Part 10 (1/2)

GERTRUDE. At my very door! And Kerchival West in command! I will not stand here and see them pa.s.s. The despatch for Captain Thornton! I will carry it to him as soon as they are gone. [_Exit up veranda, the band and chorus increasing in volume._

JENNY. Cavalry! That's the branch of the service I was born in; I was in a fort at the time--on the Plains. Sergeant Barket always said that my first baby squall was a command to the garrison; if any officer or soldier, from my father down, failed to obey my orders, I court-martialed him on the spot. I'll make 'em pa.s.s in review.

[_Jumping up on the rustic seat._] Yes! [_Looking off._] There's Captain Heartsease himself, at the head of the first troop. Draw sabre! [_With parasol._] Present! [_Imitating the action. Music. The band and chorus now full and loud; she swings parasol in time. Trumpet Signal No. 40. Band and chorus suddenly cease._] Halt! Why, they are stopping here. [_Trumpet Signal No. 38._] Dismount! I--I wonder if they are going to--I do believe--[_Looking left eagerly. Trumpet Signal No. 17._] a.s.sembly of Guard Details! As sure as fate, they are going into camp here. We girls will have a jolly time. [_Jumping down._] Ha--ha--ha--ha! Let me see. How shall I receive Captain Heartsease? He deserves a court-martial, for he stole my lace handkerchief--at Mrs. Grayson's reception--in Was.h.i.+ngton. He was called away by orders to the West that very night, and we haven't met since. [_Sighs._] He's been in lots of battles since then; I suppose he's forgotten all about the handkerchief. We girls, at home, don't forget such things. We aren't in battles. All we do is to--to sc.r.a.pe lint and flirt with other officers.

_Enter_ CAPTAIN HEARTSEASE, _followed by_ COLONEL ROBERT ELLINGHAM; _stops at gate._

HEARTSEASE. This way, Colonel Ellingham. [_They enter. As they come down,_ HEARTSEASE _stops suddenly, looking at_ JENNY; _puts up his gla.s.ses._] Miss Buckthorn!

JENNY. Captain Heartsease!

HEARTSEASE. [_Very quietly and with perfect composure._] I am thunderstruck. The unexpected sight of you has thrown me into a fever of excitement.

JENNY. Has it? [_Aside._] If he gets so excited as that in battle, it must be awful. [_Aloud._] Colonel Ellingham! [_Crossing to him._

ELLINGHAM. Miss Buckthorn! You are visiting my sister? I am what may be called a visitor--by force--myself.

JENNY. Oh! You're a prisoner!

ELLINGHAM. I ventured too far within the Union lines to-night, and they have picked me up. But Major Wilson has kindly accepted my parole, and I shall make the best of it.

JENNY. Is Major Wilson in command of the regiment?

HEARTSEASE. Yes. Colonel West is to join us at this point, during the evening.

ELLINGHAM. I am very glad you are here, Miss Buckthorn, with Gertrude.

JENNY. Somebody here will be delighted to see you, Colonel.

ELLINGHAM. My sister can hardly be pleased to see me as a prisoner.

JENNY. Not your sister. [_Pa.s.sing him and crossing to veranda, turns and beckons to him. She motions with her thumb over her shoulder. He goes up the steps of the veranda and turns._

ELLINGHAM. What do you mean?

JENNY. I mean this--[_Reaching up her face, he leans down, placing his ear near her lips._]--somebody else's sister! When she first sees you, be near enough to catch her.

ELLINGHAM. I understand you! Madeline! [_Exit on veranda._ JENNY _runs up steps after him, stops and looks back at_ HEARTSEASE _over the railing._ HEARTSEASE _takes a lace handkerchief from his pocket._

JENNY. I do believe that's my handkerchief. [A GUARD OF SENTRIES _marches in and across stage in road. The_ CORPORAL _in command orders halt and a_ SENTRY _to post, then marches_ GUARD _out. The_ SENTRY _stands with his back to audience, afterwards moving out, appearing and disappearing during Act._

HEARTSEASE. Miss Buckthorn! I owe you an apology. After I left your side, the last time we met, I found your handkerchief in my possession. I a.s.sure you, it was an accident.

JENNY. [_Aside, pouting._] I thought he _intended_ to steal it.

[_Aloud._] That was more than a year ago. [_Then brightly._] Do you always carry it with you?

HEARTSEASE. Always; there. [_Indicating his left breast pocket._

JENNY. Next to his heart!

HEARTSEASE. Shall I return it to you?