Green Stockings

Excerpt: ... by his failing hand. Didn't he tell you? Smith . Well, you see, he was one of those great-hearted men who never speak about themselves. And towards the end, when he might have spoken, he was singularly comatose. Phyllis . (Sympathetically) Poor fellow! Smith . Oh, it's dreadful--dreadful! I suppose your sister was very devoted to him? Phyllis . She adored him!! Smith . Yes. That's the part I understand best. Phyllis . But Celia's engagement meant more to her than it would to most women. Smith . (Recoils slightly) Why? Phyllis . It had somehow got into everybody's head that Celia didn't--(Looks around room)--attract people. Poor old Celia. ( Smith turns uneasily in chair.) Of course, her engagement altered the whole position. Smith . Oh, I begin to see. Phyllis . It was the night that I had just announced my engagement to Mr. Tarver.--Bobby was so witty about poor old Celia having to wear another pair of Green Stockings at my wedding---- Smith . Ah--h-- Then there are other sisters? Phyllis . Yes, there's Madge. She is between Celia and myself. Smith . Engaged? Phyllis . More than engaged--married. And then comes Evelyn. Smith . Married? Phyllis . Much more than married. ( Smith stares.) A widow. Smith . And Miss Celia is the eldest of you all? Phyllis . Oh, yes. Well, the moment after Celia was told of my engagement, she announced hers. Smith . To Colonel Smith. (Turns away from her with sudden understanding.) I see. Phyllis . (More melodramatically) You know she had met him at Southampton. ( Smith looks at her.) For a week they had been together. ( Smith turns in his chair.) Only that morning he had told her of his love. An hour later he was steaming down Southampton Water to leave his neglected bones on the arid wastes of a---- Smith . (Interrupting her) Ahem! You'll excuse me---- Phyllis . I beg pardon. He was on his way to Somaliland. She wrote to him that night. Smith . (Slowly) Yes, the letter reached him. (Tapping his pocket) I have it...