The Essential G. B. Shaw: Celebrated Plays, Novels, Personal Letters, Essays & Articles. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

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СКАЧАТЬ where some workmen were breakfasting. Here he procured a cheap but plentiful meal,and was directed to the railway station, whither he immediately hastened. A train had just arrived as he entered. As he stood for a moment to watch the passengers coming out, a hand was laid gently on his arm. He turned, and confronted Adrian Herbert, who looked at him with a quiet smile.

      “Well, Charlie,” he said: “so this is Hounslow, is it? What particular branch of engineering are you studying here?”

      “Who told you I was at Hounslow?” said Charlie, with a grin.

      “Your father, whom I met yesterday at Mrs. Hoskyn’s. He told me that you were working very hard at engineering with a tutor. I am sorry to see that your exertions have quite knocked you up.”

      “On the contrary, somebody else’s exertions have knocked me down. No, I ran over here a few days ago for a little change. Of course I didn’t mention it to the governor: he thinks Paris a sink of iniquity. You needn’t mention it to him either, unless you like.”

      “I hope I am too discreet for that. Did you know that Mrs. Herbert is in Paris?”

      “Is she? No, I didn’t know it: I thought she was with you in Kensington. I hope you will have a good time here. ‘‘

      “Thank you. How long do you intend to stay?”

      “Oh, I am going back directly. If I don’t get a train soon, I shall starve; for I have only two or three francs left to keep me in sandwiches during the voyage.”

      “Draw on me if you are inconvenienced.”

      Thanks,” said Carlie, coloring. “but I can get on well enough with what I have — at least if you could spare me I if you could spare me five franks — Thanks awfully. I have run a rig rather this time; for I owe Mary five pounds already on the strength of this trip. It is a mistake coming to Paris. I wish I had stayed at home.”

      “Well, at least you have had some experience for your money. What has happened to your lip? Is it a bruise?”

      “Yes, I got a toss. It’s nothing. I’m awfully obliged for—”

      “Not at all. Have you breakfasted yet? What, already! You are an early bird. I was thinking of asking you to breakfast with me. I do not wish to disturb my wife too early, and so will have to kill some time for a while. By the by, have you ever been introduced to her?

      “No,” “said Charlie hastily; but nothing would induce to me to face her in this trim. I know I look a perfect blackguard. I can’t wash my face; and I have a blue and and green spot right here” — touching the hollow of his chest— “which would make me screech if anyone rubbed me with a brush. In fact I shall take it as a particular favor if you wont mention to her that you have met me. Not that it matters much, of course; but still—”

      “Very well, I shall not breathe a word of it to anyone. Goodbye.*’

      Charlie shook his hand; and they parted. “Now,” thought Charlie, looking after him with a grin, and jingling the borrowed money in his pocket, “if his wife will only hold her tongue, I shall be all right. I wish she was my wife.” And heaving a sigh, he walked slowly away to inquire about the trains.

      Herbert breakfasted alone. When his appetite was appeased, he sat trying to read, and looking repeatedly at his watch. He had resolved not to seek his wife until ten o’clock; but he had miscalculated his patience; and he soon convinced himself that half past nine, or even nine, would be more convenient. Eventually he arrived at ten minutes to nine, and found Madame Szczympliça alone at table in an old crimson bed gown, with her hair as her pillow had left it.

      “Monsieur Adrian!” she exclaimed, much discomposed. “Ah, you take us by surprise. I had but just stepped in to make coffee for the little one. She will be enchanted to see you. And I also.”

      “Do not let me disturb you. I have breakfasted already. Is Aurélie up?”

      “She will be here immediately. How delighted she will be! Are you quite well?”

      Not badly, madame. And you?” I have suffered frightfully with my face. Last night I was unable to go to the concert with Aurélie. It is a great misfortune for me, this neuralgia.”

      “I am very sorry. It is indeed a terrible affliction. Are you quite sure that Aurélie is not fast asleep?”

      “I have made her coffee, mon cher; and I know her too well to do that before she is afoot. Trust me, she will be here in a moment. I hope it is nothing wrong that has brought you to Paris.”

      “Oh no. I wanted a little change; and when you came so near, I determined to run over and meet you. You have been all round Europe since I last saw you.”

      “Ah, what successes, Monsieur Adrian! You cannot figure to yourself how she was received at Budapesth. And at Leipzig too! It was — behold her!”

      Aurélie stopped on the threshold and regarded Adrian with successive expressions of surprise, protest and resignation. He advanced and kissed her cheek gently, longing to clasp her in his arms, but restrained by the presence of her mother. Aurélie paused on her way to the table just long enough to suffer this greeting, and then sat down, exclaiming:

      “I knew it! I knew it from that last letter! Oh thou silly one! Could not Mrs. Hoskyn console thee for yet another week?”

      “How Indifferent she is,” said Madame Sczympliça. “She is glad at heart to see you, Mr. Adrian.” Now, this interference of his motherin law, though made with amiable intention, irritated Herbert. He smiled politely, and turned a little away from her and towards Aurélie”.

      “And SO you have had nothing but triumphs since we parted,” he said, looking fondly at her.

      “What do you know of my triumphs!” she said, raising her head. “You only care for the tunes that one whistles in the streets’ At Prague I turned the world upside down with Monsieur Jacques fantasia. How long do you intend to stay here’”

      “Until you can return with me, of course.”

      “A whole week. You will be tired of your life, unless you go to the Louvre or some such stupidity, and paint.”

      “I shall be content, Aurélie, never fear. Perhaps you will grow a little tired of me.”

      “Oh no, I shall be too busy for that. I have to practise, and to attend rehearsals, and concerts, and private engagements. Oh, I shall not have time to think of you.”

      “Private engagements. Do you mean playing at private houses?”

      “Yes. This afternoon I play at the reception of the Princess — what is she called, mamma?”

      “It does not matter what she is called,” said Herbert. “Surely you are not paid for playing on such occasions?”

      “What! You do not suppose that I play for nothing for people whom I do not know — whose very names I forget. No, I play willingly for my friends, or for the poor; but if the great world wishes to hear me, it must pay. Why do you look so shocked? Would you, then, decorate the saloon of the Princess with pictures for nothing, if she asked you?”

      “It is not exactly the same thing — at least the world does not СКАЧАТЬ