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
- 240 HORNBLOWER. [Angry] Well, I was going to give ye another week, but ye'll go out next Sat.u.r.day; and take care ye're not late, or your things'll be put out in the rain.MRS. H. [To MRS. JACKMAN] We'll send down for your things, and you can come to us
- 239 HILLCRIST. [Angry] Of all the blatant things I ever heard said!HORNBLOWER. Well, as we're speaking plainly, I've been thinkin'.Ye want the village run your oldfas.h.i.+oned way, and I want it run mine. I fancy there's not room for the two of us here.M
- 238 DAWKER. Depends on what you want it for.MRS. H. He wants it for spite; we want it for sentiment.DAWKER. [Grinning] Worth what you like to give, then; but he's a rich man.MRS. H. Intolerable!DAWKER. [To HILLCRIST] Give me your figure, sir. I'll try the o
- 230 LORD W. All right; we'll' do that.LEMMY. Will yer reely? I'd like to shyke yer 'and.[LORD WILLIAM puts out his hand, which LEMMY grasps.]PRESS. [Writing] "The heartbeat of humanity was in that grasp between the son of toil and the son of leisure."LE
- 229 LEMMY. [Pretending to look at a match, which is not there] Well, I dunno if I've got time to finish yer this minute. Sy to-mower at.'arf past.L. ANNE. Half past what?LEMMY. [Despairingly] 'Arf past wot![The sound of applause is heard.] JAMES. That's
- 228 L. AIDA. Yus.L. ANNE. Why?L. AIDA. Then I'd be shut of 'em.L. ANNE. [Puzzled] Oh![The voice of THE PRESS is heard in the hall. "Where's the little girl?"] JAMES. That's you. Come 'ere![He puts a hand behind LITTLE AIDA'S back and propels her towar
- 237 HILLCRIST. Is Dawker here?FELLOWS. Not yet, sir.HILLCRIST. I want to see him at once.[FELLOWS retires.]JACKMAN. Mr. Hornblower said he was comin' on to see you, sir. So we thought we'd step along first. HILLCRIST. Quite right, Jackman.MRS. J. I said to
- 236 JILL. Don't slime out of it, Dodo. I say, mother ought to call on the Hornblowers. [No answer.] Well?HILLCRIST. My dear, I always let people have the last word. It makes them--feel funny. Ugh! My foot![Enter FELLOWS, Left.]Fellows, send into the village
- 235 JILL. For instance, he thinks--as I do---- HILLCRIST. Ah! Good ideas.JILL. [Pulling gently] Careful! He thinks old people run the show too much. He says they oughtn't to, because they're so damtouchy.Are you damtouchy, darling?HILLCRIST. Well, I'm----!
- 234 ACT I. HILLCRIST'S Study ACT II.SCENE I. A month later. An Auction Room.SCENE II. The same evening. CHLOE'S Boudoir.ACT III SCENE I. The following day. HILLCRIST'S Study. Morning.SCENE II. The Same. Evening.ACT I HILLCRIST'S study. A pleasant room, w
- 233 LADY W. [Taking his arm] Bill! It's all right, old man--all right!LORD W. [Blinking] Those infernal larks! Thought we were on the Somme again! Ah! Mr. Lemmy, [Still rather dreamy] no end obliged to you; you're so decent. Now, why did you want to blow us
- 232 LADY W. [Prompting] Quiet.LORD W. [To her] No, no. To ensure--ensure---- L. ANNE. [Agonized] Oh, Daddy!VOICE. 'E wants to syve 'is dirty great 'ouse.LORD W. [Roused] D----if I do! [Rude and hoa.r.s.e laughter from the crowd.]JAMES. [With fury] Me Lord,
- 231 My gudeness! 'E've a-lost 'is tongue. I never knu that 'appen to 'e before.LORD W. [Trying to break the embarra.s.sment] No ill-feeling, you know, Lemmy.[But LEMMY still only rolls his eyes.]LADY W. Don't you think it was rather--inconsiderate of yo
- 226 JAMES. I stand in front of 'im when the sc.r.a.p begins!POULDER. Do you insinuate that my heart's not in the right place?JAMES. Well, look at it! It's been creepin' down ever since I knew you. Talk of your sacrifices in the war--they put you on your h
- 225 [The face of LITTLE ANNE is poked out close to his legs, and tilts upwards in wonder towards the bow of his waistcoat.]to--ah--keep the people down. The olla polloi are clamourin'---- [Miss STOKES appears from the hall, between the pillars.]Miss S. Pould
- 224 LAME M. Mr. and Mrs. Tomson. We 'ad some trouble to find it. You see, I've never been in these parts. We 'ad to come in the oven; and the bus-bloke put us dahn wrong. Are you the proprietor?LORD W. [Modestly] Yes, I--er-- LAME M. You've got a nice ply
- 223 HIS G. H'm! That's unlucky. I've got it here. [He looks down his cuff] Found something I said in 1914--just have done.LADY W. Oh! If you've got it--James, ask Lord William to come to me for a moment. [JAMES vanishes through the door. To THE DUKE] Go i
- 222 PRESS. [Writing] "Town and country----"MRS. L. 'Tidn't like that in London; one day's jest like another.Not but what therr's a 'eap o' kind'eartedness 'ere.LEMMY. [Gloomily] Kind-'eartedness! I daon't fink "Boys an' Gells come out to play."
