Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/295

ably on the recent reciprocity proposals of the Canadian Government?”

Miss Royal: “Is the Canadian Government making reciprocity proposals? I never heard of them.”

(Emily writes, “She never heard of them.” Miss Royal refits her pince-nez.)

Emily, thinks: “With a chin and a nose like that you'll look very witch-like when you grow old.” Says: “Is it your opinion that the historical novel has had its day?”

Miss Royal, languidly: “I always leave my opinions at home when I take a holiday.”

(Emily writes, “She always leaves her opinions home when she takes a holiday,” and wishes savagely she could write her own description of this interview, but knows Mr. Towers wouldn’t print it. Then consoles herself by remembering that she has a virgin Jimmy-book at home and takes a wicked delight in thinking of the account that will be written in it that night. Chu-Chin enters. Emily wonders if he could have eaten the chicken in that short time. Chu-Chin, evidently feeling the need of some dessert, helps himself to one of Mrs. Royal’s crocheted tidies, crawls under the piano with it and falls to chewing rapturously.)

Miss Royal, fervently: “Dear dog!”

Emily, suddenly inspired: “What do you think of chow dogs?”

Miss Royal: “The most adorable creatures in the world.”

Emily, to herself: “So you've brought one opinion with you.” To Miss Royal: “I do not admire them.”

Miss Royal, with an icy smile: “It is evident that your taste in dogs must be quite different from mine.”

Emily, to herself: “I wish Ilse were here to call you names for me.”

(A large, motherly grey cat passes across the doorstep outside. Chu-Chin bolts out from under the piano, shoots between the legs of a tall plant stand, and pursues the flying cat. The plant stand has gone over with a crash