求英语三人话剧剧本,10分钟左右的,每个角色台词量不要差太多
三个懒汉TheThreeLazyOnes
Akinghadthreesonswhomhelovedequallywell，andhedidnotknowwhichofthemtoappointaskingfollowinghisowndeath.
Whenthetimecameforhimtodiehecalledthemtohisbedandsaid，“Dearchildren，IhavethoughtofsomethingthatIwillrevealtoyou.Theoneofyouisthelaziestshallbecomekingafterme.”
Theoldestonesaid，“Father，thenthekingdombelongstome，forIamsolazythatwheneverIliedowntosleep，andadropfallsintomyeyes，IwillnotevenclosethemsothatIcanfallasleep.”
Thesecondonesaid，“Father，thekingdombelongstome，forIamsolazythatwhenIamsittingbythefirewarmingmyself，Iwouldratherletmyheelsburnupthantopullmylegsback.”
Thethirdonesaid，“Father，thekingdomismine，forIamsolazythatifIweregoingtobehangedandalreadyhadtheropearoundmyneck，andsomeoneputintomyhandasharpknifewithwhichtocuttherope，Iwouldletmyselfbehangedratherthantoliftmyhanduptotherope.”
Whenthefatherheardthishesaid，“Youhavetakenitthefarthestandshallbeking.”
在一个遥远的地方，有一个国王，他有三个儿子，对每一个儿子他都非常喜爱，他不知道自己死后应该把王位传给他们三个中的哪一个。所以，当他快要死的时候，就把他们叫到身边说：“亲爱的孩子们，在我死后，你们三个中谁最懒，谁就继承我的王位。”老大说：“既然这样，这王位就是我的，因为我是最懒的儿子，当我躺下睡觉时，有任何东西落到我的眼睛里，我也懒得去擦掉，即使不能把眼睛闭上，我仍然会继续睡觉。”二儿子说：“爸爸，王位应该传给我，因为我是最懒的儿子。当我坐在火边取暖的时候，就是火燃到我的脚趾，我也懒得把腿收回来。”第三个儿子说：“爸爸，这王位是我的，因为我是你最懒的儿子，如果我就要被吊起来，绳子已经套在了脖子上，有人把一把锋利的小刀塞在我手里，要我切断绳子，我宁愿被吊起来也懒得抬起手把绳子割断。”父亲听到这里说道：“你是最合适的人选，你应该继承王位。”
求10分钟英语话剧
帮您找了两部~~
第一部：
6人英语爱情话剧剧本-WhereIsMyMr.Right?
关于爱情的剧本，剧情简单，讲oneday谈过几次恋爱，最终找到了自己的真爱~~
Cast
Femaleleadingcharacter:Oneday
Oneday’sfirstfriend:Wayne
Oneday’ssecondboyfriend:Tom
Oneday’sthirdboyfriend&Beryl’sboyfriend:Jack
Oneday’sfourthboyfriend:Martin
Oneday’sfriend:Beryl
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Scene1ABigShock
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Beryl:Oneday,howaboutgoingtoseestarstogetherthisevening?
Oneday:O.K.!Iwanttoaskmyboyfriendtojoinus.
Beryl:Um!Sure,butIdon'twanttogetcaughtbetweenyouandyourboyfriend.
SoIthinkI'dbetteraskmyboyfriendtogowithme,too.
Oneday:O.K.!
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Oneday:Honey,look.Therearesomanystarsinthesky.
It'sreallyabreath-takingpicture,isn'tit?
Wayne:Um!
Oneday:Whydoyoulooksounhappythisevening?IseverythingO.K.?
Wayne:Oneday,Iamsorry.There'ssomethingIwanttotellyou.
Oneday:What?Whatisit?
Wayne:Ifeelsosorrytoyou.
Oneday:Why?Whydidyousaythat?Istheresomethingwrong?
Wayne:I'mverysorry.ThethingisI'minlovewithsomeoneelse.
Oneday:What?Someoneelse?Whataboutme?
Wayne:Iamverysorry.It'smyfault.Pleaseforgiveme.
Ihopeyoucanfindamanwhoreallylovesyou.
