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Complete Plays of John Galsworthy Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Complete Plays of John Galsworthy novel. A total of 379 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Project Gutenberg Plays of John Galsworthy.by John Galsworthy.FIRST SERIES: THE SILV
The Project Gutenberg Plays of John Galsworthy.by John Galsworthy.FIRST SERIES: THE SILVER BOX A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS
PERSONS OF THE PLAY JOHN BARTHWICK, M.P., a wealthy Liberal MRS. BARTHWICK, his wife JACK BARTHWICK, their son ROPER, their solicitor MR
- 201 FREMAN. He bides in yure house; 'tes natural for yu to stand up for un; I'll wager Mrs. Burlacombe don't, though. My missis was fair shocked. "Will," she says, "if yu ever make vur to let me go like that, I widden never stay wi' yu," she says.TRUS
- 202 SCENE II The same-in daylight dying fast. A lamp is burning on the bar.A chair has been placed in the centre of the room, facing the bench under the window, on which are seated from right to left, G.o.dLEIGH, SOL POTTER the village shopman, TRUSTAFORD, BU
- 203 FREMAN. [Mollified] We'll 'ave that zet down, then, while we're electin' the chairman o' the next meetin'.[A silence. ]TRUSTAFORD. Well then, seein' this is the praaper old meetin' for carryin' the resolution about the curate, I purpose Mr. Sol P
- 204 VOICE OF GLADYS. Tim Clyst I giv' it a little push, meself.VOICE OF CONNIE. Oh!VOICE of GLADYS. Tim Clyst's gone in!ANOTHER VOICE. O-o-o-h!VOICE of MERCY. Whu else is there, tu? VOICE OF GLADYS. Ivy's there, an' Old Mrs. Potter, an' tu o' the maids
- 205 SCENE I In the BURLACOMBES' hall-sitting-room the curtains are drawn, a lamp burns, and the door stands open. BURLACOMBE and his wife are hovering there, listening to the sound of mingled cheers and groaning.MRS. BURLACOMBE. Aw! my gudeness--what a thing
- 206 about 'is wife like this. He'm a proud man tu, I think. 'Tes a funny business altogether!MRS. BRADMERE. Horrible! Poor fellow! Now, come! Do your best, Burlacombe![BURLACOMBE touches his forelock and goes. MRS. BRADMERE stands quite still, thinking. Th
- 207 MRS. BRADMERE. Ah! [With finality] You must see a doctor.[Seeing that the look on his face does not change, she opens the door, and hurries away into the moonlight.][STRANGWAY crosses the room to where his wife's picture hangs, and stands before it, his
- 208 MERCY. 'E shuld'n' 'a let my skylark go.CLYST. [Out of sheer contradictoriness] Ya-as, 'e shude, then.What du yu want with th' birds of the air? They'm no gude to yu.IVY. [Mournfully] And now he's goin' away.CLYST. Ya-as; 'tes a pity. He's the
- 209 STRANGWAY. [Going to her quickly] It's me, Tibby--Tib only me!TIBBY. I seed a ghosty.STRANGWAY. [Taking her up] No, no, my bird, you didn't! It was me.TIBBY. [Burying her face against him] I'm frighted. It was a big one. [She gives tongue again] O-o-oh
- 210 STRANGWAY. I don't know, Tibby.VOICE OF MERCY. [Distant and cautious] Tibby! Tibby! Where are yu?STRANGWAY. Mercy calling; run to her![TIBBY starts off, turns back and lifts her face. He bends to kiss her, and flinging her arms round his neck, she gives
- 211 JAMES. Poulder. Butlers think they're the Almighty. [Gloomily]But his name's Bartholomew.L. ANNE. Bartholomew Poulder? It's rather jolly.JAMES. It's hidjeous.L. ANNE. Which do you like to be called--John or James? JAMES. I don't give a darn.L. ANNE.
