Graft: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Harold Brighouse

Mrs. V. So many links with the historic past.

Vin. (impatiently). It 'ud be a blue ruin for the town.

Mont. Sheer catastrophe. You're a leading personage here, Mr. Verity—alderman and so on. Of course you have the interest of the town at heart.

Ste. (with faint irony). As much as you have yourselves, I dare say.

Vin. (recovering first from the slight general embarrassment). Er, yes. Now, don't you think a petition from the Town Council to Sir Charles might do the trick? You see, the Polygon's the backbone of the place. I can't for the life of me imagine what Sir Charles is thinking of.

Ste. The price.

Mrs. V. Now, that's ungenerous of you, Mr. Verity. Sir Charles would never be so selfish.

Ste. (stolidly). Think not?

Mrs. V. He wouldn't turn us out for money. (Vining and Montgomery are not so sure.)

Ste. It's hard times for the rich.