[Buntycomes in, very self-assured and well-dressed. She is more attractive than pretty in a boyish sort of way.][Prestongoes out.]
[Buntycomes in, very self-assured and well-dressed. She is more attractive than pretty in a boyish sort of way.]
[Prestongoes out.]
Nicky
Bunty. You have been quick.
Bunty
I’ve simply flown.
Nicky
Bunty ... here is mother....
Bunty
Oh!
Florence
[Taking both her hands]
This is frightfully exciting, isn’t it?
[She kisses her.]
[She kisses her.]
Nicky
I’ve told her.
Bunty
Are you furious?
Florence
Of course not. Why should I be? ’Specially now.
Bunty
It’s absolutely incredible, you being Nicky’s mother.
Florence
Am I anything like you thought I’d be?
Bunty
Yes, exactly—but I couldn’t believe it until I saw you.
Florence
Take off that perfectly divine cloak and have a cigarette. I’ve got to rush and dress now, because I’mterriblylate, but you’re dining here with Nicky and joining Tom Veryan and me at the Embassy afterwards.
Bunty
Tom Veryan?...
Florence
Yes. Do you know him?
Bunty
I did when I was a child—if it’s the same one.
[She takes off her cloak.]
[She takes off her cloak.]
Florence
[Effusively]
Nicky—I don’t feel extraordinary about it any more—I’mdelighted.
Nicky
Angel.
Florence
Perhaps Bunty would like to come down to the house on Friday for the week-end?
Nicky
Oh yes! Marvelous.
Bunty
It’s awfully sweet of you, Mrs. Lancaster.
Florence
You must call me Florence; I can’t bear Mrs. Lancaster. I must fly; Tom will be here at any moment—that’s him on the desk.
Bunty
[Going over to photograph]
Yes—it is the same one.
Florence
How too divine!...
[Telephone rings.]
[Telephone rings.]
Hallo!... Yes, speaking!... Elsa darling, how are you?... What?... To-night?... How perfectly heavenly! Of course, I’d adore it.... Listen. Nicky’s just back from Paris. Can he come, too, with Bunty Mainwaring?... Yes, he’s here.... See you to-night, dear....
Here, Nicky, talk to Elsa....
[She snatches up her hand-bag and fur coat and kissesBuntyeffusively.]
[She snatches up her hand-bag and fur coat and kissesBuntyeffusively.]
I’m so glad about you and Nicky—It’s too wonderful.
[She rushes out.]
[She rushes out.]
Nicky
[At telephone]
Hallo, Elsa.... I’d no idea you were in London. I’m terribly thrilled. My dear, you haven’t.... All those lovely tunes you played to me in Paris?...How amazing!Iamglad.... Have you done anything with that Tango?... You must play it to-night; I want Bunty to hear it.... It isperfect, isn’t it?... Good-bye, dear. [He hangs up the receiver.] Bunty.
Bunty
What?
Nicky
I’m terribly happy.
Bunty
So am I.
Nicky
Do you remember how we planned all this—coming home together—and breaking it to mother—and everything?
Bunty
Rather.
Nicky
Do you really like her?
Bunty
I adore her—she’s a perfect angel.
Nicky
I told her your “heroic little boy” line; she loved it.
Bunty
It’s true, you know—rather defiant too—laughing at Fate.
Nicky
Doesn’t Paris seem ages away now?
Bunty
A different life altogether.
Nicky
That nasty little bit of Channel is such an enormous gulf, really. Did you put that dress on on purpose.
Bunty
[Smiling]
Perhaps.
Nicky
You are a devil.
Bunty
It’s such fun being reminded of things.
Nicky
And such agony, too.
Bunty
Nicky darling—why agony?
Nicky
It’s always agony being in love, and I started loving you in that dress.
Bunty
Did you?
Nicky
Don’t pretend you didn’t know.
Bunty
I suppose one always knows—really.
Nicky
From the very first moment.
Bunty
Yes.
Nicky
A sort of spark.
Bunty
Your playing helped a lot.
Nicky
I meant it to.
Bunty
Calculating pig.
Nicky
Have a cigarette?
Bunty
All right.
[He hands her box, and she takes one.]
[He hands her box, and she takes one.]
Nicky
[Lighting her cigarette]
I wish we weren’t so free.
Bunty
Why? What do you mean?
Nicky
I feel I should like to elope, or something violently romantic like that.
Bunty
[Laughing]
There wouldn’t be much point in it now, would there?
Nicky
Perhaps not. How much do you love me?
Bunty
I don’t know.
