The Sketcher.

North Otago Times, 15 February 1913, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Sketcher.

1 Half-mourning,

Mrs..Dunmorc, 32, a widow. Dick Setv 'ton, 2D, a bachelor. ,;-,

As Mrs. Dunmore Is getting into her brougham Dick iSefton comes np." 'Dick teflon; 11a! going out'/ Mrs. Dunmorc: One or two things to do. Do you want me 'to send the car: rlagc round again, aiid come iu with you? (doubtfully).. Dick FeTwu: Of coura» not, but may I not come with you 7 X round of shopping, I suppose? Mm. Dunmorc (making room for him): That will be nice. I hnte (shopping alone. Well, look here, first Igoto my dressnmker. Isn't this a pretty colour? (showing a little scrap-of gray blue silk). Dick Settonr Very pretty, but It's hardly mourning, is It?

'Mib. Dunmore: I've been in black a whole year. (Pathetically) Don't you ; think I might "begin to make a little difference? It's spring, and I-feel-so muffled up in black always. Mourning/ especially when one's heart isn't' in It, is such a woolly, stuffy misery. It may. be wrong, but I feel quite cheerful, Dick Sefton: 1 wish I tlldi ■

'Mrs. Dunmore: Ah! I suppose, you have been sitting up too late, or— How can you help enjoying such, a, morning? Everything-Is green and fresh, and the chestnuts are sprouting; and the flash of the nursemaids' white aprons In the park te so gay aud —• Shake oft- your depression, and be happy with me, won't you? Dick Sefton (gloomily): Unfortunately, I ought to be happy.with,someone else, Mrs. Dunmorc: Dick!

Dick Set ton: I came to tell you, Mary. I've been thinking—• IMra. Dunmoro (gaily): Dangerous! Something dreadful always comes, when a man has "been thiuking!" Dick Seftou: It isn't exactly dreadful, but it's a great bother. There's a girl— Mrs. Dunmore: A great many.as far as you're concerned, Dick! Dick 'Sefton (bluntly): A girl I ought to propose to. Mrs. Dunmore (sarcastically); Then why don't you? Dick Sefton: I must. Mrs. Duumore (starting);: Must! Oh, Dick! I thought you were, joking, AVhat-wko? (Puts the little scrap of silk tak into her handbag.), Tell mo iibout her. Dick Befton: I moan to. It's Mlssiirst let me tell j t qu, Mary, I'm a dreadful flirt, as you know, but I'm regularly " landed" this time, •Mrs. Dunmoro (shortly): Has she money? j "■ v v ■ Dick Setton: Lots. ' ; —■•••■ LMts. Dunmore: roslllon? Dick IScfton: Yes, Mrs. Dunmore: Pretty? Dick Sefton: Very, Mrs. Dunmore: Then I should say it was you who toad " landed" her. Walt a minute; I must go In here, (The carriage stops aud she gets out.) Dick Kcfton: Poor little woman, she doesn't half like it. Perhaps 6he thinks I ought to many her? That was the idea once. I rather reel as If I ought, too-I said such things to her. Not that Mary Dunmore would ever hold a man to an engagement-if he wanted to be off. I suppose I did flirt with her. She has such pretty ways..,,. 1 wish she were a year or two younger, Mrs. Dunmore (reappearing; to servant): lArmy and Navy Stores, I ordered a black dress after all, Dick.

Dick Sefton (slowly): Mary, I've been thinking, ut LMns. Dunmorc: What, againl

Dick Seftou: Oh, don't chaff. Need luls-makc any difference? airs. Dunmore; In what way? Dick Scfton: I mcan-wc have always been such friende. Mrs. Dunmore: Friends—yes, Dick Seftou: You know what I mean -more than friends. Qlre. Dunmore: Oh, no, Dick Sefton: Well, If you won't havc ; It so of course I can't press it (laughing a little). At any rate, you kayo always, lieen very kind to me. As I was saying, we can still see a great deal of each : other, . ,

Mrs. Dunmore: Can we really? Dick Sefton: My being married needn't alter things much, She will be so.busy -seeing after her house, and all that- — Mrs. Dunmore: I have a house, and yet I find time to— Dick Sefton: Ah, but you are so clever —lt goes on wheels; but a young mar-, rlcd woman, you know, is all at sixes, and sevens at first,

'Mrs. Dunmore: 'Well, but you will help her-go out, choose her frocks,

Dick Sefton: I think I see.myself— Mrs. Dunmore: Neglecting her! Dick Sefton: Ob, 1 hope I shall never do that. But I shall, of course, stick to my friends. iMrs, Dunmorc;_ And flirtations? Dick Sefton; You are not a "flirtation."

