Читать книгу Three Plays by Granville Barker: The Marrying of Ann Leete, The Voysey Inheritance & Waste - Granville-Barker Harley - Страница 5

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It is near to sunset. The garden is shadier than before.

abud is still working. carnaby leete comes from the house followed by dr. remnant. He wears his right arm in a sling. His face is flushed, his speech rapid.

carnaby.Parson, you didn't drink enough wine... damme, the wine was good.

dr. remnant.I am very grateful for an excellent dinner.

carnaby.A good dinner, sir, is the crown to a good day's work.

dr. remnant.It may also be a comfort in affliction. Our philosophy does ill, Mr. Leete, when it despises the more simple means of contentment.

carnaby.And which will be the better lover of a woman, a hungry or a well-fed man?

dr. remnant.A good meal digests love with it; for what is love but a food to live by.. but a hungry love will ofttimes devour its owner.

carnaby.Admirable! Give me a man in love to deal with. Vous l'avez vu?

dr. remnant.Speak Latin, Greek or Hebrew to me, Mr. Leete.

carnaby.French is the language of little things. My poor France! Ours is a little world, Parson... a man may hold it here.[His open hand.]Lord John Carp's a fine fellow.

dr. remnant.Son of a Duke.

carnaby.And I commend to you the originality of his return. At twelve we fight... at one-thirty he proposes marriage to my daughter. D'ye see him humbly on his knees? Will there be rain, I wonder?

dr. remnant.We need rain.. Abud?

abud.Badly, sir.

carnaby.Do we want a wet journey tomorrow! Where's Sarah?

dr. remnant.Lady Cottesham's taking tea.

carnaby.[To abud with a sudden start.]And why the devil didn't you marry my daughter-in-law.. my own gardener?

george appears dressed for riding.

george.Good-bye, sir, for the present.

carnaby.Boots and breeches!

george.You shouldn't be about in the evening air with a green wound in your arm. You drank wine at dinner. Be careful, sir.

carnaby.Off to your wife and the expected?

george.Yes, sir.

carnaby.Riding to Watford?

george.From there alongside the North Coach, if I'm in time.

carnaby.Don't founder my horse. Will ye leave the glorious news with your grandfather at Wycombe?

george.I won't fail to.[Then to abud.]We've been speaking of you.

abud.It was never any secret, sir.

george.Don't apologise.

Soon after this abud passes out of sight.

carnaby.Nature's an encumbrance to us, Parson.

dr. remnant.One disapproves of flesh uninspired.

carnaby.She allows you no amusing hobbies.. always takes you seriously.

george.Good-bye, Parson.

dr. remnant.[As he bows.]Your most obedient.

carnaby.And you trifle with damnable democracy, with pretty theories of the respect due to womanhood and now the result... hark to it squalling.

dr. remnant.Being fifty miles off might not one say: The cry of the new-born?

carnaby.Ill-bred babies squall. There's no poetic glamour in the world will beautify an undesired infant .. George says so.

george.I did say so.

carnaby.I feel the whole matter deeply.

george half laughs.

carnaby.George, after days of irritability, brought to bed of a smile. That's a home thrust of a metaphor.

george laughs again.

carnaby.Twins!

george.Yes, a boy and a girl... I'm the father of a boy and a girl.

carnaby.[In dignified, indignant horror.]No one of you dared tell me that much!

sarah and ann come from the house.

george.You could have asked me for news of your grandchildren.

carnaby.Twins is an insult.

sarah.But you look very cheerful, George.

george.I am content.

sarah.I'm surprised.

george.I am surprised.

sarah.Now what names for them?

carnaby.No family names, please.

george.We'll wait for a dozen years or so and let them choose their own.

dr. remnant.But, sir, christening will demand—

carnaby.Your son should have had my name, sir.

george.I know the rule.. as I have my grandfather's which I take no pride in.

sarah.George!

george.Not to say that it sounds his, not mine.

carnaby.Our hopes of you were high once.

george.Sarah, may I kiss you?[He kisses her cheek.] Let me hear what you decide to do.

carnaby.The begetting you, sir, was a waste of time.

george.[Quite pleasantly.]Don't say that.

