The Spirit of Contradiction | Page 7

are a very gallant man to
prevent me from securing my advantage.
Edward: No, cruel woman, no. Don't worry. If you are happy with
another, I will die, but I will not prevent you.
Angelica: You are ruining my plans already. But I do believe that if I
had no inclination for you, you wouldn't try to force my feelings. Do
what I want you to do. Don't see either my father or my mother today. I
forbid you to appear here. So go, I beg you.
Edward: I obey you blindly, but if you betray me--
Angelica: I cannot betray you, because I've promised you nothing.
Edward: If you betray me you are the most cruel, the most--
Angelica: Oh, if you are going to berate me, wait till I've done
something. And I will do something very soon perhaps. Don't be so
impatient.
Edward: WHAT! You mean--
Angelica: Here is my father. Leave quickly.
(Exit Edward)
(Enter Mr. Townly from another direction)
Townly: Rejoice, little girl, rejoice. You will be married according to
my wishes. I have triumphed and put it over on your mother.
Angelica: Ah, poor papa, I am afraid indeed that--
Townly: (dancing around) I put it over on her I tell you. She just
insisted herself that I do what I wish. And I had to appear not to like it
for fear she'd change her mind.
Angelica: Once she gets an idea, action soon follows.
Townly: Yes, my darling daughter, the great wealth of Mr. Nelson is as
pleasing to my wife as it is to myself. A rich merchant is a treasure for
a girl like you who hasn't a romantic thought in her head. True, he's a
bit rustic and crude, but he's open, honest.
Angelica: I pardon this crudeness in favor of his honesty.
Townly: Some say he lacks good qualities, but I find he has many. If
only he could get away from the habit of saying things which have
neither rhyme nor reason. He's a little too familiar, especially with
women he's never met before.
(Enter Mr. Nelson sporting a large gold vest, huge cuffs, a big belly; his
fingers are covered with rings)

Nelson: Hey, neighbour--well, well, your old lady says that--what
didn't she say, that woman? Ha! There's your daughter. Well, well,
when shall we get married, honey?
Angelica: I have no idea.
Townly: Not everything's ready yet.
Nelson: Ready, ready, I'm ready. Yes, yes, Angie, I give you my word.
Take the biggest ring from my finger--it's yours.
Angelica: We aren't at the altar yet.
Townly: We have to consider.
Nelson: Let's consider, let's consider.
Angelica: We must take precautions.
Nelson: (grabbing her hand) Take, take.
Angelica: While you are deliberating it's better that I stay with my
mother.
Townly: Go quickly. We haven't any time to lose.
Nelson: Time is pressing, yes. (squeezing her) Wait, wait, I want to see
you again. It makes me feel good. Let's talk about any old thing. Tell
me a story.
Angelica: What sort of story do you want me to tell you?
Nelson: Well, tell me, tell me--you're cute, sweety--tell me a little
story--
Angelica: It's time that I should go--
Nelson: (still holding her by the arm) Ho, I want you to tell me-- Ah, I
love you with all my heart--tell me a little love story.
Angelica: You love me, and I'm obliged to you for that. Story's over.
Nelson: Well, the story's over. Why did you tell me that story? Tell me
instead--
Townly: (separating them) Oh, let her go. It really is important that her
mother not see her with us.
Nelson: Go then. Go darling. Get ready to be my wife.
(Exit Angelica)
Townly: Let's discuss a little how we are going to manage my wife. For
that's the difficulty in our little business.
Nelson: What's the problem?
Townly: Not really a problem, but--
Nelson: Because it's not a problem for me--
Townly: Do you have some expedient to--?

Nelson: Sure, sure. Leave that to me. Tell me, what are you going to
do?
Townly: That's the problem, I tell you.
Nelson: You, you, you, are a poor planner. Nothing is so easy.
Townly: Instruct me then!
Nelson: Nothing is so easy. Now how do you intend to go about it?
Townly: That's what puzzles me.
Nelson: But, but, but, me too-- She's a terrible woman, your wife.
Townly: I see we're both too clever and cunning to figure out what to
do. But, by luck, I have a gardener who has more clever ideas that
anybody in the world. He should be a statesman. A real good head on
his shoulders.
Nelson: I've got a good head, too. Have him here and we'll figure it out.
Townly: Here he is now.
(Enter Lucas)