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diff --git a/old/54699-0.txt b/old/54699-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ba416c0..0000000 --- a/old/54699-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8930 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Last of The De Mullins, by St. John Hankin - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Last of The De Mullins - A Play without a Preface - -Author: St. John Hankin - -Release Date: May 10, 2017 [EBook #54699] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE DE MULLINS *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - - - - - - - - - - -THE LAST OF THE DE MULLINS - -A Play without a Preface - -By St. John Hankin - -London: A. C. Fifield - -1909 - - - -The Persons in the Play - -Hugo De Mullin - -Jane De Mullin.....His wife - -Mrs. Clouston......His sister. - -Janet De Mullin....(Mrs. Seagrave) Hugo’s eldest daughter. - -Johnny Seagrave....Her son. - -Hester De Mullin...Her sister. - -Bertha Aldenham - -Monty Bulstead - -Dr. Rolt...........The local doctor. - -Mr. Brown..........The curate. - -Miss Deanes - -Ellen..............Maid at the De Mullins’. - - - -The action of the play takes place at Brendon -Underwood in Dorset, Acts I and III at the Manor -House, the De Mullins’ house in the village, Act -II on the borders of Brendon Forest. Three days -pass between Acts I and II, five between Acts II -and III. - - - - - -ACT I - -_Scene:_ The Inner Hall at the Manor House in -Brendon-Underwood village. An old-fashioned -white-panelled room. At the back is a big -stone-mullioned Tudor window looking out on -to the garden. On the left of this is a bay in -which is a smaller window. A door in the bay -leads out into the garden. People entering by -this door pass the window before they appear. -The furniture is oak, mostly Jacobean or older. -The right-hand wall of the room is mainly -occupied by a great Tudor fireplace, over which -the De Mullin Coat of Arms is carved in stone. -Above this a door leads to the outer hall and -front door. A door on the opposite side of the -room leads to the staircase and the rest of the -house. The walls are hung with a long succession -of family portraits of all periods and in all -stages of dinginess as to both canvas and frame. -When the curtain rises the stage is empty. Then -Hester is seen to pass the window at the back, -followed by Mr. Brown. A moment later -they enter. Mr. Brown is a stout, rather -unwholesome-looking curate, Hester a lean, -angular girl of twenty-eight, very plainly and -unattractively dressed in sombre tight-fitting -clothes. She has a cape over her shoulders and -a black hat on. Brown wears seedy clerical -garments, huge boots and a squashy hat. The time -is twelve o’clock in the morning of a fine day -in September. - - - -HESTER - -Come in, Mr. Brown. I’ll tell mother you’re -here. I expect she’s upstairs with father (going -towards door). - - - -BROWN - -Don’t disturb Mrs. De Mullin, please. I didn’t -mean to come in. - - - -HESTER - -You’ll sit down now you _are_ here? - - - -BROWN - -Thank you (_does so awkwardly_). I’m so glad to -hear Mr. De Mullin is better. The Vicar will be -glad too. - - - -HESTER - -Yes. Dr. Rolt thinks he will do all right now. - - - -BROWN - -You must have been very anxious when he was -first taken ill. - - - -HESTER - -We were terribly anxious. [Hester _takes off her -hat and cape and puts them down on the window -seat_. - - - -BROWN - -I suppose there’s no doubt it was some sort of -stroke? - - - -HESTER - -Dr. Rolt says no doubt. - - - -BROWN - -How did it happen? - - - -HESTER - -We don’t know. He had just gone out of the room -when we heard a fall. Mother ran out into the -hall and found him lying by the door quite -unconscious. She was dreadfully frightened. So -were we all. - - - -BROWN - -Had he been complaining of feeling unwell? - - - -HESTER - -Not specially. He complained of the heat a -little. And he had a headache. But father’s not -strong, you know. None of the De Mullins are, -Aunt Harriet says. - - - -BROWN - -Mrs. Clouston is with you now, isn’t she? - - - -HESTER - -Yes. For a month. She generally stays with us -for a month in the summer. - - - -BROWN - -I suppose she’s very fond of Brendon? - - - -HESTER - -All the De Mullins are fond of Brendon, Mr. -Brown. - - - -BROWN - -Naturally. You have been here so long. - - - -HESTER - -Since the time of King Stephen. - - - -BROWN - -Not in this house? - - - -HESTER - -(smiling) - -Not in this house, of course. It’s not old -enough for that. - - - -BROWN - -Still, it must be very old. The oldest house in -the Village, isn’t it? - - - -HESTER - -Only about four hundred years. The date is 1603. -The mill is older, of course. - - - -BROWN - -You still own the mill, don’t you? - - - -HESTER - -Yes. Father would never part with it. He thinks -everything of the mill. We get our name from it, -you know. De Mullin. Du Moulin. “Of the Mill.” - - - -BROWN - -Were the original De Mullins millers then? - - - -HESTER - -(_rather shocked at such a suggestion_) - -Oh no! - - - -BROWN - -I thought they couldn’t have been. . - - - -HESTER - -No De Mullin has ever been in trade of _any_ -kind! But in the old days to own a mill was a -feudal privilege. Only lords of manors and the -great abbeys had them. The farmers had to bring -all their corn to them to be ground. - - - -BROWN - -I see. - - - -HESTER - -There were constant disputes about it all -through the Middle Ages. - - - -BROWN - -Why was that? - - - -HESTER - -The farmers would rather have ground their corn -for themselves, I suppose. - - - -BROWN - -Why? If the De Mullins were willing to do it for -them? - - - -HESTER - -They had to pay for having it ground, of course. - - - -BROWN - -(_venturing on a small joke_) - -Then the De Mullins _were_ millers, after all, -in a sense. - - - -HESTER - -You mustn’t let father hear you say so! - - - -BROWN - -The mill is never used now, is it? - - - -HESTER - -No. When, people gave up growing corn round here -and all the land was turned into pasture it fell -into decay, and now it’s almost ruinous. - - - -BROWN - -What a pity! - - - -HESTER - -Yes. Father says England has never been the same -since the repeal of the Corn laws. (_Enter Mrs. -De Mullin and Mrs. Clouston by the door on -the left, followed by Dr. Rolt._) Here is -mother--and Aunt Harriet. - -_Mrs. De Mullin, poor lady, is a crushed, -timid creature of fifty-eight or so, entirely -dominated by the De Mullin fetish and quite -unable to hold her own against either her -husband or her sister-in-law, a hardmouthed, -resolute woman of sixty. Even Hester she finds -almost too much for her. For the rest a gentle, -kindly lady, rather charming in her extreme -helplessness. Rolt is the average country -doctor, brisk, sensible, neither a fool nor a -genius._ - - - -ROLT - -(as they enter the room) - -He’s better. Distinctly better. A little weak -and depressed, of course. That’s only to be -expected. Good morning. - -[_Shakes hands with Hester. Nods to Brown_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Mr. De Mullin is always nervous about himself. - - - -ROLT - -Yes. Constitutional, no doubt. But he’ll pick -up in a few days. Keep him as quiet as you can. -That’s really all he needs now. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You don’t think he ought to stay in his room? - -... Good morning, Mr. Brown. Are you waiting to -see me? - -[_Brown shakes hands with both ladies._ - - - -BROWN - -(_awkwardly_) - -Not specially. I walked over from the church -with Miss De Mullin. - - - -HESTER - -Is father coming downstairs, mother? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes, Hester. He insisted on getting up. You know -he always hates staying in his room. - - - -HESTER - -Oh, Dr. Rolt, do you think he _should?_ - - - -ROLT - -I don’t think it will do him any harm. He can -rest quietly in a chair or on the sofa.... Well, -I must be off. Good-bye, Mrs. De Mullin. - -[_Shakes hands briskly with every one_. - - - -BROWN - -(_rising ponderously_) - -I must be going too (_shakes hands with Mrs. De -Mullin_). You’ll tell Mr. De Mullin I inquired -after him? Good-bye, Mrs. Clouston (_shakes -hands_). And you’re coming to help with the -Harvest Decorations on Saturday, aren’t you, -Miss De Mullin? - - - -HESTER - -_(shaking hands)_ - -Of course. - -[_Brown and Rolt go out._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(seating herself and beginning to knit -resolutely)_ - -What singularly unattractive curates the Vicar -seems to get hold of, Jane!. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(meekly)_ - -Do you think so, Harriet? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Quite remarkably. This Mr. Brown, for instance. -He has the most enormous _feet!_ And his boots! -I’ve never seen such boots! - - - -HESTER - -_(flushing)_ - -We needn’t sneer if Mr. Brown doesn’t wear fine -clothes, Aunt Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Of course not Hester. Still, I think he goes -to the opposite extreme. And he really is quite -abnormally plain. Then there was that Mr. Snood, -who was curate when I was down last year. -The man with the very red hands. (_These acid -comments are too much for Hester, who flounces -out angrily. Mrs. Clouston looks up for a -moment, wondering what is the meaning of this -sudden disappearance. Then continues unmoved._) -I’m afraid the clergy aren’t what they were in -our young days, Jane. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I don’t think I’ve noticed any falling off. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -It is there all the same. I’m sure Hugo would -agree with me. Of course, curates are paid next -to nothing. Still, I think the Vicar might be -more happy in his choice. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I believe the poor like him. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(to whom this seems of small importance -compared with his shocking social disabilities)_ - -Very likely.... Do please keep still, Jane, and -don’t fidget with that book. What is the matter -with you? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I’m a little nervous this morning. Hugo’s -illness... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Hugo’s almost well now. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Still the anxiety... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Nonsense, Jane. Anxiety is not at all a thing to -give way to, especially when there’s no longer -anything to be anxious about. Hugo’s practically -well now. Dr. Rolt seems to have frightened us -all quite unnecessarily. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I suppose it’s difficult to tell. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Of course, it’s difficult. Otherwise no one -would send for a doctor. What are doctors for if -they can’t tell when a case is serious and when -it is not? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -But if he didn’t know? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Then he _ought_ to have known. Next time Hugo -is ill you’d better send to Bridport. _(Mrs. -De Mullin drops book on table with a clatter)_ -Really, Jane, what are you doing? Throwing books -about like that! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -It slipped out of my hand.,, - -[_Rises and goes up to window restlessly._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Is anything wrong? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(hesitating)_ - -Well, the truth is I’ve done something, Harriet, -and now I’m not sure whether I ought to have -done it. Mrs. Clouston - -Done what? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(dolorously)_ - -I’m afraid you won’t approve. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Perhaps you’d better tell me what it is. Then we -shall know. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -The fact is some one is coming here this -morning, Harriet--to see Hugo. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -To see Hugo? Who is it? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(with horror)_ - -Janet? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Janet! She wouldn’t _dare!_ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(dolorously)_ - -I sent for her, Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You _sent_ for her? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. When Hugo was first taken ill and Dr. Rolt -seemed to think the attack was so serious.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Dr. Rolt was a fool. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Very likely, Harriet. But he said Hugo might -die. And he said if there was any one Hugo would -wish to see.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -But would Hugo wish to see Janet? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I thought he might. After all Janet _is_ his -daughter. Mrs. Clouston - -I thought he said he would never see her again? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He did _say_ that, of course. But that was eight -years ago. And, of course, he wasn’t ill then. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -When did you send for her? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Three days ago. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Why didn’t she come _then_, if she was coming at -all? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She was away from home. That was so unfortunate. -If she had come when Hugo was ill in bed it -might have been all right. But now that he’s -almost well again.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -When did you hear she was coming? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Only this morning. Here is what she says.. - -[_Produces telegram from pocket_. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(reads)_ - -“Telegram delayed. Arrive mid-day. Seagrave.” - Seagrave? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. She calls herself Mrs. Seagrave now. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(nods)_ - -On account of the child, I suppose. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I suppose so. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -I never could understand how Janet came to go so -wrong. _(Mrs. De Mullin sighs.)_ None of the _De -Mullins_ have ever done such a thing before. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(plaintively)_ - -I’m sure she doesn’t get it from _my_ family. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Well, she must have got it from _somewhere_. -She’s not in the least like a De Mullin. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(lamentably_) - -I believe it was all through bicycling. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Bicycling? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. When girls usen’t to scour about the -country as they do now these things didn’t -happen. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(severely)_ - -I never approved of Janet’s bicycling you -remember, Jane. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Nor did I, Harriet. But it was no use. Janet -only laughed. Janet never would do what she -was told about things even when she was quite a -child. She was so very obstinate. She was always -getting some idea or other into her head. And -when she did nothing would prevent her from -carrying it out. At one time she wanted to -_teach_. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -I remember. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She said girls ought to go out and earn their -own living like boys. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -What nonsense! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -So Hugo said. But Janet wouldn’t listen. Finally -we had to let her go over and teach the Aldenham -girls French three times a week, just to keep -her amused. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(thoughtfully)_ - -It was strange you never could find out who the -father was. