Oh, how tiresome of you to let it all out! And we've
just been pretending that you were a respectable professional man in a
first-rate position.
MRS. CLANDON (horrified). Oh, Dolly, Dolly! My dearest, how can you
be so rude? (To Valentine.) Will you excuse these barbarian children
of mine, Mr. Valentine?
VALENTINE. Thank you, I'm used to them. Would it be too much to ask
you to wait five minutes while I get rid of my landlord downstairs?
DOLLY. Don't be long. We're hungry.
MRS. CLANDON (again remonstrating). Dolly, dear!
VALENTINE (to Dolly). All right. (To Mrs. Clandon.) Thank you: I
shan't be long. (He steals a look at Gloria as he turns to go. She is
looking gravely at him. He falls into confusion.) I--er--er--yes--
thank you (he succeeds at last in blundering himself out of the room;
but the exhibition is a pitiful one).
PHILIP. Did you observe? (Pointing to Gloria.) Love at first
sight. You can add his scalp to your collection, Gloria.
MRS. CLANDON. Sh--sh, pray, Phil. He may have heard you.
PHILIP. Not he. (Bracing himself for a scene.) And now look here,
mamma. (He takes the stool from the bench; and seats himself
majestically in the middle of the room, taking a leaf out of Valentine's
book. Dolly, feeling that her position on the step of the operating
chair is unworthy of the dignity of the occasion, rises, looking
important and determined; crosses to the window; and stands with her
back to the end of the writing-table, her hands behind her and on the
table.
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