Theft: A Play In Four Acts. Джек Лондон

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ the New York newspaper offices. Of course, all such stories are killed. But be discreet, be discreet If Gherst gets hold of it, he'll play it up against the Administration in all his papers.

      (Chalmers, who throughout this speech is showing a growing resentment, is about to speak, when voices are heard without and he checks himself.)

      (Enter. Mrs. Starkweather, rather flustered and imminently in danger of a collapse, followed by Connie Starkweather, fresh, radiant, and joyous.)

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (With appeal and relief.)

      Oh – Tom!

      (Chalmers takes her hand sympathetically and protectingly.)

      Connie

      (Who is an exuberant young woman, bursts forth.) Oh, brother-in-law! Such excitement! That's what's the matter with mother. We ran into a go-cart. Our chauffeur was not to blame. It was the woman's fault. She tried to cross just as we were turning the corner. But we hardly grazed it. Fortunately the baby was not hurt – only spilled. It was ridiculous. (Catching sight of Hubbard.) Oh, there you are, Mr. Hubbard. How de do.

      (Steps half way to meet him and shakes hands with him.) (Mrs. Starkweather looks around helplessly for a chair, and Chalmers conducts her to one soothingly.)

      Mrs. Starkweather

      Oh, it was terrible! The little child might have been killed. And such persons love their babies, I know.

      Connie

      (To Chalmers.) Has father come? We were to pick him up here. Where's Madge?

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (Espying Hubbard, faintly.) Oh, there is Mr. Hubbard.

      (Hubbard comes to her and shakes hands.) I simply can't get used to these rapid ways of modern life. The motor-car is the invention of the devil. Everything is too quick. When I was a girl, we lived sedately, decorously. There was time for meditation and repose. But in this age there is time for nothing. How Anthony keeps his head is more than I can understand. But, then, Anthony is a wonderful man.

      Hubbard

      I am sure Mr. Starkweather never lost his head in his life.

      Chalmers

      Unless when he was courting you, mother.

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (A trifle grimly.) I'm not so sure about that.

      Connie

      (Imitating a grave, business-like enunciation.) Father probably conferred first with his associates, then turned the affair over for consideration by his corporation lawyers, and, when they reported no flaws, checked the first spare half hour in his notebook to ask mother if she would have him.

      (They laugh.) And looked at his watch at least twice while he was proposing.

      Mrs. Starkweather

      Anthony was not so busy then as all that.

      Hubbard

      He hadn't yet taken up the job of running the United States.

      Mrs. Starkweather

      I'm sure I don't know what he is running, but he is a very busy man – business, politics, and madness; madness, politics, and business.

      (She stops breathlessly and glances at tea-table.) Tea. I should like a cup of tea. Connie, I shall stay for a cup of tea, and then, if your father hasn't come, we'll go home. (To Chalmers.) Where is Tommy?

      Chalmers

      Out in the car with Madge.

      (Glances at tea-table and consults watch.) She should be back now.

      Connie

      Mother, you mustn't stay long. I have to dress.

      Chalmers

      Oh, yes, that dinner.

      (Yawns.) I wish I could loaf to-night.

      Connie

      (Explaining to Hubbard.) The Turkish Charge d'Affaires – I never can remember his name. But he's great fun – a positive joy. He's giving the dinner to the British Ambassador.

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (Starting forward in her chair and listening intently.) There's Tommy, now.

      (Voices of Margaret Chalmers and of Tommy heard from without. Hers is laughingly protesting, while Tommy's is gleefully insistent.) (Margaret and Tommy appear and pause just outside door, holding each other's hands, facing each other, too immersed in each other to be aware of the presence of those inside the room. Margaret and Tommy are in street costume.)

      Tommy

      (Laughing.)

      But mama.

      Margaret

      (Herself laughing, but shaking her head.) No. Tommy First —

      Margaret

      No; you must run along to Linda, now, mother's boy. And we'll talk about that some other time.

      (Tommy notices for the first time that there are persons in the room. He peeps in around the door and espies Mrs. Starkweather. At the same moment, impulsively, he withdraws his hands and runs in to Mrs. Starkweather.)

      Tommy

      (Who is evidently fond of his grandmother.) Grandma!

      (They embrace and make much of each other.)

      (Margaret enters, appropriately greeting the others – a kiss (maybe) to Connie, and a slightly cold handshake to Hubbard.)

      Margaret

      (To Chalmers.) Now that you're here, Tom, you mustn't run away.

      (Greets Mrs. Starkweather.)

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (Turning Tommy's face to the light and looking at it anxiously.) A trifle thin, Margaret.

      Margaret

      On the contrary, mother —

      Mrs. Starkweather

      (To Chalmers.) Don't you think so, Tom?

      Connie

      (Aside СКАЧАТЬ