Oneday:Wayne...NO!!
Wayne:Goodluck!
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Beryl:What'swrong?Youlookawful.Whathappenedtoyou?
Oneday:Waynejustbrokeupwithme.
Beryl:I'msosorrytohearthat.But,why?
Oneday:Don'taskmewhy.Let'sjustgetoutofhere.
Beryl:Sure.Let'sgo.
Scene2AChanceEncounter
Beryl:Oneday,thereisamanwhohasbeenpeepingatyouforawhile.
Oneday:Really?Whereishe?
Beryl:Don’tlooknow.Heisjustbehindyouontheside,andhewearsawhiteshirt.Ican’tbelieveit;heisstilllookingatyou.
Oneday:Howinteresting!Imusttakeapeekathim.
Beryl:O.K.Butdon’tmakeittooobvious.
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Tom:ShouldIgotellOnedaythatIloveher?
Martin:Whynot?Ithinkyoutwomakeagreatcouple.Youshouldgiveitatry.
Tom:O.K.Wishmeluck!
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Beryl:Oneday,youwon’tbelievethis.Thatmaniscomingrightupthisway.
Oneday:Really?Iwonderwhatheisupto.
Tom:Hi,Oneday.Itisnicetoseeyouhere.
Oneday:Hi,Tom.
Beryl:Youtwoknoweachother?
Oneday:Yeah.Berly,thisisTom.
Beryl:Hi.
Oneday:Tom,thisisBeryl.
Tom:Hi.
Tom:Oneday,IwouldliketoletyouknowthatIlikeyou.Letmetakecareofyou.IamnotlikeWayne.Iwon’ttreatyouthewayhetreatedyou.Youcanputyourselfatease.
Oneday:Thisishappeningtoofast.Ihavetothinkaboutit.
Beryl:Heseemstobeaniceguy.Justgivehimachance.
Oneday:Areyousure?(inlowvoice)
Beryl:(Nodding.)
Oneday:O.K.,Tom.Let’sgiveitatry.Ihopethatyouwillrememberwhatyoujustsaidandyouwillkeepyourpromise.
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(Onemonthlater.)
Tom:Oneday,IhavetotellyouthatIwillhavetoleaveTaichungbecauseIamgoingtoschoolinTaipei.Iamafraidwewon’tbeabletobetogetheranymore.Sorry!
Oneday:EvenifyouhavetoleaveTaichung,wecanstillbetogether,can’twe?
Tom:No,Idon’tthinkso.Distancewillchangeourrelationshipsoonerorlater.So,itwouldbebetterwejustcallitquits.Iamverysorry.
Oneday:Icannotbelievethisishappeningtomeagain.
Scene3AnotherRomance
Jack:Oneday,Iknowyouhadtwounpleasantrelationshipsbefore,andthosetwomenhurtyouverymuch.Butpleasebelieveme.Iamdifferentfromthem.Iwilltakegoodcareofyouwithallmyheart.
Oneday:(talkingtoherself)MaybeJackisreallyseriousaboutme.MaybeIshouldgivehimachanceandaccepthislove.(talkingtoJack)O.K.,Jack.Iwillacceptyourlove.
Jack:Thankyousomuch.Youwon’tregretit.
Oneday:Isurelyhopenot.
(Oneyearlater.)
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Beryl:Oneday,I’msohappyforyou.ItseemsyoureallyfoundyourMr.Rightthistime.Jackhasbeensonicetoyouallthistime.
Oneday:Yes,Ifeelsomuchinlove.Wehaveknowneachotherforoneyear,andwearegoingtocelebratethisspecialdaytonight.Solet’schatsomeotherday.Bye!
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Jack:Todayisourfirstanniversary.I’vegotsomegoodnewsandbadnewstosharewithyou.
Oneday:Goodnewsandbadnews?Well,goodnewsfirst,then
Jack:Ipassedthegraduateschoolentranceexam,andwillsoongotograduateschool.
Oneday:That’sgreat.Congratulations!Goingtograduateschoolhasalwaysbeenyourdream.I’msogladthatyouhavemadeyourdreamcometrue.
