Chapter 3

THE TENTS OF KEDAR

Only why should it be with pain at all Why must I 'twix the leaves
of corona! Put any kiss of pardon on thy brow? Why should the
other women know so much, And talk together -Such the look and
such The smile he used to love with, then as now. -Any Wife to
any Husband.

SCENE -A Naini Tal dinner for thirty-four. Plate, wines, crockery,
and khitmatgars care fully calculated to scale of Rs. 6000 per
mensem, less Exchange. Table split lengthways by bank of
flowers.

MRS. HERRIOTT. (After conversation has risen to proper pitch.)
Ah! 'Didn't see you in the crush in the drawing-room. (Sotto voce.)
Where have you been all this while, Pip?

CAPTAIN GADSBY. (Turning from regularly ordained dinner
partner and settling hock glasses.) Good evening. (Sotto voce.)
Not quite so loud another time. You've no notion how your voice
carries. (Aside.) So much for shirking the written explanation. It'll
have to be a verbal one now. Sweet prospect! How on earth am I
to tell her that I am a respectable, engaged member of society and
it's all over between us?

MRS. H. I've a heavy score against you. Where were you at the
Monday Pop? Where were you on Tuesday? Where were you at
the Lamonts' tennis? I was looking everywhere.

CAPT. G. For me! Oh, I was alive somewhere, I suppose.
(Aside.) It's for Minnie's sake, but it's going to be dashed
unpleasant.

MRS. H. Have I done anything to offend you? I never meant it if I
have. I couldn't help going for a ride with the Vaynor man. It was
promised a week before you came up.

CAPT. G. I didn't know-

MRS. H. It really was.

CAPT. G. Anything about it, I mean.

MRS. H. What has upset you today? All these days? You haven't
been near me for four whole days-nearly one hundred hours. Was
it kind of you, Pip? And I've been looking forward so much to
your coming.

CAPT. G. Have you?

MRS. H. You know I have! I've been as foolish as a schoolgirl
about it. I made a little calendar and put it in my card-case, and
every time the twelve o'clock gun went off I scratched out a square
and said: "That brings me nearer to Pip. My Pip!"

CAPT. G. (With an uneasy laugh). What will Mackler think if you
neglect him so?

MRS. H. And it hasn't brought you nearer. You seem farther away
than ever. Are you sulking about something? I know your temper.

CAPT. G. No.

MRS. H. Have I grown old in' the last few months, then? (Reaches
forward to bank of flowers for menu-card.)

PARTNER ON LEFT. Allow me. (Hands menu-card. MRS. H.
keeps her arm at full stretch for three seconds.)

MRS. H. (To partner.) Oh, thanks. I didn't see. (Turns right again.)
Is