Three Plays by Granville-Barker. Granville-Barker Harley
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Harley Granville-Barker
Three Plays by Granville-Barker
The Marrying of Ann Leete; The Voysey Inheritance; Waste
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066172978
Table of Contents
THE SECOND ACT
Shortly after mid-day, while the sun beats strongly upon the terrace, abud is working dexterously at the rose trees. dr. remnant comes down the steps, hatted, and carrying a stick and a book. He is an elderly man with a kind manner; type of the eighteenth century casuistical parson. On his way he stops to say a word to the gardener.
dr. remnant. Will it rain before nightfall?
abud. About then, sir, I should say.
Down the other steps comes mrs. opie, a prim, decorous, but well bred and unobjectionable woman. She is followed by ann.
mrs. opie. A good morning to you, Parson.
dr. remnant. And to you, Mrs. Opie, and to Miss Ann.
ann. Good morning, Dr. Remnant. [To abud.] Have you been here ever since … ?
abud. I've had dinner, Miss.
abud's work takes him gradually out of sight.
mrs. opie. We are but just breakfasted.
dr. remnant. I surmise dissipation.
ann. [To mrs. opie.] Thank you for waiting five hours.
mrs. opie. It is my rule to breakfast with you.
dr. remnant. [Exhibiting the book.] I am come to return, and to borrow.
ann. Show me.
dr. remnant. Ballads by Robert Burns.
ann. [Taking it.] I'll put it back.
mrs. opie. [Taking it from her.] I've never heard of him.
dr. remnant. Oh, ma'am, a very vulgar poet!
george leete comes quickly down the steps.
george. [To remnant.] How are you?
dr. remnant. Yours, sir.
george. Ann.
ann. Good morning, George.
george. Did you sleep well?
ann. I always do … but I dreamt.
george. I must sit down for a minute. [Nodding.] Mrs. Opie.
mrs. opie. I wish you a good morning, sir.
george. [To ann.] Don't look so solemn.
lady cottesham comes quickly to the top of the steps.
sarah. Is Papa badly hurt?
ann. [Jumping up.] Oh, what has happened?
george. Not badly.
sarah. He won't see me.
His three children look at each other.
dr. remnant. [Tactfully.] May I go my ways to the library?
sarah. Please do, Doctor Remnant.
dr. remnant. I flatly contradicted all that was being said in the village.
sarah. Thoughtful of you.
dr. remnant. But tell me nothing.
dr. remnant bows formally and goes. george is about to speak when sarah with a look at mrs. opie says …
sarah. George, hold your tongue.
mrs. opie. [With much hauteur.] I am in the way.
At this moment dimmuck, an old but unbenevolent-looking butler, comes to the top of the steps.
dimmuck. The master wants Mrs. Opie.
mrs. opie. Thank you.
george. Your triumph!
mrs. opie is departing radiant.
dimmuck. How was I to know you was in the garden?
mrs. opie. I am sorry to have put you to the trouble of a search, Mr. Dimmuck.
dimmuck. He's in his room.
And he follows her towards the house.
george. Carp fought with him at twelve o'clock.
The other two cannot speak from amazement.
sarah. No!
george. Why, they didn't tell me and I didn't ask. Carp was laughing. Tatton chuckled … afterwards.
sarah. What had he to do?
george. Carp's second.
sarah. Unaccountable children!
george. Feather parade … throw in … parry quarte: over the arm … put by: feint … flanconade and through his arm … damned easy. The father didn't wince or say a word. I bound it up … the sight of blood makes me sick.
After a moment, sarah turns to ann.
sarah. Yes, and you've been a silly child.
george. Ah, give me a woman's guess and the most unlikely reason to account for anything!
ann. I hate that man. I'm glad Papa's not hurt. What about a surgeon?
george. No, you shall kiss the place well, and there'll be poetic justice done.
sarah. How did you all part?
george.