登陆注册
5697600000003

第3章 ACT I(3)

TIM [impulsively].Damn it!call me Tim.A man that talks about Ireland as you do may call me anything.Gimme a howlt o that whisky bottle [he replenishes].

BROADBENT [smiling indulgently].Well,Tim,will you come with me and help to break the ice between me and your warmhearted,impulsive countrymen?

TIM.Will I come to Madagascar or Cochin China wid you?Bedad I'll come to the North Pole wid you if yll pay me fare;for the divil a shillin I have to buy a third class ticket.

BROADBENT.I've not forgotten that,Tim.We must put that little matter on a solid English footing,though the rest can be as Irish as you please.You must come as my--my--well,I hardly know what to call it.If we call you my agent,they'll shoot you.If we call you a bailiff,they'll duck you in the horsepond.I have a secretary already;and--TIM.Then we'll call him the Home Secretary and me the Irish Secretary.Eh?

BROADBENT [laughing industriously].Capital.Your Irish wit has settled the first difficulty.Now about your salary--TIM.A salary,is it?Sure I'd do it for nothin,only me cloes ud disgrace you;and I'd be dhriven to borra money from your friends:a thing that's agin me nacher.But I won't take a penny more than a hundherd a year.[He looks with restless cunning at Broadbent,trying to guess how far he may go].

BROADBENT.If that will satisfy you--

TIM [more than reassured].Why shouldn't it satisfy me?Ahundherd a year is twelve-pound a month,isn't it?

BROADBENT.No.Eight pound six and eightpence.

TIM.Oh murdher!An I'll have to sind five timme poor oul mother in Ireland.But no matther:I said a hundherd;and what I said I'll stick to,if I have to starve for it.

BROADBENT [with business caution].Well,let us say twelve pounds for the first month.Afterwards,we shall see how we get on.

TIM.You're a gentleman,sir.Whin me mother turns up her toes,you shall take the five pounds off;for your expinses must be kep down wid a sthrong hand;an--[He is interrupted by the arrival of Broadbent's partner.]

Mr Laurence Doyle is a man of 36,with cold grey eyes,strained nose,fine fastidious lips,critical brown,clever head,rather refined and goodlooking on the whole,but with a suggestion of thinskinedness and dissatisfaction that contrasts strongly with Broadbent's eupeptic jollity.

He comes in as a man at home there,but on seeing the stranger shrinks at once,and is about to withdraw when Broadbent reassures him.He then comes forward to the table,between the two others.

DOYLE [retreating].You're engaged.

BROADBENT.Not at all,not at all.Come in.[To Tim]This gentleman is a friend who lives with me here:my partner,Mr Doyle.[To Doyle]This is a new Irish friend of mine,Mr Tim Haffigan.

TIM [rising with effusion].Sure it's meself that's proud to meet any friend o Misther Broadbent's.The top o the mornin to you,sir!Me heart goes out teeye both.It's not often I meet two such splendid speciments iv the Anglo-Saxon race.

BROADBENT [chuckling]Wrong for once,Tim.My friend Mr Doyle is a countryman of yours.

Tim is noticeably dashed by this announcement.He draws in his horns at once,and scowls suspiciously at Doyle under a vanishing mark of goodfellowship:cringing a little,too,in mere nerveless fear of him.

DOYLE [with cool disgust].Good evening.[He retires to the fireplace,and says to Broadbent in a tone which conveys the strongest possible hint to Haffigan that he is unwelcome]Will you soon be disengaged?

TIM [his brogue decaying into a common would-be genteel accent with an unexpected strain of Glasgow in it].I must be going.

Ivnmportnt engeegement in the west end.

BROADBENT [rising].It's settled,then,that you come with me.

TIM.Ish'll be verra pleased to accompany ye,sir.

BROADBENT.But how soon?Can you start tonight--from Paddington?

We go by Milford Haven.

TIM [hesitating].Well--I'm afreed--I [Doyle goes abruptly into the bedroom,slamming the door and shattering the last remnant of Tim's nerve.The poor wretch saves himself from bursting into tears by plunging again into his role of daredevil Irishman.He rushes to Broadbent;plucks at his sleeve with trembling fingers;and pours forth his entreaty with all the brogue be can muster,subduing his voice lest Doyle should hear and return].Misther Broadbent:don't humiliate me before a fella counthryman.Look here:me cloes is up the spout.Gimme a fypounnote--I'll pay ya nex choosda whin me ship comes home--or you can stop it out o me month's sallery.I'll be on the platform at Paddnton punctial an ready.Gimme it quick,before he comes back.You won't mind me axin,will ye?

