The Silver Box by John Galsworthy
page 53 of 100 (53%)
page 53 of 100 (53%)
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JACK. [Raising his wine-glass to his nose.] Is this the '63, Dad?
[BARTHWICK, holding his wine-glass to his eye, lowers it and passes it before his nose.] MRS. BARTHWICK. I hate people that can't speak the truth. [Father and son exchange a look behind their port.] It 's just as easy to speak the truth as not. I've always found it easy enough. It makes it impossible to tell what is genuine; one feels as if one were continually being taken in. BARTHWICK. [Sententiously.] The lower classes are their own enemies. If they would only trust us, they would get on so much better. MRS. BARTHWICK. But even then it's so often their own fault. Look at that Mrs. Jones this morning. BARTHWICK. I only want to do what's right in that matter. I had occasion to see Roper this afternoon. I mentioned it to him. He's coming in this evening. It all depends on what the detective says. I've had my doubts. I've been thinking it over. MRS. BARTHWICK. The woman impressed me most unfavourably. She seemed to have no shame. That affair she was talking about--she and the man when they were young, so immoral! And before you and Jack! I could have put her out of the room! BARTHWICK. Oh! I don't want to excuse them, but in looking at these matters one must consider---- |
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