The Fugitive eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 84 pages of information about The Fugitive.

The Fugitive eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 84 pages of information about The Fugitive.

     She lifts a green paper screw of tobacco from the debris round
     the armchair and taps on the door.  It opens.  Clare moves
     restlessly across the room.

Mrs. Miler. [Speaking into the room] The tobaccer.  The lady’s waitin’.

Clare has stopped before a reproduction of Titian’s picture “Sacred and Profane Love.”  Mrs. Miler stands regarding her with a Chinese smile.  Malise enters, a thread of tobacco still hanging to his cheek.

Malise. [Taking Mrs. MILER’s hat off the table and handing it to her] Do the other room.

     [Enigmatically she goes.]

Malise.  Jolly of you to come.  Can I do anything?

Clare.  I want advice-badly.

Malise.  What!  Spreading your wings?

Clare.  Yes.

Malise.  Ah!  Proud to have given you that advice.  When?

Clare.  The morning after you gave it me . . .

Malise.  Well?

Clare.  I went down to my people.  I knew it would hurt my Dad frightfully, but somehow I thought I could make him see.  No good.  He was awfully sweet, only—­he couldn’t.

Malise. [Softly] We English love liberty in those who don’t belong to us.  Yes.

Clare.  It was horrible.  There were the children—­and my old nurse.  I could never live at home now.  They’d think I was——.  Impossible —­utterly!  I’d made up my mind to go back to my owner—­And then—­ he came down himself.  I couldn’t d it.  To be hauled back and begin all over again; I simply couldn’t.  I watched for a chance; and ran to the station, and came up to an hotel.

Malise.  Bravo!

Clare.  I don’t know—­no pluck this morning!  You see, I’ve got to earn my living—­no money; only a few things I can sell.  All yesterday I was walking about, looking at the women.  How does anyone ever get a chance?

Malise.  Sooner than you should hurt his dignity by working, your husband would pension you off.

Clare.  If I don’t go back to him I couldn’t take it.

Malise.  Good!

Clare.  I’ve thought of nursing, but it’s a long training, and I do so hate watching pain.  The fact is, I’m pretty hopeless; can’t even do art work.  I came to ask you about the stage.

Malise.  Have you ever acted? [Clare shakes her head] You mightn’t think so, but I’ve heard there’s a prejudice in favour of training.  There’s Chorus—­I don’t recommend it.  How about your brother?

Clare.  My brother’s got nothing to spare, and he wants to get married; and he’s going back to India in September.  The only friend I should care to bother is Mrs. Fullarton, and she’s—­got a husband.

Malise.  I remember the gentleman.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Fugitive from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.