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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: Lady Patricia - A comedy in three acts - -Author: Rudolf Besier - -Release Date: October 10, 2019 [EBook #60465] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LADY PATRICIA *** - - - - -Produced by Clarity and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet -Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center larger u"><i>PLAYS OF TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW</i></p> - -<h1><i>LADY PATRICIA</i></h1> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" height="800" alt="" /> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> - -<div class="bbox"> - -<p class="center larger u"><i>PLAYS OF TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW.</i></p> - -<p class="larger noindent">DON. By <span class="smcap">Rudolf Besier</span>.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Besier is a man who can see and think for himself, and -constructs as setting for the result of that activity a form of his -own. The construction of ‘Don’ is as daring as it is original.”—Mr. -Max Beerbohm in <i>The Saturday Review</i>.</p> - -<p>“It is a fresh and moving story ... and full of good things.”—Mr. -A. B. Walkley in <i>The Times</i>.</p> - -<p>“‘Don’ is a genuine modern comedy, rich in observation and -courage, and will add to the author’s reputation as a sincere -dramatist.”—Mr. E. F. Spence in <i>The Westminster Gazette</i>.</p> - -<p>“If the essence of drama be conflict, the wrestle of will, then -‘Don,’ by Rudolf Besier, comes as near as any play I know to -essential drama. It is a sparring match in heaven knows how -many rounds.”—Mr. William Archer in <i>The Nation</i>.</p> - -<p class="larger noindent">THE EARTH. By <span class="smcap">James B. Fagan</span>.</p> - -<p>“A magnificent play—at one and the same time a vital and -fearless attack on political fraud, and a brilliantly written -strong human drama. Moreover, the lighter interludes are -written with a brilliance and a polished humour with which -one had not credited Mr. Fagan hitherto”—<i>The Daily Chronicle.</i></p> - -<p>“‘The Earth’ must conquer every one by its buoyant irony, -its pungent delineations, and not least by its rich stores of -simple and wholesome moral feeling.... The credit may be -equally divided between the vivacity and iridescence of its -witty and trenchant dialogue and the tenacious grip of its -searching and most substantial issues.”—<i>The Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p> - -<p>“An interesting and remarkable achievement.”—<i>The Westminster -Gazette.</i></p> - -<p class="center">LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN.<br /> -NEW YORK: DUFFIELD & CO.</p> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage larger"><i>LADY<br /> -PATRICIA</i></p> - -<p class="center"><i>A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS</i></p> - -<p class="titlepage"><i><span class="smaller">BY</span><br /> -RUDOLF BESIER<br /> -<span class="smaller">Author of “Don”</span></i></p> - -<div class="figcenter titlepage" style="width: 150px;"> -<img src="images/duffield.jpg" width="150" height="200" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><i>NEW YORK: DUFFIELD & COMPANY<br /> -36-38 WEST 37th STREET</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage">TO<br /> -ELIZABETH FAGAN</p> - -<p class="titlepage">(<i>All rights reserved.</i>)</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CHARACTERS">CHARACTERS</h2> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 20em;"> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">Dean Lesley</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Michael Cosway</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">William O’Farrel</span> (<span class="smcap">Bill</span>)</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ellis</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">John</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia Cosway</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Clare Lesley</span></li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Cast of the play as it was produced at the Haymarket -Theatre, London, on March 22, 1911, under -the management of Mr. Herbert Trench.</p> - -<table summary="Cast list"> - <tr> - <td>Dean Lesley</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. Eric Lewis</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Michael Cosway</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. Arthur Wontner</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Bill O’Farrel</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. Charles Maude</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Baldwin</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. C. V. France</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Ellis</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. Dickson Kenwin</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>John</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mr. Norman Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Lady Patricia Cosway</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Mrs. Patrick Campbell</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Mrs. O’Farrel</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Miss Rosina Filippi</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Clare Lesley</td> - <td><span class="smcap">Miss Athene Seyler</span></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> - -<h2>SCENERY</h2> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The First Act.</span></h3> - -<p class="center">The platform and summer-house built on an oak-tree in -the grounds of “Ultima Thule,” Michael Cosway’s -country seat at Norman Arches.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Second Act.</span></h3> - -<p class="center">The same.</p> - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Third Act.</span></h3> - -<p class="center">The Deanery garden, Norman Arches.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">Five weeks elapse between Acts I. and II., and one night -between Acts II. and III.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center larger u"><i>CAUTION</i></p> - -<p><i>Professionals and Amateurs are hereby warned that -“LADY PATRICIA,” being fully protected under the -Copyright Laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, -and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the -author or his authorized agent will be liable to the penalties -by law provided. Application for the right to produce -“LADY PATRICIA” must be made to Charles Frohman, -Empire Theatre, New York City.</i></p> - -<p class="center">[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED]</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_FIRST_ACT">THE FIRST ACT</h2> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>The scene shows the summer-house and platform -built in an oak-tree at “Ultima Thule.” The -stage, slightly raised, represents the platform. -In the right-hand corner is the summer-house, -built on branches a few feet higher than the -platform. The entrance to the platform is -through a square hole, reached by a ladder -from beneath. The tree, a vast, ancient, and -mossy oak, comes straight through the centre -of the platform, its branches spreading aloft in -every direction.</i></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, in a loose and exquisite -costume, lies full length in a deck-chair, -reading aloud from some beautiful vellum -MSS. She is a woman of about thirty-five, -languid, elegant, exotic, romantic, and sentimental. -Beside her is a tall vase with -arum-lilies and a table with a samovar. -It is a late afternoon in May.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Reading with fine feeling.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Henceforward in thy shadow. Nevermore</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Alone upon the threshold of my door</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Of individual life shall I command</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>The uses of my soul, nor lift my hand</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Serenely in the sunshine as before,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Without the sense of that which I forebore—</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Thy touch upon the palm——</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span>, the footman, enters carrying a tray -with a cup and saucer, and some sliced -lemon. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> raises her hand -to command silence. He stands rigid. -She continues with scarcely a break:</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse indent13"><i>The widest land</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Doom takes to part us, leaves thy hand in mine,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>With pulses that beat double. What I do</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And what I dream include thee as the wine</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Must taste of its own grape. And when I sue</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>God for myself, He hears that name of thine,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And sees within my eyes the tears of two....</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause; she repeats in a deep voice</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>And sees within my eyes the tears of two ...</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>... the tears of two....</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>What is it, Browning?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> stands motionless; a pause; she looks -round at him.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Did I call you Browning? How absurd! I meant -Ellis.... Oh, the tea! Yes, of course. Please -put everything near me on the table.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He does so.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<p>(<i>She repeats dreamily</i>) <i>... the tears of -two....</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>I beg your pardon, my lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing. I will look after myself.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> turns to go.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Oh, Ellis....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, my lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You have brought only one cup.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>I thought you were taking tea by yourself, my -lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Please bring another cup.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, my lady. And milk and cream, my lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Milk and cream.... (<i>After a dreamy pause.</i>) -Yes, I am afraid so. But don’t put it on the table.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -Hide it in the summer-house. And will you send -Baldwin to me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, my lady.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Turns over the pages of a MS., and then -reads with thrilling beauty.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><i>When I am dead, my dearest,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>Sing no sad songs for me,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Plant thou no roses at my head,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>Nor shady cypress-tree.</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Be green the grass above me,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>With showers and dewdrops wet,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And if thou wilt, remember,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And if thou wilt, forget.</i></div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><i>I shall not see the shadows,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>I shall not feel the rain,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>I shall not hear the nightingale</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>Sing on as if in pain.</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And dreaming through the twilight</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>That doth not rise or set,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Haply I may remember,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And haply may forget.</i></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>With dramatic emphasis.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>When I am dead, my dearest——</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Enter <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, a gardener of about seventy, -heavy, slow, phlegmatic.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In spite of <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> raised hand.</i>) Beg -pardon, m’lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p><i>Sing no sad songs</i>—— (<i>Fretfully.</i>) Oh, -Baldwin, what do you want?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Ellis said as you wished to speak to me, -mum.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Ellis?... Oh, yes, I remember now. -What is it I wanted to tell you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Ellis didn’t make mention, m’lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How stupid of him! (<i>She regards <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> -dreamily.</i>) Baldwin....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’um?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You ought to be very happy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’um.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Very happy. Because you are a gardener. I -can imagine no calling more beautiful. You are -the father of innumerable children, and they are -all lovely.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Thank ’ee, m’lady. I’ve ’ad thirteen—and two -of ’em by my first wife.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Thir-teen!... Good heavens, Baldwin, what -are you talking about?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>You made mention of my family, m’lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, but I meant the flowers you tend and rear. -The gillyflowers and eglantine, myrtle, rosemary, -columbine, and daffydowndillies. Not—how -strange and dreadful! Thirteen!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I’ve ’eard tell that thirteen’s an unlucky number, -m’lady. But I ain’t suspicious.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Suspicious?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’um. And if I was, fac’s won’t change for -the wishin’. Thirteen’s the number, and thirteen -it’s like to remain, seeing as Mrs. Baldwin’s turned -sixty-three.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what you’re -talking about.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You needn’t repeat it.... Oh, I remember now -why I sent for you, Baldwin. I wonder if, without -hurting the beauty of the tree, you could open -a window to the sunset?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Open a winder?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You don’t understand me? Let me put it -differently! I should like you to cut away some -of the foliage so that I can watch the sun dropping -behind the hills.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, m’lady. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I know what you are going to say. When we -built this place in the tree, I gave you special -directions not to touch the western foliage as it -hid the view of Ashurst Manor, which I found -distressingly unsightly. Yes! But since my -aunt, Mrs. O’Farrel, has taken the house, it seems -to me far less offensive. Likes and dislikes are, -after all, so much a matter of temperament and -association! The former owner was an impossible -person.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>The Scotch gentleman?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>He was a Jew, Baldwin, though his name was -Mackintosh. I don’t wish to speak of him. When -you cut the foliage, please use restraint and feeling. -On no account disfigure the tree. Watch -from this spot the sun going down, and lop away -a little branch here and a little branch there, so as -to give me some perfect glimpses of gold and rose.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> enters with cup and saucer, milk, -cream, whisky, soda, and a tumbler.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Ellis</span>.</i>) What have you got there?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>The cup and saucer and the milk and cream, -my lady. And I thought I had better bring -whisky and soda as well, my lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I never told you to. I wish you wouldn’t be -so enterprising. Please hide it with the cream in -the summer-house. (<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> does so.</i>) So you -think I can safely trust you with this important -piece of work, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Do it as soon as possible, as I shall often be -sitting here during these adorable summer evenings—</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill O’Farrel</span> enters during the rest of -her sentence. He is a wholesome, typically -English young man of about twenty-six.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>—and I couldn’t bear to miss many sunsets like -yesterday’s.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Without rising.</i>) Bill!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Seizing her hands.</i>) Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill!... That will do, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Quite well, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Pretty middlin’, Mr. O’Farrel, sir, thank you.... -Then it don’t matter showin’ up Ashurst -Manor, m’lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With a laugh, to <span class="smcap">Patricia</span>.</i>) Hullo! what’s -this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No, no, Baldwin! I wish to see it. It has -suddenly grown beautiful! A fairy palace!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Great Scott!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m. But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>That will do, Baldwin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What’s this about Ashurst?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I have asked Baldwin to cut away some of those -branches so that I can see it. I used to loathe the -sight of the house. Then your mother bought it, -and I liked it. I love it now that you have come -to stay there.... You may kiss me, Bill.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>May I?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He kisses her forehead.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You may kiss me again.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>May I?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He kisses her cheek.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You may kiss me again.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He kisses her mouth.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Clinging to him.</i>) Oh, how I’ve longed for this -moment—how I’ve longed for it!... All these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -weary months I’ve lived in the past and future, -on memories and anticipations. Now, at last I -have the present—I have reality—you—to have -and to hold—you—you.... Kiss me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Embracing her ardently.</i>) Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Hush! (<i>Disengaging herself.</i>) We mustn’t be -foolish.... Sit down.... (<i>He sits at her -feet.</i>) So you got my telegram?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Directly the boat came alongside. But it took -me a deuce of a time to make out! My French is -a bit rusty, and the rotters had jumbled up some -of the words. As it is, I only made out the gist -of it—to take an earlier train from London than -I’d intended, and to call on you before going on -to Ashurst, as I’d find you alone in a summer-house -you’d built on some tree or other. The -twiddly bits of the message didn’t somehow seem -to make sense....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>The ... twiddly bits?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes; something about a star in red water, and -horses with white manes. Couldn’t make it out -at all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>That was a quotation from De Musset, my poor -boy.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Great Scott! I thought it was a cypher. People -don’t generally quote poetry in their telegrams.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I do.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>In any case, it seemed to me a bit rash of you -to send the wire at all—even in French.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, did it? As a matter of fact, I used French, -not to conceal the message, but because the language -seemed to me so beautifully appropriate -for making a clandestine meeting.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>By Jove! Fancy thinking of that!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>To sin beautifully is the less a sin. Don’t -forget, dear, that, however innocent, our love is -wrong. We should never neglect an opportunity -of ennobling it with little touches of beauty, should -we?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Rather not!... So Michael’s away?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Only this afternoon. He has gone to a garden -party at the Fitzgeralds’. Your mother’s there as -well. Everybody’s there. But I wanted to see -you for a little while before any one else, so I -sent you that wire and pretended a headache. -A petty deceit that avenged itself! For directly -I told it, I felt a slight twinge of neuralgia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Hard luck! But it’s better, dear, isn’t it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I suppose it is. But you mustn’t say “hard -luck.” My life, alas! is so full of deceits that -when one of them is punished, I always try to -be grateful. But tell me now, about yourself—everything -that has happened these last months. -Your letters have been too full of facts to tell -me anything. And I do so long to hear all your -news....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, dear?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What an awfully good woman you are!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Am I?... I wonder!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And your eyes are simply ripping.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Are they?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And your hands, by Jove!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What of my hands, dear?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>They’re simply ripping.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Dear heart! (<i>Stroking his head.</i>) Dear soft -hair. But I’m waiting.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh yes, I forgot. But there really ain’t much -to tell that I haven’t told you in my letters. -I arrived in New York on a Saturday after an -awfully jolly passage. Those big Cunarders are -corking boats. Had a bit of a dust-up at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -Customs, but I squared the chap with a ten-dollar -bill. A chap on board advised me to put up at -the Waldorf-Astoria. He told me it was one of -their swaggerest hotels, but I must say——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Laughing.</i>) Yes, yes, dear, you’ve told me all -that before! And about the nigger waiter whose -thumb was always in the soup—and the Californian -peach as big as a baby’s head—and the factory -that was burned down in Chicago—and the card-sharper -who tried to swindle you at poker, “but -he got hold of the wrong chap, by Jove!”—and -so many other thrilling details. (<i>Almost with -passion, taking his face in her hands.</i>) You darling! -Oh, you darling!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I thought I’d told you everything.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Of course you did—everything. (<i>With far-off -eyes.</i>) I wonder why I am so foolish as to expect -the essentials from you—those labourings of the -soul at midnight, yearnings, ecstasies, and long, -long thoughts under the stars. If you had been -capable of these I should never have loved you. -It’s just your simplicity and eternal boyishness -that took my heart. Poor Michael’s spiritual -nature, his dreams, his subtlety, his devotion, never -touched me deeper than the intellect. I mistook -sympathy for love—I seemed to have found a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -kindred spirit—I married him. Yes! we are all -born to suffer and endure.... Which reminds -me, my poor dear boy, you must be dying for tea. -(<i>Pouring out the tea.</i>) I hope you had some -lunch?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Rather! I had a luncheon-basket in the train, -and put away the best part of a chicken, among -other things.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How young and hungry you are!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Hands him a cup of tea with a lemon slice -in the saucer.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, dear?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Have you any milk or cream?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sorrowfully.</i>) Oh, Bill!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I can’t help it. This Russian mess ain’t a -Christian drink. I can’t think how you can -swallow it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t suppose I like it any better than you, -dear. But the mixture of cream and tea, as I have -often told you, produces an odious colour—and I -refuse to encourage it. You should try to do -likewise.... However, you will find cream in -the summer-house.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Right-ho! (<i>Goes into summer-house.</i>) Hullo! -Good man! Here’s whisky-and-soda. (<i>Talking -in the summer-house, half to himself, half to her.</i>) -That’s the stuff! Nothing like a syphonated spot -when one’s got a real thirst! No tea for me, -thanks.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To herself, smiling.</i>) Dear babbler....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Coming down, a glassful in his hand.</i>) Here’s -to you, Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a deep voice, looking into eternity.</i>) We -are all born to suffer, to endure, to renounce....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, well! I’ll drink that Russian stuff if you -like.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I was not thinking of tea. I was thinking of life.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Unfeignedly relieved.</i>) Yes, it’s an awfully -hard world. (<i>Takes a long draught.</i>) By Jove, -that’s clinking good!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>It becomes more and more difficult to play my -part, and return Michael’s love, which seems to -grow stronger and deeper day by day. His eyes -follow my every movement, his mind anticipates -my every wish, he surrounds me with an atmosphere -of passionate worship. Few women have ever -received such love. It is the love that poets dream -of—the love that must follow those marriages that -are made in heaven.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Good Lord, it’s awfully rough on you!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I think and I think and I think, but I can see -no solution to the mystery. Surely love is the -best gift of God, and that such love as Michael’s—so -noble, so pure, so unselfish—should be utterly -wasted, is inconceivable. It must be that I am -unworthy.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She pauses expectantly.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And it puts me in such a rotten position. If -Michael treated you badly, I shouldn’t care a rap -how much I made love to you.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With slight asperity.</i>) Can it be that I am -unworthy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>As it is I often feel such a beastly cad....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Then you think me unworthy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You never denied it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But I didn’t know you wanted me to! You’re -worthy of anything! You know that!