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diff --git a/7805.txt b/7805.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ba55c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/7805.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9017 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of First Plays, by A. A. Milne + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: First Plays + +Author: A. A. Milne + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7805] +Posting Date: August 6, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FIRST PLAYS *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + + + + + +FIRST PLAYS + +By A. A. Milne + + +TO MY MOTHER + + +CONTENTS + + INTRODUCTION + WURZEL-FLUMMERY + THE LUCKY ONE + THE BOY COMES HOME + BELINDA + THE RED FEATHERS + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +These five plays were written, in the order in which they appear now, +during the years 1916 and 1917. They would hardly have been written had +it not been for the war, although only one of them is concerned with +that subject. To his other responsibilities the Kaiser now adds this +volume. + +For these plays were not the work of a professional writer, but the +recreation of a (temporary) professional soldier. Play-writing is a +luxury to a journalist, as insidious as golf and much more expensive in +time and money. When an article is written, the financial reward (and we +may as well live as not) is a matter of certainty. A novelist, too, +even if he is not in "the front rank"--but I never heard of one who +wasn't--can at least be sure of publication. But when a play is written, +there is no certainty of anything save disillusionment. + +To write a play, then, while I was a journalist seemed to me a depraved +proceeding, almost as bad as going to Lord's in the morning. I thought +I could write one (we all think we can), but I could not afford so +unpromising a gamble. But once in the Army the case was altered. No duty +now urged me to write. My job was soldiering, and my spare time was my +own affair. Other subalterns played bridge and golf; that was one way of +amusing oneself. Another way was--why not?--to write plays. + +So we began with Wurzel-Flummery. I say "we," because another is mixed +up in this business even more seriously than the Kaiser. She wrote; +I dictated. And if a particularly fine evening drew us out for a walk +along the byways--where there was no saluting, and one could smoke a +pipe without shocking the Duke of Cambridge--then it was to discuss +the last scene and to wonder what would happen in the next. We did not +estimate the money or publicity which might come from this new +venture; there has never been any serious thought of making money by my +bridge-playing, nor desire for publicity when I am trying to play golf. +But secretly, of course, we hoped. It was that which made it so much +more exciting than any other game. + +Our hopes were realized to the following extent: + +Wurzel-Flummery was produced by Mr. Dion Boucicault at the New Theatre +in April, 1917. It was originally written in three acts, in which form +it was shown to one or two managers. At the beginning of 1917 I was +offered the chance of production in a triple bill if I cut it down into +a two-act play. To cut even a line is painful, but to cut thirty pages +of one's first comedy, slaughtering whole characters on the way, has at +least a certain morbid fascination. It appeared, therefore, in two acts; +and one kindly critic embarrassed us by saying that a lesser artist +would have written it in three acts, and most of the other critics +annoyed us by saying that a greater artist would have written it in +one act. However, I amused myself some months later by slaying another +character--the office-boy, no less--thereby getting it down to one act, +and was surprised to find that the one-act version was, after all, the +best... At least I think it is.... At any rate, that is the version I am +printing here; but, as can be imagined, I am rather tired of the whole +business by now, and I am beginning to wonder if anyone ever did take +the name of Wurzel-Flummery at all. Probably the whole thing is an +invention. + +The Lucky One was doomed from the start with a name like that. And the +girl marries the wrong man. I see no hope of its being produced. But +if any critic wishes to endear himself to me (though I don't see why he +should) he will agree with me that it is the best play of the five. + +The Boy Comes Home was produced by Mr. Owen Nares at the Victoria Palace +in September, 1918, introduced afterwards into Hallo, America! at +the Palace, and played by Mr. Godfrey Tearle at the Coliseum in the +following April. + +Belinda was produced by Mr. Dion Boucicault at the New Theatre in April, +1918, with Miss Irene Vanbrugh in the name-part. Miss Ethel Barrymore +played it in New York. I hope it will read pleasantly, but I am quite +incapable of judging it, for every speech of Belinda's comes to me now +in Miss Vanbrugh's voice. + +The Red Feathers has not yet been produced, one reason being (perhaps) +that it has never been offered to anybody. It is difficult enough to +find a manager, but when one has also to get hold of a composer, the +business of production becomes terrifying. I suppose there is a way of +negotiating these difficulties, but I suspect that most of the fun to be +got out of this operetta we have already had in writing it. + +In conclusion, I must distress my friend J. M. Barrie (who gave me a +first chance) by acknowledging my great debt to him. It would be more +polite to leave him out of it, but I cannot let him off. After all, +these are only "First Plays." I can always hope that "Last Plays" will +be more worthy of that early encouragement. + +A. A. MILNE. + + + + +WURTZEL-FLUMMERY + +A COMEDY IN ONE ACT + +CHARACTERS. + + ROBERT CRAWSHAW, M.P. + MARGARET CRAWSHAW (his wife). + VIOLA CRAWSHAW (his daughter). + RICHARD MERITON, M.P. + DENIS CLIFTON. + +A Two-Act version of this play was produced by Mr. Dion Boucicault at +the New Theatre on April 7, 1917, with the following cast: + + Robert Crawshaw--NIGEL PLAYFAIR. + Margaret Crawshaw--HELEN HAYE. + Viola Crawshaw--PEGGY KURTON. + Richard Meriton--MARTIN LEWIS. + Denis Clifton--DION BOUCICAULT. + Lancelot Dodd--BERTRAM SIEMS. + + +[SCENE.--ROBERT CRAWSHAW'S town house. Morning.] + +[It is a June day before the war in the morning-room of ROBERT +CRAWSHAW'S town house. Entering it with our friend the house-agent, our +attention would first be called to the delightful club fender round the +fireplace. On one side of this a Chesterfield sofa comes out at right +angles. In a corner of the sofa MISS VIOLA CRAWSHAW is sitting, deep +in "The Times." The house-agent would hesitate to catalogue her, but +we notice for ourselves, before he points out the comfortable armchair +opposite, that she is young and pretty. In the middle of the room and +facing the fireplace is (observe) a solid knee-hole writing-table, +covered with papers and books of reference, and supported by a chair at +the middle and another at the side. The rest of the furniture, and the +books and pictures round the walls, we must leave until another time, +for at this moment the door behind the sofa opens and RICHARD MERITON +comes in. He looks about thirty-five, has a clean-shaven intelligent +face, and is dressed in a dark tweed suit. We withdraw hastily, as he +comes behind VIOLA and puts his hands over her eyes.] + +RICHARD. Three guesses who it is. + +VIOLA (putting her hands over his). The Archbishop of Canterbury. + +RICHARD. No. + +VIOLA. The Archbishop of York. + +RICHARD. Fortunately that exhausts the archbishops. Now, then, your last +guess. + +VIOLA. Richard Meriton, M.P. + +RICHARD. Wonderful! (He kisses the top of her head lightly and goes +round to the club fender, where he sits with his back to the fireplace.) +How did you know? (He begins to fill a pipe.) + +VIOLA (smiling). Well, it couldn't have been father. + +RICHARD. N-no, I suppose not. Not just after breakfast anyway. Anything +in the paper? + +VIOLA. There's a letter from father pointing out that-- + +RICHARD. I never knew such a man as Robert for pointing out. + +VIOLA. Anyhow, it's in big print. + +RICHARD. It would be. + +VIOLA. You are very cynical this morning, Dick. + +RICHARD. The sausages were cold, dear. + +VIOLA. Poor Dick! Oh, Dick, I wish you were on the same side as father. + +RICHARD. But he's on the wrong side. Surely I've told you that +before.... Viola, do you really think it would make a difference? + +VIOLA. Well, you know what he said about you at Basingstoke the other +day. + +RICHARD. No, I don't, really. + +VIOLA. He said that your intellectual arrogance was only equalled by +your spiritual instability. I don't quite know what it means, but it +doesn't sound the sort of thing you want in a son-in-law. + +RICHARD. Still, it was friendly of him to go right away to Basingstoke +to say it. Anyhow, you don't believe it. + +VIOLA. Of course not. + +RICHARD. And Robert doesn't really. + +VIOLA. Then why does he say it? + +RICHARD. Ah, now you're opening up very grave questions. The whole +structure of the British Constitution rests upon Robert's right to say +things like that at Basingstoke.... But really, darling, we're very good +friends. He's always asking my advice about things--he doesn't take