[Complacently]
[Complacently]
He adores me—worships me—he’s never seen anyone like me before in his life. I’m something strange ... exotic——
Helen
You’re more in love with him than he is with you.
Florence
You’re getting on my nerves to-day, Helen.
Helen
You do see that I’m right, don’t you?
Florence
If you knew some of the things he’s said to me.
Helen
I can guess them.
Florence
That boy was utterly unawakened until he met me.
Helen
He’s very young.
Florence
I’ve taught him—everything.
Helen
Or nothing.
Florence
Helen, I believe you’re jealous.
Helen
Don’t be a fool.
Florence
I wish I hadn’t this fatal knack of seeing through people.
Helen
How’s David?
Florence
I don’t know. He ought to be home soon.
Helen
Doesn’t he ever suspect anything?
Florence
Of course not—he adores me.
Helen
It seems so strange not to see——
Florence
I’m devoted to David—I’d do anything for him, anything in the world—but he’s grown old and I’ve kept young; it does muddle things up so. I can’t help having a temperament, can I?
Helen
Temperament.... No.
Florence
David’s always loved me and never understood me—you see, I’m such an extraordinarymixture. I have so manysidesto my character. I adore being at home and running the house and looking after David and Nicky——
Helen
You don’t exactly overdo it.
Florence
Well, Nicky’s been away for such ages. Also, one must be in London for the season. You can’t expect me to bury myself in the country indefinitely. I shall be there practically all through the spring and summer.
Helen
Lovely tennis parties and cricket weeks and things——
Florence
Certainly.
Helen
[Kissing her]
You’re a divine creature, Florence.
Florence
[Basking]
Am I? [The telephone rings.] Hallo!... Yes—speaking. [ToHelenin a whisper.] It’s Inez Zulieta. I never went to her recital.... Inezdarling, I never recognized your voice.... Didn’t you get my note?... It was absolutely true, I was in agony.... Inez, don’t be angry. If you only knew how I longed for the sound of your wonderful, wonderful voice.... Darling.... Inez, don’t beso cruel.... To-morrow, then. [She hangs up receiver.] I do wish Inez wasn’t so persistent.
Helen
You never stop encouraging her.
Florence
Oh, Helen, I’m so tired of everyone.
Helen
Except Tom?
Florence
Yes, except Tom; he’s such a darling.
Helen
How do you think he and Nicky will get on?
Florence
Marvelously—Tom loves music.
Helen
He says he does.
Florence
My dear, I took him to that Russian thing the other day and he sat entranced from beginning to end.
Helen
Poor Nicky!
Florence
Why do you say that?
Helen
Because I sometimes feel it.
Florence
[Suddenly furious]
Oh, I wonder why we’re such friends—we’re so opposite—you don’t understand me a bit. I used to think you did, but you’ve been different lately—unsympathetic.
Helen
No, I haven’t.
Florence
Yes, you have—over Tom—I believe you’re in love with him yourself.
Helen
[Smiling]
No—it isn’t that.
Florence
Anyhow, you can’t bear him being in love with me.
Helen
I don’t think he is—really. I quite realize that hewasvery violently infatuated, but that is wearing off a bit now. I’m beginning to see him as he is....
Florence
No, no, it’s not true—you don’t understand——
Helen
Wearefriends, Florence, though we’re so “opposite.” Do you really know the truth—inside you? Or is all this shrill vanity real?
Florence
What’s the matter with you?
Helen
You’re ten years older than I am, but when I’m your age I shall be twenty years older than you.
Florence
Darling, how deliciously involved—whatcanyou mean by that?
Helen
I mean, I think it’s silly not to grow old when the time comes.
[She rises and goes towards door.]
[She rises and goes towards door.]
Florence
[Outraged]
Helen! [There is suddenly heard a violent knocking at the front door.] What on earth is that?
[There is a noise outside, then the door bursts open andNickyenters. He is extremely well-dressed in traveling clothes. He is tall and pale, with thin, nervous hands.]
[There is a noise outside, then the door bursts open andNickyenters. He is extremely well-dressed in traveling clothes. He is tall and pale, with thin, nervous hands.]
Florence
Nicky!
Nicky
Mother!
[He embraces her.]
[He embraces her.]
Florence
But I’d no idea—I thought you were coming to-morrow.
Nicky
No, to-day—I wrote to you.
Florence
I’m terribly, terribly excited.
Nicky
Helen, dear, how are you?
[He kisses her.]
[He kisses her.]
Helen
Splendid, Nicky.
Florence
I can’t get over you arriving like this.... I never realized——
Nicky
Silly ... you’re looking awfully well.
Florence
Am I?
Nicky
Wonderful, as usual.
Florence
I was talking to George Morrison only last Thursday——
Nicky
The man who wrote that fearful book?
Florence
It isn’t a fearful book, it’s brilliant—anyhow, he absolutely refused to believe that I had a grown-up son.
Helen
My dears, I must fly.
Nicky
Don’t go yet.
Helen
I must—I’m hours late as it is.