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Dear, dear boy! But am I? I wonder! -Heaven only knows how desperately I tried to love -him, and when I found it impossible, how I never -faltered in pretending a love equal to his. And -I knew that it would kill him should he learn -the truth. But if the part I played was difficult -before you came, after you came, and I knew what -love was, it was almost beyond my power. And -yet I drew strength somehow, not only to resist -temptation and keep our love pure, but never by -word, deed, or expression to let Michael suspect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -for one moment that his devotion was not returned. -Yes! I think a woman who has done all this -cannot be altogether unworthy.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You’re—you’re a saint—you’re an angel!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Am I? I wonder!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You really are!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Dear, inarticulate boy!... And, Bill, remember -this. We have put our hands to the plough, -and there must be no turning back. The martyrdom -which must be lifelong has only just begun. -I feel I shall find strength to play my bitter rôle -to the final curtain. For I love renunciation, -endurance, and purity. They are such exquisite -virtues. And virtue is very beautiful.... But -you are made of more earthly materials, my poor -boy. Do you realise that your love must always -remain unsatisfied? Can you love me without the -faintest hope of more reward than a look, a touch, -a kiss?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s all right, Patricia. Don’t you worry -about me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But you are young and vigorous and passionate....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s all right!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I can only offer you the shadow; your nature -will some day cry out for the substance.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Not it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, if only I had the strength and courage to -bid you good-bye for ever!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I shouldn’t go.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, Bill!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She invites his caress with a beautiful movement. -Kneeling beside her, he gathers her -in his arms and kisses her. At that -moment <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters, carrying a saw -and a pair of shears. They are blissfully -unconscious of his presence. He glances -at them with complete indifference, then -comes down looking carefully at the sky<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -on the right, his head dodging from side -to side as though he were spying for something -among the branches.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If you please, ’m....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span>, with an inarticulate cry, starts to his -feet.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What the devil are you doing here?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Calmly.</i>) Well, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If you please, m’lady, I thought as I ’ad best -watch the sun early. It’s close on six ’m, and I -thought as p’raps you’d like some branches lopped -’igher up. The sun’s a fine sight at six, mum—much -more light in it than a hour later, an’ it’s a -neasier job loppin’ they ’igher branches than them -out there, as I shan’t need no ladder.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Quite mad!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t want to sit here and look at the sun -through a pair of smoked glasses. You may return -here when the sun is lower.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, m’lady. But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Go away....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Very tiresome, isn’t he?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t half like the old ass catching us like -that.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Catching us?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, fairly caught us in the act....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, he must have seen me kiss you. I don’t -half like it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How very <i>bourgeois</i> you are!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I don’t know about that. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Not <i>bourgeois</i>, then! No, no! Young and self-conscious! -Fancy getting red and embarrassed -because a gardener saw you looking affectionate!... -Dear, dear boy!... Now sit down again -and listen. I caught an impression of the sunset -yesterday, a few lines, but I believe they are -precious—not <i>precieux</i>—precious in the true sense -of the word.... Don’t you hate this modern -artistic jargon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Rather!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Listen.... (<i>She recites.</i>)</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>A dreamy blue invests the lonely hill,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Far off against the orient green and cold;</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Silence declines upon these branches old;</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>The level land is still;</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>The lofty azure deepens; faintlier glows</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>The delicate beauty of the sunset rose;</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And pensive grey encroaches on the gold.</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Tenderly coloured, are they not?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yours?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Mine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Ripping!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ripping.... Oh, how unpleasant! Say that -other word instead.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What word?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t quite know. Something to do with -bottles.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Clinking?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No.... Something to do with wine....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh! you mean—corking.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, corking.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Right-ho!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Thank you, dear.... And so you like my -lines?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>They’re corking. And so’s your voice when you -read ’em.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Dreamily.</i>) I write corking verses, and I read -them with a corking voice. (<i>With passion.</i>) Oh, -Bill! Oh, my dear——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How I wish that you and I were alone on a -little island in the Ægean Archipelago!... -Hush! (<i>The sound of a motor in the distance.</i>) -Do you hear? A motor-car coming up the drive! -You can see if you look through the branches there. -(<i>Points to the left.</i>) Be careful, dear. Don’t let -any one see you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Looking over the rail of the platform.</i>) Great -Scott!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>It’s the mater’s car, and——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The sound of the motor stops.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>It’s stopping! Oh, Bill——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>The mater and Michael, and the Dean—and -who’s the jolly-looking girl?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>With a face like a naughty boy’s?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>That must be Clare Lesley. Michael has been -very kind to her lately. He is trying to give her -a serious view of life.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, you don’t mean to tell me that’s Clare, -the Dean’s daughter? Why, I thought she was -a flapper!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>A flapper?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. When last I saw her, a little more than a -year ago, her skirts weren’t much below her knees, -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Flapper.... What a strange word! How do -you spell it? With a “ph”?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>No, with a double p. Hullo!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He draws back.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What is it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>They’re all coming here!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>They are, by Jove! The whole crowd. What -shall we do?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Your mother and Michael mustn’t find you here. -You must fly!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s all very well. But where can I go to? -They’re bound to spot me if I get down the steps.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, but can’t you climb somewhere up the tree -and hide yourself like a bird among the branches?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>It’s the only thing to do. And so simple! And -so romantic!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, that’s all right. But supposing they see -me—what am I to say?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, anything! Use a little imagination.... -Say you are looking for birds’ eggs. But they -won’t see you if you lie along that thick branch -up there.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Birds’-nesting....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I shall pretend to be asleep.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Why?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Why not?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Grumbling as he moves towards the trunk.</i>) -I’ll look such a bally ass if they spot me....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Eh?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>This glass mustn’t be found here.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>By Jove!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He returns and takes hold of the glass, which -is half-full.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And the cup and saucer....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Good Lord!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He stands helplessly, the cup and saucer in -one hand, the glass in the other.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Put them into your pockets.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Quick—quick! (<i>He drinks the whisky.</i>) Now -the tea. (<i>He makes as though to throw it away.</i>) -No! no! they might see or hear. Drink it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I really couldn’t.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>For my sake.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Gulping it down.</i>) Muck! (<i>Making for the -tree.</i>) By Jove, they’re nearly here!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pointing to the left.</i>) I really must have -another ladder built on this side.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I hope they won’t see me climbing.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He starts climbing the tree.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Be small—for my sake....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She composes herself elaborately into a sleeping -posture. <span class="smcap">Bill</span> is seen disappearing on -high. Voices are audible beneath. A -pause.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>He has climbed out of sight.</i>) I say....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>S-sh!...</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>It’s all right. They’re standin’ about talkin’. -Can you see me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Where are you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Here.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, yes, I see....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>The devil you do! What part o’ me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Er—well—your—your back....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Damn! Oh, confound this beastly cup and -saucer! They keep on rattling.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Put the saucer in the other pocket.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>The glass is in the other pocket.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Have you only two pockets?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Hush! they’re coming.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The voices approach. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> arranges -herself, one hand supporting her -face, the other hanging over the side of -the chair lightly holding a manuscript. -<span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> enters, followed by <span class="smcap">Clare -Lesley</span>, <span class="smcap">Dean Lesley</span>, and <span class="smcap">Michael Cosway</span>. -<span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> is a genuine, downright, -humorous lady of fifty-seven; <span class="smcap">Clare -Lesley</span>, the <span class="smcap">Dean’s</span> daughter, a pretty -girl of about twenty; <span class="smcap">Dean Lesley</span>, a -clerical exquisite, who carries his sixty -years as lightly as his silver-knobbed stick -and monocle; and <span class="smcap">Michael Cosway</span>, <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia’s</span> husband, a tall, serious man -of thirty-eight.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Out of breath.</i>) Ah.... I’m green with -envy of you, Dean! You’re at least five years my -senior, and your wind is as sound as your doctrines. -Look at me! I can’t climb a tree without getting—what’s -the word, Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Punctured.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>My dear child!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Scold me, Dean, scold me! I meant the word, -but hadn’t the pluck to say it.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> laughs.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>And how do you like our little eyrie, Mrs. -O’Farrel?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Charming, Michael, charming! It’s quite worth -getting—getting—give me the word, Clare.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Winded.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Laughs and pats <span class="smcap">Clare’s</span> cheek.</i>) Yes, it’s -quite worth getting punctured—and winded—to see -the view from here, Michael. How like you and -Patricia to think of such a piece of arboreal sentimentality! -Now whose idea—— (<i>Perceives <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span> for the first time.</i>) Why, Patricia!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> with an exclamation rushes to <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia’s</span> side. <span class="smcap">Clare</span> looks bored.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Delightful!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>S-sh.... She’s asleep....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Asleep! I should think she was, for my strident -voice not to awake her!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps she’s shamming.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>My dear child!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a solemn whisper.</i>) We must be very careful -not to wake her. She had a bad headache this -morning.... <i>See how she leans her cheek upon -her hand!</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p><i>I would I were a glove upon that hand!</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Dean!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Shocking!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>And why? I love all that is beautiful with all -my senses.... And why shouldn’t I?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Because such youthful depravity makes me -envious again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Pardon me, my dear lady, I remember you far -too well as a girl to believe that even now—</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Hastily.</i>) Michael!... Will you and Clare -take the car and meet Bill’s train? It won’t take -you ten minutes; I’m too comfortable to move at -present. Besides, we must have the place to ourselves, -the Dean and I, as he is becoming indiscreetly -reminiscent. Bring Bill back with you -here, and he and I will drive home together.... -You don’t mind?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I shall be delighted.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m not surprised you want to get rid of me, -pater, if you’re going to talk about your gay youth. -You must have been an awful rip.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Really, Clare!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>It was my gay youth your father was threatening -us with.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You must have been a dear then, as now!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She kisses <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> impulsively, and -goes out past <span class="smcap">Michael</span>. <span class="smcap">Michael</span> follows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -her, turns and comes back with a twig -of oak in his hand. He gives it to the -<span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Will you kindly keep the flies off Patricia’s face -while I’m away?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, delighted! Delighted!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> goes out. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> looks -with amusement at the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>, who stands -with the twig in his hand glancing quizzically -at her and longingly at <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>When duty and pleasure are combined, there’s -no reason to hesitate. I saw a fly settle on -Patricia’s chin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Happy fly!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He tiptoes up to <span class="smcap">Patricia</span> and starts -fanning her and daintily examining her -through his eyeglass. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> -puts up her lorgnette and regards them -with vast amusement. Suddenly a rotten -branch falls from above on to the platform.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lorgnetting upwards.</i>) How very strange! -And not a breath of wind!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Monocling upwards.</i>) Merely a squirrel. I -believe I caught sight of its tail.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I hope the tree’s not rotten. I’m considerably -heavier than a squirrel!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She goes over to the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, softly, please....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Laughing.</i>) Softly yourself!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pointing to <span class="smcap">Patricia</span>.</i>) Did you ever see the -like?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What are you talking about?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>The wonder of this sleeping woman. Was there -ever anything more beautiful?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I thought you knew better than to praise one -woman to another.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, but you are not another! You are Eileen -who, ever since I met her in short skirts, have -been the fairest of all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fiddle-de-dee! I’m old and ugly!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>No woman can ever be old and ugly—you least -of all.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Charming old humbug! Well, I agree with you—Patricia’s -certainly ornamental.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>The pose, my dear lady, the pose! Unstudied -grace of abandonment, artless perfection! Perfection -as a whole, perfection in detail! Consider -the right hand: so blissfully burdened. Consider -the left: still clasping some poem only less exquisite -than itself. The eyelids are faintly blue—surely -with the sky of a delicate dream. From -head to foot every curve is a lyric—from head—I -should like to see her foot.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He looks sadly at her covered feet.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Haven’t you the courage?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I beg your pardon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>To look at it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Mrs. O’Farrel!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, if I admired her feet as much as you do, -I shouldn’t hesitate.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>But supposing she woke and found me—er—er—</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Arranging her skirt?... My dear man, I -know Patricia; she would gladly show you several -inches of her ankle.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eileen, you’re a wicked woman!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They move to the other side of the platform.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And you’re a scandalous example of clerical -depravity!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> looks cautiously over her -shoulder at them, yawns, and pretends to -sleep again.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Tut, tut, tut, my dear!... Eileen, do you -know why I went into the Church?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>You thought it a convenient cloak for your -peccadilloes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Out of sheer gratitude to my Maker for creating -woman.... Eileen, why did you refuse to -marry me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>There must be at least half a dozen flies on -Patricia’s face.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Never mind the flies—it’s their turn for the -moment.... Why did you refuse me, Eileen?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Because my love for you made me a blind fool! -I misunderstood your admiration for women. I -thought your homage of every girl you met, personal—not -universal, as I learned too late—a -superb compliment to the whole sex. Dear friend, -I repented in sackcloth and ashes! Not that -O’Farrel wasn’t a good fellow, every inch of him. -He made life very happy. But life with you—well, -I missed it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Will you marry me, Eileen?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Why not?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I’m far too old for a boy like you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Is this final?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Final.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah!... Your companionship would have -been so good for Clare. A tactfully restraining -influence....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I doubt it. I’m too much in sympathy with the -child.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>But you wouldn’t encourage her to tell every -one she meets—including the Bishop—that she is -an Atheist, or ride astride through the town without -the formality of—er—divided skirts....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No—perhaps not. (<i>She lowers her voice.</i>) I -should first of all put a stop to her galavantin’ -about every other day with Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Really, my dear Eileen, I think the friendship -between Michael Cosway and Clare is wholly -charming and can only do the child good. Surely -you don’t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No, of course I don’t! Michael’s far too infatuated -with your sleeping beauty there. Still, I’d -put a stop to it. And then I should marry your -daughter to Bill with indecent haste.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eh, what? Your son? Dear me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Why shouldn’t they marry? They are obviously -kindred spirits.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t know your son sufficiently well to—er——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>A thoroughly healthy, young animal.... -You’ll meet him in a moment. I hear the -motor....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>How quick they’ve been!... Marry them! -Dear me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Now then, Mr. Dean, to work!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t quite——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia’s flies! If Michael catches you idling!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Now, fancy my forgetting it!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They both laugh. He hurries back to <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span> and starts fanning her. Voices -are audible beneath.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Looking over the railing.</i>) But where’s Bill? -(<i>She hurries towards the entrance and calls down.</i>) -Have you people dropped my only son out of the -car?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters, followed by <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>He never turned up!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Nonsense! He wired from Southampton -that——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>S-s-sh! You might wake Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, confound Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>But——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Suddenly a saucer falls from above on to the -middle of the platform. They all are -startled and <span class="smcap">Patricia</span> sits up with a cry.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Dear me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I never!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What on earth!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>There’s some one up the tree!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>The squirrel.... (<i>Looks at the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Most awkward....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t be alarmed, Patricia. (<i>Sternly.</i>) Who -are you, sir? What are you doing there? Come -down at once.... Do you hear me, sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Still invisible to the audience.</i>) All right—I’m -coming....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>There he is, Mike! I see his leg!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To herself.</i>) Mike? Hm!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Bill!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>From aloft.</i>) Hullo!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Astonished exclamations of “What!” and -“Bill!”</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Bill?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> comes into sight descending the trunk.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Bill!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> reaches terra firma. He smiles, embarrassed, -from one person to the other.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>How are you, mother? How-de-do, Mr. Dean? -How-de-do, Miss Lesley? How’s yourself, Michael?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And have you no greeting for poor me, Cousin -Bill?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, I say, I’m awfully sorry! How-de-do, -Cousin Patricia?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>But what on earth were you doing up the tree?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Birds’-nesting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span>, <span class="smcap">Michael</span>, <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</p> - -<p>Birds’-nesting?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Gravely.