The Big Drum Part 9

MRS. ANSLOW.

[_Shaking hands with_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye. You _might_ come on to Olympia; my sister-in-law's box holds six.

OTTOLINE.

Sorry. I really am full up this afternoon. [MRS. QUEBEC _comes to_ OTTOLINE _as_ MRS. ANSLOW _goes to_ PHILIP. ROOPE _opens the door on the left and remains there, waiting to escort the ladies to the outer door._] Can I give you a lift anywhere, Esme?

MRS. QUEBEC.

Thanks; Millicent's taking me along with her to the Horse Show.

MRS. ANSLOW.

[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP.] Very pleased to meet you again. Ever see anything now of the Fairfields?

PHILIP.

Never.

MRS. ANSLOW.

No loss. I believe dear old Eustace is off his head.

PHILIP.

Possibly.

MRS. ANSLOW.

[_Tolerantly._] But then, so many people are off their heads, aren't they?

PHILIP.

A great many.

MRS. ANSLOW.

[_Bestowing a parting nod upon_ PHILIP _and crossing to the open door._] Sha'n't wait, Esme. It's a month's journey to Hammersmith in the ark.

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_Kissing_ OTTOLINE.] Good-bye.

MRS. ANSLOW.

[_To_ ROOPE.] Charming lunch. Enjoyed myself enormously.

MRS. QUEBEC.

[_Shaking hands with_ PHILIP _hastily._] Good-bye, Mr. Mackworth.

PHILIP.

Good-bye.

[ROOPE _and_ MRS. ANSLOW _have disappeared;_ MRS. QUEBEC _follows them._ OTTOLINE _approaches_ PHILIP _slowly._

OTTOLINE.

[_Giving him her hand._] Good-bye.

PHILIP.

[_Bending over it formally._] Good-bye.

OTTOLINE.

We--we're in Ennismore Gardens, you know. [_He acknowledges the information by a stiff bow. She interests herself in her glove-b.u.t.tons._]

You--you've chosen to drop out of my--out of our lives so completely that I hardly like to ask you to come and see us.

PHILIP.

[_Constrainedly._] You are very good; but I--I don't go about much in these days, and I'm afraid----

OTTOLINE.

[_Quickly._] Oh, I'm sure you're wise. [_Drawing herself erect._] A writer shouldn't give up to society what is meant for mankind, should he?

[_She pa.s.ses him distantly, to leave the room, and he suddenly grips her shoulder._

PHILIP.

Ottoline----!

[_By a mutual impulse, they glance swiftly at the open door, and then she throws herself into his arms._

OTTOLINE.

Philip----!

[_Just as swiftly, they separate; and a moment afterwards_ ROOPE _returns, rubbing his hands cheerily._

ROOPE.

[_Advancing, but not shutting the door._] There! Now we're by ourselves! [_To_ OTTOLINE.] You're not running away?

OTTOLINE.