Man and Superman, George Bernard Shaw [hardest books to read txt] 📗

no: hot water is the revolutionist’s element. You clean men as you clean milk pails, by scalding them. Ann Cold water has its uses too. It’s healthy. Tanner Despairingly. Oh, you are witty: at the supreme moment the life force endows you with every quality. Well, I too can be a hypocrite. Your father’s will appointed me your guardian, not your suitor. I shall be faithful to my trust. Ann In low siren tones. He asked me who would I have as my guardian before he made that will. I chose you! Tanner The will is yours then! The trap was laid from the beginning. Ann Concentrating all her magic. From the beginning⁠—from our childhood⁠—for both of us⁠—by the life force. Tanner I will not marry you. I will not marry you. Ann Oh, you will, you will. Tanner I tell you, no, no, no. Ann I tell you, yes, yes, yes. Tanner No. Ann Coaxing⁠—imploring⁠—almost exhausted. Yes. Before it is too late for repentance. Yes. Tanner Struck by the echo from the past. When did all this happen to me before? Are we two dreaming? Ann Suddenly losing her courage, with an anguish that she does not conceal. No. We are awake; and you have said no: that is all. Tanner Brutally. Well? Ann Well, I made a mistake: you do not love me. Tanner Seizing her in his arms. It is false: I love you. The life force enchants me: I have the whole world in my arms when I clasp you. But I am fighting for my freedom, for my honor, for myself, one and indivisible. Ann Your happiness will be worth them all. Tanner You would sell freedom and honor and self for happiness? Ann It will not be all happiness for me. Perhaps death. Tanner Groaning. Oh, that clutch holds and hurts. What have you grasped in me? Is there a father’s heart as well as a mother’s? Ann Take care, Jack: if anyone comes while we are like this, you will have to marry me. Tanner If we two stood now on the edge of a precipice, I would hold you tight and jump. Ann Panting, failing more and more under the strain. Jack: let me go. I have dared so frightfully⁠—it is lasting longer than I thought. Let me go: I can’t bear it. Tanner Nor I. Let it kill us. Ann Yes: I don’t care. I am at the end of my forces. I don’t care. I think I am going to faint. At this moment Violet and Octavius come from the villa with Mrs. Whitefield, who is wrapped up for driving. Simultaneously Malone and Ramsden, followed by Mendoza and Straker, come in through the little gate in the paling. Tanner shamefacedly releases Ann, who raises her hand giddily to her forehead. Malone Take care. Something’s the matter with the lady. Ramsden What does this mean? Violet Running between Ann and Tanner. Are you ill? Ann Reeling, with a supreme effort. I have promised to marry Jack. She swoons. Violet kneels by her and chafes her hand. Tanner runs round to her other hand, and tries to lift her bead. Octavius goes to Violet’s assistance, but does not know what to do. Mrs. Whitefield hurries back into the villa. Octavius, Malone and Ramsden run to Ann and crowd round her, stooping to assist. Straker coolly comes to Ann’s feet, and Mendoza to her head, both upright and self-possessed. Straker Now then, ladies and gentlemen: she don’t want a crowd round her: she wants air⁠—all the air she can git. If you please, gents⁠—Malone and Ramsden allow him to drive them gently past Ann and up the lawn towards the garden, where Octavius, who has already become conscious of his uselessness, joins them. Straker, following them up, pauses for a moment to instruct Tanner. Don’t lift er ed, Mr. Tanner: let it go flat so’s the blood can run back into it. Mendoza He is right, Mr. Tanner. Trust to the air of the Sierra. He withdraws delicately to the garden steps. Tanner Rising. I yield to your superior knowledge of physiology, Henry. He withdraws to the corner of the lawn; and Octavius immediately hurries down to him. Tavy Aside to Tanner, grasping his hand. Jack: be very happy. Tanner Aside to Tavy. I never asked her. It is a trap for me. He goes up the lawn towards the garden. Octavius remains petrified. Mendoza Intercepting Mrs. Whitefield, who comes from the villa with a glass of brandy. What is this, madam? He takes it from her. Mrs. Whitefield A little brandy. Mendoza The worst thing you could give her. Allow me. He swallows it. Trust to the air of the Sierra, madam. For a moment the men all forget Ann and stare at Mendoza. Ann In Violet’s ear, clutching her round the neck. Violet, did Jack say anything when I fainted? Violet No. Ann Ah! With a sigh of intense relief she relapses. Mrs. Whitefield Oh, she’s fainted again. They are about to rush back to her; but Mendoza stops them with a warning gesture. Ann Supine. No I haven’t. I’m quite happy. Tanner Suddenly walking determinedly to her, and snatching her hand from Violet to feel her pulse. Why, her pulse is positively bounding. Come, get up. What nonsense! Up with you. He gets her up summarily. Ann Yes: I feel strong enough now. But you very nearly killed me, Jack, for all that. Malone A rough wooer, eh? They’re the best sort, Miss Whitefield. I congratulate Mr. Tanner; and I hope to meet you and him as frequent guests at the Abbey. Ann Thank you. She goes past Malone to Octavius. Ricky Ticky Tavy: congratulate me. Aside to him. I want to make you cry for the last time. Tavy Steadfastly. No more tears. I am happy in your happiness. And I believe