- 212 JAMES. Well--that's the same thing.L. ANNE. It isn't--it's the opposite. What is cla.s.s hatred, James?JAMES. [Wisely] Ah! A lot o' people thought when the war was over there'd be no more o' that. [He sn.i.g.g.e.rs] Used to amuse me to read in the p
- 213 JAMES. Hallo!POULDER. What's all this?JAMES. Bomb!POULDER. Miss Anne, off you go, and don't you---- L. ANNE. Come back again! I know! [She flies.] JAMES. [Extending his hand with the pipe in it] See!POULDER. [Severely] You've been at it again! Look her
- 214 POULDER. [Barring the way] Not so! James, put him up in that empty 'ock bin. We can't have dinner disturbed in any way.JAMES. [Putting his hands on THE PRESS'S shoulders] Look here--go quiet! I've had a grudge against you yellow newspaper boys ever si
- 215 POULDER. [Looking at his watch] 'Enry, leave the cooler, and take up the wine; tell Thomas to lay it out; get the champagne into ice, and 'ave Charles 'andy in the 'all in case some literary bounder comes punctual.[HENRY takes up the wine and goes.]PR
- 216 PRESS. [Nodding] I see--I see! Get Society interested in the Sweated, through the dinner. I have the menu here. [He produces it.]LORD W. Good G.o.d, man--more than that! I want to show the people that we stand side by side with them, as we did in the tren
- 217 PRESS. As a man or a Press man?LORD W. Is there any difference?PRESS. Is there any connection?LORD W. Well, as a man.PRESS. As a man, I think it's rotten. LORD W. [Jotting] "Rotten." And as a pressman?PRESS. [Smiling] Prime.LORD W. What! Like a Stilton
- 218 LADY W. [Staring] My dear boy, I really don't think you ought to see the Press; it always upsets you.LORD W. Well! Why should you and I be going to eat ourselves silly to improve the condition of the sweated, when---- LADY W. [Calmly] When they're going
- 219 MRS. L. Well; go yu, then, and get a breath o' fresh air in yore chakes. I'll sune 'a feneshed.L. AIDA. [Solemnly] I'm goin' to be a dancer, I am.She rushes suddenly to the door, pulls it open, and is gone.MRS. L. [Looking after her, and talking to h
- 220 LEMMY. [Leaning out] I sy--you 'yn't tykin' the body, are yer?VOICE. Nao.LEMMY. Did she die o' starvytion O.K.?VOICE. She bloomin' well did; I know 'er brother.LEMMY. Ah! That'll do us a bit o' good! VOICE. Cheerio!LEMMY. So long!VOICE. So long![T
- 221 LEMMY. [Dubiously] Wat-oh!PRESS. Mr. Lemmy?LEMMY. The syme.PRESS. I'm from the Press.LEMMY. Blimy. PRESS. They told me at your place you wens very likely here.LEMMY. Yus I left Downin' Street a bit early to-dy! [He tw.a.n.gs the feddle-strings pompously
- 222 PRESS. Well now--the future. [Writing] "He prophesies."LEMMY. It's syfer, 'yn't it? [He winks] No one never looks back on prophecies. I remembers an editor spring o' 1916 stykin' his reputytion the war'd be over in the follerin' October. Increase
- 223 PRESS. [Writing] "Sews." Yes?MRS. L. [Holding up her unfinished pair of trousers] I putt in the b.u.t.ton'oles, I stretches the flies, I lines the crutch, I putt on this bindin', [She holds up the calico that binds the top] I sews on the b.u.t.tons, I
- 224 PRESS. [Looking at his watch] Ah! and Mrs. Lemmy. There's an Anti-Sweating Meeting going on at a house in Park Lane. We can get there in twenty minutes if we shove along. I want you to tell them about the trouser-making. You'll be a sensation!LEMMY. [To
- 225 LADY W. Of course--first quiet moment.POULDER. I'll bring it up, and have a watch put on it here, my lady.[LORD WILLIAM comes through the double doom followed by JAMES.POULDER retires.]LORD W. Can't you come, Nell? LADY W. Oh! Bill, your Dad wants to sp
- 226 [He moves towards the doors, the three workers follow.]MRS. ANN. [Stopping before JAMES] You 'yn't one, I suppose?[JAMES stirs no muscle.]POULDER. Now please. [He opens the doors. The Voice of LORD WILLIAM speaking is heard] Pa.s.s in.[THE THREE WORKERS
- 227 MISS S. The Church is too busy, Poulder.POULDER. Ah! That "Purity an' Future o' the Race Campaign." I'll tell you what I thinks the danger o' that, Miss. So much purity that there won't be a future race. [Expanding] Purity of 'eart's an excellent
- 228 POULDER. Look here, James! I cant go on in this revolutionary spirit; either you or I resign. JAMES. Crisis in the Cabinet! POULDER. I give you your marchin orders. JAMES. [Ineffably] Whats that you give me? POULDER. Thomas, remove James! [THOMAS grins.
