Dolly Reforming Herself Part 36

_Lucas._ Such as an apology----

[DOLLY _utters a contemptuous exclamation._

_Matt._ Will you give me your word of honor never to see Mrs. Sturgess again?

_Lucas._ Yes.

_Matt._ Or write to her?

_Lucas._ Yes.

_Matt._ The word of honour of an English gentleman used to mean something, Lu.

_Lucas._ It does now, Uncle Matt!

_Matt._ [_Shakes hands with him heartily._] Then I'll take it. Now be off as quickly as you can and let us make the best of it for you and her.

_Lucas._ Thanks. Good-bye!

_Matt._ Good-bye!

[LUCAS _crosses to_ DOLLY, _offers his hand._

_Dolly._ No, Lu. If Renie gets out of this safely and if you behave yourself, I'll shake hands with you when you come back from India.

_Lucas._ You're taking this too seriously--you're taking it far too seriously! [_Exit._

_Matt._ We're making a splendid start again for the New Year!

_Dolly._ I hope this will be a lesson for Renie!

_Matt._ I hope so. How about yourself?

_Dolly._ What do you mean?

_Matt._ I put the sovereign in, but--you've got a few more bills, eh?

_Dolly._ Just a few oddments.

_Matt._ How much?

_Dolly._ I don't know. Dad----

_Matt._ Well?

_Dolly._ Now that South Africans have gone up at last, and you won that splendid coup on them last week----

_Matt._ Well?

_Dolly._ You couldn't lend me--a few hundreds--till my allowance comes due? Just a few hundreds----

_Matt._ [_In a low reproachful tone, shaking his head._] What? What?

What? Sad! Sad! Sad!!

_Dolly._ [_Listens._] There's Harry! You will help me, Dad--you will?

_Matt._ I'll see what I can do.

HARRY _enters cheerfully._

_Harry._ That's all right, Doll! There's the address.

[_Giving a slip of paper._

_Dolly._ Thanks, dear.

_Harry._ And now about these mere oddments?

_Dolly._ Not now, dear.

_Harry._ Yes, dear, now. [_Very sternly._] This instant!

_Dolly._ Harry, you're going to lose your temper----

_Harry._ No. I'm going to keep a firm guard on it, but [_very sternly_]

let me see those bills.

_Dolly._ [_Creeps frightened up to the desk._] I'm sure you're going to lose your temper.

[_Opens the desk._

_Harry._ [_Firmly._] No. I'm quite calm. Whose bill is that? [_She hands him one timorously._] Fulks and Garner! Artist Furriers! More artists!

[_looks at total_]--one hundred and twenty-four pounds. Well, I'm----

_Dolly._ Ah, Jobling!

_Harry._ I should think I am Jobling. And you said you'd never enter their shop again!

_Dolly._ I never meant it, but this time it was absolutely necessary----

_Harry._ Necessary?

_Dolly._ Yes--you see the chief item----

_Harry._ [_Reads._] Chinchilla toque, coat, m.u.f.f and boa--eighty guineas--eighty guineas----

_Dolly._ I got them as a surprise for you when we go South next week.