LINE.

[_Taking his hands in hers._] Good-bye. Don't come downstairs with me.
Let me leave you sitting at your table, at work--at work on that
incomplete chapter. We shall tumble up against one another, I dare say,
at odd times, but this is the last we shall see of each other _dans
l'intimite_; and I want to print on my memory the sight of you--[_pointing
to the writing-table_] there--keeping your flag flying. [_Putting her
arms round him--in a whisper._] Keep your flag flying, Philip!
Don't--don't sulk with your art, and be false to yourself, because a
trumpery woman has fretted and disturbed you. Keep your flag
flying--[_kissing him_] my--my dear hero!

[_She untwines her arms and steps back. Slowly, with his
hands hanging loosely, and his chin upon his breast,_
PHILIP _passes her and goes to the writing-table. There,
dully and mechanically, he takes the unfinished page of
manuscript from the portfolio, arranges it upon the
blotting-pad and, seating himself at the table, picks up
his pen. Very softly_ OTTOLINE _opens the vestibule
door, gives_ PHILIP _a last look over her shoulder, and
enters the vestibule, closing the door behind her. There
is a pause, during which_ PHILIP _sits staring at his
inkstand, and then the outer door slams. With an
exclamation,_ PHILIP _drops his pen, leaps up, and
rushes to the vestibule door._

PHILIP.

Otto! Otto! [_Loudly._] Ottoline----!

[_With his hand on the door-handle, he wavers, his eyes
shifting wildly to and from the writing-table. Then,
with a mighty effort, he pulls himself together, strides
to the smoking-table, and loads and lights his pipe.
Puffing at his pipe fiercely, he reseats himself before
his manuscript and, grabbing his pen, forces himself to
write. He has written a word or two when he
falters--stops--and lays his head upon his arm on the
table._

PHILIP.

[_His shoulders heaving._] Oh, Otto--Otto----!

THE END

_Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. LTD.
_At the Ballantyne Press_
LONDON AND EDINBURGH

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Big Drum, by