Edith by Martina Devlin

Author:Martina Devlin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Martina Devlin, Edith Somerville, Violet Martin, Somerville and Ross, The Irish R.M., Civil War, Irish Independence 1921-22, revolution, Protestant, Ascendancy, Anglo-Irish, West Cork, Castletownshend, Irish women writers, feminist, Irish literature, London
Publisher: The Lilliput Press
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

eleven

Ethel Smyth is gazing, rapt, at Edith’s face while she reads from the play. She is free to look with intensity because Edith, who has a talent for accent, is engrossed in acting out each character’s role. They have reached the point where Flurry is about to abscond with Sally, aided and abetted by his accomplice Slipper. Sally’s mama Lady Knox is horrified, but Flurry’s grandmother Mrs Knox is delighted – anything that puts Lady Knox’s nose out of joint wins her approval.

‘Slipper yells to Yeates, “Twas yerself called for‘Haste to theWeddin’, long life to ye!” Old Mrs Knox hurries down steps and has an old shoe and rice. Lady Knox dashes back round house.They meet! Curtain. End of scene three.’

Ethel Smyth slaps her knees.‘What a card that Slipper is! I say, is he drawn from life?’

‘He’s a combination of people I knew from the hunt.’

‘Marvellous!’

‘Tell me honestly, Boney, is the play any good?’

‘It’s a tonic for the spirits. It’ll raise the roof.’

‘Really?’

‘Really – you have turned the place into Stratford-on-Drishane! The only thing missing is music. I could write you some jaunty Irish airs to accompany it.’ She beats time against a cushion.‘I can see the framework in my head – the outline of the statues against the sky, so to speak.’

‘Please don’t trouble yourself. Opera is opera and theatre is theatre and never the twain, et cetera. Apart from Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan, of course.’ Edith slides the cushion away from Boney before her fist bursts the stitching.

‘But it will perk up the play enormously. Music improves everything.’

‘You’re too kind. But I’m not convinced the play needs perking up. Music won’t be of any benefit to it.’

‘Nonsense! Music should be mandatory with all stage performances. It’s essential.We can’t have too much of it!’

‘There can be too much of a good thing, you know, Boney.’

‘I disagree.Truly, I’m going to insist on writing the musical score for your play.’ Boney’s arms flail in time to a beat only she can hear. ‘You can supply the libretto. It’ll be a team effort!’

Ice penetrates Edith’s voice.‘My team efforts are with Martin Ross.’

Even Boney realizes she has transgressed. She searches for an olive branch.‘Have another choccy.’ She passes over another of her gifts, a box of Charbonnel et Walker chocolates.

‘Really, I couldn’t.’

‘Just one more. To show no hard feelings.’

Edith selects a rose cream and nibbles at it.‘We must put them away after this.’

Boney pops an entire truffle into her mouth. ‘Why? I see no reason not to indulge ourselves once in a while, my little Quakeress. Now, we need to put our heads together and work out how to make Flurry’s Wedding the smash of the season. I shall have to tackle some big cheese personally on your behalf.You’re far too modest to do it yourself.’

Edith realizes her play stands a better chance if Boney champions it. Exuberant she may be, but her heart’s in the right place. ‘That’s terribly kind of you. I do appreciate how you put yourself out for me, dear.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.