More Portmanteau Plays Part 76

No, thanks. It's too hot to carry it. I'll get one when I really need it, maybe.

NATHANIEL

Well, here's something for you.

[_He offers him a five dollar bill._

Five dollars! No, thanks. If I had that much money I'd lose it maybe. Give me two bits and call it square.

[_Nathaniel hands him a quarter._

Thanks.... Well... good-bye.... I'm glad your back wasn't broke.

JONATHAN

Good-bye, Hank.

HANK

Good-bye, Mister.... I'll see you next year maybe, when it's warm.--Say, kid, I'd like to see that _Zen.o.bia_ show again:--"Hail, n.o.ble duke," "All's well, Irene." "Not very well, n.o.ble duke."

[_He goes out, chuckling to himself._

_Aunt Let.i.tia enters. As usual she has something to keep her hands busy.

She seats herself comfortably in a chair that custom has evidently made her very own. In her work she shows the effect of time upon her eyes and she may feel a tiny draught that causes her to close the doors behind her and draw her scarf a bit more closely about her. Never has Aunt Let.i.tia seemed more successfully the poor relation._

LEt.i.tIA

I thought you were out with John.

NATHANIEL

No.

[_Jonathan is looking at the ma.n.u.script._

LEt.i.tIA (_to Jonathan_)

How do you feel, dear?

JONATHAN

Fine;... I think I'll go in the house and read this.

(_To Nathaniel_)

I'm glad it isn't true.

[_He goes out._

NATHANIEL

It's the story of his delirium. I thought it would interest him--and relieve him.

LEt.i.tIA

Has John gone?

NATHANIEL

Only for a stroll--the doctor's orders.

LEt.i.tIA

Well?

NATHANIEL

Well?

LEt.i.tIA

Sit down.

NATHANIEL

In John's chair?

LEt.i.tIA

If you wish.

NATHANIEL

John's chair! The throne of the head of the family! (_He sits in John's chair_) Well?

LEt.i.tIA

Nathaniel dear, you are making John very unhappy.

NATHANIEL

And John has made me very unhappy, dearest Aunt Letty.

LEt.i.tIA

The feeling at the dinner table was almost unbearable tonight. There we sat strained and silent.

NATHANIEL