Читать книгу Three Plays by Granville Barker: The Marrying of Ann Leete, The Voysey Inheritance & Waste - Granville-Barker Harley - Страница 4

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Shortly after mid-day, while the sun beats strongly upon the terrace, abud is working dexterously at the rose trees. dr. remnant comes down the steps, hatted, and carrying a stick and a book. He is an elderly man with a kind manner; type of the eighteenth century casuistical parson. On his way he stops to say a word to the gardener.

dr. remnant.Will it rain before nightfall?

abud.About then, sir, I should say.

Down the other steps comes mrs. opie, a prim, decorous, but well bred and unobjectionable woman. She is followed by ann.

mrs. opie.A good morning to you, Parson.

dr. remnant.And to you, Mrs. Opie, and to Miss Ann.

ann.Good morning, Dr. Remnant.[To abud.] Have you been here ever since...?

abud.I've had dinner, Miss.

abud's work takes him gradually out of sight.

mrs. opie.We are but just breakfasted.

dr. remnant.I surmise dissipation.

ann.[To mrs. opie.]Thank you for waiting five hours.

mrs. opie.It is my rule to breakfast with you.

dr. remnant.[Exhibiting the book.]I am come to return, and to borrow.

ann.Show me.

dr. remnant.Ballads by Robert Burns.

ann.[Taking it.]I'll put it back.

mrs. opie.[Taking it from her.]I've never heard of him.

dr. remnant.Oh, ma'am, a very vulgar poet!

george leete comes quickly down the steps.

george.[To remnant.]How are you?

dr. remnant.Yours, sir.

george.Ann.

ann.Good morning, George.

george.Did you sleep well?

ann.I always do... but I dreamt.

george.I must sit down for a minute.[Nodding.] Mrs. Opie.

mrs. opie.I wish you a good morning, sir.

george.[To ann.]Don't look so solemn.

lady cottesham comes quickly to the top of the steps.

sarah.Is Papa badly hurt?

ann.[Jumping up.]Oh, what has happened?

george.Not badly.

sarah.He won't see me.

His three children look at each other.

dr. remnant.[Tactfully.]May I go my ways to the library?

sarah.Please do, Doctor Remnant.

dr. remnant.I flatly contradicted all that was being said in the village.

sarah.Thoughtful of you.

dr. remnant.But tell me nothing.

dr. remnant bows formally and goes. george is about to speak when sarah with a look at mrs. opie says...

sarah.George, hold your tongue.

mrs. opie.[With much hauteur.]I am in the way.

At this moment dimmuck, an old but unbenevolent-looking butler, comes to the top of the steps.

dimmuck.The master wants Mrs. Opie.

mrs. opie.Thank you.

george.Your triumph!

mrs. opie is departing radiant.

dimmuck.How was I to know you was in the garden?

mrs. opie.I am sorry to have put you to the trouble of a search, Mr. Dimmuck.

dimmuck.He's in his room.

And he follows her towards the house.

george.Carp fought with him at twelve o'clock.

The other two cannot speak from amazement.

sarah.No!

george.Why, they didn't tell me and I didn't ask. Carp was laughing. Tatton chuckled... afterwards.

sarah.What had he to do?

george.Carp's second.

sarah.Unaccountable children!

george.Feather parade... throw in... parry quarte: over the arm... put by: feint... flanconade and through his arm... damned easy. The father didn't wince or say a word. I bound it up... the sight of blood makes me sick.

After a moment, sarah turns to ann.

sarah.Yes, and you've been a silly child.

george.Ah, give me a woman's guess and the most unlikely reason to account for anything!

ann.I hate that man. I'm glad Papa's not hurt. What about a surgeon?

george.No, you shall kiss the place well, and there'll be poetic justice done.

sarah.How did you all part?

george.With bows and without a word.

sarah.Coming home with him?

george.Not a word.

sarah.Papa's very clever; but I'm puzzled.

george.Something will happen next, no doubt.

ann.Isn't this done with?

sarah.So it seems.

ann.I should like to be told just what the game has been.

george.Bravo, Ann.

ann.Tell me the rules... for next time.

sarah.It would have been most advantageous for us to have formed an alliance with Lord John Carp, who stood here for his father and his father's party... now in opposition.

george.Look upon yourself—not too seriously—Ann, as the instrument of political destiny.

