The Easiest Way Part 15

ELFIE. [_Suddenly becomes animated_.] Now you're a sensible dear. I'll bet he's half frozen down there. [_Goes to door_.] I'll send him up.

Look at you, Laura, you're a sight. [_Crosses to_ LAURA, _takes her by hand, leads her up to washstand, takes towel and wipes_ LAURA'S _eyes_.] It'll never do to have him see you looking like this; come over here and let me fix your eyes. Now, Laura, I want you to promise me you won't do any more crying. [_Leads_ LAURA _over to dresser, takes powder-puff and powders_ LAURA'S _face_.] Come over here and let me powder your nose. Now when he comes up you tell him he has got to blow us all off to a dinner to-night at Martin's, seven-thirty. Let me look at you. Now you're all right. [_After daubing_ LAURA'S _face with the rouge paw_, ELFIE _takes_ LAURA'S _face in her hands and kisses her_.] Make it strong now, seven-thirty, don't forget. I'll be there.

[_Crosses to armchair, gathers up m.u.f.f, &c_.] So long.

[_Exit_.

_After_ ELFIE'S _exit_ LAURA _crosses slowly to wardrobe, pulls off picture of_ JOHN; _crosses to dresser, takes picture of_ JOHN _from there; carries both pictures over to bed; kneels on bed, pulls down picture at head of bed; places all three pictures under pillow_. WILL _is heard coming upstairs, and knocks_.

LAURA. Come in.

WILL _enters. His dress is that of a man of business, the time being about February. He is well groomed and brings with him the impression of easy luxury_.

WILL. [_As he enters_.] h.e.l.lo, Laura.

_There is an obvious embarra.s.sment on the part of each of them. She rises, goes to him and extends her hand_.

LAURA. I'm--I'm glad to see you, Will.

WILL. Thank you.

LAURA. Won't you sit down?

WILL. [_Regaining his ease of manner_.] Thank you again.

[_Puts hat and cane at end of wardrobe; removes overcoat and places it on back of armchair; sits in armchair_.

LAURA. [_Sits right of table_.] It's rather cold out, isn't it?

WILL. Just a bit sharp.

LAURA. You came with Elfie in the car?

WILL. She picked me up at Martin's; we lunched there.

LAURA. By appointment?

WILL. I'd asked her.

LAURA. Well?

WILL. Well, Laura.

LAURA. She told you?

WILL. Not a great deal. What do you want to tell me?

LAURA. [_Very simply, and avoiding his glance_.] Will, I'm ready to come back.

WILL. [_With an effort concealing his sense of triumph and satisfaction. Rises, crosses to_ LAURA.] I'm mighty glad of that, Laura. I've missed you like the very devil.

LAURA. Do we--do we have to talk it over much?

[_Crosses to left of table in front of bed_.

WILL. Not at all unless you want to. I understand--in fact, I always have.

LAURA. [_Wearily_.] Yes, I guess you always did. I didn't.

[_Crosses and sits right of table_.

WILL. It will be just the same as it was before, you know.

LAURA. Yes.

WILL. I didn't think it was possible for me to miss anyone the way I have you. I've been lonely.

LAURA. That's nice in you to say that.

WILL. You'll have to move out of here right away. [_Crossing to back of table, surveying room_.] This place is enough to give one the colly-wabbles. If you'll be ready to-morrow I'll send my man over to help you take care of the luggage.

LAURA. To-morrow will be all right, thank you.

WILL. And you'll need some money in the meantime. I'll leave this here.

[_He takes a roll of bills and places it on the bureau_.

LAURA. You seem to have come prepared. Did Elfie and you plan this all out?

WILL. Not planned--just hoped. I think you'd better go to some nice hotel now. Later we can arrange.

[_Sits on up-stage side of bed_.

LAURA. Will, we'll always be frank. I said I was ready to go. It's up to you--when and where.

WILL. The hotel scheme is the best, but, Laura--

LAURA. Yes?

WILL. You're quite sure this is in earnest. You don't want to change?

You've time enough now.

LAURA. I've quite made up my mind. It's final.

WILL. If you want to work, Burgess has a nice part for you. I'll telephone and arrange if you say so.

LAURA. Thanks. Say I'll see him in the morning.

WILL. And, Laura, you know when we were in Denver, and--