5. Rogue. 7. Here common sense. 6. Mother (Latin).
.
175 2 / BERNARD SHAW
[SIR GEORGE has by this time managed to unfold a chair and plant it heside MRS WARREN, on her left. He throws the other on the grass and sits down, looking dejected and rather foolish, with the handle of his stick in his mouth, PRAED, still very uneasy, fidgets ahout the garden on their right. ]
MRS WARREN [To PRAED, looking at CROFTS.] Just look at him, Praddy: he looks cheerful, dont he? He's been worrying my life out these three years to have that little girl of mine shewn to him; and now that Ive done it, he's quite out of countenance. [Briskly.] Come! sit up, George; and take your stick out of your mouth, [CROFTS sulkily oheys.]
PRAED I think, you know?if you dont mind my saying so?that we had better
get out of the habit of thinking of her as a little girl. You see she has really
distinguished herself; and I'm not sure, from what I have seen of her, that
she is not older than any of us. MRS WARREN [Greatly amused.] Only listen to him, George! Older than any of us! Well, she has been stuffing you nicely with her importance.
PRAED But young people are particularly sensitive about being treated in that
way.
MRS WARREN Yes; and young people have to get all that nonsense taken out of them, and a good deal more besides. Dont you interfere, Praddy: I know how to treat my own child as well as you do. [PRAED, with a grave shake of his head, walks up the garden with his hands behind his hack, MRS WARREN pretends to laugh, hut looks after him with perceptible concern. Then she whispers to CROFTS] Whats the matter with him? What does he take it like that for?
CROFTS [Morosely.] Youre afraid of Praed.
MRS WARREN
What! Me! Afraid of dear old Praddy! Why, a fly wouldnt be
afraid of him.
CROFTS
Your e afraid of him.
MRS WARREN [Angry.] I'll trouble you to mind your own business, and not try any of your sulks on me. I'm not afraid of you , anyhow. If you cant make yourself agreeable, youd better go home. [She gets up, and turning her back on him, finds herself face to face with PRAED.] Come, Praddy, I know it was only your tender-heartedness. Youre afraid I'll bully her.
PRAED
My dear Kitty: you think I'm offended. Dont imagine that: pray dont.
But you know I often notice things that escape you; and though you never
take my advice, you sometimes admit afterwards that you ought to have
taken it.
MRS WARREN
Well, what do you notice now?
PRAED
Only that Vivie is a grown woman. Pray, Kitty, treat her with every
respect.
MRS WARREN
[With genuine amazement.] Respect! Treat my own daughter with respect! What next, pray! VTVIE [Appearing at the cottage door and calling to MRS WARREN.] Mother: will you come to my room before tea?
MRS WARREN Yes, dearie. [She laughs indulgently at PRAED'S gravity, and pats him on the cheek as she passes him on her way to the porch.] Dont be cross, Praddy. [She follows VTVIE into the cottage.]
CROFTS [Furtively.] I say, Praed. PRAED Yes.
CROFTS
I want to ask you a rather particular question.
.
MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION, ACT 1 / 1753
PRAED Certainly. [He takes MRS WARREN'S chair and sits close to CROFTS.] CROFTS
Thats right: they might hear us from the window. Look here: did
Kitty ever tell you who that girl's father is?
PRAED
Never.
