Page:Heartbreak House, Great Catherine, and Playlets of the War.djvu/326



AUGUSTUS.[eagerly]. Yes: that is what she usually calls me. Please go on.

THE LADY.[trying to decipher it]. "What a"&mdash;"what a"&mdash;oh yes: "what a forgetful old"&mdash;something&mdash;"you are!" I can't make out the word.

AUGUSTUS.[greatly interested]. Is it blighter? That is a favorite expression of hers.

THE LADY. I think so. At all events it begins with a B. [Reading.] "What a forgetful old"&mdash;[she is interrupted by a knock at the door.]

AUGUSTUS.[impatiently]. Come in. [The clerk enters, clean shaven and in khaki, with an official paper and an envelope in his hand.] What is this ridiculous mummery sir?

THE CLERK.[coming to the table and exhibiting his uniform to both]. They've passed me. The recruiting officer come for me. I've had my two and seven.

AUGUSTUS.[rising wrathfully]. I shall not permit it. What do they mean by taking my office staff? Good God! they will be taking our hunt servants next. [Confronting the clerk.] What did the man mean? What did he say?

THE CLERK. He said that now you was on the job we'd want another million men, and he was going to take the old-age pensioners or anyone he could get.

AUGUSTUS. And did you dare to knock at my door and interrupt my business with this lady to repeat this man's ineptitudes?

THE CLERK. No. I come because the waiter from the hotel brought this paper. You left it on the coffeeroom breakfast-table this morning.

THE LADY.[intercepting it]. It is the list. Good heavens!

THE CLERK.[proffering the envelope]. He says he thinks this is the envelope belonging to it.

THE LADY.[snatching the envelope also]. Yes!