Bells, Books And Candles

Front 1

Miss H.
So you've met him, after all. Do you still think he's attractive?

Back 1

Gillian
Yes, I do . Very

Front 2

Miss H
Did you----bring him here?

Back 2

Gillian
No. He came here to talk to me.........about you?

Front 3

Miss H
Me?

Back 3

Gillian
Yes, and it's no good acting innocent. I'm angry. Really angry.

Front 4

Miss H.
Why, what have I done?

Back 4

Gillian
You know. Broken into his apartment----played tricks with his telephone......

Front 5

Miss H
That was because he reported me to the agents. That was to pay him out.

Back 5

Gillian
I don't care what it was. You promised when I let you move in here......

Front 6

Miss H
I promised to be careful

Back 6

Gillian
And do you call that being careful? Getting caught in his apartment? Twice?

Front 7

Miss H
What harm did I do: I didn't take anything. Yes, I read his letters, but it's not as if I were going to make use of them. Though i'm tempted to now--now that he's told me on me---to you.

Back 7

Gillian
Auntie, if you do----well, you'll be sorry. And you know I can make you sorry too.

Front 8

Miss H
He'd never suspect, darling. Not in a million years. No matter what I did. Honestly, it's amazing the way people don't.. Why, they don't believe there are such things. I sit in the subway sometimes, or in buses and look at the people next to me. and I think What would you say if I told you I was a witch? And I know they'd never believe it. They just wouldn't believe it. ANd I giggle and I giggle to myself.

Back 8

Gillian
Well, you're got to stop giggling here. You've got to swear, swear on the manual.

Front 9

Miss H
Swear what?

Back 9

Gillian
That you'll stop practicing---in this house---ever.

Front 10

Miss H
You practice here

Back 10

Gillian
I can be discrete about it. You can't

Front 11

Miss H
I shall move to a hotel

Back 11

Gillian
Very well. But if you get into trouble there, don't look to me to get you out.

Front 12

Miss H
I've other people to can turn to.

Back 12

Gillian
Mrs. de Pass, I suppose

Front 13

Miss H
Yes, she's done a lot for me.

Back 13

Gillian
Well, I wouldn't count on Mrs de Pass, if I turn against you. I'm a lot better than that old phony. Now.....

Front 14

Miss H
Oh, please----not on the manual

Back 14

Gillian
On the Manual. Now, put your hand on it. Now, then, I swear that I will not practice witchcraft ever in this house again. So help me Tagla, Salmandrae, Brazo and Vesturiel. Say, I "swear"

Front 15

Miss H
I swear

Back 15

Gillian
Good

Front 16

Miss H.
I think you're very cruel

Back 16

Gillian
Oh, Auntie, if you'd only have a little sense!

Front 17

Miss H
And Hypocritical, Sometimes I think you're ashamed of being what you are.

Back 17

Gillian
Ashamed? I'm not in the least ashamed. No, it's not a question of that, but....Auntie, don't you ever wish you weren't?

Front 18

Miss H.
No!

Back 18

Gillian
That you were like those people you sit next to in the busses?

Front 19

Miss H.
Ordinary and humdrum? No, I was. For years. Before I came into it.

Back 19

Gillian
Well, you came in late. And, away, I don't mean humdrum. I just mean unenlightened. And I don't hanker for it all the time. Just sometimes.

Front 20

Miss H
Darling, you're depressed...

Back 20

Gillian
I know. I expect it's Christmas. It's always upset me.

Front 21

Miss H
You wait till you get to Zoe's party, and see all you old friends.

Back 21

Gillian
I don't want to see all my old friends again. I want something different.

Front 22

Miss H
Well, come with me to Mrs. de Pass's, then. She's got some very interesting people. Some French people. From the Paris chapter.

Back 22

Gillian
I didn't mean that, when I said I wanted something different. I think maybe I'd like to spend the evening with some everyday people for a change, instead of us.

Front 23

Miss H
With Mr. Henderson?

Back 23

Gillian
I wouldn't mind.

Front 24

Miss H
It's too bad he's getting married. Still. I suppose.......

Back 24

Gillian
How do you know that? Oh, the telephone, I suppose.

Front 25

Miss H
Yes, dear

Back 25

Gillian
Who's eh getting married to? Do you know?

Front 26

Miss H
I don't know her last name. Her first name is Merle.

Back 26

Gillian
Merle? The only Merle I ever knew was a girl I was in bollege with. Merle Kitterdge. She use to write poisonpen letters. I caught her writing one about me, once. That's why we has all those thunderstorms that spring. She was terrified of them. We has one every day for a month. It was most extraordinary.

Front 27

Miss H
You mean that that was you? Oh, Gillian you were naughty!

Back 27

Gillian
She was a nervous wreck by the end of the term.

Front 28

Miss H
And you think this might be the same girl? What was she like?

Back 28

Gillian
Southern, and blonde, and helpless.....

Front 29

Miss H
This one's blond. He's got her picture on the bureau.

Back 29

Gillian
and appealing. and underneath, a liar and a sneak and a beau-snatcher.

Front 30

Miss H
did you ever hear what happen to her?

Back 30

Gillian
I think she became a decorator.

Front 31

Miss H.
This one's a decorator.

Back 31

Gillian
Well, there's probably more than one decorator in New York called Merle. And, if he's engaged , that rules him out.

Front 32

Miss H
I don't see why.

Back 32

Gillian
I'm not a southern belle. I don't take other women's men. Though I would, if it were Merle Kitterdge.

Front 33

Miss H
I could find out for you.

Back 33

Gillian
But---New Year's. That wouldn't leave me much time.

Front 34

Miss H.
You wouldn't need time. Just a quick little potion. Or four words to pyewacket, you once told me.

Back 34

Gillian
Yes, but i wouldn't want him that way. That would take the challenge out of it. Especially with her. OTher girls can make men like them in a week, without that. Why can't I?

Front 35

Miss H
Did he seem to like you this afternoon?

Back 35

Gillian
Not very much. No

Front 36

Miss H
Gillian, you---you haven't fallen in love with him, and lost your powers have you? Thats isn't what this is all about?

Back 36

Gillian
No, of course not.

Front 37

Miss H
Oh, thank goodness

Back 37

Gillian
You don't believe that old wives' tale?

Front 38

Miss H.
Of course I do! It's true. They say it's true.

Back 38

Gillian
It's the other way around. We can't all in love. Merle Kitterdge. I haven't though of her in years. Do you think--if it were she--I could do it in a week--without tricks?

Front 39

Miss H
Darling, it's no good asking me. I never could do it at all. But if it is, why don't you pull a quick one, and have done with it?

Back 39

Gillian
No. I don't say I wouldn't be tempted, but if i've got a week--i'd like to see how good i am, the other way.