tunes came into her head. She imagined herself dressing up with most
priceless variations. _Linger Longer Lucy_, for example. She began
to spin imaginary harmonies and variations in her head, upon the
theme of _Linger Longer Lucy_.
"Linger longer Lucy, linger longer Loo.
How I love to linger longer linger long o' you.
Listen while I sing, love, promise you'll be true,
And linger longer longer linger linger longer Loo."
All the tunes that used to make Miss Frost so angry. All the Dream
Waltzes and Maiden's Prayers, and the awful songs.
"For in Spooney-ooney Island
Is there any one cares for me?
In Spooney-ooney Island
Why surely there ought to be--"
Poor Miss Frost! Alvina imagined herself leading a chorus of
collier louts, in a bad atmosphere of "Woodbines" and oranges,
during the intervals when the pictures had collapsed.
"How'd you like to spoon with me?
How'd you like to spoon with me?
(_Why ra-ther!_)
Underneath the oak-tree nice and shady
Calling me your tootsey-wootsey lady?
How'd you like to hug and squeeze,
(_Just try me!_)
Dandle me upon your knee,
Calling me your little lovey-dovey--
How'd you like to spoon with me?
(_Oh-h--Go on!_)"
Alvina worked herself into quite a fever, with her imaginings.
In the morning she told Miss Pinnegar.
"Yes," said Miss Pinnegar, "you see me issuing tickets, don't you?
Yes--well. I'm afraid he will have to do that part himself. And
you're going to play the piano. It's a disgrace! It's a disgrace!
It's a disgrace! It's a mercy Miss Frost and your mother are dead.
He's lost every bit of shame--every bit--if he ever had any--which I
doubt very much. Well, all I can say, I'm glad I am not concerned.
And I'm sorry for you, for being his daughter. I'm heart sorry for
you, I am. Well, well--no sense of shame--no sense of shame--"
And Miss Pinnegar padded out of the room.
Alvina walked down to Lumley and was shown the site and was
introduced to Mr. May. He bowed to her in his best American fashion,
and treated her with admirable American deference.
"Don't you think," he said to her, "it's an admirable scheme?"
"Wonderful," she replied.
"Of cauce," he said, "the erection will be a merely temporary one.
Of cauce it won't be anything to _look_ at: just an old wooden
travelling theatre. But _then_--all we need is to make a start."
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