Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour. Maugham William Somerset

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СКАЧАТЬ Frederick, that was only in the way of business. I don't exactly remember what expressions I may have made use of —

Lady Frederick

      [Interrupting, as if the truth had suddenly flashed across her.] Ada! I do believe you came here to-day about my account.

Madame Claude

      Oh, no, my lady, I promise you.

Lady Frederick

      You did; I know you did. I see it in your face. Now that really wasn't nice of you. I thought you came as a friend.

Madame Claude

      I did, Lady Frederick.

Lady Frederick

      No, you wanted to dun me. I'm disappointed in you. I did think, after all the things I've had from you, you wouldn't treat me like that.

Madame Claude

      But I assure your ladyship…

Lady Frederick

      Not another word. You came to ask for a cheque. You shall have it.

Madame Claude

      No, Lady Frederick, I wouldn't take it.

Lady Frederick

      What is the exact figure, Madame Claude?

Madame Claude

      I – I don't remember.

Lady Frederick

      Seven hundred and fifty pounds, seventeen and ninepence. You see, I remember. You came for your cheque and you shall have it.

[She sits down and takes a pen.Madame Claude

      Now, Lady Frederick, I should look upon that as most unkind. It's treating me like a very second-rate establishment.

Lady Frederick

      I'm sorry, but you should have thought of that before. Now I haven't got a cheque; how tiresome.

Madame Claude

      Oh, it doesn't matter, Lady Frederick. I promise you it never entered my 'ead.

Lady Frederick

      What shall I do?

Fouldes

      You can write it on a sheet of paper, you know.

Lady Frederick

      [With a look, aside to him.] Monster! [Aloud.] Of course I can. I hadn't thought of that. [She takes a sheet of paper.] But how on earth am I to get a stamp?

Fouldes

      [Much amused.] I happen to have one on me.

Lady Frederick

      I wonder why on earth you should have English stamps in Monte Carlo?

Fouldes

      [Handing her one.] A penny stamp may sometimes save one a hundred louis.

Lady Frederick

      [Ironically.] Thanks so much. I write the name of my bank on the top, don't I? Pay Madame Claude…

Madame Claude

      Now, it's no good, Lady Frederick, I won't take it. After all I 'ave my self-respect to think of.

Lady Frederick

      It's too late now.

Madame Claude

      [Sniffing a little.] No, no, Lady Frederick. Don't be too 'ard on me. As one lady to another I ask you to forgive me. I did come about my account, but – well, I don't want the money.

Lady Frederick

      [Looking up good-humouredly.] Well, well. [She looks at the cheque.] It shall be as you wish. There. [She tears it up.]

Madame Claude

      Oh, thank you, Lady Frederick. I look upon that as a real favour. And now I really must be getting off.

Lady Frederick

      Must you go? Well, good-bye. Paradine, take Madame Claude to her motor. Ada!

[She kisses her on the cheek.Madame Claude

      [Going.] I am pleased to have seen you.

[Paradine offers his arm and goes out with Madame Claude. Lady Frederick goes to the window, stands on a chair and waves her handkerchief. While she is doing this Captain Montgomerie enters.Captain Montgomerie

      How d'you do?

Lady Frederick

      [Getting down.] How nice of you to come. I wanted to see you.

Captain Montgomerie

      May I sit down?

Lady Frederick

      Of course. There are one or two things I'd like to talk to you about.

Captain Montgomerie

      Yes?

Lady Frederick

      First I must thank you for your great kindness to Gerald. I didn't know last night that he owed you a good deal of money.

Captain Montgomerie

      It's a mere trifle.

Lady Frederick

      You must be very rich to call nine hundred pounds that?

Captain Montgomerie

      I am.

Lady Frederick

      [With a laugh.] All the same it's extremely good of you to give him plenty of time.

Captain Montgomerie

      I told Gerald he could have till to-morrow.

Lady Frederick

      Obviously he wants to settle with you as soon as ever he can.

Captain Montgomerie

      [Quietly.] I often wonder why gambling debts are known as debts of honour.

Lady Frederick

      [Looking at him steadily.] Of course I realise that if you choose to press for the money and Gerald can't pay – he'll have to send in his papers.

Captain Montgomerie

      [Lightly.] You may be quite sure I have no wish to bring about such a calamity. By the way, have you thought over our little talk of last night?

Lady Frederick

      No.

Captain Montgomerie

      You would have been wise to do so.

Lady Frederick

      My dear Captain Montgomerie, you really can't expect me to marry you because my brother has been so foolish as to lose more money at poker than he can afford.

Captain Montgomerie

      Did you ever hear that my father was a money-lender?

Lady Frederick

      A lucrative profession, I believe.

Captain Montgomerie

      He found it so. He was a Polish Jew called Aaron Levitzki. He came to this country with three shillings in his pocket. He lent half-a-crown of it to a friend on the condition that he should be paid back seven and six in three days.

Lady Frederick

      I'm not good at figures, but the interest sounds rather high.

Captain Montgomerie

      It is. That was one of my father's specialities. From these humble beginnings his business grew to such proportions that at his death he was able to leave me the name and arms of the great family of Montgomerie and something over a million of money.

Lady Frederick

      The result of thrift, industry, and good fortune.

Captain СКАЧАТЬ