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.

Rous. [Dashing his hand across his brow.] Damn!  I can’t!

Madge. [Swiftly.] Do it for me!

Rous. [Through his teeth.] Don’t play the wanton with me!

Madge. [With a movement of her hand towards Jan—­quick and low.]
I would be that for the children’s sake!

Rous. [In a fierce whisper.] Madge!  Oh, Madge!

Madge. [With soft mockery.] But you can’t break your word for me!

Rous. [With a choke.] Then, Begod, I can!

     [He turns and rushes off.]

     [Madge Stands, with a faint smile on her face, looking after
     him.  She turns to Mrs. Roberts.]

Madge.  I have done for Roberts!

Mrs. Roberts. [Scornfully.] Done for my man, with that——! [She sinks back.]

Madge. [Running to her, and feeling her hands.] You’re as cold as a stone!  You want a drop of brandy.  Jan, run to the “Lion”; say, I sent you for Mrs. Roberts.

Mrs. Roberts. [With a feeble movement.] I’ll just sit quiet, Madge.  Give Jan—­his—­tea.

Madge. [Giving Jan a slice of bread.] There, ye little rascal.  Hold your piping. [Going to the fire, she kneels.] It’s going out.

Mrs. Roberts. [With a faint smile.] ’T is all the same!

     [Jan begins to blow his whistle.]

Madge.  Tsht!  Tsht!—­you

     [Jan Stops.]

Mrs. Roberts. [Smiling.] Let ’im play, Madge.

Madge. [On her knees at the fire, listening.] Waiting an’ waiting.  I’ve no patience with it; waiting an’ waiting—­that’s what a woman has to do!  Can you hear them at it—­I can!

[Jan begins again to play his whistle; Madge gets up; half tenderly she ruffles his hair; then, sitting, leans her elbows on the table, and her chin on her hands.  Behind her, on Mrs. Roberts’s face the smile has changed to horrified surprise.  She makes a sudden movement, sitting forward, pressing her hands against her breast.  Then slowly she sinks’ back; slowly her face loses the look of pain, the smile returns.  She fixes her eyes again on Jan, and moves her lips and finger to the tune.]

The curtain falls.

SCENE II

It is past four.  In a grey, failing light, an open muddy space is crowded with workmen.  Beyond, divided from it by a barbed-wire fence, is the raised towing-path of a canal, on which is moored a barge.  In the distance are marshes and snow-covered hills.  The “Works” high wall runs from the canal across the open space, and ivy the angle of this wall is a rude platform of barrels and boards.  On it, harness is standing.  Roberts, a little apart from the crowd, leans his back against the wall.  On the raised towing-path two bargemen lounge and smoke indifferently.

Harness. [Holding out his hand.] Well, I’ve spoken to you straight.  If I speak till to-morrow I can’t say more.

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