Part 22 (1/2)

JENNY. [_Aside._] Papa said I'd have to help him, but I don't see an opening. [HEARTSEASE _plays part of an air with one finger; strikes two or three wrong notes._

HEARTSEASE. There are two notes down there, somewhere, that I never could get right. The fellows in prison used to dance while I played--[_Playing._]--that is, the lame ones did; those that weren't lame couldn't keep the time.

JENNY. You must have been in great danger, Captain, when you escaped from prison.

HEARTSEASE. Y-e-s. I was badly frightened several times. One night I came face to face, on the road, with a Confederate officer. It was Captain Thornton.

JENNY. Oh! What did you do?

HEARTSEASE. I killed him. [_Very quietly, and trying the tune again at once. Enter_ JANNETTE, _from in hall; she glances into the room and goes up the stairs._] I used to skip those two notes on the banjo.

It's very nice for a soldier to come home from the war, and meet those--I mean the one particular person--that he--you see, when a soldier loves a woman, as--as--

JENNY. [_Aside._] As he loves me. [_Approaches him._

HEARTSEASE. As soldiers often do--[_Plays; she turns away, petulantly; he plays the tune through correctly._] That's it!

JENNY. [_Aside._] I'm not going to be made love to by piece-meal, like this, any longer. [_Aloud._] Captain Heartsease! Have you anything in particular to say to me? [_He looks up._

HEARTSEASE. Y-e-s. [_Rising._

JENNY. Say it! You told my father, and all my friends, that you were in love with me. Whom are you going to tell next?

HEARTSEASE. I _am_ in love with you.

JENNY. It was my turn.

HEARTSEASE. [_Going near to her._] Do you love me?

JENNY. [_Laying her head quietly on his breast._] I must take time to consider.

HEARTSEASE. [_Quietly._] I a.s.sume that this means ”Yes.”

JENNY. It isn't the way a girl says ”No.”

HEARTSEASE. My darling!

JENNY. Why! His heart is beating as fast as mine is!

HEARTSEASE. [_Quietly._] I am frantic with joy. [_He kisses her. She hides her face on his breast. Enter_ MRS. HAVERILL, _down-stairs, followed by_ JANNETTE. MRS. HAVERILL _stops suddenly._ JANNETTE _stands in the doorway._ HEARTSEASE _inclines his head to her, quietly looking at her over_ JENNY.] I am delighted to see you, after so long an absence; I trust that we shall meet more frequently hereafter.

JENNY. [_Looking at him._] Eh?

HEARTSEASE. [_Looking down at her._] I think, perhaps, it might be as well for us to repair to another apartment, and continue our interview, there!

JENNY. [_Dropping her head on his breast again._] This room is very comfortable.

MRS. HAVERILL. Jenny, dear! [JENNY _starts up; looks from_ MRS.

HAVERILL _to_ HEARTSEASE.