Complete Plays of John Galsworthy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,284 pages of information about Complete Plays of John Galsworthy.

Complete Plays of John Galsworthy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,284 pages of information about Complete Plays of John Galsworthy.

Ernest. Awful rotters, those Portuguese!

Colonel.  There you go!

Letty.  Well, Father, Ernie only said what you said.

Mrs. Hope.  Now I want to ask you, Mr. Lever, is this gold mine safe?  If it isn’t—­I simply won’t allow Tom to take these shares; he can’t afford it.

Lever.  It rather depends on what you call safe, Mrs. Hope.

Mrs. Hope.  I don’t want anything extravagant, of course; if they’re going to pay their 10 per cent, regularly, and Tom can have his money out at any time—­[There is a faint whistle from the swing.] I only want to know that it’s a thoroughly genuine thing.

Mrs. Gwyn. [Indignantly.] As if Maurice would be a Director if it was n’t?

Mrs. Hope.  Now Molly, I’m simply asking——­

Mrs. Gwyn.  Yes, you are!

Colonel. [Rising.] I’ll take two thousand of those shares, Lever. 
To have my wife talk like that—­I ’m quite ashamed.

Lever.  Oh, come, sir, Mrs. Hope only meant——­

     [Mrs. Gwyn looks eagerly at lever.]

Dick. [Quietly.] Let’s go on the river, Joy.

     [Joy rises, and goes to her Mother’s chair.]

Mrs. Hope.  Of course!  What rubbish, Tom!  As if any one ever invested money without making sure!

Lever. [Ironically.] It seems a little difficult to make sure in this case.  There isn’t the smallest necessity for Colonel Hope to take any shares, and it looks to me as if he’d better not.

     [He lights a cigarette.]

Mrs. Hope.  Now, Mr. Lever, don’t be offended!  I’m very anxious for Tom to take the shares if you say the thing’s so good.

Lever.  I ’m afraid I must ask to be left out, please.

Joy. [Whispering.] Mother, if you’ve finished, do come, I want to show you my room.

Mrs. Hope.  I would n’t say a word, only Tom’s so easily taken in.

Mrs. Gwyn. [Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can’t you? [Joy gives a little savage laugh.]

Letty. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me?  Come on, Dick!

     [All three go out towards the lawn.]

Mrs. Hope.  You ought to know your Uncle by this time, Molly.  He’s just like a child.  He’d be a pauper to-morrow if I did n’t see to things.

Colonel.  Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine.  I ’m—­I ’m humiliated. [He turns and goes towards the house.]

Mrs. Hope.  Well, what on earth have I said?

     [She hurries after him. ]

Mrs. Gwyn. [In a low voice as she passes.] You need n’t insult my friends!

[Lever, shrugging his shoulders, has strolled aside.  Joy, with a passionate movement seen only by Miss beech, goes off towards the house.  Miss beech and Mrs. Gwyn aye left alone beside the remnants of the feast.]

Miss beech.  Molly!

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Complete Plays of John Galsworthy from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.