Three Plays by Granville-Barker - 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.
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 nouris.h.i.+ng 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, b.u.t.ter 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.
