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.

Little man. [Faintly] I—­I can see its face a little now.

     [All bend forward.]

American.  What sort of a physiognomy has it, anyway?

Little man. [Still faintly] I don’t see anything but—­but spots.

German.  Oh!  Ha!  Pfui!

     [The Dutch youth laughs.]

American.  I am told that is not uncommon amongst babies.  Perhaps we could have you inform us, ma’am.

ENGLISHWOMAN.  Yes, of course—­only what sort of——­

Little man.  They seem all over its——­[At the slight recoil of everyone] I feel sure it’s—­it’s quite a good baby underneath.

American.  That will be rather difficult to come at.  I’m just a bit sensitive.  I’ve very little use for affections of the epidermis.

German.  Pfui! [He has edged away as far as he can get, and is lighting a big cigar]

     [The Dutch youth draws his legs back.]

American. [Also taking out a cigar] I guess it would be well to fumigate this carriage.  Does it suffer, do you think?

Little man. [Peering] Really, I don’t—­I’m not sure—­I know so little about babies.  I think it would have a nice expression—­if—­if it showed.

American.  Is it kind of boiled looking?

Little man.  Yes—­yes, it is.

American. [Looking gravely round] I judge this baby has the measles.

     [The German screws himself spasmodically against the arm of the
     ENGLISHWOMAN’S seat.]

ENGLISHWOMAN.  Poor little thing!  Shall I——?

     [She half rises.]

Englishman. [Touching her] No, no——­Dash it!

American.  I honour your emotion, ma’am.  It does credit to us all.  But I sympathize with your husband too.  The measles is a very important pestilence in connection with a grown woman.

Little man.  It likes my finger awfully.  Really, it’s rather a sweet baby.

American. [Sniffing] Well, that would appear to be quite a question.  About them spots, now?  Are they rosy?

Little man.  No-o; they’re dark, almost black.

German.  Gott!  Typhus! [He bounds up on to the arm of the
ENGLISHWOMAN’S Seat.]

American.  Typhus!  That’s quite an indisposition!

[The Dutch youth rises suddenly, and bolts out into the corridor.  He is followed by the German, puffing clouds of smoke.  The English and American sit a moment longer without speaking.  The ENGLISHWOMAN’S face is turned with a curious expression—­half pity, half fear—­towards the little man.  Then the Englishman gets up.]

Englishman.  Bit stuffy for you here, dear, isn’t it?

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