Love's Usuries Part 13

In a Cornfield (Dialogue).

(_The field is divided by a stile and a hedge from some pastures._)

HE (_bent double in the act of gathering poppies_). And what would you vote about?

SHE (_with hand extended to receive them_). Oh, anything--everything!

HE. And the candidate who paid most compliments would get most votes, eh?

SHE. It would depend on how he paid them.

HE (_looking up and laughing_). Then it's the quality, and not the quant.i.ty, which tells?

SHE. Nothing would "tell," as you call it, if we did not approve his principles.

HE. Not even the offer of a new bonnet?

SHE. That would be bribery and corruption!

HE. But some _bonbonnieres_ at Christmas time?

SHE. Oh, everyone accepts them.

HE. Then the vote would depend on the excellence of the confectioner?

SHE. Do not chaff on serious subjects.

HE. I was never more serious in my life!

SHE (_pouting_). Then you are horribly rude and unkind! Don't pick any more poppies; the bunch is too large already.

HE. Let me take it for you.

SHE (_with warmth_). I don't want you to do anything for me. It is time you learnt that woman can be independent if she choose.

HE (_with a merry twinkle in his eye_). You will permit me to carry your sunshade?

SHE (_simmering_). No; I don't want services from people who laugh at one.

HE (_drawing his moustache carefully over his lips_). I am not laughing.

SHE. Then you ought to be. There is no excuse for a man arguing seriously against woman's emanc.i.p.ation.

HE. I thought you wished me to be serious.

SHE (_tossing her head_). You know very well what I wish.

(_They reach the stile._)

HE. Let me help you over.

SHE. I don't need any help. Women can climb stiles as well as men.

HE (_turning away_).Of course.

SHE (_amazed because he does not insist_). I wish you hadn't come. I wouldn't have asked you to pick poppies for me if----

HE (_interrupting_). I came as your escort--nothing more.

SHE. I don't require any escort. You can go home by the road.

(_His face falls. The roads are hot and dusty, and the fields green and fragrant. Besides this, he has curved his spine flower gathering for two hours in the hope of gratifying her._)

HE. You will not send me off like this? Lilla, darling, don't let us quarrel about trifles.

SHE. Woman's independence is not a trifle.

HE (_laughing_). Of course not.

(_The laugh is fatal._)

SHE (_indignantly_). Good-bye!

HE. What do you mean? I am coming with you.

SHE. Never!

He (_looking at her askance_). Lilla!

SHE. I mean it.

HE. And your decision----

SHE. Is irrevocable!

(_Her foot is on the step of the stile. Her right hand holds the poppies and supports the open sunshade which rests on her shoulder. She turns her back on him._)

HE (_in a huff_). Oh, very well.

(_He commences walking towards the road gate. She half mounts the stile, looks across the field, then pauses. He, some yards off, is fumbling with the chain of the gate._)

SHE (_after making another movement towards the field and then shrinking back_). Frank!

(_He does not hear._)

SHE (_louder_). Frank!