Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated)

by William Somerset Maugham

  Henry.

  Come along, Mother. I’m not going to kiss you in public.

  Christina.

  [Getting up.] Well, good-bye, Violet. Don’t forget our little conversation, will you?

  Violet.

  Good-bye. Good-bye, Henry.

  Christina.

  [To Anne.] Why don’t you come for a little drive with us? It’s such a beautiful evening.

  Anne.

  Will you take me? I think I’d like it. It won’t take me a minute to put on my hat.

  [She gets up. They start to walk towards the house.]

  Christina.

  [Putting up her cheek.] Good-bye, Arthur.

  Arthur.

  Oh, I’ll just come along and put you in your carriage. You shan’t say that I don’t treat you with the ceremony due to your importance.

  [They saunter off. Violet and Ronny are left alone.]

  Violet.

  You’re coming back, Arthur?

  Arthur.

  Oh, yes, in a minute. [Exit.]

  Ronny.

  [Under his breath.] Violet.

  Violet.

  Be quiet.

  Ronny.

  Isn’t it ripping? I could hardly prevent myself from letting them see how much I loved you.

  Violet.

  You didn’t. Christina suspected before and now you’ve told her in plain words.

  Ronny.

  [Gaily.] That’s only your fancy. You think because it’s plain to you it must be plain to anybody else.

  Violet.

  I’ve never before had anything to hide. D’you think I like it?

  Ronny.

  And even if she does know, what does it matter? It does her no harm.... And how could anyone help loving you?

  Violet.

  [Quickly.] Take care what you say.

  Ronny.

  No one can hear. To look at us anyone would think we were discussing the political situation.

  Violet.

  You’re cunning, Ronny.

  Ronny.

  I love you. I love you. I love you.

  Violet.

  For God’s sake don’t keep on saying it. I’m so ashamed.

  Ronny.

  [Astonished.] What about?

  Violet.

  Just now, this afternoon, I would never have said what I did only I thought you were going. I wasn’t myself then, Ronny. I ought never to have....

  Ronny.

  Thank God you did. You can’t grudge me the happiness you gave me. You can’t take it away from me now. I know you love me. I hold the sun and the moon in my hands and all the stars of heaven.

  Violet.

  [Desperately.] What are we going to do? Oh, it’s not fair to me.

  Ronny.

  It’s done now. You can’t unsay it. Each time I look at you I shall remember. I’ve held you in my arms and kissed your lips. You can never take that away from me. And I needn’t go. I shall see you constantly. Oh, I’m so happy.

  [She walks up and down for a moment, trying to control herself, then she makes up her mind: she stops and faces him.]

  Violet.

  I want you to go, Ronny. I want you to make some excuse and refuse the appointment here.

  Ronny.

  No, I can’t leave you now.

  Violet.

  I beseech you to go.

  Ronny.

  Do you want me to?

  Violet.

  Yes.

  Ronny.

  Give me your hand, then.

  Violet.

  Why?

  Ronny.

  Give me your hand. [She gives it him and he holds it.] Say you love me, Violet.

  Violet.

  No.

  Ronny.

  How cold your hand is!

  Violet.

  Let me go.

  Ronny.

  D’you really want me to go?

  Violet.

  You know I don’t. I adore you. It’ll kill me if you go. [He bends down and passionately kisses her hand.] Ronny, Ronny, don’t! What are you doing? [She tears her hand away. She is trembling with emotion. He is white and cold with passion. They sit opposite one another for a while in silence.] What a punishment! When you told me this afternoon that you loved me I thought I’d never been happy in my life before, and though it tore my heart to think that you must go I felt — oh, I don’t know — as though my joy was so overwhelming, there was no room in my heart for anything else. And now I’m wretched, wretched.

  Ronny.

  But why? Darling! My darling, we were going to be parted, and now we’re going to be together. Can anything matter beside that?

  Violet.

