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One Day More: A Play In One Act, a play by Joseph Conrad |
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Scene 3 |
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_ SCENE III (_Capt. H. Harry. Later Bessie_). Harry Hagberd (_thirty-one, tall, broad shoulders, shaven face, small moustache. Blue serge suit. Coat open. Grey flannel shirt without collar and tie. No waistcoat. Belt with buckle. Black, soft felt hat, wide-brimmed, worn crushed in the crown and a little on one side. Good nature, recklessness, some swagger in the bearing. Assured, deliberate walk with a heavy tread. Slight roll in the gait. Walks down. Stops, hands in pockets. Looks about. Speaks_.) This must be it. Can't see anything beyond. There's somebody. (_Walks up to Capt. Hagberd's gate?_) Can you tell me... (_Manner changes. Leans elbow on gate?_) Why, you must be Capt. Hagberd himself. Capt. H. (_In garden, both hands on spade, peering, startled_). Yes, I am. Harry (_Slowly_). You've been advertising in the papers for your son, I believe. Capt. H. (_Off his guard, nervous_). Yes. My only boy Harry. He's coming home to-morrow. (_Mumbles_.) For a permanent stay. Harry (_Surprised_). The devil he is! (_Change of tone?_) My word! You've grown a beard like Father Christmas himself. Capt. H. (_Impressively_). Go your way. (_Waves one hand loftily?_) What's that to you. Go your way. (_Agitated?_) Go your way. Harry. There, there. I am not trespassing in the street--where I stand--am I? Tell you what, I fancy there's something wrong about your news. Suppose you let me come in--for a quiet chat, you know. Capt. H. (_Horrified_). Let you--_you_ come in! Harry (_Persuasive_). Because I could give you some real information about your son. The--very--latest--tip. If you care to hear. Capt. H. (_Explodes_). No! I don't care to hear. (_Begins to pace to and fro, spade on shoulder. Gesticulating with his other arm_.) Here's a fellow--a grinning town fellow, who says there's something wrong. (_Fiercely_.) I have got more information than you're aware of. I have all the information I want. I have had it for years--for years--for years--enough to last me till to-morrow! Let you come in, indeed! What would Harry say? (_Bessie Carvil appears at cottage door with a white wrap on her head and stands in her garden trying to see_). Bessie. What's the matter? Capt. H. (_Beside himself_). An information fellow. (_Stumbles_.) Harry (_Putting out arm to steady him, gravely_). Here! Steady a bit! Seems to me somebody's been trying to get at you. (_Change of tone_.) Hullo! What's this rig you've got on?... Storm canvas coat, by George! (_He gives a frig, throaty laugh_.) Well! You _are_ a character! Capt. H. (_Daunted by the allusion, looks at coat_). I--I wear it for--for the time being. Till--till--to-morrow. (_Shrinks away, spade in hand, to door of his cottage_.) Bessie (Advancing). And what may you want, sir? Harry (_Turns to Bessie at once; easy manner_). I'd like to know about this swindle that's going to be sprung on him. I didn't mean to startle the old man. You see, on my way here I dropped into a barber's to get a twopenny shave, and they told me there that he was something of a character. He has been a character all his life. Bessie (_Wondering_). What swindle? Capt. H. A grinning fellow! (_Makes sudden dash indoors with the spade. Door slams. Affected gurgling laugh within_.) _ |
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