A Modern Dialogue

Scene--On Manhattan Island. Time--To-day. Hour--Ten-thirty. Persons of the play:

SIBYL. A dream of beauty, half-awake, In filmy disarray--about to take Her morning tub. In speech with her the while Is ROBERT. He is dressed in riding style.

SIBYL--Why, Bob, it’s you! They got your name all wrong. I’m sorry that I made you wait so long.

BOB--Only six minutes by my watch--it’s true A minute seems a year, awaiting you! But Time is merciful and I rejoice That I am still alive to hear your voice.

SIBYL--A very pretty speech, for you, indeed. But what extenuation can you plead For waking ladies at the break of day From peaceful slumbers, sir!

BOB-- Oh, come, I say! It’s half past ten!

SIBYL-- Well, it was nearly three Before I got to bed!

BOB-- Good gracious me! I’m sure I’d no idea it was so late. Why, I was riding in the Park at eight And looked for you. I own I felt abused; Last night you said----

SIBYL-- I beg to be excused From keeping foolish promises, when made At two A.M., by moonlight. I’m afraid My memory’s no better than a sieve. So you expected me? The Lord forgive Your trusting soul!

BOB-- It is His métier!

SIBYL--Don’t be outrageous, or I’ll run away.

BOB--Ah, no; don’t go. I will be good, I swear! ’Twas a quotation, Heine, or Voltaire, Or some fool cynic fellow. By the way, If you have nothing on, what do you say To breakfasting with Peg and me at noon At the Casino?

SIBYL-- Well, that’s rather soon; I can’t be ready for an hour or more.

BOB--Come as you are, you know that I adore Your ladyship in any sort of gown; Besides, there’s not another soul in town. Come as you are; there’ll only be we three.

SIBYL--Well, I like that! It’s fortunate for me This is a telephone and not that new Invention one can talk and see through, too! What’s that you said?

BOB-- I didn’t speak at all I only thought.

SIBYL-- Well, don’t! Suppose we call The breakfast half past one instead of noon?

BOB (joyously)-- Then you will come?

SIBYL-- I swear!

BOB-- Not by the moon?

SIBYL (laughing)-- No, you may count on me. Now I must fly. One-thirty--don’t forget--Good-by!

BOB-- Good-by!

(They ring off.)