At the top of the steps ann is waiting for him.

ann.I'll see you into the saddle.

george.Thank you, sister Ann.

ann.Why didn't you leave us weeks ago?

george.Why!

They pace away, arm-in-arm.

carnaby.[Bitterly.]Glad to go! Brighton, Sarah.

sarah.No, I shall not come, Papa.

carnaby.Coward.[Then to remnant.]Good-night.

dr. remnant.[Covering the insolent dismissal.]With your kind permission I will take my leave.[Then he bows to sarah.]Lady Cottesham.

sarah.[Curtseying.]Doctor Remnant, I am yours.

carnaby.[Sitting by the fountain, stamping his foot.] Oh, this cracked earth! Will it rain.. will it rain?

dr. remnant.I doubt now. That cloud has passed.

carnaby.Soft, pellucid rain! There's a good word and I'm not at all sure what it means.

dr. remnant.Per.. lucere... letting light through.

remnant leaves them.

carnaby.Soft, pellucid rain!.. thank you. Brighton, Sarah.

sarah.Ann needs new clothes.

carnaby.See to it.

sarah.I shall not be there.

She turns from him.

carnaby.Pretty climax to a quarrel!

sarah.Not a quarrel.

carnaby.A political difference.

sarah.Don't look so ferocious.

carnaby.My arm is in great pain and the wine's in my head.

sarah.Won't you go to bed?

carnaby.I'm well enough.. to travel. This marriage makes us safe, Sarah.. an anchor in each camp.. There's a mixed metaphor.

sarah.If you'll have my advice, Papa, you'll keep those plans clear from Ann's mind.

carnaby.John Carp is so much clay.. a man of forty ignorant of himself.

sarah.But if the Duke will not..

carnaby.The Duke hates a scandal.

sarah.Does he detest scandal!

carnaby.The girl is well-bred and harmless.. why publicly quarrel with John and incense her old brute of a father? There's the Duke in a score of words. He'll take a little time to think it out so.

sarah.And I say: Do you get on the right side of the Duke once again,—that's what we've worked for—and leave these two alone.

carnaby.Am I to lose my daughter?

sarah.Papa.. your food's intrigue.

carnaby.Scold at Society.. and what's the use?

sarah.We're over-civilized.

ann rejoins them now. The twilight is gathering.

carnaby.My mother's very old... your grandfather's younger and seventy-nine.. he swears I'll never come into the title. There's little else.

sarah.You're feverish.. why are you saying this?

carnaby.Ann.. George.. George via Wycombe.. Wycombe Court.. Sir George Leete baronet, Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant.. the thought's tumbled. Ann, I first saw your mother in this garden.. there.

ann.Was she like me?

sarah.My age when she married.

carnaby.She was not beautiful.. then she died.

ann.Mr. Tatton thinks it a romantic garden.

carnaby.[Pause.]D'ye hear the wind sighing through that tree?

ann.The air's quite still.

carnaby.I hear myself sighing.. when I first saw your mother in this garden... that's how it was done.

sarah.For a woman must marry.

carnaby.[Rises.]You all take to it as ducks to water.. but apple sauce is quite correct.. I must not mix metaphors.

mrs. opie comes from the house.

sarah.Your supper done, Mrs. Opie?

mrs. opie.I eat little in the evening.

sarah.I believe that saves digestion.

mrs. opie.Ann, do you need me more to-night?

ann.Not any more.

mrs. opie.Ann, there is gossip among the servants about a wager...

ann.Mrs. Opie, that was... yesterday.

mrs. opie.Ann, I should be glad to be able to contradict a reported.. embrace.

ann.I was kissed.

mrs. opie.I am shocked.

carnaby.Mrs. Opie, is it possible that all these years I have been nourishing a prude in my.. back drawing-room?

mrs. opie.I presume I am discharged of Ann's education; but as the salaried mistress of your household, Mr. Leete, I am grieved not to be able to deny such a rumour to your servants.

