Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated)

by William Somerset Maugham

John.

  Do you really care for him?

  Hilda.

  [In a low voice hoarse with passion.] No, I don’t care for him. I worship the very ground he treads on.

  John.

  [Very gravely.] Then you must do as you think best.... You’re playing the most dangerous game in the world. You’re playing with human hearts.... Good-bye.

  Hilda.

  [Taking his hand.] Good-bye, John. You’re not angry with me because I was horrid.... I’m glad you told me about his wife. Now I shall know what to do.

  John.

  Mabel.

  Mabel.

  [Coming forward.] Yes, we really must be going. I’ve not seen my precious baby for two hours.

  Hilda.

  [Taking both her hands.] Good-bye, you happy child. You’ve got a precious baby, and you’ve got a husband you love. What can you want more?

  Mabel.

  [Flippantly.] I want a motor-car.

  Hilda.

  [Kissing her.] Good-bye, darling.

  [Mabel and John go out.

  Brackley.

  I like this room, Mrs. Murray. It never seems to say to you: now it’s really time for you to go away, as some drawing-rooms do.

  Hilda.

  [Recovering her serenity.] I suppose it’s the furniture. I’m thinking of changing it.

  Brackley.

  [With a smile.] Upon my word, that almost suggests that I’ve outstayed my welcome.

  Hilda.

  [Gaily.] I shouldn’t have said that if I didn’t know that nothing would induce you to go till you wanted to.

  Brackley.

  [Rising.] You know me like your glove. But it really is growing monstrous late.

  Hilda.

  You mustn’t go till you’ve told me who the fair charmer was I saw you with at the play last night.

  Brackley.

  Ah, the green-eyed monster!

  Hilda.

  [Laughing.] Don’t be so absurd, but I thought you’d like to know her yellow hair was dyed.

  [Basil looks over the pages of a book, somewhat

  annoyed that Hilda takes no notice of him.

  Brackley.

  Of course it was dyed. That was just the charm of it. Any woman can have yellow hair naturally: there’s no more credit in that than in having it blue or green.

  Hilda.

  I’ve always wanted to make mine purple.

  Brackley.

  Don’t you think women ought to be artificial? It’s just as much their duty to rouge their cheeks and powder their noses as it is for them to wear nice frocks.

  Hilda.

  But I know many women who wear horrid frocks.

  Brackley.

  Oh, those are the others. I treat them as non-existent.

  Hilda.

  What do you mean?

  Brackley.

  There are only two sorts of women in the world — the women who powder their noses and the others.

  Hilda.

  And who are they if you please?

  Brackley.

  I haven’t examined the matter very carefully, but I understand they are clergymen’s daughters by profession.

  [He shakes hands with her.

  Hilda.

  It’s so nice of you to have come.

  Brackley.

  [Nodding at Basil.] Good-bye.... May I come again soon?

  Hilda.

  [Looking at him quickly.] Were you serious just now, or were you laughing at me?

  Brackley.

  I’ve never been more serious in my life.

  Hilda.

  Then perhaps I shall be in to luncheon on Thursday after all.

  Brackley.

  A thousand thanks. Good-bye.

  [He nods to Basil and goes out. Hilda looks

  at Basil with a smile.

  Hilda.

  Is that a very interesting book?

  Basil.

  [Putting it down.] I thought that man was never going away.

  Hilda.

  [Laughing.] I suspect he thought precisely the same of you.

  Basil.

  [Ill-temperedly.] What an ass he is! How can you stand him?

  Hilda.

  I’m rather attached to him. I don’t take everything he says very seriously. And young men ought to be foolish.

  Basil.

  He didn’t strike me as so juvenile as all that.

  Hilda.

  He’s only forty, poor thing — and I’ve never known a coming young man who was less than that.

  Basil.

  He’s a young man with a very bald head.

  Hilda.

  [Amused.] I wonder why you dislike him!

  Basil.

  [With a jealous glance, icily.] I thought he wasn’t admitted into decent houses.

