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.

James.  As bad as that, Cokeson?

Cokeson.  It makes you think. [Confidentially] He must have had temptation.

James.  Not so fast.  We haven’t convicted him yet.

Cokeson.  I’d sooner have lost a month’s salary than had this happen.
    [He broods.]

James.  I hope that fellow will hurry up.

Cokeson. [Keeping things pleasant for the cashier] It isn’t fifty yards, Mr. James.  He won’t be a minute.

James.  The idea of dishonesty about this office it hits me hard,
Cokeson.

     He goes towards the door of the partners’ room.

Sweedle. [Entering quietly, to Cokeson in a low voice] She’s popped up again, sir-something she forgot to say to Falder.

Cokeson. [Roused from his abstraction] Eh?  Impossible.  Send her away!

James.  What’s that?

Cokeson.  Nothing, Mr. James.  A private matter.  Here, I’ll come myself. [He goes into the outer office as James passes into the partners’ room] Now, you really mustn’t—­we can’t have anybody just now.

Ruth.  Not for a minute, sir?

Cokeson.  Reely!  Reely!  I can’t have it.  If you want him, wait about; he’ll be going out for his lunch directly.

Ruth.  Yes, sir.

     Walter, entering with the cashier, passes Ruth as she leaves the
     outer office.

Cokeson. [To the cashier, who resembles a sedentary dragoon] Good-morning. [To Walter] Your father’s in there.

     Walter crosses and goes into the partners’ room.

Cokeson.  It’s a nahsty, unpleasant little matter, Mr. Cowley.  I’m quite ashamed to have to trouble you.

Cowley.  I remember the cheque quite well. [As if it were a liver] Seemed in perfect order.

Cokeson.  Sit down, won’t you?  I’m not a sensitive man, but a thing like this about the place—­it’s not nice.  I like people to be open and jolly together.

Cowley.  Quite so.

Cokeson. [Buttonholing him, and glancing toward the partners’ room] Of course he’s a young man.  I’ve told him about it before now—­ leaving space after his figures, but he will do it.

Cowley.  I should remember the person’s face—­quite a youth.

Cokeson.  I don’t think we shall be able to show him to you, as a matter of fact.

     James and Walter have come back from the partners’ room.

James.  Good-morning, Mr. Cowley.  You’ve seen my son and myself, you’ve seen Mr. Cokeson, and you’ve seen Sweedle, my office-boy.  It was none of us, I take it.

     The cashier shakes his head with a smile.

James.  Be so good as to sit there.  Cokeson, engage Mr. Cowley in conversation, will you?

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