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Plays By John Galsworthy Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Plays By John Galsworthy novel. A total of 333 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The First Series Plays, Complete.by John Galsworthy.THE SILVER BOX A COMEDY IN THREE ACT
The First Series Plays, Complete.by John Galsworthy.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 MRS. JONES, their charwoman MA
- 342 MARY. I'm awfully sorry.FAITH. [Looking at her] Yes--you keep off feeling--then you'll be happy![Rising] Good-bye!MARY. Where are you going?FAITH. To my father. MARY. With him in that state?FAITH. He won't hurt me.MARY. You'd better st
- 341 FAITH. It's a lie!P. C. MAN. There, miss, don't let your feelings-- FAITH. [To the YOUNG MAN] It's a lie, isn't it?YOUNG M. A blankety lie.MR MARCH. [To BARNABAs] Have you actual proof? YOUNG M. Proof? It's his job to get chaps into a mess.P. C. MAN.
- 340 JOHNNY. You look a blackguard, and I believe you are.MR MARCH. [With perfunctory authority] I really can't have this sort of thing in my house. Johnny, go upstairs; and you two, please go away.YOUNG M. [To JOHNNY] We know the sort of chap you are--ta
- 339 MRS MARCH. So we see.BLY. I 'ad a bit o' trouble, but I kep' on till I see 'Aigel walkin' at me in the loo-lookin' gla.s.s. Then I knew I'd got me balance.They all regard MR BLY in a fascinated manner.FAITH. Father! You&
- 338 FAITH. No, I won't. I'll go to a place I know of, where they don't want references.JOHNNY. Exactly!MRS MARCH. [To FAITH] I want to ask you a question. Since you came out, is this the first young man who's kissed you?FAITH has hardly ha
- 337 MRS MARCH. Human nature is stubborn, Geof. That's what you easy--going people never see.MR MARCH gets up, vexed, and goes to the fireplace.MR MARCH. [Turning] Well! This goes further than you think. It involves Johnny's affection and respect for
- 336 MRS MARCH. Before we know where we are, we shall be having Johnny married to that girl.MR MARCH. Nonsense!MRS MARCH. Oh, Geof! Whenever you're faced with reality, you say "Nonsense!" You know Johnny's got chivalry on the brain.MARY com
- 335 JOHNNY. And you know she won't take it. She's got that much stuff in her. This place is her only chance. I appeal to you, Mother--please tell her not to go.MRS MARCH. I shall not, Johnny.JOHNNY. [Turning abruptly] Then we know where we are.MRS M
- 334 JOHNNY. And you married father!MRS MARCH. I did.JOHNNY. Well, that girl is not to be chucked out; won't have her on my chest.MRS MARCH. That's why she's going, Johnny.JOHNNY. She is not. Look at me! MRS MARCH looks at him from across the di
- 333 COOK. I remember the master kissin' me, when he was a boy. But then he never meant anything; so different from Master Johnny. Master Johnny takes things to 'eart.MRS MARCH. Just so, Cook.COOK. There's not an ounce of vice in 'im. It�
- 332 MR MARCH. H'm! Here comes the sun again!FAITH. [Taking up the flower which is lying on the table] May I have this flower?MR MARCH. Of Course. You can always take what flowers you like--that is--if--er-- FAITH. If Mrs March isn't about?MR MARCH. I meant,
- 331 JOHNNY. As pie.FAITH. Then you'd better keep away, hadn't you?JOHNNY. Why?FAITH. You might want a bite.JOHNNY. Oh! I can trust myself. FAITH. [Turning to the window, through which can be seen the darkening of a shower] It's raining. Father says windows
- 330 JOHNNY. Did he come the heavy father? That's what I can't stand. When they jaw a chap and hang him afterwards. Or was he one of the joking ones?FAITH. I've sat in my cell and cried all night--night after night, I have. [With a little laugh] I cried all
- 329 BLY. This Mr March--he's like all these novel-writers--thinks 'e knows 'uman nature, but of course 'e don't. Still, I can talk to 'im--got an open mind, and hates the Gover'ment. That's the two great things. Mrs March, so far as I see, 'as got he
