Five O'Clock Tea - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel Five O'Clock Tea Part 4 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
Mrs. Miller, t.i.ttering ineffectively: "I shall know what to say to Mr.
Miller after this."
Mrs. Crashaw: "Well, if you haven't got the man, Mrs. Somers, you _have_ got his picture, haven't you?"
Mrs. Somers: "Yes; it's on my writing-desk in the library. Let me--"
Lawton: "No, no; don't disturb yourself! We wish to tear it to pieces without your embarra.s.sing presence. Will you take my arm, Mrs. Crashaw?"
Mrs. Bemis: "Oh, let us all go and see it!"
Roberts: "Aren't you coming, Willis?"
Campbell, without looking round: "Thank you, I've seen it."
Mrs. Somers, whom the withdrawal of her other guests has left alone with him: "How could you tell such a fib?"
Campbell: "I could tell much worse fibs than that in such a cause."
Mrs. Somers: "What cause?"
Campbell: "A lost one, I'm afraid. Will you answer my question, Amy?"
Mrs. Somers: "Did you ask me any?"
Campbell: "You know I did--before those people came in."
Mrs. Somers: "Oh, _that_! Yes. I should like to ask _you_ a question first."
Campbell: "Twenty, if you like."
Mrs. Somers: "Why do you feel authorized to call me by my first name?"
Campbell: "Because I love you. Now will you answer me?"
Mrs. Somers, dreamily: "I didn't say I would, did I?"
Campbell, rising, sadly: "No."
Mrs. Somers, mechanically taking the hand he offers her: "Oh! What--"
Campbell: "I'm going; that's all."
Mrs. Somers: "So soon?"
Campbell: "Yes; but I'll try to make amends by not coming back soon--or at all."
Mrs. Somers: "You mustn't!"
Campbell: "Mustn't what?"
Mrs. Somers: "You mustn't keep my hand. Here come some more people. Ah, Mrs. Canfield! Miss Bayly! So very nice of you, Mrs. Wharton! Will you have some tea?"
VII
_MRS. CANFIELD, MISS BAYLY, MRS. WHARTON, and the OTHERS_
Mrs. Wharton: "No, thank you. The only objection to afternoon tea is the tea."
Mrs. Somers: "I'm so glad you don't mind the weather." With her hand on the teapot, glancing up at Miss Bayly: "And do you refuse too?"
Miss Bayly: "I can answer for Mrs. Canfield that _she_ doesn't, and I _never_ do. _We_ object to the weather."
Mrs. Somers, pouring a cup of tea: "That makes it a little more difficult. I can keep from offering Mrs. Wharton some tea, but I can't stop its snowing."
Miss Bayly, taking her cup: "But you're so amiable; we know you would if you could, and that's quite enough. We're not the first and only, are we?"
Mrs. Somers: "_Dear_, no! There are mult.i.tudes of flattering spirits in the library, stopping the mouth of my portrait with pretty speeches."
Miss Bayly, vividly: "Not your _Bramford_ portrait?"
Mrs. Somers: "My Bramford _portrait_."
Miss Bayly, to the other ladies: "Oh, let us go and see it too!" They flutter out of the drawing-room, where Mrs. Somers and Campbell remain alone together as before. He continues silent, while she waits for him to speak.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "MRS. SOMERS, POURING A CUP OF TEA: 'THAT MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT'"]
VIII
_MRS. SOMERS; MR. CAMPBELL_
Mrs. Somers, finally: "Well?"
Campbell: "Well, what?"
Mrs. Somers: "Nothing. Only I thought you were--you were going to--"
Campbell: "No; I've got nothing to say."
Mrs. Somers: "I didn't mean that. I thought you were going to--go." She puts up her hand and hides a triumphant little smile with it.
Campbell: "Very well, then, I'll go, since you wish it." He holds out his hand.