Последний отзыв
По всем вопросам обращайтесь на: info@litportal.ru
(©) 2003-2024.
✖
Plays : Second Series
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля
FROME. Oh, yes, the morning of the arrest. Well, did you see him at all between the Friday and that morning? [RUTH nods] What was his manner then?
RUTH. Dumb—like—sometimes he didn't seem able to say a word.
FROME. As if something unusual had happened to him?
RUTH. Yes.
FROME. Painful, or pleasant, or what?
RUTH. Like a fate hanging over him.
FROME. [Hesitating] Tell me, did you love the prisoner very much?
RUTH. [Bowing her head] Yes.
FROME. And had he a very great affection for you?
RUTH. [Looking at FALDER] Yes, sir.
FROME. Now, ma'am, do you or do you not think that your danger and unhappiness would seriously affect his balance, his control over his actions?
RUTH. Yes.
FROME. His reason, even?
RUTH. For a moment like, I think it would.
FROME. Was he very much upset that Friday morning, or was he fairly calm?
RUTH. Dreadfully upset. I could hardly bear to let him go from me.
FROME. Do you still love him?
RUTH. [With her eyes on FALDER] He's ruined himself for me.
FROME. Thank you.
He sits down. RUTH remains stoically upright in the witness-box.
CLEAVER. [In a considerate voice] When you left him on the morning of Friday the 7th you would not say that he was out of his mind, I suppose?
RUTH. No, sir.
CLEAVER. Thank you; I've no further questions to ask you.
RUTH. [Bending a little forward to the jury] I would have done the same for him; I would indeed.
THE JUDGE. Please, please! You say your married life is an unhappy one? Faults on both sides?
RUTH. Only that I never bowed down to him. I don't see why I should, sir, not to a man like that.
THE JUDGE. You refused to obey him?
RUTH. [Avoiding the question] I've always studied him to keep things nice.
THE JUDGE. Until you met the prisoner—was that it?
RUTH. No; even after that.
THE JUDGE. I ask, you know, because you seem to me to glory in this affection of yours for the prisoner.
RUTH. [Hesitating] I—I do. It's the only thing in my life now.
THE JUDGE. [Staring at her hard] Well, step down, please.
RUTH looks at FALDER, then passes quietly down and takes her seat among the witnesses.
FROME. I call the prisoner, my lord.
FALDER leaves the dock; goes into the witness-box, and is duly sworn.
FROME. What is your name?
FALDER. William Falder.
FROME. And age?
FALDER. Twenty-three.
FROME. You are not married?
FALDER shakes his head
FROME. How long have you known the last witness?
FALDER. Six months.
FROME. Is her account of the relationship between you a correct one?
FALDER. Yes.
FROME. You became devotedly attached to her, however?
FALDER. Yes.
THE JUDGE. Though you knew she was a married woman?
FALDER. I couldn't help it, your lordship.
RUTH. Dumb—like—sometimes he didn't seem able to say a word.
FROME. As if something unusual had happened to him?
RUTH. Yes.
FROME. Painful, or pleasant, or what?
RUTH. Like a fate hanging over him.
FROME. [Hesitating] Tell me, did you love the prisoner very much?
RUTH. [Bowing her head] Yes.
FROME. And had he a very great affection for you?
RUTH. [Looking at FALDER] Yes, sir.
FROME. Now, ma'am, do you or do you not think that your danger and unhappiness would seriously affect his balance, his control over his actions?
RUTH. Yes.
FROME. His reason, even?
RUTH. For a moment like, I think it would.
FROME. Was he very much upset that Friday morning, or was he fairly calm?
RUTH. Dreadfully upset. I could hardly bear to let him go from me.
FROME. Do you still love him?
RUTH. [With her eyes on FALDER] He's ruined himself for me.
FROME. Thank you.
He sits down. RUTH remains stoically upright in the witness-box.
CLEAVER. [In a considerate voice] When you left him on the morning of Friday the 7th you would not say that he was out of his mind, I suppose?
RUTH. No, sir.
CLEAVER. Thank you; I've no further questions to ask you.
RUTH. [Bending a little forward to the jury] I would have done the same for him; I would indeed.
THE JUDGE. Please, please! You say your married life is an unhappy one? Faults on both sides?
RUTH. Only that I never bowed down to him. I don't see why I should, sir, not to a man like that.
THE JUDGE. You refused to obey him?
RUTH. [Avoiding the question] I've always studied him to keep things nice.
THE JUDGE. Until you met the prisoner—was that it?
RUTH. No; even after that.
THE JUDGE. I ask, you know, because you seem to me to glory in this affection of yours for the prisoner.
RUTH. [Hesitating] I—I do. It's the only thing in my life now.
THE JUDGE. [Staring at her hard] Well, step down, please.
RUTH looks at FALDER, then passes quietly down and takes her seat among the witnesses.
FROME. I call the prisoner, my lord.
FALDER leaves the dock; goes into the witness-box, and is duly sworn.
FROME. What is your name?
FALDER. William Falder.
FROME. And age?
FALDER. Twenty-three.
FROME. You are not married?
FALDER shakes his head
FROME. How long have you known the last witness?
FALDER. Six months.
FROME. Is her account of the relationship between you a correct one?
FALDER. Yes.
FROME. You became devotedly attached to her, however?
FALDER. Yes.
THE JUDGE. Though you knew she was a married woman?
FALDER. I couldn't help it, your lordship.