- 328 MR MARCH. [With difficulty] Er--in her work, I believe, coming on well.But the question is, Mr Bly, do--er--any of us ever really give satisfaction except to ourselves?BLY. [Taking it as an invitation to his philosophical vein] Ah! that's one as goes to
- 327 BLY. [Taking up his pail] I'm greatly obliged; she'll appreciate anything you can do for her. [He moves to the door and pauses there to say] Fact is--her winders wants cleanin', she 'ad a dusty time in there.MR MARCH. I'm sure she had.MR BLY pa.s.ses
- 326 No, no! But girls have appet.i.tes.FAITH. They didn't get much chance where I've been.COOK. Ah! You must tell me all about it. Did you have adventures?FAITH. There isn't such a thing in a prison.COOK. You don't say! Why, in the books they're escapin
- 325 MR MARCH. Well, make up your mind!MRS MARCH. It was made up long ago.JOHNNY. [Gloomily] The more I see of things the more disgusting they seem. I don't see what we're living for. All right. Chuck the girl out, and let's go rooting along with our noses
- 324 MR MARCH. Ha!COOK. And my 'ead says no, sir.MRS MARCH. Yes!MR MARCH. Strike your balance, Cook.COOK involuntarily draws her joined hands sharply in upon her amplitude. Well? . . . I didn't catch the little voice within.COOK. Ask Master Johnny, sir; he'
- 323 MARY. Mother's not impulsive.MR MARCH. We must tell her, or she'll think me mad.MARY. She'll do that, anyway, dear.MR MARCH. Here she is! Stand by!He runs his arm through MARY's, and they sit on the fender, at bay. MRS MARCH enters, Left.MR MARCH. Wel
- 322 BLY. Ah! And 'oo can tell 'oo's the father? She never give us his name. I think the better of 'er for that.MR MARCH. Shake hands, Mr Bly. So do I. [BLY wipes his hand, and MR MARCH shakes it] Loyalty's loyalty--especially when we
- 321 BLY. Two days--'ardly worth mentionin'. They say she 'ad the 'ighstrikes after--an' when she comes to she says: "I've saved my baby's life." An' that's true enough when you come to think what that sor
- 320 The lank and s.h.i.+rt-sleeved figure of MR BLY, with a pail of water and cloths, has entered, and stands near the window, Left.BLY. Beg pardon, Mr March; d'you mind me cleanin' the winders here?MR MARCH. Not a bit.JOHNNY. Bankrupt of ideals. Th
- 319 MARY. Well, what's the good?JOHNNY. Oh, you're a looker on, Mary.MR MARCH. [To his newspaper] Of all G.o.dforsaken time-servers!MARY is moved so lar as to turn and look over his shoulder a minute.JOHNNY. Who? MARY. Only the Old-Un.MR MARCH. This
- 318 MARGARET gives a sort of choking sob, then, seeing the smelling bottle, she s.n.a.t.c.hes it up, and turns to revive MABEL.COLFORD. Leave her! The longer she's unconscious, the better.INSPECTOR. [Re-entering] This is a very serious business, sir.COLF
- 317 G.o.d! . . . Ronny! I can't bear it.DANCY. Heads up, Mab! Don't show the brutes!MABEL. Whatever happens, I'll go on loving you. If it's prison--I'll wait. Do you understand? I don't care what you did--I don't care! I
- 316 SCENE III The DANCYS' sitting-room, a few minutes later. MABEL DANCY is sitting alone on the sofa with a newspaper on her lap; she is only just up, and has a bottle of smelling-salts in her hand. Two or three other newspapers are dumped on the arm of
- 315 MARGARET ORME and COLFORD enter.COLFORD. [Striding forward] There must be some mistake about this, Mr Twisden.TWISDEN. Hss.h.!.+ Dancy's in there. He's admitted it.Voices are subdued at once.COLFORD. What? [With emotion] If it were my own brothe
- 314 DANCY. [Entering] WINSOR came to me yesterday about General Canynge's evidence. Is that what you wanted to speak to me about?TWISDEN. No. It isn't that.DANCY. [Looking at his wrist watch] By me it's just on the half-hour, sir.TWISDEN. Yes.