- 229 [She takes LITTLE AIDAS hand.] JAMES. [Between the pillars] Tommy, ketch em! [THOMAS retains them by the skirts.] L. ANNE. [Feigning indifference] All right, then! [To LITTLE AIDA] Have you ever seen a bomb? L. AIDA. Nao. L. ANNE. [Going to the table an
- 230 [POULDER blocks LEMMY'S way, with CHARLES and HENRY behind him.]POULDER. James, watch it; I'll report.[He moves away, following THE PRESS through the door. JAMES between table and window. THOMAS has gone to the door. HENRY and CHARLES remain at the entr
- 231 JAMES. Do you want him in or out, me Lord?LEMMY. I sy, you've divided the Press; 'e was unanimous.[The FOOTMEN let THE PRESS through.]LORD W. [To THE PRESS] I'm so sorry.LEMMY. Would yer like me to see to 'is gas? LORD W. So you're my friend of the c
- 232 LORD W. [Rather desperately] I know--hunger and all the rest of it!And here am I, a rich man, and don't know what the deuce to do.LEMMY. Well, I'll tell yer. Throw yer cellars open, an' while the populyce is gettin' drunk, sell all yer 'ave an' go a
- 233 PRESS. [Writing furiously] "Lady William stood like a statue at bay."LORD W. Got one of those lozenges on you, Nell?[But LADY WILLIAM has almost nothing on her.]LEMMY. [Producing a paper from his pocket] 'Ave one o' my gum drops?[He pa.s.ses it to LOR
- 234 LORD W. I was born with this beastly great house, and money, and goodness knows what other entanglements--a wife and family---- VOICE. Born with a wife and family![Jeers and laughter.]LORD W. I feel we're all in the same boat, and I want to pull my weigh
- 235 LORD W. But what is it?LEMMY. Wot is it? [His eyes are fearfully fixed on LADY WILLIAM] I fought everybody knew 'em.LADY W. Mr. Lemmy, you must clear this up, please.LEMMY. [TO LORD WILLIAM, With his eyes still held On LADY WILLIAM-- mysteriously] Wiv ly
- 236 HILLCRIST. A self-a.s.sertive fellow, without a sense of other people.JILL. Well, Old Hornblower I'll give you.HILLCRIST. I wouldn't take him.JILL. Well, you've got him. Now, Charlie--Chearlie--I say--the importance of not being Charlie---- HILLCRIST.
- 237 HILLCRIST. Since Elizabeth, anyway.JILL. [Looking at his foot] It has its drawbacks. D'you think Hornblower had a father? I believe he was spontaneous. But, Dodo, why all this--this att.i.tude to the Hornblowers?[She purses her lips and makes a gesture a
- 238 FELLOWS. The wrist I draw corks with.HILLCRIST. [With a cackle] You'd have had more than a twinge if you'd lived with my father. H'm!FELLOWS. Excuse me, sir--Vichy water corks, in my experience, are worse than any wine.HILLCRIST. [Ironically] Ah! The c
- 239 HILLCRIST. Turning people out that have been there thirty years. I won't have it. It's a breach of faith.MRS. H. Do you suppose this Hornblower will care two straws about that Jack?HILLCRIST. He must, when it's put to him, if he's got any decent feeli
- 240 [His voice has a curious blend in its tone of bra.s.s and oil, and an accent not quite Scotch nor quite North country.]Haven't seen ye for a long time, Hillcrist.HILLCRIST. [Who has risen] Not since I sold you Longmeadow and those cottages, I believe.HOR
- 241 she'll get her price, whatever it is.HILLCRIST. [With deep anger] If that isn't a skin game, Mr.Hornblower, I don't know what is.HORNBLOWER. Ah! Ye've got a very nice expression there. "Skin game!" Well, bad words break no bones, an' they're wonde
- 242 HORNBLOWER. What's that, in Heaven's name? Ye needn' wrap it up in long words now your good lady's gone.HILLCRIST. [With dignity] I'm not going in for a slanging match.I resent your conduct much too deeply.HORNBLOWER. Look here, Hillcrist, I don't o
