Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor - novelonlinefull.com
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It appears that you owe Basil a good deal of money. Can you pay it?
JAMES.
No.
JOHN.
Also it appears that there was some difficulty with your accounts in your last place.
JAMES.
That's a lie.
JOHN.
Possibly. But altogether I fancy we could make it uncommonly nasty for you if you made a fuss. If dirty linen is going to be washed in public--there's generally a good deal to be done on both sides.
JAMES.
I don't care. I mean to get my own back. If I can only get my knife into that man--I'll take the consequences.
JOHN.
On the other hand--if you won't make a fuss at the inquest, I'll give you fifty pounds.
JAMES.
[_Jumping up indignantly._] Are you trying to bribe me?
JOHN.
[_Calmly._] Yes.
JAMES.
I would 'ave you know that I'm a gentleman, and what's more, I'm an Englishman. And I'm proud of it. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
I've never 'ad any one try and bribe me before.
JOHN.
[_Indifferently._] Otherwise you would, doubtless, have accepted.
JAMES.
I've got more than half a mind to knock you down.
JOHN.
[_With a slight smile._] Come, come, Mr. Bush, don't be ridiculous.
You'd far better keep quiet, you know.
JAMES.
[_Scornfully._] What do you think fifty pounds is to me?
JOHN.
[_With a sharp look._] Who spoke of fifty pounds?
JAMES.
You did.
JOHN.
You must have mistaken me. A hundred and fifty.
JAMES.
Oh! [_At first he is surprised, then, as the amount sinks into his mind, grows doubtful._] That's a very different pair of shoes.
JOHN.
I don't ask you to say anything untrue. After all, it's not worth while for a man of the world like you--a business man--to give way to petty spite. And we don't want to have any scandal. That would be just as unpleasant for you as for us.
JAMES.
[_Undecided._] There's no denying that she was hysterical. If he'd only treated me like a gentleman, I shouldn't have had anything to say.
JOHN.
Well?
JAMES.
[_With a foxy, keen glance at_ JOHN.] Make it two 'undred, and I'll say done.
JOHN.
[_Firmly._] No. You can take a hundred and fifty, or go to the devil.
JAMES.
Oh, well, 'and it over.
JOHN.
[_Taking a cheque out of his pocket._] I'll give you fifty now and the rest after the inquest.