- 221 PRESS. "High price of Mr. Lemmy."MRS. L. I've a-got the money for when my time come; never touch et, no matter 'ow things are. Better a little goin' short here below, an' enter the kingdom of 'eaven independent: PRESS. [Writing] "Death before dish
- 220 PRESS. [Quizzical] Not go up? What about bombs, Mr. Lemmy?LEMMY. [Dubious] Wot abaht 'em? I s'pose ye're on the comic pypers? 'Ave yer noticed wot a weakness they 'ave for the 'orrible?PRESS. [Writing] "A grim humour peeped out here and there throu
- 219 L. AIDA. I daon't.Ice. Would yer like a sip aht o' my mug?L. AIDA. [Brilliant] Yus.MRS. L. Not at yore age, me dear, though it is teetotal.[LITTLE AIDA puts her head on one side, like a dog trying to understand.] LEMMY. Well, 'ave one o' my gum-drops.
- 218 LEA. Wot abaht?MRS. L. We-el--Money, an' the works o' G.o.d.LEMMY. Ah! So yer give me a thought sometimes.MRS. L. [Lofting her mug] Yu ought never to ha' spent yore money on this, Bob!LEMMY. I thought that meself. MRS. L. Last time I 'ad a gla.s.s o'
- 217 L. AIDA. I can sing, though.MRS. L. Let's 'ear yu, then.L. AIDA. [Shaking her head] I can ply the pianner. I can ply a tune.MRS. L. Whose pianner?L. AIDA. Mrs. Brahn's when she's gone aht. MRS. L. Well, yu are gettin' edjucation! Du they tache yu to
- 216 LADY W. He looked awfully yellow. I hope you haven't been giving yourself away.LORD W. [Dubiously] Well, I don't know. They're like corkscrews.LADY W. What did he ask you?LORD W. What didn't he?LADY W. Well, what did you tell him? LORD W. That I'd be
- 215 PRESS. [Writing vigorously] That's very new--very new!LORD W. [Simply] You chaps are wonderful.PRESS. [Doubtfully] You mean we're--we're---- LORD W. No, really. You have such a d---d hard time. It must be perfectly beastly to interview fellows like me.