</i>) And you took a saucer up with you -to put the eggs in?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, did I?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Of course. It’s the usual thing to do when you -go birds’-nesting. Didn’t you always take a saucer -with you as a boy, Mr. Cosway?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I can’t say I remember doing so.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>So long ago that you’ve forgotten? I’ve read -somewhere that when they look for ostrich-eggs -in America they take soup-tureens.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say ...!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>There are no ostriches in America.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Then I wonder why they look for ostrich-eggs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Laughing.</i>) Do stop talking nonsense, Clare!... -Really, Bill, I’m curious to know quite a -lot of things. Why did you take an earlier train? -Why did you come here? Why did you climb up -the tree with a saucer? Why did you let Michael -and Miss Lesley fetch you at the station? And -why did you remain in the tree while the Dean -and I—er——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Talked over old times together.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Talked over old times together. It’s all rather -mysterious.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Unusual....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I dropped a rotten branch.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Quite so. And the Dean thought a squirrel had -done it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh yes, you caught sight of my tail!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes into a shout of lonely laughter.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>That’s all very well. But what was your idea -in playing such a prank? It seems to me rather -childish.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Primitive....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Very.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Quite.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With disarming vivacity.</i>) Oh, my dear, dear -friends, why do you take this so heavily? Surely -a charming piece of boyishness! May I tell them -what happened, Cousin Bill? I saw through the -whole thing at once.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I’m sure you did.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>He so longed to see his mother that he came -down by an earlier train.... Didn’t you, -Cousin Bill?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s right.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But when he arrived he found she had gone to -a garden party. He was so disappointed.... -Weren’t you, Cousin Bill?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s right.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Did you learn to say “that’s right” in -America? It sounds so successful.... When he -found his mother was out, he thought he would -come and see Michael and—me. Michael had gone -to the garden party, but he was told that I was -here. He found me asleep....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Imitating <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> voice and manner.</i>) -And he kissed me—didn’t you, Cousin Bill?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> goes into a shout of long and lonely -laughter.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a pained voice.</i>) He found me asleep. -I had not been feeling very well....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Are you better, my darling?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Thank you, Michael dear, a little better.... -He found me asleep. He was thirsty, poor fellow!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -So he helped himself to tea. Providentially, Ellis -had brought two cups. Then he saw you all -coming, and thought it would be “such jolly fun” -to climb up the tree and drop a saucer.... -Didn’t you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>—Cousin Bill.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> laughs.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>He had meant to do it at once. But he couldn’t -resist the joke of letting Clare and Michael fetch -him at the station. And when they had gone he -simply had to wait till they came back again—or, -perhaps, the Dean and Aunt Eileen were so enjoying -each other’s company, he hadn’t the heart to -disturb them.... Then Clare and Michael -returned, and he thought the joke had gone far -enough.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>So he threw a saucer at us.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> indulges in a third lonely laugh.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Shortly.</i>) Crown Derby....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Sorry.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Isn’t that more or less the true story, Cousin -Bill?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, what an awfully clever woman you are!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Am I?... I wonder!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Clever at writing verses, Patricia. But prose -fiction’s not in your line. (<i><span class="smcap">Patricia</span> smiles pityingly -and examines her rings.</i>) Bill we must be -off. There’s barely time to dress, and some people -are dining with us to-night.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>All right, mother. (<i>He goes to <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) I say, -Miss Lesley, when last we met you had long hair.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Gravely.</i>) I still have long hair, Mr. -O’Farrel.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, but what I meant was——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) Your father tells me you are -dining with us, Clare. I’m so glad!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>If you don’t mind me in this dress, Lady -Patricia. Mr. Cosway has promised to show me -the—er—what’s its name?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The spiral nebula in Andromeda.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>How much?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>A cluster of minute stars in the constellation of -Andromeda. I say stars designedly. For I differ -from many authorities in believing this nebula to -be irresolvable or gaseous. Indeed, the remarkable -observations of Sir William McKechnie leave -no doubt in my mind that this so-called nebula is -an external galaxy. In which case——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, help! So you still rot about with a telescope, -Michael?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Coldly.</i>) I am greatly interested in astronomy.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) You, too?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I like the stars....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She turns loftily from him and talks to <span class="smcap">Mrs. -O’Farrel</span> and <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>) I’m so sorry! (<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) I -was trying to persuade your father to stay with -you, Clare. But he’s bent on putting finishing-touches -to to-morrow’s sermon.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>) I’ll see Miss Lesley home, of -course.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Can we drop you at the Deanery?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>It’s very kind of you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Come along, Bill. Good-bye, all!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She goes out. The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> shakes hands with -<span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> and follows her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Patricia</span>, in a low voice.</i>) I’ve left the -cup and glass up the tree. (<i>Aloud.</i>) Good-bye, -Cousin Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Good-bye, Cousin Bill.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Good-bye, Clare.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Haughtily.</i>) Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. (<i>To <span class="smcap">Michael</span>, in passing.</i>) Sorry about -the saucer. Good-bye.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Cheek!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out. A pause. Voices are heard -below and the sound of a departing motor. -<span class="smcap">Michael</span> waves good-bye.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Stretching out her arms.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Putting his arms about her.</i>) Patricia! And -the poor head is really better, darling? I’m so -glad you were able to sleep!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> looks at them with bored contempt, -shrugs her shoulders, goes to the tree, and -starts climbing up it during the following.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And my sleep was full of dreams, Michael. -Strange and mystic dreams—oh, and such beautiful -dreams! For they all led up to a vision of -my dearest’s face.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> has vanished aloft.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Heart of my heart!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Soul of my soul!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Michael....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters unnoticed with his saw and -garden shears. He stares fixedly up the -tree.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>One night I shall find a new star in the depths -of the sky——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>One day I shall write a poem that will ring -down the ages——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>And the star shall be called Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And the poem—Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lingering on the word.</i>) Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lingering on the word.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Beggin’ yer pardon, sir, but there be summin’ -white movin’ about up the tree.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Baldwin!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>It a’most looks to me as though a young lady ’ad -climbed up the tree, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What on earth——!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Shrilly from above.</i>) Don’t you dare to look -up here, Baldwin—nor you, Mi—Mr. Cosway! If -there’s something white to be seen it’s certainly -not for you to look at! (<i><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> continues -stolidly looking up.</i>) D’you hear me, Baldwin? -Oh! Tell him to turn his head somewhere else.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Baldwin!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But, my dear child, what are you doing there?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Birds’-nesting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael and Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Birds’-nesting!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t believe there’s a nest here at all. He was -simply kidding us.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If it’s h’eggs you’re wantin’, miss, there’s a rare -lot of ’em in the ivy up at the ’ouse. Sparrers—drat’em!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>) What an amazing young -creature! (<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) But you’ll ruin your -frock, my child.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I can’t help that. I mean to find out whether -there’s a nest here or not. Besides, I simply -couldn’t hang around while you and Mr. Cosway -were canoodleing.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Puzzled.</i>) Canoodleing?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Spooning.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How very vulgar you can be!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Can’t I!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Shrugs her shoulders and speaks to <span class="smcap">Michael</span> -with a plaintive languor.</i>) I think it would be -very pleasant to dine here, Michael. I’ll go indoors -and change into something warmer.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You’re not cold, my love?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No, no, dear, no. But I might be later on. -(<i>To <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, who has been staring fixedly into -the branches.</i>) What are you doing, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>It’s main ’ard to keep a h’eye on the sun, m’lady, -an’ mine ain’t no longer w’at they was. Might I -arst, mum, if the sun’s ’bout right for loppin’ off -they branches?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Lopping off the branches?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>From above.</i>) Oh! I’ve found a cup!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>A cup!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>And a glass!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>A cup and a glass!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Languidly.</i>) Oh, I suppose Cousin Bill left -them up there. You needn’t trouble to bring them -down, Clare. Baldwin can fetch them.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>He seems to have been doing himself uncommonly -well. I daresay I shall find plates, knives and -forks, napkins and finger-bowls. What ho!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>.</i>) Has that fellow gone -quite off his head?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Going out.</i>) Bill? Oh, no, dear! Oh, no! -It’s only youth—youth will out! Beautiful rose-white -youth!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She gives him her hand to kiss, and he looks -after her with a fatuous smile so long -as she is in sight. Then you hear her -singing below</i>:)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>When all the world is young, lad,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And all the trees are green,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>And every goose a swan, lad,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And every lass a queen,</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Then, hey! for boot and horse, lad,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And round the world away!</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Young blood must have its course, lad,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>And every dog its day!</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> turns slowly from the railing, -heaves a deep sigh, and stands with -clenched hands, rigid, looking straight -before him with tragic eyes. The beautiful -voice grows fainter in the distance. -The sun is westering on the right, and -sheds a golden light on the scene. <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> -stands staring out into the sunset.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>From above.</i>) Mike!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Has she gone?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Mike.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Why is she like a collar?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t know.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Because she’s always round your neck.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With clenched hands.</i>) Oh....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You and she are enough to make a saint ill. -You ought to have more tact than to spoon about -in public. (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> stands rigid.</i>) Mike.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Sulky?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>No.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>What’s up, then?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m coming down. There’s not a nest to be -seen anywhere. By Jove, I am in a mess! It’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -all your fault for driving me up a tree with your -disgusting billing and cooing.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Hoarsely.</i>) Don’t....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Sorry. (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> makes a movement.</i>) No, -no! Stay where you are! And don’t look up -here. Oh, damn!... Sorry! But I’ve torn my -frock and ripped open the hooks behind. All your -fault.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You shall have another frock.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Thanks.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Two frocks.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>No—one and a pinafore. Oh, confound this -branch!... I think the pater would draw the -line at two frocks.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She descends into view, and jumps on to the -ground. She is sadly dishevelled, her -gloves filthy, her dress all open at the -back, and with a great tear at the side -of the skirt.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>At last!... Hullo, Baldwin, I thought you had -gone....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>No, miss.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What are you doing here, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>The mistress’s orders, sir. I was to keep a -h’eye on the sun.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> laughs.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Mystified.</i>) Keep a h’eye on the sun? What -do you mean?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> laughs.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Er ladyship said as I was to keep a h’eye on -the sun, so as to lop away the branches.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t understand in the least what you are -talking about. Come back later on.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir. But the mistress’s orders——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, yes—another time. I’m busy now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out slowly.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Exhibiting the damages in her dress.</i>) And -now perhaps, sir, you will keep a h’eye on me, -while I show you the result of your ’andiwork!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>My dear child!... But in common fairness, -you can’t put all the blame on me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I shan’t say anything more at present, -since you’re going to give me a new frock. (<i>Looking -at her hands.</i>) Oh, dear! I wish it were -gloves.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With fascinated eyes.</i>) A dozen pair....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>All right—five and three-quarters. Now then—pins.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Pins?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, pins. Look alive!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Going.</i>) I’ll be back in a moment.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>No, stay here. Your tie-pin will do for one.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -I’ve a safety-pin here (<i>fiddling at her waist</i>), -and another somewhere in my collar.... Bring -a cushion here.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>A cushion?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Still searching for her pins.</i>) Yes—a cushion. -(<i>In a dazed way he fetches one from <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia’s</span> chair.</i>) Put it down.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The cushion?...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He stands helplessly holding the cushion, then -puts it back, on the chair.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t play the giddy goat, Mike! Put the -cushion on the ground.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, yes—yes, of course.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He places it at her feet.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Kneel down.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Eh?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Kneel on the cushion. I want to spare your -old joints.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He kneels with a mirthless laugh.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Now we’ll see if you’re worth your keep. Here -are two safety-pins. Make that tear look respectable.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>If these safety-pins aren’t enough, use your -tie-pin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Setting to work.</i>) Very well.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I shall want you afterwards to fasten up the -hooks behind.... (<i>A pause.</i>) How are you -getting on?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>All right, thanks.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He works at her skirt for a moment in -silence.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Abruptly.</i>) What’s that boy like?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What boy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Bill O’Farrel.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>He’s given you a fair specimen of himself in -the silly prank he played just now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, that seemed to me rather a sporting thing -to do.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>A sporting thing!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. To make an utter ass of himself, and then -carry it off with a string of lies. How are you -getting on?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Surveying his handiwork.</i>) I think that looks -better.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>It’ll have to do, anyhow.... Now for the -hooks. (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> sets to work at the back of -her dress.</i>) Begin at the top. I daresay some of -the eyes have got torn. I gave the dress an awful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -wrench on the tree. Do the best you can.... -Oh, don’t fumble about like that!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael’s</span> hands tremble as he works. A -pause.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a low voice.</i>) Clare....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I love you....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A long pause. He stares with breathless -expectation at the back of her head. She -looks straight before her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Have you finished all the hooks?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The hooks?... I—I beg your pardon.... -(<i>He goes on with his work for a time in silence.</i>) -Are you angry with me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t know.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You must have known for some time that I -loved you.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Turning on him.</i>) Then why do you always -annoy me by making love to—to your wife when -I’m there? (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> still kneels on the cushion, -looking up at her with abject eyes.</i>) Why don’t -you speak?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With a sudden burst of laughter.</i>) Oh, get up -from that cushion! You don’t know what a fool -you look! (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> gets up with a pained -expression and stands staring tragically before -him. A pause. She speaks in a gentler voice.</i>) -Well, Mike?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Since I have spoken so much and done you -wrong and Patricia wrong, I must tell you all and -throw myself on your mercy.... When I -married Patricia I sincerely believed I loved her. -She seemed to me a kindred spirit—with her sensitive, -beautiful nature. I found out too late that -love depends as often on mutual difference as -mutual sympathy. My love for her never went -deeper than the intellect. Oh, the tragedy of it! -She is such a fair, white soul, and so worthy of -my whole love!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>If you don’t love her, why do you pretend to?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Can’t you see—can’t you see I have no alternative? -Patricia’s love for me is unearthly in its -depth and intensity. She worships me, little as -I deserve it. If for one moment she thought my -love had slackened, that moment would be her -last. You don’t know how sensitive she is.... -Do you suppose, Clare, I enjoy playing this dreadful -game? But I must—it is my duty. I have -sworn to love and cherish her.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a pause, going up to him.</i>) Michael, -how long have you loved me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Almost since first I met you, you wild thing! -You soul of youth and incarnation of the morning!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He looks longingly down at her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, you poor old thing! (<i>She looks up sideways -at him.</i>) Mike, you may if you like.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He hesitates.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Get it over soon. (<i>He bends down and kisses -her reverently, then turns away from her with -tragic eyes.</i>) Didn’t you like it?...</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>But the wrong I am doing you, and the wrong -I am doing Patricia....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>But if Patricia doesn’t know and I don’t mind, -I don’t see where the wrong comes in.... Do -you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Taking her hands.</i>) Do you love me, Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t know.... Yes, I think I do. You’re -such a solemn old donkey!... Michael, if I -love you, will it really make you a happier -man?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Happier? Oh, my dear, with the knowledge of -your love I should be able to endure anything!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Even Patricia?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Hush, Clare, hush!... Patricia’s is a pure -and delicate soul. It is I who am unworthy, since -I cannot return her wonderful love.... Little -girl, do you understand that this love of yours -may bring much suffering into your life? I -can never, by word or deed, change my attitude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -towards Patricia—never! She must never know -that I do not love her.... And what of us? -Our love must stand alone in the world. It must -be something wholly pure and noble and self-sacrificing—the -love that asks for nothing, that -hopes for nothing—the love of the angels that -neither marry nor are given in marriage.... -Do you realise all this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.... You see, Mike, I always believe in -platonic love.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>A little doubtfully.</i>) Platonic....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well, platonic lovers <i>do</i> kiss each other now and -then ... don’t they?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Solemnly.</i>) I believe they do.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>And, Mike....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Well?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t want you to give me that frock.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Or the gloves.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>But why not, Clare? I don’t understand....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t you, old boy? Neither do I. But I’d -much rather you didn’t—now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Surely, dear——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> voice is heard speaking -beneath.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!... And I’m going home now. Don’t -try to prevent me, like a good chap. And I want -to walk back alone.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> emerges speaking to <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, -who follows her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>We’ve come just at the wonderful moment, Baldwin. -All the west is a ritual of gold. (<i>She has -a wrap over her of a wonderful sunset hue and a -white lily in her hand.