- 313 MABEL. You must be awfully fed up with us.TWISDEN. My dear young lady, that's our business. [He takes her hand].MABEL's face suddenly quivers. She draws her hand away, and covers her lips with it.There, there! You want a day off badly.MABEL. I&#
- 312 RICARDOS. Sare, if I tell you, will you give me your good word that my daughter shall not hear of it?TWISDEN. So far as we are able to prevent it--certainly.RICARDOS. Sare, I trust you.--It was Captain Dancy.A long pause.GRAVITER [Suddenly] Were you black
- 311 A gentleman in a taxi-waiting. Ask him to be so good as to step up. Oh!and send Mr Graviter here again.The YOUNG CLERK goes out.GILMAN. As I told you, sir, I've been followin' this case. It's what you might call piquant. And I should be ver
- 310 MARGARET. Mr Jacob, how charming! [With a slight grimace she puts out her cigarette].GRAVITER. Man called Gilman waiting in there to see you specially.TWISDEN. Directly. Turn up the light, would you, Graviter?GRAVITER. [Turning up the light] Excuse me.He
- 309 Astonis.h.i.+n' the interest taken in it.GRAVITER. As you say.GILMAN. The Smart Set, eh? This Captain Dancy got the D.S.O., didn't he?GRAVITER nods.Sad to have a thing like that said about you. I thought he gave his evidence well; and his wife t
- 308 DANCY. Mabel, I want to speak to him alone.MABEL. No, no!DE LEVIS. Quite right, Mrs Dancy. Black and tan swashbuckling will only make things worse for him.DANCY. So you shelter behind a woman, do you, you skulking cur!DE LEVIS takes a step, with fists cle
- 307 MABEL. But they'll find the real thief.DANCY. [With a queer little smile] Will staying here help them to do that?MABEL. [In a sort of agony] Oh! I couldn't--it looks like running away. We must stay and fight it!DANCY. Suppose I didn't get a
- 306 MARGARET. It must be too frightfully thrilling.LADY A. Oh! Why did I ever ask that wretch De Levis? I used to think him pathetic. Meg did you know----Ronald Dancy's coat was wet? The General happened to feel it.MARGARET. So that's why he was so
- 305 WINSOR. If he did do it-- COLFORD. He didn't. But if he did, I'd stick to him, and see him through it, if I could.WINSOR walks over to the fire, stares into it, turns round and stares at COLFORD, who is standing motionless.COLFORD. Yes, by G.o.d
- 304 DANCY takes a step towards him, but CANYNGE and WINSOR interpose.ST ERTH. That'll do, Mr De Levis; we won't keep you. [He looks round]Kindly consider your members.h.i.+p suspended till this matter has been threshed out.DE LEVIS. [Tremulous with
- 303 DE LEVIS. No proof? Bentman told me at Newmarket yesterday that Dancy did know of the sale. He told Goole, and Goole says that he himself spoke of it to Dancy.WINSOR. Well--if he did?DE LEVIS. Dancy told you he didn't know of it in General Canynge�
- 302 FOOTMAN goes.BORRING. Rosemary! And De Levis sold her! But he got a good p-price, I suppose.The other three look at him.ST ERTH. Many a slip between price and pocket, young man.CANYNGE. Cut! [They cut]. BORRING. I say, is that the yarn that's going r
- 301 WINSOR. I--I don't follow-- [His voice is hesitative and lower, showing that he does].CANYNGE. It was coming down hard; a minute out in it would have been enough--[He motions with his chin towards the balcony].WINSOR. [Hastily] He must have been out
- 300 CANYNGE. With an eye to possibilities, I venture to think--the principle guides a good many transactions.DE LEVIS. [As if flicked on a raw spot] In my race, do you mean?CANYNGE. [Coldly] I said nothing of the sort.DE LEVIS. No; you don't say these th
- 299 Hands keys to CONSTABLE, who goes out, followed by TREISURE.I'll have to try every key in the house, sir.WINSOR. Inspector, do you really think it necessary to disturb the whole house and knock up all my guests? It's most disagreeable, all this,
- 298 ROBERT. Just after eleven, Sir.INSPECTOR. [Scrutinising him] Now, be careful. Did you go to bed at all?ROBERT. No, Sir.INSPECTOR. Then why did you say you did? There's been a theft here, and anything you say may be used against you.ROBERT. Yes, Sir.
