Part 12 (1/2)

GRICE. (_Contemptuously_) They asked you to lay a corner stone?

TARVER. They had to have a _personage_.

OMNES. A personage!

TARVER. You see, the beastly ground was full of puddles and, just as I stepped forward with a trowel in my hand, I slipped, and----

GRICE. And sat down in one of them, I suppose.

TARVER. That's exactly what I did do. Oh! How they all yelled. (_All laugh_, ADMIRAL _loudest. Coming_ C. _and limping_) It's all very well for you to laugh, Admiral, but that puddle may cost us the seat.

FARADAY. Tarver!

GRICE. Tarver! Bring a trowel and a pail of mortar to my garden to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock sharp. I'll teach you _how_ to lay a corner stone. (_Gets his cup, goes up and crosses above sofa to teatable, and puts his cup down_.)

(PHYLLIS _comes_ C. _to_ TARVER.)

TARVER. Oh, Phyllis, where are my voice lozenges?

PHYLLIS. (_Taking his arm sympathetically_) They're all gone, Bobby, but Celia said she would fetch you some.

TARVER. That's kind of her. My throat's awful. Where's the spray?

(PHYLLIS _runs up and around to_ R. _of sofa, getting spray_. TARVER _sits on stool below sofa and_ PHYLLIS _comes down to_ R. _of him_.)

PHYLLIS. (_Spraying his throat_) Never mind, Bobby, there are only ten days more.

TARVER. (_Chokes_) I don't think I can last out the ten days. When that bench broke last night in the middle of my speech, I really thought it was my nervous system gone at last.

GRICE. (_Thunderously. Coming_ C.) Tarver!

TARVER. (_Jumps_) Oh, Admiral, don't speak to me like that or I shall cry.

(PHYLLIS _sits on foot of sofa, her arm on_ TARVER'S _shoulder_.)

GRICE, You made a mistake last night. Canada is not to the north of Alaska.

TARVER. Did I say it was? (PHYLLIS _shakes her head. Looks toward_ PHYLLIS) Oh, how awful!

GRICE. Tarver, you are dining with me to-night.

TARVER. Yes, sir.

GRICE. Bring your Atlas. We will go slowly through the countries of the world in my study afterwards.

PHYLLIS. (_Rises quickly_) Oh, but you can't, Admiral. There's the Philharmonic concert after your dinner party, and we all have to go to it.