The Education of Eric Lane

of one who studies her effects and with a brusqueness which discouraged further

her. Eric adjudicated in Gaymer's favour and was turning to give Barbara a last chance, when he found that the flood-gates were open and that every one, taking his time from Lady Poynter, was prepared to discuss dramatic art in general and, in particular, the construction and history of his play. Their enquiries were simple-minded; bombarded from four different quarters at once, he took the que

tess with a beaming glance which confidently asked her other guests whether she was

ow," continued Mrs. O'Rane, for whom no subject of conversatio

nce which she had maintained since the beginning of dinner: "George Oaklei

deliberate avoidance of enthusiasm chilled hi

ms to have escap

of you it was to write it,"

lf-conscious smile; and, knowing her reputati

good house

ok it conscientiously, they laughed at the jokes, they missed nothing, even the obvious things; and, if I went next week, I should find them all there again-

u don't re

ed what you were like...." She turned to look at him with leisurely and unsmiling interest. "I expected to find you much younger.

ther a long time to

Life is not measured by da

e or those you creat

away and nodd

of picking up the rusty swords of men I've already beaten. You knew little Val Arden, of course? And my cousin Jim Loring? They

prevent accide

tionalist! I collect new emotions, but you must be bourgeois yourself if you want to épater le bourgeois. Now, you can't h

despised calling

A

him for writing it. He half turned to Lady Poynter, but she was deep in conversation with her nephew. For a time he, too, concentrated his attention on the quail; but every one else was talking, and, though

meaning of the 'Ah!'

and trying to cover it up by being dignified. You've been so careful with your effects, too! ... I said '

on half an hour

you that I kept thinking how clever of you it was to write it. You mustn't think I didn't enjoy myself. The construction's quite tolerable, and the dial

itic for some years.

ou a cigarette? I hate people smoking in the middle of meals; but Margaret's begun, and I must have something to drown it. Now that, I sup

our to do so,

atic. He slapped his forehead and groaned-- Well, we don't slap our foreheads or groan, however great the provocation. And in moments of stress he would shake hands with people and turn away to hide his emotion. And it wasn't only in gestures, he became dramatic in conduct. When compromising letters came into his hands, he used to burn them unread and without any

pagne had brought colour into her cheeks and eyes. Eric looke

l as you warned me to expect," he obse

aking any trouble. I didn't think you were worth while, til

should be spared t

the p

os

-I should think you had! You're never out of it! An announcement that you've left London-and the intol

dorers'; and I've got to find tim

ra smiled to herself and discovered sudde

w play coming

ddle of ne

't make

t be able to attend the

'm talking seriously. Put that play off! You're only a child, you've made a mint

warm flush had shrunk and intensified into two vivid splashes of colour

propose to teach

ion. Without looking round, he knew that every one was w

d women. I told George Oakleigh so that nig

ed to Lad

explained, "and Lady Barbara wants me to hang

any young man may write o

f orotund protest

ear B

't worth knowing, I've seen so many of them! Have you ever met a

rette and lighte

was twenty-two," he said, studiedly refl

to her cigarette, for she drew hard

she enquired with neurotic

ini

must have been up about you

he was on the Bullingdon. I never met him,

hought fo

o was at Trinity in your time. Did

him all my life. They're neighbours of o

nodded

suppose nothing

nce the news was published, but I s

nd out anything with

nd of mine," Eric expla

ith a rapid backward ca

n till then; and you'll never write a good play. It's such a pity, when you've everything except the psychology. Why don't you fall in love with me? I could teach you such

nterrupted her

fied to be an ob

rface; that's why you write such bad plays. Margaret!" She approached Lady Poynter with outstretched arms. "I've argued myself hoarse trying to persuade Mr. Lane to fall

a crushing arm roun

did," she said. "I told you you'd fall in lov

ommented Gaymer meaningly, as he shut the door