The Silver Box eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about The Silver Box.

The Silver Box eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about The Silver Box.

Roper. [Raising his eyebrows.] H’m!  The purse!  Depravity in high life!  What does your son say?

Barthwick.  He remembers nothing.  D—­n!  Did you ever see such a mess?  It ’ll get into the papers.

Mrs. Barthwick. [With her hand across hey eyes.] Oh! it’s not that——­

     [Barthwick and Roper turn and look at her.]

Barthwick.  It’s the idea of that woman—­she’s just heard——­

     [Roper nods.  And Mrs. Barthwick, setting her lips, gives a
     slow look at Jack, and sits down at the table.]

What on earth’s to be done, Roper?  A ruffian like this Jones will make all the capital he can out of that purse.

Mrs. Barthwick.  I don’t believe that Jack took that purse.

Barthwick.  What—­when the woman came here for it this morning?

Mrs. Barthwick.  Here?  She had the impudence?  Why was n’t I told?

     [She looks round from face to face—­no one answers hey, there
     is a pause.]

Barthwick. [Suddenly.] What’s to be done, Roper?

Roper. [Quietly to Jack.] I suppose you did n’t leave your latch-key in the door?

Jack. [Sullenly.] Yes, I did.

Barthwick.  Good heavens!  What next?

Mrs. Barthwick.  I ’m certain you never let that man into the house, Jack, it’s a wild invention.  I’m sure there’s not a word of truth in it, Mr. Roper.

Roper. [Very suddenly.] Where did you sleep last night?

Jack. [Promptly.] On the sofa, there—­[hesitating]—­that is—­I——­

Barthwick.  On the sofa?  D’ you mean to say you did n’t go to bed?

Jack.[Sullenly.] No.

Barthwick.  If you don’t remember anything, how can you remember that?

Jack.  Because I woke up there in the morning.

Mrs. Barthwick.  Oh, Jack!

Barthwick.  Good Gracious!

Jack.  And Mrs. Jones saw me.  I wish you would n’t bait me so.

Roper.  Do you remember giving any one a drink?

Jack.  By Jove, I do seem to remember a fellow with—­a fellow with [He looks at Roper.] I say, d’ you want me——?

Roper. [Quick as lightning.] With a dirty face?

Jack. [With illumination.] I do—­I distinctly remember his——­

     [Barthwick moves abruptly; Mrs. Barthwick looks at Roper
     angrily, and touches her son’s arm.]

Mrs. Barthwick.  You don’t remember, it’s ridiculous!  I don’t believe the man was ever here at all.

Barthwick.  You must speak the truth, if it is the truth.  But if you do remember such a dirty business, I shall wash my hands of you altogether.

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Project Gutenberg
The Silver Box from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.