The Eldest Son eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 64 pages of information about The Eldest Son.

The Eldest Son eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 64 pages of information about The Eldest Son.

Mabel.  No, I would not.

Dot.  Now, mother; did you love father?

Christine.  Dot, you really are awful.

Dot. [Rueful and detached] Well, it is a bit too thick, perhaps.

Joan.  Dot!

Dot.  Well, mother, did you—­I mean quite calmly?

Lady Cheshire.  Yes, dear, quite calmly.

Dot.  Would you have married him if you hadn’t? [Lady Cheshire shakes her head] Then we’re all agreed!

Mabel.  Except yourself.

Dot. [Grimly] Even if I loved him, he might think himself lucky if I married him.

Mabel.  Indeed, and I’m not so sure.

Dot. [Making a face at her] What I was going to——­

Lady Cheshire.  But don’t you think, dear, you’d better not?

Dot.  Well, I won’t say what I was going to say, but what I do say is—­Why the devil——­

Lady Cheshire.  Quite so, Dot!

Dot. [A little disconcerted.] If they’re tired of each other, they ought not to marry, and if father’s going to make them——­

Christine.  You don’t understand in the least.  It’s for the sake of the——­

Dot.  Out with it, Old Sweetness!  The approaching infant!  God bless it!

     There is a sudden silence, for Keith and latter are seen coming
     from the dining-room.

Latter.  That must be so, Ronny.

Keith.  No, John; not a bit of it!

Latter.  You don’t think!

Keith.  Good Gad, who wants to think after dinner!

Dot.  Come on!  Let’s play pool. [She turns at the billiard-room door.] Look here!  Rehearsal to-morrow is directly after breakfast; from “Eccles enters breathless” to the end.

Mabel.  Whatever made you choose “Caste,” Dot?  You know it’s awfully difficult.

Dot.  Because it’s the only play that’s not too advanced. [The girls all go into the billiard-room.]

Lady Cheshire.  Where’s Bill, Ronny?

Keith. [With a grimace] I rather think Sir William and he are in
Committee of Supply—­Mem-Sahib.

Lady Cheshire.  Oh!

     She looks uneasily at the dining-room; then follows the girls
     out.

Latter. [In the tone of one resuming an argument] There can’t be two opinions about it, Ronny.  Young Dunning’s refusal is simply indefensible.

Keith.  I don’t agree a bit, John.

Latter.  Of course, if you won’t listen.

Keith. [Clipping a cigar] Draw it mild, my dear chap.  We’ve had the whole thing over twice at least.

Latter.  My point is this——­

Keith. [Regarding latter quizzically with his halfclosed eyes] I know—­I know—­but the point is, how far your point is simply professional.

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Project Gutenberg
The Eldest Son from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.