ann.I'm afraid I take in fresh ideas very slowly. Why has Papa given up the Stamp Office?

sarah.His colleagues wouldn't support him.

ann.Why was that?

sarah.They disapproved of what he did.

ann.Did he do right... giving it up?

sarah.Yes.

george.We hope so. Time will tell. An irreverent quipster once named him Carnaby Leech.

sarah.I know.

george.I wonder if his true enemies think him wise to have dropped off the Stamp Office?

ann.Has he quarrelled with Sir Charles?

sarah.Politically.

ann.Isn't that awkward for you?

sarah.Not a bit.

george.Hear a statement that includes our lives. Markswayde goes at his death... see reversionary mortgage. The income's an annuity now. The cash in the house will be ours. The debts are paid... at last.

ann.And there remains me.

george.Bad grammar. Meanwhile our father is a tongue, which is worth buying; but I don't think he ought to go over to the enemy... for the second time.

sarah.One party is as good as another; each works for the same end, I should hope.

george.I won't argue about it.

ann.I suppose that a woman's profession is marriage.

george.My lord has departed.

ann.There'll be others to come. I'm not afraid of being married.

sarah.What did Papa want Mrs. Opie for?

ann.There'll be a great many things I shall want to know about men now.

george.Wisdom cometh with sorrow... oh, my sister.

sarah.I believe you two are both about as selfish as you can be.

george.I am an egotist... with attachments.

ann.Make use of me.

george.Ann, you marry—when you marry—to please yourself.

ann.There's much in life that I don't like, Sally.

sarah.There's much more that you will.

george.I think we three have never talked together before.

abud, who has been in sight on the terrace for a few moments, now comes down the steps.

abud.May I make so bold, sir, as to ask how is Mrs. George Leete?

george.She was well when I last heard.

abud.Thank you, sir.

And he returns to his work.

ann.I wonder will it be a boy or a girl.

george.Poor weak woman.

sarah. Be grateful to her.

ann.A baby is a wonderful thing.

sarah.Babyhood in the abstract... beautiful.

ann.Even kittens...

She stops, and then in rather childish embarrassment, moves away from them.

sarah.Don't shudder, George.

george.I have no wish to be a father. Why?

sarah.It's a vulgar responsibility.

george.My wayside flower!

sarah.Why pick it?

george.Sarah, I love my wife.

sarah.That's easily said.

george.She should be here.

sarah.George, you married to please yourself.

george.By custom her rank is my own.

sarah.Does she still drop her aitches?

george.Dolly...

sarah.Pretty name.

george.Dolly aspires to be one of us.

sarah.Child-bearing makes these women blowzy.

george.Oh heaven!

ann.[Calling to abud on the terrace.]Finish to-day, Abud. If it rains...

She stops, seeing mr. tetgeen standing at the top of the steps leading from the house. This is an intensely respectable, selfcontained-looking lawyer, but a man of the world too.

mr. tetgeen.Lady Cottesham.

sarah.Sir?

mr. tetgeen.My name is Tetgeen.

sarah.Mr. Tetgeen. How do you do?

mr. tetgeen.The household appeared to be in some confusion and I took the liberty to be my own messenger. I am anxious to speak with you.

sarah.Ann, dear, ask if Papa will see you now.

dimmuck appears.

dimmuck.The master wants you, Miss Ann.

sarah.Ask papa if he'll see me soon.

ann goes towards the house.

sarah.Dimmuck, Mr. Tetgeen has been left to find his own way here.

dimmuck.I couldn't help it, my lady.

And he follows ann.

sarah.Our father is confined to his room.

george.By your leave.

Then george takes himself off up the steps, and out of sight. The old lawyer bows to lady cottesham, who regards him steadily.

mr. tetgeen.From Sir Charles... a talking machine.

sarah.Please sit.

