Page:Heartbreak House, Great Catherine, and Playlets of the War.djvu/207

 English Father: God knows it is your duty to be brave and wait on the Empress. Come.

EDSTASTON. No. I had rather&mdash;

PATIOMKIN [hauling him along]. Come.

VARINKA [pulling him and coaxing him]. Come, little love: you can't refuse me.

EDSTASTON. But how can I?

PATIOMKIN. Why not? She won't eat you.

VARINKA. She will; but you must come.

EDSTASTON. I assure you&mdash;it is quite out of the question&mdash;my clothes&mdash;

VARINKA. You look perfect.

PATIOMKIN. Come along, darling.

EDSTASTON [struggling]. Impossible&mdash;

VARINKA. Come, come, come.

EDSTASTON. No. Believe me&mdash;I don't wish&mdash;I&mdash;

VARINKA. Carry him, uncle.

PATIOMKIN [lifting him in his arms like a father carrying a little boy]. Yes: I'll carry you.

EDSTASTON. Dash it all, this is ridiculous!

VARINKA [seizing his ankles and dancing as he is carried out]. You must come. If you kick you will blacken my eyes.

PATIOMKIN. Come, baby, come.


 * By this time they have made their way through the door and are out of hearing.