- 214 [He goes, followed by JAMES carrying the cooler.][As THE PRESS turns to look after them, LORD WILLIAM catches sight of his back.]LORD W. I must apologise, sir. Can I brush you?PRESS. [Dusting himself] Thanks; it's only behind. [He opens his note-book] No
- 213 MISS S. What do you mean, James?PRESS. [Warmly] Miss Stokes, I appeal to you. Is it fair to attribute responsibility to an unsigned journalist--for what he has to say?JAMES. [Sepulchrally] Yes, when you've got 'im in a nice dark place.MISS. S. James, be
- 212 JAMES. Lives close by, in Royal Court Mews--No. 3. I had a word with him before he came down. Lemmy his name is.PRESS. "Lemmy!" [Noting the address] Right-o!L. ANNE. Oh! Do let me come with you!POULDER. [Barring the way] I've got to lay it all before L
- 211 that!L. ANNE. [With intense interest] Is it really a bomb? What fun!JAMES. Go and fetch Poulder while I keep an eye on it.L. ANNE. [On tiptoe of excitement] If only I can make him jump!Oh, James! we needn't put the light out, need we? JAMES. No. Clear of
- 210 L. ANNE. Do you, when you want it, here?JAMES. [On guard] I only suggest it's possible.L. ANNE. Perhaps Poulder does.JAMES. [Icily] I say nothin' about that.L. ANNE. Oh! Do say something! JAMES. I'm ashamed of you, Miss Anne, pumpin' me!L. ANNE. [Repr
- 209 The Action pa.s.ses continuously between 8 and 10.30 of a summer evening, some years after the Great War.ACT I LORD WILLIAM DROMONDY'S mansion in Park Lane. Eight o'clock of the evening. LITTLE ANNE DROMONDY and the large footman, JAMES, gaunt and grin,
- 208 TIBBY. Mune, mune, we're wis.h.i.+ng for yu!STRANGWAY. Send her your love, and say good-night.TIBBY. [Blowing a kiss] Good-night, mune![From the barn roof a little white dove's feather comes floating down in the wind. TIBBY follows it with her hand, cat
- 207 CONNIE. 'Tes awful difficult, this one.IVY. [Ill.u.s.trating] No; yu just jump, an' clap yore 'ands. Lovely, lovely!CLYST. Like ringin' bells! Come ahn![TIBBY begins her drowsy beating, IVY hums the tune; they dance, and their shadows dance again upon
- 206 CONNIE. Mercy, don't! Mrs. Burlacombe'll hear. Ivy, go an' peek.[Ivy goes to flee side door and peers through.]CLYST. [Abandoning the chase and picking up an apple--they all have the joyous irresponsibility that attends forbidden doings] Ya-as, this is
- 205 But come! Live it down![With anger growing at his silence]Live it down, man! You can't desert your post--and let these villagers do what they like with us? Do you realize that you're letting a woman, who has treated you abominably;--yes, abominably --go
- 204 [Noting the overcoat and hat on the window-sill she moves across to ring the bell. But as she does so, MRS. BURLACOMBE, followed by BURLACOMBE, comes in from the house.]MRS. BRADMERE This disgraceful business! Where's Mr. Strangway? I see he's in.MRS. B
- 203 STRANGWAY. What I did to Tam Jarland is not the real cause of what you're doing, is it? I understand. But don't be troubled. It's all over. I'm going--you'll get some one better. Forgive me, Jarland.I can't see your face--it's very dark.FREMAN'S V
- 202 please to come quick.JARLAND. Come on, mates; quietly now![He goes out, and all begin to follow him.]MORSE. [Slowest, save for SOL POTTER] 'Tes rare lucky us was all agreed to hiss the curate afore us began the botherin' old meetin', or us widn' 'ard
- 201 [Voice from the dumb-as-Etches: "Mr. Trustaford 'e's right."]FREMAN. What I zay is the chairman ought never to 'ave vacated the chair till I'd risen on my point of order. I purpose that he goo and zet down again.G.o.dLEIGH. Yu can't purpose that to