  Hilda.

  [Opening her eyes.] He comes here, Mr. Kent.

  Basil.

  [Unable to restrain his ill-temper.] Don’t you know that he’s been mixed up in every scandal for the last twenty years?

  Hilda.

  [Good-humouredly, seeing that Basil is merely jealous.] There must be people in the world to provide gossip for their neighbours.

  Basil.

  It’s no business of mine. I have no right to talk to you like this.

  Hilda.

  I wonder why you do it?

  Basil.

  [Almost savagely.] Because I love you.

  [There is a little pause.

  Hilda.

  [With a smile, ironically.] Won’t you have some more tea, Mr. Kent?

  Basil.

  [Going up to her, speaking with a sort of vehement gravity.] You don’t know what I’ve suffered. You don’t know what a hell my life is.... I tried so hard to prevent myself from coming here. When I married I swore I’d break with all my old friends.... When I married I found I loved you.

  Hilda.

  I can’t listen to you if you talk like that.

  Basil.

  D’you want me to go?

  [She does not answer for a moment, but walks

  up and down in agitation. At last she

  stops and faces him.

  Hilda.

  Did you hear me tell Mr. Brackley to come on Thursday?

  Basil.

  Yes.

  Hilda.

  He’s asked me to be his wife. And on Thursday I shall give him an answer.

  Basil.

  Hilda!

  Hilda.

  [Earnestly.] It’s you who’ve driven me into it.

  Basil.

  Hilda, what are you going to say to him?

  Hilda.

  I don’t know — perhaps, yes?

  Basil.

  Oh, Hilda, Hilda, you don’t care for him?

  Hilda.

  [Shrugging her shoulders.] He amuses me. I dare say we should get on very well together.

  Basil.

  [Passionately.] Oh, you can’t. You don’t know what you’re doing. I thought — I thought you loved me.

  Hilda.

  It’s because I love you that I shall marry Mr. Brackley.

  Basil.

  Oh, it’s absurd. I won’t let you. You’re making us both utterly wretched. I won’t let you sacrifice our happiness. Oh, Hilda, I love you. I can’t live without you. At first I tried to resist seeing you. I used to pass your door and look up at your windows; and the door seemed as if it were waiting for me. And at the end of the street I used to look back. Oh, how I used to want to come in and see you once more! I thought if I saw you just once, I should get over it. And at last I couldn’t help myself. I’m so weak. Do you despise me?

  Hilda.

  [Almost in a whisper.] I don’t know.

  Basil.

  And you were so kind I couldn’t help coming again. I thought I did no harm.

  Hilda.

  I saw you were unhappy.

  Basil.

  I should think I was unhappy. For months I’ve dreaded going home. When I saw my house as I walked
along I almost turned sick. You don’t know how fervently I’ve wished that I’d got killed in the war. I can’t go on.

  Hilda.

  But you must. It’s your duty.

  Basil.

  Oh, I think I’ve had enough of duty and honour. I’ve used up all my principles in the last year.

  Hilda.

  Don’t say that, Basil.

  Basil.

  After all, it’s my own fault. I brought it on myself, and I must take the consequences.... But I haven’t the strength, I don’t love her.

  Hilda.

  Then don’t let her ever find it out. Be kind to her, and gentle and forbearing.

  Basil.

  I can’t be kind and gentle and forbearing day after day, for weeks, and months, and years.

  Hilda.

  I thought you were a brave man. They wouldn’t have given you that medal if you’d been a coward.

  Basil.

  Oh, my dearest, it’s not hard to risk your life in the midst of battle. I can do that — but this needs more strength than I’ve got. I tell you I can’t endure it.

  Hilda.

  [Tenderly.] But it’ll get better. You’ll get used to one another, and you’ll understand one another better.

  Basil.

  We’re too different. It’s impossible for it to get better. We can’t even go on as we have been. I’ve felt that the end was coming.

  Hilda.

  But try — try for my sake.

  Basil.

