The Collected Works of Oscar Wilde: 250+ Titles in One Edition. Оскар Уайльд

Чтение книги онлайн.

      THIRD ACT

       Table of Contents

      The Library in Lord Goring’s house . An Adam room. On the right is the door leading into the hall. On the left, the door of the smoking-room. A pair of folding doors at the back open into the drawing-room. The fire is lit. Phipps, the butler, is arranging some newspapers on the writing-table. The distinction of Phipps is his impassivity. He has been termed by enthusiasts the Ideal Butler. The Sphinx is not so incommunicable. He is a mask with a manner. Of his intellectual or emotional life, history knows nothing. He represents the dominance of form.

      [Enter LORD GORING in evening dress with a buttonhole. He is wearing a silk hat and Inverness cape. White-gloved, he carries a Louis Seize cane. His are all the delicate fopperies of Fashion. One sees that he stands in immediate relation to modern life, makes it indeed, and so masters it. He is the first well-dressed philosopher in the history of thought.]

      LORD GORING. Got my second buttonhole for me, Phipps?

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. [Takes his hat, cane, and cape, and presents new buttonhole on salver.]

      LORD GORING. Rather distinguished thing, Phipps. I am the only person of the smallest importance in London at present who wears a buttonhole.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. I have observed that,

      LORD GORING. [Taking out old buttonhole.] You see, Phipps, Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

      LORD GORING. Just as vulgarity is simply the conduct of other people.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

      LORD GORING. [Putting in a new buttonhole.] And falsehoods the truths of other people.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

      LORD GORING. Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

      LORD GORING. To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance, Phipps.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord.

      LORD GORING. [Looking at himself in the glass.] Don’t think I quite like this buttonhole, Phipps. Makes me look a little too old. Makes me almost in the prime of life, eh, Phipps?

      PHIPPS. I don’t observe any alteration in your lordship’s appearance.

      LORD GORING. You don’t, Phipps?

      PHIPPS. No, my lord.

      LORD GORING. I am not quite sure. For the future a more trivial buttonhole, Phipps, on Thursday evenings.

      PHIPPS. I will speak to the florist, my lord. She has had a loss in her family lately, which perhaps accounts for the lack of triviality your lordship complains of in the buttonhole.

      LORD GORING. Extraordinary thing about the lower classes in England — they are always losing their relations.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord! They are extremely fortunate in that respect.

      LORD GORING. [Turns round and looks at him. PHIPPS remains impassive.] Hum! Any letters, Phipps?

      PHIPPS. Three, my lord. [Hands letters on a salver.]

      LORD GORING. [Takes letters.] Want my cab round in twenty minutes.

      PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. [Goes towards door.]

      LORD GORING. [Holds up letter in pink envelope.] Ahem! Phipps, when did this letter arrive?

      PHIPPS. It was brought by hand just after your lordship went to the club.

      LORD GORING. That will do. [Exit PHIPPS.] Lady Chiltern’s handwriting on Lady Chiltern’s pink notepaper. That is rather curious. I thought Robert was to write. Wonder what Lady Chiltern has got to say to me? [Sits at bureau and opens letter, and reads it.] ‘I want you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.’ [Puts down the letter with a puzzled look. Then takes it up, and reads it again slowly.] ‘I want you. I trust you. I am coming to you.’ So she has found out everything! Poor woman! Poor woman! [ Pulls out watch and looks at it.] But what an hour to call! Ten o’clock! I shall have to give up going to the Berkshires. However, it is always nice to be expected, and not to arrive. I am not expected at the Bachelors’, so I shall certainly go there. Well, I will make her stand by her husband. That is the only thing for her to do. That is the only thing for any woman to do. It is the growth of the moral sense in women that makes marriage such a hopeless, onesided institution. Ten o’clock. She should be here soon. I must tell Phipps I am not in to any one else. [Goes towards bell]

      [Enter PHIPPS.]

      PHIPPS. Lord Caversham.

      LORD GORING. Oh, why will parents always appear at the wrong time? Some extraordinary mistake in nature, I suppose. [Enter LORD CAVERSHAM.] Delighted to see you, my dear father. [Goes to meet him.]

      LORD CAVERSHAM. Take my cloak off.

      LORD GORING. Is it worth while, father?

      LORD CAVERSHAM. Of course it is worth while, sir. Which is the most comfortable chair?

      LORD GORING. This one, father. It is the chair I use myself, when I have visitors.

      LORD CAVERSHAM. Thank ye. No draught, I hope, in this room?

      LORD GORING. No, father.

      LORD CAVERSHAM. [Sitting down.] Glad to hear it. Can’t stand draughts. No draughts at home.

      LORD GORING. Good many breezes, father.

      LORD CAVERSHAM. Eh? Eh? Don’t understand what you mean. Want to have a serious conversation with you, sir.

      LORD GORING. My dear father! At this hour?

      LORD CAVERSHAM. Well, sir, it is only ten o’clock. What is your objection to the hour? I think the hour is an admirable hour!

      LORD GORING. Well, the fact is, father, this is not my day for talking seriously. I am very sorry, but it is not my day.

      LORD CAVERSHAM. What do you mean, sir?

      LORD GORING. During the Season, father, I only talk seriously on the first Tuesday in every month, from four to seven.

      LORD СКАЧАТЬ