it, +of course, but still he asks it; and it awfully good of him to insist on +my staying here while my flat was being done up. (Seriously) I bless him +for that. If it hadn't been for the last week I should never have known +you. You were just "Viola"--the girl I'd seen at odd times since she was +a child; now--oh, why won't you let me tell your father? I hate it like +this. + +VIOLA, Because I love you, Dick, and because I know father. He would, +as they say in novels, show you the door. (Smiling) And I want you this +side of the door for a little bit longer. + +RICHARD (firmly). I shall tell him before I go. + +VIOLA (pleadingly). But not till then; that gives us two more days. You +see, darling, it's going to take me all I know to get round him. You +see, apart from politics you're so poor--and father hates poor people. + +RICHARD (viciously). Damn money! + +VIOLA (thoughtfully). I think that's what father means by spiritual +instability. + +RICHARD. Viola! (He stands up and holds out his arms to her. She goes to +him and--) Oh, Lord, look out! + +VIOLA (reaching across to the mantelpiece). Matches? + +RICHARD. Thanks very much. (He lights his pipe as ROBERT CRAWSHAW comes +in.) + +(CRAWSHAW is forty-five, but his closely-trimmed moustache and whiskers, +his inclination to stoutness, and the loud old-gentlemanly style in +trousers which he affects with his morning-coat, make him look +older, and, what is more important, the Pillar of the State which he +undoubtedly is.) + +CRAWSHAW. Good-morning, Richard. Down at last? + +RICHARD. Good morning. I did warn you, didn't I, that I was bad at +breakfasts? + +CRAWSHAW. Viola, where's your mother? + +VIOLA (making for the door). I don't know, father; do you want her? + +CRAWSHAW. I wish to speak to her. + +VIOLA. All right, I'll tell her. [She goes out.] + +(RICHARD Picks up "The Times" and sits down again.) + +CRAWSHAW (sitting down in a business-like way at his desk). Richard, why +don't you get something to do? + +RICHARD. My dear fellow, I've only just finished breakfast. + +CRAWSHAW. I mean generally. And apart, of course, from your--ah--work in +the House. + +RICHARD (a trifle cool). I have something to do. + +CRAWSHAW. Oh, reviewing. I mean something serious. You should get a +directorship or something in the City. + +RICHARD. I hate the City. + +CRAWSHAW. Ah! there, my dear Richard, is that intellectual arrogance to +which I had to call attention the other day at Basingstoke. + +RICHARD (drily). Yes, so Viola was telling me. + +CRAWSHAW. You understood, my dear fellow, that I meant nothing personal. +(Clearing his throat) It is justly one of the proudest boasts of the +Englishman that his political enmities are not allowed to interfere with +his private friendships. + +RICHARD (carelessly). Oh, I shall go to Basingstoke myself one day. + +[Enter MARGARET. MARGARET has been in love with ROBERT CRAWSHAW for +twenty-five years, the last twenty four years from habit. She is small, +comfortable, and rather foolish; you would certainly call her a dear, +but you might sometimes call her a poor dear.] + +MARGARET. Good-morning, Mr. Meriton. I do hope your breakfast was all +right. + +RICHARD. Excellent, thank you. + +MARGARET. That's right. Did you want me, Robert? + +CRAWSHAW. (obviously uncomfortable). Yes--er--h'rm--Richard--er--what +are your--er--plans? + +RICHARD. Is he trying to get rid of me, Mrs. Crawshaw? + +MARGARET. Of course not. (TO ROBERT) Are you, dear? + +CRAWSHAW. Perhaps we had better come into my room, Margaret. We can +leave Richard here with the paper. + +RICHARD. No, no; I'm going. + +CRAWSHAW (going to the door with him). I have some particular business +to discuss. If you aren't going out, I should like to consult you in the +matter afterwards. + +RICHARD. Right! [He goes out.] + +CRAWSHAW. Sit down, Margaret. I have some extraordinary news for you. + +MARGARET (sitting down). Yes, Robert? + +CRAWSHAW. This letter has just come by hand. (He reads it) "199, +Lincoln's Inn Fields. Dear Sir, I have pleasure to inform you that under +the will of the late Mr. Antony Clifton you are a beneficiary to the +extent of L50,000." + +MARGARET. Robert! + +CRAWSHAW. Wait! "A trifling condition is attached--namely, that you +should take the name of--Wurzel-Flummery." + +MARGARET. Robert! + +CRAWSHAW. "I have the honour to be, your obedient servant, Denis +Clifton." (He folds the letter up and puts it away.) + +MARGARET. Robert, whoever is he? I mean the one who's left you the +money?-- + +CRAWSHAW (calmly). I have not the slightest idea, Margaret. Doubtless we +shall find out before long. I have asked Mr. Denis Clifton to come and +see me. + +MARGARET. Leaving you fifty thousand pounds! Just fancy! + +CRAWSHAW. Wurzel-Flummery! + +MARGARET. We can have the second car now, dear, can't we? And what about +moving? You know you always said you ought to be in a more central part. +Mr. Robert Crawshaw, M.P., of Curzon Street sounds so much more--more +Cabinety. + +CRAWSHAW. Mr. Robert Wurzel-Flummery, M.P., of Curzon Street--I don't +know what _that_ sounds like. + +MARGARET. I expect that's only a legal way of putting it, dear. They +can't really expect us to change our name to--Wurzley-Fothergill. + +CRAWSHAW. Wurzel-Flummery. + +MARGARET. Yes, dear, didn't I say that? I am sure you could talk the +solicitor round--this Mr. Denis Clifton. After all, it doesn't matter to +him what we call ourselves. Write him one of your letters, dear. + +CRAWSHAW. You don't seem to apprehend the situation, Margaret. + +MARGARET. Yes, I do, dear. This Mr.--Mr.-- + +CRAWSHAW. Antony Clifton. + +MARGARET. Yes, he's left you fifty thousand pounds, together with the +name of Wurzley-Fothergill-- + +CRAWSHAW. Wurzel--oh, well, never mind. + +MARGARET. Yes, well, you tell the solicitor that you will take the fifty +thousand pounds, but you don't want the name. It's too absurd, when +everybody knows of Robert Crawshaw, M.P., to expect you to call yourself +Wurzley-Fothergill. + +CRAWSHAW (impatiently). Yes, yes. The point is that this Mr. Clifton has +left me the money on _condition_ that I change my name. If I don't take +the name, I don't take the money. + +MARGARET. But is that legal? + +CRAWSHAW. Perfectly. It is often done. People change their names on +succeeding to some property. + +MARGARET. I thought it was only when your name was Moses and you changed +it to Talbot. + +CRAWSHAW (to himself). Wurzel-Flummery! + +MARGARET. I wonder why he left you the money at all. Of course it was +very nice of him, but if you didn't know him--Why do you think he did, +dear? + +CRAWSHAW. I know no more than this letter. I suppose he +had--ah--followed my career, and was--ah--interested in it, and being a +man with no relations, felt that he could--ah--safely leave this money +to me. No doubt Wurzel-Flummery was his mother's maiden name, or +the name of some other friend even dearer to him; he wished the +name--ah--perpetuated, perhaps even recorded not unworthily in the +history of our country, and--ah--made this will accordingly. In a way it +is a kind of--ah--sacred trust. + +MARGARET. Then, of course, you'll accept it, dear? + +CRAWSHAW. It requires some consideration. I have my career to think +about, my duty to my country. + +MARGARET. Of course, dear. Money is a great help in politics, isn't it? + +CRAWSHAW. Money wisely spent is a help in any profession. The view of +riches which socialists and suchlike people profess to take is entirely +ill-considered. A rich man, who spends his money thoughtfully, is +serving his country as nobly as anybody. + +MARGARET. Yes, dear. Then you think we _could_ have that second car and +the house in Curzon Street? + +CRAWSHAW. We must not be led away. Fifty thousand pounds, properly +invested, is only two thousand a year. When you have deducted the +income-tax--and the tax on unearned income is extremely high just now-- + +MARGARET. Oh, but surely if we have to call ourselves Wurzel-Flummery it +would count as _earned_ income. + +CRAWSHAW. I fear not. Strictly speaking, all money is earned. Even if it +is left to you by another, it is presumably left to you in recognition +of certain outstanding qualities which you possess. But Parliament takes +a different view. I do not for a moment say that fifty thousand pounds +would not be welcome. Fifty pounds is certainly not to be sneezed at-- + +MARGARET. I should think not, indeed! + +CRAWSHAW (unconsciously rising from his chair). And without this +preposterous condition attached I should be pleased to accept this +trust, and I would endeavour, Mr. Speaker--(He sits down again +suddenly.) I would, Margaret, to, carry it out to the best of my poor +ability. But--Wurtzel-Flummery! + +MARGARET. You would soon get used to it, dear. I had to get used to the +name of Crawshaw after I had been Debenham for twenty-five years. It is +surprising how quickly it comes to you. I think I only signed my name +Margaret Debenham once after I was married. + +CRAWSHAW (kindly). The cases are rather different, Margaret. Naturally a +woman, who from her cradle looks forward to the day when she will change +her name, cannot have this feeling for the--ah--honour of his name, +which every man--ah--feels. Such a feeling is naturally more present in +my own case since I have been privileged to make the name of Crawshaw in +some degree--ah--well-known, I might almost say famous. + +MARGARET (wistfully). I used to be called "the beautiful Miss Debenham +of Leamington." Everybody in Leamington knew of me. Of course, I am very +proud to be Mrs. Robert Crawshaw. + +CRAWSHAW (getting up and walking over to the fireplace). In a way it +would mean beginning all over again. It is half the battle in +politics to get your name before the public. "Whoever is this man +Wurzel-Flummery?" people will say. + +MARGARET. Anyhow, dear, let us look on the bright side. Fifty thousand +pounds is fifty thousand pounds. + +CRAWSHAW. It is, Margaret. And no doubt it is my duty to accept it. +But--well, all I say is that a _gentleman_ would have left it without +any conditions. Or at least he would merely have expressed his _wish_ +that I should take the name, without going so far as to enforce it. Then +I could have looked at the matter all round in an impartial spirit. + +MARGARET (pursuing her thoughts). The linen is marked R. M. C. now. Of +course, we should have to have that altered. Do you think R. M. F. would +do, or would it have to be R. M. W. hyphen F.? + +CRAWSHAW. What? Oh--yes, there will be a good deal of that to attend to. +(Going up to her) I think, Margaret, I had better talk to Richard about +this. Of course, it would be absurd to refuse the money, but--well, I +should like to have his opinion. + +MARGARET (getting up). Do you think he would be very sympathetic, dear? +He makes jokes about serious things--like bishops and hunting just as if +they weren't at all serious. + +CRAWSHAW. I wish to talk to him just to obtain a new--ah--point of view. +I do not hold myself in the least bound to act on anything he says. I +regard him as a constituent, Margaret. + +MARGARET. Then I will send him to you. + +CRAWSHAW (putting his hands on her shoulders). Margaret, what do you +really feel about it? + +MARGARET. Just whatever you feel, Robert. + +CRAWSHAW (kissing her). Thank you, Margaret; you are a good wife to me. +[She goes out] + +(CRAWSHAW goes to his desk and selects a "Who's Who" from a little pile +of reference-books on it. He walks round to his chair, sits down in +it and begins to turn the pages, murmuring names beginning with "C" +to himself as he gets near the place. When he finds it, he murmurs +"Clifton--that's funny," and closes the book. Evidently the publishers +have failed him.) + +[Enter RICHARD.] + +RICHARD. Well, what's the news? (He goes to his old seat on the fender.) +Been left a fortune? + +CRAWSHAW (simply). Yes.... By a Mr. Antony Clifton. I never met him and +I know nothing about him. + +RICHARD (surprised). Not really? Well, I congratulate you. (He sighs.) +To them that hath--But what on earth do you want my advice about? + +CRAWSHAW. There is a slight condition attached. + +RICHARD. Oho! + +CRAWSHAW. The condition is that with this money--fifty thousand +pounds--I take the name of--ah--Wurzel-Flummery. + +RICHARD (jumping up). What! + +CRAWSHAW (sulkily). I said it quite distinctly--Wurzel-Flummery. + +(RICHARD in an awed silence walks over to the desk and stands looking +down at the unhappy CRAWSHAW. He throws out his left hand as if +introducing him.) + +RICHARD (reverently). Mr. Robert Wurzel-Flummery, M. P., one of the most +prominent of our younger Parliamentarians. Oh, you...oh!... oh, how too +heavenly! (He goes back to his seat, looks up and catches CRAWSHAW'S +eye, and breaks down altogether.) + +CRAWSHAW (rising with dignity). Shall we discuss it seriously, or shall +we leave it? + +RICHARD. How can we discuss a name like Wurzel-Flummery seriously? "Mr. +Wurzel-Flummery in a few well-chosen words seconded the motion."... +"'Sir,' went on Mr. Wurzel-Flummery"--Oh, poor Robert! + +CRAWSHAW (sitting down sulkily). You seem quite certain that I shall +take the money. + +RICHARD. I am quite certain. + +CRAWSHAW. Would you take it? + +RICHARD (hesitating). Well--I wonder. + +CRAWSHAW. After all, as William Shakespeare says, "What's in a name?" + +RICHARD. I can tell you something else that Shakespeare--_William_ +Shakespeare--said. (Dramatically rising) Who steals my purse with fifty +thousand in it--steals trash. (In his natural voice) Trash, Robert: +(Dramatically again) But he who filches from me my good name of Crawshaw +(lightly) and substitutes the rotten one of Wurzel-- + +CRAWSHAW (annoyed). As a matter of fact, Wurzel-Flummery is a very good +old name. I seem to remember some--ah--Hampshire Wurzel-Flummeries. +It is a very laudable spirit on the part of a dying man to wish +to--ah--perpetuate these old English names. It all seems to me quite +natural and straightforward. If I take this money I shall have nothing +to be ashamed of. + +RICHARD. I see.... Look here, may I ask you a few questions? I should +like to know just how you feel about the whole business? + +CRAWSHAW (complacently folding his hands). Go ahead. + +RICHARD. Suppose a stranger came up in the street to you and said, "My +poor man, here's five pounds for you," what would you do? Tell him to go +to the devil, I suppose, wouldn't you? + +CRAWSHAW (humorously). In more parliamentary language, perhaps, Richard. +I should tell him I never took money from strangers. + +RICHARD. Quite so; but that if it were ten thousand pounds, you would +take it? + +CRAWSHAW. I most certainly shouldn't. + +RICHARD. But if he died and left it to you, _then_ you would? + +CRAWSHAW (blandly). Ah, I thought you were leading up to that. That, of +course, is entirely different. + +RICHARD. Why? + +CRAWSHAW. Well--ah--wouldn't _you_ take ten thousand pounds if it were +left to you by a stranger? + +RICHARD. I daresay I should. But I should like to know why it would seem +different. + +CRAWSHAW (professionally). Ha-hum! Well--in the first place, when a man +is dead he wants his money no longer. You can therefore be certain that +you are not taking anything from him which he cannot spare. And in the +neat place, it is the man's dying wish that you should have the money. +To refuse would be to refuse the dead. To accept becomes almost a sacred +duty. + +RICHARD. It really comes to this, doesn't it? You won't take it from him +when he's alive, because if you did, you couldn't decently refuse him a +little gratitude; but you know that it doesn't matter a damn to him +what happens to his money after he's dead, and therefore you can take it +without feeling any gratitude at all. + +CRAWSHAW. No, I shouldn't put it like that. + +RICHARD (smiling). I'm sure you wouldn't, Robert. + +CRAWSHAW No doubt you can twist it about so that-- + +RICHARD. All right, we'll leave that and go on to the next point. +Suppose a perfect stranger offered you five pounds to part your hair +down the middle, shave off your moustache, and wear only one whisker--if +he met you suddenly in the street, seemed to dislike your appearance, +took out a fiver and begged you to hurry off and alter yourself--of +course you'd pocket the money and go straight to your barber's? + +CRAWSHAW. Now you are merely being offensive. + +RICHARD. I beg your pardon. I should have said that if he had left you +five pounds in his will?--well, then twenty pounds? a hundred pounds?--a +thousand pounds?--fifty thousand pounds?--(Jumping up excitedly) It's +only a question of price--fifty thousand pounds, Robert--a pink tie with +purple spots, hair across the back, trousers with a patch in the +fall myself Wurzel-Flummery--any old thing you like, you can't insult +me--anything you like, gentlemen, for fifty thousand pounds. (Lowering +his voice) Only you must leave it in your will, and then I can feel that +it is a sacred duty--a sacred duty, my lords and gentlemen. (He sinks +back into the sofa and relights his pipe.) + +CRAWSHAW. (rising with dignity). It is evidently useless to prolong this +conversation. + +RICHARD (waving him dorm again). No, no, Robert; I've finished. I just +took the other side--and I got carried away. I ought to have been at the +Bar. + +CRAWSHAW. You take such extraordinary views of things. You must look +facts in the face, Richard. This is a modern world, and we are modern +people living in it. Take the matter-of-fact view. You may like or +dislike the name of--ah--Wurzel-Flummery, but you can't get away from +the fact that fifty thousand pounds is not to be sneezed at. + +RICHARD (wistfully). I don't know why people shouldn't sneeze at money +sometimes. I should like to start a society for sneezing at fifty +thousand pounds. We'd have to begin in a small way, of course; we'd +begin by sneezing at five pounds--and work up. The trouble is that we're +all inoculated in our cradles against that kind of cold. + +CRAWSHAW (pleasantly). You will have your little joke. But you know as +well as I do that it is only a joke. There can be no serious reason why +I should not take this money. And I--ah--gather that you don't think it +will affect my career? + +RICHARD (carelessly). Not a bit. It'll help it. It'll get you into all +the comic papers. + +[MARGARET comes in at this moment, to the relief of CRAWSHAW, who is not +quite certain if he is being flattered or insulted again.] + +MARGARET. Well, have you told him? + +RICHARD (making way for her on the sofa). I have heard the news, Mrs. +Crawshaw. And I have told Robert my opinion that he should have no +difficulty in making the name of Wurzel-Flummery as famous as he has +already made that of Crawshaw. At any rate I hope he will. + +MARGARET. How nice of you! CRAWSHAW. Well, it's