  You don’t know what it is. Everything she says, everything she does, jars upon me so frightfully. I try to restrain myself. I clench my teeth to prevent myself from breaking out at her. Sometimes I can’t help it, and I say things that I’d give anything to have left unsaid. She’s dragging me down. I’m getting as common and vulgar as she is.

  Hilda.

  How can you say that of your wife?

  Basil.

  Don’t you think I must have gone through a good deal before I could acknowledge to myself what she was? I’m chained to her for all my life. And when I look into the future — I see her a vulgar, slatternly shrew like her mother, and myself abject, degraded, and despicable. The woman never tires in her conflict with the man, and in the end he always succumbs. A man, when he marries a woman like that, thinks he’s going to lift her up to his own station. The fool! It’s she who drags him down to hers.

  Hilda.

  [Much disturbed, rising from her seat.] I wanted you to be so happy.

  Basil.

  [Going towards her.] Hilda!

  Hilda.

  No — don’t.... Please!

  Basil.

  If it weren’t for you I couldn’t have lived. It was only by seeing you that I gathered courage to go on with it. And each time I came here I loved you more passionately.

  Hilda.

  Oh, why did you come?

  Basil.

  I couldn’t help it. I knew it was poison, but I loved the poison. I would give my whole soul for one look of your eyes.

  Hilda.

  If you care for me at all, do your duty like a brave man — and let me respect you.

  Basil.

  Say that you love me, Hilda.

  Hilda.

  [Distracted.] You’re making our friendship impossible. Don’t you see that you’re preventing me from ever having you here again?

  Basil.

  I can’t help it.

  Hilda.

  I ought never to have seen you again. I thought there was no harm in your coming, and I — I couldn’t bear to lose you altogether.

  Basil.

  Even if I never see you again, I must tell you now that I love you. I made you suffer, I was blind. But I love you with all my heart, Hilda. All day I think of you, and I dream of you in the night. I long to take you in my arms and kiss you, to kiss your lips, and your beautiful hair, and your hands. My whole soul is yours, Hilda.

  [He goes towards her again to take her in his

  arms.

  Hilda.

  Oh, no, go away. For God’s sake, go now. I can’t bear it.

  Basil.

  Hilda, I can’t live without you.

  Hilda.

  Have mercy on me. Don’t you see how weak I am? Oh, God help me!

  Basil.

  You don’t love me?

  Hilda.

  [Vehemently.] You know I love you. But because of my great love I beseech you to do your duty.

  Basil.

  My duty is to be happy. Let us go where we can love one another — away from England, to a land where love isn’t sinful and ugly.

  Hilda.

  Oh, Basil, let us try to walk straight. Think of your wife, who loves you also — as much as I do. You’re all the world to her. You can’t treat her so shamefully.

  [She puts her handkerchief to her eyes, and Basil

  gently takes away her hand.

  Basil.

  Don’t cry, Hilda. I can’t bear it.

  Hilda.

  [In broken tones.] Don’t you understand that we could never respect ourselves again if we did that poor creature such a fearful wrong? She would be always between us with her tears and her sorrows. I tell you I couldn’t bear it. Have mercy on me — if you love me at all.

  Basil.

  [Wavering.] Hilda, it’s too hard. I can’t leave you.

  Hilda.

  You must. I know it’s better to do our duty. For my sake, dearest, go back to your wife, and don’t let her ever know that you love me. It’s because we’re stronger than she that we must sacrifice ourselves.

  [He leans his head on his hands, and sighs

  deeply. For a while they remain in silence.

  At last, with another sigh, he gets up.

  Basil.

  I don’t know any longer what’s right and what’s wrong. It all seems confused. It’s very hard.

  Hilda.

  [Hoarsely.] It’s just as hard for me, Basil.

  Basil.

  [Broken-hearted.] Good-bye, then. I dare say you’re right. And perhaps I should only make you very unhappy.

  Hilda.

  Good-bye, my dearest.

  [He bends down and kisses her hands. She

  stifles a sob. He goes slowly to the door,

  with his back turned to her; and then

  Hilda, unable to endure it, gives a groan.

