Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated)
Page 411
Ronny.
I don’t know. I hate the idea of anyone being asked in my place. Shall I start on them at once?
Violet.
If you don’t mind. I have to go out, you know.
[He sits down at a writing table.]
Ronny.
I’ll start on those I dislike least.
Violet.
[With a chuckle.] Don’t you remember when Arthur said I must ask the Von Scheidleins how we hated to write them a civil letter?
Ronny.
[Writing.] Dear Lady Sinclair.
Violet.
Oh, she asked me to call her Evelyn.
Ronny.
Hang! I’ll have to start again.
Violet.
It always make me so uncomfortable to address fat old ladies by their Christian names.
Ronny.
I’ll end up “yours affectionately,” shall I?
Violet.
I suppose you’re awfully excited at the thought of going?
Ronny.
No.
Violet.
It’s a step for you, isn’t it? I ... I ought to congratulate you.
Ronny.
You don’t think I want to go, do you? I hate it.
Violet.
Why?
Ronny.
I’ve been very happy here.
Violet.
You knew you couldn’t stay here for the rest of your life.
Ronny.
Why not?
Violet.
[With an effort at self-control.] Who is the next person on the list?
Ronny.
[Looking at it.] Will you miss me at all?
Violet.
I suppose I shall at first.
Ronny.
That’s not a very kind thing to say.
Violet.
Isn’t it? I don’t mean to be unkind, Ronny.
Ronny.
Oh, I’m so miserable!
[She gives a little cry and looks at him. She presses her hands to her heart.]
Violet.
Let us go on with the letters.
[Silently he writes. She does not watch him, but looks hopelessly into space. She is unable to restrain a sob.]
Ronny.
You’re crying.
Violet.
No, I’m not. I’m not. I swear I’m not. [He gets up and goes over to her. He looks into her eyes.] It came so suddenly. I never dreamt you’d be going away.
Ronny.
Oh, Violet!
Violet.
Don’t call me that. Please don’t.
Ronny.
Did you know that I loved you?
Violet.
How should I know? Oh, I’m so unhappy. What have I done to deserve it?
Ronny.
I couldn’t help loving you. It can’t matter if I tell you now. It’s the end of everything. I don’t want to go without your knowing. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Violet.
Oh, Ronny!
Ronny.
It’s been so wonderful, all these months. I’ve never known anyone to come up to you. Everything you said pleased me. I loved the way you walk, and your laugh, and the sound of your voice.
Violet.
Oh, don’t!
Ronny.
I was content just to see you and to talk with you and to know you were here, near me. You’ve made me extraordinarily happy.
Violet.
Have I? Oh, I’m so glad.
Ronny.
I couldn’t help myself. I tried not to think of you. You’re not angry with me?
Violet.
I can’t be. Oh, Ronny, I’ve had such a rotten time. It came upon me unawares, I didn’t know what was happening. I thought I only liked you.
Ronny.
Oh, my dearest! Is it possible ...?
Violet.
And when it struck me — oh, I was so frightened. I thought it must be written on my face and everyone must see. I knew it was wrong. I knew I mustn’t. I couldn’t help myself.
Ronny.
Oh, say it, Violet. I want to hear you say it: “I love you.”
Violet.
I love you. [He kneels down before her and covers her hands with kisses.] Oh, don’t, don’t!
Ronny.
My dearest. My very dearest.
Violet.
What have I done? I made up my mind that no one should ever know. I thought then it wouldn’t matter. It needn’t prevent me from doing my duty to Arthur. It didn’t interfere with my affection for him. I didn’t see how it could hurt anyone if I kept my love for you locked up in my heart, tightly, and it made me so happy. I rejoiced in it.
Ronny.
I never knew. I used to weigh every word you said to me. You never gave me a sign.
Violet.
I didn’t know it was possible to love anybody as I love you, Ronny.
Ronny.
My precious!
Violet.
Oh, don’t say things like that to me. It breaks my heart. I wouldn’t ever have told you only I was upset by your going. If they’d only given me time to get used to the thought I wouldn’t ... I wouldn’t make such a fool of myself.
Ronny.
You can’t grudge me that little bit of comfort.
Violet.
But it all came so suddenly, the announcement that you were going and your going. I felt I couldn’t bear it. Why didn’t they give me time?
Ronny.
Don’t cry, my dearest, it tortures me.
Violet.
This is the last time we shall be alone, Ronny. I couldn’t let you go without ... oh, my God, I can’t bear it.
Ronny.
We might have been so happy together, Violet. Why didn’t we meet sooner? I feel we’re made for one another.
Violet.
Oh, don’t talk of that. D’you suppose I haven’t said to myself: “Oh, if I’d only met him first”? Oh, Ronny, Ronny, Ronny!
Ronny.
I never dared to think that you loved me. It’s maddening that I must go. It’s horrible to think of leaving you now.
Violet.
No, it’s better. We couldn’t have gone on like that. I’m glad you’re going. It breaks my heart.
Ronny.