- 297 DE LEVIS. [Taken aback] I don't know. I never thought. I didn't look under the bed, if you mean that.INSPECTOR. [Jotting] Did not look under bed. Did you look under it after the theft?DE LEVIS. No. I didn't.INSPECTOR. Ah! Now, what did you
- 296 DANCY. [Grimly] He would.MABEL. Oh! Ronny, what bad luck!WINSOR. He must have been followed here. [At the window] After rain like that, there ought to be footmarks.The splutter of a motor cycle is heard.MARGARET. Here's the wind! WINSOR. What's
- 295 LADY A. I've told the Dancys--she was in bed. And I got through to Newmarket, Charles, and Inspector Dede is coming like the wind on a motor cycle.MARGARET. Did he say "like the wind," Adela? He must have imagination.Isn't this gorgeou
- 294 WINSOR. Look here, De Levis, eighty or ninety notes must have been pretty bulky. You didn't have them on you at dinner?DE LEVIS. No.WINSOR. Where did you put them?DE LEVIS. In a boot, and the boot in my suitcase, and locked it.TREISURE smiles faintly
- 293 LADY A. Of course! [With sudden realisation] Oh! But Oh! it's quite too unpleasant!WINSOR. Yes! What am I to do? Fetch the servants out of their rooms?Search the grounds? It'll make the devil of a scandal.DE LEVIS. Who's next to me?LADY A.
- 292 LADY A. Aren't you rather prejudiced?WINSOR. Not a bit. I like Jews. That's not against him--rather the contrary these days. But he pushes himself. The General tells me he's deathly keen to get into the Jockey Club. [Taking off his tie] It&
- 291 BUILDER. [Suddenly] Give me that paper on the table. No; the other one--the Will.TOPPING takes up the Will and gives it to him.TOPPING. [With much hesitation] Excuse me, sir. It's pluck that get's 'em 'ome, sir--begging your pardon.BUI
- 290 Here, give this to the messenger-sharp, and tell him to run with it.TOPPING. [Whose hand can feel the condition of the contents, with a certain surprise] Yes, sir.He goes, with a look back from the door.The Mayor is here, sir. I don't know whether yo
- 289 RALPH. [Sadly] Well, I won't worry you anymore, now.BUILDER. [With a nasty laugh] No; come again to-morrow!RALPH. When you've had a sleep. For the sake of the family name, John, don't be hasty.BUILDER. Shut the stable door? No, my boy, the
- 288 [He holds out the doc.u.ment] It disinherits my family.RALPH. John!BUILDER. I've done with those two ladies. As to my wife--if she doesn't come back--! When I suffer, I make others suffer.RALPH. Julia's very upset, my dear fellow; we all ar
- 287 MAUD. Oh!TOPPING. Comin' events. I saw the shadder yesterday.MAUD. Well, it's all right. She's coming on here with my uncle.A cab is heard driving up.That's them, I expect. We all feel awful about father. TOPPING. Ah! I shouldn't
- 286 What'll he do now, I wonder? Any news of the mistress?CAMILLE. [Shaking her head] I have pack her tr-runks.TOPPING. Why?CAMILLE. Because she take her jewels yesterday.TOPPING. Deuce she did! They generally leave 'em. Take back yer gifts! She thr