He sits carefully upon the rim of the fountain, she upon the seat opposite.

sarah.[Glancing over her shoulder.]Will you talk nonsense until the gardener is out of hearing? He is on his way away. You have had a tiring journey?

mr. tetgeen.Thank you, no... by the night coach to Reading and thence I have walked.

sarah.The country is pretty, is it not?

mr. tetgeen.It compares favourably with other parts.

sarah.Do you travel much, Mr. Tetgeen? He has gone.

mr. tetgeen.[Deliberately and sharpening his tone ever so little.]Sir Charles does not wish to petition for a divorce.

sarah.[Controlling even her sense of humour.]I have no desire to jump over the moon.

mr. tetgeen.His scruples are religious. The case would be weak upon some important points, and there has been no public scandal... at the worst, very little.

sarah.My good manners are, I trust, irreproachable, and you may tell Sir Charles that my conscience is my own.

mr. tetgeen.Your husband's in the matter of...

sarah.Please say the word.

mr. tetgeen.Pardon me... not upon mere suspicion.

sarah.Now, is it good policy to suspect what is incapable of proof?

mr. tetgeen.I advise Sir Charles, that, should you come to an open fight, he can afford to lose.

sarah.And have I no right to suspicions?

mr. tetgeen.Certainly. Are they of use to you?

sarah.I have been a tolerant wife, expecting toleration.

mr. tetgeen.Sir Charles is anxious to take into consideration any complaints you may have to make against him.

sarah.I complain if he complains of me.

mr. tetgeen.For the first time, I think... formally.

sarah.Why not have come to me?

mr. tetgeen.Sir Charles is busy.

sarah.[Disguising a little spasm of pain.]Shall we get to business?

mr. tetgeen now takes a moment to find his phrase.

mr. tetgeen.I don't know the man's name.

sarah.This, surely, is how you might address a seduced housemaid.

mr. tetgeen.But Sir Charles and he, I understand, have talked the matter over.

The shock of this brings sarah to her feet, white with anger.

sarah.Divorce me.

mr. tetgeen.[Sharply.]Is there ground for it?

sarah.[With a magnificent recovery of self control.]I won't tell you that.

mr. tetgeen.I have said we have no case... that is to say, we don't want one; but any information is a weapon in store.

sarah.You did quite right to insult me.

mr. tetgeen.As a rule I despise such methods.

sarah.It's a lie that they met... those two men?

mr. tetgeen.It may be.

sarah.It must be.

mr. tetgeen.I have Sir Charles's word.

Now he takes from his pocket some notes, putting on his spectacles to read them.

sarah.What's this... a written lecture?

mr. tetgeen.We propose... first: that the present complete severance of conjugal relations shall continue. Secondly: that Lady Cottesham shall be at liberty to remove from South Audley Street and Ringham Castle all personal and private effects, excepting those family jewels which have merely been considered her property. Thirdly: Lady Cottesham shall undertake, formally and in writing not to molest—a legal term—Sir Charles Cottesham.[Her handkerchief has dropped, here he picks it up and restores it to her.]Allow me, my lady.

sarah.I thank you.

mr. tetgeen.[Continuing.]Fourthly: Lady Cottesham shall undertake... etc.... not to inhabit or frequent the city and towns of London, Brighthelmstone, Bath, The Tunbridge Wells, and York. Fifthly: Sir Charles Cottesham will, in acknowledgement of the maintenance of this agreement, allow Lady C. the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds per annum, which sum he considers sufficient for the upkeep of a small genteel establishment; use of the house known as Pater House, situate some seventeen miles from the Manor of Barton-le-Street, Yorkshire; coals from the mine adjoining; and from the home farm, milk, butter and eggs.[Then he finds a further note.]Lady Cottesham is not to play cards.

sarah.I am a little fond of play.

mr. tetgeen.There is no question of jointure.

sarah.None. Mr. Tetgeen... I love my husband.

mr. tetgeen.My lady... I will mention it.

sarah.Such a humorous answer to this. No... don't. What is important? Bread and butter... and eggs. Do I take this?

mr. tetgeen.[Handing her the paper.]Please.

sarah.[With the ghost of a smile.]I take it badly.

mr. tetgeen.[Courteously capping her jest.]I take my leave.

sarah.This doesn't call for serious notice? I've done nothing legal by accepting it?

mr. tetgeen.There's no law in the matter; it's one of policy.

sarah.I might bargain for a bigger income.[mr. tetgeen bows.]On the whole I'd rather be divorced.

mr. tetgeen.Sir Charles detests scandal.

sarah.Besides there's no case... is there?

mr. tetgeen.Sir Charles congratulates himself.

sarah.Sir Charles had best not bully me so politely ... tell him.

mr. tetgeen.My lady!

sarah.I will not discuss this impertinence. Did those two men meet and talk... chat together? What d'you think of that?

mr. tetgeen.'Twas very practical. I know that the woman is somehow the outcast.

sarah.A bad woman... an idle woman! But I've tried to do so much that lay to my hands without ever questioning...! Thank you, I don't want this retailed to my husband. You'll take a glass of wine before you go?

mr. tetgeen.Port is grateful.

