Part 34 (1/2)

_Harry._ Never mind the geyser bath.

_Dolly._ And only this morning you rowed me because I hadn't got it ready for the New Year! Where did you put their address?

_Harry._ I don't know! Somewhere upstairs among my papers.

_Dolly._ [_Gently pus.h.i.+ng him off._] I can just catch to-night's post!

Make haste and get it! Quick! There's a dear! And then we can get the bath fixed up for you next week.

_Harry._ Ye--es. I say, Doll, I mean to get those oddments fixed up to-night.

[_Taps the writing-case significantly and exit._ DOLLY _looks frightened, sees him off, goes up to writing-desk, takes out bills, looks at them, throws up her arms in despair, groans, slams down the writing-desk, looks at the chair she has touched in first act, shows great resolution, marches up and touches it._

_Dolly._ Yes! Yes! I have got free will.

[_Goes back from it, again looks at it, again marches up to it, touches it._

_Dolly._ Then why do I keep on having bills?

RENIE _enters in great agitation and distress._

_Renie._ Oh, Dolly!

_Dolly._ What's the matter?

_Renie._ Oh, Dolly!

_Dolly._ What is it?

_Renie._ [_Throws her arms round_ DOLLY _affectionately._] You've always been such a true friend to me----

_Dolly._ Yes, dear.

_Renie._ More like a sister. And I know I may trust you now.

_Dolly._ [_A little suspicious._] Yes. Has anything happened?

_Renie._ Yes. Oh, Dolly----

_Dolly._ Tell me!

_Renie._ As we were going out at the garden gate, Captain Wentworth held out a letter behind his back for me to take----

_Dolly._ What?!

_Renie._ But now his arm is wounded he couldn't manage it properly, and he dropped it. I hurried to pick it up, and then my husband noticed and insisted on reading it----

_Dolly._ What was in the letter?

_Renie._ It wasn't so very bad, but my husband has chosen to jump to a wrong conclusion, and--oh, Dolly, you can help me!