The Americans Part 14

(_She comes forward_)

GEORGE EGERTON.

That wasn't what I said. You are just like him.

(_He turns back and re-enters the conservatory. Mrs. Egerton pa.s.ses into the room forward right. The lights in the hall become dimmer_)

VOICES.

(_From the walls_)

Sam! Sam! Sam!

(_There is a silence, then a sigh as of innumerable voices, then a silence and another sigh and still another_)

HARRY EGERTON.

My father! O my father!

(_From the conservatory comes a sound of laughter, and a beautiful girl runs in. A moment later the bloom of a large white chrysanthemum is thrown in after her. A young man enters. Other couples come in. George Egerton, evidently master of ceremonies, moves about here and there. A tuning of instruments is heard.

People come from the side rooms. When all is in readiness, while the dancers, who have taken their positions, stand waiting for the music to begin, the sighing is again heard_)

GEORGE EGERTON.

(_Exasperated by the delay_)

What's the matter there, Melazzini?

(_Excusing himself to his partner, he goes toward the conservatory, where the orchestra is stationed. As the sigh is repeated the couples gather together. At the third sigh they scatter, some of them running out through the middle door right, others hurrying forward, one or two of the girls laughing hysterically_)

GEORGE EGERTON.

It's just the wind that's blowing through somewhere.

(_The people disappear into the apartment right. Charles, the butler, and two maids, badly frightened, come in rear_)

GEORGE EGERTON.

Close that door, Charles.

CHARLES.

There's no door open, sir.

(_The four come forward, the butler and maids briskly, George Egerton more slowly and with a sort of defiance. They, too, pa.s.s out right_)

VOICES.

(_From the walls_)

Sam! Sam! Sam!

(_The sighs are repeated_)

HARRY EGERTON.

My father! O my father!

(_The mountain lion upon the newel-post spits the light from his mouth and it breaks upon the floor. The monster then gets down_)

LION.

Chris!

A VOICE.

Yes.

LION.

Mike!

A VOICE.

Here.

LION.

Wes Dicey!

A VOICE.

Sure.

HARRY EGERTON.

(_As though a roll were being called_)

Harvey Anderson!

LION.

Whose voice was that?

A VOICE.

Who's Harvey Anderson?

SECOND VOICE.