Landed Gentry: A Comedy in Four Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Grace.

I want to amuse myself. Go and fetch the others, they’re down by the lake. And we’ll all play poker.

[He is just going to make an observation, but she bursts in vehemently.

Grace.

For God’s sake do as I ask you.

[He looks at her. With a shrug of the shoulders he goes out into the garden. Grace gives a deep sigh. In a moment Henry Cobbett enters. Grace looks at him silently as he advances into the room.

Cobbett.

I’ve been waiting for the chance of speaking to you by yourself.

Grace.