HAWCASTLE. Oh, it isn"t that; but it"s somewhat annoying not to be allowed to read one"s paper in peace.
HORACE. Quite beastly annoying!
LADY CREECH. I had a distinct impression that the management had reserved this terrace for our party.
VASILI [quietly]. I fear we have disturbed these good people.
PIKE [in wonder]. Do you think they"re hinting at us?
VASILI. I fear so.
PIKE [gently and with sincere amazement]. Why, _we_ haven"t done anything to "em.
VASILI. No, my friend.
PIKE [smiling]. Well, I guess there ain"t any bones broken.
HORACE [throws down paper angrily on tea-table]. I can"t stand this. I shall go for a stroll.
PIKE [rising]. I expect it"s about time for me to go and find the two young folks I"ve come to look after.
VASILI. You are here for a duty, then?
PIKE [with gravity, yet smiling faintly]. I shouldn"t be surprised if that was the name for it. Yes, sir, all the way from Indiana.
[ETHEL utters a low cry of fear.]
[HORACE, having secured his hat, is just rising to go, drops back into his chair with a stifled exclamation of dismay.]
[HAWCASTLE lays his paper flat on table. All this instantaneous.]
HAWCASTLE. By Jove!
[They all stare at PIKE.]
PIKE [continuing]. I expect, prob"ly, Doc, I won"t be able to eat with you this evening. You see--[he pauses, somewhat embarra.s.sed]--you see, I"ve come a mighty long ways to look after her, and she, prob"ly--that is, _they"ll_ prob"ly want me to have supper with _them_.
[The latter part of this speech is spoken rather breathlessly, though not rapidly, and almost tremulously, and with a growing smile that is like a confession.]
VASILI. Do not trouble for me. Your young people, they have a villa?
PIKE. No; they"re right here in this hotel.
HORACE. I must get away!
[He says this huskily, almost in a whisper, as if to himself. His face is tense with anxiety.]
VASILI [with a gesture of dismissal, though graciously]. Seek them. I finish my cigarette.
PIKE. Guess I better ask.
[HORACE is crossing, meaning to get away through the grove.]
PIKE [addressing him]. Hey, there! Can you--
[HORACE, proceeding, pays no attention.]
PIKE [lifting his voice]. Excuse me, son, ain"t you an American?
[More decidedly, to MARIANO.]
Waiter, tell that gentleman I"m speaking to him.
MARIANO [to HORACE]. M"sieu", that gentleman speak with you.
HORACE [agitated and angry]. What gentleman?
[MARIANO bows toward PIKE.]
PIKE [at same time genially]. I thought from your looks you must be an American.
HORACE [turning haughtily]. Are you speaking to _me_?
PIKE [good-humoredly]. Well, I shouldn"t be surprised. Ain"t you an American?
HORACE. I happen to have been born in the States.
PIKE [amiably]. Well, that _was_ luck!
HORACE [turning as if to go]. Will you kindly excuse me?
PIKE. Hold on a minute! I"m looking for some Americans here, and I expect you know "em--boy and girl named Simpson.
HORACE. Is there any possibility that you mean Granger-Simpson?
[His tone is both alarmed and truculent.]
PIKE [much pleased]. No, sir; just plain Simpson. Granger"s their middle name. That"s for old Jed Granger, grandfather on their ma"s side.
[He p.r.o.nounces "ma" with the broad Hoosier accent--"maw."]
I want to see "em both, but it"s the girl I"m rilly looking for.
HORACE [trembling, but speaking even more haughtily]. Will you be good enough to state any possible reason why Miss Granger-Simpson should see you?
PIKE [in profound surprise, yet mildly]. Reason--why, yes--I"m her guardian.
[ETHEL lifts her hand to her forehead as if dizzy. MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY puts an arm around her. ETHEL recovers herself and stands rigidly, staring at PIKE.]