- 200 [Excitedly gathering at the window, they all speak at once.]CLYST. Tam's hatchin' of yure cuc.u.mbers, Mr. G.o.dleigh.TRUSTAFORD. 'E did crash; haw, haw!FREMAN. 'Twas a brave throw, zurely. Whu wid a' thought it?CLYST. Tam's crawlin' out. [Leaning
- 199 G.o.dLEIGH. "His 'eart She 'ath Vorgot!"FREMAN. 'E's a fine one to be tachin' our maids convirmation.G.o.dLEIGH. Would ye 'ave it the old Rector then? Wi' 'is gouty shoe?Rackon the maids wid rather 'twas curate; eh, Mr. Burlacombe?BURLACOMBE. [
- 198 CLYST. [Moving for the cider] Aw, indade!G.o.dLEIGH. No tale, no cider!CLYST. Did ye ever year tell of Orphus?TRUSTAFORD. What? The old vet. up to Drayleigh?CLYST. Fegs, no; Orphus that lived in th' old time, an' drawed the bastes after un wi' his musi
- 197 MRS. BRADMERE. Evening, Mr. Trustaford. [To BURLACOMBE]Burlacombe, tell your wife that duck she sent up was in hard training.[With one of her grim winks, and a nod, she goes.]TRUSTAFORD. [Replacing a hat which is black, hard, and not very new, on his long
- 196 CREMER. Yes, zurr. [A quiver pa.s.ses over his face.]STRANGWAY. She didn't. Your wife was a brave woman. A dear woman.CREMER. I never thought to luse 'er. She never told me 'ow bad she was, afore she tuk to 'er bed. 'Tis a dreadful thing to luse a wi
- 195 BEATRICE. [Recovering her pride] What are you going to do, then?Keep us apart by the threat of a divorce? Starve us and prison us?Cage me up here with you? I'm not brute enough to ruin him.STRANGWAY. Heaven!BEATRICE. I never really stopped loving him. I
- 194 [Getting no reply from Tibby JARLAND, she pa.s.ses out. Tibby comes in, looks round, takes a large sweet out of her mouth, contemplates it, and puts it back again. Then, in a perfunctory and very stolid fas.h.i.+on, she looks about the floor, as if she ha
- 193 STRANGWAY. No; going fast: Wonderful--so patient.MRS. BRADMERE. [With gruff sympathy] Um! Yes. They know how to die! [Wide another sharp look at him] D'you expect your wife soon?STRANGWAY. I I--hope so.MRS. BRADMERE: So do I. The sooner the better.STRANG
- 192 MRS. BURLACOMBE. Whatever she been duin'? Havin' kittens?JIM. No. She'm lost.MRS. BURLACOMBE. Dearie me! Aw! she'm not lost. Cats be like maids; they must get out a bit.JIM. She'm lost. Maybe he'll know where she'll be.MRS. BURLACOMBE. Well, well.
- 191 [MERCY kicks her viciously and sobs. STRANGWAY comes from the door, looks at MERCY sobbing, and suddenly clasps his head. The girls watch him with a queer mixture of wonder, alarm, and disapproval.]GLADYS. [Whispering] Don't cry, Mercy. Bobbie'll soon c
- 190 The Fourth Series Plays, Complete.by John Galsworthy.A BIT O' LOVE PERSONS OF THE PLAY MICHAEL STRANGWAY BEATRICE STRANGWAY MRS. BRADMERE JIM BERE JACK CREMER MRS. BURLACOMBE BURLACOMBE TRUSTAFORD JARLAND CLYST FREMAN G.o.dLEIGH SOL POTTER MORSE, AND OTH
- 188 Kit! Do see!KATHERINE. I'm strangled here! Doing nothing--sitting silent--when my brothers are fighting, and being killed. I shall try to go out nursing. Helen will come with me. I have my faith, too; my poor common love of country. I can't stay here wi
- 187 MORE. Chose!SIR JOHN. You placed yourself in opposition to every feeling in her.You knew this might come. It may come again with another of my sons.MORE. I would willingly change places with any one of them.SIR JOHN. Yes--I can believe in your unhappiness
- 186 MORE. Thanks! I'll see that Katherine and Olive go.MENDIP. Go with them! If your cause is lost, that's no reason why you should be.MORE. There's the comfort of not running away. And--I want comfort.MENDIP. This is bad, Stephen; bad, foolish--foolish. W
- 185 KATHERINE. For G.o.d's sake, Stephen!MORE. You!--of all people--you!KATHERINE. Stephen![For a moment MORE yields utterly, then shrinks back.]MORE. A bargain! It's selling my soul! He struggles out of her arms, gets up, and stands without speaking, stari
