  Scene—A Sea-side Library. Visitor (wearily, after a series of inquiries and disappointments). What I want is a recent novel. I haven't read The Vermilion Gillyflower yet. It's been out six months or more. Surely you've got that? Shop Attendant. I don't fancy it's in our catalogue. I don't remember hearing of it. (Brightly.) We've got Ivanhoe. Visitor (ignoring the suggestion). Well, then, I could do with Conan Doyle's last, or Stanley Weyman's. Shop Attendant. Stanley, did you say? Oh yes, we've ordered the Life of Dean Stanley, but it hasn't come yet. Visitor (gloomily). I don't want anybody's life. I want—let's see—A Gentleman of France. Shop Attendant. A Gentleman of France? I don't recollect the title. But (cheerfully) we've John Halifax, Gentleman, if that'll do as well. Visitor (groaning). Oh no, it won't! How about So-so, by Benson, you know? Or I hear Mrs. Clifford's latest is worth reading. Or Bess of the Curvybills, by Hardy. That's been out a couple of years at least. (Hopefully.) Oh, I'm sure that's got to you. Shop Attendant (floored). Would you look through the shelves for yourself, if you please? You'll find something to suit you, I know. There's one or two of Dickens's, and Middlemarch—now, that's a rather recent work. Or The Channings. We've had The Channings bound again, and it's a great favourite.
|
|
