Major Barbara George Bernard Shaw (crime books to read txt) 📖

to hide her face from them. Bill Sneering after her. Naow, it warn’t enough for you. Turning to the drum, he misses the money. Ellow! If you ain’t took it summun else az. Were’s it gorn? Blame me if Jenny Ill didn’t take it arter all! Rummy Screaming at him from the loft. You lie, you dirty blackguard! Snobby Price pinched it off the drum wen ’e took ap iz cap. I was ap ’ere all the time an’ see ’im do it. Bill Wot! Stowl maw money! Waw didn’t you call thief on him, you silly old mucker you? Rummy To serve you aht for ’ittin me acrost the face. It’s cost y’pahnd, that az. Raising a paean of squalid triumph. I done you. I’m even with you. I’ve ad it aht o’ y⁠—. Bill snatches up Shirley’s mug and hurls it at her. She slams the loft door and vanishes. The mug smashes against the door and falls in fragments. Bill Beginning to chuckle. Tell us, ole man, wot o’clock this morrun was it wen ’im as they call Snobby Prawce was sived? Barbara Turning to him more composedly, and with unspoiled sweetness. About half past twelve, Bill. And he pinched your pound at a quarter to two. I know. Well, you can’t afford to lose it. I’ll send it to you. Bill His voice and accent suddenly improving. Not if I was to starve for it. I ain’t to be bought. Shirley Ain’t you? You’d sell yourself to the devil for a pint o’ beer; ony there ain’t no devil to make the offer. Bill Unshamed. So I would, mate, and often ’av, cheerful. But she cawn’t buy me. Approaching Barbara. You wanted my soul, did you? Well, you ain’t got it. Barbara I nearly got it, Bill. But we’ve sold it back to you for ten thousand pounds. Shirley And dear at the money! Barbara No, Peter: it was worth more than money. Bill Salvationproof. It’s no good: you cawn’t get rahnd me nah. I don’t blieve in it; and I’ve seen today that I was right. Going. So long, old soupkitchener! Ta, ta, Major Earl’s Grendorter! Turning at the gate. Wot prawce Selvytion nah? Snobby Prawce! Ha! ha! Barbara Offering her hand. Goodbye, Bill. Bill Taken aback, half plucks his cap off then shoves it on again defiantly. Git aht. Barbara drops her hand, discouraged. He has a twinge of remorse. But thet’s aw rawt, you knaow. Nathink pasnl. Naow mellice. So long, Judy. He goes. Barbara No malice. So long, Bill. Shirley Shaking his head. You make too much of him, miss, in your innocence. Barbara Going to him. Peter: I’m like you now. Cleaned out, and lost my job. Shirley You’ve youth an hope. That’s two better than me. That’s hope for you. Barbara I’ll get you a job, Peter, the youth will have to be enough for me. She counts her money. I have just enough left for two teas at Lockharts, a Rowton doss for you, and my tram and bus home. He frowns and rises with offended pride. She takes his arm. Don’t be proud, Peter: it’s sharing between friends. And promise me you’ll talk to me and not let me cry. She draws him towards the gate. Shirley Well, I’m not accustomed to talk to the like of you⁠— Barbara Urgently. Yes, yes: you must talk to me. Tell me about Tom Paine’s books and Bradlaugh’s lectures. Come along. Shirley Ah, if you would only read Tom Paine in the proper spirit, miss! They go out through the gate together. Act III

Next day after lunch Lady Britomart is writing in the library in Wilton Crescent. Sarah is reading in the armchair near the window. Barbara, in ordinary dress, pale and brooding, is on the settee. Charley Lomax enters. Coming forward between the settee and the writing table, he starts on seeing Barbara fashionably attired and in low spirits.

Lomax You’ve left off your uniform! Barbara says nothing; but an expression of pain passes over her face. Lady Britomart Warning him in low tones to be careful. Charles! Lomax Much concerned, sitting down sympathetically on the settee beside Barbara. I’m awfully sorry, Barbara. You know I helped you all I could with the concertina and so forth. Momentously. Still, I have never shut my eyes to the fact that there is a certain amount of tosh about the Salvation Army. Now the claims of the Church of England⁠— Lady Britomart That’s enough, Charles. Speak of something suited to your mental capacity. Lomax But surely the Church of England is suited to all our capacities. Barbara Pressing his hand. Thank you for your sympathy, Cholly. Now go and spoon with Sarah. Lomax Rising and going to Sarah. How is my ownest today? Sarah I wish you wouldn’t tell Cholly to do things, Barbara. He always comes straight and does them. Cholly: we’re going to the works at Perivale St. Andrews this afternoon. Lomax What works? Sarah The cannon works. Lomax What! Your governor’s shop! Sarah Yes. Lomax Oh I say! Cusins enters in poor condition. He also starts visibly when he sees Barbara without her uniform. Barbara I expected you this morning, Dolly. Didn’t you guess that? Cusins Sitting down beside her. I’m sorry. I have only just breakfasted. Sarah But we’ve just finished lunch. Barbara Have you had one of your bad nights? Cusins No: I had rather a good night: in fact, one of the most remarkable nights I have ever passed. Barbara The meeting? Cusins No: after the meeting. Lady Britomart You should have gone to bed after the meeting. What were you doing? Cusins Drinking. Lady Britomart Adolphus! Sarah Dolly! Barbara Dolly! Lomax Oh I say! Lady Britomart What were you drinking, may I ask? Cusins A most devilish kind of Spanish burgundy, warranted free from added alcohol: a Temperance burgundy in fact. Its richness in natural alcohol made any addition superfluous. Barbara Are you joking,