The Cabinet Minister - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel The Cabinet Minister Part 32 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
Valentine.
VALENTINE WHITE.
Why, what have you there?
Imogen.
A modern young lady's jewel casket. Open it, please. [Kneeling, he opens the box.]
VALENTINE WHITE.
[Looking into the box.] Imogen! The tea-things! I recognize them!
IMOGEN.
You see, I've never parted with my playthings, Val.
VALENTINE WHITE.
[Dragging out a large, faded, once gaudy doll.] And here's Rosa! I helped to cut out Rosa's mantle. Battered old Rosa!
IMOGEN.
[Taking the doll from him.] Don't! Old she may be, but her s.e.x should protect her from insult.
VALENTINE WHITE.
And here are my marbles! and the top! Ah, ah! the skipping-rope!
Imogen--perhaps--I--I've done you an injustice.
IMOGEN.
Do you think so?
VALENTINE WHITE.
I feared fas.h.i.+on had put your bright little nature into tight corsets--but--I see--I see----
IMOGEN.
[Replacing the toys in the box.] You see, Val.
VALENTINE WHITE.
I see you have some affection for the time when you were not Miss Twombley, but only--little Jenny.
IMOGEN.
Ah!
VALENTINE WHITE.
Not that these old dumb things prove much.
IMOGEN.
Oh, Val!
VALENTINE WHITE.
They prove their own existence--not the existence of little Jenny.
IMOGEN.
[Crying.] How unjust you are!
VALENTINE WHITE.
Perhaps. But your words and actions are so unlike.
IMOGEN.
[Wiping her eyes upon the doll's frock.] No, no.
VALENTINE WHITE.
I fancy we are children again when I hear you; but when I see your prim figure and stately walk I miss the little girl whose hair never submitted to a ribbon or a hairpin----
IMOGEN.
Oh!
[Impulsively she lets down her hair and disorders it wildly.]
VALENTINE WHITE.
[Not observing her.] I miss the little Jenny with a tumbled frock [She quickly disarranges her bow and sash.], the thoughtless romp who was generally minus one shoe!
IMOGEN.
[Fiercely.] Valentine!
[She takes off a shoe and flings it away.]
VALENTINE WHITE.
Jenny!
