The Land of Promise: A Comedy in Four Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

[Hornby comes in again.]

Hornby.

I say, here’s someone coming to see you.

Norah.

Me? [She goes to the door and looks out.] Oh, it’s Mrs. Sharp. Whatever brings her here on foot? She never walks a step if she can help it. She’s the wife of my neighbour.... Good-afternoon, Mrs. Sharp.

[Mrs. Sharp enters. She is a middle-aged woman, red in the face, stout and rather short of breath. She wears an old sun-bonnet, a faded shirt-waist, none too clean, and a rather battered skirt.]

Norah.

Come right in.

Mrs. Sharp.

Good-afternoon to you, Mrs. Taylor. I’m all in a perspiration. I’ve not walked so far in months.