Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

Colonel. [Bowing his head.] I never would have believed she’d have forgotten herself.

Miss beech. [Very solemnly.] Ah, my dear!  We’re all the same; we’re all as hollow as that tree!  When it’s ourselves it’s always a special case!

     [The colonel makes a movement of distress, and Miss beech goes
     to him.]

Don’t you take it so to heart, my dear!

     [A silence.]

Colonel. [Shaking his head.] I couldn’t have believed Molly would forget that child.

Miss beech. [Sadly.] They must go their own ways, poor things!  She can’t put herself in the child’s place, and the child can’t put herself in Molly’s.  A woman and a girl—­there’s the tree of life between them!

Colonel. [Staring into the tree to see indeed if that were the tree alluded to.] It’s a grief to me, Peachey, it’s a grief! [He sinks into a chair, stroking his long moustaches.  Then to avenge his hurt.] Shan’t tell Nell—­dashed if I do anything to make the trouble worse!

Miss beech. [Nodding.] There’s suffering enough, without adding to it with our trumpery judgments!  If only things would last between them!

Colonel. [Fiercely.] Last!  By George, they’d better——­

     [He stops, and looking up with a queer sorry look.]

I say, Peachey Life’s very funny!

Miss beech.  Men and women are! [Touching his forehead tenderly.] There, there—­take care of your poor, dear head!  Tsst!  The blessed innocents!

     [She pulls the colonel’s sleeve.  They slip away towards the
     house, as joy and Dick come back.  They are still linked
     together, and stop by the hollow tree.]

Joy. [In a whisper.] Dick, is love always like this?

Dick. [Putting his arms around her, with conviction.] It’s never been like this before.  It’s you and me!

     [He kisses her on the lips.]

The curtain falls.

STRIFE

A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS

PERSONS OF THE PLAY

John Anthony, Chairman of the Trenartha Tin Plate Works
Edgar Anthony, his Son

Frederic H. Wilder, |
William Scantlebury,| Directors Of the same
Oliver Wanklin,     |

Henry Tench, Secretary of the same
Francis Underwood, C.E., Manager of the same
Simon harness, a Trades Union official

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.