More Portmanteau Plays Part 63

Yes.... A long time ago.

SUSAN

Did he tell you--

JONATHAN

About the lovely lady who danced to the tune? Oh, she was wonderful!

SUSAN

Jonathan ran away--and he never wrote to me or thought of me.

JONATHAN

He thought of you and he talked of you and he sang of you.

SUSAN

No.... I can't believe that.

JONATHAN

Jonathan loves you very much.

SUSAN

If a man loves a woman very much he can't go away from her for years and years.

JONATHAN

Suppose Jonathan had pride and was ashamed to let you know that he had failed.

SUSAN

Jonathan wouldn't fail. I know Jonathan.

JONATHAN

He--Susan Sample!

[_Susan plays softly. She is lovely in the sunlight which is lengthening across the lawn._

[_Jonathan watches her quietly. The love of the boy fans into flame and he reaches out to her, then in the consciousness of his deformity he turns away._

SUSAN

Will you tell me where Jonathan was when you last saw him?

JONATHAN

I don't know--The last time I saw Jonathan--he was tall and straight--and making his way.

SUSAN

Oh, well.

[_Albert Peet enters. He is a little man of immaculate appearance and great preciseness._

ALBERT

Ah, Susan.

SUSAN

Albert, you are late.

ALBERT

Who is this?

SUSAN

This is a friend of Jonathan's.

ALBERT

Jonathan who?

SUSAN

Don't you remember Jonathan who had the toy theatre? He ran away from home.

ALBERT

Oh... and this is his friend? How do you do?

SUSAN

Do you remember this? I used to play it for you.

[_She begins "All on a Summer's Day."_

Jonathan and I made it up.

ALBERT (_laughing_)

Oh, yes.