The Complete Plays of J. M. Barrie - 30 Titles in One Edition. Джеймс Барри

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СКАЧАТЬ was a moment when I hesitated, and almost —

      (LAUGHS SHRILLY) But I am glad she was pitiless.

      PAUL. She is so innocent — if you knew how a man worships innocence in a woman.

      MRS OMMANEY. In one woman, but not in others!

      PAUL (bows his head). Kate, I believe your letter, I never questioned it. I have learned only to-day why you left me, and the generosity of it crushes me in the dust.

      MRS OMMANEY. How did you learn?

      PAUL. You told me yourself, before you fell asleep. At least believe this, that had I understood I would not have let you go.

      MRS OMMANEY. I know. But oh, you were glad to be free! Can you deny it?

      (PAUL cannot answer.)

      Your heart leapt within you, did it not I PAUL. I was distraught with grief and shame.

      MRS. ommaney. But joy came in the morning!

      PAUL. You said you were going home — I thought of following you.

      MRS. OMMANEY (BITINGLY). Did you go?

      PAUL. You asked me in the letter not to do so.

      MRS. ommaney. How obedient a man can be sometimes! But you would not have found me at my father’s. I remained in London. I went back to the dressmaking that I should never have left.

      PAUL. Kate, I make no pretence. I was too willing to believe you. But for you I had no feeling save pity. It was myself I loathed and the life I was leading.

      MRS OMMANEY. The life and I were one. And yet until we met I had been a good woman. I had sat to other painters before I knew you; I had been a popular enough model. I was a harum-scarum, I suppose, but no harm had come of it.

      PAUL. You were a good woman — till we met. That is my condemnation.

      MRS OMMANEY. And you had been a good man. That is mine. Funny, isn’t it?

      (PAUL makes a movement of dissent.)

      Yes, you had. They called you the hermit; your Spartan virtue was the talk of the studios.

      PAUL. I lived too much in my art, and my solitary thoughts. I shrank from men’s free talk of women, and yet when I left them it was to brood of the things they spoke of; theirs was a healthier life than mine. ‘ It is not good for man that he be alone.’ And then you came into my life, and you rang through it like a peal of bells in a lonely house. At first I only meant to be your friend. Ah, Kate, those Bohemian days, when you and I were only comrades.

      MRS. OMMANEY. The dear old studio fire!

      PAUL. How poor I was.

      MRS. OMMANEY. How happy we were!

      PAUL. Ah, but Kate!

      MRS. OMMANEY. Yes, it was soon over.

      PAUL. The end came. Our friends were looking on and smiling, Kate. They called me a lucky dog. At first I could have struck them, for they did not disguise their meaning; but they had put the idea into my head, and it flourished there and grew apace.

      MRS. OMMANEY (PASSIONATELY). It was not only that? Speak, you loved me!

      PAUL. You took possession of every chamber of my mind. There was no one in the world to me but you.

      MRS. OMMANEY. That was enough for me. I was willing to let all else go. I was up to date. Up to date!

      PAUL. We thought it such a fine thing to defy the conventions.

      MRS. OMMANEY. I gloried in the risk. When a woman loves, the more she must venture the better pleased she is. And, Paul, we were happy at first, you loved me —

      PAUL. I was deliriously happy at first, but soon —

      MRS. OMMANEY. You awakened — and it was all over! Did you know her in those days?

      PAUL. Not till after you left me. What I felt was a sense of shame — I hated myself — I could not work — I saw I had given away my manhood.

      MRS. OMMANEY. I gave it you back again — a little tarnished.

      PAUL. I have tried to cleanse it.

      MRS. OMMANEY. And in the meantime I have borne a child!

      PAUL (BOWED). Kate, when you left me, did you know of her?

      MRS. OMMANEY. I knew! Now do you understand why I could not go back to my father? At least I have hidden it from him.

      PAUL. Why did YOU NOT TELL ME? If I had KNOWN — !

      MRS OMMANEY. Why did you not ask? (HE HAS NO ANSWER.)

      Yes, I took away that secret with me also. I was not to be generous by halves.

      (PAUL opens bedroom door and stands looking in. MRS.

      OMMANEY is bitterly sarcastic.)

      Pity she didn’t die, isn’t it? But she is very healthy; hard on you that, isn’t it? But they are often carried off in the measles; she might get run over in the street, too; there’s always a chance!

      (PAUL looks at her and then exits into bedroom, MRS.

      OMMANEY remains in parlour.)

      This is a gentleman come to see you, baby; don’t be frightened, he won’t touch you. Don’t stretch out your little hand to him, he won’t take it. Don’t offer your mouth to him, he won’t kiss it. He may kiss other babies yet, but not you.

      (Suddenly a gratified look comes into her face, and she sinks in chair, PAUL comes out.)

      You kissed her!

      (He is very remorseful — door is heard opening — and they both rise, PAUL goes to window.)

      PAUL. It is Lady Janet come back.

      (Enter LADY JANET.)

      LADY JANET (to PAUL, after looking from one to other). Well?

      (paul HAS NO ANSWER.)

      MRS OMMANEY. You have something of mine, I understand?

      (lady janet HANDS HER THE LOCKET.)

      MRS OMMANEY (OPENS IT). Where is the portrait?

      LADY JANET. I destroyed it. (TO PAUL) Is it arranged?

      MRS OMMANEY. We were coming to that.

      LADY JANET. How much?

      PAUL (STERNLY). Lady Janet, for shame!

      MRS OMMANEY. Pooh, I don’t mind her! (WITH SHRINKING DISDAIN) What can she know about women! What can the virtuous spinster know? I have borne a child; I am a woman. What are you who dare interfere with a woman СКАЧАТЬ