- 184 HELEN. You didn't hear that cry. [She listens] That's Stephen.Forgive me, Kit; I oughtn't to have upset you, but I couldn't help coming.She goes out, KATHERINE, into whom her emotion seems to have pa.s.sed, turns feverishly to the window, throws it op
- 183 KATHERINE. [Putting away the letters] Come, Olive!OLIVE. But what are they?KATHERINE. Daddy means that he's been very unhappy.OLIVE. Have you, too?KATHERINE. Yes. OLIVE. [Cheerfully] So have I. May I open the window?KATHERINE. No; you'll let the mist in
- 182 Two flung stones strike MORE. He staggers and nearly falls, then rights himself.A GIRL'S VOICE. Shame!FRIENDLY VOICE. Bravo, More! Stick to it!A ROUGH. Give 'im another!A VOICE. No! A GIRL'S VOICE. Let 'im alone! Come on, Billy, this ain't no fun!Sti
- 181 MORE. You shall have it in a nutsh.e.l.l!A s...o...b..Y. [Flinging a walnut-sh.e.l.l which strikes MORE on the shoulder] Here y'are!MORE. Go home, and think! If foreigners invaded us, wouldn't you be fighting tooth and nail like those tribesmen, out the
- 180 MORE. [Flinging up his head] That's reality! By Heaven! No!KATHERINE. Oh!SHELDER. In that case, we'll go.BANNING. You mean it? You lose us, then![MORE bows.] HOME. Good riddance! [Venomously--his eyes darting between MORE and KATHERINE] Go and stump the
- 179 MORE. Is it?BANNING. Ah! no, but we don't want to part with you, Mr. More.It's a bitter thing, this, after three elections. Look at the 'uman side of it! To speak ill of your country when there's been a disaster like this terrible business in the Pa.s
- 178 SHELDER. We've come with the friendliest feelings, Mrs. More--but, you know, it won't do, this sort of thing!WACE. We shall be able to smooth him down. Oh! surely.BANNING. We'd be best perhaps not to mention about his knowing that fighting had begun.[A
- 177 KATHERINE. No, dear.OLIVE. That's lucky for them, isn't it?HUBERT comes in. The presence of the child give him self-control.HUBERT. Well, old girl, it's good-bye. [To OLIVE] What shall I bring you back, chick?OLIVE. Are there shops at the front? I thou
- 176 WREFORD. [A broad faced soldier, dressed in khaki with a certain look of dry humour, now dimmed-speaking with a West Country burr]That's right, zurr; all's ready.HELEN has come out of the window, and is quietly looking at WREFORD and the girl standing t
- 175 KATHERINE. I think that is just what he might be. [Going to the window] We shall know soon.[SIR JOHN, after staring at her, goes up to HUBERT.]SIR JOHN. Keep a good heart, my boy. The country's first. [They exchange a hand-squeeze.]KATHERINE backs away f
- 174 OLIVE. I can. [Wheedling] If you pay them, Mummy, they're sure to play another.KATHERINE. Well, give them that! One more only.She gives OLIVE a coin, who runs with it to the bay window, opens the aide cas.e.m.e.nt, and calls to the musicians.OLIVE. Catch
- 173 And poor Helen, and Father! I beg you not to make this speech.MORE. Kit! This isn't fair. Do you want me to feel myself a cur?KATHERINE. [Breathless] I--I--almost feel you'll be a cur to do it [She looks at him, frightened by her own words. Then, as the
- 172 SIR JOHN. What in G.o.d's name is your idea? We've forborne long enough, in all conscience.MORE. Sir John, we great Powers have got to change our ways in dealing with weaker nations. The very dogs can give us lessons-- watch a big dog with a little one.
- 171 MENDIP. Go into that philosophy of yours a little deeper, Stephen-- it spells stagnation. There are no fixed stars on this earth.Nations can't let each other alone.MORE. Big ones could let little ones alone.MENDIP. If they could there'd be no big ones.
