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Read Ebook: Justice by Galsworthy John
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Ebook has 1170 lines and 27999 words, and 24 pages
COKESON. Life and death!
SWEEDLE. Here is Falder.
FALDER has entered through the outer office. He is a pale, good-looking young man, with quick, rather scared eyes. He moves towards the door of the clerks' office, and stands there irresolute.
COKESON. Well, I'll give you a minute. It's not regular.
Taking up a bundle of papers, he goes out into the partners' room.
RUTH. He's on the drink again, Will. He tried to cut my throat last night. I came out with the children before he was awake. I went round to you.
FALDER. I've changed my digs.
RUTH. Is it all ready for to-night?
FALDER. I've got the tickets. Meet me 11.45 at the booking office. For God's sake don't forget we're man and wife! Ruth!
RUTH. You're not afraid of going, are you?
FALDER. Have you got your things, and the children's?
RUTH. Had to leave them, for fear of waking Honeywill, all but one bag. I can't go near home again.
FALDER. All that money gone for nothing. How much must you have?
RUTH. Six pounds--I could do with that, I think.
FALDER. Don't give away where we're going. When I get out there I mean to forget it all.
RUTH. If you're sorry, say so. I'd sooner he killed me than take you against your will.
FALDER. We've got to go. I don't care; I'll have you.
RUTH. You've just to say; it's not too late.
RUTH. Kiss me!
They cling together passionately, there fly apart just as COKESON re-enters the room. RUTH turns and goes out through the outer office. COKESON advances deliberately to his chair and seats himself.
COKESON. This isn't right, Falder.
FALDER. It shan't occur again, sir.
COKESON. It's an improper use of these premises.
FALDER. Yes, sir.
FALDER. Thank you, sir.
COKESON. And look here, Falder, before Mr. Walter comes, have you finished up that cataloguing Davis had in hand before he left?
FALDER. I shall have done with it to-morrow, sir--for good.
FALDER. Thank you, sir.
COKESON stares at the door through which FALDER has gone out; then shakes his head, and is just settling down to write, when WALTER How comes in through the outer Office. He is a rather refined-looking man of thirty-five, with a pleasant, almost apologetic voice.
WALTER. Good-morning, Cokeson.
COKESON. Morning, Mr. Walter.
WALTER. My father here?
COKESON. Mr. James has been here since eleven o'clock.
WALTER. I've been in to see the pictures, at the Guildhall.
COKESON. Have you now--ye--es. This lease of Boulter's--am I to send it to counsel?
WALTER. What does my father say?
COKESON. 'Aven't bothered him.
WALTER. Well, we can't be too careful.
COKESON. It's such a little thing--hardly worth the fees. I thought you'd do it yourself.
WALTER. Send it, please. I don't want the responsibility.
COKESON. Just as you like. This "right-of-way" case--we've got 'em on the deeds.
WALTER. I know; but the intention was obviously to exclude that bit of common ground.
COKESON. We needn't worry about that. We're the right side of the law.
WALTER. I don't like it,
COKESON. We shan't want to set ourselves up against the law. Your father wouldn't waste his time doing that.
As he speaks JAMES How comes in from the partners' room. He is a shortish man, with white side-whiskers, plentiful grey hair, shrewd eyes, and gold pince-nez.
JAMES. Morning, Walter.
WALTER. How are you, father?
COKESON. I'll just take Boulter's lease in to young Falder to draft the instructions.
WALTER. About that right-of-way case?
JAMES. Oh, well, we must go forward there. I thought you told me yesterday the firm's balance was over four hundred.
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