The 'Mind the Paint' Girl Part 38

[_Bowing to LILY slightly and drawing himself up._] Shall I-- take you to Mr. Cooling?

LILY.

[_With dignity, inclining her head._] Will you? [_She is putting her hand through his arm when the look upon his face softens her. She drops her voice to a whisper._] Have I hurt you?

FARNCOMBE.

Oh, I deserve the rebuke.

LILY.

No, you don't. [_Gently._] You may leave me at my door, with the others, if it will give you any satisfaction.

[_As they walk to the door on the left, they are met by COOLING._

COOLING.

[_To LILY, breathlessly._] Haw! Here you are!

LILY.

[_Leaving FARNCOMBE, her manner altering completely._] Come on, Morrie! [_Her feet moving to the music._] Tra, lal, la! Tra, lal, la!

[_Giving her bouquet to FARNCOMBE._] Hi-i-i-i-i! Bring my flowers!

COOLING AND LILY.

Tra, lal, la! Tra, lal, la----!

[_They run out, half dancing._

STIDULPH.

[_Calling to FARNCOMBE, who is following them._] Lord Farncombe!

FARNCOMBE.

Yes?

STIDULPH.

[_Going to him._] Will you spare me a moment?

FARNCOMBE.

[_A little impatiently._] Er-- certainly.

STIDULPH.

[_Laying a shaky hand on FARNCOMBE'S arm and leading him away from the door._] Excuse me for what I'm going to say to you. I-- I know your father-- knew him very well years ago-- and your mother. [_With deep feeling._] My boy-- my dear boy----

FARNCOMBE.

[_Surprised._] Colonel?

STIDULPH.

I-- I-- I'm sorry to find you in this set.

FARNCOMBE.

[_Stiffly._] What do you mean?

STIDULPH.

Don't be angry with me. I'm an old man-- and an old fool; but it's from the fools that the useful lessons are to be learned.

FARNCOMBE.

[_Withdrawing his arm from STIDULPH._] I really don't understand you.

STIDULPH.

Try to. Not now-- another time; when this music isn't exciting you, nor these pretty women. Think it out by yourself! You're at the beginning of your career, my boy. Remember me-- the old fool who's brought _his_ to a miserable end-- and that I cautioned you-- cautioned you--!

[_LUIGI hurries in at the door on the left, followed by a waiter carrying a tray, and by the waiter with the beard._

LUIGI.

[_Laughing._] He, he, he, he! [_Behind the counter, preparing drinks._] Look out, gentlemen; you are losing it all. They are having a romp-- a fine lark. [_FARNCOMBE goes out at the door on the left._]

Make haste, Colonel; make haste! [_STIDULPH goes out, slowly, at the right-hand door at the back._] Whiskey-and-soda for Mr. Tavish; liqueur of brandy-- Mr. Grimwood. [_The waiter carrying the tray goes out with the drinks at the door on the left._] Ha, ha, ha! [_Singing to the music._] Tra, lal, la! Tra, lal, la----!

[_LUIGI is following the waiter who has carried out the tray when the bearded waiter, coming to the nearer settee in the centre, calls to him._

THE BEARDED WAITER.

[_Sitting upon the settee, gruffly._] Luigi.

LUIGI.

[_Halting._] Eh?

THE BEARDED WAITER.

[_Taking out a handful of money and selecting some gold from it._]

Here! [_Putting the gold into LUIGI'S palm._] For your chaps.

LUIGI.