BROADBENT.Not at all.I was about to offer you an advance for travelling expenses.[He gives him a bank note].

TIM [pocketing it].Thank you.I'll be there half an hour before the thrain starts.[Larry is heard at the bedroom door,returning].Whisht:he's comin back.Goodbye an God bless ye.[He hurries out almost crying,the 5pound note and all the drink it means to him being too much for his empty stomach and overstrained nerves].

DOYLE [returning].Where the devil did you pick up that seedy swindler?What was he doing here?[He goes up to the table where the plans are,and makes a note on one of them,referring to his pocket book as be does so].

BROADBENT.There you go!Why are you so down on every Irishman you meet,especially if he's a bit shabby?poor devil!Surely a fellow-countryman may pass you the top of the morning without offence,even if his coat is a bit shiny at the seams.

DOYLE [contemptuously].The top of the morning!Did he call you the broth of a boy?[He comes to the writing table].

BROADBENT [triumphantly].Yes.

DOYLE.And wished you more power to your elbow?

BROADBENT.He did.

DOYLE.And that your shadow might never be less?

BROADBENT.Certainly.

DOYLE [taking up the depleted whisky bottle and shaking his head at it].And he got about half a pint of whisky out of you.

BROADBENT.It did him no harm.He never turned a hair.

DOYLE.How much money did he borrow?

同类推荐
  • 全相二十四孝诗选

    全相二十四孝诗选

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 羽族单

    羽族单

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 鹿门子

    鹿门子

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说阿耨风经

    佛说阿耨风经

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛顶尊胜陀罗尼念诵仪轨法

    佛顶尊胜陀罗尼念诵仪轨法

    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。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 揭秘服装店赚钱的门道

    揭秘服装店赚钱的门道

    《揭秘服装店赚钱的门道》旨在启发和唤起广大服装店店主赚钱的潜能,用智慧巧妙创造出属于自己的一套经营模式。《揭秘服装店赚钱的门道》从服装行业的实情出发,以通俗易懂的语言,配合翔实的案例,揭秘多家成功服装店的经营绝招,多层次、多角度地解析服装店生意兴隆的门道和艺术。从特色服装店店址的选择,到进货渠道的奥妙;从服装定价的诀窍,到打折促销手段的运用:从服装店鲜为人知的潜规则,到如何跳出服装加盟的美丽陷阱等,囊括了服装经营多个领域的赚钱门道,系统而全面地展现了服装店轻松赚钱的多种技巧和方法。
  • 亲爱的神灯先生【全本】

    亲爱的神灯先生【全本】

    【经典文学】今日风行,明日经典【流光飛舞】编辑旗下出品【千灯万盏,不如心灯一盏】【神灯的愿望,生命的契约,童话的开始,谁能知结局】她一定是在做梦,要不然就是人品太好了,怎么一觉醒来,她的灯台变成了个男人,还说能实现三个愿望!既然这种奇迹都发生了,那就要把一切不可能都变成可能!第一步,变美先,为了初恋她借助神灯的力量进入娱乐圈,准备打响爱情保卫战。啊,虾米!灰姑娘淋雨就恢复原形!娱乐公司老总有神秘身份,跟她还有渊源!无所不能的帅神灯居然意外附身成了金毛狗子!朋友、亲人,当一切的生活都脱离原本的轨道,这究竟是上天的恩赐,还是命运不怀好意的玩笑?经历一切之后,她终于站在了蝴蝶效应的开端,然而却发现,这仿若神赐的愿望,背后竟是一场你死我活的生命契约……神啊,如果你真的存在,可否再多给一些时间?这一切又是否能够重来?然而,命定的相遇,注定的轮回,一切的因果居然是由她开始……***最后的最后我才知道,原来你才是爱的最深的那一个,不说不代表你不在意,不听不代表你不关注,那是不是不爱,才是真正的爱呢?正如很多年之后,我终于发现,原来阳光才是最残忍的。明明那么温暖,以为触手可及,似乎只要我一个回头,永远都可以慰藉那轻颤的心,可是,比起高处明知不可及的寒,这种握不住的温暖,是不是,才是真正的悲凉呢?会有奇迹的吧,这一生的等待,一世的心疼,只是,等到那一日,你是不是能真的明白,如果你连自己都不爱,那到底应该怎么爱我呢?***非传统都市玄幻,关于前世今生,关于轮回与命定,渴望与奇迹的故事,秋扣扣498315380欢迎敲门推荐好友作品:陌影临溪http://m.wkkk.net/a/340402/玄歌小主http://m.wkkk.net/a/245966/龙跃渊http://m.wkkk.net/a/396424/顾羽http://m.wkkk.net/a/380893/回唐http://m.wkkk.net/a/341859/
  • 全宇宙最强最牛最厉害杀生系统