- 170 [Simultaneously they place their lips smartly against the liquor, and at once let fall their faces and their gla.s.ses.]CHIEF HUMBLE-MAN. [With great solemnity.] Crikey! Bill! Tea!. . . . 'E's got us![The stage is blotted dark.]Curtain. THE END THE MOB
- 169 CONSTABLE. Come, sir, come! Be a man![Throughout all this MRS. MEGAN has sat stolidly before the fire, but as FERRAND suddenly steps forward she looks up at him.]FERRAND. Do not grieve, Monsieur! This will give her courage.There is nothing that gives more
- 168 WELLWYN. Ah, yes I know.MRS. MEGAN. I didn't seem no good to meself nor any one. But when I got in the water, I didn't want to any more. It was cold in there.WELLWYN. Have you been having such a bad time of it?MRS. MEGAN. Yes. And listenin' to him upse
- 167 FERRAND. [Earnestly.] Monsieur, do you know this? You are the sole being that can do us good--we hopeless ones.WELLWYN. [Shaking his head.] Not a bit of it; I'm hopeless too.FERRAND. [Eagerly.] Monsieur, it is just that. You understand.When we are with y
- 166 BERTLEY. And yet! Some good in the old fellow, no doubt, if one could put one's finger on it. [Preparing to go.] You'll let us know, then, when you're settled. What was the address? [WELLWYN takes out and hands him a card.] Ah! yes. Good-bye, Ann.Good-
- 165 WELLWYN. Ah! [Abstractedly feeling in his pockets, and finding coins.] Thanks--thanks--heavy work, I'm afraid.H'MAN. [Receiving the coins--a little surprised and a good deal pleased.] Thank'ee, sir. Much obliged, I'm sure. We'll 'ave to come back fo
- 164 Why do you let things lie about in the street like this? Look here, Wellyn![They all scrutinize TIMSON.]WELLWYN. It's only the old fellow whose reform you were discussing.HOXTON. How did he come here?CONSTABLE. Drunk, sir. [Ascertaining TIMSON to be in t
- 163 BERTLEY. But suppose I can induce your husband to forgive you, and take you back?MRS. MEGAN. [Shaking her head.] 'E'd 'it me.BERTLEY. I said to forgive.MRS. MEGAN. That wouldn't make no difference. [With a flash at BERTLEY.] An' I ain't forgiven him
- 162 TIMSON. [Extremely unsteady.] Just cause and impejiment. There 'e stands. [He points to FERRAND.] The crimson foreigner! The mockin'jay!WELLWYN. Timson!TIMSON. You're a gen'leman--I'm aweer o' that but I must speak the truth--[he waves his hand] an
- 161 MEGAN. [After scrutiny.] I seen her look like it--once.WELLWYN. Good! When was that?MEGAN. [Stoically.] When she 'ad the measles.[He drinks.]WELLWYN. [Ruminating.] I see--yes. I quite see feveris.h.!.+ BERTLEY. My dear WELLWYN, let me--[To, MEGAN.] Now,
- 160 ANN. You'd better open the door, Daddy.[WELLWYN opens the door. SIR, THOMAS HOXTON is disclosed in a fur overcoat and top hat. His square, well-coloured face is remarkable for a ma.s.sive jaw, dominating all that comes above it. His Voice is resolute.]HO
- 159 [While Ann sits down to make tea, he goes to the door and opens it. There, dressed in an ulster, stands a thin, clean-shaved man, with a little hollow sucked into either cheek, who, taking off a grey squash hat, discloses a majestically bald forehead, whi
- 158 ANN. [Blankly.] Oh! [As WELLWYN strikes a match.] The samovar is lighted. [Taking up the nearly empty decanter of rum and going to the cupboard.] It's all right. He won't.WELLWYN. We'll hope not.[He turns back to his picture.]ANN. [At the cupboard.] Da
- 157 TIMSON. [Reluctantly.] It so 'appens, you advanced me to-day's yesterday.WELLWYN. Then I suppose you want to-morrow's?TIMSON. Well, I 'ad to spend it, lookin' for a permanent job. When you've got to do with 'orses, you can't neglect the publics, o
- 156 WELLWYN. Um![They look at TIMSON. Then ANN goes back to the door, and WELLWYN follows her.]ANN. [Turning.] I'm going round now, Daddy, to ask Professor Calway what we're to do with that Ferrand.WELLWYN. Oh! One each! I wonder if they'll like it.ANN. Th
- 155 FERRAND. I am an interpreter.MRS. MEGAN. You ain't very busy, are you?FERRAND. [With dignity.] At present I am resting.MRS. MEGAN. [Looking at him and smiling.] How did you and 'im come here?FERRAND. Ma'moiselle, we would ask you the same question. MRS
- 154 WELLWYN. [Still dubiously.] You--you're sure you've everything you want?FERRAND. [Bowing.] 'Mais oui, Monsieur'.WELLWYN. I don't know what I can do by staying.FERRAND. There is nothing you can do, Monsieur. Have confidence in me.WELLWYN. Well-keep th
- 153 FERRAND. I 'ave a little the rheumatism.WELLWYN. Wet through, of course! [Glancing towards the house.] Wait a bit! I wonder if you'd like these trousers; they've--er--they're not quite---- [He pa.s.ses through the door into the house. FERRAND stands a
- 152 WELLWYN. I see. And when he's not flying it, what does he do?MRS. MEGAN. [Touching her basket.] Same as me. Other jobs tires 'im.WELLWYN. That's very nice! [He checks himself.] Well, what am I to do with you?MRS. MEGAN. Of course, I could get me night
- 151 [She comes in stolidly, a Sphinx-like figure, with her pretty tragic little face.]WELLWYN. I don't remember you. [Looking closer.] Yes, I do. Only-- you weren't the same-were you?MRS. MEGAN. [Dully.] I seen trouble since.WELLWYN. Trouble! Have some tea?