</i>) Here’s poor Baldwin -deeply grieved because he’s shooed away every -time he gets to work!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>He didn’t seem to be doing anything particular, -dearest, when I sent him away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But, Michael——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, with his shears and saws, crosses -to the right and examines the sunset.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t you remember he was keeping a h’eye on -the sun?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But, Clare! What a dreadful state you’re in!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I know. Your trees are shockingly dirty. You -really ought to get Baldwin to scrub them with -soap and water!... Lady Patricia, I hope you -won’t think me very rude if I run away. I had -quite forgotten it was father’s sermon night when -I accepted Mr. Cosway’s invitation to dinner. I -always help him with his sermons.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You, my dear child!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I verify the quotations and prune the adjectives.... -Then you’ll forgive me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Sweet girl! (<i>She strokes <span class="smcap">Clare’s</span> unwilling -face.</i>) I’m very sorry, because I’m going to do -such a wicked and decadent thing at dinner. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -see this lily? So virginal and nun-like! I am -going to put her into a glassful of wine and make -her tipsy.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You must come some other evening. We are -both so very fond of you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Good-bye. Good-bye, Mr. Cosway.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Are you sure you don’t want me to come with -you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Quite, thanks. Good-bye.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>She seems to be in a chastened frame of mind.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps she’s not quite well.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Holding out her hands to him.</i>) Michael....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Taking her hands.</i>) Dearest!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>It will be just—just you and I!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You and I, Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You needn’t stay, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Who is still staring into the sunset.</i>) Beg -pardon, mum?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You needn’t stay.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>But if you’ll excuse my sayin’ so, mum, the -sun——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Another time, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, ’m.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out slowly.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Just you and I, Michael.... Kiss me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Kissing her.</i>) Just you and I.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You and I and the sunset....</p> - -<p class="titlepage">(<span class="smcap">End of the First Act.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_SECOND_ACT">THE SECOND ACT</h2> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>The same, except for an extra ladder -which <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> has had built up to the -platform on the left. It is a beautiful night in -early June. The full moon spreads a network -of shadows on the platform, and a few large -stars twinkle through the leaves. Suspended -from the branches by pieces of silken string -attached to nails driven into the trunk of the -tree are several elaborate Chinese lanterns. -Empty coffee-cups and liqueur glasses stand -on two small tables in the background. There -are one or two chairs about in addition to -<span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> deck-chair.</i></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>When the curtain rises, <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> is seen -slowly entering on the left. He has a -bundle of small candles in his hand. He -looks anxiously from lantern to lantern. -Suddenly one of them goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Ho! (<i>He unfastens the string from the nail -and lowers the lantern with deliberation, muttering.</i>) -Them little lanterns do burn uncommon -quick.... Whoa! (<i>Fixes fresh candle in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -lantern.</i>) Uncommon quick ... drat ’em.... -(<i>Pulls up the lantern.</i>) Whoa!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>While he fastens the string on to the nail -<span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> voice is heard singing -divinely in the distance. <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> listens -for a moment. The singing ceases. He -shakes his head gloomily, glances into the -tree, and another lantern goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Ho!... (<i>He lowers the lantern.</i>) Whoa.... -(<i>Fixing the fresh candle.</i>) They do burn -oncommon quick—drat ’em.... (<i>Pulls up the -lantern.</i>) Whoa....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>After fixing the string, he retires slowly into -the shadowy background and stands motionless, -staring from lantern to lantern. -Suddenly <span class="smcap">Bill O’Farrel</span> enters hurriedly -by the ladder in the centre. He is in evening -dress. He does not see <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, who -merely glances at him and then resumes -his upward scrutiny. <span class="smcap">Bill</span> throws himself -into <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> deck-chair.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Whew.... safe! (<i>He lights a cigarette.</i>)</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Suddenly close beneath <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> -voice is heard singing with desultory -beauty. <span class="smcap">Bill</span> springs to his feet.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Damn!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He tiptoes cautiously to the edge of the platform -and peeps over. The bird-like -snatches of song grow nearer.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<p>Damn!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He crosses softly and quickly to the ladder -on the left, and with a scared look over -his shoulder, disappears just as <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span>, in a gown of shimmering wonder, -emerges by the ladder in the centre. She -stops singing and looks around.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Flutingly.</i>) Bill.... Bill.... (<i>She perceives -the shadowy figure of <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> and makes a -quick movement with outstretched arms towards -it.</i>) Ah, my dear!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Beg pardon, m’lady?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!... Baldwin! How amusing!... I -was looking for—Mr. Cosway. Has he been here?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, when?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’E took corfee ’ere with your ladyship, mum, -and ’is Very Reverence, and the young lady and -Mrs. O’Farrel and Mr. O’Farrel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Sometimes, Baldwin, I wonder whether your -amazing futility may not be a conscious pose.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Beg pardon, mum?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, never mind....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She goes out on the left, humming sweetly. -<span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> retires to the background and -resumes his lantern watch. <span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters -by the central ladder quickly in breathless -condition and drops into the deck-chair. -<span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, unperceived, glances at her, then -looks up at the lanterns again.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Safe! (<i>With a sigh of relief she lights a -cigarette.</i>)</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Suddenly <span class="smcap">Michael’s</span> voice is heard beneath -calling softly.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare—Clare....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Damn! (<i>She springs to her feet, crosses quickly -to the left, and descends as <span class="smcap">Michael’s</span> head -emerges up the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare.... (<i>Looks around and perceives the -vague form of <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>.</i>) Clare, my—— Oh! I -was looking for Lady Patricia. Have you seen -her, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh.... Has she been here?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>When?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Beg pardon, sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Impatiently.</i>) When was Lady Patricia here?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Well, sir, it may ’a been two minutes ago, sir, -or it may ’a been——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Thank you.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out on the left, while <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> -continues</i>:)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Or it may ’a been three. ’Er ladyship were -looking for you, sir. She arst me, sir—— (<i>Perceiving -the vanity of continuing his reminiscences -he looks up and a lantern goes out.</i>) Ho! -(<i>Lowers the lantern.</i>) Whoa!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Enter <span class="smcap">Ellis</span> up the central ladder, carrying -a tray with whisky-and-soda.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Good evening, Mr. Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Them candles do burn oncommon quick.... -You was sayin’, Mr. Ellis?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>I said good evening.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Whoa!... (<i>Fixes the string.</i>) Good evening -to you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Clearing coffee-cups, &c., and setting the -whisky-and-soda.</i>) It beats me what the company -are up to to-night. After dinner they all went for -a stroll down to the pond. ’Er ladyship wanted -to see—(<i>imitates <span class="smcap">Patricia</span></i>)—“the great moon-flower’s -reflection among the lilies.” Then they -seem to ’ave separated. The old people are behaving -themselves quite rational—playing bézique -in the drawing-room. The others are playing the -tomfool or ’ide-and-seek or something o’ the sort.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Iding-seek? Are they now! That minds me -as ’ow I onct played ’iding-seek with Mrs. Baldwin -as was my first wife—she weren’t my wife then—an’ -found ’er—(<i>he chuckles</i>)—and found ’er—(<i>chuckles</i>)—in -the middle of the bed!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Ellis</span> guffaws.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>A rose bed it wer’. “Maidens’ blush” they was, -jest fur all the world same as ’er purty face. So -I gives her sutting wot to blush for. That I did. -Dang it! Yus, I did.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>You seem to ’ave lived your life, Mr. Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I ’ave that. I’ve ’ad thirteen, an’ two of ’em -by me first wife. Thirteen’s an onlucky number -I’ve ’eard tell. But I ain’t suspicious.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Su-per-stitious is what you mean, I take it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If I says suspicious I means it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Well, please yourself, Mr. Baldwin, please yourself. -My motter’s “Live an’ let live.” Yes, as I -was saying, it’s a queer game of ’ide-and-seek -they’re playing at. I saw young O’Farrel just -now by the yew-trees. ’E caught sight of ’er -ladyship comin’ up the path, and dived into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -shadder like a frightened rabbit. Bit queer considering -’ow thick they are. I just stood aside -to see if anything was going to ’appen. Then ’oo -should come along but the master! They must -have caught sight of each other at the same time. -She gave a sorter jump an’ stood still. ’E cut -and ’urried into the bushes. Then she turned and -’urried back the way she’d come. What d’yer say -to that?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>What do I say?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Bit queer, ain’t it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Chronic! Why, a minute or two back ’er ladyship -was up ’ere an’ says, “I’m looking for Mr. -Cosway.” And arfter she’s gorne, ’e comes up ’ere -an’ says, “I’m lookin’ for ’er ladyship,” ’e says.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I give it up!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> is heard singing in the -distance.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>There, she’s at it again!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> enters up the central ladder unperceived -by the others. He stands in the -background. They all listen to the singing -in silence until it ceases.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>She can sing, an’ no error!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Minds me of an ole cat as used to yeowl night -after night in the rubub beds.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Good Lord, Mr. Baldwin, ’ow d’you make that -out?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Course it ain’t the same. ’Er ladyship’s voice -is a rare treat to ’ear, an’ a cat’s ain’t. But there’s -somethin’ in ’em both as seems to be callin’ for -somethin’ else. ’Twas jest afore Mrs. Baldwin -’ad ’er seventh. An’ yer’d ’ardly b’lieve me, Mr. -Ellis, that cat ’ad kittens same day as Mrs. -Baldwin.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>With a smothered laugh <span class="smcap">Bill</span> comes forward. -<span class="smcap">Ellis</span> hastily picks up the tray with the -cups, &c.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, whisky-and-soda, Ellis. That’s good!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Ellis.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out by the centre.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Helping himself to whisky-and-soda.</i>) Well, -Baldwin, what are you up to? Keeping an eye on -the sun so as to lop off the branches?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>No, sir.... I was jest watching them lanterns.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. They’re very pretty.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>They do burn uncommon quick.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, they’re made of paper, you know.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir.... It was the candles I was alludin’ -of, sir. They do burn—— (<i>A lantern goes out.</i>) -Ho!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He fiddles about with the string, <span class="smcap">Bill</span> watching -him with a smile. Suddenly halfway -up the central ladder you hear the voice -of <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> sweetly humming. -<span class="smcap">Bill</span> throws a wild glance around him.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t give me away, Baldwin.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He darts into the summer-house at the -back and locks the door.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Iding-seek!... (<i>Lowering the lantern.</i>) -Whoa!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> enters.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill?... (<i>Looks around.</i>) Who were you -talking to just now, Baldwin?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. O’Farrel, mum.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes; I thought so—but I don’t see him.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>No, mum.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Where is he?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’E’s gorne, m’lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Gone?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m. You gave yerself away, mum, you did. -D’rectly ’e ’eard your ladyship’s voice ’e was gorne, -mum.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Amazed.</i>) I gave myself away? Directly he -heard my voice he was gone?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Twas like as when you come up ’ere before -a-lookin’ for the master. Mr. O’Farrel, ’e was -’ere then, mum. ’E ’eard you, an’ ’e jest ran.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. O’Farrel heard me and he ran?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m. An’ if you’ll h’excuse my sayin’ so, -mum, it ain’t gumptious to sing when playin’ -’iding-seek.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Playing hide-and-seek?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Hide-and-seek! What on earth are you talking -about? I really am afraid, Baldwin, the full -moon must have deprived you of your few remaining -wits. Do you seriously mean to tell me that -Mr. O’Farrel ran away twice because he heard me -coming?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a dumbfounded pause</i>) Where did he -go to?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Knowingly.</i>) Beggin’ yer pardon, mum, I -really couldn’t tell yer that.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters on the left unperceived, and -slips cautiously behind the trunk.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I arst you, mum, would it be playin’ fair on -the young gentleman?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Edging rather nervously away from him.</i>) I -think you had better go home now, Baldwin. I am -afraid you are not quite well. Tell Mrs. Baldwin -to come and see me to-morrow.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> goes out on the left, throwing -a nervous look back at <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, who -nods his head triumphantly and pulls up -the lantern. <span class="smcap">Clare</span> emerges from behind -the trunk and tiptoes towards him.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Whoa!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>S-sh!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Lord-a-mercy!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Language, Baldwin!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yer did give me a turn, miss.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Sorry! Hullo, drinks! (<i>Goes to the edge of -the platform and looks cautiously over.</i>) The -coast’s clear. I’ll have some soda-water.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Iding-seek do give you a bit of a thirst, miss.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Astonished.</i>) Hide-and-seek?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, miss.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Why, have you been playing hide-and-seek?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Me, miss?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Didn’t you say so just now? Really, Baldwin, -for a person of your age! And now you want -a drink? Well, I’ve no objection, though it looks -uncommonly as if you had helped yourself -already.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She points to <span class="smcap">Bill’s</span> half-filled glass.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Excitedly.</i>) Me, miss? I give you my word, -miss. Why, that’s—that’s——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>His voice is heard calling softly beneath.</i>) -Clare....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, in a fierce whisper.</i>) Hush! -Don’t say where I am!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She runs to the summer-house and gains the -door just as <span class="smcap">Michael</span> emerges up the -central ladder. She finds the door locked. -The key turns in the lock audibly, the door -opens, and <span class="smcap">Bill’s</span> hand seizes her arm -and pulls her inside.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Draws her into the summer-house, closes and -locks the door.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In unrestrained delight.</i>) Haw! Haw! Haw! -Haw!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Looking around him.</i>) Wasn’t Miss Lesley -speaking to you a second ago, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>She were, sir. Haw! Haw!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Regarding the amused <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> with -severity.</i>) Where did she go to?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>She’s gorne, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I asked you <i>where</i> she had gone to.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>No, sir; I couldn’t tell yer that, sir. I reely -couldn’t.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He guffaws again.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Have you been drinking, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Me, sir? Drinking? ’Pon me honour, sir, I -ain’t touched a drop o’ that whisky. It’s mortal -’ard, sir, that a man o’ my years should be tole -’e’s in liquor twice in one evenin’! An’ me teetotal -’cept for me pint o’ four-’arf at dinner an’ supper -and a drop o’ somethin’ on Saturday night.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Do you know the day of the week, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a pause.</i>) Lor’, sir, if it ain’t Sat’day.... -But I give you me word, sir, I ain’t——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Very well, Baldwin. But you must admit that -your conduct was peculiar. Perhaps now you will -be so good as to tell me where Miss Lesley -went to.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>She—she——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He starts laughing again.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Do you mean to tell me she has climbed up the -tree again?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Maybe she ’as, sir, an’ maybe she ’asn’t. Haw! -Haw!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Angrily.</i>) Fool! (<i>Goes to the trunk, and, -standing in the shadow, looks up into the -branches.</i>) Clare.... Clare.... I see you, -you naughty little girl.... You’ve led me a -pretty dance to-night.... Clare.... If you -don’t come down I’ll climb up and fetch -you....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> enters quickly on the left.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, her finger on her lip.</i>) Hush!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She tiptoes quickly across the stage and seizes -<span class="smcap">Michael</span> by the shoulders.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh! (<i>He faces her and falls back.</i>) Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Falling back an amazed step.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In an ecstasy of glee.</i>) The wrong man! Oh, -Lord! Oh, Lord!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He doubles up with laughter. <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span> and <span class="smcap">Michael</span> regard him in -silent amazement and consternation.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>) I’m afraid he’s——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Touches her forehead.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Good God!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Gently.</i>) Don’t you think it’s better you went -now, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You ought to stay in bed to-morrow.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Bed, sir?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Or sit quietly in the sweet sunshine at your -cottage door.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yes’m....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Good-night, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Good-night, mum. Good-night, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He walks stolidly to the ladder on the left; -then, just before descending, starts once -more guffawing and continues as he -descends. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> and <span class="smcap">Michael</span> -look at each other in pitying astonishment.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Poor old man! I fear he is breaking up at -last!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>God forgive me, dearest; I thought he had been -drinking.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Let us make the twilight of his long day full -of peace and fragrance.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>He shall never want.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A nightingale begins its song in the distance.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, listen! Ah, listen, dear heart!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The nightingale.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>We have not far to go, you and I, to reach that -land where music and moonlight and feeling are -one!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Music and moonlight and feeling——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Are one....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Sweet bird!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause. They listen “emparadised in one -another’s arms.”</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But where have you been, dearest? For the last -half-hour I have been looking for you down -shadowy paths and by moonlit waters.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>And I for you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Cousin Bill went indoors as he had something -he wished to say to his mother. So I seized the -opportunity to find <i>you</i>.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Miss Lesley left me to speak to her father—and -I thought I would snatch a beautiful moment -with my wife.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Cousin Bill said he would come back to me in -a moment.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Miss Lesley too. I’m afraid they may be hunting -for us.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Poor children! But they will forgive us when -they know we have been together—and so happy. -Tell me, dear, why were you looking so fixedly -up the tree when I came just now?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> looks apprehensively towards the -tree.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I—I was looking for a nightingale.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>A nightingale?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I thought for a moment some one had climbed -the tree, as you seemed to be speaking up into it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I was making fluting sounds so as to encourage -the bird to sing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>How clever of you, dear! And now it’s singing -in the bushes near the pond.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps I frightened it out of the tree.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps you did.... Darling.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Has it ever occurred to you that child may -misconstrue your beautiful friendship for her?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Startled.</i>) Clare!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Coldly.</i>) Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Er—Miss Lesley?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, Patricia, how can you think such a thing! -Our friendship is like the friendship of two men -or two women, the elder tenderly guiding the -younger towards a higher, saner, nobler, larger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -view of life. (<i>He glances apprehensively at the -tree.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Exquisite! Ideal! But haven’t you noticed, -Michael, that the child no longer accepts your -companionship with the same frank pleasure as -before? I have watched her lately. It seems to -me as though she were always trying to avoid -you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Roused.