Three Plays by Granville-Barker - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MR. TATTON. You will have my mare.
LORD JOHN. [_Ignoring him._] This has been a most enjoyable three weeks.
CARNABY. Four.
LORD JOHN. Is it four?
CARNABY. We bow to the compliment. Our duty to his grace.
LORD JOHN. When I see him.
GEORGE. To our dear cousin.
MR. TATTON. [_To_ LADY COTTESHAM.] Sir Charles at Brighton?
SARAH. [_Not answering._] To be sure . . . we did discover . . . our mother was second cousin . . . once removed to you.
CARNABY. If the prince will be there . . . he is in waiting.
LORD JOHN. Any message, Lady Cottesham? . . . since we speak out of session.
SARAH. I won't trust you.
CARNABY. Or trouble you while I still may frank a letter. But my son-in-law is a wretched correspondent. Do you admire men of small vices? They make admirable husbands though their wives will be grumbling--Silence, Sarah--but that's a good sign.
SARAH. Papa is a connoisseur of humanity.
ANN. [_To the company as before._] No, Mr. Tatton, I wasn't frightened when Lord John . . . kissed me. I screamed because I was surprised, and I'm sorry I screamed.
SARAH. [_Quietly to_ ANN.] My dear Ann, you're a fool.
ANN. [_Quietly to_ SARAH.] I will speak sometimes.
SARAH. Sit down again.
_Again an uncomfortable silence, a ludicrous air about it this time._
MR. TATTON. Now, we'll say no more about that bet, but I was right.
LORD JOHN. Do you know, Mr. Tatton, that I have a temper to lose?
MR. TATTON. What the devil does that matter to me, sir . . . my lord?
LORD JOHN. I owe you a saddle and bridle.
MR. TATTON. You'll oblige me by taking the mare.
LORD JOHN. We'll discuss it to-morrow.
MR. TATTON. I've said all I have to say.
GEORGE. The whole matter's ridiculous!
MR. TATTON. I see the joke. Good-night, Lady Cottesham, and I kiss your hand.
SARAH. Good morning, Mr. Tat.
MR. TATTON. Good morning, Miss Ann, I . . .
SARAH. [_s.h.i.+elding her sister._] Good morrow is appropriate.
MR. TATTON. I'll go by the fields. [_To_ CARNABY.] Thank you for a pleasant evening. Good morrow, George. Do we start at mid-day, my lord?
LORD JOHN. Any time you please.
MR. TATTON. Not at all. [_He hands the candlestick--of which he has never before left go--to_ GEORGE.] I brought this for a link. Thank you.
CARNABY. Mid-day will be midnight if you sleep at all now; make it two or later.
MR. TATTON. We put up at Guildford. I've done so before. I haven't my hat. It's a day and a half's ride.
TATTON _goes quickly up the other steps and away. It is now quite light._ GEORGE _stands by the steps_, LORD JOHN _is on one of the seats_, CARNABY _strolls round, now and then touching the rose trees_, SARAH _and_ ANN _are on the other seat_.
GEORGE. Morning! These candles still smell.
SARAH. How lively one feels and isn't.
CARNABY. The flowers are opening.
ANN. [_In a whisper._] Couldn't we go in?
SARAH. Never run away.
ANN. Everything looks so odd.
SARAH. What's o'clock . . . my lord?
LORD JOHN. Half after four.
ANN. [_To_ SARAH.] My eyes are hot behind.
GEORGE. What ghosts we seem!
SARAH. What has made us spend such a night?
CARNABY. Ann incited me to it. [_He takes snuff._]
SARAH. In a spirit of rebellion against good country habits. . .
