Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

Name: Cæsar&apos;s Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Author: Сомерсет Моэм

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Сомерсет Моэм

Год написания книги

2017

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Ronny

I forgot to tell you, sir, Mrs. Pritchard has just telephoned to ask if she can see you on a matter of business.

Arthur

[With a grim smile.] Say I'm very busy to-day, and I regret exceedingly that it will be quite impossible for me to see her.

Ronny

[With a twinkle in his eye.] She said she was coming round at once.

Arthur

If she's made up her mind to see me at all costs she might have saved herself the trouble of ringing up to find out if it was convenient.

Anne

Your sister is a determined creature, Arthur.

Arthur

I know. I have some authority in the affairs of this country, but none over dear Christina. I wonder what she wants.

Violet

Let us hope for the best.

Arthur

I've noticed that whenever anyone wants to see me very urgently it's never to give me anything. When Christina wants to see me urgently my only safety is in instant flight.

Violet

You must be nice to her, Arthur. If you're not she'll only take it out of me.

Arthur

It's monstrous, isn't it?

Violet

After all, she kept house for you for ten years. Admirably, mind you.

Arthur

Admirably. She has a genius for order and organisation in the house. Everything went like clockwork. She never wasted a farthing. She saved me hundreds of pounds. She led me a dog's life. I've come to the conclusion there's nothing so detestable as a good housekeeper.

Violet

How fortunate you married me, then! But you can't expect her to see that point of view. It's very hard for her to be turned out of this very pleasant billet, and it's natural that when you won't do something she asks you she should put it down to my influence.

Anne

It must have been a very difficult position for you.

Violet

I did all I could to make her like me. I did feel rather like a usurper, you know. I tried to make her see that I didn't at all want to put on airs.

Arthur

Fortunately she's taken it very well. I confess I was a little nervous when she told me she meant to stay on in Egypt to be near her son.

Anne

It would be a detestable person who didn't like Violet, I think.

Arthur

Detestable. I should have no hesitation in having him deported.

Ronny

I think I'd better be getting back to my work.

Anne

Oh, Ronny, would you like me to come and help you with your packing?

Violet

[To Ronny.] Are you going somewhere?

Ronny

I'm leaving Cairo.

Anne

Didn't you know? Ronny has just been appointed to Paris.

Violet

Is he going to leave Egypt for good?

[She is taken aback by the news. She clenches her hand on the rail of a chair; Arthur and Anne notice the little, instinctive motion.]

Ronny