62
CATHERINE: During the vacation.
CHARLIE: In the vacation.
MURIEL SPARK
CATHERINE: That's all I ask. I quite see that when she's in college
she can't go and look at a thing without feeling compelled to go
and look it up, and consequently she doesn't look at things at all.
But in the holidays I feel she ought to take more interest in life.
CHARLIE: The leopard can't change its spots.
CATHERINE: But Leonora isn't a leopard, that's my point. Human
beings can change their spots, that's my point. Do you realise,
Charlie, that all last term I didn't have a minute to look at the
stars.
Off
to school in the morning, back in the afternoon to see
what was going on the house, homework in the evening, coaching
the special boys on Saturdays, honestly I haven't looked at the
stars.
CHARLIE: You can look at the stars in the holidays and in the term
as well from now on.
CATHERINE: I'm not going to give up my job.
CHARLIE: I'm out of pocket with your job. I've always been out of
pocket with your jobs. Extra help in the house, extra cigarettes,
extra drinks to cheer you up, taxi fares on the days when you
have a row with the Head, extra clothes to maintain your authority
over the boys. Extra . . .
CATHERINE: Extra ink in my fountain pen. Shoe-leather, you've
forgotten shoe-leather.
CHARLIE: Extra shoe-leather. I'm out of pocket.
CATHERINE:
If
you get your new appointment you'll be able to afford
my luxurious job in a grammar school. I have a mind as well as
you and Leonora, Charlie.
CHARLIE: You can give free lectures to the Mothers' Union, it would
be
cheaper in the long run. I can't count on any new appointment.
CATHERINE: When will you know?
CHARLIE: Within a week or two. It's very doubtful. Don't start buy–
ing anything, just go on looking at the stars and the canal, I pay for
them with the rates.
CATHERINE: Were you thinking of coming to bed or is your time too
expensive?
CHARLIE:
As
to that, perhaps not on the whole. But I've got to finish
this tonight, so clear off.