- 243 JILL. [Quite softly] Mr. Hornblower!HILLCRIST. [From the window] Jill!JILL. [Impatiently] Well, what's the good of it? Life's too short for rows, and too jolly!ROLF. Bravo!HORNBLOWER. [Who has shown a sign of weakening] Now, look here! I will not have r
- 244 MRS. H. Excuse me, I shall keep my thoughts to myself at present.[She looks coldly at JILL, and goes out through the French window.]HILLCRIST. You've thoroughly upset your mother, Jill.JILL. It's something Dawker's told her; I saw them. I don't like D
- 245 [He turns to go.]JILL. [Just as he is vanis.h.i.+ng--softly] Enemy?ROLF. [Turning] Yes, enemy.JILL. Before the battle--let's shake hands.[They move from the lintels and grasp each other's hands in the centre of the French window.] CURTAIN ACT II SCENE I
- 246 ROLF. Down there; see?[He points down to stage Right of the room.]CHLOE. [Drawing back in her seat with a little gasp] Oh!ROLF. [Not noticing] Who's that next him, looking up here?CHLOE. I don't know. [She has raised her auction programme suddenly, and
- 247 JILL. [Sighing] Oh, h.e.l.l!HILLCRIST. Jill!JILL. Sorry, Dodo. I was only thinking. Look! Here he is!Phew!--isn't he----?MRS. H. 's.h.!.+ The AUCTIONEER comes in Left and goes to the table. He is a square, short, brown-faced, common looking man, with cl
- 248 HILLCRIST. [Muttering] Low! Heavens!AUCTIONEER. Any advance on six thousand? Come, gen'lemen, we haven't dried up? A little spirit. Six thousand? For six thousand? For six thousand pounds? Very well, I'm selling. For six thousand once--[He taps] For si
- 249 HILLCRIST. Phew! What a squeak! I was clean out of my depth. A mercy the Duke chipped in again.MRS. H. [Looking at ROLF and CHLOE, who are standing up as if about to go] Take care; they can hear you. Find DAWKER, Jack.[Below, the AUCTIONEER and SOLICITOR
- 250 HORNBLOWER. Why! Chloe! What's the matter?CHLOE. I don't know; I'm not well to-day.[She pulls herself together with a great, effort.]MRS. H. [Who has exchanged a nod with DAWKER and the STRANGER] Mr.Hornblower, you build at your peril. I warn you. HORN
- 251 DAWKER. The threat's enough! J.P.--Chapel--Future member for the const.i.tuency----.HILLCRIST. [A little more doubtfully] To use a piece of knowledge about a woman--it's repugnant. I--I won't do it.[Mrs. H. If you had a son tricked into marrying such a
- 252 [She goes firmly up the steps and out.]DAWKER. [To the STRANGER, with a wink] The Squire's squeamish--too much of a gentleman. But he don't count. The grey mare's all right. You wire to Henry. I'm off to our solicitors. We'll make that old rhinoceros
- 253 CHLOE. [Going to the window and opening it] This way, Rolf. If you don't come back I shall know he's coming. Put your watch by mine. [Looking at his watch] It's a minute fast, see!ROLF. Look here, Chloe CHLOE. Don't wait; go on.[She almost pushes him
- 254 HORNBLOWER. [Crossing to the door] Lie ye down, and get a sleep.I'll tell them not to disturb ye; and I hope ye'll be all right to-morrow. Good-night, Chloe.CHLOE. Good-night. [He goes out.][After a feverish turn or two, CHLOE returns to the open window
- 255 CHARLES. [Sitting on the arm of the sofa and caressing her] Feel better, dear?CHLOE. Yes, better, Charlie.CHARLES. That's right. Would you like some soup?CHLOE. [With a shudder] No.CHARLES. I say-what gives you these heads? You've been very on and off a
- 256 CURTAIN ACT III SCENE I HILLCRISTS study next morning. JILL coming from Left, looks in at the open French window. JILL. [Speaking to ROLF, invisible] Come in here. Theres no one. [She goes in. ROLF joins her, coming from the garden.] ROLF. Jill, I just
- 257 That's the winner--hands down. Goodbye!ROLF. Jill! Jill!JILL. [Putting her hands behind her back, hums]-- "If auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne"---- ROLF. Don't![With a pained gesture he goes out towards Left, through the French w