Jack:But……
Oneday:Butwhat?Thisisgreatnews.Youshouldbehappy.
Jack:But,there’ssomebadnews.
Oneday:Badnews?O.K.,Iamreadyforit.
Jack:Let’sbreakup!
Oneday:What?Breakup?Why?
Jack:YouknowIhavetoconcentrateonmyschoolworkandstudyveryhardafterIgotograduateschool.Therefore,Ichoosetogiveupourrelationship,andIhopeyoucanunderstandmydecision.I’mreallysorry.
Oneday:That’senough.Nomoresorry!Youjustgo.
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(Onthephone.)
Oneday:Beryl,ithappenedagain.Jackbrokeupwithme(crying).
Beryl:Oh,poorgirl.Stopcrying.Whatyouneedrightnowisagoodbreakandsleep.Youcantellmethewholethingwhenweseeeachothertomorrow.
Oneday:O.K.!I’lltrytogetsomesleep.Goodnight.
Beryl:Goodnight.
Scene4AHappyEnding
Oneday:WhatkindofgirldoyouthinkIam?
Martin:Whatkindofgirlareyou?Um…,youarealivelyandkindgirl.
Oneday:I’mgladtohearthat.Actually,Iquitelikeyou.
Martin:Really?
Oneday:Ifeelwecantalktoeachother.WhenIamsad,youcomfortmeandtrytomakemehappy.Ifeelsoluckytohaveyouasmyfriend.
Martin:Ofcourse,wearegoodfriends!
Oneday:But,whatifIwantforyouissomethingmorethanJUSTagoodfriend?
Martin:Morethanjustagoodfriend?Whatdoyoumean?
Oneday:ImeanIlikeyou.I…Iwanttobeyourgirlfriend.
Martin:Girlfriend?Oh,no.Imustbefrankwithyoubecauseyouareaverygoodperson.Idon’twanttohurtyou.So,let’sjustbefriends.
Oneday:Can’twegiveitatry?I’llbeaverysweetgirlfriend.
Martin:ForPete’ssake.Letmebehonestwithyou.I’minlovewithaman.
He…heisWayne!
Oneday:Oh,mygod!!!
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Wayne:I’msoluckytohaveyou.Iloveyou.
Martin:Iloveyou,too,Wayne.(Holdingeachother’shands.)
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Oneday:That’snotfair!They’vegoteachotherandloveeachothersomuch.
But,lookatme.WhereismyMr.Right?!
第二部：
6人话剧剧本Don'tTouchMe!别摸我（有搞笑的成分~~）
剧本短，适合短小品~~
Vicky和Lisa是某餐馆的服务员，一天，一个顾客对Vicky....
Cast
1.Vicky∶awaitressatMonday’srestaurant.Sheisahardworkinggirl.
2.Lisa∶anotherwaitressatMonday’srestaurant.Sheisakindandnaivegirl.
3.Fenix∶oneofcustomers.He’saveryill-naturedcustomer.
4.AllenandTim∶customersatMonday’srestaurant.They’regoodanddecentmen.
5.Kuki∶thebossoftherestaurant.
SceneI
(Oneafternoon,therearemanycustomersattheMonday’srestaurant.)
VickyandLisatalkandgotothekitchen,andthentheboss,kuki,comesin,too.
Kuki:Hey,therearemanycustomerstoday.Girls,workhard.Remember,God
givesallthingstoindustry.
Lisa:Yeah.Iknow.
Vicky:Wewilldoourbest.
Thedooropensnow.Twomencomein.
Kukimovestothedoor.
Kuki:MayIhelpyou,sir?Twopeople?Comewithme,Iwilltakeyoutothe
table.
Allen:Yes,pleases.
Tim:I’mstarving.IhopeIcaneatthebestfoodinthisrestaurantrightnow.
Kuki:(laughing)Justamoment.
Twomenwalkintherestaurant.Lisawalkstowardthem.
Vicky:Thisisthemenu,sirs.
Allen＆Tim:Thankyou.
Afterafewminutes.LisaandVickywalktothekitchen.