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sighs)_ - -Yes. She wouldn’t tell us. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You should have made her tell you. Hugo should -have insisted on it. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hugo did insist. He was terribly angry with her. -He sent her to her room and said she was not to -come down till she told us. But it was no use. -Janet just stayed in her room till we had all -gone to bed and then took the train to London. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You should have locked her door. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -We did. She got out of the window. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Got out of the window! The girl might have been -killed. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. But Janet was always fond of climbing. And -she was never afraid of anything. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -But there’s no late train to London. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She caught the mail at Weymouth, I suppose. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Do you mean to say she _walked_ all the way to -Weymouth in the middle of the night? Why, it’s -twelve miles. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She had her bicycle as I said. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Tck!... How did you know she went to London? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She wrote from there, for her things. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -I wonder she wasn’t ashamed. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -So Hugo said. However, he said I might send -them. But he made me send a letter with the -things to say that he would have nothing more to -do with her and that she was not to write again. -For a time she didn’t write. Nearly five months. -Then, when her baby was born, she wrote to tell -me. That was how I knew she had taken the name -of Seagrave. She mentioned it. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Did you show the letter to Hugo? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -What did he say? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Nothing. He just read it and gave it back to me -without a word. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -That’s the last you’ve heard of her, I suppose? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Oh no, Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Do you mean to say she goes _on_ writing? And -you allow her? When Hugo said she was not to? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(meekly)_ - -Yes. Not often, Harriet. Only occasionally. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -She has no business to write at all. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Her letters are quite short. Sometimes I wish -they were longer. They really tell one nothing -about herself, though I often ask her. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You _ask_ her! Then _you_ write too! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I answer her letters, of course. Otherwise she -wouldn’t go on writing. ‘ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Really, Jane, I’m surprised at you. So you’ve -actually been corresponding with Janet all -these years--and never told _me!_ I think you’ve -behaved very badly. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I didn’t like to, Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Didn’t like to! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -And as you don’t think I _ought_ to hear from -her.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON. - -I don’t think you ought to hear from her, of -course. But as you do hear naturally I should -like to have seen the letters. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I didn’t know that, Harriet. In fact, I thought -you would rather not. When a dreadful thing like -this happens in a family it seems best not to -write about it or to speak of it either, doesn’t -it? Hugo and I never speak of it. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Does Hugo know you hear from her? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I think not. I have never told him. Nor Hester. -I’m sure Hester would disapprove. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -My dear Jane, what _can_ it matter whether -Hester approves or not? Hester knows nothing -about such things. At _her_ age! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hester is twenty-eight. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Exactly. A girl like that. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sighs)_ - -Girls have such very strong opinions nowadays. -Mrs. Clouston - -What does Janet live on? Teaching? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I suppose so. She had her Aunt Miriam’s legacy, -of four hundred pounds of course. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Only four hundred pounds. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -I never approved of that legacy, Jane. Girls -oughtn’t to have money left them. It makes them -too independent. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Aunt Miriam was always so fond of Janet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Then she should have left the money to Hugo. -Fathers are the proper people to leave money to. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hugo did have the _management_ of the -money--till Janet was twenty-one. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Why only till she was twenty-one? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -It was so in Aunt Miriam’s will. Of course, Hugo -would have gone on managing it for her. It was -very little trouble as it was all in Consols. -But Janet said she would rather look after it -for herself. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Ridiculous! As if girls could possibly manage -money! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -So Hugo said. But Janet insisted. So she got her -way. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -What did she do with it? Spend it? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -No. Put it into a Railway, she said. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -A Railway! How dangerous! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She said she would prefer it. She said Railways -sometimes went up. Consols never. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -She lost it all, of course? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I don’t know, Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You don’t _know?_ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -No. I never liked to ask. Hugo was rather hurt -about the whole thing, so the subject was never -referred to. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Let me see. The child must be eight years old by -now. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Just eight. It will be nine years next March -since Janet went away. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -What did she call him? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Johnny. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Johnny! None of the De Mullins have ever been -called _Johnny_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Perhaps it was his father’s name. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Perhaps so _(pause)_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Do you think I ought to tell Hugo about Janet’s -coming? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Certainly. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I thought perhaps.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Nonsense, Jane. Of course, he must be told. You -ought to have told him from the very beginning? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Do you mean when I sent the telegram? But Hugo -was unconscious. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -As soon as he recovered consciousness then. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I did mean to. But he seemed so weak, and Dr. -Rolt said any excitement.... - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Dr. Rolt! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(goaded)_ - -Well, I couldn’t tell that Dr. Rolt knew so -little about Hugo’s illness, could I? And I was -afraid of the shock. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Still, he should have been told at once. It was -the only chance. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. I see that now. But I was afraid of the -shock, as I said. So I put it off. And then, -when I didn’t hear from Janet, I thought I would -wait. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Why? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You see I didn’t know whether she was coming. -And if she didn’t come, of course there was no -necessity for telling Hugo anything about it. -I’m afraid he’ll be very angry. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -At any rate, you must tell him now. The sooner -the better. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(meekly)_ - -Very well, Harriet. If you think so. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You had better go up to him at once. - -[_Mrs. De Mullin goes to the door on the left, -opens it, then draws back hastily_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Here _is_ Hugo. He’s just coming across the -hall. With Hester. How unlucky. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON I don’t see that it matters. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I’d rather not have told him before Hester. - -[_Mrs. Clouston shrugs her shoulders. A moment -later Hugo enters. He leans on a stick and -Hester’s arm. He looks weak and pale and -altogether extremely sorry for himself, -obviously a nervous and a very tiresome -patient._ - - - -HESTER - -Carefully, father. That’s right. Will you lie on -the sofa? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(fretfully)_ - -No. Put me in the armchair. I’m tired of lying -down. - - - -HESTER - -Very well. Let me help you. There. Wait a -moment. I’ll fetch you some pillows. - -_[Props him up on pillows in an armchair._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -Thank you. - -_[Lies back exhausted and closes his eyes._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(going to him)_ - -How are you feeling now, Hugo? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Very weak. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I wonder if you ought to have come down? - - - -DE MULLIN - -It won’t make any difference. Nothing will make -any difference any more, Jane. I shan’t last -much longer. I’m worn out. - - - -HESTER - -Father! - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes, Hester. Worn out _(with a sort of -melancholy pride)_. None of the De Mullins have -been strong. I’m the last of them. The last of -the De Mullins. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Come, Hugo, you mustn’t talk in that morbid way. - - - -DE MULLIN - -I’m not morbid, Harriet. But I feel tired, -tired. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You’ll be better in a day or two. - - - -DE MULLIN - -No, Jane. I shall never be better. Never in -_this_ world _(pause)._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(nervously)_ - -Hugo... there’s something... something I have to -tell you.... - - - -DE MULLIN - -What is it, Jane? _(fretfully)_. What have you -been keeping from me? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I ought to have told you before. Only I didn’t -like... - - - -DE MULLIN - -Is it something about my illness? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Oh no, Hugo. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(relieved)_ - -I thought Dr. Rolt might have said something. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -It’s nothing of that kind. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(peevishly)_ - -Well, well, what is it? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hugo, some one is coming here to-day, to see -_you_. - - - -DE MULLIN - -To see _me?_ Who? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You won’t be angry, Hugo? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(testily)_ - -How can I possibly say that, Jane, when I don’t -know who it is? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hugo, it’s... (Bell rings loudly.) Harriet, -there’s the bell! I wonder if it’s she? Do you -think it is? - -[_All look towards the door on the right, -expectantly._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(querulously)_ - -Well, Jane? _Am_ I to hear who this visitor is -or am I not? - - - -ELLEN - -_(showing in a lady leading a little boy -by the hand)_ - - - -MRS. SEAGRAVE - -[_Enter Janet and Johnny!. Janet is a very -handsome woman of six-and-thirty. She is -admirably dressed, but her clothes are quiet and -in excellent taste, dark in colour and plain -in cut but expensive. Her hat is particularly -tasteful, but also quiet. Her clothes are in -marked contrast to those of her mother and -sister which are of the homeliest description -and were probably made in the village. Johnny -is a well-grown youngster of eight in a sailor -suit._ - - - -HESTER - -_(shocked)_ - -Mother! - - - -DE MULLIN - -Janet, my dear! _(cry of welcome)_. - - - -JANET - -Father! _(Drops Johnny’s hand, comes rapidly -to him, falls on one knee and kisses him -impulsively, patting his left hand with her -right.)_ How are you? Better? _(holding out her -left hand to her mother but still kneeling)_. -How do you do, mother dear? _(Mrs. De Mullin -takes it. Puts her other hand on Janet’s -shoulder.)_ I should have come before, father, -directly you sent for me. But your telegram was -delayed. I was away from home. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(nods)_ - -I see. - - - -JANET - -Have you been very ill, father? And did you -frighten them all dreadfully? How naughty of -you! - - - -DE MULLIN - -Silly Janet! Let me look at you, my dear. -_(Looks at her face as she holds it up.)_ You’re -not much changed, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Nor are you, father. - - - -DE MULLIN - -A little greyer, perhaps. - - - -JANET - -No! Not a hair! - - - -DE MULLIN - -Well, my dear, Pm glad you’ve come. We parted -in anger, but that’s all over now. Forgotten and -forgiven. Eh? - - - -JANET - -Yes. Forgotten and forgiven _(rises)_. How -are _you_, Aunt Harriet? I didn’t see you. -_(Eagerly)_ Hester! - -_[Goes to her impulsively, holding out her hand. -Hester takes it coldly. Janet tries to draw her -towards her. Hester resists. She drops her hand -and Hester turns away.]_ - - - -DE MULLIN - -Who is that? _(pointing to Johnny)_. - - - -JANET - -(turning to him) - -That is Johnny. My son. - - - -DE MULLIN - -My grandson? - - - -JANET - -Yes. I _had_ to bring him, father. We were away -from home and there was no one to leave him -with. - - - -DE MULLIN - -I’m glad you brought him. Come here, Johnny. -Don’t be afraid. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(in his confident treble)_ - -I’m not afraid. Why should I be afraid? - -_[Goes to him_. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(taking his hand)_ - -Say “How do you do, grandfather.” - - - -JOHNNY - -How do you do, grandfather? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Will you give me a kiss, Johnny? - - - -JOHNNY - -If you like, grandfather. - -_[Kisses him._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -That’s a good boy. - - - -JANET - -Kiss your grandmother too, Johnny. - -_[Mrs. De Mullin snatches him up and kisses him -passionately. Then holds him a little way off -and looks at him admiringly._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -What a fine little fellow, Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(proudly)_ - -Isn’t he, mother? And so strong and healthy! -He’s hardly had a day’s illness since he was -born. