Grinnell College - Cyclone Yearbook (Grinnell, IA)

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How do you know it isn't the other way, that Mr. Rodney doesn't like me? WILLETTS flooking at her with an unmistakable expressionj. Unimaginable! MISS W. Oh-h-h! And you said that you never say anything clever! WILLETTS tbluntlyj. I never do. That's only truth. MISS W. Csweetlyl. Oh then falsehood is your synonym for clever. I think I got the impression a moment ago that you thought me clever. I thank you for the implication I am sure. WILLETTS ffloundering againl. I-now Miss Woolson-you know that I don't mean that-you know what I think of you-you know I think- MISS W. thastily averting the strokel. But you may have hit on the very reason that Mr. Rodney and I are antagonistic, if, as you seem to think, we are alike. People are said to like their op- posites, you know. WILLETTS Cbrighteningl. Do you think that? MISS W. Cwith her eyes on the distance where Rodney is taking leave of Miss Bowenl. Oh there must be something in it. WILLETTS. Because if you do, there may be some hope for me. MISS W. tin the double consciousness that she is within a step of home and that Rodney is approachingy. t'While there's life, there's hope they say. CAdds hastily with some consternation at the ex- pression of his facej I am afraid you have forgotten Mr. Rodney's warning, Mr. Willetts. ' ' WILLETTS. No, no I haven't. If I could forget Ishould have asked you long ago to let me go with you to the con- 1 MISS WOOLSON fasidej. The fates forfend! tAloud, in a tone of painj Oh! tshe deliberately steps off the sidewalk and lets her- self carefully downl Oh! LRodney is seen to hasten his stepsj VVILLETTS Qin great trepidationl. Oh Miss Woolson-Gladys, what has happened? What can I do? tHe spins around helplessly.j MISS W. Oh don't be frightened, Mr. Willetts. It is nothing, a little sprain perhaps. I shall be allright in a moment. QAttempts to rise as Rodney passes stiftly with lifted haty. Oh-h! CShe sinks down again with a cry of pain.! Rodney pauses irresolutely, then turns and comes back. RODNEY Ccurtlyl. Good evening, Willetts. What is it? What has happened? WILLETTS tdancing about distractedlyp. Oh Miss Woolson has sprained the sidewalk-she stepped oft her ankle--and she's dread- fully hurt and I don't know how to get her home. You see she cantt get up and I-the tries to raise her by pulling at her arm.j MISS W. Oh! tas if in great pain.J RODNEY Ccontemptuously brushing Willetts asidej. By your leave. tl-Ie stoops and picks her up in his arms. J MISS WOOLSON Cin dismayp. Oh Mr. Rodney! tShe clasps him about the neck. J WILLETTS ffranticallyj. Ah-Oh-Cantt I help--I-isn't there something- ..24..