Lisa:Hey,Vicky.Idon’tlikethatcustomer.See,thatmansitsnearthe
door.
Vicky:Why?Doeshemakeanytroublesforyou?
Lisa:Idon’tknow.Ifeel…….Oh,Ijustdon’tlikethewayhelooksatme.
SceneII
VickydeliversadishtothetablewhereAllenandTimsit.
Vicky:(talkstoherself)Lisaisright.Thewaythatmanlooksatmemakesme
uncomfortable.
VickydeliversadishagaintoFenix’stable.
Vicky:Hereisyourmeal,sir.Enjoyit,please.
Vickyturnstothekitchen.Atthismoment,Fenixtouchesherback!
Vicky:Wow~~~~(shescreams.)
Kuki:(runstoVicky)whathappened?
Vicky:He,he……Hetouchedme!
Fenix:No!!Ididn’t.
Lisa:Youlie!!Iseeyoudidthat.WhatIsayisanabsolutetruth.
Othercustomersgatheraroundthemtoseewhatishappening.
Kuki:Well,seeingisbelieving,sir……
Fenix:Ifeelhumiliated.So,boss.Youmustsolvethisproblem.Lookatyour
Waitress.Theyaresuchtrickywomen.
Kuki:But,theysayyoudidit……….Sir,Ithink…….
Fenix:What?YoumeanIamapervert?Oh………Isthisthewayyouserveyourcustomers?Youmustgivemeanexplanationtoday!Maybegivingmesomemoneywillmakemeforgetit.
Lisa:Youareashamelesscheater,liar.
Theargumentcontinues.
SceneIII
AllenandTimareangryforwhattheysaw.
Allen:Iwon’ttolerateyourbehavioranymore.
Tim:That’sright.Comeon,sir.It’syourfault.Weallknowthat.
Fenix:Hmn?Youthinkso?ButIdon’tthinkso.Imean,ifthebossandthe
waitressesmakeanapologytome,Imightleaveearly.OrIwillstayand
makesurethatnoothercustomerswalkinsidetherestaurant.
Kuki:Oh……Don’tdothat,please.Sir,youhavetoknowitwon’tdoyou
anygood.
Fenix:Yeah……itwon’tdomeanygoodunlessyoupaymesomemoneyforthehumiliationyouhavecausedme.Youhavedisgracedme.
Tim:Suchaliar,Ican’tbelieveit!!
Fenix:Mindyourownbusiness.
Allen:(Takesouthisbadge.)See.
Fenix:Uh……
Allen:I’mapoliceofficer.MaybeyouknowwhatI’lldowithyou.
Fenixturnstothedoorquickly.
EverybodyintherestaurantallclapsandcheersforAllen.
Lisa:Thereisveryfewgoodpeopleinoursociety.Manybadpeoplebully
theweakandfearthestrong.
Tim:Yeah…….buttrustme,justicewillwin.
Kuki:Wearesoluckyyouarehere.Thankyouverymuch.
Allen:Youarewelcome.It’sjustmyduty.
希望能对您有帮助！~~O(∩_∩)O~~
急求4人英语话剧剧本 10分钟左右
《项链》就不错
Necklace
Thegirlwasoneofthoseprettyandcharmingyoungcreatureswhosometimesareborn,asifbyaslipoffate,intoafamilyofclerks.Shehadnodowry,noexpectations,nowayofbeingknown,understood,loved,marriedbyanyrichanddistinguishedman;sosheletherselfbemarriedtoalittleclerkoftheMinistryofPublicInstruction.
Shedressedplainlybecauseshecouldnotdresswell,butshewasunhappyasifshehadreallyfallenfromahigherstation;sincewithwomenthereisneithercastenorrank,forbeauty,graceandcharmtaketheplaceoffamilyandbirth.Naturalingenuity,instinctforwhatiselegant,asupplemindaretheirsolehierarchy,andoftenmakeofwomenofthepeopletheequalsoftheverygreatestladies.
