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.

Ferrand.  It is the same-veree ’armless.

Mrs. Megan.  What’s that he’s got on ’im?

Ferrand.  It is a coronation robe.  Have no fear, Ma’moiselle.  Veree docile potentate.

Mrs. Megan.  I wouldn’t be afraid of him. [Challenging Ferrand.] I’m afraid o’ you.

Ferrand.  It is because you do not know me, Ma’moiselle.  You are wrong, it is always the unknown you should love.

Mrs. Megan.  I don’t like the way you-speaks to me.

Ferrand.  Ah!  You are a Princess in disguise?

Mrs. Megan.  No fear!

Ferrand.  No?  What is it then you do to make face against the necessities of life?  A living?

Mrs. Megan.  Sells flowers.

Ferrand. [Rolling his eyes.] It is not a career.

Mrs. Megan. [With a touch of devilry.] You don’t know what I do.

Ferrand.  Ma’moiselle, whatever you do is charming.

     [Mrs. Megan looks at him, and slowly smiles.]

Mrs. Megan.  You’re a foreigner.

Ferrand.  It is true.

Mrs. Megan.  What do you do for a livin’?

Ferrand.  I am an interpreter.

Mrs. Megan.  You ain’t very busy, are you?

Ferrand. [With dignity.] At present I am resting.

Mrs. Megan. [Looking at him and smiling.] How did you and ’im come here?

Ferrand.  Ma’moiselle, we would ask you the same question.

Mrs. Megan.  The gentleman let me.  ’E’s funny.

Ferrand.  ‘C’est un ange’ [At Mrs. MEGAN’s blank stare he interprets.] An angel!

Mrs. Megan.  Me luck’s out-that’s why I come.

Ferrand. [Rising.] Ah!  Ma’moiselle!  Luck!  There is the little God who dominates us all.  Look at this old! [He points to Timson.] He is finished.  In his day that old would be doing good business.  He could afford himself—­[He maker a sign of drinking.]—­Then come the motor cars.  All goes—­he has nothing left, only ’is ’abits of a ‘cocher’!  Luck!

Timson. [With a vague gesture—­drowsily.] Kick the foreign beggars out.

Ferrand.  A real Englishman . . . .  And look at me!  My father was merchant of ostrich feathers in Brussels.  If I had been content to go in his business, I would ’ave been rich.  But I was born to roll—­“rolling stone"to voyage is stronger than myself.  Luck! . .  And you, Ma’moiselle, shall I tell your fortune? [He looks in her face.] You were born for ’la joie de vivre’—­to drink the wines of life.  ‘Et vous voila’!  Luck!

     [Though she does not in the least understand what he has said,
     her expression changes to a sort of glee.]

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