The 'Mind the Paint' Girl Part 9

[_Sitting upon the settee by the piano and pulling off her gloves._]

Ha, ha, ha!

LILY.

You shut up, Jimmie. [_s.n.a.t.c.hing the fan from ROPER._] How on earth am I to remember! [_Fanning herself._] Who's given me _this_ pretty thing?

MRS. UPJOHN.

Mr. Monty Levine.

LILY.

Bless him! He's a dear little man, though he does bite his nails.

[_GLADYS appears with VINCENT BLAND, who saunters in after her. Seeing LILY, GLADYS advances to her._] Hallo, Vincent!

BLAND.

[_A thin, delicate looking man of eight-and-thirty, not over smartly dressed, wearing an eye-gla.s.s-- nodding to LILY casually._] You needn't have cut me, almost on your door-step. [_To JIMMIE and JEYES._] H'lo, Jimmie! H'lo, Nicko!

GLADYS.

[_Viewing LILY with an elevation of the brows._] Oh, are you home?

LILY.

[_Returning GLADYS'S stare._] Apparently.

GLADYS.

I'll whistle up to Maud.

LILY.

Don't, if it's too severe a strain on you.

MRS. UPJOHN.

[_To GLADYS, as the girl moves to the door._] Gladys, we'll 'ave tea.

GLADYS.

[_At the door._] You can't till it's ready.

LILY.

[_Calmly._] Cheek!

[_GLADYS retires._

BLAND.

[_Who has strolled across to LILY, indolently._] Why do you retain the services of that tousled-headed hussy?

LILY.

[_With conviction._] Oh, she's a little under the weather, but she's a perfect servant.

BLAND.

[_To MRS. UPJOHN._] Ma, you look blooming.

MRS. UPJOHN.

Wish I could return the compliment, Mr. Bland.

BLAND.

[_To ROPER, who is wearing a waistcoat of rather a p.r.o.nounced pattern._] Congratulations on your waistcoat, Lal.

ROPER.

[_Joining JIMMIE, annoyed._] Now, no personalities.

LILY.

[_Giving BLAND her hand._] Vincent, yours is one of the loveliest presents I've had to-day. _Remerciement!_ How's that for a French accent?

BLAND.

[_Dropping his eyegla.s.s._] You cat!

LILY.

Why----?

BLAND.

You know I've given you nothing, not even a penny nosegay.

JIMMIE.

Ha, ha, ha!

LILY.

[_Raising herself on her elbow._] On my honour--! Vincent dear, I swear I thought----!

BLAND.