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

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СКАЧАТЬ been faithful to me Yes, you have been faithful and yet you call yourself a man —

      PETER: A virtuous woman —

      DELIA: Virtuous! Have I ever had a chance of being anything else? I am your wife. We were to be complement and supplement — it was on that understanding you got me, and how have you kept your trust? Peter Terence answer me this. Did you ever take me into low society? Dare you answer yes? You dare not. Of the women who have come to our house during these 40 years of ridiculous happiness, was there one who was not a lady? Peter Terence, there was not. You know the world, you see it in all its colours, and yet did you ever bring home a disreputable man to dinner? Not one — Peter Terence. Did you ever make a remark in my presence that was not fit for a lady’s ear? Never — When I should have been living my own life, were you not, dandling me on your knee, and taking hairpins from my hair to clean your pipes with? I have borne you six children Peter Terence, and did you propose that they should be sent out to nurse, because a true woman cannot be bothered with children? Did you relieve me of the trouble of rearing one of them? Not one — I had to bring them all up myself, they called me, mother — you stood by and let them call me, mother!

      PETER: The Brandy —

      DELIA: No —

      PETER: But my Duck —

      DELIA: No —

      PETER: I mean my wild duck —

      DELIA: You disgracefully, healthy minded old man, for shame —

      PETER: Ghosts then — You have no objections to my saying Ghosts? I must say something.

      (Tia enters C. and listens)

      DELIA: Not to me. Henceforth Peter Terence our paths lie in different directions You go one way and I go the other —

      PETER: Delia Terence, Deliar Tremers, Delirium Tremens —

      DELIA: And if you are half a man, you will set off upon yours directly.

      (Tia rushes down L. and hands him a pistol)

      TIA: Do Grandpapa.

      PETER (shrinking): Hedda Gabler’s pistol.

      TIA: One of them. Grandpapa take it and leave this contemptible world, with scorn upon your countenance and vine leaves in your hair. Oh, it is the one course still open to a brave man. (whispers) Archer’s version says that you here take the pistol —

      PETER (sadly): So does Gosse’s.

      (takes pistol)

      DELIA: Look sharp Peter.

      PETER: D’you know — I don’t like London —

      TIA: Grandpapa. Do it gracefully —

      DELIA: Oh, do it anyhow —

      PETER: Patience, my dears. I — I am not used to this sort of thing — It’s — it’s got very warm don’t you think Delia? The — a — summer has come at last — Tia — eh?

      TIA: Don’t aim so low down grandpapa (he aims above his head) nor so high up. Be graceful grandpapa — there are several good places.

      DELIA: Any place is good enough so long as he can find a way in.

      PETER: No Delia — I beg your pardon, but Tia makes a point of my doing it gracefully — with art —

      TIA (eagerly ): The heart is a good place, a very good place.

      PETER: Hedda’s pistol — Hedda’s.

      TIA: The head(a) is a good place too —

      DELIA (tapping him on the throat)’. This is a good place.

      PETER: Here, Delia, (puts pistol to neck)

      TIA: Lower Grandpapa, here, (taps his heart)

      DELIA: Or here, (lifts pistol to his forehead)

      TIA: Or here, (points pistol at stomach)

      PETER: Hadn’t I better lie down first? it would be more graceful, Tia, than to fall afterwards — No! Very well then. I’ll do it when I say three — One — two — I say I have an idea — why shouldn’t you both come with me?

      TIA: Why not?

      DELIA: Ay, why not?

      PETER (handing pistol to Delia): Ladies first.

      TIA: No, all together — see here are more pistols (gets pistols from Table, keeps one, gives Delia one) Grandpapa, we all fire when you say three —

      (in line down C.)

      PETER: One — two — Have you found a good place Delia? Have you vine leaves in your hair, Tia? Very well — One-two — the brandy!

      DELIA: No.

      PETER: One — Two — I say, where is it we are going to?

      TIA: Where?

      DELIA: Ah where?

      PETER: Let us say to — to Hedda’s — one — two — one, two, three —

      (All fire and fall Peter in C.) Enter George L.

      GEORGE: Someone been shooting rubbish here, just fancy that.

      (sits at table C.)

      PETER (sitting up)-. Just fancy that! — it is my cue

       Well I don’t fancy them — do you?

       I think that all the Ibsen ladies

       Should find a place and go to Hades.

      GEORGE (without looking up): Just fancy that. Just think of that.

      TIA (sitting up): You, take a Hedda, you’re a toff

       She’s like her pistol, she goes off

       Of Ibsen women, boys beware

       They all have vine leaves in their hair.

      GEORGE: Just fancy that, just think of that.

      DELIA (sitting up): Wives of the future, then begorra

       I’m glad that I don’t live tomorrow.

       I’m flesh and blood — I’ll tell you, bah

       They’re nothing but automata.

      (The three rise singing)

      ALL: We’re nothing but automata.

      (They dance like wooden figures)

      PETER: I say there’s another verse in Gosse’s version.

      GEORGE: Just fancy that, just think of that.

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