She takes from her dress two sealed letters.

sarah.Will you give that to Sir Charles... a letter he wrote me which I did not open. This, my answer, which I did not send.

He takes the one letter courteously, the other she puts back.

sarah.I'm such a coward, Mr. Tetgeen.

mr. tetgeen.May I say how sorry...?

sarah.Thank you.

mr. tetgeen.And let me apologise for having expressed one opinion of my own.

sarah.He wants to get rid of me. He's a bit afraid of me, you know, because I fight... and my weapons are all my own. This'll blow over.

mr. tetgeen.[With a shake of the head.]You are to take this offer as final.

sarah.Beyond this?

mr. tetgeen.As I hinted, I am prepared to advise legal measures.

sarah.I could blow it over... but I won't perhaps. I must smile at my husband's consideration in suppressing even to you... the man's name. Butter and eggs ... and milk. I should grow fat.

ann appears suddenly.

ann.We go to Brighton to-morrow![And she comes excitedly to her sister.]

sarah.Was that duel a stroke of genius?

ann.All sorts of things are to happen.

sarah.[Turning from her to mr. tetgeen.]And you'll walk as far as Reading?

mr. tetgeen.Dear me, yes.

sarah.[To ann.]I'll come back.

sarah takes mr. tetgeen towards the house. ann seats herself. After a moment lord john carp, his clothes dusty with some riding appears from the other quarter. She looks up to find him gazing at her.

lord john.Ann, I've ridden back to see you.

ann.[After a moment.]We're coming to Brighton to-morrow.

lord john.Good.

ann.Papa's not dead.

lord john.[With equal cheerfulness.]That's good.

ann.And he said we should be seeing more of you.

lord john.Here I am. I love you, Ann.[He goes on his knees.]

ann.D'you want to marry me?

lord john.Yes.

ann.Thank you very much; it'll be very convenient for us all. Won't you get up?

lord john.At your feet.

ann.I like it.

lord john.Give me your hand.

ann.No.

lord john.You're beautiful.

ann.I don't think so. You don't think so.

lord john.I do think so.

ann.I should like to say I don't love you.

lord john.Last night you kissed me.

ann.Do get up, please.

lord john.As you wish.

Now he sits by her.

ann.Last night you were nobody in particular... to me.

lord john.I love you.

ann.Please don't; I can't think clearly.

lord john.Look at me.

ann.I'm sure I don't love you because you're making me feel very uncomfortable and that wouldn't be so.

lord john.Then we'll think.

ann.Papa... perhaps you'd rather not talk about Papa.

lord john.Give yourself to me.

ann.[Drawing away from him.]Four words! There ought to be more in such a sentence... it's ridiculous. I want a year to think about its meaning. Don't speak.

lord john.Papa joins our party.

ann.That's what we're after... thank you.

lord john.I loathe politics.

ann.Tell me something against them.

lord john.In my opinion your father's not a much bigger blackguard—I beg your pardon—than the rest of us.

ann.... Miserable sinners.

lord john.Your father turns his coat. Well...?

ann.I see nothing at all in that.

lord john.What's right and what's wrong?

ann.Papa's right... for the present. When shall we be married?

lord john.Tomorrow?

ann.[Startled.]If you knew that it isn't easy for me to be practical you wouldn't make fun.

lord john.Why not tomorrow?

ann.Papa—

lord john.Papa says yes.. suppose.

ann.I'm very young.. not to speak of clothes. I must have lots of new dresses.

lord john.Ask me for them.

ann.Why do you want to marry me?

lord john.I love you.

ann.It suddenly occurs to me that sounds unpleasant.

lord john.I love you.

ann.Out of place.

lord john.I love you.

ann.What if Papa were to die?

lord john.I want you.

ann.I'm nothing.. I'm nobody.. I'm part of my family.

lord john.I want you.

ann.Won't you please forget last night?

lord john.I want you. Look straight at me.

