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The Old Lady Shows Her Medals

by J. M. Barrie

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Setting: England
Format of Original Source: Play
Recommended Adaptation Length:

Candidate for Adaptation? Promising

EXCERPT:

‘Have you noticed you have never called me son?’

‘Have I noticed it! I was feared, Kenneth. You said I was on probation.’

‘And so you were. Well, the probation’s ended.’ He laughs uncomfortably. ‘The like of me! But if you want me you can have me.’

‘Kenneth, will I do?’

‘Woman,’ artfully gay, ‘don’t be so forward. Wait till I have proposed.’

‘Propose for a mother?’

‘What for no?’ In the grand style, ‘Mrs. Dowey, you queer carl, you spunky tiddy, have I your permission to ask you the most important question a neglected orphan can ask of an old lady?’

She bubbles with mirth. Who could help it, the man has such a way with him.

‘None of your sauce, Kenneth.’

‘For a long time, Mrs. Dowey, you cannot have been unaware of my sonnish feelings for you.’

‘Wait till I get my mop to you!’

‘And if you’re not willing to be my mother, I swear I’ll never ask another.’



NOTE FROM NMI: Barrie sometimes wrote his plays in prose, rather than in script format; but they are plays nonetheless.


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