The Americans Part 49

Non-Union?

RALPH ARDSLEY.

They're united in the walls.

(_Laughter_)

EGERTON.

(_As they start for the stairs_)

Never you mind, gentlemen, 'twill not be long Until the model that I've built up here Will be the model everywhere.

GUESTS.

(_Led by Ralph Ardsley_)

Hurray!

(_Attracted by the shouting, some ladies look in, forward right_)

A LADY.

They do have such good times.

(_They withdraw_)

GENERAL CHADBOURNE.

(_From the steps to the Butler_)

I'll be upstairs.

(_Seeing the hall empty, the young people who have looked in occasionally from the conservatory, enter and take possession_)

RALPH ARDSLEY.

(_From the landing_)

h.e.l.lo, Gladys!

GLADYS EGERTON.

h.e.l.lo, Ardsley!

RALPH ARDSLEY.

(_Touching his throat_)

Stunning.

GLADYS EGERTON.

Thank you.

(_Ardsley disappears after the others. Mrs. Orr enters, forward right, and is later joined by Mrs. Egerton_)

MRS. ORR.

You surely have not spoken of this to him?

MRS. EGERTON.

The other night I started to.

MRS. ORR.

How could you!

(_Mrs. Egerton glances back uneasily into the room_)

MRS. ORR.

They're all right. Let's go here behind the pines.

MRS. EGERTON

(_Beckons to the Butler_)

Serve them the lunch now, Charles.

(_The Butler goes into the room, forward right. The two women pa.s.s left, where they are somewhat shut in by the pines_)

MRS. ORR.

What did he say?

MRS. EGERTON

And then--I don't know--something in his face-- Perhaps the wonder that I knew would come That such a thing--If people only knew-- Donald is not the hard unfeeling man-- And knowing this----

(_She hesitates_)

MRS. ORR.

And knowing what, my dear?

MRS. EGERTON.