The Barretts of Wimpole Street Page #2

and he agreed at once that I should take milk instead.

I questioned him closely

as to the comparative strenght giving values of milk and Porter...

... and he was forced to admit that Porter came decidedly first.

That may be, but when you dislike a thing to loathing,

I don't see how it can do you any good.

Your likes and dislikes

are quite beside the point in a case like this.

But Dr. Chambers himself...

I have told you what Dr. Chambers said.

But, papa...

Did you drink your Porter at dinner ?

No.

Then I hope you'll will do so before you go to bed.

No, papa. That's really asking too much.

I can't drink the horrible stuff in cold blood.

Of course I have no means of cohersing you...

... but I intend to give

your better nature every chance of asserting itself.

A tankard of Porter

will be left at your bedside and I hope that by tomorrow...

... you will be able to tell me that you have obeyed your father.

Sorry, papa, but I shan't drink it.

Henrietta, go and fetch a tankard of Porter.

No.

I beg your pardon ?

It's sheer cruelty.

You know how Ba hates the stuff.

You're just torturing her because you like torturing.

I have told you to fetch a tankard of Porter.

I won't do it.

Must I ask you a third time ?

Obey me this instant !

Papa !

Go and fetch it, Henrietta. Go at once.

I can't stand this.

Oh, no, Ba...

Please.

You had all better say good night to your sister.

Good night, darling.

Good night, Ba, dear.

Good night, darling.

Give it to me, please.

No. You may go.

Good night, darling.

You may go !

Elizabeth, why do you look at me like that, child ?

Are you frightened ?

No.

You're trembling. Why ?

I... don't know.

You're not frightened of me.

No, no.

Don't say it. I couldn't bear it.

You're everything in the world to me and you know that.

Without you I should be quite alone and you know that too.

If you love me

you can't be afraid of me, for love casts out fear.

You love me, my darling ? You love your father ?

Yes.

Then you will prove your love by doing as I wish.

But I don't understand. I was going to drink...

Yes, out of fear, not love.

Listen to me, my dear.

I shall never in any way reproach you.

You shalll never know by deed or word or hint of mine...

... how much you have grieved and wounded your father

by refusing to do the little that he asked of you.

Oh, papa. Let us get this over with and forget it.

I can't forgive myself for having made

the whole house miserable over a tankard of Porter.

You're acting of your own free will and not...

Yes, papa, yes.

You're not feeling any worse tonight, my darling.

No, papa.

Just tired ?

Yes, just tired.

I'd better leave you now.

Shall I say a little prayer with you before I go ?

Please, papa.

Almighty and merciful God...

in thine inscrutable wisdom

thou hast seen fit to lay upon thy daughter Elizabeth...

... grievous and heavy afflictions.

For many years she hath languished in sickness...

... for many years, unless in thy mercy thou take her to thyself, she may languish on.

Give her to bear her sufferings in patience.

Give her to fix her heart and soul on thee.

And on that heavenly eternity

which may at any moment open out before her...

Amen.

Amen.

Good night.

Good night, papa.

Better see your bed now, Miss Ba.

Oh, what a pity.

These flowers are dead, just since this morning.

Why don't they live longer ?

Nothing lives in this room.

What was that, miss ?

Oh, Wilson, I'm so tired.

Tired, tired.

Will it never end ?

End, miss ?

This long, long gray death of life.

Oh, Miss Ba, you shouldn't say such things.

No, I suppose I shouldn't.

Is it a fine night outside ?

Yes, it cleared up nicely after the rain.

And there's such a lovely moon.

Moon ? Do you think I could see it from here ?

Mm, I don't know, I'm sure.

Pull back the curtains.

There you are.

The moon is right above the chimney.

Yes.

Please put out the lamps, Wilson,

and leave me for a little while.

I don't want to go to bed quite yet.

Very well, Miss Ba.

Be careful.

Don't talk to me.

The woman opposite is watching.

Listen. But don't look at me.

It was kind of you to come so far.

And in the snow.

I wish I could ask you in, but I daren't.

Aren't you freezing ?

Don't answer me !

You're so tall.

I wish I could see you in full uniform. Could I ?

Don't tell me !

I daren't stay any longer.

It looks so odd.

And in this weather.

I'll come again tomorrow.

You'll wait for me, won't you ?

Don't tell me.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Miss Barrett.

Hush !

But I say, Miss Barrett...

If the thing were only in the proper footing...

If you'd permit me to call on your father...

You mustn't think of it.

You'd be ordered out of the house.

But if I made it quite clear ?

My intentions are perfectly honorable and all that.

But that would make it worse.

Ever distinctly fatal, don't you see ?

I can't say that I do.

Papa would never permit any of us to marry.

A marriage in the family ?

He just almost goes insanely angry if you talk of it.

Yes, but I mean...

Oh, I say !

I proposed and I thought it would be so difficult.

Oh, yes, Wilson, I'm quite ready for my lunch.

You've had your lunch, Miss Ba.

Oh, yes, of course. I enjoyed it very much.

Let's keep covered up.

These cold days are are that treacherous.

No, it's quite beyond me.

I give it up.

Beg your pardon ?

Wilson, have you noticed anything strange in me today ?

Strange, miss ?

Yes, strange. I mean stupid, thickheaded, idiotic.

Good gracious, no, miss.

Very well.

But now listen carefully and see what you can make of this.

And after, for pastime, if June be refulgent

with flowers in completeness.

All petals, no prickles, delicious as trickles of wine..

... poured at mass time

And choose one indulgent

To redness and sweetness.

Or if, with experience of man and of spider,

June use my June-lightning, the strong insect-ridder,

To stop the fresh film-work... why, June will consider.

I call that just lovely, Miss Ba.

Yes, but do you know what it means ?

Oh, no, miss.

Does it convey anything at all to your mind ?

Oh, no, Miss Ba.

Well, thank heavens for that.

But then, real poetry never does, miss.

Least ways not real poetry like what you make.

Oh, but I didn't write that.

It's by Mr. Browning.

Oh, he must be a clever gentleman.

Oh, Ba. Cousin Bella is here. May she come in ?

Yes, dear.

Oh. And Ba, just think. She's engaged.

She's going to be married.

Cousin Elizabeth !

Dear, dear cousin.

Bella, dear.

What's this I hear, engaged ?

Yes.

I just had to run right over and tell you.

Well, congratulations, dear.

Isn't it too thrilling ?

Harry couldn't come, but I'll bring him next time.

May I ? Oh, you'll love Harry.

I'm sure we shall. Harry who ?

Harry Bevan.

Oh, Henrietta, the very person !

I want want you to be one of my bridesmaids.

Bridesmaid ?

Yes, you simply must.

Cousin Bella's engaged. She's going to be married.

I want you te be a bridesmaid.

Oh, yes, it's your wedding. Thank you.

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