CHARLES SYLVESTER.
The conception of Susannah, and in fact the entire treatment if I may
say so, is bold in the extreme. He makes a school, our friend here. You
will be surprised when you see the work, and impressed.
HENRICH SCHERCL.
Vell, we will make the abbointment soon, Mr. Tempenny. I am sorry I
could not see it to-day. So I shall be imbressed? That is goot.
Gootday, gentlemen. We will make the abbointment very soon.
(_Exit_ SCHERCL.)
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
(_Calling after him from open door_.) Mind the bottom step, it's
awkward. Got it?
HENRICH SCHERCL (_off_).
It is so dark your staircase.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Yes, it is dark, isn't it? Good afternoon. (_Closes door.)(To_
SYLVESTER.) Phew! You couldn't have arrived at a worse time.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Thanks.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
I don't mean to be inhospitable, but the ice was thin.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Have you done anything to "Susannah?"
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Not a stroke, but I commence to-morrow in earnest. I've a model coming
this afternoon, and if you'll let me use your studio, I shall knock in
enough in a week for old Schercl to see when he calls again.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Why do you want my studio--what's the matter with this?
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Well, the fact is my wife is always popping in here, and if she found
me with a model posed as Susannah she'd go into hysterics. You
understand me?
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Understand you. I'm a married man.
(TEMPENNY _looks at him silently, and then puts out his hand_.
SYLVESTER _grasps it_.)
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
I don't want to gush, but--I feel for you, old chap.
CHARLES SYLVESTER (_gratefully_).
I know--I know.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY (_offering pouch_).
Smoke?
CHARLES SYLVESTER (_producing pipe_).
Thanks.
(_They fill their pipes without speaking and puff sympathetically_.)
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
Not but what she is a good sort--I don't want to say anything against
her.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
Of course not.
CHARLES SYLVESTER.
But--I suppose she's too fond of me.
REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.
It's a way wives have--they repay the superabundance of your devotion
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