</i>) Avoid <i>me</i>! Clare!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Do you call her by her Christian name?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Only in moments of excitement. Avoid me! -Impossible!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No, dear, not impossible. And when a girl -pointedly avoids a man, it too often means—pursue -me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Distinctly relieved.</i>) Ah!... Ah! yes. -But I think you must be mistaken.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Indeed, I hope so. But you must be careful. -You are so attractive, Michael.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, nonsense, darling!... Strangely enough, -a week or two ago I was on the point of warning -you in just the same way.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Warning me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I used to watch that boy’s eyes when he looked -at you. They were the eyes of a loving spaniel.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Cousin Bill’s?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes; and I felt sorry for him. But I think -his infatuation was only temporary.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sharply.</i>) Temporary? What do you mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>He no longer sits at your feet and follows you -about as much as he used to.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You are quite wrong. His cousinly affection -is the same now as it ever was. He was never -in any way infatuated.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>How could he help it, dearest? You are so -wonderful!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Am I? I wonder! (<i>A pause.</i>) I think we -really ought to join the others now, dearest.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>With a glance into the tree.</i>) Very well.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, who has moved towards the -ladder on the left, turns and notices -<span class="smcap">Michael’s</span> upward gaze.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What is it, dear?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I—I was looking for a star.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Which star?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Arcturus.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But Arcturus is low in the west.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>How stupid of me!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They go out. The stage is empty for a -moment. The nightingale sings on. Then -<span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters—hurriedly for him—up the -central ladder. He goes—softly for him—to -the summer-house, after carefully looking -over the edge of the platform to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -that the coast is quite clear. He listens, -nods his head, and grins. Then he taps -gently on the door and listens again. Receiving -no reply, he taps once more and -listens. Finally he speaks in a husky -whisper.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>It’s all right, sir. It’s all right, miss. They’ve -gorne. (<i>The summer-house remains silent.</i>) -They’ve gorne.... It’s all right, sir. (<i>Taps -at the door.</i>) They’ve gorne. (<i>Taps again after -a pause.</i>) They’ve gorne....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The door suddenly flies open.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In the doorway.</i>) What the devil d’you want, -Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Beg pardon, sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What do you want?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>They’ve gorne, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I can’t help that, can I?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>No, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, then?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>You see, sir, it’s like this. I thought as ’ow——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Invisible in the dark interior of the summer-house.</i>) -Oh, Baldwin, for the love of heaven, -hook it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Ook it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes; run away, like a dear.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Very good, miss.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> goes out by the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Speaking into the summer-house.</i>) Darling.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In the summer-house.</i>) You’ve pulled all my -hair down——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, I——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’ve lost at least six hair-pins. You needn’t -have been so rough.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I’m awfully sorry, darling—but—— (<i>He is -about to re-enter the summer-house.</i>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>No, stay where you are....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She emerges from the summer-house, and -moves past him to the front of the platform. -Her hair is all loose and dishevelled. -She starts shaking it out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Darling——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t touch me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Clare!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Please find those hair-pins, and the two side-combs. -They’re all real tortoise-shell.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But I say——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Find those hair-pins, or, at any rate, the side-combs.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, all right....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes into the summer-house, strikes a -match, and searches about the floor for the -missing hair-pins. <span class="smcap">Clare</span> stands plaiting -her hair into a “pigtail,” and looking -straight before her with very grave eyes.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Half to himself while searching.</i>) Here are a -couple.... By Jove! one of ’em’s got rammed -tight behind the seat.... Another—that’s three.... -Four!... I’ve found one of the side-combs.... -I say, they are jolly pretty!... -Where the deuce has t’other one got to?... Oh, -Lord, I’m awfully sorry! It’s smashed. I put my -clumsy hoof on it.... (<i>He joins her at the -front of the platform.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>It’s all right....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But—— (<i>Looks at her with puzzled eyes.</i>) I -say, darling, is anything the matter with you? -(<i>Puts his arm around her.</i>) A moment ago——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Freeing herself.</i>) You must never call me -that again.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Call you what?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>“Darling.”</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Or put your arm round me....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Passionately.</i>) Oh, Bill, I was mad—I lost -my head—I forgot.... It was so—so thrilling -in there.... I should never have let you—I -should never have let you....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But I—I only kissed you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You—you——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And told you that I loved you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And you said you loved me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I didn’t!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You kissed me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>That’s not the same thing.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Then you don’t love me?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I never said so.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Do you love me, Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I should never have kissed you if I didn’t.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Clare! (<i>Tries to take her in his arms.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Decidedly.</i>) No....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>No?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I am not free.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Not ... free.... Then you’re—you’re—engaged?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>No.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>No?... But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I am not free.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But you’re <i>not</i> engaged?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>No.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Clare! You don’t mean—you can’t mean that -you are married?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Married?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes—married!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t be silly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>That’s no answer. Are you married?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Of course I’m not.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You’re neither engaged nor married—but you’re -not free to marry me. What does it all mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You must be content with that.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Must I? Then you don’t know me. I’ll give you -no rest—I’ll persecute you night and day till I -get at the truth.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a pause.</i>) You may be right, Bill;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -perhaps I do owe you an explanation since I -allowed you to kiss me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And kissed me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Tragically.</i>) I belong to another man....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But you said just now——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Whom I can never marry....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Because he is already married.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Horrified.</i>) Clare! you—you——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Loftily.</i>) Our bond is purely of the spirit.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Eh?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Unconsciously imitating <span class="smcap">Michael’s</span> manner.</i>) -He is a noble and high-souled gentleman. His life -is one long self-sacrifice for the woman whom he -married. She loves him, and for her sake he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -fought against his love for me. But that love -mastered him: he confessed it. I told him it -was returned, though I know now it was the pity -and friendship I felt for him which I mistook for -love. We promised to be true to each other. I -cannot—I dare not break my promise. My love is -all he has to make life bearable....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> is about to speak when <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> -voice, singing in the distance, brings him -up with a jerk. He listens a moment. -When he speaks his tone is one of -dismay.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Great—Scott!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Coldly.</i>) I beg your pardon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, Clare, d’you know I’ve made an ass of -myself in just the same way as you!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>An ass?... Will you kindly explain yourself.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I had no right to tell you I loved you, because -I am bound to another woman.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Not—not to a married woman?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>A married woman....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, how dreadful!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Our bond is purely of the spirit.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh?... What is she like?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Noble and high-souled like your——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Is she pretty?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, yes, she——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Did you love her?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Till I met you five weeks ago I believe I did. -Then I—— Anyhow, I’m afraid I’ll have to stick -to her. If I threw her over now I don’t know -what the poor woman would do.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You have a pretty high notion of your attractions.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>And you of yours.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You appear to forget that I am a woman.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>You hear <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia’s</span> voice just beneath -talking to <span class="smcap">Michael</span>. <span class="smcap">Bill</span> exclaims with -a scared look</i>:)</p> - -</div> - -<p>She’s coming here!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well?... (<i>With dawning comprehension. -She seizes his arm.</i>) Bill—you don’t mean to say -that she——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> is heard replying to <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span>. <span class="smcap">Clare</span> whispers with startled -eyes</i>:)</p> - -</div> - -<p>That’s he!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Staring at her.</i>) That’s Michael.... Good -God! Clare, it’s not—it’s not Michael that you——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!... They’re going past....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a fierce undertone.</i>) The blackguard!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>If I hadn’t been a blind fool, I would have seen -through this precious friendship for you long ago.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -It never dawned on me that the fellow was such -a scoundrel. And a precious hypocrite, too, by -Jove! Playing up so as to make that poor, -trusting woman believe him madly in love with -her....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>That poor, trusting woman? Are you, by any -chance, speaking of Patricia?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Of course I am. Hanging about her neck while -all the time he’s making love to an innocent girl! -It’s perfectly disgusting!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>And what has your noble, high-souled Patricia -been doing, I should like to know? Shamming -infatuation for poor Michael to hide her shameful -flirtation with a callow boy.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>It was not a shameful flirtation—and I’m no -more a callow boy than you are.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>What amazes me is that you should ever have -allowed yourself to be fooled by a shallow, deceitful -<i>poseuse</i> like Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>She hasn’t fooled me. She’s deeply and truly -in love with me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Contradiction isn’t argument: it’s merely rude.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>If it had been any one else but Michael there -might have been some excuse for you. But -Michael! How could you? A dull, priggish -ass——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>He’s not a dull, priggish ass!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Contradiction isn’t argument: it’s merely rude.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>How dare you speak to me like that!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sulkily.</i>) I beg your pardon.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He moves away from her, and they both stand -staring in opposite directions.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a pause.</i>) I don’t think there’s anything -more to be said.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Neither do I.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Things must remain as they are.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, I suppose they must.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Of course, any one who was at all unprejudiced -would see at once the—the higher morality of my -decision.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>The what?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>The higher morality. Michael has often told me -that our pure love and the fact that he does his -duty as best he can to his wife are the only -things that keep him from suicide....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Under his breath.</i>) Bosh!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I beg your pardon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing.... It’s awfully funny to think of -Michael spooning away with you and Patricia -and boring you both to death without knowing it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t see that it’s any funnier than Patricia -doing the same with you and Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, anyhow, I shall have to stick to Patricia—not -because of “higher morality”—whatever that -means—but because I know she would pine away -if I left her now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Tchah!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They stand miserably silent, looking in opposite -directions. The nightingale starts -singing, and sings through the next scene. -The voices of the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> and <span class="smcap">Mrs. -O’Farrel</span> come up from beneath.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I find it chilly, Dean—distinctly chilly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>For Whitsuntide, dear lady—surely not. True, -Whitsuntide is very late this year....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> enters, followed by the -<span class="smcap">Dean</span>, up the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Why, here’s the child! All alone, my dear? -Whatever have you been doing to your hair?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>It’s such a hot night I had to take it down.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Hot?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>But, my dear child, you can’t possibly go home -like that!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’ll put it up when I get back to the house.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Perceiving <span class="smcap">Bill</span>.</i>) Is that my son?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Gloomily.</i>) Hullo, mater....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Enchanting night, my boy!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>As before.</i>) Awfully jolly....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And where are the others?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t know.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Sentimentalising in the moonlight....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I suppose so.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> regards both the young -people critically through her lorgnette.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Breezily.</i>) And what have you two been up -to?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Mootching around.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Playing about.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Your mother and I thought we’d like a little -stroll before going home.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Good idea....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> fixes his monocle, and, slightly -puzzled, scrutinises them each in turn.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What’s the matter with you both?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill and Clare.</span></p> - -<p>The matter?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Have you been quarrelling?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill and Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Quarrelling?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>You’re as sulky as two bears.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill and Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>As two bears. Aren’t they, Dean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Sulky? No, no; surely not sulky! Chastened! -Thoughtful! A little overcome, perhaps, by the -beauty of the night—as all sensitive young souls -should be.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>H’m!... Sensitive young souls!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, followed by <span class="smcap">Michael</span>, enters -on the left.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>All of you? But how charming! How delightful!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Dear Lady Patricia!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> moves towards <span class="smcap">Clare</span>, who evades -his ardent gaze.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What have you been doing with yourselves?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Looking at the guelder-roses in the moonlight, -and wondering whether they were guelder-roses at -all or great pearls.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Personally I should say they were guelder-roses.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, but dear Aunt Eileen, how can you tell -what pranks the fairies may not play on such a -night as this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>What an exquisite fancy!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Who has been looking jealously at <span class="smcap">Clare</span> and -<span class="smcap">Michael</span>. He speaks defiantly with eyes on -<span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) I say, Cousin Patricia....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, Cousin Bill?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> looks at them.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>If it wouldn’t bother you too much, I wonder -if you’d care to take me to have a look at those -thingumybob roses. It would be simply corking!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I shall be charmed, Cousin Bill. We’ll settle -the question of guelder-rose or pearl together.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They move towards the ladder on the left.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a low voice to <span class="smcap">Bill</span> as he passes her.</i>) -Worm! (<i>In a defiant voice to <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>) Mr. -Cosway, you’ve never shown me the—the what’s-its-name....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The spiral nebula in Andromeda? It’s scarcely -favourable for a view of the nebula to-night. Shall -we look at the mountains of the moon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Thanks awfully.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She and <span class="smcap">Michael</span> move to the central -ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Bill</span> as they descend on the left.</i>) Do you -believe in fairies, Cousin Bill?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span> as they descend the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>I have often wondered how the night would look if -we had nine moons like Jupiter.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause. The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> looks disapprovingly -after the disappearing <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <span class="smcap">Mrs. -O’Farrel</span> through her lorgnette after -<span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>H’m....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I beg your pardon?... You were saying?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I didn’t say anything. I was thinking.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, thinking—yes, thinking.... So was I.... -By the way, Eileen, your—er—cherished -project for marrying Clare to your son doesn’t -appear to be materialising quite—er—satisfactorily.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No, it doesn’t.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Not quite as smoothly as we—as you hoped.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Give me a whisky-and-soda.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>A whisky——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And soda.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> pours out a drop of whisky.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Go on....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> sets the syphon going.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Nearly full.... When!... And you had -better take something as well—to fortify yourself -against what I am going to say.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah.... A little soda-water. (<i>Helps himself.</i>) -So you are going to be unpleasant, my dear -Eileen?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I am. Those two <i>had</i> been quarrelling just -now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>That was evident—even to me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>They had been quarrelling bitterly—and I can -make a shrewd guess at the cause.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I also.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Indeed. Well, I think it’s high time to speak -plainly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I quite agree with you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I’m glad to hear it.... Bill had very -evidently been taking your daughter to task for -her amazing indiscretions.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Amazing indiscretions? Clare’s? Will you -kindly be more explicit.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I mean to be. Perhaps you remember some -weeks ago I warned you that her intimacy with -Michael Cosway ought to be stopped?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Certainly. And I took leave to disagree with -you entirely.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, you were wrong. You should immediately -have put an end to this intimacy—to use the -mildest word for her friendship with Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Mrs. O’Farrel, is it possible you are speaking of -my daughter?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And it’s your duty to put an end to it at once. -I only hope that you may not be too late.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>This—this—this is beyond anything!... Perhaps -you will be so good——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Now then, Dean, pray don’t lose your temper. -It’s neither wise nor becoming, and at our age -very bad for the heart. Listen to me quietly for -a moment. I refused for a long time to believe -any ill of this—er—friendship. I knew Michael to -be infatuated with his wife, and Clare to be a -healthy-minded girl. But last week Emily Fitzgerald -told me she had seen Michael walking in -the Stanton Woods with his arm around Clare’s -shoulder. She added that the affair was becoming -quite notorious in the neighbourhood.... You -must act, and act at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Is that all? So you condescend to listen to the -tittle-tattle of a notorious old gossip like Emily -Fitzgerald? Upon my word I’m ashamed of you!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Dean! Have you taken leave of your senses?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I might well put that question to you, Mrs. -O’Farrel. But I refrain from vulgar <i>tu quoque</i> -repartee. I have no more to say except to warn -you that before looking after the morals of my -daughter, you had far better look after those of -your son.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>My son?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Precisely—your son.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I and others—unlike yourself, I will not drag in -the names of outsiders—have for some time past -watched your son and Lady Patricia with grief -and dismay.