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(who has been staring at the pictures -on the walls, holding his grandmother by one -hand)_. - -Who are all these old men, grandfather? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Your ancestors, my boy. - - - -JOHNNY - -What’s ancestors? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Your forefathers. Your mother’s forefathers, - - - -JOHNNY - -Is that old man in the wig an ancestor? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. That is Anthony De Mullin, your -great-great-grandfather. - - - -JOHNNY - -What was _he?_ - - - -DE MULLIN - -(puzzled) - -_What_ was he? I don’t know that he was anything -in particular. He was just a gentleman. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(disappointed)_ - -Is that all? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Don’t make any mistake, my boy. It’s a great -thing to be descended from gentle-people, a -thing to be proud of and to be thankful for. - - - -JOHNNY - -Mother says the great thing is for every one to -be of some use in the world. Are gentle-people -of more use in the world than other people, -grandfather? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Certainly. - - - -JOHNNY - -And were all these old men gentle-people? - - - -DE MULLIN - -All of them. And you must grow up like them. - - - -JOHNNY - -They’re very _ugly_, grandfather _(pause)_. What -did they do? - - - -DE MULLIN - -They lived down here at Brendon. - - - -JOHNNY - -Nothing else? - - - -DE MULLIN - -They looked after their land. - - - -JOHNNY - -Had they much land? - - - -DE MULLIN - -A great deal. At one time the De Mullins owned -all the land about here. - - - -JOHNNY - -How much do they own now? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(sighs)_ - -Not very much, I’m afraid. - - - -JOHNNY - -Then they can’t have looked after it very well, -can they, grandfather? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(feeling the strain of this -conversation)_ - -Now, Hugo, do you think you ought to talk any -more? Why not go upstairs for a little and lie -down? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Perhaps I will, Jane. I _am_ a little tired. - - - -HESTER - -Shall I go with father? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -No. I will. Come, Hugo _(helps him up)_. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Will you come, with me, Johnny? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(hastily)_ - -No, Hugo. He will only disturb you. Stay down -here, Johnny, with your mother. Now then. -Carefully. - -_[Leads De Mullin off by the door on the left. -There is a pause, during which the remaining -occupants of the room obviously have nothing in -particular to say to each other. At last Mrs. -Clouston speaks._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Well, Janet, how have you been all these years? - - - -JANET - -_(nonchalantly)_ - -All right, Aunt Harriet. And you? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Pretty well, thanks. - - - -JANET - -Are you still living down at Bath? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Yes. You live in London, Jane tells me. - - - -JANET - -Yes. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -What do you do there? Teach? - - - -JANET - -Oh no. Why should I be teaching? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Jane said you wanted to teach at one time. - - - -JANET - -That was years ago. Before I left Brendon. soon -gave up that idea. No. I keep a shop. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -A shop! - - - -JANET - -Yes. A hat-shop - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Good heavens! A De Mullin in a hat-shop! - - - -JANET - -_(a little maliciously)_ - -Not a De Mullin, Aunt Harriet. A Seagrave. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Did Mr. Seagrave keep a hat-shop? - - - -JANET - -Mr. Seagrave?... oh, I see. No. It’s not a man’s -hat shop. It’s a lady’s _(takes off hat)_. This -is one of ours. What do you think of it, Hester? - - - -HESTER - -_(frostily)_ - -It looks very expensive. - - - -JANET - -_(looking at it critically)_ - -Yes, I own I’m rather pleased with it. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(acidly)_ - -You seem to be able to dress very well -altogether, in spite of the shop. - - - -JANET - -_(correcting her)_ - -Because of it, Aunt Harriet. That’s the -advantage of being what is called “in trade.” - If I were a school teacher or a governess or -something genteel of that kind I could only -afford to dress like a pauper. But as I keep -a shop I can dress like a lady. Clothes are a -question of money, after all, aren’t they? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(contemptuously)_ - -If one is in a shop it doesn’t matter how one -dresses. - - - -JANET - -On the contrary if one is in a shop it matters a -great deal. A girl in a shop _must_ dress well. -The business demands it. If you ever start a -hat-shop, Aunt Harriet, you’ll have to dress -very differently. Otherwise nobody will buy your -hats. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Indeed? Fortunately I’ve no intention of -starting a shop of any kind. - - - -JANET - -_(blandly)_ - -No! Well, I expect you’re wise. I doubt if you’d -make a success of it. - -[_Loud ring heard off._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(rather flustered--gasps)_ - - - -HESTER - -I hope that’s not a visitor. _(Janet -stares Then laughs good-humouredly. Aunt -Harriet’s nervous desire to keep her out of the -way of visitors strikes her as amusing.)_ What -are you laughing at, Janet? - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -Nothing, Aunt Harriet. - - - -ELLEN - -_(showing in)_ - -Miss Deanes. Mr. Brown. - -[_Miss Deanes is a bulky, red-faced, -shortsighted woman of forty-two, very fussy and -absurd in manner, who talks very fast. Brown -carries a book._ - - - -MISS DEANES - -How do you do, Mrs. Clouston. _Such_ a piece of -news! I felt I _must_ tell you. I brought Mr. -Brown with me. He was just leaving a book for -you, Hester, so I made him come in. - -[_Shakes hands with Hester._ - - - -BROWN - -Here it is, Miss De Mullin. It’s the one you -wanted to borrow. _Blore on the Creeds_. - - - -HESTER - -Thank you. - - - -MISS DEANES - -_(seeing Janet for first time)_ - -Janet! Is that you? - - - -JANET - -Yes, Miss Deanes. How are you? - -[_Shakes hands._ - - - -MISS DEANES - -Good gracious, child, when did you come? Why, -you’ve not been down to Brendon for years. - - - -JANET - -It is a long time, isn’t it? - - - -MISS DEANES - -And who is this young gentleman? - -[_Noticing Johnny who is holding Janet’s hand -and staring at Miss Deanes._ - - - -JANET - -_(calmly)_ - -That is my son. Shake hands with Miss Deanes, -Johnny. - - - -MISS DEANES - -_(astonished)_ - -Your son! There now! And I never knew you were -even married! - - - -JANET - -_(quite at her ease)_ - -Didn’t you! - - - -MISS DEANES - -No. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(nervously)_ - -I forgot. I haven’t introduced you. Mr. -Brown--Mrs. Seagrave. - - - -BROWN - -_(bows)_ - -How do you do. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(turning to Miss Deanes again)_ - -And now what is your piece of news, Miss Deanes? - - - -MISS DEANES - -_(volubly)_ - -Oh yes. I _must_ tell you. You’d never guess. -Somebody _else_ is engaged to be married, _(to -Janet)_ Who do you think? - - - -JANET - -I’ve no idea. - - - -MISS DEANES - -Bertha Aldenham--to Mr. Bulstead. - - - -JANET - -_(starts)_ - -Mr. Bulstead? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Yes. But I forgot. _You_ wouldn’t know _them_. -They didn’t come here till long after you went -away. They bought Brendon Park from the Malcolms -three years ago. You remember the Malcolms, -Janet? Janet _(whose attention has wandered)_ - -Eh? Oh yes, of course. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Which Mr. Bulstead is it? The eldest? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Yes. Montague. - - - -JANET - -_(under her breath)_ - -Monty Bulstead! Engaged! - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Are the Aldenhams pleased? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Very, I expect. The Bulsteads are so rich, you -see. - - - -JANET - -Does he live down here; this Mr. Montagu -Bulstead, I mean? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Oh no. He’s here on leave. He’s in the army. He -only got back three months ago _(with a little -giggle)_. He and Bertha haven’t taken long to -settle things, have they? - - - -JANET - -No, they haven’t taken long. - - - -MISS DEANES - -But I dare say he _will_ live here when he’s -married. As the Bulsteads are so rich.- The -father makes frilling and lace and so on. All -those things people used to make so much better -by hand. And Bertha may not care about army -life. I know I shouldn’t. _(Janet smiles -discreetly.)_ It’s not always very _nice_, is -it? - - - -BROWN - -_(to Johnny who has been staring at -him roundeyed across the room, with heavy -geniality)_. - -Well, young man. Who are you staring at, eh? Do -_you_ want to talk to me? - - - -JOHNNY - -_(quite simply, in his high piping -treble)_ - -No, thank you. - - - -JANET - -Sh! Johnny! You don’t mean that. Go to Mr. Brown -when he speaks to you. - - - -JOHNNY - -Very well, Mummie. - -_[Does so slowly_. - - - -BROWN - -_(taking his hands)_ - -Now then what shall we talk about, you and I? - - - -JOHNNY - -I don’t know. - - - -BROWN - -Don’t you? Suppose we see if you can say your -catechism then? Would you like _that_? - - - -JOHNNY - -What’s catechism? - - - -BROWN - -Come, Johnny, I’m sure your mother has taught -you your catechism.. Can you repeat your “Duty -towards your Neighbour”? _(Johnny shakes his -head emphatically)_. Try “My duty towards my -neighbour.... - - - -JOHNNY - -Mother says it’s every one’s duty to be healthy -and to be happy! Is that what you mean? - - - -BROWN - -_(scandalized)_ - -No! No! - - - -JOHNNY - -Well, that’s what mother taught me. - - - -JANET - -_(coming to the rescue)_ - -I’m afraid he doesn’t know his catechism yet, -Mr. Brown. You see he’s only eight. _(Brown bows -stiffly.)_ Run away, Johnny, and play in the -garden for a little. - -_[Leads him to the door in the bay._ - - - -JOHNNY - -All right, Mummie. - -_[Johnny runs out into the garden. A certain -relief is perceptible on his departure. It is -felt that his interview with Mr. Brown has not -been a success._... - - - -MISS DEANES - -_(who feels that a change of subject -will be only tactful)_ - -There now, Hester! I do believe you’ve never -asked after Dicky! He’ll be so offended! - - - -HESTER - -_(smiling)_ - -Has Dicky been ill again? I thought you said he -was better yesterday. - - - -MISS DEANES - -He was. But he had a relapse, poor _darling_. I -had to sit up all last night with him! - - - -JANET - -What has been the matter with him? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Some sort of chill, Dr. Rolt said. I was -_dreadfully_ anxious. - - - -JANET - -What a pity! ‘Colds are such troublesome things -for children. - - - -MISS DEANES - -(puzzled) - -Children? - - - -JANET - -Yes. You were speaking of a child, weren’t you? -Miss Deanes - -Oh no. Dicky is my _cockatoo_. He’s the -_sweetest_ bird. Talks quite like a human being. -And never a coarse expression. That’s so unusual -with cockatoos. - - - -JANET - -Indeed? - - - -MISS DEANES - -Yes. The voyage, you see. They come all the way -from South America and generally they pick up -the most dreadful language, poor lambs--from the -sailors. - -But Dicky didn’t. He has such a pure mind -_(rising)_. And now I really must be going. I -have all kinds of people I want to tell about -Mr. Bulstead’s engagement. - -_[Shaking hands with Mrs. Clouston and Janet._ - - - -BROWN - -I must be off too. Wait one moment, Miss Deanes. -Good-bye, Mrs. Clouston. - -_[Shakes hands with Mrs. Clouston and bows -stiffly to Janet. He has not yet forgiven Johnny -for not knowing his catechism._ - -_(To Hester.)_ - -Good-bye, Miss De Mullin. Shall I see you at -Evensong? - -_[Shakes hands with Hester._ - -I expect so. - - - -HESTER - -Poof! - -_[Brown and Miss Deanes go out._ - - - -JANET - -What a fool Miss Deanes is! - - - -MRS CLOUSTON - -_(indifferently)_ - -She always was, wasn’t she? - - - -JANET - -I suppose so. Going on in that way about her -ridiculous cockatoo! And that _hideous_ little -curate! - - - -HESTER - -I don’t see why you should sneer at all my -friends. - - - -JANET - -Are they your friends, Hester? Then I won’t -sneer at them. But you can’t call Mr. Brown -_handsome_, can you? - - - -HESTER - -Mr. Brown is a very good man and works very -hard among the poor. That’s better than being -handsome. - - - -JANET - -Yes. But less agreeable, isn’t it? However, -if _you_ like him there’s an end of it. But he -needn’t have begun asking Johnny his catechism -the very first time he met him. I don’t call it -good manners, - - - -HESTER - -How was he to know the poor child was being -brought up to be a little heathen? - -_[Takes up her hat and cape and begins putting -them on._ - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -How, indeed! - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Are you going out, Hester? Lunch will be ready -in half an hour. . - - - -HESTER - -Only to take Mrs. Wason her soup, Aunt Harriet. - - - -JANET - -_(looking curiously at Hester)_ - -Do you want to marry Mr. Brown, Hester? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -My dear Janet! - - - -JANET - -Well, Aunt Harriet, there’s nothing to be -ashamed of if she does. Do you, Hester? - - - -HESTER - -Why do you ask such a question? - - - -JANET - -Never mind. Only answer it _(pause)_. You do -like him, don’t you? - - - -HESTER - -I’ve a great respect for Mr. Brown. - - - -JANET - -Don’t blush, my dear. I dare say that’s much the -same thing. - - - -HESTER - -I won’t talk to you about it. You only sneer. -Janet - -I wasn’t sneering. Come, Hester, don’t be cross. -Why shouldn’t we be friends? I might help you. - - - -HESTER - -How could _you_ help me? - - - -JANET - -_(looking quizzically at poor Hester’s -headgear)_ - -I might make you a hat, my dear. - - - -HESTER - -Mr. Brown doesn’t notice those things. - - - -JANET - -All men notice those things, Hester. - - - -HESTER - -_(with a sneer)_ - -I suppose that’s why _you_ wear such fine -clothes. - - - -JANET - -_(quite good-humoured)_ - -That’s it. Fine feathers make fine birds. - - - -HESTER - -Well, _I_ call it shameless. - - - -JANET - -My dear Hester, you’re always being ashamed of -things. You always were, I remember. What is -there to be ashamed of in that? What on earth -were women given pretty faces and pretty figures -for if not to make men admire them and want to -marry them? - - - -HESTER - -_(acidly)_ - -Well, _your_ plan hasn’t been very successful so -far, anyhow! - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -Nor has yours, Hester. - -[_Hester makes exclamation of impatience and -seems about to reply angrily. Then thinks better -of it and goes out without a word. Janet follows -her retreat with her eyes and smiles half -cynically, half compassionately. The Curtain -falls._ - - - - - -ACT II - - -_Scene:_ On the edge of Brendon Forest. - -_Time:_ three days later. A road runs along the -hack of the stage front which it is separated by -a fence and high hedge. In this hut somewhat to -the right is a stile and also a gate. Round the -trunk of a large tree to the left is a rough -wooden seat. The stage is empty when the curtain -rises. Fhen enter Mrs. De Mullin, Janet and -Johnny. They approach stile from the left and -come through gate. There isan exit on the right -of the stage through the Forest. - - - -JANET - -I don’t think I’ll come any farther, mother. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You won’t come up to the house? - - - -JANET - -No, thanks _(rather grimly)_. I don’t want to -see Mrs. Bulstead. And I’m sure Mrs. Bulstead -doesn’t want to see me. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I wish Hester could have come. - - - -JANET - -Why couldn’t she? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She’s at the church putting up the decorations. -It’s the Harvest Thanksgiving to-morrow. - - - -JANET - -_(laughing)_ - -Mr. Brown! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, I told you you weren’t to laugh at Hester -about Mr. Brown. It’s not kind. - - - -JANET - -_(lightly)_ - -It’s all right mother. Hester’s not here. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Still, I don’t like it, dear. It’s not quite... - - - -JANET - -_(soothing her)_ - -Not quite _nice_. I know, mother. Not the way -really refined and ladylike young women talk. -But I’m only quite a common person who sells -hats. You can’t expect all these refinements -from _me!_ - -[_Mrs. De Mullin sighs._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Are you going to turn back? - - - -JANET - -Not at once. I’ll wait for you here a little -with Johnny in case they’re out. Why, they’ve -put a seat here. [_She sits on the side farthest -from the road._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Usen’t there to be one? - - - -JANET - -No. Nor a gate in my time. Only a stile. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Very likely, dear. I don’t remember. I don’t -often come this way. - - - -JANET - -_(nods)_ - -I often used to come along it in the old days. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I dare say. Well, I must be getting on to my -call or I shall be late. You’re sure you won’t -come? - - - -JANET - -Quite, mother. Good-bye. - -[_Mrs. De Mullin goes of through the forest._ - - - -JOHNNY - -Where’s grandmother going, Mummie? - - - -JANET - -Up to the big house. - - - -JOHNNY - -What big house? - - - -JANET - -Brendon Park. - - - -JOHNNY - -Mayn’t I go up to the big house too? - - - -JANET - -No, dear. You’re to stay with mother. - - - -JOHNNY - -Who lives at the big house? - - - -JANET - -Nobody you know, dear. - - - -JOHNNY - -That’s why I asked, Mummie. - - - -JANET - -Well, don’t ask any more, sonny. Mother’s rather -tired. Run away and play, there’s a good boy. - -_[Kisses him._ - - - -JOHNNY - -Very well, Mummie. - -_[Johnny disappears into the wood. Janet falls -into a brown study. Presently a footstep is -heard coming along the roady but she seems to -notice nothing. Then a young man climbs over the -stile. He starts as he sees her and draws back, -then advances eagerly, holding out his hand._ - - - -MONTY - -Janet, is that _you!_ - - - -JANET - -_(smiling)_ - -Yes, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -_(astonished)_ - - - -JANET! Here! - - - -JANET - -Yes, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -_(nodding over his shoulder)_ - -_Our_ stile, Janet! - - - -JANET - -Our stile. - - - -MONTY - -_(nods)_ - -The stile where you and I first met. - - - -JANET - -_(relapsing for a moment into something -like sentiment)_ - -Yes. I thought I must see it again--for the sake -of old times. - - - -MONTY - -How long ago it all seems! - - - -JANET - -_(matter of fact)_ - -It is a longish time, you know. - - - -MONTY - -_(thoughtfully)_ - -I believe that was the happiest month of my -life, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Was it, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -Yes _(pause)_. I say, when did you come down? -You don’t _live_ at home any longer, do you? - - - -JANET - -No. I only came down three days ago. - - - -MONTY - -By Jove it _is_ good to see you again. Why, it’s -eight years since we used to be together, you -and I. - - - -JANET - -Nearly nine. - - - -MONTY - -Yes... You’re not coming to live down here -again, are you? - - - -JANET - -No; why? - - - -MONTY - -I thought perhaps... - - - -JANET - -_(cynically)_ - -Would you dislike it very much if I did, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -Of course not. - - - -JANET - -Confess. You _did_ feel it would be rather -awkward? - - - -MONTY - -Well, of course... - - - -JANET - -However you can set your mind at rest. I’m not. -[_His relief at this intelligence enables him to -realize the pleasure he is getting from seeing -her again._) - - - -MONTY - -I say, Janet, how well you’re looking! I believe -you’re handsomer than ever. - - - -JANET - -(smiling) - -Am I? - - - -MONTY - -You know you are. - -[_Pause. He looks at her admiringly. She turns -away with a little smile._ - - - -JANET - -_(feeling that they are getting on to -dangerous ground)_ - -Well, Monty. Where have you been these eight -years? - - - -MONTY - -Abroad with my regiment. We’ve been ordered -all over the place. I’ve been home on leave, of -course. But not for the last three years. Not -since father bought the Park. I’ve never been at -Brendon since ... _(pause)_. - - - -JANET - -Since we were here? Don’t blush, Monty. _(He -nods shamefacedly.)_ How did he come to buy the -place? - - - -MONTY - -It was just a chance. He saw it advertised, came -and looked at it and bought it. He’s no idea -I was ever at Brendon before _(rather bitter -laugh)_. None of them have. I have to pretend -not to know my way about. - - - -JANET - -Why? - - - -MONTY - -It seems safer. _(Janet nods.)_ Sometimes I -almost forget to keep it up. I’m such a duffer -about things. But I’ve managed hitherto. And -now, of course, it’s all right as I’ve been -here three months. I may be supposed to know the -beastly place by this time. - - - -JANET - -Beastly? You’re not very polite. - -[_Monty laughs shamefacedly_. - - - -MONTY - -You got my note, didn’t you? - - - -JANET - -What note?... Oh, eight years ago, you mean? -Yes. - - - -MONTY - -I left it with the woman at the lodgings. As you -were coming over that afternoon, I thought it -safer than sending a message. And of course I -daren’t telegraph. _(Janet nods.)_ I was awfully -sick at having to go away like that. All in a -moment. Without even saying good-bye. But I had -to. - - - -JANET - -Of course. Was your mother badly hurt? - - - -MONTY - -No. Only stunned. That was such rot. If people -get chucked out of a carriage they must expect -to get stunned. But of course they couldn’t -know. The telegram just said “Mother hurt. -Carriage accident. Come at once.” It got to me -at the lodgings a couple of hours before you -were coming. I had just time to chuck my things -into a bag and catch the train. I wanted to come -back after the mater was all right again. But I -couldn’t very well, could I? - - - -JANET - -Why not? - - - -MONTY - -Well, the regiment was to sail in less than -three weeks and the mater would have thought it -rather rough if I’d gone away again. I’d been -away six weeks as it was. - - - -JANET - -Oh yes. Of course. - - - -MONTY - -_(with half a sigh)_ - -To think if I hadn’t happened to be riding along -that road and seen you at the stile and asked -my way, you and I might never have met. What a -chance life is! - - - -JANET - -_(nods)_ - -Just a chance _(pause)_. - - - -MONTY - -Why did you go away, Janet? You weren’t going -the last time I saw you. - - - -JANET - -Wasn’t I? - - - -MONTY - -No. At least you said nothing about it. - - - -JANET - -I didn’t know I was going then. Not for certain. - - - -MONTY - -Why _did_ you go? - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ I had to, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -_(puzzled)_ - -You had to? _(Janet nods.)_But why? - -Mother found out. - - - -MONTY - -About us? - - - -JANET - -Yes. And she told father. - - - -MONTY - -_(genuinely distressed)_ Oh, Janet! I’m so -sorry. - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -It couldn’t be helped, - - - -MONTY - -Does he know who it was? - - - -JANET - -Who _you_ were? No. - - - -MONTY - -You didn’t tell him? - - - -JANET - - - -MONTY! As if I should. - - - -MONTY - -I don’t know. Girls generally do. - - - -JANET - -_I_ didn’t. - - - -MONTY - -No. I suppose you wouldn’t. But you’re different -from most girls. Do you know there was always -something rather splendid about you, Janet? - - - -JANET - -(curtseys) - -Thank you. - - - -MONTY - -I wonder he didn’t _make_ you tell. - - - -JANET - -He did try of course. That was why I ran away. - - - -MONTY - -I see. Where did you go to? - - - -JANET - -London. - - - -MONTY - -To London? All alone? (Janet nods) Why did you -do that? And why didn’t you let me know? - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -You were out of England by that time. - - - -MONTY - -But why London? - - - -JANET - -I had to go somewhere. And it seemed better -to go where I shouldn’t be known. Besides it’s -easier to be lost sight of in a crowd. - - - -MONTY - -But what did you do when you got there? - - - -JANET - -_(calmly)_ - -I got a place in a shop, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -A shop? You! - - - -JANET - -Yes, a hat-shop, in Regent Street. My dear -Monty, don’t gape like that. Hat-shops are -perfectly respectable places. Almost too -respectable to judge by the fuss two of them -made about employing _me_. - - - -MONTY - -What do you mean? - - - -JANET - -Well, when I applied to them for work they -naturally asked if I had ever worked in a -hat-shop before. And when I said “No” they -naturally asked why I wanted to begin. In the -innocence of my heart I told them. Whereupon -they at once refused to employ me--not in the -politest terms. - - - -MONTY - -Poor Janet. What beastly luck! Still... - -[_Hesitates._ - - - -JANET - -Yes, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -I mean naturally they couldn’t be expected... - -_(flustered)_ - -At least I don’t mean that exactly. - -Only... [_Stops._ - - - -JANET - -My dear Monty, I quite understand what you mean. -You needn’t trouble to be explicit. Naturally -they couldn’t be expected to employ an abandoned -person like me to trim hats. That was exactly -their view. - - - -MONTY - -But I thought you said you _did_ get a place in -a shop? Janet - -Yes. But not at either of _those_ shops. They -were _far_ too virtuous. - - - -MONTY - -How did you do it? - - - -JANET - -Told lies, Monty. I believe that’s how most -women get employment. - - - -MONTY - -Told lies? - - - -JANET - -Yes. I invented a husband, recently deceased, -bought several yards of crêpe and a wedding -ring. This is the ring. - -[_Takes off glove._ - - - -MONTY - -Oh, Janet, how beastly for you! - -[_Janet shrugs_. - - - -JANET - -_(laughing)_ - -Everything seems to be “Beastly” to you, Monty. -Brendon and telling lies and lots of other -things. Luckily I’m less superfine. - - - -MONTY - -Didn’t they find out? - - - -JANET - -No. That was why I decided to be a widow. It -made inquiries more difficult. - - - -MONTY - -I should have thought it made them easier. - - - -JANET - -On the contrary. You can’t cross-question a -widow about a recent bereavement. If you do she -cries. I always used to look tearful directly my -husband’s name was even mentioned. So they gave -up mentioning it. Women are so boring when they -will cry. - - - -MONTY - -They might have inquired from other people. - - - -JANET - -Why should they? Besides there was no one to -inquire from. I called him Seagrave--and drowned -him at sea. You can’t ask questions of the -sharks. - - - -MONTY - -Oh, Janet, how can you joke about it? - - - -JANET - -I couldn’t--then. I wanted work-too badly. But I -can now--with your kind permission, I mean. - - - -MONTY - -And you’ve been at the shop ever since? - - - -JANET - -Not _that_ shop. I was only there about six -months --till baby was born, in fact... - - - -MONTY - -_(horrified)_ - -Janet, there was a baby! - - - -JANET - -Of course there was a baby. - - - -MONTY - -Oh, Janet! And you never wrote! Why didn’t you -write? - - - -JANET - -I did think of it. But on the whole I thought I -wouldn’t. It would have been no good. - - - -MONTY - -No good? - - - -JANET - -You were in India. - - - -MONTY - -I was in England. - - - -JANET - -Not then. - - - -MONTY - -You ought to have written at once--directly your -mother found out. - - - -JANET - -One week after you sailed, Monty _(defiantly)_. -Besides why should I write? - - - -MONTY - -Why? I could have married you, of course. - - - -JANET - -If I’d asked you, you mean? Thank you, my dear -Monty. - - - -MONTY - -No, I don’t. Of course I should have married -you. I _must_ have married you. - - - -JANET - -_(looking at him thoughtfully)_ - -I wonder if you would. - - - -MONTY - -Certainly I should. I should have been bound in -honour. - - - -JANET - -I see. Then I’m glad I never wrote. - - - -MONTY - -You’re _glad?_ Now? - - - -JANET - -Yes. I’ve done some foolish things in my life, -Monty, but none quite so foolish as that. To -marry a schoolboy, not because he loves you or -wants to marry you but because he thinks he’s -“bound in honour.” No, thank you. - - - -MONTY - -I don’t mean that. You know I don’t, Janet. I -loved you, of course. That goes without saying. -I’d have married you like a shot before, only -the Governor would have made such a fuss. The -Governor was so awfully straitlaced about this -sort of thing. When I was sent away from Eton he -made the most ghastly fuss. - - - -JANET - -Were you sent away from Eton for “this sort of -thing”? - - - -MONTY - -Yes--at least I don’t mean that either. But it -was about a girl there. He was frightfully wild. -He threatened to cut me off if I ever did such -a thing again. Such rot! As if no one had ever -been sent away from school before! - - - -JANET - -_(reflectively)_ - -I didn’t know you’d been sent away from Eton. - - - -MONTY - -Didn’t you? I suppose I didn’t like to tell -you-for fear of what you’d think _(bitterly)_. I -seem to have been afraid of everything in those -days. . - - - -JANET - -Not _everything_, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -Oh, you know what I mean. I was awfully afraid -of the Governor, I remember. I suppose all boys -are if their parents rag them too much. But I -would have married you, Janet, if I’d known. I -would honestly. - - - -JANET - -_(blandly)_ - -What is the pay of a British subaltern, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -The Governor would have had to stump up, of -course. - - - -JANET - -Poor Mr. Bulstead! He’d have _liked_ that, -I suppose? And what about your poor unhappy -colonel? And all the other little subalterns? - - - -MONTY - -_(obstinately)_ - -Still, you ought to have written. - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -_You_ never wrote. - - - -MONTY - -I couldn’t. You know that. You never would let -me. That was why I couldn’t send that note to -you to tell you I was going away. You said my -letters would be noticed. - - - -JANET - -Yes, I forgot that. That’s the result of having -a father who is what is called old-fashioned. - - - -MONTY - -What do you mean? - - - -JANET - -All letters to the Manor House are delivered -locked in a bag. They always have been since -the Flood, I believe, or at least since the -invention of the postal service. And, of course, -father won’t have it altered, So every morning -there’s the ritual of unlocking this absurd bag. -No one is allowed to do that but father--unless -he is ill. Then mother has the privilege. And -of course he. scrutinizes the outside of every -letter and directly it’s opened asks who it’s -from and what’s inside it. Your letters would -have been noticed at once. - - - -MONTY - -How beastly! - - - -JANET - -The penalty of having nothing to do, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -I know. What a mess the whole thing is! - - - -JANET - -Just so. No. There was no way out of it except -the hat-shop. - - - -MONTY - -_(remorsefully)_ - -It’s awfully rough on you, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Never mind. I dare say I wasn’t cut out for -the wife of a subaltern, Monty; whereas I make -excellent hats. - - - -MONTY - -_(savagely)_ - -You’re still making the d------d things? - - - -JANET - -Yes. Only at