The Complete Plays of J. M. Barrie - 30 Titles in One Edition. Джеймс Барри
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Название: The Complete Plays of J. M. Barrie - 30 Titles in One Edition
Автор: Джеймс Барри
Издательство: Bookwire
Жанр: Языкознание
isbn: 9788027224012
isbn:
PAUL (TO MRS. OMMANEY). Speak — and quickly.
MRS. OMMANEY (QUIETLY TO MARGARET, AFTER LOOKING AT PAUL). I have a wedding present — I should like to give you.
LADY JANET. Woman!
MRS. OMMANEY. It is this — my locket.
(PAUL AND LADY JANET START.)
It was something else I meant to give you, but you will like this better. As you know, his face was in it, but it has been taken out. So perhaps you will not object. I hope your husband will not object to your having it from me. You sweet girl, you and I shall never meet again, but I should like to think that you had put your husband’s face in it instead of the face that used to be there and wore it sometimes in memory of a good woman’s victory over a bad one.
(MARGARET kisses locket.)
It will remind you, Mr. Digby, of what was the great event in the life of a woman — and a little episode in the life of a man.
MARGARET. We shall meet again and often.
MRS. OMMANEY. Never! I want you all to go away now.
(TO PAUL) May I kiss her?
(PAUL is too affected to speak, MARGARET kisses her.)
Take her away.
PAUL. What are you to do?
MRS. OMMANEY. Work and forget — if I can. Go!
(She sits down a forlorn figure, LADY JANET signs to MARGARET and they go towards door; PAUL follows a step, and stops, looking in agitation at MRS. OMMANEY.)
LADY JANET. Come!
(PAUL stands looking and LADY JANET grows anxious.)
Come, I command you.
PAUL (HUSKILY). I can’t come.
MARGARET. Paul, why?
PAUL. Because I believe in God, and I hear Him calling to me to speak. Margaret, it was I who did this thing. I am the man!
(mrs ommaney STARTS UP. MARGARET LOOKS FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, DAZED.’ MARGARET (AFTER A PAUSE). Paul, did you say anything?
PAUL. I am the man.
MARGARET (after pause, with growing enlightenment). Mrs. Ommaney, Aunt Janet, he did not say it? (Imploringly)
Speak!
LADY JANET. My dear, my dear!
(MARGARET turns from her to PAUL; she points to bedroom door.)
PAUL. It is my child.
(MARGARET REELS, BUT LADY JANET CATCHES HER.)
LADY JANET. You are still his wife.
MARGARET. His wife! Oh, dear God, what have I done that you let me marry this man!
PAUL (WITH A CRY OF AGONY). Margaret!
MARGARET. A betrayer of women, he is my husband! Oh, sir, must I thank you for that? I loved you, and yet you married me. You might have dealt with me as you have dealt with her. I thank you.
MRS. OMMANEY. Hear me!
MARGARET (VEHEMENTLY). You, you! It is such women as you. No, I beg your pardon. This man, I took him from you; I did not understand; he is yours, yours and your child’s.
(Slowly takes off ring, and hands it to MRS. OMMANEY.
PAUL takes a step towards her — she recoils.)
Aunt Janet, I am going back to my father.
(She goes away quietly, LADY JANET slowly follows her; the outer door is heard opening and shutting.)
MRS. OMMANEY. Why did you tell?
PAUL (huskily). I am glad I told.
MRS. OMMANEY (in a whisper — a wild hope springing into her face). Paul!
(He shudders and avoids her, her head droops; she hands him the ring, it remains in his fingers a moment, then he lets it drop. It is heard striking the floor.)
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