Three Plays by Granville-Barker. Granville-Barker Harley
George.
george. What is it?
dimmuck. He said No to a doctor when I haven't even mentioned the matter. Had I better send . . ?
george. Do . . if you care to waste the doctor's time.
dimmuck gives an offended sniff and follows lady cottesham.
ann. I could sit here for days. George, I don't think I quite believe in anything I've been told yet.
george. What's that man's name?
ann. John—John is a common name—John Abud.
george. Abud!
abud. Sir?
george. Come here.
abud obediently walks towards his young master and stands before him.
george. Why did you ask after the health of Mrs. George Leete?
abud. We courted once.
george. [After a moment.] Listen, Ann. Do you hate me, John Abud?
abud. No, sir.
george. You're a fine looking fellow. How old are you?
abud. Twenty-seven, sir.
george. Is Once long ago?
abud. Two years gone.
george. Did Mrs. Leete quarrel with you?
abud. No, sir.
george. Pray tell me more.
abud. I was beneath her.
george. But you're a fine-looking fellow.
abud. Farmer Crowe wouldn't risk his daughter being unhappy.
george. But she was beneath me.
abud. That was another matter, sir.
george. I don't think you intend to be sarcastic.
abud. And . . being near her time for the first time, sir . . I wanted to know if she is in danger of dying yet.
george. Every precaution has been taken. . a nurse. . there is a physician near. I need not tell you . . but I do tell you.
abud. Thank you, sir.
george. I take great interest in my wife.
abud. We all do, sir.
george. Was it ambition that you courted her?
abud. I thought to start housekeeping.
george. Did you aspire to rise socially?
abud. I wanted a wife to keep house, sir.
george. Are you content?
abud. I think so, sir.
george. With your humble position?
abud. I'm a gardener, and there'll always be gardens.
george. Frustrated affections . . I beg your pardon … To have been crossed in love should make you bitter and ambitious.
abud. My father was a gardener and my son will be a gardener if he's no worse a man than I and no better.
george. Are you married?
abud. No, sir.
george. Are you going to be married?
abud. Not especially, sir.
george. Yes . . you must marry . . some decent woman; we want gardeners.
abud. Do you want me any more now, sir?
george. You have interested me. You can go back to your work.
abud obeys.
george. [Almost to himself.] I am hardly human.
He slowly moves away and out of sight.
ann. John Abud.
He comes back and stands before her too.
ann. I am very sorry for you.
abud. I am very much obligated to you, Miss.
ann. Both those sayings are quite meaningless. Say something true about yourself.
abud. I'm not sorry for myself.
ann. I won't tell. It's very clear you ought to be in a despairing state. Don't stand in the sun with your hat off.
abud. [Putting on his hat.] Thank you, Miss.
ann. Have you nearly finished the rose-trees?
abud. I must work till late this evening.
ann. Weren't you ambitious for Dolly's sake?
abud. She thought me good enough.
ann. I'd have married her.
abud. She was ambitious for me.
ann. And are you frightened of the big world?
abud. Fine things dazzle me sometimes.
ann. But gardening is all that you're fit for?
abud. I'm afraid so, Miss.
ann. But it's great to be a gardener . . to sow seeds and to watch flowers grow and to cut away dead things.
abud. Yes, Miss.
ann. And you're in the fresh air all day.
abud. That's very healthy.
ann. Are you very poor?
abud. I get my meals in the house.
ann. Rough clothes last a long time.
abud. I've saved money.
ann. Where do you sleep?
abud. At Mrs. Hart's . . at a cottage . . it's a mile off.
ann. And you want no more than food and clothes and a bed and you earn all that with your hands.
abud. The less a man wants, Miss, the better.
ann. But you mean to marry?
abud. Yes . . I've saved money.
ann. Whom will you marry? Would you rather not say? Perhaps you don't know yet?
abud. It's all luck what sort of a maid a man gets fond of. It won't be a widow.
ann. Be careful, John Abud.
abud. No . . I shan't be careful.
ann. You'll do very wrong to be made a fool of.
abud. I'm safe, Miss; I've no eye for a pretty face.
dimmuck arrives asthmatically at the top of the steps.
dimmuck. Where's Mr. George? Here's a messenger come post.
ann. Find him, Abud.
abud. [To dimmuck.] From Dolly?
dimmuck. Speak respectful.
abud. Is it from his wife?
dimmuck. Go find him.
ann. [As abud is immovable.] Dimmuck … tell me about Mrs. George.
dimmuck. She's doing well, Miss.
abud. [Shouting joyfully now.] Mr. George! Mr. George!
ann. A boy or a girl, Dimmuck?
dimmuck. Yes, Miss.
abud. Mr. George! Mr. George!
dimmuck. Ecod . . is he somewhere else?
dimmuck, somewhat excited himself, returns to the house.
ann. George!
abud. Mr. George!