Plays Unpleasant by George Bernard Shaw Page B

it’s very serious indeed: I assure you it is.
    BLANCHE : It would keep me rather short in my housekeeping, dearest boy, if I had nothing of my own. But papa has promised me that I shall be richer than ever when we are married.
    TRENCH . We must do the best we can with seven hundred. I think we ought to be self-supporting.
    BLANCHE . Thats just what I mean to be, Harry. If I were to eat up half your seven hundred, I should be making you twice as poor; but I’m going to make you twice as rich instead. [
He shakes his head
]. Has papa made any difficulty?
    TRENCH [
rising with a sigh and taking his chair back to its former place
] No. None at all. [
He sits down dejectedly. When Blanche speaks again her face and voice betray the beginning of a struggle with her temper
].
    BLANCHE . Harry: are you too proud to take money from my father?
    TRENCH . Yes, Blanche: I am too proud.
    BLANCHE [
after a pause
] That is not nice to me, Harry.
    TRENCH . You must bear with me, Blanche. I – I cant explain. After all, it’s very natural.
    BLANCHE . Has it occurred to you that I may be proud too?
    TRENCH . Oh, thats nonsense. No one will accuse you of marrying for money.
    BLANCHE . No one would think the worse of me if I did, or of you either. [
She rises and begins to walk restlessly about
]. We really cannot live on seven hundred a year, Harry; and I dont think it quite fair of you to ask me merely because you are afraid of people talking.
    TRENCH . It’s not that alone, Blanche.
    BLANCHE . What else is it, then?
    TRENCH . Nothing. I –
    BLANCHE [
getting behind him, and speaking with forced playfulness as she bends over him, her hands on his shoulders
] Of courseit’s nothing. Now dont be absurd, Harry: be good; and listen to me: I know how to settle it. You are too proud to owe anything to me; and I am too proud to owe anything to you. You have seven hundred a year. Well, I will take just seven hundred a year from papa at first; and then we shall be quits. Now, now, Harry, you know youve not a word to say against that.
    TRENCH . It’s impossible.
    BLANCHE . Impossible!
    TRENCH . Yes, impossible. I have resolved not to take any money from your father.
    BLANCHE . But he’ll give the money to me, not to you.
    TRENCH . It’s the same thing. [
With an effort to be sentimental
] I love you too well to see any distinction. [
He puts up his hand halfheartedly: she takes it over his shoulder with equal indecision. They are both trying hard to conciliate one another
].
    BLANCHE . Thats a very nice way of putting it, Harry; but I’m sure theres something I ought to know. Has papa been disagreeable?
    TRENCH . No: he has been very kind – to me, at least. It’s not that. It’s nothing you can guess, Blanche. It would only pain you – perhaps offend you. I dont mean, of course, that we shall live always on seven hundred a year. I intend to go at my profession in earnest, and work my fingers to the bone.
    BLANCHE [
playing with his fingers, still over his shoulder
] But I shouldnt like you with your fingers worked to the bone, Harry. I must be told what the matter is. [
He takes his hand quickly away: she flushes angrily; and her voice is no longer even an imitation of the voice of a lady as she exclaims
] I hate secrets; and I dont like to be treated as if I were a child.
    TRENCH [
annoyed by her tone
] Theres nothing to tell. I dont choose to trespass on your father’s generosity: thats all.
    BLANCHE . You had no objection half an hour ago, when you met me in the hall, and shewed me all the letters. Your family doesnt object. Do you object?
    TRENCH [
earnestly
] I do not indeed. It’s only a question of money.
    BLANCHE [
imploringly, the voice softening and refining for the last time
] Harry: theres no use in our fencing in this way. Papa will never consent to my being absolutely dependent on you; and I dont like the idea of it myself. If you even mention such a thing to him you will