Nicky
Be a little later, then.
Florence
Remember, five-o’clock train on Friday.
Nicky
Oh, is she coming down to the house? Divine!
Helen
Yes, if Florence is still speaking to me. Good-bye.
[She goes out.]
[She goes out.]
Nicky
Have you been having a scene?
Florence
No, dear.
Nicky
She’s a darling—Helen——
Florence
Extremely stupid and tactless sometimes.
Nicky
It doesn’t feel as though I’d been away at all.
Florence
I’ve missed you appallingly—we had such a short time together in Paris. Did you enjoy all my letters?
Nicky
I adored them—so did John Bagot. I used to read most of them aloud to him. He’s mad on you—saw your pictures in theTatler, or something, and fell in love with it.
Florence
Is he nice?
Nicky
He’s grand.
Florence
We must all dine at the Embassy. When is he coming to England?
Nicky
Not until after Christmas.
Florence
You must see my new photographs; they’re wonderful.
[She takes large packet from desk.]
[She takes large packet from desk.]
Nicky
It’s heavenly—being back.
Florence
Look.
Nicky
I don’t like that one.
Florence
How can you, Nicky! Tom likes that one best of all.
Nicky
Who’s Tom?
Florence
Tom Veryan—he’s a dear; you’ll like him frightfully—you know—the very nicest type of Englishman.
Nicky
I hate the very nicest type of Englishman.
Florence
Don’t be tiresome, Nicky; he’s only twenty-four, and they all thinksowell of him——
Nicky
All who?
Florence
All his officers and people; he’s in the Brigade.
Nicky
[Holding photograph away from him and scrutinizing it through half-closed eyes]
Now that one really isenchanting—they’ve got your hairbeautifully. Oh, yes, my dear, it’s perfect——
Florence
[Complacently]
Itisgood. She’s sweet—Madame Henderson, she simply won’t hear of my paying for these—she says it’s quite sufficient to be allowed to exhibit them in the window.
Nicky
Is anyone dining this evening?
Florence
No. Oh, dear! I’d forgotten—I’m dining out with Tom.
Nicky
Oh—I see.
Florence
Your first night home, too—how perfectly fiendish. What a fool I am to have muddled it up.
Nicky
It doesn’t matter, darling.
Florence
Oh, but itdoes. I wonder if we could get another seat——
Nicky
Seat? What for?
Florence
We’re going to the first night of “The New Elaine.” It’s going to be marvelous.
Nicky
Who’s in it?
Florence
Nora Dean and Selwyn Steele——
Nicky
Oh, God!
Florence
It’s silly of youalwaysto jeer at Selwyn Steele. He’ s a brilliant actor, if only he could get away from his wife....
Nicky
I couldn’t bear him to-night, anyway; I’m tired. Is father home yet?
Florence
No, I don’t think so. Oh, I do feel such a beast——
Nicky
Don’t be silly—honestly, I don’t mind a bit.
Florence
I know—you have a nice quiet dinner here and join us at the Embassy afterwards.
Nicky
Is it a late night?
Florence
Yes, they play the most heavenly tune there now—Tom always makes them do it over and over again—I’ll put it on——
[She goes to the gramophone.]
[She goes to the gramophone.]
Nicky
How’s Iris?
Florence
My dear, don’t speak of her.
Nicky
Why—what’s she done?
Florence
She’s been absolutely foul.
Nicky
In what way?
Florence
Every way—I never trusted her, luckily—Thank God I’ve got instincts about people—listen, isn’t this marvelous—She said the most filthy things to Gloria Craig about me—I always knew she was insanely jealous, but there are limits. I loathe being at people’s beck and call.... Come and dance.
Nicky
[As they dance]
I’m sorry you’ve rowed—I rather liked her——
Florence
Only because she kept on saying how wonderful you were.... She doesn’t know a thing about music really.
Nicky
Oh yes, she does.
Florence
It’s merely bluff—all that appreciation.Darling, how oddly you’re dancing.
Nicky
It’s probably because we haven’t danced together for so long....
Florence
Anyhow, now she’s gone off to Monte Carlo with Violet Fenchurch—silly fool——
[EnterDavid Lancaster.He is an elderly gray-haired pleasant man.]
[EnterDavid Lancaster.He is an elderly gray-haired pleasant man.]
David
[Delighted]
Nicky—my boy——
Nicky
[Kissing him]
Hallo, father——
David
I thought—Florence said—to-morrow——
Nicky
Mother muddled it up.
David
You look rather tired.
Nicky
I’m splendid. How’s everything?
David
The same as usual. I’ve made lots of improvements down at the house.
Florence
David thinks and talks of nothing but the farm——
David
It’s beginning to pay a bit—Peterson’s an awfully good man.
Nicky
We’ll make a grand tour of it on Sunday.
David
Have you enjoyed yourself in Paris?
Nicky
Oh yes, rather—it’s a splendid place to work.
David
It never struck me that way quite, but still——
Florence
Sophie de Molignac said Nicky’s playing had improved wonderfully.
David
I’m so glad, Nicky.
