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.

Scantlebury.  A screen, ah!

Tench.  Certainly, Mr. Wilder. [He looks at Underwood.] That is—­ perhaps the Manager—­perhaps Mr. Underwood——­

Scantlebury.  These fireplaces of yours, Underwood——­

Underwood. [Roused from studying some papers.] A screen?  Rather!  I’m sorry. [He goes to the door with a little smile.] We’re not accustomed to complaints of too much fire down here just now.

     [He speaks as though he holds a pipe between his teeth, slowly,
     ironically.]

Wilder. [In an injured voice.] You mean the men.  H’m!

     [Underwood goes out.]

Scantlebury.  Poor devils!

Wilder.  It’s their own fault, Scantlebury.

Edgar. [Holding out his paper.] There’s great distress among them, according to the Trenartha News.

Wilder.  Oh, that rag!  Give it to Wanklin.  Suit his Radical views.  They call us monsters, I suppose.  The editor of that rubbish ought to be shot.

Edgar. [Reading.] “If the Board of worthy gentlemen who control the Trenartha Tin Plate Works from their arm-chairs in London would condescend to come and see for themselves the conditions prevailing amongst their work-people during this strike——­”

Wilder.  Well, we have come.

Edgar. [Continuing.] “We cannot believe that even their leg-of-mutton hearts would remain untouched.”

     [Wanklin takes the paper from him.]

Wilder.  Ruffian!  I remember that fellow when he had n’t a penny to his name; little snivel of a chap that’s made his way by black-guarding everybody who takes a different view to himself.

     [Anthony says something that is not heard.]

Wilder.  What does your father say?

Edgar.  He says “The kettle and the pot.”

Wilder.  H’m!

     [He sits down next to Scantlebury.]

Scantlebury. [Blowing out his cheeks.] I shall boil if I don’t get that screen.

     [Underwood and Enid enter with a screen, which they place before
     the fire.  Enid is tall; she has a small, decided face, and is
     twenty-eight years old.]

Enid.  Put it closer, Frank.  Will that do, Mr. Wilder?  It’s the highest we’ve got.

Wilder.  Thanks, capitally.

Scantlebury. [Turning, with a sigh of pleasure.] Ah!  Merci,
Madame!

Enid.  Is there anything else you want, Father? [Anthony shakes his head.] Edgar—­anything?

Edgar.  You might give me a “J” nib, old girl.

Enid.  There are some down there by Mr. Scantlebury.

Scantlebury. [Handing a little box of nibs.] Ah! your brother uses
“J’s.”  What does the manager use? [With expansive politeness.]
What does your husband use, Mrs. Underwood?

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