Her Own Way Part 23

COAST. That don't surprise me!

[COAST _sits on the piano bench._

d.i.c.k. I never realized it until the other day, when I found I was going to leave her, and--perhaps--not coming back, and then I found boy friends.h.i.+p had sort of grown up into a man's love--I almost told her--[_Pause._] I wonder if I'd found it out sooner--before you came along--

COAST. No use shutting the stable door _after_ the horse is swiped!

d.i.c.k. I shan't be able to say exactly what I wanted to to Georgiana--but that's--your luck--I guess the quicker I can say good-by and get out, the better for me--

COAST. Listen--don't say anything to Georgiana about her and me, will you, unless of course she tells you--we're not talking about it yet.

d.i.c.k. _I_ don't care mentioning it, thank you.

[MRS. CARLEY _and_ GEORGIANA _come in Right and meet_ d.i.c.k.

MRS. CARLEY. We're so sorry to say good-by, d.i.c.k--will you have some tea?

d.i.c.k. No, thanks.

COAST. h.e.l.lo, Auntie.

[MRS. CARLEY _goes to the sofa and sits with her crocheting._

GEORGIANA. d.i.c.k!

[_Shaking his hand--a second long. They look into each other's eyes._

MRS. CARLEY. Isn't he fine in his uniform?

d.i.c.k. [_Embarra.s.sed._] I hadn't time to change before we start.

MRS. CARLEY. Louise asks me to give her farewells; she's got a bad headache and is being shampooed--she's _too_ disappointed not to see you.

d.i.c.k. I'm sorry she's in her usual health.

MRS. CARLEY. Got it from her father; we didn't expect him to live a year when I married him, but he surprised us all--and I tell Louise she'll outlive me yet. How are you, Sammy?

[_Drops her worsted;_ COAST _picks it up and gives it to her._

COAST. All right, only I need a shave.

[_He sits Left._

MRS. CARLEY. Well, you shouldn't talk about it! You need a lot of coaching.

GEORGIANA. [_Aside to_ d.i.c.k.] Stay; I want to speak to you alone.

d.i.c.k. All right, old girl, I think I know why.

MRS. CARLEY. Why don't you all sit down?

GEORGIANA. He hasn't much time.

d.i.c.k. I haven't long to stay. I must be at the armory by a quarter to four.

GEORGIANA. You march by here at four, don't you, on your way to the 42d St. Station?

d.i.c.k. Yes, rather a bore; but the Governor insists, and Roosevelt comes on to receive us at 59th St.

GEORGIANA. We oughtn't to keep d.i.c.k, then, mother; we ought to say good-by at once.

[_They all rise._

MRS. CARLEY. Very well, speed the parting guest! Good-by, d.i.c.k, we'll watch the papers to see what brave things you do, and don't fall in love with any of the _decollete_ young n.i.g.g.e.r ladies we read about.

d.i.c.k. Good-by, Mrs. Carley. [_They wait for_ GEORGIANA _to say good-by.

A pause._] Good-by, Coast!

[_Crosses to_ COAST, _who rises and shakes hands with_ d.i.c.k.

COAST. Good-by! Good luck--

GEORGIANA. [_Pointedly._] Good-by, Sam.

COAST. Oh, I'm not going.

[_A pause._

d.i.c.k. [_To_ GEORGIANA.] Good-by.

GEORGIANA. Good-by! [_Shakes his hand and adds under her breath to him._] Don't go. Don't go.

[_A pause; all wait._

MRS. CARLEY. He isn't in a hurry, after all, Georgiana; let's all sit down again.

[_They all sit._

GEORGIANA. [_Laughing, embarra.s.sed._] Of course I don't want to urge you off, d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k. [_Rising._] No, but really, after all, I think I _must_ go.

[_All rise again._

GEORGIANA. No! Mother, I want to speak with d.i.c.k alone, before he goes; you won't mind leaving us, will you, you and Sam?

[_Sam rises._

MRS. CARLEY. [_Unwilling._] Oh, no--Come along, Sam. We'll be on the balcony when you pa.s.s, d.i.c.k; be sure to look up. Good-by.