Nicky
I’ve been doing some Spanish stuff lately.
David
I wish I knew more about it.
Nicky
Never mind, father.
David
Come to my room and talk. I can’t bear that thing——
Florence
Father’s such a beast; he never will dance with me.
David
Is theEvening Newsanywhere about?
Nicky
Yes, here.
[He gives it to him.]
[He gives it to him.]
David
I’m so glad you’re home again, Nicky—don’t forget—come and talk....
[He goes out.]
[He goes out.]
Florence
David’s so much happier in the country.
Nicky
Why on earth doesn’t he retire and live at the house for good?
Florence
Work has become such a habit with him—he’s always hated giving up habits.
Nicky
Mother—I’ve got something rather important to tell you.
Florence
Darling, how thrilling! What is it?
Nicky
I am engaged to be married.
Florence
What!
Nicky
Practically—as much as one can be these days.
Florence
Nicky!
Nicky
Don’t look so stricken.
Florence
But, Nicky—I never sort of visualized you being engaged, or married, or anything.
Nicky
Why not?
Florence
You’re not old enough.
Nicky
I’m twenty-four.
Florence
You don’t look it.... Thank God!
Nicky
What do you really feel about it, mother?
Florence
Darling—I hardly know what to say—you’ve sprung it on me so suddenly. Who is she?
Nicky
A girl called Bunty Mainwaring.
Florence
What a silly name!
Nicky
It isn’t at all—it’s very attractive.
Florence
Is she an actress, or a student, or what?
Nicky
Neither—she is what is technically termed a “lady.”
Florence
Do you think she’ll like me?
Nicky
She went mad over your photograph.
Florence
Which one?
Nicky
The “looking out of the window” one.
Florence
That really is one of the best I’ve ever had done.
Nicky
She said you had the face of an heroic little boy.
Florence
What adivinething to say!
[She glances at herself in the glass.]
[She glances at herself in the glass.]
Nicky
She does say divine things—she’s supremely intelligent.
Florence
Is she in Paris?
Nicky
No, she came over with me to-day.
Florence
Where does she live?
Nicky
Just round the corner in Carbury Square.
Florence
Near the Churchingtons.
Nicky
It’s her mother’s house, but her mother’s away just now, so I asked her to change quickly and come on here.
Florence
Nicky!
Nicky
Why not? I wanted you to see her as soon as possible.
Florence
[Realizing parental responsibility]
It’s an awful shock, you know.
Nicky
Nonsense, mother—you’re quite excited about it, really.
Florence
[With determination]
I shall be charming to her.
Nicky
Then she’ll adore you at once—probably too much, and I shall be jealous.
Florence
You’d better both dine here together and come on to the Embassy. How old is she?
Nicky
Twenty-three.
Florence
What does she do?
Nicky
Nothing much—she writes things occasionally.
Florence
Where did you meet her?
Nicky
First of all at a party at Olive Lloyd-Kennedy’s.
Florence
I can’t bear Olive Lloyd-Kennedy—she’s a cat.
Nicky
Then I met her again at Marion Fawcett’s—a frightful sort of reception affair—she was staying with her.
Florence
She seems to move exclusively with my worst enemies. Is she pretty?
Nicky
I don’t know—I haven’t really noticed.
Florence
[With a touch of real feeling]
Nicky darling, I do feel so extraordinary about it.
Nicky
Why extraordinary?
Florence
It’s a milestone, isn’t it—you being engaged? A definite milestone? [She catches sight of herself.] Look at my nose. [She powders it.] I do hope she’ll like me—I must go and dress now; Tom is fetching me half-past seven. Bring her to my room when she comes.
Nicky
Don’t go for a minute.
Florence
I must, really—Tom will be furious.
Nicky
Oh, damn Tom!
Florence
Oh, Nicky,don’tgo and take one of your tiresome prejudices against him.
Nicky
[Smiling]
All right, I’ll try not to.
Florence
He’s frightfully good-looking.
Nicky
Oh!
Florence
And he adores music.
Nicky
Now, then, mother——
Florence
He does, honestly.
Nicky
Good.
Florence
And he dances beautifully.
Nicky
I shall never stop dancing with him.
Florence
And he’s so good at games.
Nicky
He sounds adorable.
Florence
Of course, he needs knowing.
Nicky
So do I.
Florence
You will make an effort, though, darling, won’t you? For my sake!
Nicky
Yes, mother.
Florence
And we’ll all have a divine time together, Tom and me and you and what’s her name——
Nicky
Bunty.
Florence
Oh yes, of course, Bunty.
[Front door bell rings.]
[Front door bell rings.]
Nicky
This is her, I expect.
Florence
Do you feel wonderful about her?
Nicky
Yes.
Florence
It is thrilling, isn’t it—being in love?
Nicky
[Frowning a little]
Yes.
Florence
Your father was right—you look awfully tired, Nicky.
Nicky
What nonsense! I feel grand.
[EnterPreston.]
[EnterPreston.]
Preston
[Announcing]
Miss Mainwaring.