another shop. The Regent Street -place had no room for me when I was well enough -to go back to work. But the woman who kept it -gave me a recommendation to a friend who was -starting in Hanover Street. A most superior -quarter for a hatshop, Monty. In fact _the_ -superior quarter. Claude et Cie was the name. - -(Monty _(rather shocked)_ - -A _French_ shop? - - - -JANET - -No more French than you are, Monty. It was kept -by a Miss Hicks, one of the most thoroughly -British people you can possibly imagine. But we -called ourselves Claude et Cie in order to be -able to charge people more for their hats. You -can always charge fashionable women more for -their clothes if you pretend to be French. It’s -one of the imbecilities of commerce. So poor -dear Miss Hicks became Madame Claude and none of -our hats cost less than seven guineas. - - - -MONTY - -Do people buy hats at such a price? - - - -JANET - -Oh yes. Everybody in Society bought them. Claude -et Cie was quite the rage that Season. Nobody -who was anybody went anywhere else. - - - -MONTY - -She must have made a great deal of money. - - - -JANET - -On the contrary. She made nothing at all and -narrowly escaped bankruptcy. - - - -MONTY - -But I don’t understand. If her hats were so dear -and everybody bought them? - - - -JANET - -Everybody _bought_ them but nobody _paid_ for -them. In the highest social circles I believe -people never do pay for anything--certainly not -for their clothes. At least, nobody paid Miss -Hicks, and at the end of six months she was owed -£1,200 and hadn’t a penny to pay her rent. - - - -MONTY - -Why didn’t she _make_ them pay. - - - -JANET - -She did dun them, of course, but they only -ordered more hats to keep her quiet which didn’t -help Miss Hicks much. And when she went on -dunning them they said they should withdraw -their custom. In fact, she was in a dilemma. If -she let the bills run on she couldn’t pay her -rent. And if she asked her customers to pay -their bills they ceased to be customers. - - - -MONTY - -How beastly! - - - -JANET - -Not again, Monty! - - - -MONTY - -What _did_ she do? - - - -JANET - -She didn’t do anything. She was too depressed. -She used to sit in the back room where the -hats were trimmed and weep over the materials, -regardless of expense. Finally things came to a -crisis. The landlord threatened to distrain for -his rent. But just as it looked as if it was all -over with Claude et Cie a capitalist came to the -rescue. _I_ was the capitalist. - - - -MONTY - -You? - - - -JANET - -Yes. I’d an old Aunt once who was fond of me -and left me a legacy when I was seventeen. Four -hundred pounds. - - - -MONTY - -That wouldn’t go very far. - - - -JANET - -Four hundred pounds goes a longish way towards -setting up a shop. Besides, it was nearly five -hundred by that time. My shares had gone up. -Well, I and my five hundred pounds came to the -rescue. I paid the rent and the most clamorous -of the creditors, and Miss Hicks and I became -partners. - - - -MONTY - -But what was the good of that if the business -was worth nothing? - - - -JANET - -It was worth several hundred pounds to any -one, who had the pluck to sue half the British -aristocracy. I sued them. It was tremendous -fun. They were simply furious. They talked as if -they’d never been sued before! As for Miss Hicks -she wept more than ever and said I’d ruined the -business. - - - -MONTY - -Hadn’t you? - - - -JANET - -That business. Yes. But with the £1,200--or as -much of it as we could recover--we started a -new one. A cheap hat-shop. Relatively cheap that -is-for Hanover Street. We charged two guineas -a hat instead of seven, 100 per cent, profit -instead of... You can work it out for yourself. -But then our terms were strictly cash, so we -made no bad debts. That was my idea. - - - -MONTY - -But you said nobody ever paid for their hats. - - - -JANET - -Not in the highest social circles. But we drew -our customers from the middle classes who live -in South Kensington and Bayswater, and are not -too haughty to pay for a hat if they see a cheap -one. - - - -MONTY - -But wasn’t it a frightful risk? - - - -JANET - -_(cheerfully)_ - -It was a risk, of course. But everything in life -is a risk, isn’t it? And it succeeded, as I felt -sure it would. We’re quite a prosperous concern -nowadays, and I go over to Paris four times a -year to see the latest fashions. That, my dear -Monty, is the history of Claude et Cie. - -[_Pause._ - - - -MONTY - -And you’ve never married, Janet? - - - -JANET - -No. - - - -MONTY {hesitates) - -Is it because...? - - - -JANET - -Because? - - - -MONTY - -Because you still care for me? - - - -JANET - -Monty, don’t be vain. - - - -MONTY - -_(repelled)_ - -I didn’t mean it like that. Janet, don’t laugh. -Of course, I’m glad if you don’t care any more. -At least, I suppose I ought to be glad. It would -have been dreadful if you had gone on caring all -these years and I not known. But did you? - - - -JANET - -No, Monty, I didn’t. You may set your mind at -rest. - - - -MONTY - -You’re sure? - - - -JANET - -Quite. I had too many other things to think of. - - - -MONTY - -Do you mean that beastly shop? - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -I meant my baby. - - - -MONTY - -_Our_ baby. Is it alive? - - - -JANET - -Of course. What do you mean, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -I thought, as you didn’t say... _(thoughtfully)_ -Poor little beast! _(Janet makes gesture of -protest.)_ Well, it’s rough luck on the -little beggar, isn’t it? What’s become of him, -Janet? - - - -JANET - -What’s _become_ of him! My dear Monty, what -should have become of him? He’s quite alive as I -said and particularly thriving. - - - -MONTY - -Do you mean he’s _living_ with you!.. But, of -course, I forgot, you’re supposed to be married. - - - -JANET - -_(correcting him)_ - -A widow, Monty. An inconsolable widow! - - - -MONTY - -Where is he? In London? - - - -JANET - -No. As a matter of fact he’s probably not fifty -yards away. Over there. - -[_Points towards the wood._ - - - -MONTY - -_(jumping up)_ - -Janet! _(nervously looking round)_. - - - -JANET - -_(rallying him)_ - -Frightened, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -Of course not _(shamefacedly)_ - - - -JANET - -Just a little? - - - -MONTY - -_(regaining courage)_ - -Janet, let me see him. - - - -JANET - -_(amused)_ - -Would you like to? - - - -MONTY - -Of course I should. He’s _my_ baby as well as -yours if it comes to that. Do call him, Janet. - - - -JANET - -All right, _(calls)_ Johnny! _(pause)_ John... -ny! _[‘To Monty)_ You mustn’t tell him, you -know. - - - -MONTY - -Of course not. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(off r.)_ - -Yes, Mummie. - - - -JANET - -Come here for a minute. Mother wants to speak to -you. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(off)_ - -Very well, Mummie. _(Enters r.)_ Oh, Mummie, -I’ve found such a lot of rabbits. You must come -and see them. _(Seeing Monty for the first time, -stares at him.)_ Oh! - - - -MONTY - -Come here, youngster. Come and let me look -at you. _(Johnny goes to him slowly. Monty, -grasping both hands, draws him to him, looking -at him long and keenly.)_ He’s like you, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Is he? - - - -MONTY - -Yes. He has your eyes. So your name’s Johnny, -young man? - - - -JOHNNY - -Yes. - - - -MONTY - -Well, Johnny, will you give me a kiss? _(Monty -leans forward. He does so.)_ That’s right. - - - -JOHNNY - -And now, Mummie, come and look at my rabbits. - - - -JANET - -Not yet, dear. Mother’s busy just now. - - - -JOHNNY - -May I go back to them then? - - - -JANET - -Yes. - - - -MONTY - -Suppose I won’t let you go? - - - -JOHNNY - -I’ll make you--and so will Mummie. - - - -MONTY - -Plucky little chap. Off with you. - -[_Kisses him again, then releases his hands. -Johnny trots off r. again. Monty follows him -with his eyes. Pause._ - - - -JANET - -Well, Monty, what do you think of him? - - - -MONTY - -_(enthusiastic)_ - -I think he’s _splendid_. - - - -JANET - -_(proudly)_ - -Isn’t he? And such a sturdy little boy. He -weighed ten pounds before he was a month old. - -I say, Janet. - - - -MONTY - -_(shyly)_ - - - -JANET - -Yes? - - - -MONTY - -_(hesitates)_ - -You’ll let me kiss you once more, won’t you? For -the last time?... _(she hesitates)_. You don’t -mind? - - - -JANET - -_(heartily)_ . - -Of course not, Monty. You’re not _married_ yet, -you know. - - - -MONTY - - - -JANET! My dear, dear Janet! - -[_Seizes her and kisses her fiercely._ - - - -JANET - -_(releasing herself gently)_ - -That’s enough, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -_(remorsefully)_ - -I’m afraid I behaved like an awful brute to you, -Janet. - - - -JANET - -_(lightly)_ - -Oh no. - - - -MONTY - -Yes, I did. I ought to have married you. I ought -to marry you still. On account of the boy. - - - -JANET - -_(quite matter of fact)_ - -Oh well, you can’t do that now in any case, can -you --as you’re engaged to Bertha Aldenham. - - - -MONTY - -You’ve heard about that? Who told you? - - - -JANET - -A worthy lady called Miss Deanes. - - - -MONTY - -I know. A regular sickener. - - - -JANET - -My dear Monty! - - - -MONTY - -Sorry. - - - -JANET - -She brought the good news. The very day I -arrived as it happened. We’ve hardly talked of -anything else at the Manor House since--except -father’s illness, of course. - - - -MONTY - -Why? - - - -JANET - -What else is there to talk about--in Brendon? - - - -MONTY - -That’s true. Isn’t it... _(stops himself, looks -at watch. Whistles.)_ Whew! [_Rises._ - - - -JANET - -What is it, Monty? - - - -MONTY - -I say, Janet, I wonder if you’d mind going now? - -Why? - - - -JANET - -[_She rises too._ - - - -MONTY - -_(awkwardly)_ - -Well, the fact is I’m expecting some one here -directly. I... - - - -JANET - -Bertha? - - - -MONTY - -Yes. I was to meet her here at the stile at six. - - - -JANET - -_Our_ stile, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -Yes,... You don’t mind, do you--about my asking -you to go, I mean? - - - -JANET - -_(sitting again)_ - -Not in the least. - - - -MONTY - -But you’re not going? - - - -JANET - -Why should I go? - - - -MONTY - -Oh, well, I thought----- - - - -JANET - -That it wouldn’t be quite suitable for us to -meet? - - - -MONTY - -I didn’t mean that, of course. But I thought you -mightn’t like--I mean it might be painful... - -[_Sits again._ - - - -JANET - -For me to see her? On the contrary, I’m dying to -see her. - - - -MONTY - -Janet, sometimes I think you’re not quite human. - - - -JANET - -My dear boy, I’m extremely human--and therefore -curious _(pause)_. What’s she like, Monty? Now, -I mean. She promised to be pretty. - - - -MONTY - -She is pretty, I suppose _(pause)_. I wonder if -Bertha and I will ever have a son like Johnny! - - - -JANET - -Let’s hope so, Monty. For Bertha’s sake. - - - -MONTY - -Isn’t that some one coming? _(pause, listens)_, -I expect it’s she _(rising hastily and advancing -towards stile)_. Is that you, Bertha? - - - -BERTHA - -_(at stile)_ - -Oh! There you are. Yes. Isn’t it hot? _(entering -by gate which he opens for her)_. Am I punctual? -_(with a cry)_ Janet! When did you come home? - -[_Goes to her eagerly._ - - - -JANET - -_(shaking hands)_ - -Only three days ago. - -[_Bertha kisses her._ - - - -BERTHA - -_Only_ three days! And you’ve never been up to -see us. - - - -JANET - -I know. But with father ill - - - -BERTHA - -Of course. I understand. I was only joking. How -is Mr. De Mullin? - - - -JANET - -Much better. Not well yet, of course. But he -gets stronger every day. - - - -BERTHA - -I’m so glad. I say, Janet, do you remember when -you used to teach us French? - - - -JANET - -Yes. - - - -BERTHA - -I was awfully troublesome, I remember. - - - -MONTY - -I expect you were an awful duffer at it too, -Bertha. - - - -BERTHA - -What cheek! - - - -MONTY - -Wasn’t she, Ja--_(pulls himself up)_ Miss De -Mullin? - -[_Janet smiles nervously._ - -Oh, yes. - - - -BERTHA - -I didn’t know you’d met Janet, Monty? Why didn’t -you tell us? - -[_Quite unsuspicious of anything wrong. Merely -curious._ - - - -MONTY - -It was some time ago. - - - -BERTHA - -_(surprised)_ - -Not at Brendon? You’ve never been at Brendon -before. - - - -MONTY - -No. It was at Weymouth. I was there getting over -typhoid years ago. - - - -BERTHA - -I remember, you told me. Eight or nine years -ago, wasn’t it? - - - -MONTY - -Yes _(looks at watch)_. I say, Bertha, we must -be off if we’re not to be late. - - - -BERTHA - -Give me two minutes to rest. The weather’s -simply stifling. - - - -MONTY - -Rot! It’s quite cool. - - - -BERTHA - -Then you must have been sitting here a long -time. I’ve been walking along a dusty road and -I’m not going to start yet. Besides I want to -know all about you two meeting. Were you staying -at Weymouth, Janet? - - - -JANET - -Oh no. I just bicycled over. Mr. Bulstead ran -into me. - - - -MONTY - -I like that. She ran into _me_. - - - -JANET - -Anyhow my front wheel buckled and he had to help -me to put it right. - - - -BERTHA - -What gallantry! - - - -MONTY - -It was. The beastly thing took about half an -hour. By the time it was over we seemed to -have known each other for a lifetime _(looks -at watch)_. Two minutes is up. Time to start, -Bertha. - - - -BERTHA - -It isn’t. - - - -MONTY - -It is. You’ll be late for dressing to a -certainty if you don’t go. - - - -BERTHA - -I like that. I can dress as quickly as you if it -comes to that. - - - -MONTY - -Oh no. I can dress in ten minutes. I’ll give you -a quarter of an hour’s start and be down in the -drawing-room five minutes before you’re ready. -Is it a bet? - - - -BERTHA - -Done. In sixpences. _(To Janet)_ I’m staying at -the Park for a few days longer, Janet. Come up -and see me, won’t you? - - - -JANET - -_(uncomfortably)_ - -I’m afraid I can’t promise. On account of -father. - - - -BERTHA - -Well, after I’ve gone home then. Mother will -want to see you. And so will Helen. And now I -suppose I really must go. Come along, Monty. - - - -MONTY - -Not I. I needn’t go for a quarter of an hour. -You have a quarter of an hour’s start. - - - -BERTHA - -All right. Good-bye, Janet _(kisses her)_. You -won’t forget about coming as soon as you can? I -go back home on Thursday. - - - -JANET - -I won’t forget. Good-bye. [_Bertha goes off -through the wood. Janet watches her go and there -is a pause._) Yes, she _is_ pretty, Monty. Very -pretty. - - - -MONTY - -_(nods)_ - -You don’t mind? - - - -JANET - -Her being pretty? Of course not. It’s a -justification. - - - -MONTY - -A justification? - - - -JANET - -For forgetting me - - - -MONTY - -_(impulsively, seizing her hands)_ - -Janet, I’ve never done that. You know I haven’t. - - - -JANET - -_(drawing back)_ - -No, Monty. Not again. [_Pause._ - - - -MONTY - -I say, I as nearly as possible called you Janet -right out before Bertha. - - - -JANET - -So I saw. You _did_ call me Miss De Mullin, by -the way,--which wasn’t very clever of you. - - - -MONTY - -Did I? What an ass I am! But I don’t suppose she -noticed. - - - -JANET - -I dare say not. _(A shrill cry comes from the -wood on the right. Then silence. Janet starts -up.)_ What was that? - - - -MONTY - -I don’t know. - - - -JANET - -It sounded like a child. Where did it come from? -Over here, didn’t it? - - - -MONTY - -I think so. - - - -JANET - -_(alarmed)_ - -I hope Johnny... I must go and see... _(A moment -later Johnny runs in, sobbing, followed by Mrs. -De Mullin and Bertha.)_ Johnny! What is it, my -sweetheart? - -[_Runs to him._ - - - -JOHNNY - -Oh, Mummie, Mummie, I was running after the -rabbits and I tripped over some nettles and they -stung me. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He put his foot in a hole, Janet. He fell just -as I met Bertha _(shakes hands with Monty)_. How -do you do Mr. Bulstead. - - - -JANET - -There! There! my pet. Did it hurt very much? -Mother shall kiss it and make it well. - - - -JOHNNY (sobs) - -Oh-h-h--- [_Does so._ - - - -BERTHA - -Is he your son? - - - -JANET - -Yes. Don’t cry any more, dear. Brave boys don’t -cry, you know. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(gasps)_ - -It h-hurts so. - - - -JANET - -I know. But crying won’t make it hurt less, will -it? So you must dry your eyes. Come now. - - - -JOHNNY - -All right, Mummie. - -[_Stills sobs gradually._ - - - -BERTHA - -_(astonished)_ - -I’d no idea you were married, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Hadn’t you? - - - -BERTHA - -No. When was it? - - - -JANET - -Eight years ago. Nearly nine. To Mr. Seagrave. - - - -BERTHA - -Is he down here with you? - - - -JANET - -No. My husband died soon after our marriage. - - - -BERTHA - -Poor Janet. I’m so sorry _(pause)_. And it was -before your marriage that Monty met you? - - - -JANET - -How do you know? - - - -BERTHA - -_(quite unsuspicious)_ - -He called you Miss De Mullin. - - - -JANET - -Of course. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(pricking up her ears -suspiciously at this.)_ - -I didn’t know you had met my daughter before, -Mr. Bulstead. - - - -BERTHA - -Nor did I. They met down at Weymouth quite by -chance eight or nine years ago. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(gravely)_ - -Indeed? - - - -MONTY - -Yes... I say, Bertha, excuse my interrupting -you. but we really must be off now if we’re not -to be late. - - - -BERTHA - -You want to win that bet! - - - -MONTY - -The bet’s off. There’s no time to give you any -start. I must come too or I shan’t be in time -myself and the Governor will simply curse. - - - -BERTHA - -Is Mr. Bulstead _very_ fierce if people are late -for dinner? - - - -MONTY - -Simply beastly. - - - -BERTHA - -How very unpleasant! I wonder if I’m wise to -marry into the family? - -[_Shaking hands merrily with Mrs. DeMullin and -Janet. Then goes off r., laughing merrily._ - - - -MONTY - -_(sardonically)_ - -I wonder _(shakes hands with Mrs. De Mullin and -Janet)_. Will you give me a kiss, old chap? - -[_To Johnny._ - - - -JOHNNY - -That’s three times. - -[_Monty nods._ - -[_Monty follows Bertha off r. A long pause. Mrs. -De Mullin looks fixedly at Janet. Janet looks at -the ground._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(slowly)_ - -Mr. Montague Bulstead seems unusually fond of -children, Janet. - - - -JANET - -Does he, mother? - -[_She does not look up._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yes. Johnny is rather old to be kissed by -strangers. - - - -JANET - -I supposed he kissed him because he was brave -about being stung. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He seems to have kissed him before. Twice. - - - -JANET - -I dare say. I didn’t notice. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Johnny did, apparently. - - - -JANET - -Well, it doesn’t matter anyway, does it? _(Looks -up defiantly. Meets her mother’s eyes full on -her)_ Why do you look at me like that, mother? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Send Johnny away for a little, Janet. I want to -speak to you. - - - -JANET - -I’d rather not, mother. He might hurt himself -again. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He will be quite safe. Run away, Johnny. But -don’t go too far. - - - -JOHNNY - -All right, grandmother. - -[_Johnny trots off into the wood. Pause._ - - - -JANET - -_(defiantly)_ - -Well, mother? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, why did you never tell us you had met Mr. -Bulstead before? - - - -JANET - -When? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Any time during the last three days, when we -were speaking of his engagement. - - - -JANET - -I’d forgotten all about it, mother. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Indeed? And why didn’t you tell us eight years -ago, when you met him at Weymouth, when you were -still “Miss De Mullin”? - - - -JANET - -Mother, don’t badger me like this. If you want -to ask me anything ask it. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, Mr. Bulstead is Johnny’s father. - - - -JANET - -Mr. Bulstead? Absurd! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Then why did you pretend not to have met him? -Why did you conceal the fact of your meeting -him from us eight years ago? And why has -he concealed the fact from Bertha and the -Bulsteads? - -[_Pause._ - - - -JANET - -_(resignedly)_ - -Very well, mother, if you’re determined to know -you must know. Yes, he’s Johnny’s father. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Oh, Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(irritably)_ - -Well, mother, if you didn’t want to know you -shouldn’t have asked. I told you not to -worry me. _(Mrs. De Mullin begins to cry. -Remorsefully,)_ - -There, there, mother! Don’t cry. I’m sorry I was -cross to you. Don’t let’s talk any more about -it. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(snuffling)_ - -No, Janet, we _must_ talk about it. There’s no -use trying to hide things any longer. You must -tell me the truth. - - - -JANET - -Much better not, mother. It won’t give you any -pleasure to hear. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Still, I’d rather know, Janet. - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -As you please. What do you want me to tell you? -Mrs. De Mullin - -Everything. How did you come to be at Weymouth? -I don’t remember your staying at Weymouth eight -years ago. - - - -JANET - -I wasn’t staying there. But Monty was. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(shocked)_ - -Monty! - - - -JANET - -Mr. Bulstead. Oh, what _does_ it matter now? - -He’d had typhoid and was there to recruit. I’d -ridden over on my bicycle... - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(lamentably)_ - -Bicycle! I always said it was all through -bicycling. - - - -JANET - -_(another shrug)_ - -He ran into me, or I ran into him. I was rather -shaken, and he asked me to come in and rest. -It happened close to the house where he was -lodging. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You went in! To his lodgings! A man you had -never met before! - - - -JANET - -My dear mother, when you have been thrown off -a bicycle, ordinary conventions cease to apply. -Besides, as a matter of fact, we _had_ met once -before--the day before, in fact. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Where? - - - -JANET - -Here. By this very stile. Monty was riding past -and he asked me the way to somewhere--Thoresby, -I think. I was standing by the stile. Next day I -happened to ride into Weymouth. We collided--and -the rest you know. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sternly)_ - -Were those the _only_ times you met him, Janet? - - - -JANET - -Of course not, mother. After the Weymouth -collision we met constantly, nearly every day. -We used to meet out riding and I had tea with -him lots of times in his rooms. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(horrified)_ - -How long did this go on? - - - -JANET - -More than a month--till he left Weymouth, in -fact. Now, mother, is that all you want to know? -Because if so we’ll drop the subject. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Oh, Janet, what _will_ your father say! - - - -JANET - -Father? He won’t know. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Won’t know? But I must tell him. - - - -JANET - -Good heavens, why? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -In order that Mr. Bulstead may marry you, of -course. Your father will insist on his marrying -you. - - - -JANET - -If father attempts to do that, mother, I shall -deny the whole story. And Monty will back me up. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He would never be so wicked. - - - -JANET - -He would have to if I ask him. It’s the least he -could do. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Johnny is there to prove it. - - - -JANET - -There’s nothing to prove that Monty is Johnny’s -father. Nothing whatever. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -But, Janet, _why_ won’t you marry him? - - - -JANET - -_(impatiently)_ - -My dear mother, because I don’t want to, of -course. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You don’t _want_ to? - - - -JANET - -Great heavens, no. Why should I? Monty Bulstead -isn’t at all the sort of man I should care to -_marry_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Why not? - - - -JANET - -Frankly, mother, because he’s not interesting -enough. Monty’s a very nice fellow and I like -him very much, but I don’t want to pass the -remainder of my life with him. If I’m to marry -anybody--and I don’t think I shall--it will have -to be a rather more remarkable person than Monty -Bulstead. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Yet you _did_ love him, Janet. You must have -loved him... then. - - - -JANET - -Oh yes. Then. But that was ages ago, before -Johnny was born. After that I didn’t care for -anybody any more except Johnny. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -But, Janet, you _ought_ to marry him, for -Johnny’s sake. - - - -JANET - -Too late, mother. That should have been eight -years ago to be any use. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Better too late than not at all. - - - -JANET - -Better not at all than too late. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -He seduced you, Janet. - - - -JANET - -_(thoughtfully)_ - -Did he? I was twenty-seven. He was twenty. If -either of us was to blame, wasn’t it I? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, you’re trying to screen him. - - - -JANET - -Dearest mother, you talk like a sentimental -novel. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(indignantly)_ - -And he’s to be allowed to marry Bertha Aldenham, -just as if this had never happened? - - - -JANET - -Why not? It’s not _her_ fault, is it? And -girls find it difficult enough to get married -nowadays, goodness knows. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Still, she _ought_ to be told, Janet. I think -_she must_ be told. - - - -JANET - -My dear mother, if _she_ knows everybody will -know, and the scandal will make all the dead -and gone De Mullins turn in their graves. As for -father it would simply kill him out of hand. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sadly)_ - -Poor father. - - - -JANET - -_(briskly)_ - -So, on the whole, I don’t think we’ll tell any -one. Come, mother, it’s time we started. _(More -kindly)_ Poor mother. Don’t fret. Perhaps Hester -will have some news to cheer you when we get -home. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hester? - - - -JANET - -_(rallying her)_ - -An engagement, mother. Hester’s engagement. -Hester and Mr. Brown have been decorating -the church for the last _four_ hours. What an -opportunity for a declaration! Or don’t people -propose in church? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, how can you laugh after what has -happened? - - - -JANET - -Laugh? Of course I can laugh. What else is there -to do? Let’s go home. Johnny! Johnny! _(calls)_. - -[_By this time twilight is falling. A full moon -has begun to risey lighting uf the scene._ - - - -JOHNNY - -_(off r.)_ - -Yes, Mummie. - - - -JANET - -Come along, dear. Mother’s going to start. -Johnny _(off r.)_ - -All right, Mummie. _(entering r.)_ Oh, Mummie, -you’ve not seen my rabbits yet! - - - -JANET - -No. It’s too dark to-night. Mother must come and -see them another time. - - - -JOHNNY - -You won’t forget, will you, Mummie? _(looking -at Mrs. De Mullin)_ Grandmother, you’ve been -crying. Is that because I stung myself with a -nettle? - - - -JANET - -Little egoist! Of course it is. Give your -grandmother a kiss and we’ll all walk home -together. - -[_Mrs. De Mullin stoop and kisses Johnny -passionately. They go off through the gate and -the curtain falls._ - - - - -ACT III - - -Five days have passed since Act II - -_Scene:_ As in Act I - -_Time:_ Late afternoon - - -[_When the curtain rises Mrs. Clouston, Mrs. De -Mullin, and Janet are on the stage. The nervous -tension of the last few days has clearly told on -Janet, who looks feverish and irritable._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(speaking off into the hall on -the right)_ Good-bye. Good-bye. - - - -JANET - -_(who is standing about c., scornfully)_ -Good-bye! Good-bye! - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(shocked)_ - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(fiercely)_ - -How many times a week does that Bulstead woman -think it necessary to call on us? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(sitting)_ - -She doesn’t call very often. - - - -JANET - -She’s been three times this week. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(closing door r.)_ - -Naturally she wants to hear how your father is, -dear. - - - -JANET - -_(irritably)_ - -My dear mother, what _can_ it matter to Mrs. -Bulstead whether father lives or dies? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(exasperated)_ - -Well, mother, do you seriously believe she -cares? Or Miss Deanes? Or Miss Rolt? Or any of -these people? They only call because they’ve -nothing better to do. It’s sheer mental vacuity -on their part. Besides, father’s perfectly well -now. They know that. But they go on _calling, -calling!_ I wonder Miss Deanes doesn’t bring her -cockatoo to inquire. - -[_Tramps to and fro impatiently._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Really, Janet, I can’t think what’s the matter -with you. Do sit down and try and exercise some -selfcontrol. - - - -JANET - -I’ve no self-control where these Brendon people -are concerned. They get on my nerves, every one -of them.... Where’s Johnny? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -In the garden, I think, - - - -JANET - -Sensible boy! He’s had enough of visitors for -one day, I’ll be bound. I’ll go out and join -him. - -[_Goes out angrily._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -I can’t think what’s come to Janet the last day -or two. Her temper gets worse and worse. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Perhaps it’s only the hot weather. No De -Mullin--- - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Nonsense, Jane, don’t be foolish. We can’t have -_Janet_ giving way to that sort of thing at her -age. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I’m afraid she is rather irritable just now. She -flew out quite savagely at Hester to-day just -after luncheon. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Why was that? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Because of something she had been teaching -Johnny. The Athanasian Creed I think it was. -Yes, it must have been that because Johnny asked -Janet what was meant by three Incomprehensibles. -Janet asked him where he had heard all that and -Johnny said Aunt Hester had taught it to him. -Janet was very angry and forbade Hester ever to -teach him anything again. Hester was quite hurt -about it. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Naturally. Still, I do think Hester might have -chosen something else to teach him. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -That was what Janet said. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -But that’s no reason why she shouldn’t behave -herself when visitors are here. She was quite -rude to Mrs. Bulstead. What they think of her -in London when she goes on like this I can’t -imagine. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Perhaps she isn’t like this in London. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Of course she is, Jane. Worse. Here she has the -restraining influences of home life. Whereas in -London, living alone as she does... - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She has Johnny. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -She has Johnny, of course. But that’s not -enough. She ought to have a husband to look -after her. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sighs)_ - -Yes. - -[_Seats herself slowly beside her sister._ - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Where’s Hester? