59
GB Shaw
sitting at tea with the lady with his coat off, quite at home. If
he isn’t married to her, he ought to be.
SWINDON
. Did he answer to the minister’s name?
SERGEANT
. Yes sir, but not to a minister’s nature. You ask
the chaplain, sir.
SWINDON
(
to Richard, threateningly). So, sir, you have at-
tempted to cheat us. And your name is Richard Dudgeon?
RICHARD
. You’ve found it out at last, have you?
SWINDON
. Dudgeon is a name well known to us, eh?
RICHARD
. Yes: Peter Dudgeon, whom you murdered, was
my uncle.
SWINDON
. Hm! (
He compresses his lips and looks at Rich-
ard with vindictive gravity.)
CHRISTY
. Are they going to hang you, Dick?
RICHARD
. Yes. Get out: they’ve done with you.
CHRISTY
. And I may keep the china peacocks?
RICHARD
(
jumping up). Get out. Get out, you blithering
baboon, you. (
Christy flies, panicstricken.)
SWINDON
(
rising—all rise). Since you have taken the
minister’s place, Richard Dudgeon, you shall go through with
it. The execution will take place at 12 o’clock as arranged;
and unless Anderson surrenders before then you shall take
his place on the gallows. Sergeant: take your man out.
JUDITH
(
distracted). No, no—
SWINDON
(
fiercely, dreading a renewal of her entreaties).
Take that woman away.
RICHARD
(
springing across the table with a tiger-like bound,
and seizing Swindon by the throat). You infernal scoundrel
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