RUSTY. The Cunard.
JARVIS. Now be off, and don"t miss that boat. (PRINCESS _opens door._)
RUSTY. (_Exiting_) No, sir, I won"t miss it.
PRINCESS. (_As_ RUSTY _reaches door_) Good-bye, Rusty.
RUSTY. (_Turning_) Good-bye, Miss--er--Princess.
(JARVIS _resumes work on trunk._ PRINCESS _crosses to_ JARVIS.)
PRINCESS. Can you do it?
JARVIS. I think so--yes, it"s going--there it goes--through!
PRINCESS. Make another. (_She crosses to the dresser._)
JARVIS. Haven"t time. I"ll widen this one a little. Remember this trunk must not go in the hold of the ship. Have it marked "Wanted" and "This end up." I will lie with my head this way. I"ll put the shears in here, and I can cut another hole from the inside if it gets too stuffy.
PRINCESS. (_Takes revolver from dressing table and gives it to_ JARVIS) And you better take this, too.
JARVIS. How do you know you can trust me?
PRINCESS. I don"t--I have to take that chance.
JARVIS. You must have a pretty good reason.
PRINCESS. I have.
JARVIS. Now, before I get in this, there"s just one or two things I would like to know. What about the ghost?
PRINCESS. Are you afraid?
JARVIS. Lord, no, I just wanted to know--that"s all.
PRINCESS. You"ll know in time, Mr. Jarvis.
JARVIS. Are you really--a sure thing--Princess?
PRINCESS. Why did you say that?
JARVIS. Oh, I don"t know. Somehow you"re not quite like what I thought a Princess would be.
PRINCESS. I"m sorry.
JARVIS. Oh, I didn"t mean it that way. I mean that you"re different from the popular idea of a Princess. You have more understanding--more sympathy--more heart.
PRINCESS. (_Icily_) In that respect, sir, you will find me quite like your popular idea.
JARVIS. (_Squelched_) I wonder if that hole will let in enough air?
PRINCESS. I hope so. (PORTER _knocks._) It must be the men for the trunk. Who is it, please?
PORTER. Trunks.
JARVIS. (_Getting into trunk_) Remember? This trunk must not go into the hold of the ship. You must have it marked "Wanted" and "This side up."
You might add, "With Care," if you"ve a mind to.
PRINCESS. Are you all right?
JARVIS. No.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE GHOST BREAKER" _See Page 17_]
PRINCESS. (_Shuts trunk, crosses and opens door_) The trunk is ready.
PORTER. (_Enter and cross with truck_ L. _of trunk_) Very good, ma"am.
PRINCESS. Have the other trunks gone?
PORTER. Yes"m, last night.
PRINCESS. This goes on the special wagon, Porter.
(_Enter_ HOUSE DETECTIVE _and sees broken door._)
PORTER. (_Setting trunk on end_) Yes, mum. I"ll see that a special sticker is put on it.
PRINCESS. (_Crosses left of trunk_) Have it marked "Wanted" and "This end up."
PORTER. (_Putting trunk on truck_) You"ll find it in your room when you get down to the steamer.
PRINCESS. And, Porter, handle it gently.
PORTER. Sh.o.r.e, I never smashed one in my life. (_Starts off_ R.) I"ll handle it like it had gla.s.s on the inside, so don"t worry one little bit.
HOUSE DETECTIVE. (_Stopping trunk_ C. _to_ PRINCESS) Just a minute, Porter. How did that lock get broken?
PRINCESS. (_Frightened, but trying not to show it_) It was broken when I came.
DETECTIVE. How long have you been here?
PRINCESS. We came yesterday.
DETECTIVE. How long are you going to stay?
PRINCESS. We sail this morning for Europe.