Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

Name: Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Author: Сомерсет Моэм

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Сомерсет Моэм

Год написания книги

2017

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Act I —Basil's lodgings in Bloomsbury.

Acts II and IV —The drawing-room of Basil's house at Putney.

Act III —Mrs. Murray's house in Charles Street.

The Performing Rights of this Play are fully protected, and permission to perform it, whether by Amateurs or Professionals, must be obtained in advance from the author's Sole Agent, R. Golding Bright, 20 Green Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C., from whom all particulars can be obtained

THE FIRST ACT

Sitting-room of Basil's Lodgings in Bloomsbury.

In the wall facing the auditorium, two windows with little iron balconies, giving a view of London roofs. Between the windows, against the wall, is a writing-desk littered with papers and books. On the right is a door, leading into the passage; on the left a fire-place with arm-chairs on either side; on the chimney-piece various smoking utensils. There are numerous bookshelves filled with books; while on the walls are one or two Delft plates, etchings after Rossetti, autotypes of paintings by Fra Angelico and Botticelli. The furniture is simple and inexpensive, but there is nothing ugly in the room. It is the dwelling-place of a person who reads a great deal and takes pleasure in beautiful things.

Basil Kent is leaning back in his chair, with his feet on the writing-table, smoking a pipe and cutting the pages of a book. He is a very good-looking man of six-and-twenty, clean-shaven, with a delicate face and clear-cut features. He is dressed in a lounge-suit.

    [There is a knock at the door.

Basil

Come in.

Mrs. Griggs

Did you ring, sir?

Basil

Yes. I expect a lady to tea. And there's a cake that I bought on my way in.

Mrs. Griggs

Very well, sir.

    [She goes out, and immediately comes in with a tray on which are two cups, sugar, milk, &c.

Basil

Oh, Mrs. Griggs, I want to give up these rooms this day week. I'm going to be married. I'm sorry to leave you. You've made me very comfortable.

Mrs. Griggs

[With a sigh of resignation.] Ah, well, sir, that's lodgers all over. If they're gents they get married; and if they're ladies they ain't respectable.

    [A ring is heard.

Basil

There's the bell, Mrs. Griggs. I dare say it's the lady I expect. If any one else comes, I'm not at home.

Mrs. Griggs

Very well, sir.

    [She goes out, and Basil occupies himself for amoment in putting things in order. Mrs. Griggs, opening the door, ushers in thenew-comers.

Mrs. Griggs

If you please, sir.

    [She goes out again, and during the next few speeches brings two more cups and the tea.
    [Mabel and Hilda enter, followed by John Halliwell. Basil going towards themvery cordially, half stops when he noticeswho they are; and a slight expression ofembarrassment passes over his face. Buthe immediately recovers himself and isextremely gracious. Hilda Murray is atall, handsome woman, self-possessed andadmirably gowned. Mabel Halliwell issmaller, pretty rather than beautiful, younger than her sister, vivacious, verytalkative, and somewhat irresponsible. John is of the same age as Basil, good-humoured, neither handsome nor plainblunt of speech and open.

Basil

[Shaking hands.] How d'you do?

Mabel

Look pleased to see us, Mr. Kent.

Basil

I'm perfectly enchanted.

Hilda

You did ask us to come and have tea with you, didn't you?

Basil

I've asked you fifty times. Hulloa, John! I didn't see you.

John

I'm the discreet husband, I keep in the background.

Mabel

Why don't you praise me instead of praising yourself? People would think it so much nicer.

John

On the contrary, they'd be convinced that when we were alone I beat you. Besides, I couldn't honestly say that you kept in the background.

Hilda

[To Basil.] I feel rather ashamed at taking you unawares.