FullReads

MRS. G. I don’t want to have anything to do with her, but you ought to have told me. (Turning to last page of letter.) And she patronises me, too. I‘ve never seen her! (Reads.) ‘I do not know how the world stands with you; in all human probability I shall never know; but whatever I may have said before, I pray for her sake more than for yours that all may be well. I have learnt what misery means, and I dare not wish that any one dear to you should share my knowledge.’

CAPT. G. Good God! Can’t you leave that letter alone, or, at least, can’t you refrain from reading it aloud? I’ve been through it once. Put it back on the desk. Do you hear me?

MRS. G. (Irresolutely.) I sh–shan’t! (Looks at G’.s eyes.) Oh, Pip, please! I didn’t mean to make you angry–‘Deed, I didn’t. Pip, I’m so sorry. I know I’ve wasted your time—-

CAPT. G. (Grimly.) You have. Now, will you be good enough to go–if there is nothing more in my room that you are anxious to pry into?

MRS. G. (Putting out her hands.) Oh, Pip, don’t look at me like that! I’ve never seen you look like that before and it hu-urts me! I’m sorry. I oughtn’t to have been here at all, and–and–and–(sobbing). Oh, be good to me! Be good to me! There’s only you–anywhere!

Breaks down in long chair, hiding face in cushions.

CAPT. G. (Aside.) She doesn’t know how she flicked me on the raw. (Aloud, bending over chair.) I didn’t mean to be harsh, dear–I didn’t really. You can stay here as long as you please, and do what you please. Don’t cry like that. You’ll make yourself sick. (Aside.) What on earth has come over her? (Aloud.) Darling, what’s the matter with you?

MRS. G. (Her face still hidden.) Let me go–let me go to my own room. Only–only say you aren’t angry with me.

CAPT. G. Angry with you, love! Of course not. I was angry with myself. I’d lost my temper over the saddlery–Don’t hide your face, Pussy. I want to kiss it.

Bends lower, MRS. G. slides right arm round his neck. Several interludes and much sobbing.

MRS. G. (In a whisper.) I didn’t mean about the jam when I came in to tell you—-

CAPT. G. Bother the jam and the equipment! (Interlude.)

MRS. G. (Still more faintly.) My finger wasn’t scalded at all. I–I wanted to speak to you about–about–something else, and–I didn’t know how.

CAPT. G. Speak away, then. (Looking into her eyes.) Eh! Wha–at? Minnie! Here, don’t go away! You don’t mean?

MRS. G. (Hysterically, backing to portiere and hiding her face in its folds.) The–the Almost Inevitable Consequences! (Flits though portiere as G. attempts to catch her, and bolts herself in her own room.)

CAPT. G. (His arms full of portiere.) Oh! (Sitting down heavily in chair.) I’m a brute–a pig–a bully, and a blackguard. My poor, poor little darling! ‘Made to be amused only–?