Her Own Way Part 38

COAST. I swore off a lot of things when I thought I was going to get you, Georgiana!

GEORGIANA. [_Without any feeling._] I'm glad!

COAST. But I don't want to put on any bluff. I've sworn 'em all on again.

[_Going Left._

GEORGIANA. [_Same voice, without feeling._] I'm sorry.

COAST. [_Turning quickly and with an absurd ray of hope._] Are you _really_?

GEORGIANA. [_Looking at him a second._] No, Sam, I suppose, if I tell the truth, I don't really care. You see, somehow or other, I don't care very much about anything.

COAST. [_Discouraged._] Good-by.

GEORGIANA. Good-by, a pleasant journey.

[_She turns away. Coast is about to go when he meets_ LOUISE, _who enters Left._

LOUISE. Good morning, Sam. Where are you off to?

[_Going to the sofa._

COAST. Chicago first, Lou, and then Denver, and eventually--h.e.l.l, I guess!

[_With a little gulp in his throat he goes out quickly._

LOUISE. What's the matter with him--he hasn't proposed to you again?

GEORGIANA. He's going away, and he's made Steve--

LOUISE. [_Interrupting._] I've just seen Steve, he's told me. Steve's coming uptown soon--to see you--

GEORGIANA. [_Sitting on the sofa beside_ LOUISE.] To see me--why?

LOUISE. He'll tell you better than I--I feel happy, Georgiana.

GEORGIANA. I'm glad.

LOUISE. And I believe you'll be happy again.

GEORGIANA. Thank you, Louise!

[MRS. CARLEY _enters Right and sits by the table._

MRS. CARLEY. You back, Louise! I'm that tired, shopping. I'm buying everything I can think of we'll be likely to need for months. There'll be _no_ pleasure buying things when, instead of having them sent to 2 East 71st Street, we have to say 329 West 143rd!

GEORGIANA. [_Rises and goes back of the table._] Mother, dear, you may not have to leave here after all!

MRS. CARLEY. What do you mean?

GEORGIANA. Louise will tell you. I've promised to sit through lunch with the children this morning if you don't mind, and it's their hour.

MRS. CARLEY. But, Georgiana--

[_She is interrupted by a gesture and a glance from_ LOUISE _to let_ GEORGIANA _go._

GEORGIANA. [_Sweetly._] Yes? Do you want me for anything, dear?

[LOUISE _repeats the gesture, unnoticed by_ GEORGIANA.

MRS. CARLEY. Oh, no.

GEORGIANA. If you want me--

MRS. CARLEY. No.

GEORGIANA. Louise, I told Bella s.h.i.+ndle I'd help her get up an article this morning on the drawing-room and dining room for her sister,--you know--who has a friend who writes for the weekly papers. You don't mind, do you?

LOUISE. No.

GEORGIANA. Of course, if you _do_ mind--

LOUISE. But I don't, not the least in the world.

GEORGIANA. [_Smiling._] Bella says it will be a great thing for her sister's reputation--what she calls such a "select" house as ours--and buy her a new hat besides. So I thought we'd better.

[_She goes out Right._

MRS. CARLEY. Did you ever know any one so changed? She hasn't been horrid to me once since he died. It makes me feel perfectly dreadful to have her treat me so nice.

[_Almost crying, crosses to Left._

LOUISE. Mother, you know Mrs. Coleman sent for me just now.

MRS. CARLEY. Yes?

LOUISE. Well, why, do you suppose?

MRS. CARLEY. I don't know, but I hope you'll tell me that, too, sometime--what about Steve?

LOUISE. That must wait, mother--d.i.c.k Coleman--

MRS. CARLEY. What? Don't tell me he made another will, and didn't leave Georgiana his money.

LOUISE. No, it's good news for Georgiana. I'm almost as afraid to tell you as to tell her. [_Whispers._] d.i.c.k Coleman may be alive, after all.

MRS. CARLEY. Louise!