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.

Larry.  I know.  I’ll do nothing without you, Keith.

Keith. [Taking up his hat] Can I trust you? [He stares hard at his brother.]

Larry.  You can trust me.

Keith.  Swear?

Larry.  I swear.

Keith.  Remember, nothing!  Good night!

Larry.  Good night!

     Keith goes.  Larry Sits down on the couch sand stares at the
     fire.  The girl steals up and slips her arms about him.

Larry.  An innocent man!

Wanda.  Oh, Larry!  But so are you.  What did we want—­to kill that man?  Never!  Oh! kiss me!

     [Larry turns his face.  She kisses his lips.]

I have suffered so—­not seein’ you.  Don’t leave me again—­don’t!  Stay here.  Isn’t it good to be together?—­Oh!  Poor Larry!  How tired you look!—­Stay with me.  I am so frightened all alone.  So frightened they will take you from me.

Larry.  Poor child!

Wanda.  No, no!  Don’t look like that!

Larry.  You’re shivering.

Wanda.  I will make up the fire.  Love me, Larry!  I want to forget.

Larry.  The poorest little wretch on God’s earth—­locked up—­for me!  A little wild animal, locked up.  There he goes, up and down, up and down—­in his cage—­don’t you see him?—­looking for a place to gnaw his way through—­little grey rat. [He gets up and roams about.]

Wanda.  No, no!  I can’t bear it!  Don’t frighten me more!

     [He comes back and takes her in his arms.]

Larry.  There, there! [He kisses her closed eyes.]

Wanda. [Without moving] If we could sleep a little—­wouldn’t it be nice?

Larry.  Sleep?

Wanda. [Raising herself] Promise to stay with me—­to stay here for good, Larry.  I will cook for you; I will make you so comfortable.  They will find him innocent.  And then—­Oh, Larry! in the sun-right away—­far from this horrible country.  How lovely! [Trying to get him to look at her] Larry!

Larry. [With a movement to free ’himself] To the edge of the world-and—–­over!

Wanda.  No, no!  No, no!  You don’t want me to die, Larry, do you?  I shall if you leave me.  Let us be happy!  Love me!

Larry. [With a laugh] Ah!  Let’s be happy and shut out the sight of him.  Who cares?  Millions suffer for no mortal reason.  Let’s be strong, like Keith.  No!  I won’t leave you, Wanda.  Let’s forget everything except ourselves. [Suddenly] There he goes-up and down!

Wanda. [Moaning] No, no!  See!  I will pray to the Virgin.  She will pity us!

     She falls on her knees and clasps her hands, praying.  Her lips
     move.  Larry stands motionless, with arms crossed, and on his
     face are yearning and mockery, love and despair.

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