] Oh, my dear boy, don't be too cast down--over your clever book, I mean! [_Taking him by the shoulders._] It's a cruel disappointment for you--and you don't deserve it. May I----? [_She pulls him to her and kisses him._] Good night.

PHILIP.

[_Gratefully._] Good night.

[LADY FILSON _leaves_ PHILIP _and looks about for her wrap._ SIR RANDLE _puts her into it and then goes into the vestibule and wrestles with his overcoat._

BERTRAM.

[_Coming to_ PHILIP, _humbly._] M--M--Mackworth--I--I----

PHILIP.

[_Kindly._] No, no; don't you bother, old man----

BERTRAM.

I--I could kick myself, Mackworth, I could indeed. I've been a sneak and a cad, I mean t'say, and--and I'm properly paid out----

PHILIP.

[_Shaking him gently._] Why, what are you remorseful for? You've only brought out the truth, Bertie----

BERTRAM.

Yes, but I mean to _say_----!

PHILIP.

And _I_ mean to say that I'm in your debt for showing me that I've been a vain, credulous a.s.s. Now be off and get some food. [_Holding out his hand._] Good night.

BERTRAM.

[_Wringing_ PHILIP_'s hand._] Good night, Mackworth. [_Turning from_ PHILIP _and seeing_ ROOPE, _who, anxiously following events, is standing by the chair on the extreme left._] Good night, Roope.

ROOPE.

G-g-good night.

LADY FILSON.

[_Half in the room and half in the vestibule--to_ ROOPE, _remembering his existence._] Oh, good night, Mr. Roope!

ROOPE.

Good night, dear Lady Filson.

SIR RANDLE.

[_In the vestibule._] Good night, Mr. Roope.

ROOPE.

Good night. Good night, dear excellent friends.

LADY FILSON.

[_To_ OTTOLINE, _who is lingering by the big doors._] Ottoline----

[LADY FILSON _and_ BERTRAM _join_ SIR RANDLE _in the vestibule and_ SIR RANDLE _opens the outer door._ PHILIP, _his hands behind him and his chin on his breast, has walked to the fireplace and is standing there looking fixedly into the fire._ OTTOLINE _slowly comes forward and fingers the back of the chair by the smoking-table._

OTTOLINE.

Good night, Philip.

[_He turns to her, makes her a stiff, formal bow, and faces the fire again._

ROOPE.

[_Advancing to her--under his breath._] Oh----!

OTTOLINE.

[_Giving him her hand._] Ah! [_With a plaintive shrug._] _Vous voyez!

C'est fini apres tout!_

ROOPE.

No, no----!