    全宇宙最强最牛最厉害杀生系统

    “姐姐,有人叫我杀神一号,有人叫我救世主,有人叫我包租公,有人叫我村委会主任,有人叫我木镇长,有人叫我木掌门,有人叫我赌神,有人叫我机灵小旋风,不过,我最喜欢的还是救世主。姐姐,你可以叫我老司机!”木小风说道。“你怎么会有这么多名字?”“这个……我……呃……大概是因为我长得帅吧!”“……”古幻玉。“姐姐,一会儿天就要黑了,我的小木屋里只有一张床,怎么办?”古幻玉有些懵逼。什么怎么办?“咳咳,姐姐晚上不睡觉,姐姐要修炼。”“姐姐,修炼有什么意思?睡觉比修炼好玩!”“……”古幻玉。群号:922862145,欢迎各位道友加入!
  • 晚宴

    晚宴

    《晚宴》一场晚宴,半生荣华;跨越半个世纪的沧海桑田,再现上海滩权贵家族的沉浮史。
  • 从fate开始做主神

    从fate开始做主神

    如果苍银碎片里沙条爱歌召唤出来的是呆毛王,如果黄金之风中迪亚波罗面对的是承太郎茸茸和乔纳森联手。月读:不愧是逢魔时王,居然能以肉体捶爆异类骑士!沙条爱歌:亚瑟王不可能是女孩子!莫德雷德:爱歌你休想跟我抢父王!乔纳森:欧拉欧拉欧拉欧拉欧拉欧拉!东京塔上流星一条仍在回响,东都监狱石动惣一有话要讲。时空管理局,位面商盟,主神空间,天魔国度,万道源,世界意识同盟,试炼空间,系统联盟,云梦泽,万界聊天群……在这大争之世,谁人终登王座?从fa开始,苏然一步步迈向了统御时间者之位。
  • 时光笔录

    时光笔录

    陪伴是最长情的告白。时光默默等了荏苒十年,可是荏苒却不知时光爱着她。时光只能把自己的情感埋藏在曾经儿时两人约定的临川梨树下。他对她的真挚守候,写下了一本时光笔录。这本笔录是时光用了十年时间尝遍酸甜苦辣,对荏苒写的最长情的告白。这里是他们的秘密基地。当每一次看见荏苒伤心难过时他们总会在临川梨树下写给她一些快乐的话。
  • 五更钟

    五更钟

    《五更钟》九岁时,一只优雅高贵的手给了她生存的机会,她便奉上忠诚与自由。十九岁时,另一只沾满尘污与油腻的手给了她温暖,她于是学会了守护。她以为他一直会在那里,她以为只要他开心,便没有更重要的事。所以,她总是静静地守着他;所以,她为他掳来了他想要的人。直到那一天,他突然不见,她才知道自己想要的不只是如此。
  • 曾国藩:魔力不倒翁的生存寓言

    曾国藩:魔力不倒翁的生存寓言

    本书不是一本关于曾国藩的人物传记,而是节选曾国藩一生中给他带来启发和成长的事件,结合现实中人们种种人际问题进行分析和解读。让我们一起跟随曾国藩的成长轨迹,透过他的成长故事,你也可以成为下一个生存大师。
  • 这个大师兄有毒

    这个大师兄有毒

    在这个穿越满大街的时代,我很荣幸的搭上了这一班车。但是,也不知道是不是我的穿越姿势不对,我居然进入了一个游戏世界。还是没有主角光环的那种。我以为我只要抱紧貌似主角的大腿就行了。结果!一群奇怪的人都找上了我。当邋遢老头自称玉皇大帝时当卖假药的老头自称太上老君时!当住你隔壁的煎饼大妈自称嫦娥时!我感觉我进了一个满满是毒的世界——来自逍遥门大师兄的自序
  • 陌上桑之初心

    陌上桑之初心

    她,误入围城,受尽歧视而欲罢不能;他,执著信仰,看尽冷眼,柳暗花明之际,却危机四伏;她,是命中注定的第三者,只求一份最平淡的婚姻,幸福于她却总是可望而不可即。往前一步是物欲横流,再后退却见人心叵测,他们,要如何守住一颗至真至纯的初心?