Three Plays by Granville-Barker - BestLightNovel.com
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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.
