Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour. Maugham William Somerset
Читать онлайн.| Название | Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour |
|---|---|
| Автор произведения | Maugham William Somerset |
| Жанр | Зарубежная драматургия |
| Серия | |
| Издательство | Зарубежная драматургия |
| Год выпуска | 0 |
| isbn |
The important thing is that he should have really nice manners, and that they teach at Oxford if they teach nothing else.
Well, don't you think you'd better wait another twenty years or so before you discuss this?
There are some matters which must be settled at once, Lady Frederick.
You know, young things are fairly independent nowadays. I don't know what they'll be in twenty years' time.
The first thing the boy shall learn is obedience.
Rose. Certainly. There's nothing so hateful as a disobedient child.
I can't see my grandson venturing to disobey me.
Then you're all agreed. So that's settled. I came to tell you your carriage was ready.
Go and put on your bonnet, Rose. [To Lady Frederick.] Are you coming with us?
I'm afraid I can't. Au revoir.
A tout à l'heure.
Have you ever seen in your life any one so entirely delightful as Rose?
[Laughing.] Only when I've looked in the glass.
My dear Elizabeth, how vain you are.
You're very happy, my Gerald.
It's such a relief to have got over all the difficulties. I thought it never would come right. You are a brick, Elizabeth.
I really think I am rather.
The moment you promised to arrange things I felt as safe as a house.
I said I'd do my best, didn't I? And I told you not to worry.
[Turning round suddenly.] Isn't it all right?
No, it's about as wrong as it can possibly be. I knew Cohen was staying here, and I thought I could get him to hold the bills over for a few days.
And won't he?
He hasn't got them any more.
[Startled.] What!
They've been negotiated, and he swears he doesn't know who has them.
But who could have been such a fool?
I don't know, that's just the awful part of it. It was bad enough before. I knew the worst Cohen could do, but now… It couldn't be Paradine.
And then there's Montgomerie.
I shall see him to-day.
What are you going to say to him?
I haven't an idea. I'm rather frightened of him.
You know, dear, if the worst comes to the worst…
Whatever happens you shall marry Rose. I promise you that.
May I come in?
[Gaily.] It's a public room. I don't see how we can possibly prevent you.
I'm just going to take a stroll.
Do.
Well? How are things going?
Quite well, thank you.
I've left Charlie with his mother. I hope you can spare him for a couple of hours.
I told him he must spend the afternoon with her. I don't approve of his neglecting his filial duty.
Ah!.. I saw Dick Cohen this morning.
[Quickly.] Did you?
It seems to interest you?
Not at all. Why should it?
[Smiling.] Nice little man, isn't he?
[Good humouredly.] I wish I had something to throw at you.
[With a laugh.] Well, I haven't got the confounded bills. I was too late.
Did you try?
Oh – yes, I thought it would interest Charlie to know how extremely needful it was for you to marry him.
Then who on earth has got them?
I haven't an idea, but they must make you very uncomfortable. Three thousand five hundred, eh?
Don't say it all at once. It sounds so much.
You wouldn't like to exchange those letters of Mereston's for seven thousand pounds, would you?
[Laughing.] No.
Ah… By the way, d'you mind if I tell Charlie the full story of your – relations with me?
Why should I? It's not I who'll look ridiculous.
Thanks. I may avail myself of your permission.
I daresay you've noticed that Charlie has a very keen sense of humour.
If you're going to be disagreeable to me I shall go. [He stops.] I say, are you quite sure there's nothing else that can be brought up against you?
[Laughing.] Quite sure, thanks.
My sister's very jubilant to-day. What about the Bellingham affair?
Merely scandal, my friend.
Well, look out. She's a woman, and she'll stick at nothing.
I wonder why you warn me.
For the sake of old times, my dear.
You're growing sentimental, Paradine. It's the punishment which the gods inflict on a cynic when he grows old.
It may be, but for the life of me I can't forget that once —
[Interrupting.] My dear friend, don't rake up my lamentable past.
I don't think I've met any one so entirely devoid of sentiment as you are.
Let us agree that I have every vice under the sun and have done with it.
Madame Claude wishes to see your ladyship.
Oh, my dressmaker.
Another