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Just now you believed your son had been impertinently -taking Clare to task for her charming -friendship with Michael Cosway. I am convinced -you were mistaken. It was Clare who had been -warning your son that his indiscretions were becoming -the talk of the place.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Bill entangled with Patricia! And Clare—<i>Clare</i> -preaching propriety! It’s too laughable! A boy’s -innocent homage for a woman at least ten years -his senior! You’re a very foolish old man.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Again I put away from me the <i>tu quoque</i> retort.... -Add two and two together. I don’t for a -moment blame <i>her</i>. I can’t find it in my heart -to blame her. The dear and beautiful creature is -as God made her: exquisitely sensitive, sentimental -and infinitely affectionate.... But I warn -you, Mrs. O’Farrel, I warn you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I refuse to hear another word. You ought to be -ashamed of yourself!... And the saddest part -of the whole affair is my poor boy’s undoubted -affection for your daughter.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Affection for Clare! I don’t believe it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Are you his mother?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Certainly not!... But I have watched him—with -the result that I am convinced of his -infatuation for Lady Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fiddle-sticks!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>And I may as well tell you, though you will not -believe it, that my poor girl’s affections are centred -on your son.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, dam’ foolishness!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>This has gone far enough, Mrs. O’Farrel.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Quite far enough. I am going home.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>So am I.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Followed by the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>, <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> -moves towards the central ladder. Suddenly -he stops, hurries on tiptoe to the -back, and looks cautiously over the railing. -He whispers</i>:)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Eileen!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What is it?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!... Clare’s coming here with Michael -Cosway. I offer you a chance to substantiate the -aspersions you have made against her character.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>We will conceal ourselves in the summer-house -and hear what they have to say to each other.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Really, Dean!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>We may disregard the rules of ordinary morality -in a situation like this. I speak professionally. -Quick! (<i>He draws her towards the summer-house.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, upon my word!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They go into the summer-house, and sit with -the door open, but invisible in the gloom -of the interior. Voices are heard beneath. -Then <span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters on the left, followed -by <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Father!... (<i>She looks around her.</i>) Why, -they’ve gone!...</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>They must have returned to the house.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>We had better go too.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, Clare, a moment.... Look at me, dear.... -(<i>He takes her hands.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Are you unhappy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Why should I be?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You are no longer the wild and buoyant thing -you were. You have grown so pensive and <i>distrait</i>. -And is it my jealous imagination?—so often -lately you have seemed to avoid me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I—I’m sorry....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>There’s trouble in your eyes, my dearest. Clare, -do you chafe at the restrictions fate has put on -our love?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, I—I don’t know. I’m all right, Michael—but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -you—— We’d better go in now. Father’s -waiting for me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Kiss me before you go.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, not now....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Bending down to her.</i>) Kiss me, dear.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She kisses him perfunctorily on the cheek; he -sighs; she turns and descends the ladder -on the left; he follows her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>How sweet it is!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Sweet?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Your “pigtail,” dear. The sight of it makes me -feel a boy again. I should like to pull it and -run away.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> laughs and they both descend out of -sight. A pause. The nightingale starts -singing. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> emerges from -the summer-house. Her step is almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -jaunty with suppressed triumph, and her -manner elaborately off-hand. The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> -remains invisible in the summer-house.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, the nightingale! How charmingly it sings -to-night!... I do wish we had some nightingales -at Ashurst. I suppose they prefer low-lying -ground like this.... Do they sing in your -garden at the Deanery?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> comes out of the summer-house in -a very crestfallen condition.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eileen——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Cheerfully.</i>) Yes?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>This is dreadful—dreadful....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>On the contrary, I think it’s most delightful! -One can hear every note so perfectly at this -elevation.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Is it generous of you—is it generous of you, -Eileen, to flaunt your terrible triumph like this? -I am heart-broken! I am distracted! What on -earth am I to do?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pouring him out a whisky-and-soda.</i>) Drink -this!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pettishly.</i>) I don’t care for whisky.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, you needn’t make such a fuss! It’s perfectly -obvious from what we saw just now that -no real harm has been done. The way she kissed -Michael——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She bursts out laughing.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>How can you, Eileen? How can you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>It reminded me of a child taking castor-oil!... -But Michael—the double-faced hypocrisy of -the man! I’m really very sorry for Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t see the necessity for lavishing sympathy -on her.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean? Doesn’t she believe he -returns her devotion?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Her devotion doesn’t prevent her philandering -with other men, as I told you just now.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, upon my word! I wouldn’t have believed -it! In spite of this gross example of your obtuseness, -you still have the—the audacity to stick to -your slander against Bill! Really I—— (<i>She -stops short, listens, then hurries to the back and -looks over the railing. She turns to the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> -and speaks in a quiet whisper.</i>) We must hide -in the summer-house....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eh? What?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>At once! Bill and Patricia are returning here. -You will see for yourself there’s nothing more -between them than cousinly regard.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I refuse to eavesdrop a lady.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>But you deliberately did it a moment ago.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Clare is my daughter.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fiddlesticks! (<i>Pushes him before her.</i>) Quick -now!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I submit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>—Under protest....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She shepherds the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> into the summer-house -just as <span class="smcap">Patricia</span> and <span class="smcap">Bill</span> come -up the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Cousin Bill and I have discovered that guelder-roses -are guelder-roses after all.... Why, Bill -dear, they’re not here!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Got impatient, I suppose, and went back to the -house. About time we did the same. It’s getting -late.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Dreamily.</i>) <i>Too late, too late! Ye cannot -enter now!</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>What d’you say?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I was quoting Tennyson.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You know the lines, don’t you? Listen:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>Late, late, so late! and dark the night and chill!</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Late, late, so late, but we can enter still!</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>Too late, too late! Ye cannot enter now!</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>So sweet and sad, are they not? Don’t you love -sweet, sad things?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Rather.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p><i>Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest -thought.</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Rather.... I say, hadn’t we better be going?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Her hands on his shoulders.</i>) Do you love me -as you used to?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, why d’you—you don’t think——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No—no—no—ah, no! I know well enough that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -your love is deeper and stronger than it was. -But this sacred love—this hopeless love of ours -has swept you suddenly into manhood. You are -no longer a boy; you are graver; you are sadder.... -And if sometimes you seem to avoid me now, -it’s due to no cooling of passion, but to the fear -lest the pent-up lava at your heart should overflow -and ruin us both.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, you do put things awfully well!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Petrarch and Laura—Paolo and Francesca—Lancelot -and Guinevere.... Bill—no, William -and Patricia.... Ah, my poor boy, put your -arm around me, and say those lines of Lovelace -that I taught you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, I say—really, you know—— On my honour, -I’ve forgotten ’em....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No, no! You’re merely shy—bashful—boyish! -I love to hear you say that verse. (<i>She starts -him.</i>) <i>Yet this</i>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p><i>Yet this—yet this</i>—— What’s the word?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p><i>Yet this inconstancy</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a self-conscious sing-song.</i>)</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>Yet this inconstancy is such</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>As you, too, shall adore;</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>I could not love thee, dear, so much,</i></div> -<div class="verse indent1"><i>Loved I not honour more.</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p><i>Loved I not honour more....</i> Love—duty—honour—— -(<i>She sighs deeply.</i>) Come, dear....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They go out on the left. A pause. The -<span class="smcap">Dean</span> comes out of the summer-house. He -barely conceals his triumph under a mask -of outraged propriety. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> -follows him.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>H’m.... Cousinly regard!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>It’s shocking! Outrageous!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>It is indeed.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>—That you shouldn’t even pretend to hide your -satisfaction at the scene we have just witnessed.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Satisfaction! I assure you, dear lady, I’m -shocked and grieved—deeply grieved, that your -son should prove capable of such depravity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>My son! You know as well as I do that the -foolish boy has been bewitched by that unprincipled -woman.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Come, come, Eileen. In common fairness we -should apportion the blame equally—though, indeed, -my experience has generally led me to the -conclusion that the <i>man</i> is more to blame in these -cases than the woman.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p><i>Your</i> experience! Quite so!... I shall give -Patricia my plain, unvarnished opinion of herself -and forbid her my house. You will tell Michael -that he’s a scoundrel and a libertine.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>No, no, no! Tact, tact, my dear Eileen, tact -and diplomacy!... Let us calmly review the -position. Cosway’s and Lady Patricia’s relations -with Clare and your son, though highly culpable, -appear to be blameless of the worst, and considerably -more—er—ardent on the part of the -married couple than of the single. So much is—er—unhappily -evident. Now, do you still maintain -that your son is—er—interested in Clare?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I am certain of it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Incredible! Of course, I <i>know</i>—in spite of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -appearances—that Clare feels strongly for your -son.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fudge!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Now, my dear Eileen, pray don’t fall back on -contradiction. What we have both got to do is -to bring these young people together——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Hush! D’you hear? (<i>She goes quickly to the -back and looks out. A pause.</i>) All four of -them! Of course, they went up to the house to -look for us.... What shall we do?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah! (<i>Goes to the railing at the back.</i>) Allow -me.... (<i>Calls.</i>) Clare....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Beneath.</i>) Hullo!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Excitedly.</i>) But are you going to let them -know——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I beg you, Eileen, to sit down and control yourself.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well, but I should like to know——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Will you kindly entrust the conduct of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -situation entirely to me. Take your cue from -me, and above all, be tactful and dignified. (<i>He -sits down with unction.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I really believe you are thoroughly enjoying -yourself.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Pray don’t be flippant, Eileen. This is a very -serious matter.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He crosses his legs and fixes his eyeglass as -<span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters up the central ladder -followed by <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, and -<span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>We thought you had gone back to the house.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Indeed.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I really believe they went to depreciate the -guelder-roses as well!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>We did nothing of the sort, Patricia, and let——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Kindly allow me, Mrs. O’Farrel.... No, -Lady Patricia, we have not been to examine the -guelder-roses. We have been all the time here.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <span class="smcap">Michael</span>, <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</p> - -<p>Here!...</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>We have been all the time—<i>here</i>.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>But—but I returned a short while ago, and you -were certainly not here then.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Excuse me, sir—we were.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>But we never saw you....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>That I can quite believe. We, however, saw -you and Mr. Cosway quite distinctly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Most distinctly! And I——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Allow me, Mrs. O’Farrel....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But, I say——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You can’t have been here a minute or two ago -when Patri—— Cousin Patricia and I——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Pardon me, sir—we were.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>But, I say, you must have hidden yourselves -somewhere, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Your mother and I were sitting in the summer-house.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</p> - -<p>Oh ...!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!... O—oh!... (<i>She gropes for a chair, -she sits down heavily.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What—what is the matter, dear?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Nothing.... I—I am a little faint——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The—the night is certainly oppressive....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I—I’m all right now....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause. The nightingale starts singing.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Clare</span>.</i>) I think it is high time to go.... -Did you see whether the carriage had -arrived?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, it’s there.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Come, Bill, we must be getting home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Solemnly.</i>) I have several weighty additions -to make to my sermon to-morrow—additions which -certain events to-night have suggested. I trust -you will all be at the Cathedral for morning -service. (<i>An awkward silence. The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> waves -his hand towards the central ladder.</i>) Mrs. -O’Farrel.... (<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> passes and -descends.</i>) Clare.... (<i><span class="smcap">Clare</span> passes him and -descends. He says with impressive unconcern</i>:) -The nightingale sings most divinely to-night!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out, <span class="smcap">Bill</span> following him with a -hang-dog air. <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters on the left -just as <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> and <span class="smcap">Michael</span> move -to the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If you please, sir....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What is it, Baldwin? What is it?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>If you please, sir, will you be using them -lanterns agin to-night?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>No.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Then I ’ad better take ’em down, sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, take them down. (<i>To <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>.</i>) -Come, dear.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> starts fiddling about with the -strings of the lanterns.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Wearily.</i>) Yes, darling.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lowering the first lamp.</i>) Whoa!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Speaking in a passionate whisper.</i>) Will you -love me, Michael, always—always—and no matter -what may happen?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Taking her hands.</i>) I? How can you ask? -But you—could you still love me if—if——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>If——?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>If I were unworthy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They descend the central ladder.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lowering the second lantern.</i>) Whoa!... -(<i>He blows out the candle and folds the lamp up. -Then he goes leisurely for the next lantern and -lowers it.</i>) Whoa!... (<i>He blows it out, folds -it up and goes for the next lantern and the curtain -descends while he is lowering it. When it rises -again, he says</i>:) Whoa!... (<i>And folds it up.</i>)</p> - -<p class="titlepage">(<span class="smcap">End of the Second Act.</span>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_THIRD_ACT">THE THIRD ACT</h2> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>:—<i>The Deanery garden. At the back is a -wing of the Deanery, red-bricked, Norman-arched, -with mullioned windows and a heavy -door opening on to the lawn. On the right, -three-quarters across the background, the house -ends, and an old machicholated wall begins, -with a great brass-studded double gateway in -the middle of it, in the left side of which is a -wicket with grating. The door opens on the -Deanery Close and a view of the Cathedral -in the distance. The garden is all lawn, flower-bed, -and old trees. From the great door, and -running diagonally across the stage and out to -the left in front, is a stone-flagged path. -Another path from the house-door joins it -about the centre of the stage. On the lawn -in the foreground stands a table spread for -breakfast, with two chairs beside it. It is -a brilliant Sunday morning in June.</i></p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>When the curtain rises, <span class="smcap">John</span>, the <span class="smcap">Dean’s</span> -butler and verger of the Cathedral, and -<span class="smcap">Robert</span>, the page, are putting finishing -touches to the breakfast-table. After a -moment the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> enters and goes to the -table.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>What a morning! Fragrant! Exquisite! Ha! -(<i>He sniffs the air appreciatively, fixes his eyeglass -and beams around him.</i>) A <i>happy</i> Whitsun, -John.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Thank you, sir. Same to you, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eh?... Oh, certainly!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir. It’s mornings like this, sir, that one -feels a inclination to sing the tedium.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>To sing the—er——?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>The tedium, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>The <i>Te Deum</i>! Ah, yes, to be sure! To sing -the <i>Te Deum</i>. Most appropriate! (<i>Looks at his -watch.</i>) A quarter to ten.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir. It’s highly significant to see so many -people at early service this morning, sir. Highly -significant.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Robert</span> goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, yes!... Is Miss Clare in the garden?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>I believe she is, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Well, she’ll be here in a minute. I think, as it’s -rather late, I had better begin at once. Is this -all you’re giving me to-day, John?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, no, sir. There’s an omelette with asparagus-tops -to come.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Good. Very good! In the meantime these -delicious fruits.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Sits at the table.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir. If you please, sir, Mr. Cosway’s gardener -was here this morning before you came back -from church. As far as I could gather he had -some message from her ladyship which he refused -to leave. I gathered he had instructions to give -it to you direct, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh ... ah ... h’m.... Is he here now?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>No, sir; I told him to come back at ten o’clock. -He’s gone to the cemetery to visit the grave of his -first wife.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Bring him here when he comes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Very good, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> goes into the house. The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> daintily -skins a peach, humming gently, “Every -morn I bring thee violets.” After a -moment <span class="smcap">Clare</span> enters from the left, a -bunch of pink and white may in her hand. -She is obviously in a shocking temper.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, father.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Clare. May! Is it for me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You can have it if you like.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She lays it beside his plate and sits down.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Thank you, my dear. Fragrant, delicately-tinted, -fresh and dewy as young girls. (<i>He regards -her critically.</i>) But <i>you</i> don’t look quite yourself, -my child.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>A little tired. Perhaps you slept badly?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m as fit as a fiddle, and I slept like a log.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>These peaches are delicious. Try one.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Aren’t there any cherries yet?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I’m afraid not. “Fruits in due season,” you -know, my dear!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>What about your peaches?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>That’s different, quite different. An early peach -cannot be too early. They live in glass houses——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Significantly.</i>) And don’t throw their stones.... -I’ll have a cup of tea.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>There’s an omelette with asparagus-tops on the -way.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m not hungry.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, that’s a pity! I suppose it’s this exceptionally -early summer.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. I was unbearably hot all night. And so -thirsty that I drank nearly all the water in my -jug.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Dear me! Wasn’t there any in the carafe?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I drank that as well.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Really? It seems to me that for a log you were -somewhat restive last night.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>A log?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I thought you slept like a log.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I scarcely slept a wink.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Well, well, my dear, so long as you feel—to -use your expression—as fit as a fiddle, it——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I feel rotten.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> enters with the omelette, <span class="smcap">Robert</span> with -plates.