Plays Part 36

FUSSIE: Oh-Madeline, (holds out her hand to take the book from HORACE and shows it to MADELINE) You know-

DORIS: S-h Don't be silly, (to cover this) Who you playing with?

HORACE: Want me to play with you, Madeline?

MADELINE: (genially) I'd rather play with you than talk to you.

HORACE: Same here.

FUSSIE: Aren't cousins affectionate?

MADELINE: (moving through to the other part of the library) But first I'm looking for a book.

HORACE: Well, I can tell you without your looking it up, he did say it. But that was an age of different values. Anyway, the fact that they're quoting it shows it's being misapplied.

MADELINE: (smiling) Father said so.

HORACE: (on his dignity) Oh, of course-if you don't want to be serious.

(MADELINE laughs and pa.s.ses on through.)

DORIS: What are you two talking about?

HORACE: Madeline happened to overhear a little discussion down on the campus.

FUSSIE: Listen. You know something? Sometimes I think Madeline Morton is a highbrow in disguise.

HORACE: Say, you don't want to start anything like that. Madeline's all right. She and I treat each other rough-but that's being in the family.

FUSSIE: Well, I'll tell you something. I heard Professor Holden say Madeline Morton has a great deal more mind than she'd let herself know.

HORACE: Oh, well-Holden, he's erratic. Look at how popular Madeline is.

DORIS: I should say. What's the matter with you, Fussie?

FUSSIE: Oh, I didn't mean it really hurt her.

HORACE: Guess it don't hurt her much at a dance. Say, what's this new jazz they were springing last night?

DORIS: I know! Now look here, Horace-L'me show you. (she shows him a step)

HORACE: I get you. (He begins to dance with her; the book he holds slips to the floor. He kicks it under the table.)

FUSSIE: Be careful. They'll be coming back here, (glances off left)

DORIS: Keep an eye out, Fussie.

FUSSIE: (from her post) They're coming! I tell you, they're coming!

DORIS: Horace, come on.

(He teasingly keeps hold of her, continuing the dance. At sound of voices, they run off, right. FUSSIE considers rescuing the book, decides she has not time.)

SENATOR: (at first speaking off) Yes, it could be done. There is that surplus, and as long as Morton College is socially valuable-right here above the steel works, and making this feature of military training-(he has picked up his hat) But your Americanism must be unimpeachable, Mr Fejevary. This man Holden stands in the way.

FEJEVARY: I'm going to have a talk with Professor Holden this afternoon. If he remains he will-(it is not easy for him to say) give no trouble. (MADELINE returns) Oh, here's Madeline-Silas Morton's granddaughter, Madeline Fejevary Morton. This is Senator Lewis, Madeline.

SENATOR: (holding out his hand) How do you do, Miss Morton. I suppose this is a great day for you.

MADELINE: Why-I don't know.

SENATOR: The fortieth anniversary of the founding of your grandfather's college? You must be very proud of your ill.u.s.trious ancestor.

MADELINE: I get a bit bored with him.

SENATOR: Bored with him? My dear young lady!

MADELINE: I suppose because I've heard so many speeches about him-'The sainted pioneer'-'the grand old man of the prairies'-I'm sure I haven't any idea what he really was like.

FEJEVARY: I've tried to tell you, Madeline.

MADELINE: Yes.

SENATOR: I should think you would be proud to be the granddaughter of this man of vision.

MADELINE: (her smile flas.h.i.+ng) Wouldn't you hate to be the granddaughter of a phrase?

FEJEVARY: (trying to laugh it off) Madeline! How absurd.

MADELINE: Well, I'm off for tennis.

(Nods good-bye and pa.s.ses on.)

FEJEVARY: (calling to her) Oh, Madeline, if your Aunt Isabel is out there-will you tell her where we are?

MADELINE: (calling back) All right.

FEJEVARY: (after a look at his companion) Queer girl, Madeline. Rather-moody.

SENATOR: (disapprovingly) Well-yes.

FEJEVARY: (again trying to laugh it off) She's been hearing a great many speeches about her grandfather.

SENATOR: She should be proud to hear them.

FEJEVARY: Of course she should. (looking in the direction MADELINE has gone) I want you to meet my wife, Senator Lewis.

SENATOR: I should be pleased to meet Mrs Fejevary. I have heard what she means to the college-socially.