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Page 37
[_Rising, somewhat abashed._] Ha! I confess I am a little unskilful at
such operations.
SOPHY.
No gentleman should trust to himself where his nails are concerned. Why,
a man's hand has lost him a young lady's affections before this! I've
heard of heaps of cases where matches have been broken off--
QUEX.
[_Putting his hands behind him, smiling._] Really? the results of
manicure are more far-reaching than I had imagined.
SOPHY.
You, see, my lord, when a man's courting he is free to look his young
lady in the face for as long as he chooses; it's considered proper and
attentive. But the girl is expected to drop _her_ eyes, and then--what
has _she_ to look at? Why, a well-trimmed hand or an ugly one. [_Taking
off her rings._] Now then, I'll do wonders for you in ten minutes.
QUEX.
Thank you; I am not going indoors just yet.
SOPHY.
No need to go indoors. [_Depositing her rings upon the table and opening
her bag._] I've got my bag here, with all my tools--see!
QUEX.
Ah, but I won't trouble you this evening. Another occasion--
SOPHY.
[_Arranging her manicure instruments, &c., upon the table._] No trouble
at all, my lord--quite an honour. [_Indicating the stone bench._] Please
sit down there. [_Producing a little brass bowl._] Water--?
[_She runs to the fountain and fills her bowl from its basin._
QUEX.
[_Crossing, hesitatingly, to the right--looking at his nails and
speaking in a formal manner._] You have been bidden to Fauncey Court for
rest and relaxation, Miss Fullgarney; it is most obliging of you to
allow your pleasure to be disturbed in this way.
SOPHY.
[_Returning to him._] Oh, don't say that, my lord. [_Putting the bowl on
the table and dragging the garden-chair forward to face him._] Business
_is_ a pleasure, sometimes.
[_Her close proximity to him forces him back upon the bench._
QUEX.
[_Seated--stiffly._] You must, at least, let me open an account at your
excellent establishment.
SOPHY.
Not I. [_Seated--taking his right hand._] One may work occasionally for
love, I should hope? [_archly_] ha, ha! just for love, eh?
QUEX
[_Uncomfortably._] No, no, I couldn't permit it--I couldn't permit it.
SOPHY.
[_Holding his hand almost caressingly._] Well, well! we'll see--we'll
see. [_She clips his nails briskly and methodically. While she does so
she again hums a song, looking up at him at intervals enticingly, under
her lashes. Breaking off in her song._] My goodness! what a smooth,
young hand you have!
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