] Do you know
what I've done? Married into a family that keeps twenty-three
servants, every blessed one of whom is a near relation of my own.
[He sits paralysed. She goes on.] That bald-headed old owl--[with a
wave towards the door]--that wanted to send you off with a glass of
beer and a flea in your ear--that's my uncle. The woman that opened
the lodge gate for you is my Aunt Amelia. The carroty-headed young
man that answered the door to you is my cousin Simeon. He always
used to insist on kissing me. I'm expecting him to begin again. My
"lady's" maid is my cousin Jane. That's why I'm dressed like this!
My own clothes have been packed off to the local dressmaker to be
made "decent." Meanwhile, they've dug up the family vault to find
something for me to go on with. [He has been fumbling in all his
pockets for matches. She snatches a box from somewhere and flings it
to him.] For Heaven's sake light it! Then, perhaps, you'll be able
to do something else than stare. I have claret and water--mixed--
with my dinner. Uncle pours it out for me. They've locked up my
cigarettes. Aunt Susannah is coming in to-morrow morning to hear me
say my prayers. Doesn't trust me by myself. Thinks I'll skip them.
She's the housekeeper here. I've got to know them by heart before I
go to bed to-night, and now I've mislaid them. [She goes to the
desk--hunts for them.]
NEWTE [having lighted his eternal cigar, he can begin to think].
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54