Three Plays by Granville-Barker - BestLightNovel.com
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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 circ.u.mstances, my dear Ann.
