A Good Woman Page #2

in the world.

I like America.

Name me another society that's gone

from barbarism to decadence...

without bothering to create a

civilization in between.

Tribute to American efficiency.

- There's Mr Windemere.

- He must join us then.

He can't see you, mama.

Who's that with him?

Looks like his wife.

No, I don't think it is.

I can't see now.

They're getting into the car.

It must be the wife if she's

getting into the car.

It wasn't her.

Then I must know who it is.

I think we should mind our

own business.

My own business bores me.

I much prefer other people's.

Poor little Meg,

she's so sweet.

And the girl has no mother.

- I want to take her to my breast.

- I had a similar thought.

I don't suppose Mr Windemere

would be pleased to hear it.

Merital bliss...

is a great burden to place

on two people, Tuppy.

Sometimes a third person is

needed to lighten the load.

It would seem,

Mr Windemere agrees with you.

I can guess what you were doing.

Shopping for my birthday present?

I was right.

What did you get?

Not a thing. You're too old

for presents.

- A hint. A tiny speck of a hint.

- You'll have to wait and see.

- Perfume?

- No, stop it.

A book of poems?

A dress?

A crocodile handbag like the

one the Contessa has...

with the little claws hanging

off the bottom?

No more guessing.

Robert?

Promise we won't end up like those

old married couples...

sitting opposite each other at

dinner with nothing to say.

You, with nothing to say?

I promise.

We'll always tell each

other the truth?

Except around birthdays.

You're feisty.

What have you been reading?

- What do you mean?

- No, it's nice.

Turn out the lights.

- But I like to see you.

- Please?

I'll take them all.

- Good day, madam.

- Excuse me.

I bought a suit.

It's being altered.

For Margaret Windemere.

Ah, Mrs Windemere.

One moment, please.

Thank you.

Forgive me.

You're American, aren't you?

I'm from New York.

Mrs Erlynne.

Rhode Island.

Mrs Windemere.

I need an opinion from here.

Now be honesty.

Would you wear it?

Well, it doesn't leave much

to the imagination, does it?

That depends on the imagination.

Some men have more than others.

I suppose it's certainly immodest.

Do you think it's vulgar?

Some people might.

Is your husband with you?

I'd love a man's opinion.

I can tell you.

He's very conservative.

A woman doesn't know

her own husband.

Oh, I know Robert.

We've been married over a year.

A year? Pratically forever.

Here it is, signora.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Come back again to see us.

- Goodbye

- You're not taking the hat?

The colour looks perfect on you.

Don't you like it?

No, I've nowhere to wear it.

It's not exactly church on sunday.

Why not?

Can you imagine what

people would say?

Well, if we're always guided by

other people's thoughts...

what's the point of

having our own?

It was nice meeting you,

Mrs Ewin.

- Erlynne.

- Erlynne.

She was staying in a pensione...

now she's in a villa a

few minutes from the club.

He's there.

I can't help seeing him.

He comes and goes all

hours of the day.

Of course, in public, she's

always with other men.

She wears nothing but

the latest fashions.

Somebody must be giving her a very

generous allowance.

Silnce!

And she'll have her hand in Tuppy's

pocket next, if he doesn't wake up.

She's nothing better than

a common prostitute.

And Mrs Windemere has no idea?

None at all.

- I'm sorry.

- She must be on the terrace.

I'm sorry, I didn't

mean to frighten you.

- Yes, you did.

- Yes, you did. What's that?

I'm making a menu for

my birthday party.

What's italian for lobster?

Aragosta.

Aragosta.

Very good. Now you've made me hungry.

Leave it, come on. Everyone's

lunching at the club.

Okay. I'll get Robert.

I thought you agreed not to

call me at home?

How can I seduce you if you

always bring your husband?

Too slow. Come on.

All right.

Yes, I'll be there.

In an hour.

Okay, in an hour.

It's quitting time.

We're going to lunch.

Can't, sorry.

- You're working?

- Money never sleeps.

Bugger!

All paying jobs absorb...

and degrade the mind.

You never had a paying job.

I rest my case.

Cultivated leisure is

man's true calling.

- I have to send some telegrams in town.

- I'll wait for you.

I'll be all afternoon.

I don't want you to waste the day.

- Do you mind, John?

- Do I mind?

No, of course not.

If you have to escort that woman to

the opera, please don't sit with us.

Think of Alessandra.

Mrs Erlynne has her own seats.

Who pays for them?

Her uncle just died.

She's come into some money.

And Mr Windemere's visits?

He's managing her investments,

of course.

You're so fond of gossip.

You don't give the truth a chance

to put its pants on.

It's not the truth that's going without

pants, dear Tuppy.

Would you mind not smoking?

Opera makes me feel so romantic.

Anything too stupid to be

said is sung.

How's that romantic?

And the women are

always so fleshy!

Excuse me, that's my foot.

Right over here?

What did I tell you?

Stop, boy!

Fried anchovies and clams

in a bog. Delicious.

Careful, it's hot.

You told Robert we were

going to the club.

I have a very poor sense

of direction.

You have a very poor sense

of decorum.

I never use that word.

I'm not sure what it means.

- At the club we'd be with other people.

- You're right.

Here we are,

in the sunshine...

eating fish, literally

just off the boat...

when we could be squashed between Lord

Tubby and Cecil the Scintillating...

listening to one or the

other gripe about his digestion...

while the Contessa, in a

counter-medley, wails that...

Alessandra cares more for...

the mating habits of the

blue bellied finch...

than those of her own species,

and the widow Plymdale...

bats her eyes logingly every

passing pair of trou.

All of which is time well

spent in my book.

So, yes, I take your point.

I can't argue. At the club, we'd

be with other people.

Afraid we'll be seen?

Set the chins wagging?

Do you know what I find

worse than being talked about?

Not being talked about at all.

Mrs Erlynne will see you upstairs.

In her bedroom.

Thank you. I won't be long.

"I won't be long."

This is expensive.

- Nothing but the best for you.

- I know, I paid for it.

Well, there is that.

Should we be drinking this

early in the day?

Well, somewhere in the world

it's very late.

I don't want you thinking

I make a habit of this.

Is that why you look so guilty?

I don't like lying to her.

I should go.

She's only gone to lunch.

This is all the cash

I have right now.

I'll set you up with an account.

You can draw on it directly.

I met Meg.

It was by chance.

It's all right,

she had no idea who I was.

You spoke to her?

Yes, for a minute.

She's very pretty.

How did you two meet?

Was it love at first sight?

I have to go.

I'm curious. It's only natural.

There's no point

to these questions.

- Do you love her?

- Very much.

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