Mathildesufferedceaselessly,feelingherselfborntoenjoyalldelicaciesandallluxuries.Shewasdistressedatthepovertyofherdwelling,atthebarenessofthewalls,attheshabbychairs,theuglinessofthecurtains.Allthosethings,ofwhichanotherwomanofherrankwouldneverevenhavebeenconscious,torturedherandmadeherangry.ThesightofthelittleBretonpeasantwhodidherhumblehouseworkarousedinherdespairingregretsandbewilderingdreams.ShethoughtofsilentantechambershungwithOrientaltapestry,illuminedbytallbronzecandelabra,andoftwogreatfootmeninkneebreecheswhosleepinthebigarmchairs,madedrowsybytheoppressiveheatofthestove.Shethoughtoflongreceptionhallshungwithancientsilk,ofthedaintycabinetscontainingpricelesscuriositiesandofthelittlecoquettishperfumedreceptionroomsmadeforchattingatfiveo'clockwithintimatefriends,withmenfamousandsoughtafter,whomallwomenenvyandwhoseattentiontheyalldesire.
Whenshesatdowntodinner,beforetheroundtablecoveredwithatableclothinusethreedays,oppositeherhusband,whouncoveredthesouptureenanddeclaredwithadelightedair,"Ah,thegoodsoup!Idon'tknowanythingbetterthanthat,"shethoughtofdaintydinners,ofshiningsilverware,oftapestrythatpeopledthewallswithancientpersonagesandwithstrangebirdsflyinginthemidstofafairyforest;andshethoughtofdeliciousdishesservedonmarvellousplatesandofthewhisperedgallantriestowhichyoulistenwithasphinxlikesmilewhileyouareeatingthepinkmeatofatroutorthewingsofaquail.
Shehadnogowns,nojewels,nothing.Andshelovednothingbutthat.Shefeltmadeforthat.Shewouldhavelikedsomuchtoplease,tobeenvied,tobecharming,tobesoughtafter.
Shehadafriend,aformerschoolmateattheconvent,whowasrich,andwhomshedidnotliketogotoseeanymorebecauseshefeltsosadwhenshecamehome.
Butoneeveningherhusbandreachedhomewithatriumphantairandholdingalargeenvelopeinhishand.
"There,"saidhe,"thereissomethingforyou."
Shetorethepaperquicklyanddrewoutaprintedcardwhichborethesewords:
TheMinisterofPublicInstructionandMadameGeorgesRamponneau
requestthehonorofM.andMadameLoisel'scompanyatthepalaceof
theMinistryonMondayevening,January18th.
Insteadofbeingdelighted,asherhusbandhadhoped,shethrewtheinvitationonthetablecrossly,muttering:
"Whatdoyouwishmetodowiththat?"
"Why,mydear,Ithoughtyouwouldbeglad.Younevergoout,andthisissuchafineopportunity.Ihadgreattroubletogetit.Everyonewantstogo;itisveryselect,andtheyarenotgivingmanyinvitationstoclerks.Thewholeofficialworldwillbethere."
Shelookedathimwithanirritatedglanceandsaidimpatiently:
"Andwhatdoyouwishmetoputonmyback?"
Hehadnotthoughtofthat.Hestammered:
"Why,thegownyougotothetheatrein.Itlooksverywelltome."
Hestopped,distracted,seeingthathiswifewasweeping.Twogreattearsranslowlyfromthecornersofhereyestowardthecornersofhermouth.
"What'sthematter?What'sthematter?"heanswered.
Byaviolenteffortsheconqueredhergriefandrepliedinacalmvoice,whileshewipedherwetcheeks:
"Nothing.OnlyIhavenogown,and,therefore,Ican'tgotothisball.GiveyourcardtosomecolleaguewhosewifeisbetterequippedthanIam."
Hewasindespair.Heresumed:
"Come,letussee,Mathilde.Howmuchwoulditcost,asuitablegown,whichyoucoulduseonotheroccasions--somethingverysimple?"
Shereflectedseveralseconds,makinghercalculationsandwonderingalsowhatsumshecouldaskwithoutdrawingonherselfanimmediaterefusalandafrightenedexclamationfromtheeconomicalclerk.
Finallysherepliedhesitating:
"Idon'tknowexactly,butIthinkIcouldmanageitwithfourhundredfrancs."
