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Read Ebook: The Great Adventure: A Play of Fancy in Four Acts by Bennett Arnold
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Ebook has 1313 lines and 26075 words, and 27 pages
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
A Play of Fancy in Four Acts
ARNOLD BENNETT
CHARACTERS
ILAM CARVE An illustrious Painter ALBERT SHAWN Ilam's Valet DR. PASCOE EDWARD HORNING Doctor's Assistant CYRUS CARVE Ilam's Cousin, a City Auctioneer FATHER LOOE A Catholic Priest PETER HORNING A Journalist EBAG A Picture Dealer JOHN SHAWN A Curate JAMES SHAWN His Brother, a Curate LORD LEONARD ALCAR TEXEL An American Millionaire A WAITER A PAGE A SERVANT JANET CANNOT A Widow MRS. ALBERT SHAWN HONORIA LOOE Sister of Father Looe
SCENES
ACT I ROOM IN ILAM CARVE'S HOUSE, 126 REDCLIFFE GARDENS
ACT II PRIVATE ROOM AT THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL
SPECIAL NOTE.--Each Act is divided into two scenes, separated by a passage of time more or less short. The passage of time is indicated by darkening the stage for a few moments. No change of scenery is involved.
NOTE
The play was produced for the first time in London at the Kingsway Theatre, by Granville Barker, on Tuesday, March 25th, 1913.
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
ACT I
SCENE I
Front room on ground floor at 126 Redcliffe Gardens. An apartment furnished richly but in an old-fashioned way. Fine pictures. Large furniture. Sofa near centre. General air of neglect and dustiness. Carpet half-laid. Trunks and bags lying about in corners, some opened. Men's wearing apparel exposed. Mantelpiece, R., in disorder. At back double doors leading to another room. Door, L., leading to hall and front door.
TIME.--Evening in August.
ALBERT SHAWN is reclining on the sofa, fully dressed, but obviously ill: an overcoat has been drawn over his legs. A conspicuous object is a magnificent light purple dressing-gown thrown across a chair.
Door bangs off. Enter ILAM CARVE in his shirt sleeves, hurriedly. SHAWN feebly tries to get up.
CARVE. Now, don't move. Remember you're a sick man, and forget you're a servant.
SHAWN. You've been very quick, sir.
CARVE. I found a red lamp only three doors off. He'll be along in half a minute.
SHAWN. Did you explain what it was, sir?
CARVE. How could I explain what it was, you fool, when I don't know? I simply asked to see the doctor, and I told him there was a fellow-creature suffering at No. 126, and would he come at once. "126?" he said, "126 has been shut up for years."
SHAWN. What did you say, sir?
CARVE. I said a hundred and twenty-six--and ran off. Then he yelled out after me that he'd come instantly.... I say, Shawn, we're discovered. I could tell that from his sudden change of tone. I bet the entire street knows that the celebrated Me has arrived at last. I feel like a criminal already, dashed if I don't! I wish we'd gone to a hotel now. I say, did you make up the bed?
SHAWN. I was just doing it, sir.
CARVE. But what about sheets and so on?
CARVE. Well, don't you think you could work your passage out to the bed? With my help?
SHAWN. Me in your bed, sir!
CARVE. Keep on in that tone--and I'll give you the sack on the spot. Now then. Try--before the doctor comes.
SHAWN. The bell, sir--excuse me.
PASCOE. This the patient? Allow me to put this under your tongue for half a minute. When did this begin?
CARVE. Just now. That is, he only began to complain about six o'clock. We arrived in London this morning from Madrid.
PASCOE. Temperature 104-1/2. Pulse is 140--and weak. I must have some boiling water.
CARVE. What for?
PASCOE. What for? For a poultice.
CARVE. But there isn't any ... we've nothing except this spirit-lamp.
PASCOE. No women in the house?
CARVE. Not one.
PASCOE. Never mind. I'll run round to the surgery and get my hypodermic. I shall be back at once, Mr. Carve. Keep your master well covered up--I suppose you can do that?
CARVE. Shawn, my poor fellow, he takes you for the illustrious Ilam Carve. This is what comes of me rushing out in shirt sleeves. I can't explain it to him.
CARVE. It's all right. You'll be infinitely better looked after, you know, and I shall be saved from their infernal curiosity.
SHAWN. It's only this, sir. I was half-expecting a young lady to-night, sir . At least, I believe she's young.
CARVE. Shawn, I've always suspected you were a bad lot. Now I know. I also know why you were so devilish anxious to put me to bed early. What am I to say to this young lady on your behalf?
CARVE. I don't think we've got a wine glass. There's a cup, but I suppose that isn't medical enough.
PASCOE. Pour some water in it. Now, hold it.
CARVE. What is this device? PASCOE. This device? I'm going to get some strychnine into him by injection. Steady with that cup, now!
PASCOE. I've done with that cup.
CARVE. Might I ask what's the matter with him?
PASCOE. Pneumonia is the matter.
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