Nicky
It’s fun analyzing one’s emotions.
Bunty
Marvelous fun.
Nicky
And a comfort, too, when things go wrong—but it kills sentiment stone dead.
Bunty
A good job, too.
Nicky
You’re frightfully hard, Bunty.
Bunty
Am I?
Nicky
Much harder than me—really.
Bunty
You’ve got so much hysteria.
Nicky
I can’t help it.
Bunty
Of course not; it’s your temperament. You burst out suddenly.
Nicky
Not so badly as I used to.
Bunty
You’re growing older.
Nicky
God, yes! Isn’t it foul?
Bunty
Hell, my dear.
Nicky
It’s funny how mother’s generation always longed to be old when they were young, and we strain every nerve to keep young.
Bunty
That’s because we see what’s coming so much more clearly.
Nicky
Wouldn’t it be terrible to knowexactly?—I feel frightened sometimes.
Bunty
Why?
Nicky
We’re all so hectic and nervy....
Bunty
It doesn’t matter—it probably only means we shan’t live so long....
Nicky
[Suddenly]
Shut up—shut up....
[EnterPreston.]
[EnterPreston.]
Preston
[Announcing]
Mr. Veryan.
[EnterTom.Nickygreets him and shakes hands. ExitPreston.]
[EnterTom.Nickygreets him and shakes hands. ExitPreston.]
Nicky
How are you? I’m Nicky—I came over to-day instead of to-morrow....
Tom
Oh!
Nicky
Do you know Bunty Mainwaring?
Tom
Bunty—I say—I am glad.
[They shake hands warmly.]
[They shake hands warmly.]
Nicky
We’d better have some cocktails.
[He goes to the door and shouts.]
[He goes to the door and shouts.]
Preston ... bring us some cocktails....
Tom
Thisisjolly. I didn’t know what had become of you.
Bunty
I’ve been living in Paris a good deal.
Tom
How many years ago is it since we?...
Bunty
During the War. The last time I saw you you were at Sandhurst.
Nicky
Such a pretty place.
Tom
You’ve hardly altered a bit—more grown up, of course.
Nicky
All this is most affecting.
Tom
Bunty and I used to know each other awfully well.
Nicky
What fun!
Bunty
[Warningly]
Nicky....
Nicky
But it is—it’s thrilling—there’s nothing so charming as a reunion.
Bunty
Nicky and I have been traveling all day.... Boats and trains get on his nerves....
Nicky
When the cocktails come, tell Preston to bring mine to me in father’s room.
Bunty
Nicky, don’t be so silly.
Nicky
Surely it’s not silly to want to talk to my aged father after a year’s debauch in Paris? I fail to see why you should have the monopoly of reunions.
Bunty
Well, don’t be long.
Tom
Cheerio!
Nicky
[Crossly]
Oh, God!
[He goes out.]
[He goes out.]
Tom
What’s up?
Bunty
These temperamental musicians.
Tom
Silly ass.
Bunty
He isn’t really—he’s only jealous.
Tom
Why ... is he?...
Bunty
We’re by way of being engaged.
Tom
What?
Bunty
Why not?
Tom
Are you ... are you in love with him?
Bunty
[Lightly]
Yes—isn’t it damnable?
Tom
Good Lord!
[He laughs.]
[He laughs.]
Bunty
What are you laughing at?
Tom
It seems so funny you being in love with that sort of chap.
Bunty
What do you mean by “that sort of chap”?
Tom
Oh—I don’t know, that type seems so unlike you.
Bunty
Type?
Tom
Yes, you know—up in the air—effeminate.
Bunty
You’re more bucolic than you used to be, Tom.
Tom
Here, I say....
[EnterPrestonwith cocktails.]
[EnterPrestonwith cocktails.]
Bunty
Will you please take Mr. Nicky’s in to him in his father’s room?
Preston
Yes, miss.
Tom
Is Mrs. Lancaster nearly ready?
Preston
I think so, sir.
Tom
Ask her to hurry. We shall be late.
Preston
Yes, sir.
[He goes out.]
[He goes out.]
Bunty
I can laugh now.
[She does so.]
[She does so.]
Tom
Why?
Bunty
I’ve just realized something.
Tom
What?
Bunty
We shall meet again—over the week-end.
Tom
Are you coming down to the house?
Bunty
Yes.
Tom
That’s splendid. Come for a tramp Sunday morning and we’ll talk.
Bunty
What about?
Tom
Oh, lots of things—old times.
Bunty
[Lifting her cocktail]
Old times, Tom.
Tom
[Doing the same]
Cheerio!
Curtain