The Second Mrs. Tanqueray Part 29

No.

LADY ORREYED.

You know, poor Dodo can't lose his temper without smas.h.i.+ng something; if it isn't a chair, it's a mirror; if it isn't that, it's china--a bit of Dresden for choice. Dear old pet! he loves a bit of Dresden when he's furious. He doesn't really throw things _at_ me, dear; he simply lifts them up and drops them, like a gentleman. I expect our room upstairs will look rather wrecky before I get that tiara.

PAULA.

Excuse the suggestion, perhaps your husband can't afford it.

LADY ORREYED.

Oh, how dreadfully changed you are, Paula! Dodo can always mortgage something, or borrow of his ma. What _is_ coming to you!

PAULA.

Ah!

[_She sits at the piano and touches the keys._

LADY ORREYED.

Oh, yes, do play! That's the one thing I envy you for.

PAULA.

What shall I play?

LADY ORREYED.

What was that heavenly piece you gave us last night, dear?

PAULA.

A bit of Schubert. Would you like to hear it again?

LADY ORREYED.

You don't know any comic songs, do you?

PAULA.

I'm afraid not.

LADY ORREYED.

I leave it to you, then.

[PAULA _plays._ AUBREY _and_ CAYLEY DRUMMLE _appear outside the window; they look into the room._

AUBREY.

[_To_ DRUMMLE. ] You can see her face in that mirror. Poor girl, how ill and wretched she looks.

DRUMMLE.

When are the Orreyeds going?

AUBREY.

Heaven knows!

[_Entering the room._

DRUMMLE.

But _you're_ entertaining them; what's it to do with Heaven?

[_Following_ AUBREY.

AUBREY.

Do you know, Cayley, that even the Orreyeds serve a useful purpose?

My wife actually speaks to me before our guests--think of that! I've come to rejoice at the presence of the Orreyeds!

DRUMMLE.

I daresay; we're taught that beetles are sent for a benign end.

AUBREY.

Cayley, talk to Paula again to-night.

DRUMMLE.

Certainly, if I get the chance.

AUBREY.

Let's contrive it. George is asleep; perhaps I can get that doll out of the way. [_As they advance into the room,_ PAULA _abruptly ceases playing and finds interest in a volume of music._ SIR GEORGE _is now nodding and snoring apoplectically._] Lady Orreyed, whenever you feel inclined for a game of billiards I'm at your service.

LADY ORREYED.

[_Jumping up._] Charmed, I'm sure! I really thought you'd forgotten poor little me. Oh, look at Dodo!

AUBREY.

No, no, don't wake him; he's tired.