  Hilda.

  Basil. Don’t go.

  Basil.

  [With a cry of joy.] Ah! Hilda.

  [He clasps her passionately in his arms.

  Hilda.

  Oh, I can’t bear it. I won’t lose you. Basil, say you love me.

  Basil.

  [In a madness of joy.] Yes. I love you with all my heart.

  Hilda.

  I could have borne it if you’d been happy.

  Basil.

  Now nothing can separate us, Hilda. You belong to me for ever.

  Hilda.

  God help me! What have I done?

  Basil.

  If we lose our souls, what does it matter? We gain the whole world.

  Hilda.

  Oh, Basil, I want your love. I want your love so badly.

  Basil.

  Will you come with me, Hilda? I can take you to a land where the whole earth speaks only of love — and where only love and youth and beauty matter.

  Hilda.

  Let us go where we can be together always. We have so short a time; let us snatch all the happiness we can.

  Basil.

  [Kissing her again.] My darling.

  Hilda.

  Oh, Basil, Basil.... [She starts away.] Take care!

  [The Butler comes in.]

  Butler.

  Mrs. Kent.

  [Jenny enters hurriedly, as he gives her name.

  The Butler at once goes out.

  Basil.

  Jenny!

  Jenny.

  I’ve caught you.

  Basil.

  [Trying to be urbane — to Hilda] I think you k
now my wife.

  Jenny.

  [In a loud angry voice.] Oh, yes, I know her. You needn’t introduce me. I’ve come for my husband.

  Basil.

  Jenny, what are you saying?

  Jenny.

  Oh, I don’t want any of your Society shams. I’ve come here to speak out.

  Basil.

  [To Hilda.] Would you mind leaving us alone?

  Jenny.

  [Also to Hilda, passionately.] No, I want to speak to you. You’re trying to get my husband from me. He’s my husband.

  Basil.

  Be quiet, Jenny. Are you mad? Mrs. Murray, for God’s sake leave us. She’ll insult you.

  Jenny.

  You think of her, you don’t think of me. You don’t care how much I suffer.

  Basil.

  [Taking her arm.] Come away, Jenny.

  Jenny.

  [Shaking him off.] I won’t. You’re afraid to let me see her.

  Hilda.

  [Pale and trembling, conscience-stricken.] Let her speak.

  Jenny.

  [Going up to Hilda threateningly.] You’re stealing my husband from me. Oh, you.... [She is at a loss for words violent enough.

  Hilda.

  I don’t want to make you unhappy, Mrs. Kent.

  Jenny.

  You can’t get round me with polite words. I’m sick of all that. I want to speak straight.

  Basil.

  [To Hilda.] Please go. You can do no good.

  Jenny.

  [Still more vehemently.] You’re stealing my husband from me. You’re a wicked woman.

  Hilda.

  [Almost in a whisper.] If you like I’ll promise you never to see your husband again.

  Jenny.

  [With angry scorn.] Much good your promises will do me. I wouldn’t believe a word you said. I know what Society ladies are. We know all about them in the City.

  Basil.

  [To Hilda.] You must leave us alone.

  [He opens the door, and she goes out, looking

  away from him.

  Jenny.

  [Savagely.] She’s frightened of me. She daren’t stand up to me.

  Basil.

  [As Hilda goes.] I’m so sorry.

  Jenny.

  You’re sorry for her.

  Basil.

  [Turning on her.] Yes, I am. What d’you mean by coming here and behaving like this?

  Jenny.

  I’ve caught you at last.... You liar! You dirty liar! You told me you were going to Chancery Lane.

  Basil.

  I have been to Chancery Lane.

  Jenny.

  Oh, I know you have — for five minutes. It was only an excuse. You might just as well have come here straight.

  Basil.

  [Angrily.] How dare you follow me?

  Jenny.

  I’ve got a right to follow you.

  Basil.

  [Unable to contain himself.] What d’you want here?