The Silver Box eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about The Silver Box.

The Silver Box eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 78 pages of information about The Silver Box.

     [There is a knock, and Mrs. Seddon, the landlady, appears, an
     anxious, harassed, shabby woman in working clothes.]

Mrs. Seddon.  I thought I ’eard you come in, Mrs. Jones.  I ’ve spoke to my ’usband, but he says he really can’t afford to wait another day.

Jones. [With scowling jocularity.] Never you mind what your ’usband says, you go your own way like a proper independent woman.  Here, jenny, chuck her that.

     [Producing a sovereign from his trousers pocket, he throws it
     to his wife, who catches it in her apron with a gasp.  Jones
     resumes the lacing of his boots.]

Mrs. Jones. [Rubbing the sovereign stealthily.] I’m very sorry we’re so late with it, and of course it’s fourteen shillings, so if you’ve got six that will be right.

     [Mrs. Seddon takes the sovereign and fumbles for the change.]

Jones. [With his eyes fixed on his boots.] Bit of a surprise for yer, ain’t it?

Mrs. Seddon.  Thank you, and I’m sure I’m very much obliged. [She does indeed appear surprised.] I ’ll bring you the change.

Jones. [Mockingly.] Don’t mention it.

Mrs. Seddon.  Thank you, and I’m sure I’m very much obliged. [She slides away.]

     [Mrs. Jones gazes at Jones who is still lacing up his boots.]

Jones.  I ’ve had a bit of luck. [Pulling out the crimson purse and some loose coins.] Picked up a purse—­seven pound and more.

Mrs. Jones.  Oh, James!

Jones.  Oh, James!  What about Oh, James!  I picked it up I tell you.  This is lost property, this is!

Mrs. Jones.  But is n’t there a name in it, or something?

Jones.  Name?  No, there ain’t no name.  This don’t belong to such as ‘ave visitin’ cards.  This belongs to a perfec’ lidy.  Tike an’ smell it. [He pitches her the purse, which she puts gently to her nose.] Now, you tell me what I ought to have done.  You tell me that.  You can always tell me what I ought to ha’ done, can’t yer?

Mrs. Jones. [Laying down the purse.] I can’t say what you ought to have done, James.  Of course the money was n’t yours; you’ve taken somebody else’s money.

Jones.  Finding’s keeping.  I ’ll take it as wages for the time I ’ve gone about the streets asking for what’s my rights.  I’ll take it for what’s overdue, d’ ye hear? [With strange triumph.] I’ve got money in my pocket, my girl.

     [Mrs. Jones goes on again with the preparation of the meal,
     Jones looking at her furtively.]

Money in my pocket!  And I ‘m not goin’ to waste it.  With this ’ere money I’m goin’ to Canada.  I’ll let you have a pound.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Silver Box from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.