Oh, Violet, why didn’t you wait for me?
Violet.
I made a mistake. I must pay for it. Arthur’s so good and kind. He loves me with all his heart. Oh, what a fool I was! I didn’t know what love was. I feel that my life is finished, and I’m so young, Ronny.
Ronny.
You know I’d do anything in the world for you.
Violet.
My dear one. [They stand, face to face, looking at one another wistfully and sadly.] It’s no good, Ronny, we’re both making ourselves utterly miserable. Say good-bye to me and let us part. [He draws her towards him.] No, don’t kiss me. I don’t want you to kiss me. [He takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately.] Oh, Ronny, I do love you so. [At last she tears herself away from him. She sinks into a chair. He makes a movement towards her.] No, don’t come near me now. I’m so tired.
[He looks at her for a moment, then he goes back to the table and sits down to write the letters. Their eyes meet slowly.]
Ronny.
It’s good-bye, then?
Violet.
It’s good-bye.
[She presses her hands to her heart as though the aching were unendurable. He buries his head in his hands.]
END OF THE FIRST ACT
ACT II
The scene is the garden of the Consular Agent’s residence. It is an Eastern garden with palm-trees, magnolias, and flowering bushes of azaleas. On one side is an old Arabic well-head decorated with verses from the Koran; a yellow rambler grows over the ironwork above. Rose-trees are in full bloom. On the other side are basket chairs and a table. At the bottom of the garden runs the Nile and on the farther bank are lines of palm-trees and the Eastern sky. It is towards eve
ning and during the act the sun gradually sets.
The table is set out with tea-things. Anne is seated reading a book. The gardener in his blue gaberdine, with brown legs and the little round cap of the Egyptian workman, is watering the flowers. Christina comes in.
Anne.
[Looking up, with a smile.] Ah, Christina!
Christina.
I was told I should find you here. I came to see Violet, but I hear she hasn’t come back yet.
Anne.
She was going to see the Khedive’s mother.
Christina.
I think I’ll wait for her.
Anne.
Would you like tea? I was waiting till Violet came in. I expect she’s been made to eat all sorts of sweet things and she’ll want a cup of tea to take the taste out of her mouth.
Christina.
No, don’t have it brought for me.... I can never quite get over being treated as a guest in the house I was mistress of for so many years. [To the Gardener.] Imshi (Get out).
Gardener.
Dêtak sa ‘ideh (May thy night be happy).
[He goes out.]
Anne.
Your knowledge of Arabic is rather sketchy, Christina.
Christina.
I never see why I should trouble myself with strange languages. If foreigners want to talk to me they can talk to me in English.
Anne.
But surely when we’re out of our own country we’re foreigners.
Christina.
Nonsense, Anne, we’re English. I wonder Arthur allows Violet to learn Arabic. I can’t help thinking it’ll make a bad impression on the natives. I managed this house on fifty words of Arabic.
Anne.
[Smiling.] I’m convinced that on a hundred you’d be prepared to manage the country.
Christina.
I don’t think you can deny that I did my work here competently.
Anne.
You’re a wonderful housekeeper.
Christina.
I have common sense and a talent for organisation. [Pursing her lips.] It breaks my heart to see the way certain things are done here now.
Anne.
You must remember Violet is very young.
Christina.
Much too young to be a suitable wife for Arthur.
Anne.
He seems to be very well satisfied, and after all he is the person most concerned.
Christina.
I know. His infatuation is — blind, don’t you think?
Anne.
[Coolly.] I think it’s very delightful to see two people so much in love with one another.
Christina.
D’you know that I used to be fearfully jealous of you, Anne?
Anne.
[Amused.] I know that you thoroughly disliked me, Christina. You didn’t trouble to hide it.
Christina.
I was always afraid that Arthur would marry you. I didn’t want to be turned out of this house. I suppose you think that’s horrid of me.
Anne.
No, I think it’s very natural.
Christina.
I didn’t see why Arthur should marry. I gave him all the comforts of home life. And I thought it would interfere with his work. Of course I knew that he liked you. I suffered agonies when he used to go and dine with you quietly. [With a sniff.] He said it rested him.
Anne.
Perhaps it did. Did you grudge him that?
Christina.
I knew you were desperately in love with him.
Anne.
Need you throw that in my face now? Really, I haven’t deserved it.
Christina.
My dear, I wish he had married you. It never struck me he’d marry a girl twenty years younger than himself.
Anne.
He never looked upon me as anything but a friend. I don’t suppose it occurred to him for an instant that my feeling might possibly be different.
Christina.
It was stupid of me. I ought to have given him a hint.
Anne.
[With a smile.] You took care not to do that, Christina. Perhaps you knew that was all it wanted.
Christina.
[Reflectively.] I don’t think he’s treated you very well.
Anne.
Nonsense. A man isn’t obliged to marry a woman just because she’s in love with him. I don’t see why loving should give one a claim on the person one loves.
Christina.
You would have made him a splendid wife.
Anne.
