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

Год написания книги
2017
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I've got more than half a mind to knock you down.

John

[With a slight smile.] Come, come, Mr. Bush, don't be ridiculous. You'd far better keep quiet, you know.

James

[Scornfully.] What do you think fifty pounds is to me?

John

[With a sharp look.] Who spoke of fifty pounds?

James

You did.

John

You must have mistaken me. A hundred and fifty.

James

Oh! [At first he is surprised, then, as the amount sinks into his mind, grows doubtful.] That's a very different pair of shoes.

John

I don't ask you to say anything untrue. After all, it's not worth while for a man of the world like you – a business man – to give way to petty spite. And we don't want to have any scandal. That would be just as unpleasant for you as for us.

James

[Undecided.] There's no denying that she was hysterical. If he'd only treated me like a gentleman, I shouldn't have had anything to say.

John

Well?

James

[With a foxy, keen glance at John.] Make it two 'undred, and I'll say done.

John

[Firmly.] No. You can take a hundred and fifty, or go to the devil.

James

Oh, well, 'and it over.

John

[Taking a cheque out of his pocket.] I'll give you fifty now and the rest after the inquest.

James

[With a certain admiration.] You're a sharp 'un, you are.

    [John writes out the cheque and gives it to James Bush.

James

Shall I give you a receipt? I'm a business man, you know.

John

Yes, I know; but it's not necessary. You'll tell your mother and sister?

James

Don't you fear. I'm a gentleman, and I don't go back on my friends.

John

Now I think I'll say good morning to you. You can understand that Basil isn't fit to see any one.

James

I understand. So long.

    [He stretches out his hand, which John shakesgravely.]

John

Good morning.

    [Fanny comes in by one door as James Bush

goes out by another.]

Fanny

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

John

Ah, Fanny, if there were no rogues in the world, life would really be too difficult for honest men.

    [Fanny goes out, and John walks to the doorand calls.]

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