The Princess Casamassima. Frank J. Morlock

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      Poupin

      We may not see it, but They will see it.

      Paul

      What do you mean, shake the globe?

      Poupin

      I mean that force will make the bourgeoisie go down to their cellars and hide—behind their barrels of wine and their heaps of gold.

      (Hyacinth quietly reenters; he is expected and the discussion continues without interruption. Someone says “You’re late.”)

      Madame

      And, in this country, I hope in their coal bins. La, la, we shall find them even there.

      Poupin

      Eighty-nine was an irresistible force.

      Paul

      Yes, I know, I know you fought them. But everything is yet to be tried.

      Poupin

      Oh, the trial will be on a grand scale. Soyez tranquille.

      Madame (indicating Hyacinth and Paul)

      You ought to present these gentlemen.

      Poupin

      Monsieur Hyacinth is a gifted child—a child in whom I take a tender interest—a child who has an account to settle. Oh, a thumping big one! Isn’t that so, mon petit?

      Hyacinth

      Oh, I only want them to leave me alone.

      Poupin

      He’s very young.

      Madame

      He’s the person we have seen in this country that we like the best.

      Paul

      Perhaps he’s French.

      Hyacinth

      Oh, I’m nothing.

      Madame

      Do you mean to say you’re not as good as anyone else in this world? I should like to see—!

      Paul

      We all have an account to settle, don’t you know?

      Madame

      It is a shame not to take Monsieur Hyacinth in.

      Poupin

      All in good time, all in good time. Monsieur Hyacinth knows that I count on him, whether I make him an intern today or tomorrow.

      Hyacinth

      What do you mean “intern”?

      Poupin

      Do not trifle with state secrets. You are too young.

      Madame

      One is never too young to do one’s bit.

      Paul

      Can you keep a secret?

      Hyacinth

      Is it a plot? A conspiracy?

      Poupin

      He asks as if he were asking for plum pudding. It’s terribly serious, my child.

      Paul

      It’s a group of workers to which he (indicating Poupin) and I, and a good many others belong. (Poupin scowls) There’s no harm in telling him that.

      Madame

      I advise you not to tell it to Miz Pinnie; she’s quite in the old ideas.

      Vetch

      I quite agree. Pinnie thinks we are merely having a social gathering.

      Hyacinth

      If you’ve got some plan, something to which one can give one’s self— I think you might tell me.

      Poupin

      It’s an accident you haven’t met Paul here before.

      Madame

      How could they have met, when Mr. Paul never comes? He doesn’t spoil us!

      Paul (seriously)

      Well, you see, I have my little sister at home to take care of. This afternoon, luckily, a lady came to sit with her.

      Madame

      A lady—a real lady?

      Paul

      Oh yes, every inch a lady.

      Madame

      Why do you permit them to thrust themselves in on you, simply because you have the misfortune to be poor? It seems to be the custom in this country—but it wouldn’t suit me, or any other person from France at all. I should like to see one of ces dames, one of the real ones, coming to sit with me.

      Paul

      Oh, you’re not a cripple. You’ve got the use of your legs, whereas Rosy—

      Madame

      Yes, and my tongue!

      Paul

      This lady looks after several others in our tenement—and reads to my sister.

      Madame

      It would enrage me! You are too patient, you English.

      Paul

      We need patience. We shall never do anything without that.

      Poupin

      You’re perfectly right about that. You cannot say it too often. It will be a tremendous job. Only the strong will prevail.

      Paul (to Hyacinth)

      Madame says we ought to know each other—

      Hyacinth

      Will you tell me all about your plot?

      Paul (warily)

      It’s not a plot. I don’t care much for plots. It’s just taking a stand on two or three points.

      Poupin

      A stand, that’s what we must СКАЧАТЬ