Act III - Page 2

guard
me against living too much in the skies. On my solemn oath, from
this moment forth I will never borrow another penny.

MRS DUBEDAT [delighted] Ah, thats right. Does his wicked worrying
wife torment him and drag him down from the clouds. [She kisses
him]. And now, dear, wont you finish those drawings for Maclean?

LOUIS. Oh, they dont matter. Ive got nearly all the money from
him in advance.

MRS DUBEDAT. But, dearest, that is just the reason why you should
finish them. He asked me the other day whether you really
intended to finish them.

LOUIS. Confound his impudence! What the devil does he take me
for? Now that just destroys all my interest in the beastly job.
Ive a good mind to throw up the commission, and pay him back his
money.

MRS DUBEDAT. We cant afford that, dear. You had better finish the
drawings and have done with them. I think it is a mistake to
accept money in advance.

LOUIS. But how are we to live?

MRS DUBEDAT. Well, Louis, it is getting hard enough as it is, now
that they are all refusing to pay except on delivery.

LOUIS. Damn those fellows! they think of nothing and care for
nothing but their wretched money.

MRS DUBEDAT. Still, if they pay us, they ought to have what they
pay for.

LOUIS [coaxing;] There now: thats enough lecturing for to-day.
Ive promised to be good, havnt I?

MRS DUDEBAT [putting her arms round his neck] You know that I
hate lecturing, and that I dont for a moment misunderstand you,
dear, dont you?

LOUIS [fondly] I know. I know. I'm a wretch; and youre an angel.
Oh, if only I were strong enough to work steadily, I'd make my
darling's house a temple, and her shrine a chapel more beautiful
than was ever imagined. I cant pass the shops without wrestling
with the temptation to go in and order all the really good things
they have for you.

MRS DUBEDAT. I want nothing but you, dear. [She gives him a
caress, to which he responds so passionately that she disengages
herself]. There! be good now: remember that the doctors are
coming this morning. Isnt it extraordinarily kind of them, Louis,
to insist on coming? all of them, to consult about you?

LOUIS [coolly] Oh, I daresay they think it will be a feather in
their cap to cure a rising artist. They wouldnt come if it didnt
amuse them, anyhow. [Someone knocks at the door]. I say: its not
time yet, is it?

MRS DUDEBAT. No, not quite yet.

LOUIS [opening the door and finding Ridgeon there] Hello,
Ridgeon. Delighted to see you. Come in.

MRS DUDEBAT [shaking hands] It's so good of you to come, doctor.

LOUIS. Excuse this place, wont you? Its only a studio, you know:
theres no real convenience for