III
We are back in the room of the diary. The diary itself is not visible; it is tucked away in the drawer, taking a nap while it may, for it has much to chronicle before cockcrow. Cosmo also is asleep, on an ingenious arrangement of chairs. Ginevra is sitting bolt upright, a book on her knee, but she is not reading it. She is seeing visions in which Amy plays a desperate part. The hour is late; every one ought to be in bed.
Cosmo is perhaps dreaming that he is back at Osborne, for he calls out, as if in answer to a summons, that he is up and nearly dressed. He then raises his head and surveys Ginevra.
COSMO. 'Hullo, you've been asleep.'
GINEVEA. 'How like a man.'
COSMO. 'I say, I thought you were the one who had stretched herself out, and that I was sitting here very quiet, so as not to waken you.'
GINEVRA. 'Let us leave it at that.'
COSMO. 'Huffy, aren't you! Have they not come back yet?'
GINEVRA. 'Not they. And half-past eleven has struck. I oughtn't to stay any longer; as it is, I don't know what my landlady will say.'
She means that she does know.
COSMO. 'I'll see you to your place whenever you like. My uniform will make it all right for you.'
GINEVRA. 'You child. But I simply can't go till I know what has happened. Where, oh where, can they be?'
COSMO. 'That's all right. Father told you he had a message from mother saying that they had gone to the theatre.'
GINEVRA. 'But why?'
COSMO. 'Yes, it seemed to bother him, too.'
GINEVRA. 'The theatre. That is what she said.'
Here Cosmo takes up a commanding position on the hearthrug; it could not be bettered unless with a cigar in the mouth.
COSMO. 'Look here, Miss Dunbar, it may be that I have a little crow to pick with mother when she comes back, but I cannot allow anyone else to say a word against her. Comprenez?'
Ginevra's reply is lost to the world because at this moment Amy's sparkling eyes show round the door. How softly she must have crossed the little hall!
GINEVRA. 'Amy, at last!'
AMY. 'Sh!' She speaks to some one unseen, 'There are only Ginevra and Cosmo here.'
Thus encouraged Alice enters. Despite her demeanour they would see, if they knew her better, that she has been having a good time, and is in hopes that it is not ended yet. She comes in, as it were, under Amy's guidance. Ginevra is introduced, and Alice then looks to Amy for instructions what to do next.
AMY, encouragingly, 'Sit down, mother.'
ALICE. 'Where shall I sit, dear?' Amy gives her the nicest chair in the room. 'Thank you, Amy.' She is emboldened to address her son. 'Where is your father, Cosmo?'
Cosmo remembers his slap, and that he has sworn to converse with her no more. He indicates, however, that his father is in the room overhead. Alice meekly accepts the rebuff. 'Shall I go to him, Amy?'
AMY, considerately, 'If you think you feel strong enough, mother.'
ALICE. 'You have given me strength.'
AMY. 'I am so glad.' She strokes her mother soothingly. 'What will you tell him?'
ALICE. 'All, Amy--all, all.'
AMY. 'Brave mother.'
ALICE. 'Who could not be brave with such a daughter.' On reflection, 'And with such a son.'
Helped by encouraging words from Amy she departs on her perilous enterprise. The two conspirators would now give a handsome competence to Cosmo to get him out of the room. He knows it, and sits down.
COSMO, 'I say, what is she going to tell father?'
AMY, with a despairing glance at Ginevra, 'Oh, nothing.'
GINEVRA, with a clever glance at Amy, 'Cosmo, you promised to see me home.'
COSMO, the polite, 'Right O.'
GINEVEA. 'But you haven't got your boots on.'
COSMO. 'I won't be a minute.' He pauses at the door. 'I say I believe you're trying to get rid of me. Look here, I won't budge till you tell me what mother is speaking about to father.'
AMY. 'It is about the drawing-room curtains.'
COSMO. 'Good lord!' As soon as he has gone they rush at each other; they don't embrace; they stop when their noses are an inch apart, and then talk. This is the stage way for lovers.