Her Own Way Part 24

[_Going._

d.i.c.k. [_Shaking her hand._] I'll look up.

COAST. [_At the door Right._] I'll go up and see the kids.

[COAST _looks at d.i.c.k and goes out very slowly with_ MRS. CARLEY.

GEORGIANA. I couldn't say good-by to you like that--I couldn't share my good-by with mother; you understand that, don't you, d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k. Yes, old girl, though if I had my way I wouldn't say good-by to _you_ at all--I hate good-bys to people I care about.

GEORGIANA. Sit down just a few minutes.

[_They sit down by the table._

d.i.c.k. [_Sees the tie in her hands._] Busy making reins for Toots? What an ugly color!

GEORGIANA. Is it? Well, it's a tie for you!

d.i.c.k. Oh--I mean it's ugly for reins, but perfectly lovely for a tie--I'll take it with me.

[_Puts it in his pocket._

GEORGIANA. I wish I could go with you.

d.i.c.k. Don't you think you're needed here just at this moment?

GEORGIANA. Has Steve told you?

d.i.c.k. No, Coast did.

GEORGIANA. Don't you think I'm doing right?

d.i.c.k. If you love him, of course, old girl, you're doing right. I think I must go now. [_Rises._] Good-by.

GEORGIANA. No, don't go yet, please. I can't bear to have you go.

d.i.c.k. It's good of you to care so much. [_Leans against the table._] You know only yesterday I woke up and suddenly began to hope--

GEORGIANA. What--

d.i.c.k. Nothing; I don't hope it any more, anyway! I say, Georgiana, you'll go around and see mother and father once in a while, won't you?

GEORGIANA. Of course I will--

d.i.c.k. It'll cheer them up a lot, you know--they feel so badly; it's pretty tough on them, my leaving.

GEORGIANA. _I_ feel badly too--

d.i.c.k. That's jolly good of you.

GEORGIANA. And isn't it just a little _tough_ to leave me? Your oldest friend almost, you know.

[_She adds this latter to cover up the sentiment which was coming too near the surface._

d.i.c.k. Of course it is.

GEORGIANA. You haven't said so.

d.i.c.k. Still waters run deep, Georgy, and I--[_He moves away._] really, I must be going.

GEORGIANA. [_Rising._] No, _don't_ go.

d.i.c.k. [_Looking at his watch._] I must.

GEORGIANA. No, let me see your watch. Yes, you have got three more minutes. Please--sit down--

[_She persuades him to sit down again, and she reseats herself._

d.i.c.k. Have your own way!

GEORGIANA. Will there be fighting?

d.i.c.k. I hope so!

GEORGIANA. Oh, but what fighting! I've read, I know--ambushes and tortures--their war is murder.

d.i.c.k. Yes, and that's why we're going out there to put an end to it.

GEORGIANA. Why need _you_?

d.i.c.k. Some one must, I as well as another; in fact, just now, I _better_ than any other.

GEORGIANA. Why _you_ better?

d.i.c.k. Because I want to go--I've got a restless fit, Georgiana--and want to get away from here--I want to get away from everybody.

GEORGIANA. From _me_?

d.i.c.k. Yes, even from _you_!

GEORGIANA. [_Hurt._] Thank you.

d.i.c.k. I should think your woman's instinct would teach you why.

GEORGIANA. Well, it doesn't! and I really should be very much obliged to you if you would help my woman's instinct out.

d.i.c.k. Of course it's all right what you're going to do, only--well, I don't want to be here to see it.