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I’m sorry. I didn’t go to bed until very late myself. -Those little additions to my sermon took me -longer than I had anticipated. (<i><span class="smcap">John</span> and <span class="smcap">Robert</span> -go out, having placed the dish before the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>) -This looks most inviting. And as there doesn’t -seem to be much of it, I’m not, on the whole,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -sorry that you’ve lost your appetite this morning! -It’s an ill wind that——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>May I have some, please?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Changeable young person!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well, of course, if you grudge me a little piece -of your omelette——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Not at all, my dear! Not at all!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He offers her a liberal helping.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You needn’t give me three-quarters of it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Very well. You had better take the other piece, -then.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, it doesn’t matter!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Impatiently she takes the larger helping.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Genially.</i>) I don’t mind confessing that I’m -very hungry, so unless you really want it, my -dear——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, for goodness’ sake, father, take the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -lot! I’m sure I don’t want to deprive you of your -food!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>What a peppery young lady it is! I was only -joking.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I may be sadly lacking in humour, but jokes -about omelettes and the condition of one’s stomach -never much appealed to me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Really, my dear child, I should much prefer -your not using that word.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Stomach?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh! I do hope you’re not going to suggest -I should say “Little Mary”!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Puzzled.</i>) Little Mary? I—er—don’t quite -see the connection.... Is there any reason for -alluding to that—er—portion of the anatomy?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I was under the impression that <i>you</i> made the -first allusion to it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>My dear, I merely mentioned the fact that I -was hungry.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Well, you’re not hungry with your foot, are -you?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t you think this bickering rather silly and -childish?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Very.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After a pause, and with a change of voice but -unabated cheerfulness.</i>) Unclouded sunshine and -a sense of deep peace and repose! My ideal of -an English Sunday! John told me just now that -he feels inclined to sing the <i>Te Deum</i> on mornings -like this.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Why don’t you come to the point, father?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>The point?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t quite understand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I think you owe me some explanation of your -extraordinary action last night.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p><i>My</i> extraordinary action!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Yes—in deliberately hiding yourself in the -summer-house to overhear a private conversation.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You amaze me, Clare! Instead of being grateful -for my silence on the events of yesterday, you -turn on me as though you had a grievance! My -action was amply justified by the circumstances.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t see how eavesdropping can ever be justified. -And now you’re bent on giving us “beans” -from the pulpit. I’m awfully sorry to have to -say it, father, but really it’s rotten bad -form....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>We won’t discuss the matter any further. Believe -me, I am the best judge of my actions.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>And I of mine.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You refer to the unhappy discoveries Mrs. -O’Farrel and I made last night?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I do.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Certainly, if you’re heartily ashamed of yourself, -you’re a competent judge of your actions.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m not in the least ashamed of myself.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Then, my dear child——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>And why should I be? I’ve done nothing -wrong.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You have done very wrong indeed. But I don’t -wish to exaggerate. Of course, I know this has -been nothing more than a foolish flirtation. Reprehensible—most -reprehensible. A grave error, but -scarcely a sin. We will say no more about it.... -One thing, however, I am bound to insist -upon after what came to my knowledge last night. -You must have nothing more to do with that young -man.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>What young man? Michael’s forty, if he’s a -day.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I was not speaking of Mr. Cosway. Honestly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -your future relations with him don’t cause me -acute anxiety. I was alluding to young O’Farrel.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sitting up.</i>) Bill!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I think, my dear, we will leave the use of his -Christian name to the unhappy lady—or ladies—with -whom he is intimate. Certain facts have -come to my knowledge. He is not a fit companion -for a young girl. Your acquaintance with him -must cease from to-day.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!... And may I ask what he has done?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>It is quite superfluous to go into—er—unsavoury -details.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>You seriously expect me to cut him because -he doesn’t quite meet with your approval?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I expect you to obey me implicitly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Rising.</i>) I had better tell you at once, father, -that I shall do nothing of the kind.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The gateway bell rings.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Clare! (<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> looks at the gateway and -lowers his voice.</i>) You forget yourself!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>His crime hasn’t by chance anything to do with -Patricia?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>H’m—well, since you appear to know something -about this, it would be—er—affectation on my part -to deny it. His conduct has been shameful, outrageous, -and ungentlemanly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>His conduct has been splendid. That detestable -creature got hold of him somehow, and he behaved -perfectly from start to finish. Of course you side -with her because you think her pretty. But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>We won’t discuss the matter any further, my -child. You are very young and headstrong and -inexperienced, and must learn to repose implicit -faith in your father’s judgment. You are not to -see this young man again.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’m sorry, father, but I refuse to obey you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Clare!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>It’s grossly unjust—it’s mean and horrid. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -won’t do such a caddish thing even for you. I -am going to see him now.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> enters and goes to the gateway.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Clare, remember I have forbidden it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Beside herself.</i>) I don’t care! I’m going to -him now! I won’t go to church to be preached at. -I’m going to him. You can turn me out of your -house, if you like, father. But I won’t obey you. -I won’t.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She storms into the house.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Clare, how dare you! (<i>Directly she has disappeared, -he laughs heartily.</i>) Oh! Most satisfactory.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He changes plates and commences on <span class="smcap">Clare’s</span> -untouched omelette. <span class="smcap">John</span>, who has looked -through the grating and recognised <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> -outside, goes to the <span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Cosway’s gardener has just called again, -sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Very well. Bring him round.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes to the gateway and opens the wicket. -The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> continues eating his breakfast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -<span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters in Sunday broadcloth and -a broad-brimmed, black, soft felt hat. He -carries an abnormally large prayer-book -and hymn-book.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Baldwin, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah.... Good morning, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mornin’, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You have a message for me from her ladyship?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He places his two books on the ground, plunges -into his right-hand breast-pocket and produces -a letter.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>I would ’a lef’ this at the door, sir, without troublin’ -you, but ’er ladyship when she give it me said -most particular as I was to ’and it to you personal, -sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Quite so. Quite so.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Opens the envelope and reads.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>After fumbling in the left-hand breast-pocket, -produces a second letter.</i>) And ’ere’s the other -letter, sir.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eh, what? Another?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir. As I was leavin’ ’ome, the master come -up and give it me, and said most particular as I -was to ’and it to you personal.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh.... (<i>Takes the letter and reads it -through.</i>) Er—thank you.... I understand -you’ve been to visit the grave of the late Mrs. -Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I ’ave that, sir. She was a good wife to me, -sir, though she did give me ondly two.... I’ve -’ad thirteen, sir, an’ two of ’em by ’er.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Thirteen! Excellent! Excellent!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir. Thirteen’s an onlucky number, I’ve -’eard tell, but I ain’t suspicious.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Laughing gently.</i>) And how many of the -thirteen are girls, Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Nine of ’em, sir—leastways, I think as ’ow nine -of ’em is female. (<i>He tots them off on his fingers.</i>) -H’Annie, and H’Effel, ’Enrietta, Louisa, Maggie,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -Victoria ... H’Alice.... H’Edith.... -an’—an’ Milly. Yessir—nine. The rest is boys.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Nine! Dear me! What a terrible responsibility. -Their upbringing must have been very -trying. Nine!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir. They do give a bit more worry than -boys. But Mrs. Baldwin’s a rare ’and at tacklin’ -’er own sects.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, really? And what measures did she take -when they were fractious and disobedient?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>She ’anded ’em over to me, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>And what did you do?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I thrashed ’em.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Did you really! That never dawned on me as a -practical measure.... I wonder—I wonder -whether all girls would derive benefit from—er—occasional -chastisement.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>You take my word for it, sir. All my girls ’ave -gorne straight and married respec’able.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Gone straight and married respectably! All -nine of them!... And do you put down this -happy result to your special treatment?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Yessir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Most interesting! Most interesting! I must -think it over—I must indeed....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> enters.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Mrs. O’Farrel has called, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh.... Ask her out here, John.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Very good, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> takes up the letters and glances -through them. A pause. He looks up and -sees <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> standing patiently watching -him.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, Baldwin—yes.... What was I saying?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>You said as you’d think it over, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, to be sure! Physical chastisement for girls. -Quite so.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Enter <span class="smcap">John</span> from the house followed by <span class="smcap">Mrs. -O’Farrel</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Mrs. O’Farrel.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Rising with outstretched hands.</i>) My dear -Eileen! This is a most unexpected pleasure!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Nonsense. You guessed I should turn up.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Well, I may have hoped it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mornin’, ma’am.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Baldwin has been giving me sage advice on the -up-bringing of girls.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>You need it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>He’s a great advocate of—er—corporal punishment.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh!... That’s all very well when they’re -in short frocks, Baldwin. But afterwards, I don’t -exactly see how——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Quite so....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>I thrashed Milly when she was turned twenty, -mum.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Upon my word! What on earth had the girl -done?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mrs. Baldwin found ’er sittin ’on Constable -’Iggins’ knee—’e was a married man, as you may -remember, sir, and ’e——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> bursts out laughing.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Hastily.</i>) Yes, yes, yes, Baldwin.... -Neither of these notes requires an answer, thank -you. Good morning.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Mornin’, sir. Mornin’, ma’am.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He goes out slowly, inadvertently leaving his -books on the ground. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> is -still amused.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Well?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I said it first.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And I’m a woman.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>True. To begin with I’ve just received these -two notes. (<i>Hands her the letters.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Opening a letter.</i>) From Patricia!... Now -I really wonder whether this terribly agitated -handwriting is put on.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Be generous, Eileen!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>What on earth does the woman mean by scrawling -“Sunrise” on the top of the page?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Presumably that was when she wrote the letter.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, I see! She wants you to believe she paced -her room in wakeful agony all night. (<i>Reads.</i>) -“Sunrise. I have need of confession. I will call -at the Deanery before morning service—<span class="smcap">Patricia -Cosway</span>.” Confession! Evidently she means to -enjoy herself!... (<i>Opens the other note and -reads.</i>) “<span class="smcap">Dear Dean</span>,—I am calling on you before -morning service to-day. I trust, in spite of all -that has happened, you will not refuse to receive -me—<span class="smcap">Michael Cosway</span>.” Very interesting. What -do you intend to do?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Honestly, I haven’t made up my mind yet.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I protest against your giving Patricia and yourself -the luxury of private confession. She owes -<i>me</i> her precious confession, not <i>you</i>. Have her out -here, and we’ll trounce her together.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Poor woman!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fiddle-de-dee! She’s having the time of her -life. I wonder whether they’ve confessed to each -other.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I shouldn’t think so—but I mean that they -shall.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>So do I.... Well, Dean, I’ve had it out with -my son.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Driving home last night I talked about the -likelihood of a thunderstorm, Crême de Menthe and -lawn-tennis, and made him thoroughly uncomfortable.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Then you said nothing about——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Not a word. And we both went to bed. He -came down to breakfast in a shocking temper. I -cheerfully exhausted two tedious subjects: the -House of Lords and domestic servants. Suddenly -he lost his manners—cut me short—and plunged -into the sad story of Patricia and himself.... -Now, I’d had time to think the matter over! I -treated the whole thing as a youthful peccadillo -and mildly suggested he had better put an end -to it. The poor dear boy was completely floored. -I’m sure he’d prepared himself against a regular -tornado. He simply sat there and stared at me.... -Then abruptly I turned the conversation on -to your daughter.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eh?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I described her conduct as scandalous, herself as -a hussy, and wound up with a burst of gratitude -that he’d been Patricia’s victim instead of hers.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Most remarkable! And what did the young -man say?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>He dazzled me with an amazing flare-up. Exhausted -his vocabulary on my injustice and Clare’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -perfections, and stormed out of the room, leaving -me with tingling ears.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>And now?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Presumably he’s gone in search of this maligned -young woman. My blessings attend on him!... -Well, Dean, I’m a brilliant and original tactician, -what?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Brilliant, certainly—original, no!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Not ten minutes ago I adopted precisely the -same tactics with Clare and achieved precisely -the same result. She’s searching for your worthless -son at present.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Upon my word, I should never have credited -you with so much sense!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>My dear Eileen, I put down the tragedy of so -many women’s lives——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Enter <span class="smcap">John</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Announcing.</i>) Lady Patricia Cosway.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Enter <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>. She is dressed in -black from head to foot. <span class="smcap">John</span> goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Rising.</i>) Lady Patricia, this is indeed an——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No, Dean; it’s neither unexpected nor a -pleasure.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I must really beg of you, Eileen! (<i>To -<span class="smcap">Patricia</span>.</i>) Won’t you sit down?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Who has been standing at the back in an -attitude of majestic humility. She speaks with -pleading dignity.</i>) Do you refuse me your -hand?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>At her side, and taking her black-gloved hand -in both of his.</i>) My dear lady!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ah.... You were always large-minded and -gentle and tolerant.... Aunt Eileen....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Well?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>They told me you were here, so I came out. -I am determined to speak before you both. It -was not what I had meant to do. I had hoped -to lay bare my secret soul in secret to the Dean. -Deliberately I have chosen the fiercer ordeal. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -I expect and deserve no sympathy from you, no -mercy, no forgiveness, no understanding....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I think I understand you well enough, Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But do you? Oh, do you? Can any one so -sane and practical understand this living paradox? -Can prose ever understand poetry? I am the -refined essence of spirit and sense. I am a thing -of fire and dew. I have in me the making of a -great saint and a great courtesan....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Hurriedly.</i>) Yes, yes; we quite understand....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Go ahead, Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>If you really understand, my task will be so -much the easier! For understanding is the beginning -of sympathy. And sympathy ends in -forgiveness.... Dean, Aunt Eileen—will you be -patient and listen to me for a moment?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Of course we will. But won’t you sit down?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I should prefer to stand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>It’s more effective, Dean.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What you overheard yesterday gave you only -a crude outline of my tragedy and sin. All the -colour, all the light and shadow were missing; -and without these you are bound to misjudge -me.... Ah! don’t believe for a moment I am -seeking to justify myself! No! No! There <i>can</i> -be no real justification for my sin.... But I <i>do</i> -want your understanding—I <i>do</i> want your pity—I -<i>do</i> want your pardon. And from you, Dean, I -have come for punishment—for penance——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Hand her over to Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Baldwin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Eileen! I beg of you!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>On the surface my marriage has been perfect. -Michael is the husband of old romance, steel-true, -chivalrous, and devoted—oh! as no man was ever -devoted to a woman before! (<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> -and the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> exchange significant glances.</i>) But -he just lacked what the depths of my complex -nature cried out for—passion, simplicity, primeval -energy. These he hadn’t in him to give, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -wanted them, not knowing at first what I wanted.... -But when Bill came into my life—I knew—I -knew ... and we rushed together, drawn by -the mystic gravitation of alien soul for soul.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>A moment, Patricia. I understand that my son -has “primeval energy.” I’ve never noticed it -myself. What are its manifestations?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Don’t you think we can leave that to—er—the -imagination?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh ... by all means! Then what do you -mean by “rushing together”?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I use the expression metaphorically ... -spiritually. (<i>With sudden drama.</i>) Dean—Aunt -Eileen—I swear to you by all that is beautiful -and sacred that our love has been pure. You -believe me? Ah, say you believe me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Why, of course we do!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>If you swore to the contrary, I should call you -a liar! You’ve neither the strength nor the -courage to do more than play with sin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I? I! Oh, how little you know me! Had you -looked into my heart when first this temptation -stole upon me you would have never said anything -so foolish.... Shall I ever forget those -long nights of battle when my skin was dry and -fevered—my pillow wet with tears? I lived with -clenched hands and bitten lip, and fixed my -thoughts steadfastly on high and holy things. -Yes, I fought the good fight well—and if I was -half defeated ... I am but human.... At -last it came—the day came when I lost the battle.... -Spring was in the air, sweet perfumes of -budding and burgeoning things ... above my head -a blackbird fluted ... I had an early snowdrop -in my hand. He looked at me; I felt his eyes -devouring my face. Slowly I lifted mine—our -eyes met—and no force on earth could have torn -them apart; and the world reeled and sang about -us—— <i>Oh, and that bluer blue, that greener -green!...</i></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>That bluer blue—that——?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Stephen Phillips.... Ah, that moment! I -was mad—I was drunk with love and spring!</p> - -<table> - <tr> - <td class="center"><span class="smcap">Dean</span></td> - <td class="right">Well?</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="center"><span class="smcap">and</span></td> - <td>(<i>Excitedly interested.</i>)</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="center"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></td> - <td class="right">Yes?</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Fate intervened and saved us.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel and Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Unfeignedly disappointed.</i>) Fate?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Baldwin returned with the water.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean and Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>The water?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>For the snowdrop.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> coughs. <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> solemnly -scrutinises <span class="smcap">Patricia</span> through her lorgnette.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Doesn’t it occur to you that was rather funny?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Funny? No, oh no! I see a certain ironical -humour in such banal intervention. But it’s far -too mysterious to be called funny. After that -I struggled no more against the stream. I drifted; -I was carried down the great ocean of love. But I -never once faltered in my high resolve to keep that -ocean pure, and——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Ocean? What ocean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>The ocean of love.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Sorry; my fault.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>To keep that ocean pure, and come what might, -to shield Michael from the least suspicion that his -wonderful love was not returned. Deceit? Oh, -yes! But surely, surely deceit is justified when -the alternative means—death!