Carrington Page #5

Aren't you being rather romantic?

Are you certain?

There's nothing romantic about it.

What did Mark say?

He was terribly upset.

Oh, it's all too incongruous.

I'm so old and diseased.

I mean, I wish I was more able.

It doesn't matter.

What ought we to do about the physical?

- I don't mind about that.

- Ah, but you should.

All this is quite deliberate, you know.

I wish I was rich.

- Then I could keep you as my mistress.

- What difference would that make?

Will you stay?

Well...

Won't you spoil me, just this once?

Tonight?

(Dora crying softly)

(car engine)

I come bearing gifts.

- Oh, globes!

- Looted from Mother.

Oh, what a hero! If I were bigger,

I'd carry you over the threshold.

Well done.

Oh, don't go in there.

The pipes seized up. Then they burst.

- Good God.

- Come upstairs.

It's remarkable.

Yes, it seems that Eminent Victorians is

about to burst upon an astonished world.

- That's marvellous, Lytton.

- And not before time.

Chatto and Windus

claim to find it enchanting.

Not absolutely the adjective

I had in mind...

My God!

What?

You're living with him.

Yes.

How could you lie to me like that?

- Did you think I wouldn't find out?

- I didn't want to hurt you.

Oh!

Do you know, when I found out,

just thinking about you

and that half-dead eunuch,

I vomited all night.

You have poisoned my life.

Haven't you any self-respect?

Not much.

But he's just a disgusting pervert!

You always have to

put up with something.

It's very bright tonight.

Do you think there'll be a raid?

(gasps)

(Carrington) Mark!

No!

Have you managed it yet? Have you?!

I'll kill him!

That was all rather thrilling.

I'll kill him!

Anything more cinematographic

could scarcely be imagined.

THREE:
PARTRlDGE 1918-1921

(singing "La donna e mobile"

from Verdi's "Rigoletto")

(Carrington) Rex Partridge,

the man I was telling you about,

is coming down to see us on Friday.

After the war, he plans to sail

a schooner to the Mediterranean islands,

and trade in wine,

and dress like a brigand.

- You mean that you enjoy it?

- Well, no, it's not that I enjoy it.

Of course not. But it does seem

a good deal more real over there.

And it's a relief to get out of range

of all those Bolsheviks and malingerers,

who spend all their time complaining

about subjects they know nothing about.

- If you mean conscientious objectors...

- I do. That's exactly what I mean.

Only I call them skulkers.

A lot of them are prepared

to suffer for their beliefs.

- Bertie Russell's in jail.

- Best place for him, I dare say.

Anyway, he's better off there

than in the trenches, isn't he?

- That's not the point.

- Of course it is.

What are you supposed to do

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