Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of HonourMaugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
General
Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
English drama
I shan't shut up. The man's got no right to force himself here.
DICK.
Remember that you're Lady Kelsey's nephew.
BOULGER.
I didn't ask him. D'you think I'd have come if I knew he was going to be
here? He's acknowledged that he has no defence.
ALEC.
Pardon me, I acknowledge nothing and deny nothing.
BOULGER.
That won't do for me. I want the truth, and I'm going to get it. I've
got a right to know.
ALEC.
[_Beginning to lose his temper._] Don't make an ass of yourself, Bobby.
BOULGER.
By God, I'll make you answer!
[_As he says this he goes up to_ ALEC _furiously, but_ ALEC. _with a
twist of his arm, hurls him back._
ALEC.
I could break your back, you silly boy.
[_With a cry of anger_ BOULGER _is about to spring at_ ALEC _when_ DICK
_gets in the way._
DICK.
Now then, no scenes. And you'll only get the worst of it, Bobby. Alec
could just crumple you up. Take him away, Mallins. Don't stand there
like a stuffed owl, Carbery.
BOULGER.
Let me alone, you fool!
MALLINS.
Come along, old chap.
BOULGER.
[_To_ ALEC.] You damned skunk!
DICK.
Now then, be off with you. Don't make a silly ass of yourself.
[BOULGER, MALLINS _and_ CARBERY _go out._
DICK.
Poor Lady Kelsey! To-morrow half London will be saying that you and
Bobby had a stand-up fight in her drawing-room.
ALEC.
[_Furiously._] The damned cubs!
DICK.
The position is growing confoundedly awkward!
ALEC.
They lick my boots till I loathe them, and then they turn against me
like a pack of curs. Oh, I despise them--these silly boys who stay at
home wallowing in their ease while men work. Thank God, I've done with
them all now. They think one can fight one's way through Africa as
easily as one walks down Piccadilly. They think one goes through
hardships and dangers, illness and starvation, to be the lion of a
dinner-party in Mayfair.
DICK.
My dear Alec, keep calm.
ALEC.
[_With a visible effort containing himself completely, with studied
nonchalance._] D'you think that I look wildly excited?
DICK.
[_Ironically._] I don't think butter would melt in your mouth.
[DICK _and_ ALEC _go out into the garden. In a moment_ BOULGER _comes in
with_ LADY KELSEY.
BOULGER.
Thank heaven, there's nobody here.
LADY KELSEY.
I think you're dreadfully foolish, Bobby. You know how Lucy resents any
interference with her actions.
BOULGER.
Won't you sit down? You must be dreadfully tired.
LADY KELSEY.
Why won't you wait till to-morrow?
BOULGER.
I feel that it ought to be settled at once.
[LUCY _appears_.
LUCY.
Did you send for me, my aunt? Mr. Carbery said you wanted to speak to me
here.
LADY KELSEY.
Yes, I gave him that message.
BOULGER.
I asked Aunt Alice to beg you to come here. I was afraid you wouldn't if
I asked you.
LUCY.
[_Lightly._] What nonsense! I'm always delighted to see you.
BOULGER.
I wanted to speak to you about something, and I thought Aunt Alice
should be present.
LUCY.
Is it so important that it can't wait till to-morrow?
BOULGER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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