The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Go on. Nobody'll hear you. John's out.

Roope.

What happened was this. I overtook 'em at the bottom of the stairs, and begged 'em to let me go back with them to Ennismore Gardens. Lady Filson and I got into one cab, Sir Randle and Madame de Chaumié into another. Bertram Filson slunk off to his club. At Ennismore Gardens we had the most depressin' meal I've ever sat down to, and then Madame Ottoline proposed that I should smoke a cigarette in her boudoir. [Distressed.] Oh, my dear Phil——!

Philip.

W-w-what——?

Roope.

I can't bear to see a woman in tears; I can't, positively.

Philip.

[Between his teeth.] Confound you, Robbie, who can! Don't brag about it.

Roope.