Hegrewalittlepale,becausehewaslayingasidejustthatamounttobuyagunandtreathimselftoalittleshootingnextsummerontheplainofNanterre,withseveralfriendswhowenttoshootlarksthereofaSunday.
Buthesaid:
"Verywell.Iwillgiveyoufourhundredfrancs.Andtrytohaveaprettygown."
ThedayoftheballdrewnearandMadameLoiselseemedsad,uneasy,anxious.Herfrockwasready,however.Herhusbandsaidtoheroneevening:
"Whatisthematter?Come,youhaveseemedveryqueertheselastthreedays."
Andsheanswered:
"Itannoysmenottohaveasinglepieceofjewelry,notasingleornament,nothingtoputon.Ishalllookpoverty-stricken.Iwouldalmostrathernotgoatall."
"Youmightwearnaturalflowers,"saidherhusband."They'reverystylishatthistimeofyear.Fortenfrancsyoucangettwoorthreemagnificentroses."
Shewasnotconvinced.
"No;there'snothingmorehumiliatingthantolookpooramongotherwomenwhoarerich."
"Howstupidyouare!"herhusbandcried."Golookupyourfriend,MadameForestier,andaskhertolendyousomejewels.You'reintimateenoughwithhertodothat."
Sheutteredacryofjoy:
"True!Ineverthoughtofit."
Thenextdayshewenttoherfriendandtoldherofherdistress.
MadameForestierwenttoawardrobewithamirror,tookoutalargejewelbox,broughtitback,openeditandsaidtoMadameLoisel:
"Choose,mydear."
Shesawfirstsomebracelets,thenapearlnecklace,thenaVenetiangoldcrosssetwithpreciousstones,ofadmirableworkmanship.Shetriedontheornamentsbeforethemirror,hesitatedandcouldnotmakeuphermindtopartwiththem,togivethemback.Shekeptasking:
"Haven'tyouanymore?"
"Why,yes.Lookfurther;Idon'tknowwhatyoulike."
Suddenlyshediscovered,inablacksatinbox,asuperbdiamondnecklace,andherheartthrobbedwithanimmoderatedesire.Herhandstrembledasshetookit.Shefasteneditroundherthroat,outsideherhigh-neckedwaist,andwaslostinecstasyatherreflectioninthemirror.
Thensheasked,hesitating,filledwithanxiousdoubt:
"Willyoulendmethis,onlythis?"
"Why,yes,certainly."
Shethrewherarmsroundherfriend'sneck,kissedherpassionately,thenfledwithhertreasure.
Thenightoftheballarrived.MadameLoiselwasagreatsuccess.Shewasprettierthananyotherwomanpresent,elegant,graceful,smilingandwildwithjoy.Allthemenlookedather,askedhername,soughttobeintroduced.AlltheattachesoftheCabinetwishedtowaltzwithher.Shewasremarkedbytheministerhimself.
Shedancedwithrapture,withpassion,intoxicatedbypleasure,forgettingallinthetriumphofherbeauty,inthegloryofhersuccess,inasortofcloudofhappinesscomprisedofallthishomage,admiration,theseawakeneddesiresandofthatsenseoftriumphwhichissosweettowoman'sheart.
Shelefttheballaboutfouro'clockinthemorning.Herhusbandhadbeensleepingsincemidnightinalittledesertedanteroomwiththreeothergentlemenwhosewiveswereenjoyingtheball.
Hethrewoverhershouldersthewrapshehadbrought,themodestwrapsofcommonlife,thepovertyofwhichcontrastedwiththeeleganceoftheballdress.Shefeltthisandwishedtoescapesoasnottoberemarkedbytheotherwomen,whowereenvelopingthemselvesincostlyfurs.
Loiselheldherback,saying:"Waitabit.Youwillcatchcoldoutside.Iwillcallacab."
Butshedidnotlistentohimandrapidlydescendedthestairs.Whentheyreachedthestreettheycouldnotfindacarriageandbegantolookforone,shoutingafterthecabmenpassingatadistance.
