Dolly Reforming Herself Part 18

_Dolly._ Don't leave her till you've seen her comfortably in bed.

_Peters._ No, ma'am.

[_Exit. A gust of wind and a little rattle of hail on the conservatory window._

_Matt._ Whew! The New Year means business!

_Dolly._ And so do I, as Lucas will find out.

_Matt._ He is finding it out, on that heath!

_Dolly._ Yes! [_With a little laugh._] Ha! ha! [_A louder gust and rattle of hail._] Listen! Listen! Ha! And he might have been here playing a comfortable rubber by the fire--if he'd simply behaved himself!

_Matt._ If he'd "simply behaved" himself! What we all miss through not "simply behaving" ourselves.

[_Another gust._

_Dolly._ [_Laughs._] Ah! He's catching it! I shall insist on Renie driving out with me to-morrow afternoon.

_Matt._ Yes.

_Dolly._ Then she can't meet Lucas. That will be another sell for him--[_Another furious gust and rattle._] Listen! Ha! ha! I wonder how far Lucas has got!

[_A noise of something being knocked over in the conservatory, which is lighted._

_Matt._ [_Goes to the conservatory door, looks in; is startled._] Hillo!

hillo! What?!

LUCAS _enters from the upper conservatory door in riding-clothes of first Act._

_Dolly._ [_Enraged._] Lucas! [_More enraged._] Lucas! How dare you?!

_Lucas._ It's all right--don't make a fuss!

_Dolly._ [_Furious._] Why aren't you on the way to Aldershot?

_Lucas._ I didn't like the look of the weather! I didn't like the look of it at all! So I got them to give me a shake-down at the Red Lion----

_Dolly._ [_Indignantly._] Shake-down at the Red Lion!

_Lucas._ Yes, on their sofa! You needn't look so black! I asked you first, to let me have a shake-down here--on that sofa----

_Dolly._ But why have you come back here?

_Lucas._ Well, I must have dropped those cigars uncle Matt gave me. I put them carefully in my side pocket, and when I got down to the Red Lion, lo and behold, they weren't there!

_Dolly._ You could have got a cigar at the Red Lion----

_Lucas._ [_Turns to_ MATT _for sympathy._] I could have got a cigar at the Red Lion! [_To_ DOLLY.] No, thank you! So I thought I'd just stroll up here in the hope----

_Dolly._ In the hope of seeing Mrs. Sturgess! But she's safely in bed this time, and there's no possible chance of your seeing her.

_Lucas._ In the hope of getting Harry to give me a decent smoke. Well, I came into the Hall and not wishing to rile you by my hated presence--I slipped into the conservatory----

_Enter_ HARRY.

_Harry._ [_Surprised at the riding-clothes._] Hillo, Lu, going back to Aldershot to-night?

_Lucas._ No, not unless the weather takes a turn. No, Dolly said that as the spare room was occupied, would I mind getting a shake-down at the Red Lion. So I did, and as I've got nothing to smoke, may I cadge a cigar?

_Harry._ Yes, old fellow. [_Taking out cigar-case._

_Dolly._ [_Intercepting._] You said I should take charge of your cigars, in case you should be tempted to smoke more than two a day----

_Harry._ By Jove, I forgot all about two per diem--I've been smoking all day. Here, Lu! [_About to throw cigar-case to_ LUCAS.] You'd better take the lot and keep me out of temptation!

_Dolly._ No! I'll take charge of that, please.

[_Takes the cigar-case, looks angrily at_ LUCAS, _goes to writing-desk, puts it in._

PETERS _appears at door._

_Peters._ I beg pardon, ma'am, Mrs. Sturgess----

_Dolly._ What about her?

_Peters._ When I got back with the hop-pillow she wasn't there. I've looked all over the house, and I can't find her anywhere. [_Glancing off into the conservatory._] Oh, there she is!

RENIE _enters, fully dressed from conservatory, very languidly, with handkerchief and smelling-salts._ PETERS _goes off._

_Dolly._ Renie!

[_Looks at_ MATT, _who is inclined to laugh, checks it, shrugs his shoulders and goes over to fire._

_Renie._ My head was racking, I had to rush out--I've been pacing up and down under the veranda, up and down, up and down, up and down--[DOLLY _makes a little grimace of angry incredulity_] it's a little easier now, so I'll take advantage of the lull, and try to get some sleep.

_Dolly._ Yes, I would.

_Renie._ Good-night, dear.

_Dolly._ [_Severely._] Good-night once more.

_Renie._ Good-night, Mr. Telfer. [_Offering hand._

_Harry._ Good-night, I'm awfully sorry----

_Renie._ [_With her weary smile._] Oh, it's only a headache. I can bear it. Thank you for your sympathy. [_Wringing his hand in fervent grat.i.tude._] Good-night, Mr. Barron.

_Matt._ Good-night. I hope we sha'n't have any more little tragedies, eh?