Read-Aloud Plays | Page 7

even if I had to carry laundry all my life, so that if any one ever tried to fetter me I could fling his words back in his face! (_Uncle Richard's nerves are all on edge. A terrific storm of overbearing temper visibly gathers during this speech, and the Colonel's long habit of successful domination seems about to assert itself in an explosion. But at the last moment another power, deeper than habit, older than character, represses his wrath, and when Uncle Richard speaks again it is with an earnest gentleness almost plaintive._)
UNCLE RICHARD
Richard, for heaven's sake let us stop this quarreling! Let us forget what has been said and done on both sides and begin anew. I offer you a home here during my life time, and all that I own after I am dead. I do care for you, my boy, I know it now as I know my own name. Surely, Richard, you need not take this offer amiss?
RICHARD
Well, but you see, Uncle Richard....
UNCLE RICHARD
Do you prefer poverty for its own sake?
RICHARD
Of course not. But I prefer it to hypocrisy and compromise.
UNCLE RICHARD
Well then. You will accept, Richard? For my sake, Richard?
RICHARD
Well....
UNCLE RICHARD
It is the only pleasure left to me, Richard, thinking of the old name going down honourably in you. And as for the past, my mistakes were due to not having a son of my own. You have no idea what a difference it makes. It's my dream, Richard, don't destroy it!
RICHARD
If you really mean it that way--
UNCLE RICHARD
My dear Richard! My dear boy! Why--now I know why we have been quarreling, Richard!
RICHARD
Why?
UNCLE RICHARD
Because we are so much alike. At your age I was the same self-willed beggar you are. Richard, you are more like me than you are like your own father!
RICHARD
Le roi est morte, vive le roi. But (_and he thumps the table with great emphasis_) but there's one thing understood--I'm going to paint masterpieces!
UNCLE RICHARD
Of course you are, my boy, of course you are! In fact, I always knew you would, Richard!

THE INCOMPATIBLES
_A corner table in a Broadway restaurant, at evening. Between the man and woman who have just taken seats is a bouquet of red roses._
MARIAN
No, I don't want any oysters or clams. I ate enough sea food in Atlantic City to last a season. I want some--Oh, what gorgeous flowers! Umm! I love the smell of roses! Especially out of season. Why, the other tables haven't any! Fred, did you--?
FRED
Sure I did, Marian. I knew you'd like 'em.
MARIAN
I do. But you mustn't be a silly boy any longer, Fred!
FRED
I will, too. It isn't silly, to give you flowers.
MARIAN
That's all right, Fred. Goodness knows I like the flowers. But I'm not a young idiot who expects her honeymoon to last forever. I've had one experience, you know.
FRED
Yes, but you mustn't judge all men by him.
MARIAN
I don't. I knew well enough you're different, or I'd never have married you. But at the same time--
FRED
Well, I'm going to show you that a real man don't get over the fun of being married to a peach like you in just two weeks. You don't want me to, do you?
MARIAN
Course not, Fred! Didn't I say you were different? But I don't want you to set a pace you can't keep up. You'd hate me in no time if I did.
FRED
I couldn't hate you, girlie! Besides, isn't this our first night back in the old town? We shan't be having dinner out like this every day.
MARIAN
Well, only I don't want to have you flop all of a sudden, like he did. What'll you have, a cocktail?
FRED
Let's see.... What's the matter, Marian?
MARIAN
Sh! Don't turn round!
FRED
What's up?
MARIAN
_Him!_
FRED
Him who?
MARIAN
_George!_
FRED
Good Lord! Well, don't mind him. He hasn't got anything on you now. You're mine.
MARIAN
Sure I am. He isn't looking. He's with a woman. By jingo! It's that millinery kid!
FRED
What millinery kid? Besides, what difference does it make? Let him have a hundred, if he wants 'em. _We're_ happy.
MARIAN
The nerve of him! I knew it was her right along. He tried to throw a bluff it was some swell. I'll bet he paid good for those clothes!
FRED
Oh, come on! What'll you have? Besides, she might have made the clothes herself.
MARIAN
Made 'em herself! Say, a fine lot you know about ladies' gowns! That came from the Avenue, straight.
FRED
Well, what if it did? I'll get you a better one, you just wait.
MARIAN
Sh! He's looking over here!
FRED
Hm! Look at me and you won't see him.
MARIAN
The nerve!
FRED
What's he done?
MARIAN
He smiled right over like nothing had ever happened. I'll bet he's going to say something mean about me. Oh!
FRED
Let's change our seats. I'm hungry!
MARIAN
Change nothing! Catch me giving him a laugh like that! I could tell her things, the young--There, now _she's_ looking!
FRED
What if she is? Say, look here--
MARIAN
He's getting up! Well, of all the brass!
FRED
What?
MARIAN
He's