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.

Enid.  It is n’t personal, it’s the Dad!

Edgar.  Your family or yourself, and over goes the show!

Enid. [Resentfully.] If you don’t take it seriously, I do.

Edgar.  I am as fond of him as you are; that’s nothing to do with it.

Enid.  We can’t tell about the men; it’s all guess-work.  But we know the Dad might have a stroke any day.  D’ you mean to say that he isn’t more to you than——­

Edgar.  Of course he is.

Enid.  I don’t understand you then.

Edgar.  H’m!

Enid.  If it were for oneself it would be different, but for our own
Father!  You don’t seem to realise.

Edgar.  I realise perfectly.

Enid.  It’s your first duty to save him.

Edgar.  I wonder.

Enid. [Imploring.] Oh, Ted?  It’s the only interest he’s got left; it’ll be like a death-blow to him!

Edgar. [Restraining his emotion.] I know.

Enid.  Promise!

Edgar.  I’ll do what I can.

     [He turns to the double-doors.]

     [The curtained door is opened, and Anthony appears.  Edgar opens
     the double-doors, and passes through.]

     [SCANTLEBURY’S voice is faintly heard:  “Past five; we shall
     never get through—­have to eat another dinner at that hotel!”
     The doors are shut.  Anthony walks forward.]

Anthony.  You’ve been seeing Roberts, I hear.

Enid.  Yes.

Anthony.  Do you know what trying to bridge such a gulf as this is like?

     [Enid puts her work on the little table, and faces him.]

Filling a sieve with sand!

Enid.  Don’t!

Anthony.  You think with your gloved hands you can cure the trouble of the century.

     [He passes on. ]

Enid.  Father!

     [Anthony Stops at the double doors.]

I’m only thinking of you!

Anthony. [More softly.] I can take care of myself, my dear.

Enid.  Have you thought what’ll happen if you’re beaten—­ [she points]—­in there?

Anthony.  I don’t mean to be.

Enid.  Oh!  Father, don’t give them a chance.  You’re not well; need you go to the meeting at all?

Anthony. [With a grim smile.] Cut and run?

Enid.  But they’ll out-vote you!

Anthony. [Putting his hand on the doors.] We shall see!

Enid.  I beg you, Dad!  Won’t you?

     [Anthony looks at her softly.]

     [Anthony shakes his head.  He opens the doors.  A buzz of voices
     comes in.]

Scantlebury.  Can one get dinner on that 6.30 train up?

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