She looks, and stays fascinated.

lord john.If I say now that I love you—

ann.I know it.

lord john.And love me?

ann.I suppose so.

lord john.Make sure.

ann.But I hate you too.. I know that.

lord john.Shall I kiss you?

ann.[Helplessly.]Yes.

He kisses her full on the lips.

ann.I can't hate you enough.

lord john.[Triumphantly.]Speak the truth now.

ann.I feel very degraded.

lord john.Nonsense.

ann.[Wretchedly.]This is one of the things which don't matter.

lord john.Ain't you to be mine?

ann.You want the right to behave like that as well as the power.

lord john.You shall command me.

ann.[With a poor laugh.]I rather like this in a way.

lord john.Little coquette!

ann.It does tickle my vanity.

For a moment he sits looking at her, then shakes himself to his feet.

lord john.Now I must go.

ann.Yes.. I want to think.

lord john.For Heaven's sake.. no!

ann.I came this morning straight to where we were last night.

lord john.As I hung about the garden my heart was beating.

ann.I shall like you better when you're not here.

lord john.We're to meet in Brighton?

ann.I'm afraid so.

lord john.Good-bye.

ann.There's just a silly sort of attraction between certain people, I believe.

lord john.Can you look me in the eyes and say you don't love me?

ann.If I looked you in the eyes you'd frighten me again. I can say anything.

lord john.You're a deep child.

george leete appears on the terrace.

george.My lord!

lord john.[Cordially.]My dear Leete.

george.No.. I am not surprised to see you.

ann.George, things are happening.

lord john.Shake hands.

george.I will not.

ann.Lord John asks me to be married to him. Shake hands.

george.Why did you fight?

ann.Why did you fight?

lord john.[Shrugging.]Your father struck me.

ann.Now you've hurt him.. that's fair.

Then the two men do shake hands, not heartily.

george.We've trapped you, my lord.

lord john.I know what I want. I love your sister.

ann.I don't like you.. but if you're good and I'm good we shall get on.

george.Why shouldn't one marry politically?

lord john.[In ann's ear.]I love you.

ann.No.. no.. no.. no.. no..[Discovering in this an echo of her father, she stops short.]

george.We're a cold-blooded family.

lord john.I don't think so.

george.I married for love.

lord john.Who doesn't? But, of course there should be other reasons.

george.You won't receive my wife.

lord john.Here's your sister.

lady cottesham comes from the direction of the house.

sarah.Back again?

lord john.You see.

From the other side appears mr. tatton.

mr. tatton.As you all seem to be here I don't mind interrupting.

george.[Hailing him.]Well.. neighbour?

mr. tatton.Come.. come.. what's a little fighting more or less!

george.Bravo, English sentiment.. relieves a deal of awkwardness.

The two shake hands.

sarah.[Who by this has reached lord john.].. And back so soon?

ann.Lord John asks to marry me.

lord john.Yes.

mr. tatton.I guessed so.. give me a bit of romance!

sarah.[Suavely.]This is perhaps a little sudden, my dear Lord John. Papa may naturally be a little shocked.

george.Not at all, Sarah.

mr. tatton.How's the wound?

george.Not serious.. nothing's serious.

sarah.You are very masterful, wooing sword in hand.

ann.George and I have explained to Lord John that we are all most anxious to marry me to him and he doesn't mind—

lord john.Being made a fool of. I love—

ann.I will like you.

george.Charming cynicism, my dear Sarah.

mr. tatton.Oh, Lord!

ann.[To her affianced.]Good-bye now.

lord john.When do I see you?

ann.Papa says soon.

lord john.Very soon, please. Tatton, my friend, Brighton's no nearer.

mr. tatton.Lady Cottesham.. Miss Leete.. I kiss your hands.

lord john.[Ebulliently clapping george on the back.] Look more pleased.[Then he bends over lady cottesham's hand.]Lady Charlie.. my service to you.. all. Ann.[And he takes ann's hand to kiss.]

ann.If I can think better of all this, I shall. Good-bye.

