登陆注册
15692600000047

第47章

She and Hesione throw themselves into one another's arms in wild excitement. The light increases.

MAZZINI [anxiously]. The light is getting brighter.

NURSE GUINNESS [looking up at the house]. It's Mr Hushabye turning on all the lights in the house and tearing down the curtains.

RANDALL [rushing in in his pyjamas, distractedly waving a flute].

Ariadne, my soul, my precious, go down to the cellars: I beg and implore you, go down to the cellars!

LADY UTTERWORD [quite composed in her hammock]. The governor's wife in the cellars with the servants! Really, Randall!

RANDALL. But what shall I do if you are killed?

LADY UTTERWORD. You will probably be killed, too, Randall. Now play your flute to show that you are not afraid; and be good.

Play us "Keep the home fires burning."

NURSE GUINNESS [grimly]. THEY'LL keep the home fires burning for us: them up there.

RANDALL [having tried to play]. My lips are trembling. I can't get a sound.

MAZZINI. I hope poor Mangan is safe.

MRS HUSHABYE. He is hiding in the cave in the gravel pit.

CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. My dynamite drew him there. It is the hand of God.

HECTOR [returning from the house and striding across to his former place]. There is not half light enough. We should be blazing to the skies.

ELLIE [tense with excitement]. Set fire to the house, Marcus.

MRS HUSHABYE. My house! No.

HECTOR. I thought of that; but it would not be ready in time.

CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. The judgment has come. Courage will not save you; but it will show that your souls are still live.

MRS HUSHABYE. Sh-sh! Listen: do you hear it now? It's magnificent.

They all turn away from the house and look up, listening.

HECTOR [gravely]. Miss Dunn, you can do no good here. We of this house are only moths flying into the candle. You had better go down to the cellar.

ELLIE [scornfully]. I don't think.

MAZZINI. Ellie, dear, there is no disgrace in going to the cellar. An officer would order his soldiers to take cover. Mr Hushabye is behaving like an amateur. Mangan and the burglar are acting very sensibly; and it is they who will survive.

ELLIE. Let them. I shall behave like an amateur. But why should you run any risk?

MAZZINI. Think of the risk those poor fellows up there are running!

NURSE GUINNESS. Think of them, indeed, the murdering blackguards!

What next?

A terrific explosion shakes the earth. They reel back into their seats, or clutch the nearest support. They hear the falling of the shattered glass from the windows.

MAZZINI. Is anyone hurt?

HECTOR. Where did it fall?

NURSE GUINNESS [in hideous triumph]. Right in the gravel pit: Iseen it. Serve un right! I seen it [she runs away towards the gravel pit, laughing harshly].

HECTOR. One husband gone.

CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Thirty pounds of good dynamite wasted.

MAZZINI. Oh, poor Mangan!

HECTOR. Are you immortal that you need pity him? Our turn next.

They wait in silence and intense expectation. Hesione and Ellie hold each other's hand tight.

A distant explosion is heard.

MRS HUSHABYE [relaxing her grip]. Oh! they have passed us.

LADY UTTERWORD. The danger is over, Randall. Go to bed.

CAPTAIN SHOTOVER. Turn in, all hands. The ship is safe. [He sits down and goes asleep].

ELLIE [disappointedly]. Safe!

HECTOR [disgustedly]. Yes, safe. And how damnably dull the world has become again suddenly! [he sits down].

MAZZINI [sitting down]. I was quite wrong, after all. It is we who have survived; and Mangan and the burglar-HECTOR. --the two burglars--LADY UTTERWORD. --the two practical men of business--MAZZINI. --both gone. And the poor clergyman will have to get a new house.

MRS HUSHABYE. But what a glorious experience! I hope they'll come again tomorrow night.

ELLIE [radiant at the prospect]. Oh, I hope so.

Randall at last succeeds in keeping the home fires burning on his flute.

