{"product_id":"the-voysey-inheritance-isbn-9780307275196","title":"The Voysey Inheritance","description":"One hundred years after the first publication of \u003ci\u003eThe Voysey Inheritance, \u003c\/i\u003eDavid Mamet resurrects Harley Granville-Barker’s classic investigation into the capitalist soul in this brilliant adaptation.\u003cbr\u003eFor generations, the Voysey family business has been secretly skimming money from its clients’ accounts. When Edward, designated to take over the firm from his aging father, discovers the embezzlement that has been keeping his relatives in a life of luxury, he must weigh the trappings of wealth and the imperative to preserve his family’s good name against the better principles of his conscience. But moral righteousness turns to self-protection when he comes to understand fully the consequences of his “inheritance.”“Scintillating. . . . The script resonates with [Granville-Barker’s] literate wit and Mamet’s sharp, spare dynamism.” –\u003ci\u003eSan Francisco Chronicle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“As powerful an exploration of commercial misconduct as Mamet’s own hardheaded business-themed dramas \u003ci\u003eGlengarry Glen Ross\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAmerican Buffalo. \u003c\/i\u003e. . . It’s difficult to imagine a work more presciently engaged with the ethics of transgression and repayment.” –\u003ci\u003eSF Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A wonderful ride. . . . Bristles with relevance to contemporary business ethics and morality.” \u003cbr\u003e–\u003ci\u003eContra Costa Times\u003c\/i\u003eDavid Mamet was born in Chicago in 1947. He studied at Goddard College in Vermont and at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in New York. He has taught at Goddard College, the Yale School of Drama, and New York University, and lectures at the Atlantic Theater Company, of which he is a founding member. He is the author of the plays\u003ci\u003e The Cryptogram, Oleanna, Speed-the-Plow\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGlengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eSexual Perversity in Chicago\u003c\/i\u003e. He has also written screenplays for such films as \u003ci\u003eHouse of Games\u003c\/i\u003e and the Oscar-nominated \u003ci\u003eThe Verdict\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as \u003ci\u003eThe Spanish Prisoner, The Winslow Boy,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWag the Dog.\u003c\/i\u003e His plays have won the Pulitzer Prize and the Obie Award.One\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    Library of the Voysey estate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward, in evening dress, enters the room, followed by alice, two young  people perhaps in their thirties.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: You didn't say a word at dinner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Did I not?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: A more engagée response might be, \"My dear cousin, forgive me . . .  business matters,\" and so on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I beg your pardon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: . . . Yes, or, perhaps, \"My dear. You've found me out again. The  press of work, so on . . . banishes e'en the thought of you from my  mercantile soul.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Forgive me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Why?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Father's still at the table.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: And you were late.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I beg your pardon, Alice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Thank you, from which must one not conclude that you are working much  too hard; or, if observant, that you have lost all interest in me?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (Enter mrs. voysey, a woman of a certain age.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: He has what, my dear?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I say, your son has lost all interest in me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: We have lost interest? What is she saying, Edward? Why are you  speaking of business; haven't we spoken enough of business?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: She isn't speaking of business, Mother.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: If not, then she will be unique among our family. Edward. I  take my oath. Have you seen my \"work\"?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I believe I saw it in the blue room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: What?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I believe, I saw it in the . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: In the blue room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (george booth, an older gentleman, enters.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mrs. voysey: (Exiting) What is this interest that they say we've lost?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: On my word, I've no idea. Edward: is there something I should  know?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I said he's lost interest in me . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Oh, good. Then we needn't tighten our belts, eh.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: That's right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Lost interest in Alice, Edward.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Yes, and the shame of it all, after these long years of  protestations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: You staying up this weekend, Alice, or you going back to town?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: No, Mr. Booth, I am to stay here, pining, pining . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Over what? Our, our universal understanding is that it's you  have been the long-sought quarry . . . Hugh coming up, Edward?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I beg your pardon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: I say: Is Hugh coming up?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I believe he is.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: I wanted to tell him something. What did I want to tell him?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (mr. voysey, the paterfamilias, enters.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Ah, ah, may we, now the cloth is drawn, proceed to business?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: At dinner, George, at dinner?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Uh, no, we're on to the port-we're on to the port, eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (Enter peacey, a middle-aged man in business attire, carrying his overcoat  and hat.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: (Of peacey) And what is this, then?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Evening, Mr. Booth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Good evening, Peacey, what news?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: No news, such as is news, Mr. Booth, just these indents to sign . .  . (He passes papers to mr. voysey, from the briefcase which he carries.) And  I beg your pardon, to disturb your evening.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: What of our Australian bonds, Mr. Peacey?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: The bonds? Sound as a nut, sir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: There's no worry, then? No need for drastic measure, fear of  want, and so on. (Pause)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: He's joking with you, Peacey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Well, I know it, sir. (Noticing edward) Ah. Mr. Edward. Evening, sir  . . . And Miss Alice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Good evening, Peacey . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: How's my boy doing, Peacey?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Like his father and his grandfather before him, sir, all business,  through and through.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: High praise indeed. (He finishes with the forms.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: And in the office, working double tides all weekend.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: In the office on the weekend, was he, Peacey?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Yes, sir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Ah ha.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Like father like son, if I may.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Yes. I understand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: I'm sorry to disturb your evening, sir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: No, it's good you came. Good you came.