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augh then 't it? ipose 's for 'aphs ,ce of locks Iouth your ns all get up 'illetts tween is the tance. j them likely illetts, .owing WILLETTS. She has, she sharpened them on me this evening. QThey both laugh.3 QAfter a pause, musinglyj Rodney is a bright fellow. - MISS W. Yes? One would judge it from the company he affects. WILLETTS Cgood naturedlyy. Oh, you mustn't always judge a fellow by the girl he takes. MISS W. tcurtlyj. Oh, thank you. There's nothing equivocal in that remark. WILLETTS Cstammeringj. Oh, now, you know-I beg your pardon. No offense intended. QRuefullyj You always catch a fellow up so, Miss Woolson. MISS W. fl.aughS wickedlyl. WILLETTS Qreminiscently after another pausej. Rodney said something awfully clever about you yesterday. MISS W. Indeed? Qicilyy. WILLETTS. Why don't you ever encourage a man to go on? MISS W. A man ought not to need any encouragement. But, well, it I must tassuming a sprightly vivacityj-indeed? What clever thing did Mr. Rodney honor himself by saying about me, Mr. Willetts? There, is that better? WILLETTS. Intinitely. But I don't believe I'll tell you after all. MISS W. Cresentfullyj. That is like a man after a woman has humbled herself. WILLETTS. Humble, you! I like that term in that connection. 12 Besides you know a repeated remark falls flat after so many pre- liminaries. I MISS W. Qcoldlyb. Oh well, as you please. 'WILLETTS Qrelentingj. Oh well, Isuppose I may as well tell since it has gone so far. We were coming down street together yesterday, and saw Arbuthnot leaving your door. He looked de- jected somehow. Henderson remarked upon it and then Said, 'tThere ought to be an inscription over Miss Woolson's door 'Leave hope behind, all ye who enter here , Qlaughs unrestrainedlyj. MISS W. Qwith suspicionj. Did Mr. Rodney say that, or is it a pleasing fabrication of your own, Mr. Willetts? WILLETTS. Oh Rodney said it all right. It bears his mark if you knew him. I never say anything clever. There's nothing cynical about me. MISS W. twith ironyj. No? WILLETTS. There you go again! No. CAfter a moment's pause, struck with a brilliant thought.J It's a pity you don't,like Rodney. You would make such a good match. MISS W. What discrimination you have, Mr. Willetts. But why didn't you make it span. I wouldn't hesitate at a sporting term in such a connection if I were you. WILLETTS. Oh I beg your pardon, Miss Woolson. Now you are offended. You know I- MISS W. tlightlyj. Oh I am not offended, at least not irreme- diably. But you say you regret that I do not like Mr. Rodney. 3...

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RODNEY. Run on ahead, Willetts, and open the door, can't you? H Miss WQOLSGN Lover his shoulderj. Here is the key, Mr. Wil- letts. LWilletts runs on ahead.-To Rodneyj I'm afraid I'm awfully heavy, Mr. Rodney. RODNEY fpuffiingj. Oh not at all. Miss WOOLSON ffervently to Willetts, who has opened the doorj. Oh, fbnnk you, Mr. Willetts. No, you'lI not need to come in. Mr. Rodney can do all that is necessary. You're awfully kind. Good night. WILLETTS fstill frantically clutching her hand as she passesj. Oh, Miss Rodney! I'm so sorry. I'm afraid it was my fault. I shall never forgive myself. ' RODNEY fgrimlyj. Cut short your adieux, if you don't mind, Willetts, and try to remember that the lady's name is Woolson. fWith emphasisj WILLETTS. Oh, yes, I beg your pardon, both of you. I- MISS WOOLSON fsweetly, over Rodney's shoulderj. Good night, Mr. Willetts. Uhe door shuts. Willetts still stands open- mouthed, staring at it. After some time a light dawns on his face. He puts his hands in his pockets, raises his eyebrows and puckers his lips into a prolonged whistlej SCENE IV. Miss WooIson's parlor'-Rodney is seen staggering in with that lady in his arms-I-Ie deposits her in an easy chair, then gets a hassock, and kneeling, lifts her foot gently upon it-Still kneeling, he draws out a handkerchief and wipes his brow. . RODNEY. Is that right, Miss Woolson? MISS W. Perfectly. Oh, poor Mr. Rodney! lshall always reproach myself for letting you tire yourself this way. You are so warm! fShe touches his face lightly with her handkerchief. He catches her hand as if to carry it to his lips, but, restraining him- self, bends low over it and rises, assuming a conventional tonej Don't mention it. It was a pleasure, I assure you. ljHe retires to a safe distance and stands looking down at her. She winces, and, leaning over, clasps her ankle.j RODNEY fwith disproportionate solicitudej. You are in pain. Let me call some one. fl-Ie returns and kneels again beside her.j Miss W. fbehind her handkerchiefj. No. LShe reaches out a restraining hand, which he clasps Hrmlyj It is nothing-a little twinge, it will be over in a moment. RODNEY Knot in full command of his voicej. But you must have assistance. We makes as if he would support her with his other arm, but again restrains himself with a visible effort.j I MISS W. Hooking up 'after a moment and gently withdrawing ,her hand from his, of which she seems conscious for the first timejl.