The 'Mind the Paint' Girl Part 44

[_As she dances, recollecting the note she is holding and opening it._] What's this? [_Reading the note, her arm resting upon FARNCOMBE'S shoulder._] "Dear Miss Parradell.... [_glancing at the signature_] Farncombe"! [_To FARNCOMBE._] From you!

FARNCOMBE.

Yes.

LILY.

[_Reading._] "Will you allow me to----?"

[_She reads to the end silently, and then she stops dancing and they stand for a moment looking confusedly at each other. Then, with an expressionless face, she slips the note into her dress and they dance again, singing the refrain as before._

BLAND.

[_At the finish, shutting down the lid of the piano and rising._]

Ladies and gentlemen, the festivities connected with Miss Parradell's birthday are over. [_Leaving the piano._] Our lives will now resume their normal, serious course.

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Regretfully._] Ah-h-h-h!

[_The ladies put on their wraps, the men their overcoats, and there is a great deal of stir and chatter. DE CASTRO a.s.sists GABRIELLE; VON RETTENMAYER, ENID; FULKERSON, DAPHNE; and FARNCOMBE, JIMMIE. LILY joins in the talk and bustle with forced animation. JIMMIE and FARNCOMBE glance at her, and then, inquiringly, at one another._

ROPER.

[_Putting on his overcoat with BLAND'S help._] Well, n.o.body can say the affair hasn't been a brilliant success; that's one comfort.

GABRIELLE.

Wouldn't be true if they did. [_To DE CASTRO, irritably._] You've got it inside-out.

LILY.

[_To ENID and GABRIELLE, kneeling upon the settee._] Ah, yes, haven't we had a splendid, splendid time!

ENID.

Splendid!

VON RETTENMAYER.

A gharming pardy!

DE CASTRO.

Abtholutely A 1!

VON RETTENMAYER.

[_Singing._] "Venus, seinen Nacken beut Dir Dein Sklave, dienstbereit!"

LILY.

[_Running to ROPER and seizing his hands._] A vote of thanks to Lal for his share in getting it up!

BLAND.

[_Slapping ROPER on the back._] Bravo, Lal!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Lal!

LILY.

[_Walking about._] And to Carlton! Bravo, Carlton!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Carlton! Bravo, Smythe!

DE CASTRO.

[_Putting on his overcoat._] Don't forget Morrie Coolin'!

LILY.

No, don't forget Morrie. Dear old Morrie!

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Bravo, Morrie!

DE CASTRO.

There hathn't been a hitch from thtart to finish, in fact.

LILY.

[_At the nearer side of the table again._] Not a hitch.

FULKERSON.

[_Remembering his grievance._] I beg yo' par'n-- no' a 'itch! [_In difficulties with his overcoat._] When a gen'leman'sh invited b' th'

lady 'f th' house t' partake 'f some refreshmen'----

SOME OF THE OTHERS.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!