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -At church, I expect. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Church! Why the girl’s always at church. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -It’s a Wednesday. And it does no harm, I think. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Let us hope not, Jane. - -[_De Mullin enters by the door on the left. He -has evidently got over his recent attack and -looks comparatively hale and vigorous._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Have you had your nap, Hugo? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. The sunset woke me, I suppose. It was -shining full on my face. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -What a pity it woke you. - - - -DE MULLIN - -It didn’t matter. I’ve slept enough... _(wanders -towards sofa, c.)_. Where’s Johnny? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -In the garden, I think, with Janet. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(wanders to window, c., and looks -out)_ - -Yes. There he is. He’s playing hide and seek -with Ellen.... Now she’s caught him. No, he’s -got away. Bravo, Johnny! _(Stands watching -intently for a while. Then turns and comes down -c.)_ What a fine little fellow it is! A true De -Mullin! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Do you think so, Hugo? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Every inch of him! _(pause, sits c., half to -himself)_ If only Janet had been married! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(sighs)_ - -Yes. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(musing)_ - -I wonder who the father really was. _(looking -up)_ She has never told you, Jane, I suppose? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(steadily, without looking up)_ - -No, Hugo. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -And never will. Nobody was ever so obstinate as -Janet. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(nods sadly)_ - - - -JANET always had plenty of will. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Far too much! [_pause._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You’ll quite miss Johnny when he goes away from -us, Won’t you, Hugo. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. I never thought I could grow so fond of a -child. The house will seem empty without him. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I shall miss him too. - - - -DE MULLIN - -We shall all miss him. _(pause, thoughtfully)_ I -wonder if Janet would leave him with us when she -goes back to London? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Leave him with us? Altogether, you mean? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I’m afraid not, Hugo. In fact, I’m quite sure -she would not. She’s so fond of Johnny. - - - -DE MULLIN - -I suppose she wouldn’t _(pause)_. I was greatly -shocked at what you told me about her the other -day, Harriet. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -About her keeping a shop, you mean? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. And going into partnership with a -Miss Higgs or Hicks. It all sounds most -discreditable. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Deplorable. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(meekly)_ - -She had to do something to keep herself, Hugo. - - - -DE MULLIN - -No doubt. Still, it can’t be considered a proper -sort of position for my daughter. I think she -must give it up at once. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -She would only have to take to something else. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Not necessarily. She might come back here to -live with us... with Johnny, of course. - -Mrs. De. Mullin _(astonished)_ - -_Live_ with us? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Why not, Jane? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Well, of course if _you_ think so, Hugo. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Are you sure you will like to have Janet living -at home again, Hugo? - - - -DE MULLIN - -I think it might be the best arrangement. And -I shall like to have Johnny here. He’s our only -descendant, Harriet, the last of the De Mullins. -If you or Jane had had a son it would be -different. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(sighs)_ - -Yes. - - - -DE MULLIN - -As it is I don’t see how we can do -anything-better than have them both down -here--as Jane doesn’t think Janet would part -with Johnny. It would be better for Janet -too. It would take her away from her present -unsatisfactory surroundings. It would give her -a position and independence--everything she now -lacks. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -I should have thought she was _independent_ now, - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(irritably)_ - -My dear Jane, how can a woman possibly be -independent whose income comes out of selling -hats? The only form of independence that is -possible or desirable for a woman is that she -shall be dependent upon her husband or, if she -is unmarried, on her nearest male relative. I am -sure _you_ agree with me, Harriet? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Quite, Hugo. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Very well. I will speak to her about it at once. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(nervously)_ - -I hardly think I would say anything about it -to-day, Hugo. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Why not, Jane? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Well, she seems nervous and irritable to-day. I -think I should put it off for a day or two. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(testily)_ - -My dear Jane, you are always procrastinating. If -such an arrangement is to be made the sooner -it is made the better. _(Goes to window, c., -calls)_ Janet my dear. Janet. - -[_Pause. Then Janet appears at window, c._ - - - -JANET - -Did you call me, father? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. Come to me for a moment. I want to speak -to you. _(De Mullin wanders undecidedly to the -fireplace. A moment later Janet enters from the -garden.)_ Is Johnny with you? - - - -JANET - -No. He’s having tea with Ellen. I said he might. - -[_Pause. Janet comes down._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -Janet, your mother and I have been talking over -your future. - - - -JANET - -Have you, father? - -[_With a quick glance at her mother. Mrs. De -Mullin, however, makes no sign._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. We have come to the conclusion that it -would be better for you to come back here to -live. - -[_Janet faces round towards her father._ - - - -JANET - -But what would become of the business? - - - -DE MULLIN - -You will have to give up the business, of -course. So much the better. You never ought to -have gone into it. It was not at all a suitable -occupation for you. - - - -JANET - -But I like it, father. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_Like_ it! A De Mullin _like_ keeping a shop! -Impossible. - - - -JANET - -_(firmly)_ - -Yes, Aunt Harriet, I like it. And I’m proud of -it. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(sharply)_ - -Nonsense, Janet. Nobody can possibly be proud of -keeping a shop. - - - -JANET - -_I_ am. I made it, you see. It’s my child, like -Johnny. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(amazed)_ - - - -JANET! Do you understand what you’re doing? I -offer you the chance of returning to Brendon to -live as my daughter. - - - -JANET - -_(indifferently)_ - -I quite understand, father. And I’m much obliged -for the offer. Only I decline it. That’s all. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Really! - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(with dignity)_ - -The question is, are you to be allowed to -decline it, in Johnny’s interests if not your -own? - - - -JANET - -Johnny’s? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Yes. Johnny’s. As long as he was a child it -made little difference where he was brought up. -Relatively little that is. Now he is getting -to an age when early associations are -all-important. Living here at Brendon in the -home of his ancestors he will grow up worthy of -the race from which he is descended. He will be -a true De Mullin. - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -Perhaps I don’t want him to be a true De Mullin, -father. - - - -DE MULLIN - -What do you mean? - - - -JANET - -My dear father, you’re infatuated about your De -Mullins. Who are the De Mullins, after all? -Mere country squires who lived on here down at -Brendon generation after generation. What have -they ever done that I should want Johnny to be -like them? Nothing. There’s not one of them who -has ever distinguished himself in the smallest -degree or made his name known outside his native -village. The De Mullins are, and have always -been, nobodies. Look at their portraits. Is -there a single one of them that is worth a -second glance? Why they never even had the -brains to be painted by a decent artist. With -the result that they aren’t worth the canvas -they’re painted on. Or is it board? I’d make a -bonfire of them if they were mine. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(impatiently)_ - -I would. You seem to think there’s some peculiar -virtue about always living in the same place. I -believe in people uprooting themselves and doing -something with their lives. What was the good of -the De Mullins going on living down here century -after century, always a little poorer and a -little poorer, selling a farm here, mortgaging -another there, instead of going out into the -world to seek their fortunes? We’ve stayed too -long in one place, we De Mullins. We shall never -be worth anything sleeping away our lives down -at Brendon. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(sharply)_ - -Janet, you are talking foolishly. What you say -only makes it clearer to me that you cannot -be allowed to live by yourself in London any -longer. Such a life is demoralizing to you. You -must come back to Brendon. - - - -JANET - -I shall not come back to Brendon, father. On -that I am quite determined. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(with dignity)_ - -My dear, this is not a matter that rests with -you. My mind is made up. Hitherto I have only -asked you to return. Do not force me to command -you. - - - -JANET - -_(fiercely)_ - -Command? By what right do you command? - - - -DE MULLIN - -By the right of a father, Janet. By that right I -insist on your obedience. - - - -JANET - -_(losing her temper)_ - -Obedience! Obedience! I owe no one obedience. -I am of full age and can order my life as I -please. Is a woman never to be considered old -enough to manage her own affairs? Is she to go -down to her grave everlastingly under tutelage? -Is she always to be obeying a father when she’s -not obeying a husband? Well, I, for one, will -not submit to such nonsense. I’m sick of this -everlasting _obedience_. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(fiercely)_ - - - -JANET...! - -[_Door opens l. Ellen enters with the lamp. -There is a considerable pause, during which -Ellen puts down the lamp, turns it up, pulls -down the blind and begins to draw the curtains. -In the middle of the last process De Mullin -intervenes._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -(irritably) - -You can leave the curtains, Ellen. - - - -ELLEN - -Very well, sir. - -[_Exit Ellen l. with maddening deliberation. -Pause._ - - - -JANET - -Father, I’m sorry if what I said vexed you. -Perhaps I spoke too strongly. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(with great dignity)_ - -Very well, Janet. You will remain with us. - - - -JANET - -No, father, that’s not possible. For Johnny’s -sake, as well as my own, it would be madness for -us to live down here. - - - -DE MULLIN - -For Johnny’s sake? - - - -JANET - -Yes, Johnny’s. In London we’re not known, he and -I. There he’s simply Johnny Seagrave, the son of -a respectable widow who keeps a hat-shop. Here -he is the son of Janet De Mullin who ran away -from home one night eight years ago and whose -name was never mentioned again by her parents -until one fine day she turned up with an -eight-year-old boy and said she was married. How -long would they take to see through _that_ story -down here, do you think? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -_(tartly)_ - -Whose fault is that? - - - -JANET - -Never mind whose fault it is, Aunt Harriet. The -question is, will they see through it or will -they not? Of course, they _know_ nothing so far, -but I’ve no doubt they suspect. What else have -people to do down here but suspect other people? -Miss Deanes murmurs her doubts to Mrs. Bulstead -and Mrs. Bulstead shakes her head to Miss -Deanes. Mrs. Bulstead! What right has _she_ to -look down that huge nose of hers at _me!_ She’s -had _ten_ children! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - - - -JANET! She’s married. - - - -JANET - -To Mr. Bulstead! That vulgar animal! You don’t -ask me to consider that a _merit_, do you? No, -Mrs. Bulstead shan’t have the chance of sneering -at Johnny if _I_ can help it. Or at me either. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet, listen to me. You don’t understand how -your father feels about this or how much it -means to him. Johnny is his only grandchild--our -only descendant. He would adopt him and call him -De Mullin, and then the name would not die out. -You know how much your father thinks of that and -how sorry he has always been that I never had a -son. - - - -JANET - -_(more gently)_ - -I know, mother. But when Hester marries... - - - -HESTER? - - - -DE MULLIN - - - -JANET - -Yes. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(turning angrily to his wife)_ - -But whom is Hester going to marry? Is she going -to marry? I have heard nothing about this. -What’s this, Jane? Has something been kept from -me? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -No, no, Hugo. Nothing has been kept from you. -It’s only some fancy of Janet’s. She thinks Mr. -Brown is going to propose to Hester. There’s -nothing in it, really. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Mr. Brown! Impossible! - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Quite impossible! - - - -JANET - -_(calmly)_ - -Why impossible, father? - - - -DE MULLIN - -He would never dare to do such a thing. _Mr. -Brown_ to have the audacity to propose to _my_ -daughter! - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -Why not, father? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(bubbling with rage)_ - -Because he is not of a suitable position. -Because the _De Mullins_ cannot be expected to -marry people of _that_ class. Because... - - - -JANET - -_(shrugs)_ - -I dare say Mr. Brown won’t think of all that. -Anyhow, I hope he won’t. I hope he’ll propose -to Hester and she’ll accept him and then when -they’ve a whole herd of little Browns you can -select one of them and make a De Mullin of him, -poor little wretch. - -_[At this moment Hester enters from the garden. -An uncomfortable silence falls_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hush, hush, Janet. Here is Hester. Is that you, -Hester? Have you come from church? - - - -HESTER - -Yes, mother. - -_[She comes down, her face looking pale and -drawn, and stands by her mother._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -You’re very late, dear. - - - -HESTER - -A little, I stayed on after service was over. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -How very eccentric of you! - - - -HESTER - -_(quietly)_ - -I suppose saying one’s prayers does seem -eccentric to you, Aunt Harriet? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -My dear Hester, considering you’d only just -finished _one_ service... - - - -JANET - -_(who has not noticed the look on her -sister’s face)_ - -Well, Aunt Harriet, who was right? