Part 53 (1/2)
”Don't you expect to see her when the play is finished?”
”She says she wishes me not to know her.”
”But she will have to come to rehearsals?”
”I must ask her about that. Maybe she will come, then.”
”You write to her?”
”Oh, yes. I have to keep her in touch with my progress.”
”I thought you told her to keep out.”
”I did. But she has been so agreeable about it that I decided to keep her posted as I went along.”
Bambi rose.
”I've no doubt she is very fascinating,” she said, coldly.
”You don't object to my interest in her?”
”Object? My dear Jarvis, you may be interested in all the women in creation without any objection from me!”
”And you have the same freedom?”
”Naturally. Now let's get to work. I was surprised at what you said about the young musician in the book. I thought he was so real.”
”Strange. That is what the author said, that it was a close portrait of a near friend.”
”What is it, about him, that you do not like?”
”Oh, I like him, in a way. But these reformers, idealists, thinking they can dream the world into Arcadia!”
Bambi's clear laugh startled him.
”What amuses you so?” he asked, shortly.
”I suppose I rather like the idealist type.”
He looked at her closely.
”Good heavens, you don't think I'm like that, do you?”
”A little,” she admitted.
”If I thought that I was that particular brand of idiot I'd learn bookkeeping and be a clerk,” was the reply.
”Maybe it isn't you--maybe it is just _man_ I recognize.”
”You can see how terribly clever the woman is--to set each of us accusing the other.”