- 258 Hornblower?HORNBLOWER. [Taken aback] No, I'm not. That is-----.MRS. H. Well, you know that misconduct is required. And I suppose you've heard that cases are arranged.HORNBLOWER. I know it's all very shocking--what about it?MRS. H. When cases are arrang
- 259 HORNBLOWER. [Looking at CHLOE] That's enough. Take them out.Leave me alone with her.[DAWKER takes them out Right. MRS. HILLCRIST pa.s.ses HORNBLOWER and goes out at the window. HORNBLOWER moves down a step or two towards CHLOE.]HORNBLOWER. My G.o.d!CHLOE
- 260 MRS. H. Very well; here is a Bible.[She takes a small Bible from the bookshelf.]DAWKER. [Spreading doc.u.ment on bureau] This is a short conveyance of the Centry and Longmeadow--recites sale to you by Miss Mulling, of the first, John Hillcrist of the seco
- 261 CHLOE. Go away.ROLF. What's the matter? Tell me!CHLOE. Go away, and don't say anything. Oh! The roses! [She has put her nose into some roses in a bowl on a big stand close to the window] Don't they smell lovely?ROLF. What did Jill want this afternoon?C
- 262 You see, my father went bankrupt, and I was in a shop---- HILLCRIST. [Soothingly, and to prevent disclosures] Yes, yes; Yes, yes!CHLOE. I never gave a man away or did anything I was ashamed of--at least--I mean, I had to make my living in all sorts of way
- 263 HILLCRIST. This morning, I believe, Jill?JILL. Yes, she came this morning.CHARLES. [staring at her] I know that--now, I mean?JILL. No.[HILLCRIST shakes has head.] CHARLES. Tell me what was said this morning.HILLCRIST. I was not here this morning.CHARLES.
- 264 CHARLES. Gentle? A woman who--who---- HILLCRIST. A most unhappy creature. Come!CHARLES. d.a.m.n your sympathy![He goes out into the moonlight, pa.s.sing away.]JILL. Dodo, we ought to look for her; I'm awfully afraid. HILLCRIST. I saw her there--listening
- 265 MRS. H. [Approaching] What is it? HILLCRIST. Hypocrite! [JILL comes running in at the window.] JILL. Dodo, shes moved; shes spoken. It may not be so bad. HILLCRIST. Thank G.o.d for that! [FELLOWS enters, Left.] FELLOWS. The Jackmans, maam. HILLCRIST. Wh
- 266 [Staring] Are you ill?LARRY stands still again and heaves a deep sigh.KEITH. [Rising, with his back to the fire, and staring at his brother] What is it, man? [Then with a brutality born of nerves suddenly ruffled] Have you committed a murder that you stan
- 267 KEITH. Did you take anything from the-body? LARRY. [Drawing au envelope from his pocket] This dropped out while we were struggling. KEITH. [s.n.a.t.c.hing it and reading] "Patrick Walenn"--Was that his name? "Simons Hotel, Farrier Street, London." [St
- 268 LARRY. [Sighing it out] Yes. KEITH. This Walenn--was it his first reappearance after an absence? LARRY. Yes. KEITH. How did he find out where she was? LARRY. I dont know. KEITH. [Brutally] How drunk were you? LARRY. I was not drunk. KEITH. How much had
- 269 [LARRY nods.]Spending most of his time abroad, I suppose.LARRY. I think so.KEITH. Can you say if he was known to the police?LARRY. I've never heard. KEITH turns away and walks up and down; then, stopping at LARRY's chair, he speaks.KEITH. Now listen, La
- 270 WANDA. Yes; oh, yes! Awful--it is awful!KEITH. [Staring round him again.] In this room?WANDA. Just where you are standing. I see him now, always falling.KEITH. [Moved by the gentle despair in her voice] You--look very young. What's your name?WANDA. Wanda
- 271 Suddenly she bends and kisses his hand. KEITH draws his hand away, and she recoils a little humbly, looking up at him again.Suddenly she stands rigid, listening.[In a whisper] Listen! Someone--out there!She darts past him and turns out the light. There is