settled, then. (Looking +at his watch) This solicitor fellow should be here soon. Perhaps, after +all, we can manage something about--Ah, Viola, did you want your mother? + +[Enter VIOLA.] + +VIOLA. Sorry, do I interrupt a family meeting? There's Richard, so it +can't be very serious. + +RICHARD. What a reputation! + +CRAWSHAW. Well, it's over now. + +MARGARET. Viola had better know, hadn't she? + +CRAWSHAW. She'll have to know some time, of course. + +VIOLA (sitting done firmly on the sofa). Of course she will. So you'd +better tell her now. I knew there was something exciting going on this +morning. + +CRAWSHAW (embarrassed). Hum--ha--(To MARGARET) Perhaps you'd better tell +her, dear. + +MARGARET (simply and naturally). Father has come into some property, +Viola. It means changing our name unfortunately. But your father doesn't +think it will matter. + +VIOLA. How thrilling! What is the name, mother? + +MARGARET. Your father says it is--dear me, I shall never remember it. + +CRAWSHAW (mumbling). Wurzel-Flummery. + +VIOLA (after a pause). Dick, _you_ tell me, if nobody else will. + +RICHARD. Robert said it just now. + +VIOLA. That wasn't a name, was it? I thought it was just a--do say it +again, father. + +CRAWSHAW (sulkily but plainly). Wurzel-Flummery. + +VIOLA (surprised). Do you spell it like that? I mean like a wurzel and +like flummery? + +RICHARD. Exactly, I believe. + +VIOLA (to herself). Miss Viola Wurzel-Flummery--I mean they'd have to +look at you, wouldn't they? (Bubbling over) Oh, Dick, what a heavenly +name! Who had it first? + +RICHARD. They are an old Hampshire family--that is so, isn't it, Robert? + +CRAWSHAW (annoyed). I said I thought that I remembered--Margaret, can +you find Burke there? + +(She finds it, and he buries himself in the families of the great.) + +MARGARET. Well, Viola, you haven't told us how you like being Miss +Wurzel-Flummery. + +VIOLA. I haven't realized myself yet, mummy. I shall have to stand in +front of my glass and tell myself who I am. + +RICHARD. It's all right for you. You know you'll change your name one +day, and then it won't matter what you've been called before. + +VIOLA (secretly). H'sh! (She smiles lovingly at him, and then says +aloud) Oh, won't it? It's got to appear in the papers, "A marriage has +been arranged between Miss Viola Wurzel-Flummery..." and everybody will +say, "And about time too, poor girl." + +MARGARET (to CRAWSHAW). Have you found it, dear? + +CRAWSHAW (resentfully). This is the 1912 edition. + +MARGARET. Still, dear, if it's a very old family, it ought to be in by +then. + +VIOLA. I don't mind how old it is; I think it's lovely. Oh, Dick, what +fun it will be being announced! Just think of the footman throwing open +the door and saying-- + +MAID (announcing). Mr. Denis Clifton. + +(There is a little natural confusion as CLIFTON enters jauntily in his +summer suiting with a bundle of papers under his arm. CRAWSHAW goes +towards him and shakes hands.) + +CRAWSHAW. How do you do, Mr. Clifton? Very good of you to come. (Looking +doubtfully at his clothes) Er--it is Mr. Denis Clifton, the solicitor? + +CLIFTON (cheerfully). It is. I must apologize for not looking the +part more, but my clothes did not arrive from Clarkson's in time. Very +careless of them when they had promised. And my clerk dissuaded me from +the side-whiskers which I keep by me for these occasions. + +CRAWSHAW (bewildered). Ah yes, quite so. But you have--ah--full legal +authority to act in this matter? + +CLIFTON.. Oh, decidedly. Oh, there's no question of that. + +CRAWSHAW (introducing). My wife--and daughter. (CLIFTON bows +gracefully.) My friend, Mr. Richard Meriton. + +CLIFTON (happily).Dear me! Mr. Meriton too! This is quite a situation, +as we say in the profession. + +RICHARD (amused by him). In the legal profession? + +CLIFTON. In the theatrical profession.(Turning to MARGARET) I am a +writer of plays, Mrs. Crawshaw. I am not giving away a professional +secret when I tell you that most of the managers in London have thanked +me for submitting my work to them. + +CRAWSHAW (firmly).I understood, Mr. Clifton, that you were the solicitor +employed to wind up the affairs of the late Mr. Antony Clifton. + +CLIFTON. Oh, certainly. Oh, there's no doubt about my being a solicitor. +My clerk, a man of the utmost integrity, not to say probity, would give +me a reference. I am in the books; I belong to the Law Society. But my +heart turns elsewhere. Officially I have embraced the profession of a +solicitor--(Frankly, to MRS. CRAWSHAW) But you know what these official +embraces are. + +MARGARET. I'm afraid--(She turns to her husband for assistance.) + +CLIFTON (to RICHARD). Unofficially, Mr. Meriton, I am wedded to the +Muses. + +VIOLA. Dick, isn't he lovely? + +CRAWSHAW. Quite so. But just for the moment, Mr. Clifton, I take it that +we are concerned with legal business. Should I ever wish to produce a +play, the case would be different. + +CLIFTON. Admirably put. Pray regard me entirely as the solicitor for as +long as you wish. (He puts his hat down on a chair with the papers in +it, and taking off his gloves, goes on dreamily) Mr. Denis Clifton was +superb as a solicitor. In spite of an indifferent make-up, his manner of +taking off his gloves and dropping them into his hat--(He does so.) + +MARGARET (to CRAWSHAW). I think, perhaps, Viola and I-- + +RICHARD (making a move too). We'll leave you to your business, Robert. + +CLIFTON (holding up his hand). Just one moment if I may. I have a letter +for you, Mr. Meriton. + +RICHARD (surprised). For me? + +CLIFTON. Yes. My clerk, a man of the utmost integrity--oh, but I said +that before--he took it round to your rooms this morning, but found only +painters and decorators there. (He is feeling in his pockets and +now brings the letter out.) I brought it along, hoping that Mr. +Crawshaw--but of course I never expected anything so delightful as this. +(He hands over the letter with a bow.) + +RICHARD. Thanks. (He puts it in his pocket.) + +CLIFTON. Oh, but do read it now, won't you? (To MR. CRAWSHAW) One so +rarely has an opportunity of being present when one's own letters are +read. I think the habit they have on the stage of reading letters aloud +to other is such a very delightful one. + +(RICHARD, with a smile and a shrug, has opened his letter while CLIFTON +is talking.) + +RICHARD. Good Lord! + +VIOLA. Dick, what is it? + +RICHARD (reading). "199, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Dear Sir, I have the +pleasure to inform you that under the will of the late Mr. Antony +Clifton you are a beneficiary to the extent of L50,000." + +VIOLA. Dick! + +RICHARD. "A trifling condition is attached--namely, that you should take +the name of--Wurzel-Flummery." (CLIFTON, with his hand on his heart, +bows gracefully from one to the other of them.) + +CRAWSHAW (annoyed). Impossible! Why should he leave any money to _you_? + +VIOLA. Dick! How wonderful! + +MARGARET (mildly). I don't remember ever having had a morning quite like +this. + +RICHARD (angrily). Is this a joke, Mr. Clifton? + +CLIFTON. Oh, the money is there all right. My clerk, a man of the +utmost-- + +RICHARD. Then I refuse it. I'll have nothing to do with it. I won't even +argue about it. (Tearing the letter into bits) That's what I think of +your money. [He stalks indignantly from the room.] + +VIOLA. Dick! Oh, but, mother, he mustn't. Oh, I must tell him--[She +hurries after him.] + +MARGARET (with dignity). Really, Mr. Clifton, I'm surprised at you. [She +goes out too.] + +CLIFTON (looking round the room). And now, Mr. Crawshaw, we are alone. + +CRAWSHAW. Yes. Well, I think, Mr. Clifton, you have a good deal to +explain-- + +CLIFTON. My dear sir, I'm longing to begin. I have been looking forward +to this day for weeks. I spent over an hour this morning dressing for +it. (He takes papers from his hat and moves to the sofa.) Perhaps I had +better begin from the beginning. + +CRAWSHAW (interested, indicating the papers). The documents in the case? + +CLIFTON. Oh dear, no just something to carry in the hand. It makes +one look more like a solicitor. (Reading the title) "Watherston v. +Towser--in re Great Missenden Canal Company." My clerk invents the +titles; it keeps him busy. He is very fond of Towser; Towser is always +coming in. (Frankly) You see, Mr. Crawshaw, this is my first real case, +and I only got it because Antony Clifton is my uncle. My efforts to +introduce a little picturesqueness into the dull formalities of the law +do not meet with that response that one would have expected. + +CRAWSHAW (looking at his watch). Yes. Well, I'm a busy man, and if you +could tell me as shortly as possible why your uncle left this money +to me, and apparently to Mr. Meriton too, under these extraordinary +conditions, I shall be obliged to you. + +CLIFTON. Say no more, Mr. Crawshaw; I look forward to being entirely +frank with you. It will be a pleasure. + +CRAWSHAW. You understand, of course, my position. I think I may say that +I am not without reputation in the country; and proud as I am to accept +this sacred trust, this money which the late Mr. Antony Clifton has seen +fit--(modestly) one cannot say why--to bequeath to me, yet the use of +the name Wurzel-Flummery would be excessively awkward. + +CLIFTON (cheerfully). Excessively. + +CRAWSHAW. My object in seeing you was to inquire if it was absolutely +essential that the name should go with the money. + +CLIFTON. Well (thoughtfully), you may have the name _without_ the money +if you like. But you must have the name. + +CRAWSHAW (disappointed). Ah! (Bravely) Of course, I have nothing against +the name, a good old Hampshire name-- + +CLIFTON (shocked). My dear Mr. Crawshaw, you didn't think--you didn't +really think that anybody had been called Wurzel-Flummery before? Oh no, +no. You and Mr. Meriton were to be the first, the founders of the clan, +the designers of the Wurzel-Flummery sporran-- + +CRAWSHAW. What do you mean, sir? Are you telling me that it is not a +real name at all? + +CLIFTON. Oh, it's a name all right. I know it is because--er--_I_ made +it up. + +CRAWSHAW (outraged). And you have the impudence to propose, sir, that I +should take a made-up name? + +CLIFTON (soothingly). Well, all names are made up some time or other. +Somebody had to think of--Adam. + +CRAWSHAW. I warn you, Mr. Clifton, that I do not allow this trifling +with serious subjects. + +CLIFTON. It's all so simple, really.... You see, my Uncle Antony was a +rather unusual man. He despised money. He was not afraid to put it in +its proper place. The place he put it in was--er--a little below golf +and a little above classical concerts. If a man said to him, "Would +you like to make fifty thousand this afternoon?" he would say--well, +it would depend what he was doing. If he were going to have a round at +Walton Heath-- + +CRAWSHAW. It's perfectly scandalous to talk of money in this way. + +CLIFTON. Well, that's how he talked about it. But he didn't find many to +agree with him. In fact, he used to say that there was nothing, however +contemptible, that a man would not do for money. One day I suggested +that if he left a legacy with a sufficiently foolish name attached to +it, somebody might be found to refuse it. He laughed at the idea. That +put me on my mettle. "Two people," I said; "leave the same silly name to +two people, two well-known people, rival politicians, say, men whose own +names are already public property. Surely they wouldn't both take it." +That touched him. "Denis, my boy, you've got it," he said. "Upon what +vile bodies shall we experiment?" We decided on you and Mr. Meriton. The +next thing was to choose the name. I started on the wrong lines. I began +by suggesting names like Porker, Tosh, Bugge, Spiffkins--the obvious +sort. My uncle-- + +CRAWSHAW (boiling with indignation). How _dare_ you discuss me with your +uncle, Sir! How dare you decide in this cold-blooded way whether I am to +be called--ah--Tosh--or--ah--Porker! + +CLIFTON. My uncle wouldn't bear of Tosh or Porker. He wanted a humorous +name--a name he could roll lovingly round his tongue--a name expressing +a sort of humorous contempt--Wurzel-Flummery! I can see now the happy +ruminating smile which came so often on my Uncle Antony's face in those +latter months. He was thinking of his two Wurzel-Flummerys. I remember +him saying once--it was at the Zoo--what a pity it was he hadn't enough +to divide among the whole Cabinet. A whole bunch of Wurzel-Flummerys; it +would have been rather jolly. + +CRAWSHAW. You force me to say, sir, that if _that_ was the way you and +your uncle used to talk together at his death can only be described as a +merciful intervention of Providence. + +CLIFTON. Oh, but I think he must be enjoying all this somewhere, you +know. I hope he is. He would have loved this morning. It was his one +regret that from the necessities of the case he could not live to +enjoy his own joke; but he had hopes that echoes of it would reach him +wherever he might be. It was with some such idea, I fancy, that toward +the end he became interested in spiritualism. + +CRAWSHAW (rising solemnly). Mr. Clifton, I have no interest in +the present whereabouts of your uncle, nor in what means he has of +overhearing a private conversation between you and myself. But if, as +you irreverently suggest, he is listening to us, I should like him to +hear this. That, in my opinion, you are not a qualified solicitor at +all, that you never had an uncle, and that the whole story of the will +and the ridiculous condition attached to it is just the tomfool joke +of a man who, by his own admission, wastes most of his time writing +unsuccessful farces. And I propose-- + +CLIFTON. Pardon my interrupting. But you said farces. Not farces, +comedies--of a whimsical nature. + +CRAWSHAW. Whatever they were, sir, I propose to report the whole matter +to the Law Society. And you know your way out, sir. + +CLIFTON. Then I am to understand that you refuse the legacy, Mr. +Crawshaw? + +CRAWSHAW (startled). What's that? + +CLIFTON. I am to understand that you refuse the fifty thousand pounds? + +CRAWSHAW. If the money is really there, I most certainly do not refuse +it. + +CLIFTON. Oh, the money is most certainly there--and the name. Both +waiting for you. + +CRAWSHAW (thumping the table). Then, Sir, I accept them. I feel it my +duty to accept them, as a public expression of confidence in the late +Mr. Clifton's motives. I repudiate entirely the motives that you have +suggested to him, and I consider it a sacred duty to show what I think +of your story by accepting the trust which he has bequeathed to me. You +will arrange further matters with my solicitor. Good morning, Sir. + +CLIFTON (to himself as he rises). Mr. Crawshaw here drank a glass of +water. (To CRAWSHAW) Mr. Wurzel-Flummery, farewell. May I express the +parting wish that your future career will add fresh lustre to--my name. +(To himself as he goes out) Exit Mr. Denis Clifton with dignity. (But he +has left his papers behind him.) + +(CRAWSHAW, walking indignantly back to the sofa, sees the papers and +picks them up.) + +CRAWSHAW (contemptuously). "Watherston v. Towser--in re Great Missenden +Canal Company" Bah! (He tears them up and throws them into the fare. He +goes back to his writing-table and is seated there as VIOLA, followed by +MERITON, comes in.) + +VIOLA. Father, Dick doesn't want to take the money, but I have told him +that of course he must. He must, mustn't he? + +RICHARD. We needn't drag Robert into it, Viola. + +CRAWSHAW. If Richard has the very natural feeling that it would be +awkward for me if there were two Wurzel-Flummerys in the House of +Commons, I should be the last to interfere with his decision. In any +case, I don't see what concern it is of yours, Viola. + +VIOLA (surprised). But how can we get married if he doesn't take the +money? + +CRAWSHAW (hardly understanding). Married? What does this mean, Richard? + +RICHARD. I'm sorry it has come out like this. We ought to have told you +before, but anyhow we were going to have told you in a day or two. Viola +and I want to get married. + +CRAWSHAW. And what did you want to get married on? + +RICHARD (with a smile). Not very much, I'm afraid. + +VIOLA. We're all right now, father, because we shall have fifty thousand +pounds. + +RICHARD (sadly). Oh, Viola, Viola! + +CRAWSHAW. But naturally this puts a very different complexion on +matters. + +VIOLA. So of course he must take it, mustn't he, father? + +CRAWSHAW. I can hardly suppose, Richard, that you expect me to entrust +my daughter to a man who is so little provident for himself that he +throws away fifty thousand pounds because of some fanciful objection to +the name which goes with it. + +RICHARD (in despair). You don't understand, Robert. + +CRAWSHAW. I understand this, Richard. That if the name is good enough +for me, it should be good enough for you. You don't mind asking Viola to +take _your_ name, but you consider it an insult if you are asked to take +_my_ name. + +RICHARD (miserably to VIOLA). Do you want to be Mrs. Wurzel-Flummery? + +VIOLA. Well, I'm going to be Miss Wurzel-Flummery anyhow, darling. + +RICHARD (beaten). Heaven help me! you'll make me take it. But you'll +never understand. + +CRAWSHAW (stopping to administer comfort to him on his way out). Come, +come, Richard. (Patting him on the shoulder) I understand perfectly. All +that you were saying about money a little while ago--it's all perfectly +true, it's all just what I feel myself. But in practice we have to make +allowances sometimes. We have to sacrifice our ideals for--ah--others. I +shall be very proud to have you for a son-in-law, and to feel that there +will be the two of us in Parliament together upholding the honour of +the--ah--name. And perhaps now that we are to be so closely related, you +may come to feel some day that your views could be--ah--more adequately +put forward from _my_ side of the House. + +RICHARD. Go on, Robert; I deserve it. + +CRAWSHAW. Well, well! Margaret will be interested in our news. And you +must send that solicitor a line--or perhaps a telephone message would be +better. (He goes to the door and turns round just as he is going out.) +Yes, I think the telephone, Richard; it would be safer. [Exit.] + +RICHARD (holding out his hands to VIOLA). Come here, Mrs. +Wurzel-Flummery. + +VIOLA. Not Mrs. Wurzel-Flummery; Mrs. Dick. And soon, please, darling. +(She comes to him.) + +RICHARD (shaking his head sadly at her). I don't know what I've done, +Viola. (Suddenly) But you're worth it. (He kisses her, and then says in +a low voice) And God help me if I ever stop thinking so! + +[Enter MR. DENIS CLIFTON. He sees them, and walks about very tactfully +with his back towards them, humming to