A MODERN DIALOGUE
Scene—On Manhattan Island. Time—To-day.
Hour—Ten-thirty. Persons of the play:
Sibyl. A dream of beauty, half awake,
In filmy disarray—about to take
Her morning tub. In speech with her the while
Is Robert. He is dressed in riding style.
Sibyl—Why, Bob, it’s you! They got your name all wrong.
I’m sorry that I made you wait so long.
Bob— Only six minutes by my watch—it’s true
A minute seems a year, awaiting you!
But Time is merciful and I rejoice
That I am still alive to hear your voice.
Sibyl—A very pretty speech, for you, indeed.
But what extenuation can you plead
For waking ladies at the break of day
From peaceful slumbers, sir!
Bob— Oh, come, I say!
It’s half-past ten!
Sibyl— Well, it was nearly three
Before I got to bed!
Bob— Good gracious me!
I’m sure I’d no idea it was so late.
Why, I was riding in the Park at eight
And looked for you. I own I felt abused;
Last night you said——
Sibyl— I beg to be excused
From keeping foolish promises, when made
At two A. M., by moonlight. I’m afraid
My memory’s no better than a sieve.
So you expected me? The Lord forgive
Your trusting soul!
Bob— It is His metier!
Sibyl—Don’t be outrageous, or I’ll run away.
Bob— Ah, no; don’t go. I will be good, I swear!
’Twas a quotation, Heine, or Voltaire,
Or some fool cynic fellow. By the way,
If you have nothing on, what do you say
To breakfasting with Peg and me at noon
At the Casino?
Sibyl— Well, that’s rather soon;
I can’t be ready for an hour or more.
Bob— Come as you are, you know that I adore
Your ladyship in any sort of gown;
Besides, there’s not another soul in town.
Come as you are; there’ll only be we three.
Sibyl—Well, I like that! It’s fortunate for me
This is a telephone, and not that new
Invention one can talk and see through, too!
What’s that you said?
Bob— I didn’t speak at all
I only thought.
Sibyl— Well, don’t! Suppose we call
The breakfast half-past one instead of noon?
Bob (joyously)—
Then you will come?
Sibyl— I swear!
Bob— Not by the moon?
Sibyl (laughing)—
No, you may count on me. Now I must fly.
One-thirty—don’t forget—Good by!
Bob— Good by!
(They ring off.)
Oliver Herford.