Question

Passage

adapted from Yesterday
a play in one-act
by Colin Campbell Clements

CHARACTERS:
A Certain Lady of Quality
A British Officer, late of the Indian Army

Stage Set: [A secluded nook off the ballroom of a London house. The nook is the sort of hide-and-seek place one has around one's house for young lovers. How Lady A—for she is something past sixty, ever came to be in the place, is more than we can understand. But there she is, just walking toward the divan when the curtain rises. Perhaps Cupid—oh no, the idea is preposterous, for Lady A—is past sixty (of course she doesn't look it—no woman ever does), and besides, she's dreadfully—er—Victorian.]

SHE: [Sinking down into the cushions on the divan she leans back and closes her eyes.] Oh, dear. How things have changed!
[An immaculately groomed old gentleman in uniform comes stumbling toward the divan.]
HE: ... Rot! What is the world coming— [He sees the lady.] Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought I was quite alone.
SHE: You were referring to the dancing?
HE: It's preposterous, isn't it?
SHE: You see the world moves so fast nowadays. [When she speaks there is just the slightest quiver in her voice] It was different when we were young, but we are old people now.
HE: [The eyeglass snaps from his eye] Old? I beg your pardon! Not old, Madam. Middle-aged, perhaps, yes, middle-aged—but not old.
SHE: [Looking up out of the corners of her eyes which twinkle kindly] Yes, that's it ,middle-aged.
HE: Yes, yes, that's it. [He chuckles.] That's it! Of course, I have accomplished a great deal during the short time I have been in service. It's forty-one years ago tomorrow that I went out.
SHE: Forty-one years ago?
HE: Yes, I had hoped to find something of my youth here, some of the old familiar faces. [He pauses for a moment and looks up at the ceiling.] One in particular.
SHE: [Stretching out her hand] Then you—
HE: Oh, yes, very much so. I was very much in love at the time. She was clever, pretty, very pretty, as I remember—blue eyes and golden hair—that sort of girl.
SHE: [Nervously] And you—you quite forgot her when you went away?
HE: [Looking up quickly] Yes, yes ... I quite forgot her, quite forgot her. Life in the service is strenuous, you know.
SHE: [In a low whisper] And—and married someone else?
HE: [Exploding] Never! Oh, I beg your pardon. No — no, I never married.
SHE: And you—you haven't tried to see—the—young lady since you returned to England?
HE: See her? See her? Oh, dear, no. It might be—er—rather, rather embarrassing for both of us. [He closes his eyes] You see, we were practically engaged at the time.
SHE: [Quickly] But you went away and left—
HE: Not exactly left her; let me see, I believe I did ask her to marry me.
SHE: And she refused?
HE: Let me see, did she refuse? Ah, I remember! She said we would have to think it all over very carefully. Yes, her very words, "very carefully"! I remember how she wrinkled up her little nose and—
SHE: But you, you—quite lost all trace of the—young lady?
HE: Quite. .... Like most young men, you know. Wouldn't have written for worlds! Several years afterward I read in the Times that Ann—
SHE: [Turning away quickly] Ann?
HE: Yes, Ann, Ann. Pretty name, isn't it? As I was saying, I read in the Times that she had gone with her father to Florence; since then—nothing.
SHE: [After a long pause] You never married?
HE: No, hadn't the time, always busy. [The stillness is broken by the sound of crashing, ear-splitting music.] There goes that infernal music again.
SHE: Why, it's a waltz. [They both sit in silence listening to the music; she quickly brushes a tear from her cheek.] Yes—a waltz.. And the young people are happy. Ah, forty-two years ago I, too, could dance and laugh as they, but—
HE: You—really?
SHE: Yes—in this very house, forty-two years ago.
HE: Forty-two years ago; 'pon my word, so long ago as that?
SHE: Is it so long ago?
HE: Forty-two years— [He jerks back his head suddenly.] I say, we must have known each other—then.
SHE: Perhaps.
HE: And may I have the pleasure of knowing to whom I have been speaking?
SHE: [After a rather awkward pause] Why—yes—I am Lady Ann Trevers.
HE: Lady Ann Trevers? [Sir Richard stumbles in trying to get to his feet] Not Lady Ann of—
SHE: Yes, Sir Richard.
HE: 'Pon my word! God bless my soul! Ann Trevers ... Ann Trevers! I might have known you the moment I saw you—but I must admit I don't see so well as I used. And to think that after all these years and in this very house—
SHE: Yes, Richard.
HE: [Now trembling with excitement] Ann! You said you never married?
SHE: Never married. No.
HE: 'Pon my word, but I thought—
SHE: You were mistaken. It was you—I loved then.
HE: [Somehow he has got hold of Lady Ann's hand and is, a bit awkwardly, but ardently, pressing it to his lips.] And when you said, "We must think it all over very carefully," you really meant—
SHE: Yes, I really meant— [From somewhere a waltz is heard.]
HE: Ah me, what happy days those were.
SHE: What happy days.
HE: Yes ... yes. [He looks up suddenly.] My word, isn't that a waltz they're playing?
SHE: Yes—a waltz.
HE: Ann, will you finish this waltz with me?
SHE: Yes, Richard.
[Lady Ann holds out her hand, he takes it, and draws her to him.]
[The curtain closes.]
8
Select ALL the correct answers.
Which two themes are found in this passage?
Dance halls are perfect places to find true love.
Marriage is only for those who are mature.
Love does not fade despite the passing of time.
People prioritize the wishes of youth culture over those of older generations.
Misunderstandings can cause people to miss out on something special.

Answer 1

The two correct themes found in this passage are:

1. **Love does not fade despite the passing of time.** - The characters reflect on their past feelings for each other, indicating that their love has remained significant even after many years.

2. **Misunderstandings can cause people to miss out on something special.** - The discussion between Lady Ann and Sir Richard reveals miscommunication and misconceptions about their relationship, suggesting that their past could have been different had they understood each other's feelings better.