- 285 RALPH. I had seen him shortly before this unhappy business.The MAYOR nods and makes a gesture, so that MAUD and RALPH sit down; then, leaning over, he confers in a low voice with CHANTREY. The rest all sit or stand exactly as if each was the only person i
- 284 MOON. Yes, Your Wors.h.i.+p.MAYOR. What's your name?GUY. Guy Herringhame.MAYOR. Address?GUY. Er--the Aerodrome, Sir. MAYOR. Private, I mean? The moment is one of considerable tension.GUY. [With an effort] At the moment, sir, I haven't one. I
- 283 MAYOR. I see. A--a domestic disagreement. Very well, that charge is withdrawn. You do not appear to have been hurt, and that seems to me quite proper. Now, tell me what you know of the a.s.sault on the constable. Is his account correct?MAUD. [Timidly] Ye-
- 282 CHANTREY. How de do, Mr Mayor? [Nodding to HARRIS] This is extraordinarily unpleasant.The MAYOR nods.What on earth's he been doing?HARRIS. a.s.saulting one of his own daughters with a stick; and resisting the police.CHANTREY. [With a low whistle] Dau
- 281 MRS BUILDER. I'm afraid you don't see what goes on in those who live with you. So, I'll just go. Don't bother!BUILDER. Now, look here, Julia, you can't mean this seriously. You can't! Think of my position! You've never s
- 280 They rise.CAMILLE. It was na-ice.BUILDER. I didn't mean to. You go away--go away!CAMILLE. Oh! Monsieur, that spoil it.BUILDER. [Regarding her fixedly] It's my opinion you're a temptation of the devil. You know you sat down on purpose. CAMIL
- 279 MAUD. If you knew what a Prussian expression you've got!BUILDER pa.s.ses his hand across his face uneasily, as if to wipe something off.No! It's too deep!BUILDER. Are you my daughter or are you not?MAUD. I certainly never wanted to be. I've
- 278 BUILDER. Life isn't all roses, Ralph.RALPH. Sorry, old man.BUILDER. I sometimes think I try myself too high. Well, about that Welsh contract?RALPH. Let's take it.BUILDER. If you'll attend to it. Frankly, I'm too upset. As they go towar
- 277 RALPH. That's very gratifying.She pa.s.ses him and goes out, leaving the two brothers eyeing one another.About the Welsh contract?BUILDER. No. Fact is, Ralph, something very horrible's happened.RALPH. Athene gone and got married? BUILDER. No. It
- 276 BUILDER. Yes--quite well.CAMILLE. [Sweetening her eyes] A cutlet soubise? No?BUILDER. [With a faint response in his eyes, instantly subdued] Nothing!nothing!CAMILLE. And Madame nothing too--Tt! Tt! With her hand on the door she looks back, again catches h
- 275 MAUD. Oh! yes, it's seen me put them. Look here, I'll show you that too.She opens an imaginary drawer, takes out some bits of sealing-wax, and with every circ.u.mstance of stealth in face and hands, conceals them in her bosom.All right?TOPPING.