Mrs, Dunmore: Not exactly. Where do you Intend to live?

Dick 'Sefton: Somewhere near you-Grecn-strect. And then there's Essendine, Mrs. Dunmore: That dull old hole! Dick Sefton: It is considered one of tho (lucst places In the county. Mrs. Dunmore: Maylic! But you would never let me accept an invitation to stay there in your father'e time. Dick Sefton: Oh, you would have heen bored to death there. But a little mouse like May—■ Mrs. Dunmore: Positively would enjoy toeing bored, you think? But I should not have thought you could liaro stood Esscndlne.

Dick 'Sefton: Oh, I should be up la town a good dcal-rkeep on my.old rooms, you know-and give my. little dinners-ami so on—

Mrs. Dunmore: Oh, should you, Independently of the family gatherings, I suppose?

Dick Softon: I rather dread them. A young housekeeper. You will give May a few hints, won't you? Your dinners are ctorming.

Mrs. Dunmore: Yes, I am an excellent housekeeper. (The carnage stops at the stores,) Let me sec. Currantsraisins! (Gets out,) Of course I'll help foer. Dick Sefton; Poor, dear little womanl She is so sweet and forgiving, (Ponders. Re-enter Mrs. Dunmore.) Mrs. Dunmore (to servant): Home! please. Dick Sefton: I haven't told, you yet who she Is, Mrs. Dunmore: And you will observe that I have not asked you. Yon called her May, I know so many May* "wii- ' Dick Sefton: Yon know this one-May,. Polton. ' illrs. Dunmore (suppressing a littlescream); May Polton! Ilit May Pol•ton you want to propose to? Dick Sefton: Yes, May Polton. Why not? - iMrs. Dunmore (deliberately): I am sorry, Dick, to Inflict such a blow, but I happen to have personal, and intimate knoweldge of tho fact Out May. Polton Is devoted to my cousin, Frank Lawson ; and Is to many, him as soon as he gets lis company. It's a long wille coming -that's wliy Bho looka depressed at ■times. [ Dick Sefton: Doyoureally mean It? i Mrs, Dunmorei I do, tadoed. And you ithought you had broken her heart. ' Dick Sefton (sulkily): Hearts are not so easily broken, : airs, Donmoro: Thank goodness, nol jOßut you, Dick, an you drtMfully die-

Dick Sefton: Well, to tell the truth, not 6o very. She is n little unfbrined and high-shouldered! I prefer a thorough woman of tlie world like youeicver,' cynical—. !Mr«. Dimnwrc: Thank -you, Dick. Am 1 cynical? If Jamit Is only since— Dick Sefton: I'rucllcal, witty, brilliant, charming-llko you, .Mary (softly). IMIK. Dunmorc: Oh, Dick, Dick, what a flirt yon are I

Dick Sef ton: I may Tjo, but it Is only on the surface.' Deep down—•.Mrs. Diiumore, Oh! I know what you are going to say. Don't begin to dredge In the depths of your Inner consciousness; you mlgiii iind some strange thiugis there. U'ave wcil-or ill-alone. ' ,

Dick Kef ton: I don't quite under 1 stand—

Mrs. Dunmorc: You are no match for a woman of the world. Try the schoolgirl, Here we are at Green-street. Goodbye, Dick (Badly). Dick Sefton: Won't vou give me some lunch? Mr*. Dnnmore; I shan'?; have any my-self-I shall be lying down. •Dick Sefton: Ah, I soe-the heat— Mra. Dunmorc: Don't be hypocritical, Dick. You know you don't for one moment believe that's the reason. Dick Sefton: Then may I come in and have tea with you? Mm..Dnnmore: No, I think not, Dick, Dick Sefton: To dinner, then-dear? Mm, Dunmorc: No. I don't think I want you to come and dine. Dick Sefton; When shall you want me, then? Mrs. Dunmoro (fitting her latch-key into the door): Never, I tliink, Dick, agaln.-w. X., in "Black and White."