TheywenttowardtheSeineindespair,shiveringwithcold.Atlasttheyfoundonthequayoneofthoseancientnightcabswhich,asthoughtheywereashamedtoshowtheirshabbinessduringtheday,areneverseenroundParisuntilafterdark.
IttookthemtotheirdwellingintheRuedesMartyrs,andsadlytheymountedthestairstotheirflat.Allwasendedforher.Astohim,hereflectedthathemustbeattheministryatteno'clockthatmorning.
Sheremovedherwrapsbeforetheglasssoastoseeherselfoncemoreinallherglory.Butsuddenlysheutteredacry.Shenolongerhadthenecklacearoundherneck!
"Whatisthematterwithyou?"demandedherhusband,alreadyhalfundressed.
Sheturneddistractedlytowardhim.
"Ihave--Ihave--I'velostMadameForestier'snecklace,"shecried.
Hestoodup,bewildered.
"What!--how?Impossible!"
Theylookedamongthefoldsofherskirt,ofhercloak,inherpockets,everywhere,butdidnotfindit.
"You'resureyouhaditonwhenyoulefttheball?"heasked.
"Yes,Ifeltitinthevestibuleoftheminister'shouse."
"Butifyouhadlostitinthestreetweshouldhavehearditfall.Itmustbeinthecab."
"Yes,probably.Didyoutakehisnumber?"
"No.Andyou--didn'tyounoticeit?"
"No."
Theylooked,thunderstruck,ateachother.AtlastLoiselputonhisclothes.
"Ishallgobackonfoot,"saidhe,"overthewholeroute,toseewhetherIcanfindit."
Hewentout.Shesatwaitingonachairinherballdress,withoutstrengthtogotobed,overwhelmed,withoutanyfire,withoutathought.
Herhusbandreturnedaboutseveno'clock.Hehadfoundnothing.
Hewenttopoliceheadquarters,tothenewspaperofficestoofferareward;hewenttothecabcompanies--everywhere,infact,whitherhewasurgedbytheleastsparkofhope.
Shewaitedallday,inthesameconditionofmadfearbeforethisterriblecalamity.
Loiselreturnedatnightwithahollow,paleface.Hehaddiscoverednothing.
"Youmustwritetoyourfriend,"saidhe,"thatyouhavebrokentheclaspofhernecklaceandthatyouarehavingitmended.Thatwillgiveustimetoturnround."
Shewroteathisdictation.
Attheendofaweektheyhadlostallhope.Loisel,whohadagedfiveyears,declared:
"Wemustconsiderhowtoreplacethatornament."
Thenextdaytheytooktheboxthathadcontaineditandwenttothejewelerwhosenamewasfoundwithin.Heconsultedhisbooks.
"ItwasnotI,madame,whosoldthatnecklace;Imustsimplyhavefurnishedthecase."
Thentheywentfromjewelertojeweler,searchingforanecklaceliketheother,tryingtorecallit,bothsickwithchagrinandgrief.
Theyfound,inashopatthePalaisRoyal,astringofdiamondsthatseemedtothemexactlyliketheonetheyhadlost.Itwasworthfortythousandfrancs.Theycouldhaveitforthirty-six.
Sotheybeggedthejewelernottosellitforthreedaysyet.Andtheymadeabargainthatheshouldbuyitbackforthirty-fourthousandfrancs,incasetheyshouldfindthelostnecklacebeforetheendofFebruary.
Loiselpossessedeighteenthousandfrancswhichhisfatherhadlefthim.Hewouldborrowtherest.
Hedidborrow,askingathousandfrancsofone,fivehundredofanother,fivelouishere,threelouisthere.Hegavenotes,tookupruinousobligations,dealtwithusurersandalltheraceoflenders.Hecompromisedalltherestofhislife,riskedsigninganotewithoutevenknowingwhetherhecouldmeetit;and,frightenedbythetroubleyettocome,bytheblackmiserythatwasabouttofalluponhim,bytheprospectofallthephysicalprivationsandmoraltorturesthathewastosuffer,hewenttogetthenewnecklace,layinguponthejeweler'scounterthirty-sixthousandfrancs.
