wly_)--I've done what I came out for!

MR. JARVIS--And that was?

MISS PAYSLEY (_rising and turning away_)--Something I foolishly
thought I ought to do.

MR. JARVIS--Foolishly? I think it was too lovely of you to take any
interest in my affairs at all.

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--I've never seen anyone so insupportable, and
he looks--nice! (_Aloud, with wide-open eyes._) _Your_ affairs! You
don't suppose it's for _you?_

MR. JARVIS--Eh?

MISS PAYSLEY--I suppose you think that there is no such thing as real
loyalty or friendship between girls?

MR. JARVIS--Oh! (_They both are silent a moment, each measuring the
other._)

MR. JARVIS (_steadily_)--Have you happened to hear of Millicent Holt's
engagement?

MISS PAYSLEY (_throwing down her hand_)--You oughtn't to ask her best
friend that!

MR. JARVIS (_calmly_)--To Bob Burke, I mean.

MISS PAYSLEY (_entirely taken aback_)--To Bob Burke! She never did!
Not Millicent! I could have sworn to Millicent!

MR. JARVIS (_still calmly_)--So could I. So I did.

MISS PAYSLEY (_with horror-struck eyes_)--But I don't understand!

MR. JARVIS--I didn't, at first, either. It seems Bobby Burke's soul
and hers are twins, or something of that kind. So where do I come in?

MISS PAYSLEY--But when we were abroad together----

MR. JARVIS--Please don't! I know I take a "lump of dough for a
raisin," but----

MISS PAYSLEY (_impulsively_)--Please forgive me. I thought----

MR. JARVIS--That I was "doing your friend dirt," for the sake of a
brazen image.

MISS PAYSLEY (_bravely_)--What else was I to think?

MR. JARVIS (_gravely_)--And for the sake of your friend you told me
what you thought of me. (_Aside._) I believe you at least do tell the
truth.

MISS PAYSLEY (_impulsively_)--I didn't tell you _all_ the truth. I
only told you the horrid part.

MR. JARVIS--And why wouldn't you tell me the rest?

MISS PAYSLEY (_in a humble little voice_)--Because I was fool enough
to think you were spoiled enough already! (_Aside._) How could
Millicent--Bobby Burke--that purple ass. Think of throwing _him_ over
for Bobby Burke!

MR. JARVIS (_aside_)--How pretty she is. (_Aloud._) Life hasn't
exactly spoiled me lately. (_Aside._) And I've been wasting time on
Mrs. Orton.

MISS PAYSLEY (_impulsively_)--And now if I had your hand to tell over
again, I would tell you all--the other things first.

MR. JARVIS--It's not too late.

MISS PAYSLEY--And I wasn't honest about another thing. We've