  It’s all so hopeless.

  Ronny.

  It needn’t be.

  Violet.

  How can it be anything else?

  Ronny.

  I don’t love you for a day or a week, Violet; I love you for always.

  Violet.

  Whatever happens, I’m going to try to do my duty to Arthur.

  Ronny.

  I’m not seeking to prevent you. What am I asking for? I only want to see you. I want to know that I’m close to you. I want to touch your hand. I want to think of you. What harm can that do you?

  Violet.

  If I were my own mistress I could laugh and let you do as you choose. But I’m not. I’m bound to you hand and foot. It’s torture to me. And the worst of it is I love my bonds. I can’t wish to be without them. I’m at your mercy, Ronny. I love you.

  Ronny.

  Oh, but that’s enough for me. I swear to you I don’t want you to do anything that you’ll ever regret.

  Violet.

  If it could only be taken out of our hands. If something would only happen.

  Ronny.

  What can happen?

  Violet.

  Perhaps the Khedive will change his mind. Perhaps the Foreign Office will say you must go to Paris.

  Ronny.

  Would you be pleased? Violet, I want so little from you. How can it hurt you to give me that? Let us give ourselves a chance to be happy.

  Violet.

  We shall never be happy. Never. The only thing we can do is to part, and I can’t let you go. I can’t. I can’t. It’s asking too much of me.

  Ronny.

  I love you with all my heart and soul. I didn’t know it was possible to love anyone as I love you.

  [Arthur is heard gaily whistling to himself.]

  Violet.

  There’s Arthur!

  Ronny.

  [Quickly.] Shall I go?

  Violet.

  Yes. No. Have we got to hide ourselves? Has it come to that already? Oh, I hate myself.

  [Arthur comes in.]

  Violet.

  [Brightly.] You’re very gay this afternoon, Arthur. One doesn’t often hear you whistle.

  Arthur.

  D’you think it’s unbecoming to my years or to my dignity?

  Violet.

  Shall I give you a cup of tea?

  Arthur.

  To tell you the honest truth that is what I came here for.

  Violet.

  And I was flattering myself it was for the pleasure of my company.

  Arthur.

  Ronny, will you find out if it would be convenient for the Khedive to see me at eleven o’clock to-morrow?

  Ronny.

  Very good, sir.

  [He goes out.]

  Violet.

  What have you to see the Khedive about — if it isn’t a secret?

  Arthur.

  Not at all. I’m merely going to place before him Ronny’s name.

  Violet.

  Then the matter’s not definitely settled yet?

  Arthur.

  Not formally. I’ve not had the reply yet to my telegram to the Foreign Office, and I’ve not had the Khedive’s acceptance of my suggestion.

  Violet.

  But supposing the Foreign Office say they think he’d better go to Pa
ris after all?

  Arthur.

  I think it’s most unlikely. They know by now that the man on the spot is the best judge of the circumstances, and I’ve accustomed them to giving me a free hand.

  Violet.

  And you think the Khedive will raise no objection?

  Arthur.

  He knows Ronny a little and likes him. I think he’ll be delighted with my choice.

  [There is a pause. Arthur drinks his tea. There is no sign that he is conscious of Violet’s agitation. She is tortured by indecision.]

  Violet.

  Arthur, I’m sorry if I was cross just now about Abdul Said. It was stupid of me to interfere with something that wasn’t my business.

  Arthur.

  Oh, my dear, don’t say that. I’m sorry I couldn’t do what you wanted.

  Violet.

  I made myself needlessly disagreeable. Will you forgive me?

  Arthur.

  Darling, don’t reproach yourself. That’s more than I can bear. There’s nothing to forgive.

  Violet.

  I owe so much to you. I hate to think that I was horrid.

  Arthur.

  You don’t owe anything to me at all. And you’re incapable of being horrid.

  [He seizes her hands and is about to kiss them, when she draws them abruptly away.]