End

同类推荐
  • LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER

    LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 浦阳人物记

    浦阳人物记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 八识规矩通说

    八识规矩通说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 阿毗达磨界身足论

    阿毗达磨界身足论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 经幄管见

    经幄管见

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 泡面与超能

    泡面与超能

    别人会超能力,举手投足便可以上天入地呼风唤雨动感光波噼里啪啦;我也会超能力,想要发动个读心术却得端碗泡面想吐不能吃个稀里哗啦。别人做主角,金钱权利美女一个不少;我做主角,被拐被骗被扁一个不跑。没有最拉风的能力,没有主角光环的好命,误入超能学院就要带着一帮需要吃着零食抽着烟、嚼着口香糖喝着酒才能有小小超能的同伴们去拯救世界?要想马儿跑还不给马儿吃好草!什么?有御姐?好吧,如果能让我泡上此妞,我就不和你计较了。
  • 你是谁,谁是我

    你是谁,谁是我

    我清晰的知道在我的身体里有另一个人。这一天,我对它说:“你是这具身体的主人吗?”从此我走上了寻找失去记忆的道路。
  • 阳光汹涌

    阳光汹涌

    那一年,阳光汹涌,正是每个人最美最好的季节。几个落寞的少年偶然相遇。他们在课堂上看小说、下跳棋,放学后在楼梯打架、闲谈、抽烟、追女孩。他们逃课,讨厌课堂上的东西,跑到大河边的草地上说着无聊的理想和各自的故事。他们跟老师和家长作对,却又屈服在他们制定的规条之下。中考在即,初中生涯进入倒数。忽尔之间,面对即将的分离,他们都有了各自的心事,有着各自喜欢的人。猜疑、妒忌、背叛、性与暴力之间,纯真的友情与初萌的爱情,那把在阳光下闪着亮光的刀子,是否会把这一切都瓦解。青春的他们找不到答案。尊敬的书友,本书选载最精华部分供您阅读。留足悬念,同样精彩!
  • 都市战魂

    都市战魂

    军中生活,令人不舍。但是这沉默的几年里,父母去世,妹妹失踪,父亲临终前托人告诉凌风一定要将失踪的妹妹找回来。这是父亲唯一的遗愿,也是自己踏上花花世界的宿命。
  • 美丽传说

    美丽传说

    [花雨授权]看来这个女人的确符合他的要求,虽然感觉起来不该这样简单,不过,随便玩玩而已,也不必放太多的感情。随着游戏的深入,是什么在自己的心里开花结果?当唐怀远察觉到自己的决定,这场游戏顿时也就变成了捕获——
  • 忆缘清远

    忆缘清远

    初中三年风风火火,跌跌撞撞,飘摇明媚的青春我们相互依偎走过。是匆匆过客,见证彼此的成长。是人来人往里的一抹剪影,映刻了彼此的忧伤。我们的故事从未伤怀,残留的只有时光冲刷之后隐隐的温暖。
  • 亡灵永不为奴

    亡灵永不为奴

    那些骷髅命令夏尔去打猎,但他一点都不情愿,因为它们的猎物有点奇怪……就是把人砍死了,尸体拉回城里卖……骷髅:“人可以狩猎怪物,怪物凭什么不能猎人?”夏尔:“你说的好有道理我竟无言以对。”
  • 墨阳

    墨阳

    乔阳研究生毕业,突然跟失踪三年的男神韩墨取得联系。男神邀请乔阳到自己公司上班,乔阳兴冲冲前往,结果一脚踏进传销组织!乔阳:被男神骗进传销组织怎么破?在线等,挺急的!为了韩墨,乔阳留在传销组织中,却发现一切都是韩墨精心谋划的骗局?乔阳:韩墨你的良心都不会痛吗?这是一个一群骗子用骗术惩恶扬善的故事,也是小狐狸带着小忠犬尽情装13尽情飞的故事。
  • 掉在花开的方向

    掉在花开的方向

    一个韩国娱乐公司一个知名的偶像天团一段爱的故事......
  • 魔宗大工程师

    魔宗大工程师

    一个联邦受益大工程师穿越到修真世界的故事