Washington Square Page #4

because darkness is falling,

and my daughter is running wild

in a public park with a man;

A virtual stranger to me, but

by all appearances not to her.

Oh, Austin... are your duties

too numerous, Lavinia?

Let us take their number,

shall we?

Well, there's, uh,

chaperoning Catherine.

And there's, uh...

We-well, that's it.

Should I perhaps hire

you an assistant?

I... I wouldn't want

to take advantage...

of our familial bond

by overworking you.

Oh, father, isn't that

a beautiful day?

Perhaps it's time I made the

acquaintance of your young man.

Yes!

So in short, I would say that if a gondola

doesn't come equipped with a gondolier,

walking is a very good plan,

unless, of course, you like to swim.

Oh, Morris, Morris, tell...

tell Dr. Sloper...

about the time in Switzerland when you

took it into your head to scale the Alps.

I'm sure the telling would

benefit from a good cigar and,

uh, some excellent port wine.

What do you think, Mr. Townsend?

Oh, I... I think a story can't help but

be improved by such accoutrements.

Since you both know the story, it can't be

that much of an inconvenience. shall we?

Yes, of course.

Excuse me.

Aunt.

No, no.

I'm sure you have any number of delightful

stories that women are enthralled with.

Now it is you who are being kind.

There.

Thank you.

I hear you're looking

for a position.

What are you fit for?

Not very much, I'm afraid.

I have only a good right arm,

as they say in melodramas.

You are far too modest.

In addition to your good right arm, you have

your subtle brain and amazing physiognomy.

Well, I don't know how to answer in

the face of such generous observation.

You advise me, then,

not to despair?

I should be sorry to admit

that any robust,

well-disposed young man

need ever despair.

Were you kindly intending to propose

something to my advantage?

It occurs to me I sometimes hear

of positions outside of New York.

Mm. I'm afraid I couldn't

manage that.

You see, I'm... I'm my sister's

only living relative.

She's a widow, and I'm providing

an education for her five children.

I am sure you must be a great

comfort to her in the circumstances.

As, uh, honorable as that is,

it is hardly a career.

Mm. It will not make my fortune,

if that's what you mean.

Are you bent on

making a fortune?

On the contrary, I'm simply

looking to turn an honest penny.

I shall keep that in mind.

If my situation becomes desperate, I shall

perhaps take the liberty of reminding you.

Be assured, I will not

lose sight of you.

Now, I'm... I'm quite in the mood

of an alpine adventure.

And leave out none of the details

that I'm sure you did for the ladies.

What can they be talking about,

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