The Man from Home by Harry Leon Wilson (book series to read .TXT) π
MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY [quickly]. You are invidious, mon ami! My affair isnot settled--am I a clumsy oof?
HAWCASTLE [leaning toward her across the table and speaking sharply andearnestly]. No, Hélène. Your little American, brother Horace, is so inlove with you, if you asked him suddenly, "Is this day or night?" hewould answer, "It's Hélène." But he's too shy to speak. You're awoman--you can't press matters; but Almeric's a man--he can. He can urgean immediate marriage, which means an immediate settlement, and a directone.
MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY [seriously, quickly]. It will not be small, thatsettlement?
[He shakes his head grimly, leaning back to look at her. She continueseagerly.]
You have decide' what sum?
[He nods decidedly.]
What?
HAWCASTLE [sharply, with determination, yet quietly]. A hundred andfifty thousand pounds!
MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY [excited and breathless]. My friend! Will she?
[Turns and stares toward ETHEL'S room, where the pia
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[to HORACE]
Your countryman seems to be rather down on us![pg 055]
This fellow is distinctly of the lower orders. We should cut him as completely in the States as here.
I wonder you make this long journey, my friend, instead of to spend your holiday at home.
Holiday! Why, I never had time even to go to Niagara Falls!
[to MARIANO]
Finito!
[Sets his napkin carelessly on table and lights a Russian cigarette.]
What is it he does with his serviette?
[moving his chair back from the table slightly, and folding his napkin]
No, sir, you wouldn't catch me puttin' in any time in these old kingdoms unless I had to.
[loudly, to HAWCASTLE]
Hawcastle, can you tell me how much longer these persons intend to remain here listening to our conversation?
[PIKE half turns to LADY CREECH, innocently puzzled.]
Oh, it isn't that; but it's somewhat annoying not to be allowed to read one's paper in peace.
Quite beastly annoying!
I had a distinct impression that [pg 056] the management had reserved this terrace for our party.
[quietly]
I fear we have disturbed these good people.
[in wonder]
Do you think they're hinting at us?
I fear so.
[gently and with sincere amazement]
Why, we haven't done anything to 'em.
No, my friend.
[smiling]
Well, I guess there ain't any bones broken.
[throws down paper angrily on tea-table]
I can't stand this. I shall go for a stroll.
[rising]
I expect it's about time for me to go and find the two young folks I've come to look after.
You are here for a duty, then?
[with gravity, yet smiling faintly]
I shouldn't be surprised if that was the name for it. Yes, sir, all the way from Indiana.
[ETHEL utters a low cry of fear.]
[HORACE, having secured his hat, is just rising to go, drops back into his chair with a stifled exclamation of dismay.]
[HAWCASTLE lays his paper flat on table. All this instantaneous.][pg 057]
By Jove!
[They all stare at PIKE.]
[continuing]
I expect, prob'ly, Doc, I won't be able to eat with you this evening. You seeβ
[he pauses, somewhat embarrassed]
βyou see, I've come a mighty long ways to look after her, and she, prob'lyβthat is, they'll prob'ly want me to have supper with them.
[The latter part of this speech is spoken rather breathlessly, though not rapidly, and almost tremulously, and with a growing smile that is like a confession.]
Do not trouble for me. Your young people, they have a villa?
No; they're right here in this hotel.
I must get away!
[He says this huskily, almost in a whisper, as if to himself. His face is tense with anxiety.]
[with a gesture of dismissal, though graciously]
Seek them. I finish my cigarette.
Guess I better ask.
[HORACE is crossing, meaning to get away through the grove.]
[addressing him]
Hey, there! Can youβ[pg 058]
[HORACE, proceeding, pays no attention.]
[lifting his voice]
Excuse me, son, ain't you an American?
[More decidedly, to MARIANO.]
Waiter, tell that gentleman I'm speaking to him.
[to HORACE]
M'sieu', that gentleman speak with you.
[agitated and angry]
What gentleman?
[MARIANO bows toward PIKE.]
[at same time genially]
I thought from your looks you must be an American.
[turning haughtily]
Are you speaking to me?
