_During the following dialogue
they empty the table preparatory to arranging the room for the Christmas
tree._
JORDAN. Sh! A very dull dinner, not an interesting word spoke.
FIRST FOOTMAN. The widder seemed chipper like!
LEONARD. And did you get on to the old lady's rig-out; mourning don't
hang very heavy on her shoulders.
[_One chair is moved back._
JORDAN. [_To_ FIRST FOOTMAN.] Get the coffee. [_He goes out Right. To_
LEONARD.] Get the smoking lay-out!
[LEONARD _goes out Right and brings back a silver tray laden with
cigarettes, cigar boxes, and a burning alcohol lamp._
LEONARD. If you ask me, I think she's going to put a bit more on the
matrimonial mare if she gets the chance.
JORDAN. It's none of your business. You're _Mrs. Sterling's_ servant
now.
LEONARD. Good thing, too; it was a happy day for us when _they_ moved
in.
FIRST FOOTMAN. [_Reenters with the coffee._] Say, did you see how that
young feller over there [_Motioning to the lower right-hand corner of
the table._] shovelled the food in?
LEONARD. And the way he poured down the liquid--regular hog! My arm's
tired a-filling of his glass.
[_And he drinks a glass of champagne which has been left untouched by a
guest._
JORDAN. He ain't nobody; he hasn't any money; he was just asked to fill
up.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77