- 272 KEITH. Exactly!LARRY. Well, what's the sentence, brother? Transportation for life and then to be fined forty pounds'?KEITH. So you can joke, can you?LARRY. Must.KEITH. A boat leaves for the Argentine the day after to-morrow; you must go by it. LARRY. [P
- 273 LARRY. Good night!KEITH goes. LARRY Sits down on the couch sand stares at the fire. The girl steals up and slips her arms about him.LARRY. An innocent man!WANDA. Oh, Larry! But so are you. What did we want--to kill that man? Never! Oh! kiss me![LARRY turn
- 274 WANDA. Yes--but now! What will he do? That poor man!KEITH. A graveyard thief--a ghoul!WANDA. Perhaps he was hungry. I have been hungry: you do things then that you would not. Larry has thought of him in prison so much all these weeks. Oh! what shall we do
- 275 LARRY. [Looking up] It's all here--I've confessed. [Reading]"Please bury us together.""LAURENCE DARRANT."January 28th, about six p.m."They'll find us in the morning. Come and have supper, my dear love. [The girl creeps forward. He rises, puts his
- 276 ENGLISHWOMAN. [In a Cambridge voice] One.AMERICAN TRAVELLER. [With field-gla.s.ses and a pocket camera from another table] Waiter, I'd like to have you get my eggs. I've been sitting here quite a while.WAITER. Yes, sare.GERMAN TRAVELLER. 'Kellner, beza
- 277 [The ENGLISH make faint motions with their chins and avert their eyes.][To the WAITER, who is standing at the door of the buffet]Waiter! Flash of beer--jump, now!WAITER. 'Komm' gleich'!GERMAN. 'Cigarren'! WAITER. 'Schon'![He disappears.]AMERICAN. [
- 278 LITTLE MAN. I'm afraid I'm nothing particular. My father was half-English and half-American, and my mother half-German and half-Dutch.AMERICAN. My! That's a bit streaky, any old way. [The POLICEMAN pa.s.ses again] Now, I don't believe we've much use
- 279 [The ENGLISHMAN suddenly utters a profound "Ha, Ha!" and disappears behind his paper. And that paper and the one opposite are seen to shake, and little sguirls and squeaks emerge.]GERMAN. And you haf got her bundle, and her baby. Ha! [He cackles drily.]
- 280 AMERICAN. [Looking gravely round] I judge this baby has the measles.[The GERMAN screws himself spasmodically against the arm of the ENGLISHWOMAN'S seat.]ENGLISHWOMAN. Poor little thing! Shall I----?[She half rises.]ENGLISHMAN. [Touching her] No, no--
- 281 [The LITTLE MAN turns up his eyes to heaven.]OFFICIAL. 'Komm mit us'.[They take the LITTLE MAN toward the door from which they have come. A voice stops them.]AMERICAN. [Speaking from as far away as may be] Just a moment![The OFFICIAL stops; the
- 282 [The LITTLE MAN rises, holding out the BABY, and advances a step or two. The half-moon at once gives, increasing its size; the AMERICAN climbs on to a higher trunk. The LITTLE MAN retires and again sits down.]AMERICAN. [Addressing the OFFICIAL] Guess you&
- 283 [The LITTLE MAN stands up bewildered. They come about him. The OFFICIAL bows to him, the POLICEMAN salutes him. The DUTCH YOUTH shakes his head and laughs. The GERMAN draws himself up very straight, and bows quickly twice. The ENGLISHMAN and his WIFE appr
- 284 LADY ELLA. Hannibal would have killed him, if she hadn't rushed in!THE SQUIRE. Done him good, little beast!LADY ELLA. Why didn't you go in, Tommy?THE SQUIRE. Well, I would--only she---- LADY ELLA. I can't think how she got Edward out of Han
- 285 [HANNIBAL. appears at the open cas.e.m.e.nt with the broken braces dangling from his collar.]LADY ELLA. Look! Catch him! Rector!MAUD. Bertie! Catch him![THE RECTOR seizes HANNIBAL, but is seen to be in difficulties with his garments. HERSELF, who has gone
