Act 1, Scene 2 Flashcards
Charlotte! It is unlike you to be late and make us have to hurry so. A wife’s impunctuality always reflects poorly on the husband, I believe, if not in one way than in another.
I’m sorry, Mellersh.
At the least, it conveys a lack of concern on her part, and, at the most, a lack of control on his.
Forgive me, Mellersh, but I got into the most interesting conversation at my ladies’ club.
That’s very well but…
Do you know a gentleman from here in Hampstead by the name of Arnott?
Why? What has he done?
Oh, nothing that i’m aware of. I’m sure he’s quite the usual, in fact. I just thought you might know him through business.
The name’s not familiar. It will look very bad if we are late, Charlotte.
I am sorry, Mellersh. I wish that you would just go without me, really. You know I only feel awash with these artistic sorts.
But a family solicitor must show his family now, mustn’t he? It’s not so important that you enjoy yourself, but that you simply are there.
It’s just that I always feel so…negligible. I never know what to say. And if, by chance, I do have something to say, it only comes out wrong.
If you’re asked for your opinion, you need merely say “Marvelous” or something of that nature, and leave it at that. that’s all they want to hear anyhow. Try it.
Marvelous
You’ll be surprised how far it will get you.
It’s impressionists again, then?
Why?
It’s all just a bit of a muddle, to my eye.
Sometimes one has to step back a bit. Have you tried that?
And then what?
and then…marvelous. It’s not so much the artists i’m in , anyhow, but their patrons and sponsors, who might be in need of legal counsel.
I understand. Might we go to dinner afterward?
We will eat at home. Where have you put my times, Charlotte?
“Times” Mellersh?
Yes.
You mean the newspaper?
Of course the…have you taken leave of your senses? What else would I mean by my times?
Of course that’s what you meant.
Well?
Well what, Mellersh?
Where have you put today’s Times?
It seems I forgot to pick one up.
I shall miss it now.
Yes. Perhaps it would be best if, in future, you picked up your own times.
But you pick up my times, Charlotte. I see no reason to change procedure now. You need merely to be sure to remember.
Yes, but…
Case closed, my dear. Case closed.
Mellersh?
Yes?
Do you know what the weather is like in Italy in April?
Quite lovely, I imagine. Why do you ask?
Oh, no reason, really. We were just talking about it today. . About Holidays.
And what were you discussing about holidays?
Just that they must be nice. That’s all.
I’m certain they are. Although I have heard some shocking stories to the contrary. There is an inherent element of risk that tends to color quite nicely the sureties of home.
The piano needs tuning.
What made you think of that.
I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. Unless, of course, you think I should tune it myself.
