Read-Aloud Plays - novelonlinefull.com
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MR. WENTWORTH
What do you mean?
JOE
I mean that it's a disgrace that Americans only study and only buy old masters. It's a burning shame that all they know about art is what they have been taught in books. They let their own artists starve--they make them come over here--while they bid up a Raphael like a block of shares.
What good does it do Raphael? He had his day. And look how it holds back our own possible Raphaels!
MR. WENTWORTH
Raphael? Ah, you are still very young. You don't understand the att.i.tude of the majority, Mr. Carson. Raphael is one of our great inspirers of beauty.
JOE
You mean culture!
SILVIA
Oh, it's getting quite dark. Joe, light the light.
MR. WENTWORTH
Dear me, so it is! What time is it? It must be getting late--Good gracious! I have an engagement.
SILVIA
You can't stay for a little dinner with us in the Quarter, Mr. Wentworth?
Afterward we could go to one of the cafes.
MR. WENTWORTH
I'm afraid I can't, Silvia. It's been a great pleasure to meet you both, I a.s.sure you. These little differences of opinion....
SILVIA
Oh, that's all right. We argue art and religion every day, don't we, Joe?
Of course, though, we _do_ feel strongly about the young artists--the young American artists. They come over here, and then they have to burn their bridges ... and we see how wonderful America could be if they were given things to do instead of being neglected....
JOE
Here's your coat, Mr. Wentworth.
MR. WENTWORTH
Thank you. Thank you for the delicious tea, Silvia. If I weren't leaving town so soon.... Good night.
SYLVIA
Good night. The stairs are rather dark.... (_He goes out_)
JOE
d.a.m.n!
SYLVIA
Yes, I know, Joe. It's discouraging....
JOE
Discouraging? It's immoral! Oh, these smug people who have been taught what to admire! These unborn souls who want to shut us all up in the dark!
I suppose he went away thinking I put myself up higher than Raphael. Who are we painting for? _They_ don't want it--wouldn't take it for a gift.
And here we are, a poor little group, standing amazed before the glory of the sun, and painting it--for the blind!
SILVIA
Some day, Joe....
JOE
Some day--yes, when the life has oozed out of all our bright canva.s.ses, when only the "rules" are left. And we won't be able to rise from our graves and curse them!
SILVIA
Now, Joe!
JOE
I guess I let you in for a hard time, Silvia. I wish sometimes I could really paint the kind of thing that goes with stupid people's dining rooms. They with their _Long Island_ Louvres!
SILVIA
If you did, Joe, I'd put it in the stove. Don't think you are having all the fun of being a pioneer. It's exciting to be within a mile of it!
JOE
Good girl. Ugh! Let's go to Boudet's and have dinner. I want to get the bad taste out of my mouth!
HIS LUCK
_The living room in a small flat in Beekman Place. Two women, one of them in mourning, sit beside the remains of tea._
VERA
But Jean, where are you going, when you pack up here?
