Plays : Fifth Series. Galsworthy John

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СКАЧАТЬ of politeness] Well, I never! That does sound like 'em! Are you goin' to tell the guv'nor, Miss?

      MAUD nods. In that case, I think I'll be gettin' off to my dentist before the band plays.

      MAUD. All right, Topping; hope you won't lose a tooth.

      TOPPING. [With a grin] It's on the knees of the gods, Miss, as they say in the headlines.

      He goes. MAUD stretches herself and listens.

      MAUD. I believe that's them. Shivery funky.

      She runs off up Left.

      BUILDER. [Entering from the hall and crossing to the fireplace] Monstrous! Really monstrous!

      CAMILLE enters from the hall. She has a little collecting book in her hand.

      BUILDER. Well, Camille?

      CAMILLE. A sistare from the Sacred 'Eart, Monsieur—her little book for the orphan children.

      BUILDER. I can't be bothered—What is it?

      CAMILLE. Orphan, Monsieur.

      BUILDER. H'm! Well! [Feeling in his breast pocket] Give her that.

      He hands her a five-pound note.

      CAMILLE. I am sure she will be veree grateful for the poor little beggars. Madame says she will not be coming to lunch, Monsieur.

      BUILDER. I don't want any, either. Tell Topping I'll have some coffee.

      CAMILLE. Topping has gone to the dentist, Monsieur; 'e 'as the toothache.

      BUILDER. Toothache—poor devil! H'm! I'm expecting my brother, but I don't know that I can see him.

      CAMILLE. No, Monsieur?

      BUILDER. Ask your mistress to come here.

      He looks up, and catching her eye, looks away.

      CAMILLE. Yes, Monsieur.

      As she turns he looks swiftly at her, sweeping her up and down. She turns her head and catches his glance, which is swiftly dropped. Will Monsieur not 'ave anything to eat?

      BUILDER. [Shaking his head-abruptly] No. Bring the coffee!

      CAMILLE. Is Monsieur not well?

      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 his eyes in an engagement instantly broken off, and goes out.

      BUILDER. [Stock-still, and staring at the door] That girl's a continual irritation to me! She's dangerous! What a life! I believe that girl—

      The door Left is opened and MRS BUILDER comes in.

      BUILDER. There's some coffee coming; do your head good. Look here, Julia. I'm sorry I beat on that door. I apologize. I was in a towering passion. I wish I didn't get into these rages. But—dash it all—! I couldn't walk away and leave you there.

      MRS BUILDER. Why not?

      BUILDER. You keep everything to yourself, so; I never have any notion what you're thinking. What did you say to her?

      MRS BUILDER. Told her it would never work.

      BUILDER. Well, that's something. She's crazy. D'you suppose she was telling the truth about that young blackguard wanting to marry her?

      MRS BUILDER. I'm sure of it.

      BUILDER. When you think of how she's been brought up. You would have thought that religion alone—

      MRS BUILDER. The girls haven't wanted to go to church for years. They've always said they didn't see why they should go to keep up your position. I don't know if you remember that you once caned them for running off on a Sunday morning.

      BUILDER. Well?

      MRS BUILDER. They've never had any religion since.

      BUILDER. H'm! [He takes a short turn up the room] What's to be done about Athene?

      MRS BUILDER. You said you had done with her.

      BUILDER. You know I didn't mean that. I might just as well have said I'd done with you! Apply your wits, Julia! At any moment this thing may come out. In a little town like this you can keep nothing dark. How can I take this nomination for Mayor?

      MRS BUILDER. Perhaps Ralph could help.

      BUILDER. What? His daughters have never done anything disgraceful, and his wife's a pattern.

      MRS BUILDER. Yes; Ralph isn't at all a family man.

      BUILDER. [Staring at her] I do wish you wouldn't turn things upside down in that ironical way. It isn't—English.

      MRS BUILDER. I can't help having been born in Jersey.

      BUILDER. No; I suppose it's in your blood. The French— [He stops short].

      MRS BUILDER. Yes?

      BUILDER. Very irritating sometimes to a plain Englishman—that's all.

      MRS BUILDER. Shall I get rid of Camille?

      BUILDER. [Staring at her, then dropping his glance] Camille? What's she got to do with it?

      MRS BUILDER. I thought perhaps you found her irritating.

      BUILDER. Why should I?

      CAMILLE comes in from the dining-room with the coffee.

      Put it there. I want some brandy, please.

      CAMILLE. I bring it, Monsieur.

      She goes back demurely into the dining-room.

      BUILDER. Topping's got toothache, poor chap! [Pouring out the coffee] Can't you suggest any way of making Athene see reason? Think of the example! Maud will be kicking over next. I shan't be able to hold my head up here.

      MRS BUILDER. I'm afraid I can't do that for you.

      BUILDER. [Exasperated] Look here, Julia! That wretched girl said something to me about our life together. What—what's the matter with that?

      MRS BUILDER. It is irritating.

      BUILDER. Be explicit.

      MRS BUILDER. We have lived together twenty-three years, John. No talk will change such things.

      BUILDER. Is it a question of money? You can always have more. You know that. [MRS BUILDER smiles] Oh! don't smile like that; it makes me feel quite sick!

      CAMILLE enters with a decanter and little glasses, from the dining-room.

      CAMILLE. The brandy, sir. Monsieur Ralph Builder СКАЧАТЬ