[good-humoredly]
Well, I shouldn't be surprised. Ain't you an American?
I happen to have been born in the States.
[amiably]
Well, that was luck!
[turning as if to go]
Will you kindly excuse me?
Hold on a minute! I'm looking for some Americans here, and I expect you know 'emβboy and girl named Simpson.
Is there any possibility that you mean Granger-Simpson?[pg 059]
[His tone is both alarmed and truculent.]
[much pleased]
No, sir; just plain Simpson. Granger's their middle name. That's for old Jed Granger, grandfather on their ma's side.
[He pronounces "ma" with the broad Hoosier accentβ"maw."]
I want to see 'em both, but it's the girl I'm rilly looking for.
[trembling, but speaking even more haughtily]
Will you be good enough to state any possible reason why Miss Granger-Simpson should see you?
[in profound surprise, yet mildly]
Reasonβwhy, yesβI'm her guardian.
[ETHEL lifts her hand to her forehead as if dizzy. MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY puts an arm around her. ETHEL recovers herself and stands rigidly, staring at PIKE.]
[staggered]
What!
[smiling]
Yes, sir, Daniel Voorhees Pike, attorney at law, Kokomo, Indiana.
[HORACE falls back from him in horror.]
[HAWCASTLE, excited but cool, makes [pg 060] a quick, imperative gesture to LADY CREECH, who majestically sweeps up to ETHEL, kisses her on the forehead in lofty pity, and sweeps out.]
[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY kisses ETHEL compassionately on cheek and follows LADY CREECH off.]
[MARIANO and MICHELE, having cleared the table, exeunt.]
[hoarse with shame, to PIKE; slight pause after PIKE'S last speech.]
I shall ask her if she will consent to an interview.
[at same time, astounded]
"Consent to an interview"? Why, I want to talk to her!
[quickly and earnestly to ETHEL]
This shall make no difference to us, my child. Speak to him at once.
[Exit into the hotel.]
[to HORACE]
Don't you understand? I'm her guardian.
[with a desperate gesture]
I shall never hold up my head again!
[Rushes off.]
[gravely, to PIKE]
When you have finished your affairs, my friend, remember my poor car yonder.
"YES, SIR, DANIEL VOORHEES PIKE, ATTORNEY AT LAW, KOKOMO, INDIANA"
"YES, SIR, DANIEL VOORHEES PIKE, ATTORNEY AT LAW, KOKOMO, INDIANA"
[pg 061][with a melancholy smile]
All right, Doc, I'm kind of confused just now, but I reckon I can still put a plug back in a gear-box.
[at same time]
Then au revoir, my friend.
[Strolls off through the grove.]
[watching him go, thoughtfully]
Yes, sir!
[haughtily, yet with the air of confessing a humiliating truth, her eyes cast down]
I am Miss Granger-Simpson.
[As she speaks he turns and lifts his hand toward her as if suddenly startled. He has not seen her until now. He stands for a moment in silence, looking at her with great tenderness and pride.]
[with both wonder and pathos in his voice]
Why, I knew your pa from the time I was a little boy till he died, and I looked up to him more'n I ever looked up to anybody in my life, but I never thought he'd have a girl like you!
[She turns from him; he takes a short step nearer her.]
He'd 'a' been mighty proud if he could see you now.
[quickly, and with controlled agitation]
Perhaps it will be as well if we avoid personal allusions.[pg 062]
[mildly]
I don't see how that's possible.
[sitting]
Will you please sit down?
Yes, ma'am!
[ETHEL shivers at the "ma'am."]
[He sits in the chair which HORACE has occupied, still holding his hat in his hand.]
[tremulously, her eyes cast down]
As you know, IβIβ
[She stops, as if afraid of breaking down; then, turning toward him, cries sharply.]
Oh, are you really my guardian?
[smiling]
Well, I've got the papers in my grip. I expectβ
Oh, I KNOW it! It is only that we didn't fancy, we didn't expectβ
I expect you thought I'd be considerable older.
Not only thatβ
[interrupting gently]
I expect you thought I'd neglected you a good deal,
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