Read-Aloud Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
WALTER
Sit down, mother. It's very jolly here.
MRS. EVERITT
Thank you, Walter. How many years since I've enjoyed a real fire, like this!
WALTER
Oh, there isn't enough wood. Just a minute--(_He goes out_)
ALICE
You look tired.
MRS. EVERITT
I'm all right, dear.
ALICE
No you're not. Why won't you tell me?
MRS. EVERITT
But Alice, there's nothing to tell. I do feel a little tired, but then, I shall be all right in the morning.
ALICE
I wish--(_Walter enters with more wood_)
WALTER
Well, Alice, are you still thinking about that dance?
ALICE
Why no, I'd forgotten all about it. Who could dance in such a rain? It would make the music seem artificial. I'm getting tired of boys, too. They don't really _feel_ things--like rain, and fire.
MRS. EVERITT
What's that noise,--Harold?
WALTER
No. It's the men in the bar room.
MRS. EVERITT
I'm sure it's Harold.
ALICE
I'll go see. (_She goes out_)
WALTER
Mother.
MRS. EVERITT
What, Walter?
WALTER
I must be an awful coward--
MRS. EVERITT
Why, what do you mean?
WALTER
I mean that when I really want something, and ought to say so, I go along without saying it. I don't mean that I'm _really_ afraid to say it, but I always feel somehow that other people ought to know what I want, and save me the trouble of asking it. No, not _trouble_ exactly--but you know what I mean.
MRS. EVERITT
Yes, Walter, I'm afraid I know exactly what you mean. Lots of us are cursed with the same instinct. I am, and sometimes I believe your father is, too. It ought to be that when one sees a thing clearly in his own mind, and knows it is best, others--at least those near to him--should somehow be aware of it. But they usually are not.
WALTER
No. And it's those nearest one that it's hardest to say things to. But to-night, somehow, I don't feel that way.
MRS. EVERITT
Tell me.
WALTER
It's this architecture. You remember when I used to play with water colors all the while, and say I was going to be an artist?
MRS. EVERITT
Yes, but--
WALTER
Father always said I would get over it. But when I didn't, then it occurred to him that if I learned architecture I could help him in his building.... I thought architecture would be the same. But it isn't. I can't see any art in it at all--it's nothing but engineering.
