Roses: Four One-Act Plays Part 6

Pierre.

Yes--I dare say. Live!--But how? Where? (_Sobs chokingly._)

Julia.

Come, then--we'll die together--together! (_They sink into each other's arms and remain motionless in mute despair. After a time_, Julia _raises her head cautiously and looks about her._) Pierre!

Pierre (_troubled_).

Well?

Julia.

Has it occurred to you? Perhaps it isn't so, after all!

Pierre.

What do you mean?

Julia.

Perhaps we've just been talking ourselves into this notion, little by little--think so?

Pierre.

You mean that he really wanted to do nothing but--look at the pavilion?

Julia.

Well, it's possible, you know.

Pierre.

Yes--at least nothing very unusual occurred.

Julia.

But your naughty, naughty conscience came and a.s.serted itself. Ha! Ha!

What a silly little boy it is! A downright stupid little boy!

Pierre.

My imagination was always rather easily aroused. I----

Julia (_laughing without restraint_).

Such a stupid boy!--Pierre, let's make some coffee--for a change, eh?

Pierre.

But you know--I have to----

Julia.

Dear me, mamma has had her tea long ago. Tell her you sat down in the shade--and fell asleep--anything! It's growing a bit shady here now.

See there! The streaks of light have gone. (_Indicates a corner of the room in which the streaks of light have just grown dim._) Ah! but how hot it is! (_Tears her dress open at the throat, breathing heavily._) Will you bring me the coffee-pot, like a good boy?

Pierre (_listlessly_).

Oh, well--all right. (_Carries the coffee-pot to the table._)

Julia.

Pierre, you--you couldn't open the small door just a tiny bit? No one would look into the shrubbery.

Pierre.

Well, out there in the shrubbery, it's even hotter than in here.

Julia.

Oh, just try it--won't you?

Pierre.

Well, you'll see! (_Opens the door at the left._)

Julia.

Whew! It's like a blast from a furnace! And that disgusting odour--a mixture of perspiration and bad perfume--ugh!

Pierre.

That's from the roses of our by-gone days--they lie out there in great heaps.

Julia.

Close the door! Hurry--close it!

Pierre (_does so_).

I told you how it would be!

Julia.

Well, perhaps you could adjust the shutters at the large door so that we'd get more fresh air in here.

Pierre.