Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Where is Ronny?

Violet.

He's gone. It was so late. He asked me to say good-night to you.

Anne.

Thank you. It must be very late. I'll say good-night too. [She bends down and kisses Violet.] Good-night, Arthur.

Arthur.

Good-night. [She goes out. Arthur sits down. A Sais comes in and turns out some of the lights. In the distance is heard the wailing of an Arab song. Arthur motions to the Sais.] Leave these. I'll turn them out myself. [The Sais goes in and turns out all the lights in the lower rooms but one. The light remains now only just round Arthur and Violet. The Arab song is like a wail of pain.] That sounds strangely after the waltzes and one-steps that we've heard this evening.

Violet.

It seems to come from very far away.

Arthur.