- 274 GUY. It won't. Come on. Must take chances in this life.ATHENE. [Looking up into his face] Guy, promise me--solemnly that you'll never let me stand in your way, or stand in mine!GUY. Right! That's a bargain. [They embrace.]ATHENE quivers tow
- 273 ANNIE. Oh! I'm puttin' you out, Miss. [She takes the money].ATHENE. Nonsense, Annie. And here's your fare home.ANNIE. Oh! thank you, Miss. I'm very sorry. Of course if you was to change your mind--[She stops, embarra.s.sed].ATHENE. I d
- 272 GUY. Thanks.ATHENE. Oh! Guy, don't be horrid. I feel awfully bad.GUY. Well, what do you think I feel? "Cad!"They turn to see ANNIE in hat and coat, with a suit-case in her hand, coming from the door Left.ANNIE. Oh! ma'am, please, Miss,
- 271 ATHENE. You can't help it, but you'd be ever so much happier if you were a Mohammedan, and two or three, instead of one, had--had learned to know when you were in the right.BUILDER. 'Pon my soul! This is outrageous!ATHENE. Truth often is.BU
- 270 BUILDER. Don't be impudent! My patience is at breaking-point, I warn you.ATHENE. I'm perfectly serious, Father. I tell you, we meant to marry, but so far I haven't been able to bring myself to it. You never noticed how we children have watc
- 269 BUILDER. No lies; out with it!GUY. [With decision] I prefer to say nothing.BUILDER. What's your name?GUY. Guy Herringhame.BUILDER. Do you live here? Guy makes no sign.MRS BUILDER. [To Guy] I think you had better go.BUILDER. Julia, will you leave me t
- 268 Well, I daresay it's all spent by now. I made a mistake to lose my temper with her.MRS BUILDER. Isn't it always a mistake to lose one's temper?BUILDER. That's very nice and placid; sort of thing you women who live sheltered lives can s
- 267 SCENE II The Studio, to which are attached living rooms, might be rented at eighty pounds a year--some painting and gear indeed, but an air of life rather than of work. Things strewn about. Bare walls, a sloping skylight, no windows; no fireplace visible;
- 266 MAUD. [Startled] What!BUILDER. Your mother and I are going round to Athene at twelve o'clock.I shall make it up with her. She must come back here.MAUD. [Aghast, but hiding it] Oh! It's--it's no good, father. She won't.BUILDER. We shall
- 265 BUILDER. Deuce they are! They haven't got that reputation.CAMILLE. Oh! I admire Englishmen. They are so strong and kind.BUILDER. [Bluffly flattered] H'm! We've no manners.CAMILLE. The Frenchman is more polite, but not in the 'eart.BUIL
- 264 The Fifth Series Plays, Complete.by John Galsworthy.A FAMILY MAN From the 5th Series Plays By John Galsworthy CHARACTERS JOHN BUILDER................ of the firm of Builder & Builder JULIA....................... His Wife ATHENE...................... His
- 262 MRS. H. Would you have wished to live on in ignorance? [They all turn to look at her.]CHARLES. [With a writhing movement] I don't know. But--you--you did it.MRS. H. You shouldn't have attacked us.CHARLES. What did we do to you--compared with thi
- 261 CHLOE. [Starting] There's somebody at the door. I must go; I must go.[She runs to the window and slips through the curtains.][The handle of the door is again turned.]JILL. [Dismayed] Oh! It's locked--I forgot.[She spring to the door, unlocks and
- 260 JILL. You![She dives through to the Right, and returns, holding CHLOE'S hand and drawing her forward]Come in! It's only us! [To HILLCRIST] Dodo!HILLCRIST. [Fl.u.s.tered, but making a show of courtesy] Good evening! Won't you sit down?JILL.
- 259 MRS. H. [Bitterly] Much grat.i.tude I get for saving you both our home!JILL. [Disarmed] Oh! Mother, we are grateful. Dodo, show your grat.i.tude.HILLCRIST. Well, my dear, it's an intense relief. I'm not good at showing my feelings, as you know.