She turns away from him. He stands for a moment considering her, but follows tatton away through the orchard. george and sarah are watching their sister, who then comments on her little affair with life.

ann.I'm growing up.[Then with a sudden tremor.] Sally, don't let me be forced to marry.

george.Force of circumstances, my dear Ann.

ann.Outside things. Why couldn't I run away from this garden and over the hills?.. I suppose there's something on the other side of the hills.

sarah.You'd find yourself there.. and circumstances.

ann.So I'm trapped as well as that Lord John.

sarah.What's the injury?

ann.I'm taken by surprise and I know I'm ignorant and I think I'm learning things backwards.

george.You must cheer up and say: John's not a bad sort.

sarah.A man of his age is a young man.

ann.I wish you wouldn't recommend him to me.

sarah.Let's think of Brighton. What about your gowns?

ann.I've nothing to wear.

sarah.We'll talk to Papa.

george.The war-purse is always a long one.

sarah.George.. be one of us for a minute.

george.But I want to look on too, and laugh.

sarah.[Caustically.]Yes.. that's your privilege.. except occasionally.[Then to her sister.]I wish you all the happiness of courtship days.

george.Arcadian expression!

ann.I believe it means being kissed.. often.

sarah.Have you not a touch of romance in you, little girl?

ann.Am I not like Mr. Dan Tatton? He kisses dairy-maids and servants and all the farmer's daughters.. I beg your pardon, George.

george.[Nettled.]I'll say to you, Ann, that—in all essentials—one woman is as good as another.

sarah.That is not so in the polite world.

george.When you consider it no one lives in the polite world.

ann.Do they come outside for air sooner or later?

sarah.[Briskly.]Three best dresses you must have and something very gay if you're to go near the Pavilion.

ann.You're coming to Brighton, Sally?

sarah.No.

ann.Why not?

sarah.I don't wish to meet my husband.

george.That man was his lawyer.

ann.The political difference, Sally?

sarah.Just that.[Then with a deft turn of the subject.]I don't say that yours is a pretty face, but I should think you would have charm.

george.For fashion's sake cultivate sweetness.

sarah.You dance as well as they know how in Reading.

ann.Yes.. I can twiddle my feet.

sarah.Do you like dancing?

ann.I'd sooner walk.

george.What.. and get somewhere!

ann.Here's George laughing.

sarah.He's out of it.

ann.Are you happy, George?

george.Alas.. Dolly's disgraceful ignorance of etiquette damns us both from the beautiful drawing-room.

sarah.That laugh is forced. But how can you... look on?

There is a slight pause in their talk. Then...

ann.He'll bully me with love.

sarah.Your husband will give you just what you ask for.

ann.I hate myself too. I want to take people mentally.

george.You want a new world.. you new woman.

ann.And I'm a good bit frightened of myself.

sarah.We have our places to fill in this. My dear child, leave futile questions alone.

george.Neither have I any good advice to give you.

ann.I think happiness is a thing one talks too much about.

dimmuck appears. And by now abud's work has brought him back to the terrace.

dimmuck.The master would like to see your Ladyship now.

sarah.I'll say we've had a visitor.. Guess.

george.And you've had a visitor, Sarah.

ann.Papa will know.

sarah.Is he in a questioning mood?

ann.I always tell everything.

sarah.It saves time.

She departs towards the house.

dimmuck.Mr. George.

george.What is it?

dimmuck.He said No to a doctor when I haven't even mentioned the matter. Had I better send..?

george.Do.. if you care to waste the doctor's time.

dimmuck gives an offended sniff and follows lady cottesham.

ann.I could sit here for days. George, I don't think I quite believe in anything I've been told yet.

george.What's that man's name?

ann.John—John is a common name—John Abud.

george.Abud!

abud.Sir?

george.Come here.

abud obediently walks towards his young master and stands before him.

george.Why did you ask after the health of Mrs. George Leete?

abud.We courted once.

george.[After a moment.]Listen, Ann. Do you hate me, John Abud?

abud.No, sir.

george.You're a fine looking fellow. How old are you?

abud.Twenty-seven, sir.

george.Is Once long ago?

abud.Two years gone.

george.Did Mrs. Leete quarrel with you?

abud.No, sir.

george.Pray tell me more.

abud.I was beneath her.

george.But you're a fine-looking fellow.

abud.Farmer Crowe wouldn't risk his daughter being unhappy.

george.But she was beneath me.

abud.That was another matter, sir.

george.I don't think you intend to be sarcastic.

abud.And.. being near her time for the first time, sir.. I wanted to know if she is in danger of dying yet.

george.Every precaution has been taken. . a nurse. . there is a physician near. I need not tell you.. but I do tell you.

abud.Thank you, sir.

