Page:Quits - Abbie Farwell Brown.djvu/16

16 we shall. So near to graduation too. And my dress is all done, and—and everything. Charlie will be so disgusted. (Buries her head on the table.)

. (scornfully). Charlie! Who cares about Charlie?

. (weakly). I do.

. Well, I don't. But he and Mr. Olney have got to get us out of this scrape somehow. I don't see how, I'm sure. Papa and mamma mustn't know it. Oh, dear! what shall we do? But don't cry, Gladys dear. (Goes over; kneels down and puts arms around .) I—I know it will come out all right someway. (Sobs on 's shoulder. Enter and  softly, C.) (aside). By Jove! Affecting tableau! Two Niobes all tears. . (aside). I say, it's too rough on her—poor little thing. I can't stand it; I'm going to tell. . Yes; it's gone far enough, I think. Ahem!

. What is the matter, Gladys? (Goes up and takes her hands.)

. O Charlie! (Hides her head on his shoulder.)

. Oh, it's nothing at all. Just an amusing little joke; a very funny one.

. Oh, a joke, is it? I love jokes.

. Yes; I should say you did. We all do. I'm very fond of them. . Glad you are. I'm something of a joke myself.

. A pretty poor one, then. (Turns her back on him.)

. Well, come then, and tell me all about it, Gladys. Come out here in the little bay-window. I've got a little joke to tell you too, that I've been waiting to spring for some time. (Exeunt and, door L.)

(calling after them). I say, Charlie, don't forget to tell her everything—the whole joke, see? (To .) He looks Glad-is she is sad, doesn't he?

. Well, I think it is about time to have done with joking. (Sits on divan, L.) I've had enough of it to last some time—till six o'clock, anyway. . That's only five minutes. Why six? Why not seven, eight, nine? Why are you so gloomy, Kittie? I may call you that, may I not? We are such old friends. (Sits in chair, R.) . (pettishly). Oh, don't call me anything. O Mr. Olney, forgive me if I am cross, but—

. You are not cross. You are charming as ever, Kittie.

. Yes, I am. But we are in a dreadful scrape, Gladys and I. And it is partly your fault too.

. My fault? Then I'm sure it can't be a very bad scrape. Maybe it isn't half so bad as you think.