The Red House Mystery and Other Novels. A. A. Milne
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Название: The Red House Mystery and Other Novels

Автор: A. A. Milne

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Контркультура

Серия:

isbn: 9781456614010

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ hang. 'Tis your father's wish that you and I should wed.

      ~Dorothy~ (_refusing him_). Go, lest I call in the grooms to whip you.

      ~Carey.~ By heaven---- (_Thinking better of it._) I go to fetch your father.

      (_Exit._)

      _Enter_ Roger _by secret door L._

      ~Dorothy.~ Roger! You have escaped.

      ~Roger.~ Knowest not the secret passage from the wine cellar, where we so often played as children? 'Twas in that same cellar the thick-skulled knaves immured me.

      ~Dorothy.~ Roger, you must fly! Wilt wear a cloak of mine to elude our enemies?

      ~Roger~ (_missing the point rather_). Nay, if I die, let me die like a man, not like a puling girl. Yet, sweetheart----

      _Enter_ Lord Carey _by ordinary door._

      ~Carey~ (_forgetting himself in his confusion_). Odds my zounds, dod sink me! What murrain is this?

      ~Roger~ (_seizing Sir Thomas's sword, which had been accidentally left behind on the table, as I ought to have said before, and advancing threateningly_). It means, my lord, that a villain's time has come. Wilt say a prayer?

      (_They fight, and Carey is disarmed before they can hurt each other._)

      ~Carey~ (_dying game_). Strike, Master Dale!

      ~Roger.~ Nay, I cannot kill in cold blood.

      (_He throws down his sword._ Lord Carey _exhibits considerable emotion at this, and decides to turn over an entirely new leaf._)

      _Enter two soldiers._

      ~Carey.~ Arrest that man! (Roger _is seized again._) Mistress Dorothy, it is for you to say what shall be done with the prisoner.

      ~Dorothy~ (_standing up if she was sitting down, and sitting down if she was standing up_). Ah, give him to me, my lord!

      ~Carey~ (_joining the hands of Roger and Dorothy_). I trust to you, sweet mistress, to see that the prisoner does not escape again.

      (Dorothy _and_ Roger _embrace each other, if they can do it without causing a scandal in the neighbourhood, and the curtain goes down._)

      XLI. "A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING"

      _The scene is a drawing-room (in which the men are allowed to smoke--or a smoking-room in which the women are allowed to draw--it doesn't much matter) in the house of somebody or other in the country._ George Turnbull _and his old College friend_, Henry Peterson, _are confiding in each other, as old friends will, over their whiskies and cigars. It is about three o'clock in the afternoon._

      ~George~ (_dreamily, helping himself to a stiff soda_). Henry, do you remember that evening at Christ Church College, five years ago, when we opened our hearts to each other?...

      ~Henry~ (_lighting a cigar and hiding it in a fern-pot_). That moonlight evening on the Backs, George, when I had failed in my Matriculation examination?

      ~George.~ Yes; and we promised that when either of us fell in love the other should be the first to hear of it? (_Rising solemnly._) Henry, the moment has come. (_With shining eyes._) I am in love.

      ~Henry~ (_jumping up and grasping him by both hands_). George! My dear old George! (_In a voice broken with emotion._) Bless you, George!

      (_He pats him thoughtfully on the back three times, nods his own head twice, gives him a final grip of the hand, and returns to his chair._)

      ~George~ (_more moved by this than he cares to show_). Thank you, Henry. (_Hoarsely._) You're a good fellow.

      ~Henry~ (_airily, with a typically British desire to conceal his emotion_). Who is the lucky little lady?

      ~George~ (_taking out a picture postcard of the British Museum and kissing it passionately_). Isobel Barley!

      (_If_ Henry _is not careful he will probably give a start of surprise here, with the idea of suggesting to the audience that he_ (1) _knows something about the lady's past, or_ (2) _is in love with her himself. He is, however, thinking of a different play. We shall come to that one in a moment._)

      ~Henry~ (_in a slightly dashing manner_). Little Isobel? Lucky dog!

      ~George.~ I wish I could think so. (_Sighs._) But I have yet to approach her, and she may be another's. (_Fiercely._) Heavens, Henry, if she should be another's!

      _Enter_ Isobel.

      ~Isobel~ (_brightly_). So I've run you to earth at last. Now what have you got to say for yourselves?

      ~Henry~ (_like a man_). By Jove! (_Looking at his watch._) I had no idea--is it really--poor old Joe--waiting----

      (_Dashes out tactfully in a state of incoherence._)

      ~George~ (_rising and leading_ Isobel _to the front of the stage_). Miss Barley, now that we are alone I have something I want to say to you.

      ~Isobel~ (_looking at her watch_). Well, you must be quick. Because I'm engaged.

      (_George drops her hand and staggers away from her._)

      ~Isobel.~ Why, what's the matter?

      ~George~ (_to the audience, in a voice expressing the very deeps of emotion_). Engaged! She is engaged! I am too late!

      (_He sinks into a chair, and covers his face with his hands._)

      ~Isobel~ (_surprised_). Mr. Turnbull! What has happened?

      ~George~ (_waving her away with one hand_). Go! Leave me! I can bear this best alone. (_Exit Isobel._) Merciful heavens, she is plighted to another.

      _Enter_ Henry.

      ~Henry~ (_eagerly_). Well, old man?

      ~George~ (_raising a face white with misery--that is to say, if he has remembered to put the French chalk in the palms of his hands_). Henry, I am too late! She is another's!

      ~Henry~ (_in surprise_). Whose?

      ~George~ (_with dignity_). I did not ask her. It is nothing to me. Good-bye, Henry. Be kind to her.

      ~Henry.~ Why, where are you going?

      ~George~ (_firmly_). To the Rocky Mountains. I shall shoot some bears. СКАЧАТЬ