Dandy Dick Part 22

My mother says that my bowing is something like Joachim's, and she ought to know.

SHEBA.

Why?

DARBEY.

Oh, because she's heard Joachim.

 

[_DARBEY plays and SHEBA accompanies him. SALOME sits beside TARVER._

GEORGIANA.

[_To herself._] Well, after all, George, my boy, you're not stabled in such a bad box! Here is a regular pure, simple, English Evening at Home!

THE DEAN.

[_Mumbling to himself._] A thousand pounds to the Restoration Fund and all those bills to settle--oh dear! oh dear! What shall I do?

SALOME.

[_To herself._] I hope my ball-dress will drive all the other women mad!

TARVER.

[_To himself--glaring at DARBEY._] I feel I should like to garrote him with his ba.s.s string.

GEORGIANA.

[_Frowning at her betting book._] I think I shall hedge a bit over the Crumbleigh Stakes.

DARBEY.

[_As he plays, glancing at TARVER._] I wonder how old Tarver's Chest C likes a holiday.

SHEBA.

[_As she plays._] We must get Pa to bed early. Dear Papa's always so dreadfully in the way.

GEORGIANA.

[_Looking around._] No--there's nothing like it in any other country.

A regular, pure, simple, English Evening at Home!

_BLORE enters quickly, cutting "The Times" with a paper-knife as he enters._

BLORE.

The paper's just arrived.

[_The music stops abruptly--all the ladies glare at BLORE and hush him down._

GEORGIANA, SALOME, _and_ SHEBA.

Sssss.h.!.+

THE DEAN.

[_Taking the paper from BLORE._] This is my fault--there may be something in "The Times" of special interest to me. Thank you, Blore.

[_BLORE goes out._

TARVER.

Ha, ha, ha! spoilt his pianissimo!

THE DEAN.

[_Scanning the paper._] Oh, I can't believe it!

GEORGIANA.

What's the matter?

SALOME _and_ SHEBA.

Papa!

TARVER _and_ DARBEY.

The Dean!

THE DEAN.

Children! Georgiana! Friends! My munificent offer has produced the desired result.

SALOME _and_ SHEBA.

Oh!

THE DEAN.

Seven wealthy people, including three brewers, have come forward with a thousand pounds apiece in aid of the restoration of the Minster Spire!

SALOME _and_ SHEBA.

[_Horrified._] Ah!

GEORGIANA.