Justine. Frank J. Morlock

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ

      I shall be happy to serve you in any proper way.

      Hairpin

      I am an old man, and I have a soft heart. But, I tell you truly, there is but one proper way you can serve me and that is with your body.

      Justine

      Dear God, is there no charity left among men?

      Hairpin

      I give that I may receive. Charity is nothing but the enjoyment of pride, and I hate pride.

      Justine

      Sir, with principles like these the poor must perish.

      Hairpin

      Let them. There are more people around than necessary as it is.

      Justine

      Do you believe children could respect their parents if they were treated like this?

      Hairpin

      What do children mean to a parent when they are troublesome?

      Justine

      They’d be better off smothered in the cradle.

      Hairpin

      Of course. Such has been the salutary custom in many countries. Soon we shall revive it here. Why let bastards and cripples burden the tax rolls? I look forward to the day when a perfectly rational economy will forbid charity and decree starvation for those who were so ignorant as to be born poor.

      Justine (sobbing)

      Oh, sir, it’s hard to be an orphan.

      Hairpin

      Why complain when it lies within your power to improve your situation?

      Justine

      At what price!

      Hairpin

      I shall not be stingy.

      Justine

      Beast! May heaven punish you as you deserve.

      Hairpin (leaving)

      I hate beggars.

      (Enter Landlady.)

      Landlady

      You stupid little bitch. Think what you are doing.

      Hairpin

      I am an old man with a soft heart. She hasn’t treated me right. She made me so unhappy. (Hairpin wobbles toward the stairs)

      Landlady

      You fool! Do something!

      Justine

      What do you expect me to do?

      Landlady

      Go to him. Make it up with him. Whatever you do, behave like a lady.

      Justine

      Never.

      (Hairpin wobbles downstairs and meets Juliette returning.)

      Juliette

      Have you seen my sister?

      Hairpin

      If that young slut is your sister, the answer is ‘yes.’

      Juliette

      What is wrong?

      Hairpin

      I am an old man, with a soft—how old are you?

      Juliette

      Just sixteen, sir.

      Hairpin

      And, you have been a good girl?

      Juliette

      Oh, yes sir. (winking at him)

      Hairpin

      I might do something for such a girl, if—

      Juliette

      If she were not determined to remain a good girl—?

      Hairpin

      Charming child. You read my mind. But, I should want proof that you have been a good girl till now.

      Juliette

      Sir, you can easily prove it yourself. I am prepared to submit to the most rigorous test.

      Hairpin

      Sweet angel. Will you be kind?

      Juliette

      No. I shall be very cruel. But, I am prepared to give every satisfaction.

      Hairpin (exiting with Juliette)

      Ah, I am so old—and my heart is so soft.

      Landlady (to Justine)

      As for you—since you’re so stubborn, you can go to jail for not paying the rent.

      Blackout

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

/9j/4RctRXhpZgAATU0AKgAAAAgADAEAAAMAAAABAlgAAAEBAAMAAAABAyAAAAECAAMAAAADAAAA ngEGAAMAAAABAAIAAAESAAMAAAABAAEAAAEVAAMAAAABAAMAAAEaAAUAAAABAAAApAEbAAUAAAAB AAAArAEoAAMAAAABAAIAAAExAAIAAAAeAAAAtAEyAAIAAAAUAAAA0odpAAQAAAABAAAA6AAAASAA CAAIAAgACvyAAAAnEAAK/IAAACcQQWRvYmUgUGhvdG9zaG9wIENTNS4xIFdpbmRvd3MAMjAxMjow NTowNCAxMjowOTowMgAAAAAEkAAABwAAAAQwMjIxoAEAAwAAAAEAAQAAoAI

СКАЧАТЬ