- 286 H'm! [Again that quizzical glance] Excuse me hurryin' off--very late. Good-bye, Rector. Good-bye, Lady Ella. Good-bye![He goes. A silence.]THE SQUIRE. H'm! I suppose we ought to be a bit careful.[JARVIS, flyman of the old school, has appear
- 287 THE SQUIRE. Rector--you--you've got to---- MAUD. Yes, Bertie.THE RECTOR. Dear me! But--er--what--er----How?THE SQUIRE. [Deeply-to himself] The whole thing's d.a.m.n delicate.[The door right is opened and a MAID appears. She is a determined-looki
- 288 THE SQUIRE. Were really most tremendously obliged to you. Afraid weve been an awful nuisance. SHE. Not a bit. I love dogs. THE SQUIRE. Hope to make the acquaintance of Mr----of your husband. LADY ELLA. [To EDWARD, who is straining] [Gently, darling! Tommy
- 289 An empty room. The curtains drawn and gas turned low. The furniture and walls give a colour-impression as of greens and beetroot. There is a prevalence of plush. A fireplace on the Left, a sofa, a small table; the curtained window is at the back. On the t
- 290 YOUNG OFF. [Staring] My dear girl, who cares. We aren't fighting against women.GIRL. [Peering at him] Another man said that to me. But he was thinkin' of his fun. You are a veree ni-ice boy; I am so glad I met you. You see the good in people, do
- 291 YOUNG OFF. Some were; some were quite glad to be taken.GIRL. Did you ever see the Rhine? It will be wonderful to-night.The moonlight will be the same there, and in Roos.h.i.+a too, and France, everywhere; and the trees will look the same as here, and peop
- 292 THE GIRL. Not like you, Jim--not like you.THE MAN. Have a spirit, then.THE GIRL. I promised him.THE MAN. One man's luck's another's poison.THE GIRL. I ought to 'a waited. I never thought he'd come back from the fightin'. THE
- 293 THE MAN. Don't get the wind up, Daisy. I'm here![The singing stops. A man's voice says "Christ! It's Daisy; it's little Daisy 'erself!" THE GIRL stands rigid. The figure of a soldier appears on the other side of the
- 294 PUNCH AND GO A LITTLE COMEDY "Orpheus with his lute made trees And the mountain tope that freeze....."PERSONS OF THE PLAY JAMES G. FRUST ..............The Boss E. BLEWITT VANE .............The Producer MR. FORESON .................The Stage Mana
- 295 VANE. See this marked right. Now, come on with it! I want to get some beauty into this![While he is speaking, HERBERT, the call boy, appears from the wings Right, a mercurial youth of about sixteen with a wide mouth.]FORESON. [Maliciously] Here you are, t
- 296 VANE. Make that right. Let me see that lute.[PROPS produces a property lute. While they scrutinize it, a broad man with broad leathery clean-shaven face and small mouth, occupied by the b.u.t.t end of a cigar, has come on to the stage from Stage Left, and
- 297 PROF. That's what I'm, trying to say here. The Orpheus legend symbolizes to this day the call of Beauty! [He takes up his pen, while she continues to stare out at the moonlight. Yawning] Dash it! I get so sleepy; I wish you'd tell them to m
- 298 PROF. [Soothingly] There, there! I'm sorry, darling; I really am.You're kipped--you're kipped. [He gives and she accepts a kiss]Better?[He gravitates towards his papers.]All right, now? WIFE. [Standing still and looking at him] Quite!PROF.
- 299 VANE. [A little staggered] Why! Of course its a little allegory. The tragedy of civilization--all real feeling for Beauty and Nature kept out, or pent up even in the cultured. FRUST. Ye-ep. [Meditatively] Little Miggsd be fine in "Pop goes the Weasel
- 300 JOHN BUILDER................ of the firm of Builder & Builder JULIA....................... His Wife ATHENE...................... His elder Daughter MAUD........................ His younger Daughter RALPH BUILDER............... His Brother, and Partner GUY