MELISANDE. Bobby, I don't want to hurt your feelings--

MELISANDE. Well then, look at yourself in the glass!

Second Plays — Part 103

(BOBBY goes anxiously to the glass, and then pulls at his clothes.)

Second Plays — Part 103

MELISANDE. Oh, Bobby, everything's wrong. The man to whom I give myself must be not only my lover, but my true knight, my hero, my prince. He must perform deeds of derring-do to win my love. Oh, how can you perform deeds of derring-do in a stupid little suit like that!

Second Plays — Part 103

BOBBY (looking at it). What's the matter with it? It's what every other fellow wears.

MELISANDE (contemptuously). What every other fellow wears! And you think what every other fellow thinks, and talk what every other fellow talks, and eat what every other--I suppose _you_ didn't like the bread-sauce this evening?

BOBBY (guardedly). Well, not as bread-sauce.

MELISANDE (nodding her head). I thought so, I thought so.

BOBBY (struck by an idea). I say, you didn't make it, did you?

BOBBY. I thought perhaps--You know, I really don't know what you _do_ want, Sandy. Sorry; I mean--

MELISANDE. Go on calling me Sandy, I'd rather you did.

BOBBY. Well, when you marry this prince of yours, is _he_ going to do the cooking? I don't understand you, Sandy, really I don't.

MELISANDE (shaking her head gently at him). No, I'm sure you don't, Bobby.

BOBBY (still trying, however). I suppose it's because he's doing the cooking that he won't be able to dress for dinner. He sounds a funny sort of chap; I should like to see him.

MELISANDE. You wouldn't understand him if you did see him.

MELISANDE (dreamily to herself). Perhaps I shall never see him in this world--and then I shall never marry. But if he ever comes for me, he will come not like other men; and because he is so different from everybody else, then I shall know him when he comes for me. He won't talk about bread-sauce--billiards--and the money market. He won't wear a little black suit, with a little black tie--all sideways. (BOBBY hastily pulls his tie straight.) I don't know how he will be dressed, but I know this, that when I see him, that when my eyes have looked into his, when his eyes have looked into mine--

MELISANDE (waking from her dream). Yes? (She gives a little laugh) Poor Bobby!

BOBBY (appealingly). I say, Sandy! (He goes up to her.)