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Read Ebook: Mrs. Dot: A Farce by Maugham W Somerset William Somerset
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Ebook has 1828 lines and 18453 words, and 37 pages
Mr. Rixon has just been, sir. He's gone on to the club.
GERALD.
I'm not sorry to miss him. One's solicitor seldom has any good news to bring one.
CHARLES.
Will you have the whiskey and soda, sir?
GERALD.
If it wouldn't give you too much trouble.
You show excellent judgment, Charles. The whiskey's capital.
CHARLES.
Pot-still, sir. Fifteen years in bottle.
GERALD.
CHARLES.
I'm very sorry, sir. I thought there was no objection.
GERALD.
A newspaper, a suit of clothes, and a bottle of wine are three things at which I prefer....
CHARLES.
To 'ave the first cut in, sir.
GERALD.
I thank you, Charles; I couldn't have expressed my meaning more idiomatically.
FREDDIE.
You'd better have a drink.
CHARLES.
Allow me, sir.
You are a philosopher, Charles, and it cuts me to the quick that I should be forced to deny myself the charm of your conversation.
CHARLES.
I beg your pardon, sir?
GERALD.
I am endeavouring to give you notice in such a manner as not to outrage your susceptibilities.
CHARLES.
Me, sir? I'm sorry if I don't give satisfaction.
GERALD.
On the contrary, you give every satisfaction. It has never been my good fortune to run across a servant who had an equal talent for blacking boots and for repartee. I am grateful for the care with which you have kept my wardrobe, and the encouragement you have offered to my attempts at humour. I have never seen you perturbed by a rebuke, or discouraged by ill-temper. Your merits, in fact, are overwhelming, but I'm afraid I must ask you to find another place.
BLENKINSOP.
You really shouldn't be so abrupt, Gerald. Look at him staggering under the blow.
CHARLES.
I'm very comfortable here, sir. Can you give me no reason for this decision?
GERALD.
You gave it yourself, Charles. As you justly observed, them mining shares is very low. You are sufficiently acquainted with my correspondence to be aware that my creditors have passed with singular unanimity from the stage of remonstrance to that of indignation.
BLENKINSOP.
I say, I'm sorry to hear this, old man.
CHARLES.
If it's just a matter of wages, sir, I shall be 'appy to wait till it suits your convenience to pay me.
GERALD.
I'm grateful to you for that, Charles; but, honestly, do you think half-measures can be of any use to me?
CHARLES.
Well, sir, so far as I'm acquainted with your circumstances....
GERALD.
Come, come, this modesty ill becomes you. Is there a bill in this room, or a solicitor's letter, with which you are not intimately acquainted?
CHARLES.
Well, sir, if you ask me outright--things is pretty bad.
FREDDIE.
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