george.I take great interest in my wife.

abud.We all do, sir.

george.Was it ambition that you courted her?

abud.I thought to start housekeeping.

george.Did you aspire to rise socially?

abud.I wanted a wife to keep house, sir.

george.Are you content?

abud.I think so, sir.

george.With your humble position?

abud.I'm a gardener, and there'll always be gardens.

george.Frustrated affections.. I beg your pardon... To have been crossed in love should make you bitter and ambitious.

abud.My father was a gardener and my son will be a gardener if he's no worse a man than I and no better.

george.Are you married?

abud.No, sir.

george.Are you going to be married?

abud.Not especially, sir.

george.Yes.. you must marry.. some decent woman; we want gardeners.

abud.Do you want me any more now, sir?

george.You have interested me. You can go back to your work.

abud obeys.

george.[Almost to himself.]I am hardly human.

He slowly moves away and out of sight.

ann.John Abud.

He comes back and stands before her too.

ann.I am very sorry for you.

abud.I am very much obligated to you, Miss.

ann.Both those sayings are quite meaningless. Say something true about yourself.

abud.I'm not sorry for myself.

ann.I won't tell. It's very clear you ought to be in a despairing state. Don't stand in the sun with your hat off.

abud.[Putting on his hat.]Thank you, Miss.

ann.Have you nearly finished the rose-trees?

abud.I must work till late this evening.

ann.Weren't you ambitious for Dolly's sake?

abud.She thought me good enough.

ann.I'd have married her.

abud.She was ambitious for me.

ann.And are you frightened of the big world?

abud.Fine things dazzle me sometimes.

ann.But gardening is all that you're fit for?

abud.I'm afraid so, Miss.

ann.But it's great to be a gardener.. to sow seeds and to watch flowers grow and to cut away dead things.

abud.Yes, Miss.

ann.And you're in the fresh air all day.

abud.That's very healthy.

ann.Are you very poor?

abud.I get my meals in the house.

ann.Rough clothes last a long time.

abud.I've saved money.

ann.Where do you sleep?

abud.At Mrs. Hart's.. at a cottage.. it's a mile off.

ann.And you want no more than food and clothes and a bed and you earn all that with your hands.

abud.The less a man wants, Miss, the better.

ann.But you mean to marry?

abud.Yes.. I've saved money.

ann.Whom will you marry? Would you rather not say? Perhaps you don't know yet?

abud.It's all luck what sort of a maid a man gets fond of. It won't be a widow.

ann.Be careful, John Abud.

abud.No.. I shan't be careful.

ann.You'll do very wrong to be made a fool of.

abud.I'm safe, Miss; I've no eye for a pretty face.

dimmuck arrives asthmatically at the top of the steps.

dimmuck.Where's Mr. George? Here's a messenger come post.

ann.Find him, Abud.

abud.[To dimmuck.]From Dolly?

dimmuck.Speak respectful.

abud.Is it from his wife?

dimmuck.Go find him.

ann.[As abud is immovable.]Dimmuck... tell me about Mrs. George.

dimmuck.She's doing well, Miss.

abud.[Shouting joyfully now.]Mr. George! Mr. George!

ann.A boy or a girl, Dimmuck?

dimmuck.Yes, Miss.

abud.Mr. George! Mr. George!

dimmuck.Ecod.. is he somewhere else?

dimmuck, somewhat excited himself, returns to the house.

ann.George!

abud.Mr. George! Mr. George!

george comes slowly along the terrace, in his hand an open book, which some people might suppose he was reading. He speaks with studied calm.

george.You are very excited, my good man.

abud.She's brought you a child, sir.

ann.Your child!

george.Certainly.

abud.Thank God, Sir!

george.I will if I please.

ann.And she's doing well.

abud.There's a messenger come post.

george.To be sure.. it might have been bad news.

And slowly he crosses the garden towards the house.

abud.[Suddenly, beyond all patience.]Run.. damn you!

george makes one supreme effort to maintain his dignity, but fails utterly. He gasps out...

george.Yes, I will.[And runs off as hard as he can.]

abud.[In an ecstasy.]This is good. Oh, Dolly and God.. this is good!

ann.[Round eyed.]I wonder that you can be pleased.

abud.[Apologising.. without apology.]It's life.

ann.[Struck.]Yes, it is.

And she goes towards the house, thinking this over.