The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25
Some Characteristic Shavian Dialogue
From a Comedy the Author De-
scribes as IAN Unpleasant Play"

you. I'm sorry to have to say such q
thing: but you forget that Julia was
present and didn't contradict you.
Charteris-She didn't want to.
Craven-Do you mean to say that my
daughter deceived me?
Charteris-Delicacy toward me COM
PEELED her to. Craven.
Craven taking a very serious tOne)
Now, look here. Charteris: have you
any proper sense of the fact that you're
standing between two fathers?
Cuthbertson-Quite right, Dan, quite
right. repeat the question on my own
account.
Charteris-well, I'm little dazed
still by standing for so long between
two daughters; but I think I grasp the
situation. tCuthbertson filings away
with an exclamation of disgust)
Craven-Then I'm sorry for your
manners. Charters; that's all. tHe
turns away sulkily: then suddenly fires
up and turns on Charteris) How dare
you tell me my daughter wants to
marry you. Who are you, pray, that
she should have any such ambition?
Charteris-Just so: she couldn't have
made a worse choice. But she won't
listen to reason. I've talked to her like
a father myself assure YOU. my dear
Craven. I've said everything that you
could have said: but it's no use: she
won't give me up. And II she won't
listen to me. what likelihood Is there Of
her listening to you?
Craven lin angry bewilderment-
Cuthbertson. did you ever hear any
thing like this?
Cuthbertson-Eeyer' Never.
Charteris-Oh. bother! Come. don't
behave like n couple Of conventional old
fathers; this is a serious affair. Look
at these letters 1producing a letter and
a letter card). This (showing the card)
il from Grace--by the way. Cuthbert-
son. wish you'd ask her not to write
on letter cards: the blue color
makes It SO easy for Julia to
pick the bits out OF my vast"
paper basket and piece them together.
Now. listen. MY Dear Leonard
Nothing could make II worth my willis
In be exposed to such scenes as last
nights. Yop had much better go back
to Julia and forget me. Yours sincerely,
Grace Tranfield.'
Cuthbertson (infuriated) -Damnation'
Charters Cunning to Craven and pre-
pdTInS 10 lilt ltlt'El-.>oW
Julia. (The Colonel turns away to hide
his face from Charters anticipating
shock and puts his hand on a chair to
steady himself my dearest boy
Nothing will make me believe that this
odious woman can take my place in
your heart. send some of the letters
you wrote me when we first met. and I
ask you to read them. They will recall
81
You cannot have changed so much as In
be Indifferent 10 me. Whoever may have
struck your fancy for the moment. your
heart is still mine"-and so on: you
know the sort Of thing-'Ever and al
ways your loving Julia" THE Colonel
sinks on the chair and covers his face
with his hand) You don't suppose she's
serious. do you: that's the sort of thing
she writes me three times n day. Ito
Cuthbertson) Grace IL in earnest
though. confound IT, HE holds out
Grace's letter. A blue card as usual
This time shall not trust the waste
paper basket. He goes TO the fire and
throws the letters into it,
Cu,hbertson facing him with folded
arms as he comes down again)-May
ask. Mr.. Charters. Is this the New
Humor?
Charters (still too preoccupied with
his own difficulty tn have any sense of
the effect he is producing on the 9TH
ers)-Oh. stun Do YOU suppose it's IA
joke to be situated as | am? You've
got your head so stuffed with the New
Humor and the New Woman and the
New This. That and the C'ner, all
mixed up with your own old Adam. that
you've lost your senses.
Cuthbertson tstrenuously) - Do you
see that old man, grown gray In the