So will Violet, my dear. Most men have the wives they deserve.
Christina.
I marvel at your kindness to her. You’re so tolerant and sympathetic, one would never imagine she’s robbed you of what you wanted most in the world.
Anne.
I shouldn’t respect myself very much if I bore her the shadow of a grudge. I’m so glad that she’s sweet and charming and ingenuous; it makes it very easy to be fond of her.
Christina.
I know. I wanted to dislike her. But I can’t really. There is something about her which disarms one.
Anne.
Isn’t it lucky? It’s a difficult position. That irresistible charm of hers will make everything possible. After all, you and I can agree in that we both want Arthur to be happy.
Christina.
I wonder if there’s much chance of that.
[Anne looks at her for a moment inquiringly, and Christina coolly returns the stare.]
Anne.
Why did you come here this afternoon, Christina?
Christina.
[With a faint smile.] Why did you take so much trouble to get your brother moved to Paris?
Anne.
Good heavens, I told you this morning.
Christina.
D’you think we need make pretences with one another?
Anne.
I don’t think I quite understand.
Christina.
Don’t you? You wanted Ronny to leave Egypt because you know he’s in love with Violet.
[For a moment Anne is a little taken aback, but she quickly recovers herself.]
Anne.
He’s very susceptible. He’s always falling in and out of love. I had noticed that he was attracted, and I confess I thought it better to put him out of harm’s way.
Christina.
How cunning you are, Anne! You won’t admit anything till you’re quite certain the person you’re talking to knows it. You know as well as I do that Violet is just as much in love with him.
Anne.
[Much disturbed.] Christina, what are you going to do? How could I help knowing? You’ve only got to see the way they look at one another. They’re sick with love.
Christina.
What did Arthur expect? I’ve never seen a couple more admirably suited to one another.
Anne.
I thought no one knew but me till this morning, when you were talking to Arthur. Then I thought you must know too. My heart was in my mouth, I was afraid you were going to tell him. But you didn’t, and I thought I’d been mistaken.
Christina.
You didn’t give me credit for very nice feeling, Anne. Because I didn’t act like a perfect beast you thought I must be a perfect fool.
Anne.
I know how devoted you are to your son. I didn’t believe you’d stick at anything when his interests were at stake. I’m sorry, Christina.
Christina.
Pray don’t apologise. I didn’t know it myself. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell Arthur, but I simply couldn’t. I couldn’t do anything so shabby.
Anne.
Oh, Christina, we mustn’t ever let him know, we can’t make him so miserable. It would break his heart.
Christina.
Well, what is to be done?
Anne.
Heaven knows. I’ve been racking my brains. I can think of nothing. I’d arranged everything so beautifully. And now I’m help
less. I thought even of going to Ronny and asking him to refuse any job that will keep him here. But Arthur looks upon it as so important. He’ll insist on Ronny’s accepting unless his reasons for going are — what’s the word I want?
Christina.
Irrefutable. It seems very hard that my boy should be done out of such a splendid chance by Ronny. Except for your brother I’m sure Arthur would give it to Henry.
Anne.
[Diplomatically.] I know he has the highest opinion of Henry’s abilities.
Christina.
You can’t expect me to sit still and let things go on.
Anne.
Arthur is perfectly unconscious. He thinks Violet is as much in love with him as he is with her. You couldn’t be so cruel as to hint anything to him.
Christina.
How you adore him, Anne! You may set your mind at rest. I’m not going to say a word to Arthur. I’m going to speak to Violet.
Anne.
[Frightened.] What are you going to say?
Christina.
I’m going to ask her to do all she can to persuade Arthur to give Henry the job. And then Ronny can go to Paris.
Anne.
You’re not going to tell her you know?
Christina.
[Deliberately.] If it’s necessary she must make Ronny refuse the appointment. He must invent some excuse that Arthur will accept.
Anne.
But it’s blackmail.
Christina.
I don’t care what it is.
[Violet comes in. She wears an afternoon gown, picturesque and simple, yet elegant enough for the visit she has been paying. She has a large hat, which she presently removes.]
Anne.
Here is Violet.
Violet.
Oh, you poor people, haven’t you had any tea?
Anne.
I thought we’d wait till you came back. It’ll come at once now.
Violet.
How are you, Christina? How is Henry? [They kiss one another.] I’ve not seen him for days.
Christina.
He’s coming to fetch me presently.
Violet.
I shall tell him he neglects me. He’s the only one of my in-laws I’m not a little afraid of.
Christina.
He’s a good boy.
Violet.
He has a good mother. I thought it would be such fun having a nephew several years older than myself, but he won’t treat me as an aunt. He will call me Violet. I tell him he ought to be more respectful.
[Meanwhile Servants have brought the tea.]
Christina.
What have you been doing this afternoon?
Violet.
Oh, I went to see the Khedive’s mother. She made me eat seventeen different things and I feel exactly like a boa-constrictor. [Looking at the cakes and scones.] I’m afraid there’s not a very nice tea.