The Vortex

shoulder rather tentatively. He goes upstairs and Nicky wanders to the piano. He plays absently, and Bunty enters. Bunty I want to talk to you. Nicky

Still playing.

All right.

Bunty Perhaps you’d stop playing for a minute. Nicky Won’t you let me woo you with a little Scriabine? Bunty Please stop. Nicky

Rising.

I’m unappreciated⁠—that’s what it is.

There is a slight pause⁠—he goes over to her.

I say, Bunty⁠—

Bunty What? Nicky Before you say anything awful to me, I am sorry for being rude just now. Bunty So you ought to be. Nicky Will you forgive me? Bunty Yes, I forgive you. Nicky I’ve been irritable all the evening. Bunty Give me a cigarette, Nicky. Nicky Here. They both smoke. Bunty Thanks. Nicky What did you want to talk to me about? Bunty Lots of things⁠—us! Nicky

Hardening.

Oh, I see!

Bunty Don’t you think it’s rather silly⁠—being engaged? Nicky No, not at all. Bunty I do. Nicky Just because we bickered a bit tonight? Bunty No, not only because of that. Nicky Why then? Bunty Can’t you see? Nicky No. Bunty Well, we’re not very suited to each other, are we? Nicky Why do you suddenly say that? Bunty Because I’ve only just realized it. Nicky I’m sorry. Bunty It’s not your fault particularly. Nicky I’m glad. Bunty It’s circumstances and surroundings. Nicky Oh, that can be altered quite easily. We’ll change the shape of the house⁠—we’ll take all that wall away and turn that into a studio⁠—you love studios, don’t you?⁠—then we’ll transform the drawing-room into an enormous aviary. Bunty It’s practically that now! Nicky And then we’ll⁠— Bunty Shut up, Nicky! Nicky I’m only trying to be amenable. Bunty Are you, really? Nicky Yes, I’m putting up a sort of defense, Bunty. I have a feeling that you’re going to be unpleasant, and I want to establish myself comfortably before you start. Bunty I don’t want to be unpleasant⁠—only honest. Nicky You won’t let the two run together, will you? Bunty

With vehemence.

You’re hopeless, hopeless, hopeless!

Nicky Yes⁠—I think I am, rather. Bunty In a way I’m glad⁠—it makes it easier. Nicky Does it? Bunty You’re not in love with me, really⁠—you couldn’t be! Nicky Please don’t say that. Bunty Why don’t you face things properly? Nicky One generally has to in the end. I like to put it off for as long as possible. Bunty That’s cowardly. Nicky Don’t be pompous, darling. Bunty You’re a great help, I must say. Nicky Why should I help to destroy my own happiness? Bunty That’s self-pity and self-deception. Nicky Why are you going on like this? Bunty Because I tell you⁠—I’ve realized the truth. Nicky I suppose you’ve taken a hatred to mother! Bunty No, not a hatred. Nicky You don’t like her. Bunty Not very much. Nicky Why not? She likes you. Bunty She detests me. Nicky Nonsense! Why should she? Bunty Because I’m young. Nicky What a filthy thing to say! Bunty It’s true. Nicky It’s nothing of the sort. Bunty You’re so stupid sometimes. Nicky Thank you. Bunty Don’t let’s start bickering again. Nicky We won’t discuss mother any more then. Bunty You started it. Nicky I wish I could make you understand her like I do. I mean she’s awfully irritating, I know⁠—but deep down she’s marvelous in spite of everything. Bunty

Coldly.

Everything?

Nicky

Vehemently.

Yes, everything! Don’t be a beast, Bunty; just try to see her point a little, even if you do dislike her. She is terribly silly about being “young,” I know, but she’s been used to so much admiration and flattery and everything always, she feels she sort of can’t give it up⁠—you do see that, don’t you? And she hasn’t really anything in the least comforting to fall back upon. She’s not clever⁠—real kind of brain cleverness⁠—and father’s no good, and I’m no good, and all the time she’s wanting life to be as it was instead of as it is. There’s no harm in her anywhere⁠—she’s just young inside. Can’t you imagine the utter foulness of growing old? ’Specially if you’ve been lovely and attractive like she was. The beautiful Flo Lancaster! She used to be known as that. I can remember her when I was quite small, coming up to say good night to me, looking too perfectly radiant for words⁠—and she used to come to the school, too, sometimes, and everyone used to go mad over her, and I used to get frightfully proud and excited⁠—

Bunty I’ve never heard you talk like this before. Nicky I don’t think I ever have. Bunty I like you better clear cut, not blurred by sentiment. Nicky looks at her for a moment in amazement. Nicky To describe you as hard would be inadequate⁠—you’re metallic! Bunty I can see straight. Nicky

Politely.

Can you?

Bunty Yes. We could never be happy together. Nicky Perhaps not. Bunty Shall we just⁠—finish⁠—then? Nicky Certainly, I’m sorry we were too modern to have an engagement ring; you’d have been able to give it back to me so beautifully. Bunty Don’t be ridiculous! Nicky Better than being blurred by sentiment.

Bunty lights another cigarette and, kicking off her shoes, perches on the club fender and proceeds to warm her feet at the fire.

Enter Clara Hibbert.

Clara My dear, I’m shattered⁠—and I’m going straight to bed⁠—probably for several weeks. Bunty Why? Clara Shshsh! He’s coming. Bunty Who’s coming? Clara Bruce Fairlight. I’ve been teaching him mahjong. These master brains⁠—agony, dear⁠— Enter Bruce Fairlight. Bruce Very interesting, that game. Clara

Weakly.

I thought you’d like it.

Bruce It’s interesting psychologically! The concentration and suspense⁠— Enter Florence, Helen, Pawnie and Tom. Tom is grasping a whisky and soda⁠—Pawnie is eating a biscuit. Pawnie I’m quite exhausted; it must be the country air⁠— Florence —it was too lovely, because I started with two red dragons in my hand⁠— Helen I wondered who had them⁠— Pawnie One more tune, Nicky, before we go to bed⁠— Florence Yes, just one⁠— Nicky

Looking at Bunty.

I’ll play “I love you”⁠—such a romantic tune.

He puts on the gramophone. Bunty Do. Helen What time’s everyone going up in the morning? Florence The ten-o’clock’s the best⁠—we’ll have breakfast at nine downstairs. Pawnie

Confidentially.

Do you know that in London I can never do more than nibble a piece of thin toast, and whenever I’m away I eat enormously!

Nicky How very peculiar! Pawnie Your tone revolts me, Nicky. You must never be irascible with your old friends. Nicky I haven’t got any. Helen Nicky! Nicky Sorry, Helen.