himself.] + +RICHARD. Hullo! + +CLIFTON (to himself). Now where did I put those papers? (He hums to +himself again.) Now where--oh, I beg your pardon! I left some papers +behind. + +VIOLA. Dick, you'll tell him. (As she goes out, she says to CLIFTON) +Good-bye, Mr. Clifton, and thank you for writing such nice letters. + +CLIFTON. Good-bye, Miss Crawshaw. + +VIOLA. Just say it to see how it sounds. + +CLIFTON. Good-bye, Miss Wurzel-Flummery. + +VIOLA. (smiling happily). No, not Miss, Mrs. + +[She goes out.] + +CLIFTON. (looking in surprise from her to him). You don't mean-- + +RICHARD. Yes; and I'm taking the money after all, Mr. Clifton. + +CLIFTON. Dear me, what a situation! (Thoughtfully to himself) I wonder +how a rough scenario would strike the managers. + +RICHARD. Poor Mr. Clifton! + +CLIFTON. Why poor? + +RICHARD. You missed all the best part. You didn't hear what I said to +Crawshaw about money before you came. + +CLIFTON (thoughtfully). Oh I was it very--(Brightening up) But I expect +Uncle Antony heard. (After a pause) Well, I must be getting on. I wonder +if you've noticed any important papers lying about, in connection with +the Great Missenden Canal Company--a most intricate case, in which my +clerk and I--(He has murmured himself across to the fireplace, and the +fragments of his important case suddenly catch his eye. He picks up one +of the fragments.) Ah, yes. Well, I shall tell my clerk that we lost the +case. He will be sorry. He had got quite fond of that canal. (He turns +to go, but first says to MERITON) So you're taking the money, Mr. +Meriton? + +RICHARD. Yes. + +CLIFTON. And Mr. Crawshaw too? + +RICHARD. Yes. + +CLIFTON (to himself as he goes out). They are both taking it. (He stops +and looks up to UNCLE ANTONY with a smile.) Good old Uncle Antony--he +knew--he knew! (MERITON stands watching him as he goes.) + + + + +THE LUCKY ONE + +A PLAY IN THREE ACTS + + +CHARACTERS. + + GERALD FARRINGDON. + BOB FARRINGDON (his elder brother). + SIR JAMES FARRINGDON (his father). + LADY FARRINGDON (his mother). + MISS FARRINGDON (his great-aunt). + PAMELA CAREY (his betrothed). + HENRY WENTWORTH (his friend). + THOMAS TODD (his friend). + LETTY HERBERT (his friend). + MASON (his old nurse). + + +ACT I. At SIR JAMES FARRINGDON'S in the country. + +ACT II. A private hotel in Dover Street. Two months later. + +ACT III. At SIR JAMES FARRINGDON'S again. Three months later. + + + + +ACT I + +[SCENE.--The hall of SIR JAMES FARRINGDON'S house in the country.] + +[It is a large and pleasantly unofficial sort of room, used as a +meeting-place rather than a resting place. To be in it pledges you to +nothing; whereas in the billiard-room you are presumably pledged to +billiards. The French windows at the back open on to lawns; the door on +the right at the back will take you into the outer hall; the door on +the left leads to the servants' quarters; the door on the right in front +will disclose other inhabited rooms to you. An oak gallery runs round +two sides of the hall and descends in broad and gentle stairs down the +right side of it. Four stairs from the bottom it turns round at right +angles and deposits you fairly in the hall. Entering in this way, you +will see immediately opposite to you the large open fireplace occupied +by a pile of unlit logs--for it is summer. There is a chair on each side +of the fireplace, but turned now away from it. In the left centre of the +hall there is a gate-legged table to which trays with drinks on them, +have a habit of finding their way; it is supported on each side by a +coffin-stool. A sofa, which will take two strangers comfortably and +three friends less comfortably, comes out at right angles to the +staircase, but leaves plenty of space between itself and the stool on +its side of the table. Beneath the window on the left of the French +windows is a small table on which letters and papers are put; beneath +the window on the other side is a writing-table. The walls are decorated +impartially with heads of wild animals and of Farringdons.] + +[At the present moment the inhabitants of the hall are three. HENRY +WENTWORTH, a barrister between forty, and fifty, dressed in rather a +serious tweed suit, for a summer day, is on the sofa. THOMAS TODD, +an immaculate young gentleman of twenty-five, is half-sitting on the +gate-legged table with one foot on the ground and the other swinging. He +is dressed in a brown flannel coat and white trousers, shoes and socks, +and he has a putter in his hand indicative of his usual line of thought. +The third occupant is the Butler, who, in answer to TOMMY'S ring, has +appeared with the drinks.] + +[The time is about four o'clock on a June afternoon.] + +TOMMY (to the Butler). Thanks, James; just leave it here. [Exit Butler.] +Whisky or lemonade, Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. Neither, thanks, Tommy. + +TOMMY. Well, I will. (He pours himself out some lemonade and takes a +long drink.) I should have thought you would have been thirsty, driving +down from London a day like this. (He finishes his drink.) Let's see, +where was I up to? The sixth, wasn't it? + +WENTWORTH. The sixth, Tommy. (With resignation) Only twelve more. + +TOMMY. Yes, that's right. Well, at the seventh I got an absolutely +topping drive, but my approach was sliced a bit. However, I chipped on +within about six feet, and was down in four. Gerald took it in three, +but I had a stroke, so I halved. Then the eighth I told you about. + +WENTWORTH. Was that where you fell into the pond? + +TOMMY. No, no; you're thinking of the fifth, where I topped my drive +into the pond. + +WENTWORTH. I knew the pond came into it somewhere. I hoped--I mean I +thought you fell in. + +TOMMY. Look here, you _must_ remember the eighth, old chap; that was the +one I did in one. Awful bit of luck. + +WENTWORTH. Bit of luck for me too, Tommy. + +TOMMY. Why? + +WENTWORTH. Because now you can hurry on to the ninth. + +TOMMY. I say, Wentworth, I thought you were keen on golf. + +WENTWORTH. Only on my own. + +TOMMY. You're a fraud. Here I've been absolutely wasting my precious +time on you and--I suppose it wouldn't even interest you to hear that +Gerald went round in seventy-two--five under bogey? + +WENTWORTH. It would interest me much more to hear something about this +girl he's engaged to. + +TOMMY. Pamela Carey? Oh, she's an absolute ripper. + +WENTWORTH. Yes, but you've said that of every girl you've met. + +TOMMY. Well, dash it! you don't expect me to describe what she looks +like, do you? + +WENTWORTH. Well, no. I shall see that for myself directly. One gets +introduced, you know, Tommy. It isn't as though I were meeting her at +Charing Cross Station for the first time. But who is she? + +TOMMY. Well, she was poor old Bob's friend originally. He brought her +down here, but, of course, as soon as she saw Gerald-- + +WENTWORTH (quickly). Why, _poor_ old Bob? + +TOMMY. I don't know; everybody seems to call him that. After all, he +isn't quite like Gerald, is he? + +WENTWORTH. Paderewski isn't quite like Tommy Todd, but I don't say "poor +old Paderewski"--nor "poor old Tommy," if it comes to that. + +TOMMY. Well, hang it, old man, there's a bit of a difference. Paderewski +and I--well, I mean we don't compete. + +WENTWORTH. Oh, I don't know. I daresay he's as rotten at golf as you, if +the truth were really known. + +TOMMY. No, but seriously, it's a bit different when you get two brothers +like Gerald and Bob; and whatever the elder one does, the younger one +does a jolly sight better. Now Paderewski and I-- + +WENTWORTH. Good heavens! I wish I hadn't started you on that. Get +back to Bob. I thought Bob was on the Stock Exchange and Gerald in the +Foreign Office. There can't be very much competition between them there. + +TOMMY. Well, but there you are! Why isn't Bob in the Foreign Office +and Gerald on the Stock Exchange? Why, because Gerald's the clever +one, Gerald's the popular one, the good-looking one, the lucky one, the +county cricketer, the plus three at golf-- + +WENTWORTH. Oh Lord! I thought you'd get golf into it. I suppose you were +working up to your climax. Poor old Bob is about eighteen at golf, eh? + +TOMMY. As a matter of fact, he's a very decent five. And there you are +again. In any other family, Bob would be thought rather a nut. As it +is-- + +WENTWORTH. As it is, Tommy, there are about thirty-five million people +in England who've never played golf and who would recognize Bob, if they +met him, for the decent English gentleman that he is. + +TOMMY. I think you exaggerate, old chap. Golf's been getting awfully +popular lately. + +WENTWORTH. Personally I am very fond of Bob. + +TOMMY. Oh, so am I. He's an absolute ripper. Still, _Gerald_, you +know--I mean it's jolly bad luck on poor old Bob. Now Paderewski and I-- + +[Enter GERALD from the garden, a charming figure in a golfing coat and +white flannels. Perhaps he is a little conscious of his charm; if so, it +is hardly his fault, for hero-worship has been his lot from boyhood. He +is now about twenty-six; everything that he has ever tried to do he has +done well; and, if he is rather more unembarrassed than most of us when +praised, his unself-consciousness is to a stranger as charming as the +rest of him. With it all he is intensely reserved, with the result that +those who refuse to succumb to his charm sometimes make the mistake of +thinking that