The Vortex

been away for such ages. Also, one must be in London for the season. You can’t expect me to bury myself in the country indefinitely. I shall be there practically all through the spring and summer. Helen Lovely tennis parties and cricket weeks and things⁠— Florence Certainly. Helen

Kissing her.

You’re a divine creature, Florence.

Florence

Basking.

Am I? The telephone rings. Hallo!⁠ ⁠… Yes⁠—speaking. To Helen in a whisper. It’s Inez Zulieta. I never went to her recital.⁠ ⁠… Inez darling, I never recognized your voice.⁠ ⁠… Didn’t you get my note?⁠ ⁠… It was absolutely true, I was in agony.⁠ ⁠… Inez, don’t be angry. If you only knew how I longed for the sound of your wonderful, wonderful voice.⁠ ⁠… Darling.⁠ ⁠… Inez, don’t be so cruel.⁠ ⁠… Tomorrow, then. She hangs up receiver. I do wish Inez wasn’t so persistent.

Helen You never stop encouraging her. Florence Oh, Helen, I’m so tired of everyone. Helen Except Tom? Florence Yes, except Tom; he’s such a darling. Helen How do you think he and Nicky will get on? Florence Marvelously⁠—Tom loves music. Helen He says he does. Florence My dear, I took him to that Russian thing the other day and he sat entranced from beginning to end. Helen Poor Nicky! Florence Why do you say that? Helen Because I sometimes feel it. Florence

Suddenly furious.

Oh, I wonder why we’re such friends⁠—we’re so opposite⁠—you don’t understand me a bit. I used to think you did, but you’ve been different lately⁠—unsympathetic.

Helen No, I haven’t. Florence Yes, you have⁠—over Tom⁠—I believe you’re in love with him yourself. Helen

Smiling.

No⁠—it isn’t that.

Florence Anyhow, you can’t bear him being in love with me. Helen I don’t think he is⁠—really. I quite realize that he was very violently infatuated, but that is wearing off a bit now. I’m beginning to see him as he is.⁠ ⁠… Florence No, no, it’s not true⁠—you don’t understand⁠— Helen We are friends, Florence, though we’re so “opposite.” Do you really know the truth⁠—inside you? Or is all this shrill vanity real? Florence What’s the matter with you? Helen You’re ten years older than I am, but when I’m your age I shall be twenty years older than you. Florence Darling, how deliciously involved⁠—what can you mean by that? Helen I mean, I think it’s silly not to grow old when the time comes. She rises and goes towards door. Florence

Outraged.

Helen! There is suddenly heard a violent knocking at the front door. What on earth is that?

There is a noise outside, then the door bursts open and Nicky enters. He is extremely well-dressed in traveling clothes. He is tall and pale, with thin, nervous hands. Florence Nicky! Nicky Mother! He embraces her. Florence But I’d no idea⁠—I thought you were coming tomorrow. Nicky No, today⁠—I wrote to you. Florence I’m terribly, terribly excited. Nicky Helen, dear, how are you? He kisses her. Helen Splendid, Nicky. Florence I can’t get over you arriving like this.⁠ ⁠… I never realized⁠— Nicky Silly⁠ ⁠… you’re looking awfully well. Florence Am I? Nicky Wonderful, as usual. Florence I was talking to George Morrison only last Thursday⁠— Nicky The man who wrote that fearful book? Florence It isn’t a fearful book, it’s brilliant⁠—anyhow, he absolutely refused to believe that I had a grown-up son. Helen My dears, I must fly. Nicky Don’t go yet. Helen I must⁠—I’m hours late as it is. Nicky Be a little later, then. Florence Remember, five-o’clock train on Friday. Nicky Oh, is she coming down to the house? Divine! Helen Yes, if Florence is still speaking to me. Goodbye. She goes out. Nicky Have you been having a scene? Florence No, dear. Nicky She’s a darling⁠—Helen⁠— Florence Extremely stupid and tactless sometimes. Nicky It doesn’t feel as though I’d been away at all. Florence I’ve missed you appallingly⁠—we had such a short time together in Paris. Did you enjoy all my letters? Nicky I adored them⁠—so did John Bagot. I used to read most of them aloud to him. He’s mad on you⁠—saw your pictures in the Tatler, or something, and fell in love with it. Florence Is he nice? Nicky He’s grand. Florence We must all dine at the Embassy. When is he coming to England? Nicky Not until after Christmas. Florence You must see my new photographs; they’re wonderful. She takes large packet from desk. Nicky It’s heavenly⁠—being back. Florence Look. Nicky I don’t like that one. Florence How can you, Nicky! Tom likes that one best of all. Nicky Who’s Tom? Florence Tom Veryan⁠—he’s a dear; you’ll like him frightfully⁠—you know⁠—the very nicest type of Englishman. Nicky I hate the very nicest type of Englishman. Florence Don’t be tiresome, Nicky; he’s only twenty-four, and they all think so well of him⁠— Nicky All who? Florence All his officers and people; he’s in the Brigade. Nicky

Holding photograph away from him and scrutinizing it through half-closed eyes.

Now that one really is enchanting⁠—they’ve got your hair beautifully. Oh, yes, my dear, it’s perfect⁠—

Florence

Complacently.

It is good. She’s sweet⁠—Madame Henderson, she simply won’t hear of my paying for these⁠—she says it’s quite sufficient to be allowed to exhibit them in the window.

Nicky Is anyone dining this evening? Florence No. Oh, dear! I’d forgotten⁠—I’m dining out with Tom. Nicky Oh⁠—I see. Florence Your first night home, too⁠—how perfectly fiendish. What a fool I am to have muddled it up. Nicky It doesn’t matter, darling. Florence Oh, but it does. I wonder if we could get another seat⁠— Nicky Seat? What for? Florence We’re going to the first night of The New Elaine. It’s going to be marvelous. Nicky Who’s in it? Florence Nora Dean and Selwyn Steele⁠— Nicky Oh, God! Florence It’s silly of you always to jeer at Selwyn Steele. He’ s a brilliant actor, if only he could get away from his wife.⁠ ⁠… Nicky I couldn’t bear him tonight, anyway; I’m tired. Is father home yet? Florence No, I don’t think so. Oh, I do feel such a beast⁠— Nicky Don’t be silly⁠—honestly, I don’t mind a bit. Florence I know⁠—you have a nice quiet dinner here and join us at the Embassy afterwards. Nicky Is it a late night? Florence Yes, they play the most heavenly tune there now⁠—Tom always makes them do it over and over again⁠—I’ll put it on⁠— She goes to the gramophone. Nicky How’s Iris? Florence My dear, don’t speak of her. Nicky Why⁠—what’s she done? Florence She’s been absolutely foul. Nicky In what way? Florence Every way⁠—I never trusted her,