WhenMadameLoiseltookbackthenecklaceMadameForestiersaidtoherwithachillymanner:
"Youshouldhavereturneditsooner;Imighthaveneededit."
Shedidnotopenthecase,asherfriendhadsomuchfeared.Ifshehaddetectedthesubstitution,whatwouldshehavethought,whatwouldshehavesaid?WouldshenothavetakenMadameLoiselforathief?
ThereafterMadameLoiselknewthehorribleexistenceoftheneedy.Sheboreherpart,however,withsuddenheroism.Thatdreadfuldebtmustbepaid.Shewouldpayit.Theydismissedtheirservant;theychangedtheirlodgings;theyrentedagarretundertheroof.
Shecametoknowwhatheavyhouseworkmeantandtheodiouscaresofthekitchen.Shewashedthedishes,usingherdaintyfingersandrosynailsongreasypotsandpans.Shewashedthesoiledlinen,theshirtsandthedishcloths,whichshedrieduponaline;shecarriedtheslopsdowntothestreeteverymorningandcarriedupthewater,stoppingforbreathateverylanding.Anddressedlikeawomanofthepeople,shewenttothefruiterer,thegrocer,thebutcher,abasketonherarm,bargaining,meetingwithimpertinence,defendinghermiserablemoney,soubysou.
Everymonththeyhadtomeetsomenotes,renewothers,obtainmoretime.
Herhusbandworkedevenings,makingupatradesman'saccounts,andlateatnightheoftencopiedmanuscriptforfivesousapage.
Thislifelastedtenyears.
Attheendoftenyearstheyhadpaideverything,everything,withtheratesofusuryandtheaccumulationsofthecompoundinterest.
MadameLoisellookedoldnow.Shehadbecomethewomanofimpoverishedhouseholds--strongandhardandrough.Withfrowsyhair,skirtsaskewandredhands,shetalkedloudwhilewashingthefloorwithgreatswishesofwater.Butsometimes,whenherhusbandwasattheoffice,shesatdownnearthewindowandshethoughtofthatgayeveningoflongago,ofthatballwhereshehadbeensobeautifulandsoadmired.
Whatwouldhavehappenedifshehadnotlostthatnecklace?Whoknows?whoknows?Howstrangeandchangefulislife!Howsmallathingisneededtomakeorruinus!
ButoneSunday,havinggonetotakeawalkintheChampsElyseestorefreshherselfafterthelaborsoftheweek,shesuddenlyperceivedawomanwhowasleadingachild.ItwasMadameForestier,stillyoung,stillbeautiful,stillcharming.
MadameLoiselfeltmoved.Shouldshespeaktoher?Yes,certainly.Andnowthatshehadpaid,shewouldtellherallaboutit.Whynot?
Shewentup.
"Good-day,Jeanne."
Theother,astonishedtobefamiliarlyaddressedbythisplaingood-wife,didnotrecognizeheratallandstammered:
"But--madame!--Idonotknow--Youmusthavemistaken."
"No.IamMathildeLoisel."
Herfriendutteredacry.
"Oh,mypoorMathilde!Howyouarechanged!"
"Yes,Ihavehadaprettyhardlife,sinceIlastsawyou,andgreatpoverty--andthatbecauseofyou!"
"Ofme!Howso?"
"Doyourememberthatdiamondnecklaceyoulentmetowearattheministerialball?"
"Yes.Well?"
"Well,Ilostit."
"Whatdoyoumean?Youbroughtitback."
"Ibroughtyoubackanotherexactlylikeit.Andithastakenustenyearstopayforit.Youcanunderstandthatitwasnoteasyforus,foruswhohadnothing.Atlastitisended,andIamveryglad."
MadameForestierhadstopped.
"Yousaythatyouboughtanecklaceofdiamondstoreplacemine?"
"Yes.Younevernoticedit,then!Theywereverysimilar."
Andshesmiledwithajoythatwasatonceproudandingenuous.
MadameForestier,deeplymoved,tookherhands.
"Oh,mypoorMathilde!Why,mynecklacewaspaste!Itwasworthatmostonlyfivehundredfrancs!"