there is nothing behind it.] + +GERALD. Hallo, Wentworth, how are you? All right? + +WENTWORTH (getting up and shaking hands). Yes, thanks. How are you? + +GERALD. Simply bursting. Have you seen your room and all that sort of +thing? + +WENTWORTH. Yes, thanks. + +GERALD. Good. And Tommy's been entertaining you. (To TOMMY) Tommy, I +interrupted your story about Paderewski. I don't think I know it. (To +WENTWORTH) You must listen to this; it may be fairly new. + +TOMMY. Don't be an ass. As a matter of fact, we were discussing +something quite serious. + +GERALD (to WENTWORTH). How long have you been here? + +WENTWORTH. About ten minutes. + +GERALD. And Tommy hasn't told you that he did the eighth in one this +morning? + +WENTWORTH. He hasn't really told me yet. He's only mentioned it once or +twice in passing. + +TOMMY (modestly). Well, I mean it's bound to appear in the papers, so +naturally one-- + +GERALD. Oh, it's a great business. Champagne will flow like water +to-night. There will also be speeches. + +WENTWORTH. Which reminds me, Gerald, I have to congratulate you. + +GERALD. Thank you very much. When you've seen her you'll want to do it +again. + +TOMMY (looking through the window). Hallo, there's Letty. + +GERALD. If you want to tell her about it, run along, Tommy. + +TOMMY (moving off). I thought I'd just take her on at putting. [He goes +out.] + +GERALD (sitting down). You'll stay till--well, how long can you? +Tuesday, anyhow. + +WENTWORTH. I think I can manage till Tuesday. Thanks very much. Miss +Carey is here, of course? + +GERALD. Yes, she'll be in directly. She's gone to the station to meet +Bob. + +WENTWORTH (smiling). And Gerald didn't go with her? + +GERALD (smiling). At least six people suggested that Gerald should go +with her. They suggested it very loudly and archly-- + +WENTWORTH. So Gerald didn't? + +GERALD. So Gerald didn't. (After a pause) I can't stand that sort of +thing. + +WENTWORTH. What sort of thing? + +GERALD (after a pause). Poor old boy! you've never been in love--barring +the nine or ten times you're just going to tell me about. I mean never +really in love. + +WENTWORTH. Don't drag _me_ into it. What is it you can't stand? + +GERALD. People being tactful about Pamela and me.... Aunt Tabitha asked +me yesterday if she might have Pamela for half an hour to do something +or other--as if she were an umbrella, with my initials on it.... And +somebody else said, "I've quite fallen in love with your Pamela; I hope +you don't mind." _Mind_? I tell you, Wentworth, my boy, if you aren't in +love with Pamela by Tuesday, there'll be the very deuce of a row. Your +electro-plated butter-dish, or whatever it's going to be, will be simply +flung back at you. + +WENTWORTH. Well, as long as Miss Pamela understands-- + +GERALD. Of course she understands. We understand each other. + +WENTWORTH (preening himself ). Then I'll do my best. Mind, if she +does happen to reciprocate my feelings, I wash my hands of all +responsibility. (Going towards the staircase) Good-afternoon, Miss +Farringdon. + +[MISS FARRINGDON is coming slowly down the stairs.] + +MISS FARRINGDON. Good-afternoon, Mr. Wentworth. Welcome. + +(She must be well over eighty. She was pretty once, and sharp-tongued; +so much you could swear to now. For the rest she is very, very wise, and +intensely interested in life.) + +GERALD (going over and kissing her). Good-morning, Aunt Tabitha. Your +chair is waiting for you. (He conducts her to it.) + +MISS FARRINGDON. I'm a nasty cross old thing before lunch, Mr. +Wentworth, so I don't come down till afterwards nowadays. Is Gerald +being as charming as usual? + +WENTWORTH (smiling). Oh, pretty well. + +GERALD (looking at her lovingly and then turning to WENTWORTH). It's +having a very bad effect on her, this morning seclusion. She's supposed +to be resting, but she spends her time trying to think of nasty things +to say about me. The trouble with a mind like Aunt Tabitha's is that it +can't think of anything _really_ nasty. + +MISS FARRINGDON. The trouble with Gerald, Mr. Wentworth, is that he goes +about expecting everybody to love him. The result is that they nearly +all do. However, he can't get round _me_. + +GERALD. It isn't true, Wentworth; she adores me. + +MISS FARRINGDON. He wouldn't be happy if he didn't think so. + +WENTWORTH (gracefully). I can sympathize with him there. + +GERALD. The slight coolness which you perceive to have arisen between my +Aunt Tabitha and myself is due to the fact that I discovered her guilty +secret a few days ago. For years she has pretended that her real +name was Harriet. I have recently found out that she was christened +Tabitha--or, anyhow, would have been, if the clergyman had known his +job. + +MISS FARRINGDON. My great-nephew, Gerald, Mr. Wentworth-- + +GERALD. _Nephew_, Wentworth. I agreed to waive the "great" a long time +ago. + +WENTWORTH. You'll excuse my asking, but do you never talk to each other +except through the medium of a third person? + +MISS FARRINGDON (to GERALD). That's how they prefer to do it in the +Foreign Office. Isn't it, dear? + +GERALD. Always, Aunt Tabitha. But really, you know, we both ought to +be talking to Wentworth and flaking after his mother and his liver--and +things like that. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Yes, I'm afraid we're rather rude, Mr. Wentworth. The +Farringdons' great fault. + +WENTWORTH (protesting). Oh no! + +MISS FARRINGDON. How _is_ Mrs. Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. Wonderfully well, thank you, considering her age. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Dear me, we met first in 1850. + +GERALD. All frills and lavender. + +MISS FARRINGDON. And now here's Gerald engaged. Have you seen Pamela +yet? + +WENTWORTH. Not yet. I have been hearing about her from Tommy. He classes +her with the absolute rippers. + +GERALD. Good old Tommy! + +MISS FARRINGDON. Yes, she's much too good for Gerald. + +GERALD. Of course she is, Aunt Tabitha. But if women only married men +who were good enough for them, where should we be? As lots of young men +said to you, in vain--on those afternoons when they read Tennyson aloud +to you. + +MISS FARRINGDON. She ought to have married Bob. + +WENTWORTH (surprised and amused). Bob? Is Bob good enough for her? + +MISS FARRINGDON. She would have made a good wife for Bob. + +[Enter suddenly LETTY HERBERT and TOMMY from the garden. LETTY is an +entirely delightful irresponsible girl of the type which might have +shocked Queen Victoria. However, she seems to suit TOMMY. They are not +engaged yet, but she has already that air of proprietorship.] + +LETTY. I say, Tommy did the eighth in one. Why, there's Aunt Harriet. +(Going over and kissing her) How are you, darling? Tommy's done the +eighth in one. I know it doesn't mean much to you, but do say hooray, +because he's so bucked about it. + +GERALD (to WENTWORTH). Do you know Miss Herbert? Letty, come and be +introduced. Mr. Wentworth--Miss Herbert. + +LETTY (shaking hands eagerly). How do you do? I say, Tommy did the +eighth in one. Do you know Tommy--_or_ the eighth? + +WENTWORTH. Both, Miss Herbert. + +GERALD. To a man who knows both, the performance seems truly +astonishing. + +MISS FARRINGDON. I don't know anything about golf, Mr. Todd. But doing +anything in one sounds rather clever. So I say hooray, too. + +TOMMY. I wish you'd let me teach you, Miss Farringdon. Lots of people +begin when they're frightfully old. + +LETTY (to WENTWORTH). This is one of Tommy's polite days. + +GERALD. Mr. Todd's famous old-world courtesy is the talk of many a +salon. + +MISS FARRINGDON (to TOMMY). Don't you mind them. I _am_ frightfully old. +I am very proud of it. I hope you'll all live to be as old as I am. + +GERALD. I only hope we shall be half as nice. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Gerald being charming as usual. + +GERALD (firmly). I will also add that I hope we shall be kinder to our +great-nephews than some. + +LETTY (putting her arm in his). Diddums! + +GERALD. Yes, I did. I am very much hurt. + +TOMMY. I say, you know, Miss Farringdon, I never meant-- + +LETTY. I love Tommy when he apologizes. + +[Enter SIR JAMES and LADY FARRINGDON from the door to front of the +staircase. SIR JAMES, in a country check-suit, is a man of no particular +brain and no ideas, but he has an unconquerable belief in himself, and a +very genuine pride in, and admiration of, GERALD. His grey hair is bald +on the top, and he is clean-shaven except for a hint of whisker. He +might pass for a retired Captain R. N., and he has something of the +quarter-deck manner, so that even a remark on the weather is listened to +with attention. Neither of his sons loves him, but GERALD is no longer +afraid of him. LADY FARRINGDON is outwardly rather intimidating, but she +never feels so. She worships GERALD; and would love a good many other +people if they were not a little overawed by her.] + +LADY FARRINGDON. Ah, you're here, Mr. Wentworth. How do you do? + +WENTWORTH (coming forward). How do you do, Lady Farringdon? How do you +do, Sir James? + +SIR JAMES. How are you, Wentworth? Come to see Gerald play for the +county? + +GERALD. He's come to see Pamela. Haven't you, Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. I rather hope to see both. + +SIR JAMES. Ah, Aunt Harriet, I didn't see you. How are you to-day? + +MISS FARRINGDON. Very