“Inquisitive One ”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 27

“Inquisitive One ”

Written mid iltustrated by Noel Coward (1G). Kelburn. Loud noises, raised voices, have always intrigued me. If I hear anything out of place I simply have to investigate. It s only natural curiosity but unfortunately it often leads me into trouble. Now. take this incident: 1 am staying at "Tlie Grange.” my favourite uncle's residence. His two sons, Harry and Arthur, are both older than I. and regard me as a "chicken.” so I have lots of time on my hands. Not that I mind, because, being an only (laughter. I'm used to amusing myself. All went well until this afternoon. My cousins have ignored me (they have a set of their own), but the rest ot the household have been very good, and I have happv memories of exciting explorations of tilis ancient house ami its wooded grounds. A. lew hours ago. having nothing better to "do. 1 was traversing the seemingly endless corridors in search ot the bouse pets, n black cat and a dog. when a terrific din suddenly burst out trom within. 1 paused animals forgotten; my curiosity overwhelmed me: I couldii t resist the temptation to investigate. In a moment I was inside tlie room and gazing in horrified fascination at what 1 saw. There by the window were Harry ami Arthur, both cursing, panting, and doing their utmost to pusa each other over tlie 'sill. Tearing and

hitching, clothes strained, ties loose, hey struggled for tlie superior position. Iven as I watched. Arthur forced Harry hrougb tlie opening with a smart twist nd a right to tlie jaw.

IVith a half-strangled sob, I flung my(elf forward. I didn't know what 1. a mmll thirteeii-year-i’ld girl, could do to nicify two apparent madmen, but, milling deterred, 1 clung to Arthur try-

ing to—oh. I don't know what, just trying to help, and to save Harry’s life. He wouldn't, have fallen far, only a few feet, but —you never know.

There was I struggling and screaming: a maze of noise; a blur of action: flailing limbs in desperate but vain adventure. Then a frenzied voice yelled "Cut! - ’ This was followed by a string of words mostly foreign to me. I was grabbed savagely' by my cousins and forced to look out of the window. Everything became horribly clear. Outside. on a stand. ; food a motion-picture camera and an excited crowd of the “exclusive set” not looking the least bit enthusiastic about my amateurish "rescue net." as they later termed it. And now I ask you. how was I to know that my cousins and co. had invested in a cine-camera, and were making a picture. or that Harry and Arthur were the rival lovers who had to stage a ve”,' realistic tight? Yes. 1 am afraid it is not the first time my natural curiosity has led me into trouble