The Gay Lord Quex | Page 3

[MISS HUDDLE _goes out, carrying her bowl and towel, as_ FRANK

POLLITT--"VALMA"--_appears at the window on the left--a well, if
rather showily, dressed young fellow, wearing a frock coat, white
waistcoat, and patent-leather boots. He is handsome in a commonplace
way, and, though stilted and self-conscious, earnest in speech and
bearing._
POLLITT.
[_Looking in._] Excuse me--
MISS MOON.
[_Startled._] Oh! oh, Mr. Valma!
POLLITT.
[_Entering._] Is Miss Fullgarney in the way?
MISS MOON.
[_Gazing at him in modest admiration._] She's with a lady in the
private room, Mr. Valma.
[_The door in the partition opens._
SOPHY.
[_From the private room._] Oh, no, madam, I promise I won't forget.
Certainly not, I take too much interest in your daughter's nails for that.
MISS MOON.
This is her.
[_A middle-aged lady enters from the private room, followed by_
SOPHY FULLGARNEY. The customer pays at the desk while SOPHY
_rattles on._ SOPHY _is a pretty, elegant, innocently vulgar,
fascinating young woman of six-and-twenty._
SOPHY.
[_With the air of the proprietress of a prosperous establishment._] Oh,
yes, it did slip my memory to come on Thursday, didn't it? The truth is
I had a most racking head, a thing I never have--well, I oughtn't to say
never have, ought I? [To MISS LIMBIRD.] Now, Miss Limbird, see
that two pots of Crème de Mimosa are posted to Mrs. Arment, Carlos
Place; and book me, please--_me_--you thoroughly understand?--to
attend upon Miss Arment to-morrow evening at seven.
[_Accompanying the customer, who now withdraws._] To-morrow
evening at seven--without fail. [_Raising her voice._] The door, Miss
Claridge. Good morning, madam. Good afternoon.
[_The door-gong sounds._
SOPHY.

Come, girls, you can get to your lunches.
[MISS LIMBIRD _leaves her desk and goes out._
MISS MOON.
Here's Mr. Valma, Miss Fullgarney.
SOPHY.
[_With a little gasp._] Mr. Valma. [_Approaching him._] How do you
do?
POLLITT.
[_Advancing._] Pardon me for the liberty I have taken in again crossing
the leads.
SOPHY.
[_Looking away from him._] No liberty at all.
POLLITT.
I desire a few words with you, Miss Fullgarney, and it struck me that at
this time of the day--
SOPHY.
Yes, there's nothing doing here just at lunch-time.
POLLITT.
Perhaps you would graciously allow me to converse with you while
you--
SOPHY.
[_Regaining her self-possession._] Oh, I had my lunch an hour ago; I
came over so ravenous. [Going to MISS MOON, who is still lost in
admiration of POLLITT--_in a whisper._] Be off, child. Don't stand
staring at Mr. Valma.
MISS MOON.
[In SOPHY'S _ear._] I think I've got him another!
SOPHY.
Shut up!
[MISS MOON _withdraws, with her bowl and towel._
SOPHY.
[To POLLITT.] Did you catch what she said? Oh, it doesn't matter if
you did; you know we are all working for you, like niggers.
POLLITT.
[_Tenderly._] Ah!
SOPHY.
Not a customer leaves my place without having heard your name

mentioned. My girls are regular bricks.
POLLITT.
[_Approaching her._] And what are you?
SOPHY.
[_Looking away again._] Oh, I do no more than any of the others.
POLLITT.
Do you expect me to believe that? you, their queen! No, it is you who
have helped me to steer my bark into the flowing waters of popularity.
SOPHY.
[_Nervously._] Extremely pleased, I--I'm sure. [_He is close beside her;
a cork is drawn loudly. They part, startled and disturbed. She goes to
the opening in the partition, raising her voice slightly._] Girls, can't you
draw your corks a shade quieter? Nice if somebody was coming
upstairs!
MISS LIMBIRD.
[_In the distance._] Very sorry, Miss Fullgarney.
SOPHY.
[To POLLITT, _as she toys with the articles upon the circular table._]
Everything is so up this weather. It's their lime-juice champagne.
POLLITT.
[_By her side again--suddenly._] I love you!
SOPHY.
Oh, Mr. Valma!
POLLITT.
I love you! Ever since I had the honour of being presented to you by Mr.
Salmon, the picture-dealer next door, I have thought of you, dreamt of
you, constantly. [_She brushes past him; he follows her._] Miss
Fullgarney, you will accord me permission to pay you my addresses?
SOPHY.
[_In a flutter._] I--I am highly flattered and complimented, Mr. Valma,
by your proposal--
POLLITT.
[_Taking her hand._] Flattered--no!
SOPHY.
[_Withdrawing her hand._] Oh, but please wait!
POLLITT.
Wait!

SOPHY.
I mean, I certainly couldn't dream of accepting the attentions of any
man until he fully understood--
POLLITT.
Understood what?
SOPHY.
[_Summoning all her dignity._] Oh, I'll be perfectly straight with
you--until he fully understood that, whatever my station in life may be
now, I have risen from rather--well, I may say very small beginnings.
POLLITT.
What matters that?
SOPHY.
Oh, but I beg your pardon--it does. [_Relaxing._] I am sure I can
depend on you not to give me away all over the place?
POLLITT.
Miss Fullgarney--!
SOPHY.
[_After a cautious glance round._] You know, Mr. Valma, I was always