ROOPE.
[_Testily._] That was her mood last June, when she was hypped and discontented. With a husband she can be proud of, surely----!
PHILIP.
[_Coming forward._] As a matter of fact, Robbie, I"m inclined to agree with you; I"ve been staring into my fire, or out of my windows here, a jolly sight too much. [_Expanding his chest._] It"ll be refreshing to me to rub shoulders with people again for a bit--[_smiling_] even to find myself the object of a little interest and curiosity.
ROOPE.
[_Delighted._] Dear excellent friend!
PHILIP.
Ha, ha! You see, I"m not without my share of petty vanity. I"m consistent, though. Didn"t I tell you in South Audley Street that I was as eager for fame as any man living, if only I could win it in my own way?
ROOPE.
You did.
PHILIP.
[_Exultingly._] Well, I _have_ won it in my own way, haven"t I!
[_Hitting the palm of his hand with his fist._] I"ve done what I determined to do, Robbie; what I knew I _should_ do, sooner or later!
I"ve _got there_--got there!--by simple, honest means! Isn"t it glorious?
ROOPE.
[_Cautiously._] I admit----
PHILIP.
[_Breaking in._] Oh, I don"t pretend that there haven"t been moments in my years of stress and struggle when I"ve been tempted to join the gaudy, cackling fowl whose feathers I flatter myself I"ve plucked pretty thoroughly in my book! But I"ve resisted the devil by prayers and fasting; and, by George, sir, I wouldn"t swap my modest victory for the vogue of the biggest boomster in England! [_Boisterously._] Ha, ha, ha! Whoop! [_Seizing_ ROOPE _and shaking him._] Dare to preach your gospel to me _now_, you arch-apostle of quackery and self-advertis.e.m.e.nt!
ROOPE.
[_Peevishly, releasing himself._] Upon my word, Phil----!
[_The bell rings again._
PHILIP.
The cook! [_To_ ROOPE, _seeing that he is putting on his m.u.f.fler._]
Don"t go.
ROOPE.
I must. [_Taking up his overcoat._] I merely ran along to shake hands with you, and I"m sorry I took the trouble. [PHILIP _helps him into his overcoat laughingly._] Thanks.
PHILIP.
[_Suddenly._] Robbie----!
ROOPE.
[_Struggling with an obstinate sleeve._] Hey?
PHILIP.
It"s just struck me. Where are _you_ dining to-night?
ROOPE.
At the Garrick, with Hughie Champion. [_Picking up his hat and gloves._] He"s getting horribly deaf and tedious; but I had nothing better.
PHILIP.
Bother Colonel Champion! I wish you could have dined with _me_.
ROOPE.
[_His hat on his head, drawing on his gloves._] Dear excellent _friend_! I should be out of place.
PHILIP.
Rubbish! Your presence would be peculiarly appropriate, my dear Robbie.
Wasn"t it you who brought Ottoline and me together, G.o.d bless yer!
[_Observing that_ ROOPE _is weakening._] There"s heaps of room for an extra chair. Everybody "ud be delighted.
ROOPE.
[_Meditatively._] I could telephone to Hughie excusing myself. He didn"t ask me till this afternoon. [_With an injured air._] I resent a short notice.
PHILIP.
[_His eyes twinkling._] Quite right. Mine"s short too----
ROOPE.
That"s different.
PHILIP.
Entirely. You"ll come?
ROOPE.
If you"re certain the Filsons and Madame de Chaumie----
PHILIP.