NEWTE [at first puzzled, then indignant, now breaks out]. What's the
little game on here--eh? Yesterday afternoon you were given the
sack--by your mistress, Lady Bantock, with a month's wages in lieu of
notice--not an hour before you deserved it. What do you mean, going
on like this, as if nothing had happened? Is Lady Bantock to be
ignored in this house as if she didn't exist--or is she not? [He
brings his fist down on the table. He has been shouting rather than
speaking.] I want this thing settled!
BENNET. Your bath, Mr. Newte, is quite ready.
NEWTE [as soon as he can recover speech]. Never you mind my bath, I
want -
Vernon has entered. He is pale, heavy-eyed, short in his manner,
listless.
VERNON. Good morning--everybody. Can I have some breakfast, Bennet?
BENNET. In about ten minutes; I will bring it up here. [He collects
the kettle from the fire as he passes, and goes out.]
VERNON. Thank you. [He responds mechanically to the kisses of his
two aunts, who have risen and come to him.]
NEWTE. Can I have a word with you?
VERNON. A little later on, if you don't mind, Mr. Newte. [He passes
him.]
NEWTE [he is about to speak, changes his mind]. All right, go your
own way. [Goes out.]
DR. FREEMANTLE. "Remember", says Marcus Aurelius -
VERNON. Yes--good old sort, Marcus Aurelius. [He drops listlessly
into a chair.]
Dr. Freemantle smiles resignedly, looks at the Misses Wetherell,
shrugs his shoulders, and goes out, closing the door after him.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97