This
is my kingdom at present, Godliness.
LOIS: Why the mellow name?
JULIE: Because you're next to Cleanliness. Don't throw anything
please!
LOIS: How long will you be?
JULIE: (_After some consideration_) Not less than fifteen nor
more than twenty-five minutes.
LOIS: As a favor to me will you make it ten?
JULIE: (_Reminiscing_) Oh, Godliness, do you remember a day in
the chill of last January when one Julie, famous for her Easter-rabbit
smile, was going out and there was scarcely any hot water and young
Julie had just filled the tub for her own little self when the wicked
sister came and did bathe herself therein, forcing the young Julie to
perform her ablutions with cold cream--which is expensive and a darn
lot of troubles?
LOIS: (_Impatiently_) Then you won't hurry?
JULIE: Why should I?
LOIS: I've got a date.
JULIE: Here at the house?
LOIS: None of your business.
(_JULIE shrugs the visible tips of her shoulders and stirs the water
into ripples._)
JULIE: So be it.
LOIS: Oh, for Heaven's sake, yes! I have a date here, at the house--in
a way.
JULIE: In a way?
LOIS: He isn't coming in. He's calling for me and we're walking.
JULIE: (_Raising her eyebrows_) Oh, the plot clears. It's that
literary Mr. Calkins. I thought you promised mother you wouldn't
invite him in.
LOIS: (_Desperately_) She's so idiotic. She detests him because
he's just got a divorce.
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