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (The party enters from the dining room.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: (To peacey) Tell Simmons that if he satisfies you on the details  of the lease it'll be all right. Make a note for me of Mr. Garinger's  address at Mentone, (Pause) and I'll take care of the Atkinson letter first  thing Monday morning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Very good, sir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Peacey . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: (A strapping fellow in middle-age, entering) Of course  I'm hot and strong for conscription.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: (To peacey) Nothing urgent, eh? Eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Get 'em out there, get their knees brown.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: My dear boy, the country'll never stand for it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: If we, if the Army, no, you're quite wrong George, if we  lay the hand to the heart, the Army mind you, and say, to the country, on  our honor, conscription is essential for your safety.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Thank you, Peacey . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: (Taking his leave) Sir . . . good evening, gentlemen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Then, what answer, eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    peacey: Miss Alice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: What answer has the country? Eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Well, you ask the country.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Perhaps I shall, perhaps I shall. Perhaps I'll chuck the  service, and go into the House.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (mr. voysey goes after peacey.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Ah, Peacey, the one more thing . . . (He exits.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: A life of service? I'm not a conceited man, but I  believe, were I to speak out, on a subject, which I understand, Edward, eh?  Eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Mmm?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: And only on that subject, then, the House will listen.  Have to listen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Do you think the gentlemen of England will allow themselves to  be herded with a lot of shopkeepers and ploughmen, and be forced to carry  guns?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Yes, Major, what'd you say to that . . . ?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: One moment: have you thought, have you thought of the  great physical improvement which conscription would bring in the manhood of  the country?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: I thought of it, dear boy, when you brought it up those  many-several times during dinner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Yes, but Edward wasn't there, and I'd like his opinion.  Where were you, boy, by the way?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I believe he has a mistress. (Pause)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Ah, no, he doesn't have a mistress. You don't have a  mistress, do you? Then, where were you, boy?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I was at work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: A mistress might be a sign of passion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Quite right. Then, let me ask you, to think, of the  moral and physical improvement which conscription would bring in the manhood  of this country, Edward . . . S'what this country needs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: What is that, Major?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Chest. Chest and discipline. These are the fundaments of  honor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (mr. voysey reenters.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Ah, yes, son, back upon conscription?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Edward didn't hear it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: No, we must all hear it. Mustn't we?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: You've taught us to speak out, haven't you, sir?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: It seems I have. (To colpus, a clerical man, as he enters) Ah,  Vicar . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: By the by, what was Peacey doing here?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: (To colpus) You were at Lady Mary's t'other evening, weren't you  . . . ?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Nothing wrong at the shop, eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: Yes, I was.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: She giving us anything toward our chapel window?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: Five pounds more. She's promised me five pounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Then how will the debt stand?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: . . . Nothin' wrong at the shop . . . ?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Oh, please . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: The debt will be, it will be thirty-three, no, I tell a lie,  thirty-five pounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Still . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: Oh, yes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: We're a long time, clearing it off.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: Well, now that the window's up, people don't seem quite so willing  to contribute.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: We must mention that to Hugh.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: Not that Hugh's work ain't universally admired. I have heard Hugh's  work praised by the most competent of judges.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: As it should be.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: And Trenchard has subscribed two pounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: When is Hugh coming?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: When is Hugh coming? I saw the window-that's what I wanted to  tell him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    colpus: But perhaps . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: . . . And I admired it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    coplus: Perhaps it would have been wise to delay the unveiling until the  debt had been cleared.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Well, it was my wish that my son should do the design. I  suppose, in the end, I'll have to send a check. What do you say Edward?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: I saw his design for the window and I thought it was quite  pleasant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Edward?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Father?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Are you sleeping, boy? You didn't eat enough to get you groggy .  . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Perhaps he's in love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: He's been in love for years, why should it break out  now?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Why, indeed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: He been neglecting you? Say the word, and I'll take him  out and cane him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Thank you, sir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: See if I don't. Girl like that. What's wrong with you,  boy, you lack \"initiative.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (ethel, a beautiful girl in her thirties, enters.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Father. You men have been in here too long.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Thank you, Ethel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Oh, you know . . . And Mother asks: have you taken your pill?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (honor, the older sister, follows ethel into the library.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: And you're to come back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: (Prompting ethel) \"Has he taken his pill?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: And you're to come back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: And, why, why does she want us back? Honor?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: It's not Mother wants us back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Who is it, then?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: Ethel wants to convene a free and frank discussion of her wedding  present.