Prev | Current Page 1173 | Next

Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"From Mine Own People"


Try one of those cutlet arrangements. (Aside.) And I fancied she had good
shoulders, once upon a time! What an ass a man can make of himself!
Mrs. H. (Helping herself to a paper frill, seven peas, some stamped carrots and
a spoonful of gravy.) That isn't an answer. Tell me whether I have done
anything.
Capt. G. (Aside.) If it isn't ended here there will be a ghastly scene some-
where else. If only I'd written to her and stood the racket at long range! (To
Khitmatgar.) Han! Simpkin do. (Aloud.) I'll tell you later on.
Mrs. H. Tell me now. It must be some foolish misunderstanding, and you know
that there was to be nothing of that sort between us. We) of all people in the
world, can't afford it. Is it the Vaynor man, and don't you like to say so? On
my honor--
Capt. G. I haven't given the Vaynor man a thought.
Mrs. H. But how d'you know that I haven't?
Capt. G. (Aside.) Here's my chance and may the Devil help me through with it.
(Aloud and measuredly.) Believe me, I do not care how often or how tenderly you
think of the Vaynor man.
Mrs. H. I wonder if you mean that! Oh, what is the good of squabbling and
pretending to misunderstand when you are only up for so short a time? Pip,
don't be a stupid!
Follows a pause, during which he crosses his left leg over his right and
continues his dinner.


Pages:
1161 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167 1168 1169 1170 1171 1172 1173 1174 1175 1176 1177 1178 1179 1180 1181 1182 1183 1184 1185