She sails back, righteously indignant.

carnaby.Call out that you're marrying the wicked man.. comfort her.

sarah.Mrs. Opie!

carnaby.Consider that existence. An old maid.. so far as we know. Brevet rank.. missis. Not pleasant.

ann.She wants nothing better.. at her age.

sarah.How forgetful!

carnaby.[The force of the phrase growing.]Brighton, Sarah.

sarah.Now you've both read the love-letter which Tetgeen brought me.

carnaby.Come to Brighton.

ann.Come to Brighton, Sally.

sarah.No. I have been thinking. I think I will accept the income, the house, coals, butter and eggs.

carnaby.I give you a fortnight to bring your husband to his knees.. to your feet.

sarah.I'm not sure that I could. My marriage has come naturally to an end.

carnaby.Sarah, don't annoy me.

sarah.Papa, you joined my bridegroom's political party.. now you see fit to leave it.

She glances at ann, who gives no sign, however.

carnaby.What have you been doing in ten years?

sarah.Waiting for this to happen.. now I come to think.

carnaby.Have ye the impudence to tell me that ye've never cared for your husband?

sarah.I was caught by the first few kisses; but he...

carnaby.Has he ever been unkind to you?

sarah.Never. He's a gentleman through and through... quite charming to live with.

carnaby.I see what more you expect. And he neither drinks nor.. nor.. no one even could suppose your leaving him.

sarah.No. I'm disgraced.

carnaby.Fight for your honour.

sarah.You surprise me sometimes by breaking out into cant phrases.

carnaby.What is more useful in the world than honour?

sarah.I think we never had any.. we!

carnaby.Give me more details. Tell me, who is this man?

sarah.I'm innocent.. if that were all.

ann.Sally, what do they say you've done?

sarah.I cry out like any poor girl.

carnaby.There must be no doubt that you're innocent. Why not go for to force Charles into court?

sarah.My innocence is not of the sort which shows up well.

carnaby.Hold publicity in reserve. No fear of the two men arranging to meet, is there?

sarah.They've met.. and they chatted about me.

carnaby.[After a moment.]There's sound humour in that.

sarah.I shall feel able to laugh at them both from Yorkshire.

carnaby.God forbid! Come to Brighton.. we'll rally Charles no end.

sarah.Papa, I know there's nothing to be done.

carnaby.Coward!

sarah.Besides I don't think I want to go back to my happiness.

They are silent for a little.

carnaby.How still! Look.. leaves falling already. Can that man hear what we're saying?

sarah.[To ann.]Can Abud overhear?

ann.I've never talked secrets in the garden before to-day.[Raising her voice but a very little.]Can you hear me, Abud?

No reply comes.

carnaby.Evidently not. There's brains shown in a trifle.

sarah.Does your arm pain you so much?

ann.Sarah, this man that you're fond of and that's not your husband is not by any chance Lord John Carp?

sarah.No.

ann.Nothing would surprise me.

sarah.You are witty.. but a little young to be so hard.

carnaby.Keep to your innocent thoughts.

ann.I must study politics.

sarah.We'll stop talking of this.

ann.No.. let me listen.. quite quietly.

carnaby.Let her listen.. she's going to be married.

sarah.Good luck, Ann.

carnaby.I have great hopes of Ann.

sarah.I hope she may be heartless. To be heartless is to be quite safe.

carnaby.Now we detect a taste of sour grapes in your mouth.

sarah.Butter and eggs.

carnaby.We must all start early in the morning. Sarah will take you, Ann, round the Brighton shops.. fine shops. You shall have the money...

sarah.I will not come with you.

carnaby.[Vexedly.]How absurd.. how ridiculous.. to persist in your silly sentiment.

sarah.[Her voice rising.]I'm tired of that world.. which goes on and on, and there's no dying... one grows into a ghost.. visible.. then invisible. I'm glad paint has gone out of fashion... the painted ghosts were very ill to see.

carnaby.D'ye scoff at civilisation?

sarah.Look ahead for me.