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: That's not true. Well, it is true, but it's not pleasant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Why not, darling?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: It's not pleasant to be tagged as avaricious, really, Honor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Really, Honor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: Yes, yes . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: And, in fact, in fact, if you will, I have decided, Dennis and I have  decided that we want no wedding present.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: What do you want, a check?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: That's right. We want a check.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: Well, that's blunt, that's awfully blunt, innit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: (To mr. voysey) We feel a check will give greater scope to your  generosity. Of course, if you, in your benevolence, decide to add some  \"trimmin's,\" in the shape of a piano, or a turkey carpet, well. But, all in  all, Dennis and I would be over the moon for a check.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: You're a minx.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: What's the use of having money, if you don't spend it on me?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: What am I going to do with you?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Come to the billiard room, I want to play billiards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Now she wants us to play billiards, why?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: To display my innate superiority.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: To hear is to obey . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (He rises, and all except edward begin to follow him.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: And Mother asks have you taken your pill.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: I've had my pill.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Scout's honor. Seriously.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Yes. I have.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Come on, then.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (edward remains seated.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Edward, you, too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Yes, I'll be right along. Father . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Eh? And the bonds. What of the Australian bonds?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: No, no business . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Father . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: No more business tonight . . . And where are my Havanas? Honor?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: In the billiard room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: They're in the billiard room, well, then . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    major booth voysey: (Exiting) You coming, Edward . . . ?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Stick with the bonds, eh? Should I stick with the bonds?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Well, I'll ask you: why stick with 'em?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: The high interest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Question, then, what do you want with it, you never spend half  your income.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Forty-two percent is pleasing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: That's what it is: you're a buccaneer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: As long as I have you to advise me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: The man who don't know must trust in the man who does.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Oh, my Lord, what shall I do when you're gone . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Well, there's Edward . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: Well, Edward, yes . . . (To edward) No offense . . . No  offense, Edward, I meant no offense.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I'm sure you did not, sir . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    george booth: (To honor) But, he's not his father, is he . . . ? (He exits.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: Now, he knows the Havanas live in the billiard room. Wherever else  would they be?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Where, indeed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: What a difficult, difficult family, Alice. All except Edward.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Why me?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Yes, I shall save the city, should you find me just the one honorable  man.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: (Calling, offstage) Honor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    honor: Yes, Father . . . (Leading edward and alice)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: (Pause) The Pettifers asked after you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Were they here?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Yes. They left early . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Ah.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I spent August with them, you know. (Pause) Did you know that?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Yes, I knew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: May I suppose you missed me? (Pause) What is it, Edward?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: No, it's nothing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: You haven't, you haven't even proposed to me, since I've got back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: And?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I miss it. My word, how you've become disagreeable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (mr. voysey sticks his head back into the library.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Are you coming, Edward?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: Your son's turned cold, Mr. Voysey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Cold toward you? Then that's cold, indeed. What's wrong with the  boy?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    alice: I fear he has found someone else. (Pause) And I had so looked forward  to his arrival. (She exits.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: (Pause) S'all right between you and her, is it? (Pause) You  should have seen her primping all this afternoon, eh, in respect of your  arrival. (Pause) Good girl. (Pause) Come on, then, join the party.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: What is it? (Pause) What is it? (He goes to the door and closes  it.) Mmm?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I, uh . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: All right, whatever it is. Whatever the mess is: you won't have  been the first. And you won't be the first to get clear of it. Now, you tell  me: what is it? It's some girl, eh?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: Father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: (Pause) It wouldn't be the first time in life. If that's what it  is-it can be dealt with, but it must be faced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    (ethel comes into the library.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Mother says come now, the both of you, or it'll be the worse for you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: We'll be right there.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: No, I'm to fetch you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Thank you, dear, we'll be right along.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Having a heart-to-heart, are we?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Just a chat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: Don't turn lugubrious, I've told you, now, that you're wanted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: I've known few things, in my life, couldn't be threshed out in a  quarter-hour.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    ethel: I'm going to hold you to it. (She exits.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    mr. voysey: Now: You didn't come down Saturday, you come home tonight, two  hours late. Where have you been and what is it?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    edward: I've been at the office.A Play","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303178391781,"sku":"NP9780307275196","price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780307275196.jpg?v=1767742102","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-voysey-inheritance-isbn-9780307275196","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}