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Hush, Janet! - - - -JANET - -_(gaily)_ - -My dear mother, what on earth is there to “hush” - about? And what on earth is there to keep Hester -in church half an hour after service is over, if -it’s not what I told you? - - - -HESTER - -What do you mean? - - - -JANET - -Nothing, dear. Come and give me a kiss. - -[_Pulling her towards her._ - - - -HESTER {repulsing her roughly) - -I won’t. Leave me alone, Janet. What has she -been saying about me, mother? I insist on -knowing. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Nothing, dear. Only some nonsense about you and -Mr. Brown. Janet is always talking nonsense. - - - -JANET - -Yes, Hester. About you and Mr. Brown. _Your_ Mr. -Brown. Confess he has asked you to marry him as -I said? - - - -HESTER - -_(slowly)_ - -Mr. Brown is engaged to be married to Agatha -Bulstead. He told me so this evening after -service. - - - -JANET - -He told you! - - - -HESTER - -Yes. He asked me to congratulate him. - - - -JANET - -The little wretch! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -To Agatha Bulstead? That’s the plain one, isn’t -it? - - - -HESTER - -The third one. Yes. - - - -JANET - -The plain one! Good heavens, it oughtn’t to be -allowed. The children will be little monsters. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -So that’s why you were so long at church? - - - -HESTER - -Yes. I was praying that they might be happy. - - - -JANET - -Poor Hester! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Are you disappointed, dear? - - - -HESTER - -I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind, -mother. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Your father would never have given his consent. - - - -HESTER - -So Mr. Brown said. - - - -JANET - -The little _worm_. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -My dear! - - - -JANET - -Well, mother, isn’t it too contemptible? - - - -DE MULLIN - -I’m bound to say Mr. Brown seems to have behaved -in a very fitting manner. - - - -JANET - -You think so, father? - - - -DE MULLIN - -Certainly. He saw what my objections would -be and recognized that they were reasonable. -Nothing could be more proper. - - - -JANET - -Well, father. I don’t know what you do want. Ten -minutes ago you were supposed to be wanting a -grandson to adopt. Here’s Hester going the right -way to provide one, and you don’t like that -either. - - - -HESTER - -What is all this about, father? What have you -all been discussing while I’ve been out? - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -It was nothing about you, Hester. - - - -HESTER - -I’m not sure of that, mother. Anyhow I should -like to hear what it was. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Hester, that is not at all a proper tone to use -in speaking to your mother. - - - -HESTER - -_(fiercely)_ - -Please don’t interfere, Aunt Harriet. I suppose -I can be trusted to speak to my mother properly -by this time. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -You certainly ought to, my dear. You are quite -old enough. - - - -HESTER - -Very well then. Perhaps you will be good enough -not to dictate to me in future. What was it you -were discussing, father? - - - -JANET - -I’ll tell you, Hester. Father wanted to adopt -Johnny. He wanted me to come down here to live -altogether. - - - -HESTER - -Indeed? Well, father, understand, please, that -if Janet comes down here to live _I go!_ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - - -Hester! - - - -HESTER - -I will not live in the same house with Janet. -Nothing shall induce me. I would rather beg my -bread. - - - -JANET - -That settles it then. Thanks, Hester. I’m glad -you had the pluck to say that. You are right. -Quite right. - - - -HESTER - -I can do without _your_ approval, Janet. - - - -JANET - -_(recklessly)_ - -Of course you can. But you can have it all the -same. You never wanted me down here. You always -disapproved of my being sent for. I ought never -to have come. I wish I hadn’t come. My coming -has only done harm to Hester, as she knew it -would. - - - -DE MULLIN - -How harm? - - - -JANET - -Mr. Brown would have asked Hester to marry him -if I hadn’t come. He meant to; I’m sure of it. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -But he said... - - - -JANET - -I know. But that was only an excuse. Young -men aren’t so considerate of their future -fathers-inlaw as all that nowadays. No. Mr. -Brown heard some story about me from Miss -Deanes. Or perhaps the Vicar put him on his -guard. Isn’t it so, Hester? - -[_Hester nods._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -But as your father would never have consented, -dear... - - - -HESTER - -_(slowly)_ - -Still, I’d rather he had asked me, mother. - - - -JANET - -Quite right, Hester! I’m glad you’ve got -some wholesome feminine vanity left in your -composition. And you’d have said “yes,” like a -sensible woman. - - - -HESTER - -Oh, you’re always sneering! - - - -JANET - -Yes. But I’m _going_, Hester, _going! That’s_ -great thing! Keep your eyes fixed steadily on -that and you’ll be able to bear anything else. -That reminds me. _(Goes to door, l., and calls -loudly into the hall.)_ Johnny! Johnny! - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Really, Janet! - - - -JANET - -Oh, I forgot. It’s not genteel to call into -the passage, is it? I ought to have rung. I -apologise, Aunt Harriet. _(Calls again)_ Johnny! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Why are you calling Johnny? - - - -JANET - -To tell him to put on his hat and coat, mother -dear. I’m going to the station. - - - -DE MULLIN - -You’re going to-night? - - - -JANET - -Yes, father, to-night. I’ve done harm enough -down here. I’m going away. - - - -JOHNNY - -_(entering l.)_ - -Do you want me, Mummie? - - - -JANET - -Yes. Run and put on your things and say goodbye -to Cook and Ellen and tell Robert to put in the -pony. Mother’s going back to London. - - - -JOHNNY - -Are we going now, Mummie? - - - -JANET - -_(nods)_ - -As fast as the train can carry us. And tell -Ellen to lock my trunk for me and give you the -key. Run along. - -_[Exit Johnny, l._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -Lock your trunk! But you’ve not _packed?_ - - - -JANET - -Oh yes, I have. Everything’s packed, down to my -last shoelace. I don’t know how often I haven’t -packed and unpacked during the last five days. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -_(astonished and hurt)_ - -You meant to leave us then, Janet? You’ve been -_wanting_ to leave us all the time? - - - -JANET - -Yes, mother. I’ve been wanting to leave you. I -can’t stay here any longer. Brendon stifles -me. It has too many ghosts. I suppose it’s your -ridiculous De Mullins. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -I know, father. That’s blasphemy, isn’t it? But -I can’t help it. I must go. I’ve been meaning to -tell you every day for the last four days, but -somehow I always put it off. - - - -DE MULLIN - -Understand me, Janet. If you leave this house -to-night you leave it for ever. - - - -JANET - -_(cheerfully)_ - -All right, father. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(growing angrier)_ - -Understand, too, that if you leave it you are -never to hold any communication either with me -or with any one in it henceforward. You are cut -off from the family. I will never see you or -recognize you in any way, or speak to you again -as long as I live. - - - -JANET - -_(astonished)_ - -My dear father, why are you so angry? Is there -anything so dreadful in my wanting to live in -London instead of in the country? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(getting more and more excited)_ - -Why am I angry! Why am I...! - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Sh! Hugo! You mustn’t excite yourself. You know -the doctor said... - - - -DE MULLIN - -Be quiet, Jane! _(turning furiously to Janet)_ -Why am I angry! You disgrace the family. You -have a child, that poor fatherless boy.... - - - -JANET - -_(quietly)_ - -Oh come, I could have got along quite well -without a father if it comes to that. And so -could Hester. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -Well, mother, what has father ever done for -Hester or me except try and prevent us from -doing something we wanted to do? Hester wanted -to marry Mr. Brown. Father wouldn’t have allowed -her. He’s not genteel enough to marry a De -Mullin. I want to go back to my shop. Father -objects to that. That’s not genteel enough for a -De Mullin either. Well, hang all the De Mullins, -say I. - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(furious)_ - -I forbid you to speak of your family in that -way-of _my_ family! I forbid it! It is an -outrage. Your ancestors were honourable men and -pure women. They did their duty in the position -in which they were born, and handed on their -name untarnished to their children. Hitherto our -honour has been unsullied. You have sullied it. -You have brought shame upon your parents and -shame upon your son, and that shame you can -never wipe out. If you had in you a spark of -human feeling, if you were not worthless and -heartless you would blush to look me in the face -or your child in the face. But you are utterly -hardened. I ought never to have offered to -receive you back into this house. I ought never -to have consented to see you again. I was wrong. -I regret it. You are unfit for the society of -decent people. Go back to London. Take up the -wretched trade you practise there. It is what -you are fit for. - - - -JANET - -That’s exactly what I think, father. As we agree -about it why make such a fuss? - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(furious)_ - -Janet.... - - - -HESTER - -Father, don’t argue with her. It’s no use. -_(solemnly)_ Leave her to God. - - - -JANET - -Hester, Hester, don’t deceive yourself. In your -heart you envy me my baby, and you know it. - - - -HESTER - -_(indignant)_ - -I do not. - - - -JANET - -You do. Time is running on with you, my dear. -You’re twenty-eight. Just the age that I was -when I met my lover. Yes, my lover. In a few -years you will be too old for love, too old to -have children. So soon it passeth away and we -are gone. Your best years are slipping by and -you are growing faded and cross and peevish. -Already the lines are hardening about your mouth -and the hollows coming under your eyes. You -will be an old woman before your time unless you -marry and have children. And what will you do -then? Keep a lap-dog, I suppose, or sit up at -night with a sick cockatoo like Miss Deanes. -Miss Deanes! Even she has a heart somewhere -about her. Do you imagine she wouldn’t -rather give it to her babies than snivel over -_poultry?_ No, Hester, make good use of your -youth, my dear. It won’t last always. And once -gone it is gone for ever. _(Hester bursts into -tears.)_ There, there, Hester! I’m sorry. I -oughtn’t to have spoken like that. It wasn’t -kind. Forgive me. _(Hester weep more and more -violently.)_ Hester, don’t cry like that. I -can’t bear to hear you. I was angry and said -more than I should. I didn’t mean to vex you. -Come, dear, you mustn’t give way like that or -you’ll make yourself ill. Dry your eyes and let -me see you smile. _(Caressing her. Hester, who -has begun by resisting her feebly, gradually -allows herself to be soothed.)_ That’s better! -My dear, what a sight you’ve made of yourself! -But all women are hideous when they’ve been -crying. It makes their noses red and that’s -dreadfully unbecoming. _(Hester sobs out a -laugh)_. No. You mustn’t begin to cry again or I -shall scold you. I shall, really. - - - -HESTER - -_(half laughing, half crying -hysterically)_ - -You seem to think every woman ought to behave as -shamefully as you did. - - - -JANET - -_(grimly)_ - -No, Hester. I don’t think that. To do as I did -needs pluck and brains--and five hundred pounds. -Everything most women haven’t got, poor things. -So they must marry or remain childless. You must -marry--the next curate. I suppose the Bulsteads -will buy Mr. Brown a living as he’s marrying the -plainest of the daughters. It’s the least they -can do. But that’s no reason why _I_ should -marry unless I choose. - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON - -Well, I’ve never heard of anything so -disgraceful. I thought Janet at least had the -grace to be ashamed of what she did! - - - -JANET - -_(genuinely astonished)_ - -Ashamed? Ashamed of wanting to have a child? -What on earth were women created for, Aunt -Harriet, if not to have children? - - - -MRS. CLOUSTON To _marry_ and have children. - - - -JANET - -_(with relentless logic)_ - -My dear Aunt Harriet, women had children -thousands of years before marriage was invented. -I dare say they will go on doing so thousands of -years after it has ceased to exist. - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -Well, mother, that’s how I feel. And I believe -it’s how all wholesome women feel if they would -only acknowledge it. I _wanted_ to have a child. -I always did from the time when I got too old to -play with dolls. Not an adopted child or a child -of some one else’s, but a baby of my very own. -Of course I wanted to marry. That’s the ordinary -way a woman wants to be a mother nowadays, -I suppose. But time went on and nobody came -forward, and I saw myself getting old and my -chance slipping away. Then I met-never mind. And -I fell in love with him. Or perhaps I only -fell in love with love. I don’t know. It was -so splendid to find some one at last who really -cared for me as women should be cared for! -Not to talk to because I was clever or to play -tennis with because I was strong, but to kiss me -and to make love to me! Yes! To make love to me! - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(solemnly)_ - -Listen to me, my girl. You say that now, and I -dare say you believe it. But when you are older, -when Johnny is grown up, you will bitterly -repent having brought into the world a child who -can call no man father. - - - -JANET - -_(passionately)_ - -Never! Never! That I’m sure of. Whatever -happens, even if Johnny should come to hate me -for what I did, I shall always be glad to have -been his mother. At least I shall have lived. -These poor women who go through life listless -and dull, who have never felt the joys and the -pains a mother feels, how they would envy me if -they knew! If they knew! To know that a child is -your very own, is a part of you. That you have -faced sickness and pain and death itself for it. -That it is yours and nothing can take it from -you because no one can understand its wants as -you do. To feel it’s soft breath on your cheek, -to soothe it when it is fretful and still it -when it cries, that is motherhood and that is -glorious! - -[_Johnny runs in by the door on the left. He is -obviously in the highest spirits at the thought -of going home._ - - - -JOHNNY - -The trap is round, Mummie, and the luggage is -in. - - - -JANET - -That’s right. Good-bye, father. _(He does not -move)_ Say good-bye to your grandfather, Johnny. -You won’t see him again. - -[_De Mullin kisses Johnny._ - - - -MRS. DE MULLIN - -Janet! - - - -JANET - -No, mother. It’s best not. _(Kisses her)_ It -would only be painful for father. Good-bye, Aunt -Harriet. Good-bye, Hester. - -[_Looks at Hester doubtfully. Hester rises, goes -to her slowly and kisses her._ - - - -HESTER - -Good-bye. . - -[_Exeunt Johnny and Janet by the door the -right._ - - - -DE MULLIN - -_(his grey head bowed on his chest -as Mrs De Mullin timidly lays her hand on his -shoulder)_ - -The last of the De Mullins! The last of the De -Mullins! - -_(The curtain falls)_ - - - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Last of The De Mullins, by St. John Hankin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE DE MULLINS *** - -***** This file should be named 54699-0.txt or 54699-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/6/9/54699/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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