Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/982

910 of your love, and yet I might have been deceived, for my eyes are dim and my ears are dull. But seeing that [he points to the vase and picture], I am satisfied. Much may happen in a year's time, and yet nothing can really matter so long as you still possess the one thing—the greatest in all the world. May you keep it to the end. [He turns to go.] Now, then, I can find my way out alone. [He kisses Eve good-by.] Expect me next month, as usual. Have you my stick, Godfrey? Well, if you will come. Good-by, good-by.

Godfrey (to Wallis). Tell William to wait; I shall dine at the club, after all.

Godfrey (looking up and seeing Eve). Ah!

Godfrey (in a low tone). You must give me that. I am sorry to be insistent, but so long as you bear my name—

Eve. I don't understand—

Godfrey (impatiently). The letter—Hemingway's letter. You have it in your hand.

Eve. The letter!

Godfrey (following her glance). Oh, I see. But then—[He steps quickly to her side, and holding her closely, he gently forces open the hand that holds the glove.] Eve!

Wallis (announcing). Mr. Hemingway.

Eve (looking up). You may say to Mr. Hemingway that Mrs. Effingham is not at home.

Wallis. I beg pardon, but Mr. Hemingway—

Godfrey (interrupting). Don't you understand? Not at home! [He follows Wallis to the door, speaking loudly.] Not at home! Not at home!

Eve (tossing the letter on the sewing-table). You might let me have that glove now.

Godfrey. I can't seem to find any matches. With your permission.

Godfrey (puffing at his pipe). After all, a pipe is the most satisfying thing in the world.

Wallis (at door). The carriage is waiting, sir.

Godfrey. The carriage! How many times must I tell you that I don't want the carriage?

Wallis. Then you will dine—

Godfrey. At home, of course. It seems impossible, Wallis, for me to get that idea into your head. I shall dine at home to-night and to-morrow night and the one after that, and probably for the next thousand and one nights in uninterrupted succession. Is that quite plain?

Wallis. Yessir.

Godfrey. Then clear out.

Godfrey (turning over the leaves of his book). Let me see. Book the Fourth—Oh yes; here we are. Ahem!

Eve (interrupting). Just one moment, Goff. To-morrow—

Godfrey. Yes, to-morrow—

Eve. We really must decide upon that dining-room paper. Now, then, if you are ready.