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Death! Dear me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Do you really think poor Michael would succumb -if he learned the dreadful truth?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I know it. Have you ever seen such devotion -as his?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>It’s certainly remarkable....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Briskly.</i>) Now, Lady Patricia, are you prepared -to put yourself unreservedly in my hands?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I am.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Then I shall require two things of you. Firstly, -that you break off these relations with young -O’Farrel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I have determined on that already. I won’t speak -of the suffering it will cause <i>me</i>. I have merited -suffering and will bear it in silence. But when I -think of him——! My poor, poor boy! What is -to become of him without me?... Oh, you are -his mother—can you devise no means of softening -this blow for him?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Reverently.</i>) I think we may safely leave that -in the hands of Providence.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I quite share your opinion. Secondly, Lady -Patricia, I wish you to tell your husband everything.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Genuinely startled.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Everything.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Very much in earnest.</i>) No—no. It’s impossible. -I could never think of doing that.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You said just now you would place yourself -unreservedly in my hands.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But I never dreamt you intended to punish the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -innocent for my sin. Why should Michael’s life -and happiness be blighted because I’ve strayed -from righteousness?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I think it’s just possible Michael may survive -the shock.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And I know that it will kill him. It’s -impossible!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sternly.</i>) I insist.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And I refuse.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>That brings <i>me</i> into the fray! The Dean, as -your confessor, no doubt considers himself bound -to keep your story secret. I don’t. So look here, -Patricia; unless you make a clean breast of this -to Michael, I shall go to him with it myself.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No! No! I don’t believe you’re capable of -such infamy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, yes I am.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it! It would -be too cruel and wicked! Aunt Eileen, for pity’s -sake——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>You won’t get any pity out of me, my dear—not -an ounce! Either you or I tell Michael the story -from start to finish—and if <i>I</i> tell him, there won’t -be much left of your character when I’ve finished.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Wildly.</i>) What am I to do? What am I to -do? Dean—Dean—will you allow my aunt to -wreak her horrible vengeance on me by murdering -my husband?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, but really, I don’t think it will be quite so -bad as that.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But I know it—I know it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Besides, how am I to prevent her—even if I -wished to?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>As the mouthpiece of spiritual authority....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t care a rap for his spiritual authority.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>You see.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>A pause. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> stands rigid, with -clenched hands. Finally she speaks in a -low, dull voice.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Then—you—really—mean—to—do—this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Certainly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I—am—ruined.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Nonsense! I’ve a strong idea this may be the -saving of you both.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Ruined.... I should like to sit down.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>My dear lady——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Brings her a chair.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Sits, and points blindly to the breakfast table.</i>) -Is that ... milk?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. Would you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I should like a little milk. (<i>The <span class="smcap">Dean</span> gives it -to her.</i>) Thank you.... I—I will tell Michael -all.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Bravo! We shall make a woman of you yet!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You are very hard and cruel and vindictive.... -But I forgive you.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> enters.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Mr. Cosway has called, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a whisper.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Where is he?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>In the study, sir.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Lady Patricia——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No—no—no.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Just a minute, John.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Retires to the back.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What does it mean? Why is he here?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>He said he might call this morning on the way -to church. Lady Patricia, go to him now. Tell -him everything now.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I can’t—I can’t——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Get it over, Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Come, dear lady——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He offers her his arm. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> rises -unsteadily, stares for a moment wildly -before her, then sits down again.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I haven’t the strength—I haven’t the strength to -go to him.... My knees tremble. Bring him -here and leave us together....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Calling.</i>) John.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> re-enters.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ask Mr. Cosway to come here.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>Yes sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">John</span> goes out.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Cheer up, Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse"><i>A little since and I was glad, but now</i></div> -<div class="verse"><i>I never shall be glad or sad again....</i></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>I—er—beg your pardon?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Swinburne.... For the last time—for the last -time, Aunt Eileen, I ask you to spare me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Perhaps, after all, we had better——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>No! Don’t be a fool, Dean! No, Patricia, -you’ve got to go through with this. Believe me, -the result will astonish you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean?</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> enters from the house.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Ah, good morning, Cosway.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Standing still at the back and looking at <span class="smcap">Lady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -Patricia</span> with startled eyes; whispers.</i>) Patricia!... -Have you told her?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Hsh!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Without greeting <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> he goes to -<span class="smcap">Patricia</span>, who stares straight before her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia, dearest.... I—I didn’t expect to -find you here.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Nor—I—you....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>Lady Patricia wants to speak to you privately. -We—er—will leave you together.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a whisper.</i>) Privately?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Er—good morning.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Delightful weather!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes—er—ver—very nice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Come along, Dean. (<i>Takes his arm and leads -him to the house.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>As they go in.</i>) Poor woman!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Fiddlesticks!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They go into the house.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You—you look so white and strange, dearest. -Are you ill ... Patricia?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I am thirsty.... My throat is parched.... -Please give me some milk....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Milk?... Yes, dear. (<i>Moves towards the -house.</i>) I’ll be back in a moment.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No—no. It is on the table.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>The milk?... Oh, yes. I see.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Pours her out inadvertently some of the hot -milk for the coffee, and kneeling at her -side, offers it to her.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Taking milk.</i>) Don’t kneel to me—don’t kneel -to me! (<i>She takes a sip of milk and hands it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -back to him with a wry face.</i>) It is boiled.... -(<i>He places it back on the table.</i>)</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Returning to her.</i>) Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No—no—no—no! Don’t look at me—don’t touch -me—stand up—stand away from me....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Do as I say.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Getting to his feet with a terrified face.</i>) They—they -have told you—they——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Hush!... don’t speak. Give me time.... -I—I am a broken woman.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>No, no, no! I will cherish you—I will worship -you—I will serve you on my knees——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Genuinely puzzled.</i>) Michael!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>All the rest of my life—every hour—every -moment—will be given to making up for my sin.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Amazed.</i>) <i>Your</i> sin?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>My crime then.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p><i>Your</i>——!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pouring forth the words in a torrent of -passionate entreaty. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> stands staring -at him first in bewilderment, then in amazement, -then in dawning comprehension, finally in -arctic realisation.</i>) It was cruel of them—it was -unfair to steal a march on me like this. For your -sake—for mine—they should have left the confession -to me. I would have withheld nothing. I -would have told you all of my own free will. But -they’ve spoken. And I see it—they’ve put the -vilest construction on the few words they overheard -last night. They have made you believe the -worst of me. But it’s not true, Patricia. I swear -it. It’s not true. (<i><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> makes a -gesture as though to speak.</i>) No, no, let <i>me</i> speak!... -I have been faithful to the letter of our -marriage vow—I have been unfaithful to the spirit. -I am a man with a man’s passions, but for your -sake I fought and kept my sinful love pure. Doubt -all else—but believe that. You must believe it. -You shall.... I am not trying to excuse myself. -There is no excuse for what I have done. -But O, Patricia, you know that to love and not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -to love isn’t in our control. And if I never loved -you with all the passion I pretended ... I’m -really deeply attached to you. It was for your -sake I pretended. I felt it might kill you should -you ever dream that your wonderful love was not -returned in full ... that I loved ... elsewhere.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a cold, level voice.</i>) What are you talking -about?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Floored.</i>) Eh ...?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You appear to be under the impression that the -Dean and Aunt Eileen have told me something -unpleasant about you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Well, haven’t they?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>They have told me nothing.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh.... I—I thought they had....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And now perhaps you will kindly explain the -meaning of all this.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I—I’ve told you everything.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Who is the woman?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare Lesley.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Clare—Lesley!... I don’t believe it—it’s -impossible. I don’t believe it!... (<i><span class="smcap">Michael</span> -is silent.</i>) Do you mean to tell me that you -don’t adore me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I’m—I’m very fond of you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Fond of me? Then all your passion has been -a sham, and you’ve been making love to that—that—oh, -what is the horrible word?...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Deferentially.</i>) Er—impossible ...?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No—no ... with two “p’s.” ...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Appalling ...?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>No.... Flapper.... Oh, how I’ve been -fooled! And they know it—the Dean and Aunt -Eileen. You’ve made me a figure of fun—something -to point and jeer at.... Oh, I could -kill myself and—you!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I am not worthy to live.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>And to think of all I have gone through for -your sake—how I’ve forced myself to take your -kisses and return them—how for months and -months I fought and struggled to keep down the -one great passion of my life. All for your sake—all -because I thought you loved me! Oh, the -bitter irony of it!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean by this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>But now the one obstacle to my love has been -removed. I will go to him now—I will put my -arms around him. He shall love me and I will -love him.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What are you saying, Patricia? Are you mad? -Of whom are you speaking?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill. Bill O’Farrel—Bill, whom I love and who -loves me.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Bill O’Farrel!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>For two years he has been the passion of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -soul. He will now become my heart’s delight. -Yes, Michael, you have taken my wonderful and -unrequited love for you too much for granted. -You have played the infatuated husband so -artistically that I believed in it to the extent of -playing the infatuated wife in return.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes, I! I remained with you—I pretended to -be absorbed in you, because I thought it would -kill you if you realised that I wanted something -more than you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Bill O’Farrel....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes—Bill O’Farrel!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Does any one know of this?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>They all know.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>That you’ve tricked and fooled me and made -a laughing-stock of me? Oh——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>What have you done with me?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>When did they find it out?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>They overheard us last night.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You and O’Farrel?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>In the tree—when they overheard us?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You, too! Ah, I see it all now—I see it all. -She said I must confess to you—that aunt—she -said the result would astonish me. And now—now -she’s hugging herself with vindictive joy at -having humiliated me to the dust. But she has -not finished with me yet. No! I can still strike -back—and strike I will! You have no love for -me. Very well. I know where to go for love.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>What do you mean?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Bill loves me—he loves me—he worships me. -I shall go to him—I shall hold him to me—I shall -love him.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I forbid it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Who are you to forbid me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I am your husband.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You! You are no husband of mine! He is my -husband because he loves me!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>If you go to him, I will return to Clare.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>To Clare!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>To the girl who loves me with all the strength -of her young heart and soul.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>You shall never do that!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>And who’s to prevent me?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>I.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>You—the woman who has tricked me—fooled -me, and now threatens to leave me for another!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Threatens! I don’t threaten. I mean to do it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Very well, then. Leave <i>me</i> to go my own way.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Go to her. Go to her. And I will go to him.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She turns and moves towards the house. He -takes a step or two to the left, then stops -with an exclamation.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Clare!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>She turns, looks to the left, and starts with a -faint cry.</i>) Bill!</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They both stand irresolute and embarrassed. -<span class="smcap">Bill</span> and <span class="smcap">Clare</span> enter from the left, also -irresolute and embarrassed.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Er—good morning, Cousin Patricia.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Bill.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Mr. Cosway.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Good morning, Clare.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>A pause. He says in a whisper to <span class="smcap">Clare</span></i>:) -I say—<i>you</i> tell them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a whisper.</i>) No—you.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Awfully—er—jolly morning, Cousin Patricia, -isn’t it.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Yes ... very ... jolly.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>I’ve been for—for a walk, Mr. Cosway.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, yes—it’s nice weather for walking. Are -you tired?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh, no, thank you. (<i>To <span class="smcap">Bill</span> in a whisper</i>:) -Tell them....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say ... I say, Michael.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Sir?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>You’ll be glad—I mean you’ll be awfully surprised -to hear that I—that Clare and I—that’s to -say, that we’re—Clare and I, you know——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>In a whisper.</i>) Oh, get it out!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Well, you see—we’re engaged.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia and Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Engaged!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Yes. We hadn’t meant to be—but ... we are.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>We tried awfully hard to hold out for—for the -sake of others ... but——</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>She goes impulsively up to <span class="smcap">Michael</span>, puts -her hand on his arm and speaks in a low -voice.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>I’m awfully sorry, Mike. I’m a beast, I know. -But I can’t help it....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Rigid and staring before him.</i>) How long have -you loved him?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Oh ... ages ... I ought to have told you, -but——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t wish to hear another word.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Bill has gone up to <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, who -stands motionless with a tragic face, -staring before her. His appearance is that -of a naughty schoolboy, hat in hand and -shifting from one foot to the other.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>To <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>.</i>) I—I—I—I’m sorry—I’ve -behaved rottenly—but I—I—I’m awfully fond of -you.... Of course I ought—but you see—I—that’s -to say—but she—she’s—you know what I -mean—I’m——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Enough....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i><span class="smcap">Bill</span> goes to <span class="smcap">Clare</span>, who gives him her -hand.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>Now for the pater....</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Help!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>They go into the house. <span class="smcap">Michael</span> and <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span> stand motionless, with clenched -hands, staring before them. A long pause. -The gateway bell rings. A pause. <span class="smcap">John</span> -enters from the house and opens the wicket -door. <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> enters.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>’Scuse me, Mr. John, but I think as I lef’ my -’ymn-book and prayer-book on the lawn.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> - -<p>I haven’t seen ’em.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>That’s them yonder. (<i>Distant sound of church<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -bells.</i>) Lord, if that ain’t the first bell! (<i><span class="smcap">John</span> -goes out.</i>) Beg pardon, m’lady. Beg pardon, -sir. I jest want my prayer-book an’ ’ymn-book. -(<i>Picks them up.</i>) Thank ’ee, m’lady. They was -given me by Mrs. Baldwin as was me first wife. -I thought as ’ow I’d lef’ them on ’er grave jest -now when I went to ’ave a look at it. But——</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>That will do, Baldwin.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Baldwin.</span></p> - -<p>Thank ’ee, sir.</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He is just about to go out when the house -door opens and the ringing laughter of -<span class="smcap">Bill</span> and <span class="smcap">Clare</span> brings him to a standstill. -They enter, followed by the voice -of <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span>: “Be off—both of -you!” and her laugh.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>I say, darling, weren’t they corking?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Clare.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Pointing to the motionless <span class="smcap">Michael</span> and <span class="smcap">Lady -Patricia</span> and putting a finger to her lips.</i>) -S-sh!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bill.</span></p> - -<p>Oh....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Very sedately they pass up the path to the -gateway, but just as they go out <span class="smcap">Bill</span> -passes his arm through <span class="smcap">Clare’s</span> and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -squeezes it. They disappear. <span class="smcap">Mrs. -O’Farrel</span> and the <span class="smcap">Dean</span> enter from the -house, followed later by <span class="smcap">John</span> and -<span class="smcap">Robert</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Jovially.</i>) So much for tact and diplomacy!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>And common-sense!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>(<i>Lowering his voice and indicating the rigid -<span class="smcap">Michael</span> and <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>.</i>) And these two?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel.</span></p> - -<p>Best leave them alone.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Dean.</span></p> - -<p>No, no!...</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Goes up to <span class="smcap">Michael</span> and <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span>, -while <span class="smcap">Mrs. O’Farrel</span> goes out; <span class="smcap">John</span>, -standing near the door, waits for the -<span class="smcap">Dean</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p>Are you not going to join us in church? (<i>A -pause.</i>) My dear friends, on such a morning as -this we should all sing the <i>Te Deum</i>, and forget -everything but the joy of being alive....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>He looks smilingly from one to the other, -then goes out, followed by <span class="smcap">John</span>. <span class="smcap">Robert</span> -waits at the door. A pause. <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span> -stands hesitating. <span class="smcap">Lady Patricia</span> turns -to <span class="smcap">Michael</span>.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Michael!...</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>Yes.</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Under the great rose window in the south -transept our pew is now full of purple and -amber lights and shafts of chrysoprase. Shall -we not sit there again together?</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Michael.</span></p> - -<p>I don’t see what else there is to do.... -Patricia!</p> - -<p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Lady Patricia.</span></p> - -<p>Michael!... Repentance is very exquisite, -and how beautiful is forgiveness. Come....</p> - -<div class="direction"> - -<p>(<i>Followed at a respectful distance by <span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, -they go out together in silence side by -side, and the Curtain falls as they pass -under the gateway.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smcap">The End.</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">The Gresham Press,<br /> -UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED,<br /> -WOKING AND LONDON</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> -<img src="images/cover-back.jpg" width="300" height="500" alt="" /> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lady Patricia, by Rudolf Besier - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LADY PATRICIA *** - -***** This file should be named 60465-h.htm or 60465-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/6/60465/ - -Produced by Clarity and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet -Archive/American Libraries.) - -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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