The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith by Arthur Wing Pinero
page 59 of 140 (42%)
page 59 of 140 (42%)
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AGNES. [To ST. OLPHERTS.] You drink tea--fellow sufferer? [He signifies assent. FORTUNE places the tray on the table, then withdraws with ANTONIO. AGNES pours out tea.] ST. OLPHERTS. [Producing a little box from his waistcoat pocket.] No milk, dear lady. And may I be allowed--saccharine? [She hands him his cup of tea; their eyes meet.] AGNES. [Scornfully.] Tell me now--really--why do the Cleeves send a rip like you to do their serious work? ST. OLPHERTS. [Laughing heartily.] Ha, ha, ha! Rip! ha, ha! Poor solemn family! Oh, set a thief to catch a thief, you know. That, I presume, is their motive. AGNES. [Pausing in the act of pouring out, and staring at him.] What do you mean? ST OLPHERTS. [Sipping his tea.] Set a thief to catch a thief. And by deduction, set one sensualist--who, after all, doesn't take the trouble to deceive himself--to rescue another who does. AGNES. If I understand you, that is an insinuation against Mr. Cleeve. ST. OLPHERTS. Insinuation!-- AGNES. [Looking at him fixedly.] Make yourself clearer. ST. OLPHERTS. You have accused me, Mrs. Ebbsmith, of narrowness of |
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