carnaby.Banished to a hole in the damned provinces! But you're young yet, you're charming.. you're the wife .. and the honest wife of one of the country's best men. My head aches. D'ye despise good fortune's gifts? Keep as straight in your place in the world as you can. A monthly packet of books to Yorkshire.. no.. you never were fond of reading. Ye'd play patience.. cultivate chess problems.. kill yourself!

sarah.When one world fails take another.

carnaby.You have no more right to commit suicide than to desert the society you were born into. My head aches.

sarah.George is happy.

carnaby.D'ye dare to think so?

sarah.No. . it's a horrible marriage.

carnaby.He's losing refinement.. mark me.. he no longer polishes his nails.

sarah.But there are the children now.

carnaby.You never have wanted children.

sarah.I don't want a little child.

carnaby.She to be Lady Leete.. someday.. soon! What has he done for his family?

sarah.I'll come with you. You are clever, Papa. And I know just what to say to Charles.

carnaby.[With a curious change of tone.]If you study anatomy you'll find that the brain, as it works, pressing forward the eyes.. thought is painful. Never be defeated. Chapter the latest.. the tickling of the Carp. And my throat is dry.. shall I drink that water?

sarah.No, I wouldn't.

carnaby.Not out of my hand?

ann.[Speaking in a strange quiet voice, after her long silence.]I will not come to Brighton with you.

carnaby.Very dry!

ann.You must go back, Sally.

carnaby.[As he looks at her, standing stiffly.]Now what is Ann's height.. five feet..?

ann.Sally must go back, for she belongs to it.. but I'll stay here where I belong.

carnaby.You've spoken three times and the words are jumbling in at my ears meaninglessly. I certainly took too much wine at dinner.. or else... Yes.. Sally goes back. . and you'll go forward. Who stays here? Don't burlesque your sister. What's in the air.. what disease is this?

ann.I mean to disobey you.. to stay here.. never to be unhappy.

carnaby.So pleased!

ann.I want to be an ordinary woman.. not clever.. not fortunate.

carnaby.I can't hear.

ann.Not clever. I don't believe in you, Papa.

carnaby.I exist.. I'm very sorry.

ann.I won't be married to any man. I refuse to be tempted.. I won't see him again.

carnaby.Yes. It's raining.

sarah.Raining!

carnaby.Don't you stop it raining.

ann.[In the same level tones, to her sister now, who otherwise would turn, alarmed, to their father.]And I curse you.. because, we being sisters, I suppose I am much what you were, about to be married; and I think, Sally, you'd have cursed your present self. I could become all that you are and more.. but I don't choose.

sarah.Ann, what is to become of you?

carnaby.Big drops.. big drops!

At this moment abud is passing towards the house, his work finished.

ann.John Abud.. you mean to marry. When you marry.. will you marry me?

A blank silence, into which breaks carnaby's sick voice.

carnaby.Take me indoors. I heard you ask the gardener to marry you.

ann.I asked him.

carnaby.I heard you say that you asked him. Take me in.. but not out of the rain.

ann.Look.. he's straight-limbed and clear eyed.. and I'm a woman.

sarah.Ann, are you mad?

ann.If we two were alone here in this garden and everyone else in the world were dead.. what would you answer?

abud.[Still amazed.]Why.. yes.

carnaby.Then that's settled.. pellucid.

He attempts to rise, but staggers backwards and forwards. sarah goes to him alarmed.

sarah.Papa!.. there's no rain yet.

carnaby.Hush, I'm dead.

ann.[Her nerves failing her.]Oh.. oh.. oh..!

sarah.Abud, don't ever speak of this.

abud.No, my lady.

ann.[With a final effort.]I mean it all. Wait three months.

carnaby.Help me up steps.. son-in-law.

carnaby has started to grope his way indoors. But he reels and falls helpless.

abud.I'll carry him.

Throwing down his tools abud lifts the frail sick man and carries him towards the house. sarah follows.

ann.[Sobbing a little, and weary.]Such a long day it has been.. now ending.

She follows too.