Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw
page 5 of 143 (03%)
page 5 of 143 (03%)
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JOHNNY. No, stop: I dont want to know. It's only a dodge to start
an argument. BENTLEY. Dont be afraid: it wont overtax your brain. My father was 44 when I was born. My mother was 41. There was twelve years between me and the next eldest. I was unexpected. I was probably unintentional. My brothers and sisters are not the least like me. Theyre the regular thing that you always get in the first batch from young parents: quite pleasant, ordinary, do-the-regular-thing sort: all body and no brains, like you. JOHNNY. Thank you. BENTLEY. Dont mention it, old chap. Now I'm different. By the time I was born, the old couple knew something. So I came out all brains and no more body than is absolutely necessary. I am really a good deal older than you, though you were born ten years sooner. Everybody feels that when they hear us talk; consequently, though it's quite natural to hear me calling you Johnny, it sounds ridiculous and unbecoming for you to call me Bunny. _[He rises]._ JOHNNY. Does it, by George? You stop me doing it if you can: thats all. BENTLEY. If you go on doing it after Ive asked you not, youll feel an awful swine. _[He strolls away carelessly to the sideboard with his eye on the sponge cakes]._ At least I should; but I suppose youre not so particular. JOHNNY _[rising vengefully and following Bentley, who is forced to |
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