- 150 ANN. Where?WELLWYN. Just on the Embankment.ANN. Of course! Daddy, you know the Embankment ones are always rotters.WELLWYN. Yes, my dear; but this wasn't.ANN. Did you give him your card? WELLWYN. I--I--don't ANN. Did you, Daddy?WELLWYN. I'm rather afrai
- 149 THE PIGEON A Fantasy in Three Acts PERSONS OF THE PLAY CHRISTOPHER WELLWYN, an artist ANN, his daughter GUINEVERE MEGAN, a flower-seller RORY MEGAN, her husband FERRAND, an alien TIMSON, once a cabman EDWARD BERTLEY, a Canon ALFRED CALWAY, a Professor SIR
- 148 YOUNG MAN. A peach?[ARNAUD brings peaches to the table]CLARE. [Smiling] Thank you.[He fills their gla.s.ses and retreats]CLARE. [Raising her gla.s.s] Eat and drink, for tomorrow we--Listen! From the supper-party comes the sound of an abortive chorus: "Wi
- 147 YOUNG MAN. The wine, quick.ARNAUD. At once, Sare.YOUNG MAN. [Abruptly] Don't you ever go racing, then?CLARE. No.[ARNAUD pours out champagne] YOUNG MAN. I remember awfully well my first day. It was pretty thick--lost every blessed bob, and my watch and ch
- 146 ARNAUD'S eyebrows rise, the corners of his mouth droop. A Lady with bare shoulders, and crimson roses in her hair, comes along the corridor, and stops for a second at the window, for a man to join her. They come through into the room. ARNAUD has sprung t
- 145 CLARE. Go away! Go away!MRS. FULLARTON. Love!--you said!CLARE. [Quivering at that stab-suddenly] I must--I will keep him.He's all I've got.MRS. FULLARTON. Can you--can you keep him? CLARE. Go!MRS. FULLARTON. I'm going. But, men are hard to keep, even w
- 144 Mrs. Fuller--wants you, not Mr. Malise.CLARE. Mrs. Fullarton? [MRS. MILER nods] Ask them to come in.MRS. MILER opens the door wide, says "Come in," and goes. MRS.FULLARTON is accompanied not by FULLARTON, but by the lawyer, TWISDON. They come in.MRS. FU
- 143 MALISE. I couldn't even get the costs.CLARE. Will they make you bankrupt, then? [MALISE nods] But that doesn't mean that you won't have your income, does it? [MALISE laughs] What is your income, Kenneth? [He is silent] A hundred and fifty from "The Wa
- 142 CLARE. [Stealing a look at him] One followed me a lot. He caught hold of my arm one evening. I just took this out [She draws out her hatpin and holds it like a dagger, her lip drawn back as the lips of a dog going to bite] and said: "Will you leave me al
- 141 HUNTINGDON. My--my father and myself.MALISE. Go on.HUNTINGDON. We thought there was just a chance that, having lost that job, she might come to you again for advice. If she does, it would be really generous of you if you'd put my father in touch with her
- 140 HAYWOOD. [Shaking his head] Them books worth three pound seven!MALISE. It's scarce, and highly improper. Will you take them in discharge?HAYWOOD. [Torn between emotions] Well, I 'ardly know what to say-- No, Sir, I don't think I'd like to 'ave to do
- 139 There is a long silence. Without looking at him she takes up her hat, and puts it on.MALISE. Not going?[CLARE nods]MALISE. You don't trust me?CLARE. I do! But I can't take when I'm not giving. MALISE. I beg--I beg you! What does it matter? Use me! Get