- 258 MRS. H. No, Mr. Hornblower. On second thoughts, you must sell.You broke your word over the Jackmans. We can't trust you. We would rather have our place here ruined at once, than leave you the power to ruin it as and when you like. You will sell us th
- 257 [HORNBLOWER makes a motion to do so, but checks himself and looks at CHLOE.]CHLOE. [Hysterically] It's all lies--lies!FIRST S. Come, ma'am, we wish you no harm.CHLOE. Take me away. I won't be treated like this.MRS. H. [In a low voice] Confe
- 256 MRS. H. Not absolutely, I suppose.[A look pa.s.ses between them, which neither of them has quite sanctioned.][There's his car. It always seems to make more noise than any other.]DAWKER. He'll kick and flounder--but you leave him to ask what you
- 255 ROLF. I suppose you want me to go?JILL. Yes.ROLF. All right. Aren't we ever going to be friends again?JILL. [Looking steadily at him] I don't expect so.ROLF. That's very-horrible. JILL. Lots of horrible things in the world.ROLF. It's o
- 253 CHLOE. What d'you call it--to dog a woman down like this, just because you happen to have a quarrel with a man?DAWKER. Who made the quarrel? Not me, missis. You ought to know that in a row it's the weak and helpless--we won't say the innoce
- 252 [In the intensity of his feeling he has lost sight of her face, alive with a sort of agony of doubt, whether to plead with him further, or what to do. Then, with a swift glance at her wrist.w.a.tch, she falls back on the sofa and closes her eyes.]It'
- 251 ROLF. How's the head?CHLOE. Beastly, thanks. I'm not going into dinner.ROLF. Is there anything I can do for you?CHLOE. No, dear boy. [Suddenly looking at him] You don't want this quarrel with the Hillcrists to go on, do you, Rolf?ROLF. No;
- 250 MRS. H. Jill, if you can't keep your impertinence to yourself---- HILLCRIST. Jill, come with me.[He turns towards door, Back.]JILL. I'm sorry, mother. Only it is a skin game, isn't it?MRS. H. You pride yourself on plain speech, Jill. I prid
- 249 HILLCRIST. How do you know this?DAWKER. My friend here [He points to the STRANGER] was one of the agents.HILLCRIST. It's shocking. I'm sorry I heard it.MRS. H. I told you not to.HILLCRIST. Ask your friend to come here. [DAWKER beckons, and the S
- 248 JILL. [To ROLF] Well?ROLF. I don't, but---- HORNBLOWER. Trick? Ye young cub, be quiet. Mr. Hillcrist had an agent bid for him--I had an agent bid for me. Only his agent bid at the beginnin', an' mine bid at the end. What's the trick in
- 247 [MRS. HILLCRIST looks at him, biting her lips, but he is quite absorbed.]AUCTIONEER. Nine thousand for this astounding property. Why, the Duke would pay that if he realised he'd be overlooked. Now, Sir?[To HORNBLOWER. No response]. Just a little rais
- 246 [He pauses while he speak& to the SOLICITOR]HILLCRIST. It's a duel now.AUCTIONEER. Now, gen'lemen, I'm not going to give this property away. Five thousand bid. [DAWKER] And one. [HORNBLOWER] And two.[DAWKER] And three. Five thousand three h
- 245 CHLOE. [Looking up, startled] Oh! no thanks. I'm all right.JILL. No, do! You must. [CHLOE takes them.]JILL. D'you mind letting me see that a minute?[She takes the particulars of the sale and studies it, but CHLOE has buried the lower part of her
- 244 MRS. H. [Looking at her] Oh! I suppose such men don't pay attention to what women ask them.CHLOE. [With a flash of spirit] I'm fond of my husband. I---- MRS. H. [Looking at her steadily] I don't quite know why you spoke to me.CHLOE. [With a
- 243 ROLF. Father's just as human as your father; he's wrapped up in us, and all his "getting on" is for us. Would you like to be treated as your mother treated Chloe? Your mother's set the stroke for the other big-wigs about here; n.o
- 242 MRS. H. I think I only asked you to take her out.JILL. Why? Even if she is Old Combustion's daughter-in-law?MRS. H. My dear Jill, allow me to judge the sort of acquaintances I wish to make. [She looks at DAWKER.]JILL. She's all right. Lots of wo
- 241 HORNBLOWER. Oh! dear me, yes. They don't matter a row of gingerbread to the schemes I've got for betterin' this neighbourhood.JILL. I had been standing up for you; now I won't.HOUNBLOWER. Dear, dear! What'll become of me?JILL. I w