It often does have that effect. [He goes to the garden door and
calls Lady Utterword with commanding emphasis]. Ariadne!
LADY UTTERWORD [at some distance]. Yes.
RANDALL. What are you calling her for? I want to speak--
LADY UTTERWORD [arriving breathless]. Yes. You really are a
terribly commanding person. What's the matter?
HECTOR. I do not know how to manage your friend Randall. No doubt
you do.
LADY UTTERWORD. Randall: have you been making yourself
ridiculous, as usual? I can see it in your face. Really, you are
the most pettish creature.
RANDALL. You know quite well, Ariadne, that I have not an ounce
of pettishness in my disposition. I have made myself perfectly
pleasant here. I have remained absolutely cool and imperturbable
in the face of a burglar. Imperturbability is almost too strong a
point of mine. But [putting his foot down with a stamp, and
walking angrily up and down the room] I insist on being treated
with a certain consideration. I will not allow Hushabye to take
liberties with me. I will not stand your encouraging people as
you do.
HECTOR. The man has a rooted delusion that he is your husband.
LADY UTTERWORD. I know. He is jealous. As if he had any right to
be! He compromises me everywhere. He makes scenes all over the
place.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189