Three Plays by Granville-Barker. Granville-Barker Harley
for love.
lord john. Who doesn't? But, of course there should be other reasons.
george. You won't receive my wife.
lord john. Here's your sister.
lady cottesham comes from the direction of the house.
sarah. Back again?
lord john. You see.
From the other side appears mr. tatton.
mr. tatton. As you all seem to be here I don't mind interrupting.
george. [Hailing him.] Well . . neighbour?
mr. tatton. Come . . come . . what's a little fighting more or less!
george. Bravo, English sentiment . . relieves a deal of awkwardness.
The two shake hands.
sarah. [Who by this has reached lord john.] . . And back so soon?
ann. Lord John asks to marry me.
lord john. Yes.
mr. tatton. I guessed so . . give me a bit of romance!
sarah. [Suavely.] This is perhaps a little sudden, my dear Lord John. Papa may naturally be a little shocked.
george. Not at all, Sarah.
mr. tatton. How's the wound?
george. Not serious . . nothing's serious.
sarah. You are very masterful, wooing sword in hand.
ann. George and I have explained to Lord John that we are all most anxious to marry me to him and he doesn't mind—
lord john. Being made a fool of. I love—
ann. I will like you.
george. Charming cynicism, my dear Sarah.
mr. tatton. Oh, Lord!
ann. [To her affianced.] Good-bye now.
lord john. When do I see you?
ann. Papa says soon.
lord john. Very soon, please. Tatton, my friend, Brighton's no nearer.
mr. tatton. Lady Cottesham . . Miss Leete . . I kiss your hands.
lord john. [Ebulliently clapping george on the back.] Look more pleased. [Then he bends over lady cottesham's hand.] Lady Charlie . . my service to you . . all. Ann. [And he takes ann's hand to kiss.]
ann. If I can think better of all this, I shall. Good-bye.
She turns away from him. He stands for a moment considering her, but follows tatton away through the orchard. george and sarah are watching their sister, who then comments on her little affair with life.
ann. I'm growing up. [Then with a sudden tremor.] Sally, don't let me be forced to marry.
george. Force of circumstances, my dear Ann.
ann. Outside things. Why couldn't I run away from this garden and over the hills? . . I suppose there's something on the other side of the hills.
sarah. You'd find yourself there . . and circumstances.
ann. So I'm trapped as well as that Lord John.
sarah. What's the injury?
ann. I'm taken by surprise and I know I'm ignorant and I think I'm learning things backwards.
george. You must cheer up and say: John's not a bad sort.
sarah. A man of his age is a young man.
ann. I wish you wouldn't recommend him to me.
sarah. Let's think of Brighton. What about your gowns?
ann. I've nothing to wear.
sarah. We'll talk to Papa.
george. The war-purse is always a long one.
sarah. George . . be one of us for a minute.
george. But I want to look on too, and laugh.
sarah. [Caustically.] Yes . . that's your privilege . . except occasionally. [Then to her sister.] I wish you all the happiness of courtship days.
george. Arcadian expression!
ann. I believe it means being kissed . . often.
sarah. Have you not a touch of romance in you, little girl?
ann. Am I not like Mr. Dan Tatton? He kisses dairy-maids and servants and all the farmer's daughters . . I beg your pardon, George.
george. [Nettled.] I'll say to you, Ann, that—in all essentials—one woman is as good as another.
sarah. That is not so in the polite world.
george. When you consider it no one lives in the polite world.
ann. Do they come outside for air sooner or later?
sarah. [Briskly.] Three best dresses you must have and something very gay if you're to go near the Pavilion.
ann. You're coming to Brighton, Sally?
sarah. No.
ann. Why not?
sarah. I don't wish to meet my husband.
george. That man was his lawyer.
ann. The political difference, Sally?
sarah. Just that. [Then with a deft turn of the subject.] I don't say that yours is a pretty face, but I should think you would have charm.
george. For fashion's sake cultivate sweetness.
sarah. You dance as well as they know how in Reading.
ann. Yes . . I can twiddle my feet.
sarah. Do you like dancing?
ann. I'd sooner walk.
george. What . . and get somewhere!
ann. Here's George laughing.
sarah. He's out of it.
ann. Are you happy, George?
george. Alas . . Dolly's disgraceful ignorance of etiquette damns us both from the beautiful drawing-room.
sarah. That laugh is forced. But how can you … look on?
There is a slight pause in their talk. Then …
ann. He'll bully me with love.
sarah. Your husband will give you just what you ask for.
ann. I hate myself too. I want to take people mentally.
george. You want a new world . . you new woman.
ann. And I'm a good bit frightened of myself.
sarah. We have our places to fill in this. My dear child, leave futile questions alone.
george. Neither have I any good advice to give you.
ann. I think happiness is a thing one talks too much about.
dimmuck appears. And by now abud's work has brought him back to the terrace.
dimmuck. The master would like to see your Ladyship now.
sarah. I'll say we've had a visitor . . Guess.
george. And you've had a visitor, Sarah.
ann. Papa will know.
sarah. Is he in a questioning mood?
ann. I always tell everything.
sarah. It saves time.
She departs towards the house.
dimmuck.