Part 21

MRS. UPJOHN.

Fifteen guineas it's cost her. [Sitting in the chair on the extreme left, proudly.] Madame Godolphin made it, and a 'at to go with it ong sweet.

LILY.

JIMMIE.

Well---- [sipping her tea as if drinking a toast] in a cup of tea!

BLAND, DE CASTRO, AND ROPER.

VON RETTENMAYER.

JIMMIE.

LILY.

JIMMIE.

VON RETTENMAYER.

JIMMIE.

LILY.

JIMMIE.

DE CASTRO.

JIMMIE.

I caught her eye, and she came straight over to me and sat down beside me. "Shaky?" she said. "A corpse," I said. And she quietly laid hold of my hand and held it till Dolly Ensor condescended to stroll in. And when I got up I asked her who she was, and she told me. "Oh, my God," I said, "I'll never forget your kindness! Why, of course, you're the 'Mind the Paint' girl----!"

ROPER, DE CASTRO, AND VON RETTENMAYER.

BLAND.

ROPER, VON RETTENMAYER, AND DE CASTRO.

LILY.

LILY.

I've a very charming dwelling, (You know where without the telling) Decorated in a style that's rather quaint! Smart and quaint! When you pay my house a visit, You may scrutinise or quiz it, But you mustn't touch the paint! Brand-new paint! Mind the paint! Mind the paint! (No matter whether Maple's bills are settled or they ain't!) Once you smear it or you scratch it, It's impossible to match it; So take care, please, of the paint-- of the paint!

LILY.

I'm possessed of all the graces, Oh, a perfect dr-r-r-ream my face is! (It may owe to Art a trifle or it mayn't H'm, it mayn't!) And I'll cry out for assistance. Should you fail to keep your distance, Goodness gracious, mind the paint! Mind the paint! Mind the paint! Mind the paint! A girl is not a sinner just because she's not a saint! But my heart shall hold you dearer-- You may come a little nearer-- If you'll only mind the paint-- mind the paint!

LILY.

No more, boys! [ROPER, VON RETTENMAYER, and DE CASTRO gather round her, applauding her and urging her to continue.] No, no; no more! I've had such a stiff day----

MRS. UPJOHN.