Read-Aloud Plays Part 31

MR. WENTWORTH

What do you mean?

JOE

I mean that it's a disgrace that Americans only study and only buy old masters. It's a burning shame that all they know about art is what they have been taught in books. They let their own artists starve--they make them come over here--while they bid up a Raphael like a block of shares.

What good does it do Raphael? He had his day. And look how it holds back our own possible Raphaels!

MR. WENTWORTH

Raphael? Ah, you are still very young. You don't understand the att.i.tude of the majority, Mr. Carson. Raphael is one of our great inspirers of beauty.

JOE

You mean culture!

SILVIA

Oh, it's getting quite dark. Joe, light the light.

MR. WENTWORTH

Dear me, so it is! What time is it? It must be getting late--Good gracious! I have an engagement.

SILVIA

You can't stay for a little dinner with us in the Quarter, Mr. Wentworth?

Afterward we could go to one of the cafes.

MR. WENTWORTH

I'm afraid I can't, Silvia. It's been a great pleasure to meet you both, I a.s.sure you. These little differences of opinion....

SILVIA

Oh, that's all right. We argue art and religion every day, don't we, Joe?

Of course, though, we _do_ feel strongly about the young artists--the young American artists. They come over here, and then they have to burn their bridges ... and we see how wonderful America could be if they were given things to do instead of being neglected....

JOE

Here's your coat, Mr. Wentworth.

MR. WENTWORTH

Thank you. Thank you for the delicious tea, Silvia. If I weren't leaving town so soon.... Good night.

SYLVIA

Good night. The stairs are rather dark.... (_He goes out_)

JOE

d.a.m.n!

SYLVIA

Yes, I know, Joe. It's discouraging....

JOE

Discouraging? It's immoral! Oh, these smug people who have been taught what to admire! These unborn souls who want to shut us all up in the dark!

I suppose he went away thinking I put myself up higher than Raphael. Who are we painting for? _They_ don't want it--wouldn't take it for a gift.

And here we are, a poor little group, standing amazed before the glory of the sun, and painting it--for the blind!

SILVIA

Some day, Joe....

JOE

Some day--yes, when the life has oozed out of all our bright canva.s.ses, when only the "rules" are left. And we won't be able to rise from our graves and curse them!

SILVIA

Now, Joe!

JOE

I guess I let you in for a hard time, Silvia. I wish sometimes I could really paint the kind of thing that goes with stupid people's dining rooms. They with their _Long Island_ Louvres!

SILVIA

If you did, Joe, I'd put it in the stove. Don't think you are having all the fun of being a pioneer. It's exciting to be within a mile of it!

JOE

Good girl. Ugh! Let's go to Boudet's and have dinner. I want to get the bad taste out of my mouth!

HIS LUCK

_The living room in a small flat in Beekman Place. Two women, one of them in mourning, sit beside the remains of tea._

VERA

But Jean, where are you going, when you pack up here?