  Violet.

  No, don’t kiss my hands.

  Arthur.

  Why not?

  [He is surprised. For an instant she is taken aback. He looks at her hands and she withdraws them as though he could see on them the kisses which Ronny, a few minutes before, had pressed on them.]

  Violet.

  [With the faintest laugh of embarrassment.] If you want to kiss me I prefer you to kiss my cheeks.

  Arthur.

  That is evidently what they’re made for.

  [He does not attempt to kiss them. She gives him a quick glance and looks away.]

  Violet.

  Arthur, I’m afraid Christina will be awfully disappointed at Henry’s not getting that job.

  Arthur.

  Let us hope she will bear her disappointment with as much fortitude as I do.

  Violet.

  I don’t think she’s entirely given up hope that you will change your mind.

  Arthur.

  [With a chuckle.] I’m sure of that. I don’t expect to have much peace till the matter is officially settled. That is why I mean to settle it quickly.

  Violet.

  What is your objection to Henry?

  Arthur.

  None. He’s not such a good man as Ronald Parry, that’s all.

  Violet.

  The last time there was a good job going Henry just missed getting it.

  Arthur.

  Henry is one of those men who would do very well for a job if there weren’t always somebody just a little bit better applying at the same time.

  Violet.

  Christina thinks you’re so anxious not to favour him because he’s your nephew that you are positively biassed against him.

  Arthur.

  Christina, like the majority of her sex, has an unerring eye for the discreditable motive.

  Violet.

  She blames me because you won’t help Henry. She thinks it’s because I’m jealous of her.

  Arthur.

  How exactly like her! The best mother and the most unreasonable woman I’ve ever known.

  Violet.

  [Forcing the words out.] It would be a great pleasure to me if you could change your mind and let Henry have the post instead of Ronald Parry.

  Arthur.

  Oh, my dear, don’t ask me to do that. You know how I hate refusing to do anything you wish.

  Violet.

  Anne is so anxious that Ronny should go to Paris. He’s made all his preparations, don’t you think you might just as well let him go?

  Arthur.

  I’m afraid I don’t. I want him here.

  Violet.

  It would be such a joy to me if I could go and tell Christina that you’d consented. It would make such a difference to me, you see. I want her to be fond of me, and I know she’d never forget if I’d been able to do her a good turn like that. Oh, Arthur, won’t you?

  Arthur.

  Darling, I’m afraid I can’t.

  Violet.

  I promise I’ll never ask you anything again as long as I live if you’ll only do this for me. It means so much to me. You don’t know how much.

  Arthur.

  I can’t, Violet.

  Violet.

  Won’t you talk it over with Anne?

  Arthur.

  To tell you the truth I don’t think it’s any business of hers.

  Violet.

  [Hesitatingly.] Is it due to her influence that Ronald was appointed to Paris?

  Arthur.

  Why?

  Violet.

  I want to know. If she’s been pulling strings to get him moved I suppose it’s for some reason. He was very comfortable here. It’s not often you find a secretary who exactly suits you.

  Arthur.

  Well, yes, it was her doing. She tells me she doesn’t mean to come to Egypt so much as in the past and wants her brother nearer to her.

  Violet.

  If she wants to see much of her brother she let him choose rather an unfortunate profession.... I wonder she didn’t tell you the truth.

  Arthur.

  [Quickly.] I’m convinced she did. I thought her explanation very natural. I’m sorry it’s necessary for me to interfere with her plans.

  Violet.

  I’m sure she wouldn’t mind my telling you why she’s so anxious Ronny should leave Egypt. She thinks he’s in love with a married woman and it seems desirable to get him away. Perhaps she didn’t want to tell you. I fancy she’s been very uneasy about it.

  Arthur.

  I daresay it’s only a momentary infatuation. Let us hope he will get over it quickly. I can’t lose a useful public servant because he happens to have formed an unfortunate attachment.

  Violet.

  I’m afraid I’m not explaining myself very well. Ronny is desperately in love. There’s no other way of putting it. You must let him go. After all, you’re very fond of him, you’ve known him since he was a small boy; it isn’t as though he were a stray young man sent you by the Foreign Office. You can’t be entirely indifferent to him. Perhaps his welfare is at stake. Don’t you think it’s wiser — it’s only kind — to send him out of harm’s way.

  Arthur.

  My dear, you know that I — Arthur Little — would do anything to please you and that I care very much for the happiness of Anne and the welfare of Ronald Parry. But, you see, I’m an official too, and the official can’t do all sorts of things that the man would be very glad to.

  Violet.

  How can you separate the official and the man? The official can’t do things that the man disapproves.

  Arthur.

  Ah! that’s a point that has been discussed ever since states came into being. Are the rules of private morality binding on the statesman? In theory most of us answer yes, but in practice very few act on that principle. In this case, darling, it hardly applies. I see no conflict between the man and the official.

  Violet.

  You think it doesn’t really concern you, Arthur?

  Arthur.

  I’ve not said that. But I’m not going to let an appeal to my emotions interfere with my judgment. I think I understand the situation. I’m not proposing to change my mind. I shall present Ronny’s name to the Khedive to-morrow.

  Violet.

  D’you think me very stupid, Arthur?

  Arthur.

  Not at all, darling. Only a clever woman could achieve your beauty.

  Violet.

  Then doesn’t it occur to you that if I’ve made such a point of Ronny’s going it must be for some very good reason?

  Arthur.

  [With a quick look at her.] Don’t you think we�
�d better leave that subject alone, darling?

  Violet.

  I’m afraid you’ll think it silly and vain of me to say so, but I think you should know that — that Ronny’s in love with me. That is why I want him to go.

  Arthur.

  It’s very natural that he should be in love with you. I’m always surprised that everybody else isn’t. I don’t see how I can prevent that except by taking you to live in the depths of the Sahara.

  Violet.

  Don’t make light of it, Arthur. It wasn’t very easy for me to tell you.

  Arthur.

  How do you wish me to take it? I can’t blame Ronald. He’s by way of being a gentleman. I’ve been good to him. He’ll make the best of a bad job.

  Violet.

  D’you mean to say that it makes no difference to you?

  Arthur.

  This secretaryship is a stepping-stone to a very important position. You’re not going to ask me to rob him of it because he’s done something so very natural as to fall in love with the most charming woman in Egypt? I imagine that all my secretaries will fall in love with you. Poor devils, I don’t see how they can be expected to help it.

  Violet.

  You drive me mad. It’s so serious, it’s so tremendously serious, and you have the heart to make little jokes about it.

  Arthur.

  [Gravely.] Has it ever struck you that flippancy is often the best way of dealing with a serious situation? Sometimes it’s really too serious to be taken seriously.

  Violet.

  What do you mean by that?

  Arthur.

  Nothing very much. I was excusing myself for my ill-timed jests.

  Violet.

  You’re determined to keep Ronny here?

  Arthur.

  Quite. [There is a pause. Arthur gets up and puts his hand on her shoulder.] I don’t think there’s anything more to say. If you will forgive me I will get back to the office.

  Violet.

  No, don’t go yet, Arthur. There’s something more I want to say to you.

  Arthur.

  Will you allow me to advise you not to? It’s so easy to say too much; it’s never unwise to say too little. I beseech you not to say anything that we should both of us regret.

  Violet.

  You think it’s unimportant if Ronny loves me, because you trust me implicitly.

  Arthur.

  Implicitly.

  Violet.

  Has it never occurred to you that I might be influenced by his love against my will? Do you think it’s so very safe?

  Arthur.

  If I allowed any doubt on that matter to enter my head I should surely be quite unworthy of your affection.

  Violet.

  Arthur, I don’t want to have any secrets from you.