well, thank you, James. (He goes over to her.) + +LADY FARRINGDON. I hope they've shown you your room, Mr. Wentworth, and +made you comfortable? Gerald, darling, you saw that Mr. Wentworth was +all right? + +WENTWORTH. Oh yes, that's quite all right, thank you, Lady Farringdon. + +LADY FARRINGDON. Let me see, you're in the Blue Room, I think. + +LETTY. It's much the nicest room to be in, Mr. Wentworth. There's a +straight way down the water-pipe in case of fire. + +GERALD. And a straight way up in case of burglars. + +LADY FARRINGDON (fondly). Gerald, dear, don't be so foolish. + +SIR JAMES. Gerald, is it true you went round in seventy-two? + +GERALD. Yes. Tommy did the eighth in one. + +TOMMY (modestly). Awful fluke. + +SIR JAMES (casually). Ah--well done. (To GERALD) Seventy-two--that's +pretty good. That's five under bogey, Mr. Wentworth. + +LADY FARRINGDON (to WENTWORTH). Gerald has always been so good at +everything. Even as a baby. + +TOMMY. He did the ninth in three, Letty. How's that for hot? + +SIR JAMES (to WENTWORTH). You must stay till Thursday, if you can, and +see the whole of the Surrey match. It isn't often Gerald gets a chance +of playing for the county now. It's difficult for him to get away from +the Foreign Office. Lord Edward was telling me at the club the other +day-- + +LETTY (TO LADY FARRINGDON). Gerald dived off the Monk's Rock this +morning. I'm glad I didn't see him. I should have been horribly +frightened. + +TOMMY (proudly). I saw him. + +LETTY. Tommy, of course, slithered down over the limpets in the ordinary +way. + +LADY FARRINGDON (fondly). Oh, Gerald, how could you? + +SIR JAMES (still talking to WENTWORTH). He tells me that Gerald is a +marked man in the Service now. + +TOMMY (to LETTY). Do you remember when Gerald-- + +MISS FARRINGDON (incisively). Let's _all_ talk about Gerald. + +(GERALD, who has been listening to all this with more amusement than +embarrassment, gives a sudden shout of laughter.) + +GERALD. Oh, Aunt Tabitha, you're too lovely! (He blows her a kiss and +she shakes her stick at him.) + +[Enter PAMELA from the door In front of the staircase, tall, beautiful +and serene, a born mother. GERALD carried her off her feet a month ago, +but it is a question if he really touched her heart--a heart moved more +readily by pity than by love.] + +PAMELA. Gerald, dear, I'd know your laugh anywhere. Am I too late for +the joke? + +GERALD. Hullo, Pamela. Brought Bob with you? + +PAMELA. He's just washing London off himself. + +LADY FARRINGDON. Pamela, dear, do you know Mr. Wentworth? + +PAMELA (shaking hands). How do you do? + +LADY FARRINGDON (to WENTWORTH). Miss Carey--Gerald's Pamela. + +PAMELA. I've heard so much about you, Mr. Wentworth. + +WENTWORTH. And I've heard so much about you, Miss Carey. + +PAMELA. That's nice. Then we can start straight off as friends. + +LETTY. I suppose you know Tommy did the eighth in one? + +PAMELA. Rather. It's splendid! + +LETTY. _Do_ say you haven't told Bob. + +GERALD. Why shouldn't Bob know? + +PAMELA. No, I haven't told him, Letty. + +LETTY. Good, then Tommy can tell him. + +TOMMY. They do pull my leg, don't they, Miss Farringdon? + +[Enter BOB from the outer hall in a blue flannel suit. He has spoilt any +chance he had of being considered handsome by a sullen expression now +habitual. Two years older than Gerald, he is not so tall, but bigger, +and altogether less graceful. He has got in the way of talking in rather +a surly voice, as if he suspected that any interest taken in him was +merely a polite one.] + +GERALD. Hullo, Bob; good man. + +BOB. Hullo. (He goes up to LADY FARRINGDON and kisses her.) How are you, +mother? + +LADY FARRINGDON. It's so nice that you could get away, dear. + +BOB. How are you, father? All right? + +SIR JAMES. Ah, Bob! Come down to see your brother play for the county? + +PAMELA (quickly). He's come down to see _me_, haven't you, Bob? + +BOB. Hullo, Wentworth. Hullo, Letty. I say, I can't shake hands with you +all. (He smacks TOMMY on the back and goes over to Miss FARRINGDON.) How +are you, dear? + +MISS FARRINGDON. Very glad to see my elder great-nephew. I was getting +tired of Gerald. + +LADY FARRINGDON (protesting). Aunt Harriet, dear. + +GERALD (smiling). It's all right, mother. We quite understand each +other. + +MISS FARRINGDON. I quite understand Gerald. + +BOB. I say, aren't we going to have any tea? + +LADY FARRINGDON. It's early yet, dear. Gerald, you'd like to have it +outside, wouldn't you? + +GERALD. Oh, rather. What do you say, Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. I never want to be indoors in the country if I can help it. + +SIR JAMES. Quite right, Wentworth--quite right. Gerald, you'll just have +time to take Wentworth round the stables before tea. + +GERALD. You'll have to see them officially after church to-morrow. I +don't know if you'd care about a private view now. + +SIR JAMES. He must see your new mare. I should like to have his opinion +of her. + +WENTWORTH (getting up). I never know what to say to a mare, but I should +like to come. + +LETTY. She answers to "Hi!" or to any loud cry. + +PAMELA. I'm sure you'll be all right, Mr. Wentworth. + +GERALD. There's a way of putting one's head on one side and saying, +"Ah!" Anybody who's seen Tommy at the Royal Academy will know exactly +what I mean. + +(GERALD, PAMELA and WENTWORTH move towards the door.) + +WENTWORTH (to PAMELA). Ought I to have a straw in my mouth? + +GERALD. It's all right, we'll go and see the spaniels first. + +WENTWORTH (cheerfully). Oh, I'm all right with dogs. + +LETTY (to TOMMY). Come on, Tommy. [They go out behind the others.] + +LADY FARRINGDON. Would you like to have tea outside, Aunt Harriet? + +MISS FARRINGDON. I'm not too old for that, Mary. Bob will bring me out. +I want to have a word with him while I can. Everybody talks at once in +this house. + +SIR JAMES (picking up his hat). How's the City--hey? + +BOB. Just as usual. + +SIR JAMES. Coming round to the stables? + +ROB. Later on, perhaps. + +LADY FARRINGDON. Bob is bringing Aunt Harriet along, dear. + +SIR JAMES. Ah, yes. [They go out together.] + +MISS FARRINGDON. Smoke, Bob, and tell me how horrible the City is. + +BOB (lighting a pipe and sitting down). It's damnable, Aunt Harriet. + +MISS FARRINGDON. More damnable than usual? + +BOB. Yes. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Any particular reason why? + +BOB (after a long pause). No. + +(MISS FARRINGDON nods to herself and then speaks very casually.) + +MISS FARRINGDON. My bankers sent in my pass-book the other day. I seem +to have a deal of money lying idle, as they call it. If anybody wanted +it, I should really be in no hurry to get it back again. + +BOB (awkwardly). Thanks very much. It isn't that. (After a pause) Not +altogether. + +MISS FARRINGDON. It was a great pity you ever went into the City, Bob. + +BOB (fiercely). I could have told anybody that. + +MISS FARRINGDON (after waiting for him to say something more). Well, +suppose we go into the garden with the others. (She begins to get up and +he goes to help her,) There's nothing you want to tell me, Bob? + +BOB (looking away). What would there be? + +MISS FARRINGDON. I'm a wise old woman, they say, and I don't talk. + +BOB. I don't think you can help me. Er--thanks very much. + +MISS FARRINGDON (quite naturally, as she turns towards the door). If you +don't mind giving me your arm. + +(As they get to the door they are met by GERALD and PAMELA coming in.) + +GERALD. Hullo, Bob, we were just coming back for you. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Thoughtful Gerald. + +GERALD. Pamela's idea. She thought that the elder members of the family +could discuss life more freely unhampered by the younger generation. + +PAMELA. What I really said was, "Where's Bob?" + +GERALD. Well, it's the same thing. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Bob is looking after me, thank you very much. [They go +out together.] + +GERALD (after watching them go, to PAMELA). Stay here a bit. There are +too many people and dogs and things outside. Come and sit on the sofa +and I'll tell you all the news. (He takes her hand and they go to the +sofa together.) What ages you've been away! + +PAMELA. An hour and a half. And it need not have been that if you'd come +with me. + +GERALD (taking her hand). If I had come with you, I would have held your +hand all the way. + +PAMELA. I shouldn't have minded. + +GERALD. But just think what would have happened: You would have had +to have driven with one hand down all the hills; we should have had +a smash-up before we got halfway; a well-known society beauty and a +promising young gentleman in the Foreign Office would have been +maimed for life; and Bob would have to have walked here carrying his +portmanteau. Besides, I love you going away from me when you come back. +You've only got to come into the room, and the sun seems to shine. + +PAMELA. The sun always shines on Gerald. + +GERALD. Does it? That's a different sort of sunshine. Not the gentle +caressing September afternoon sunshine which you wear all round you. +(She is looking at him lovingly and happily as he says this, but she +withdraws into herself quickly as he pulls himself up and says with +a sudden change of tone) Dear me, I'm getting quite poetical, and two +minutes ago I was talking to Wentworth about fetlocks. + +PAMELA (getting up). Oh, Gerald, Gerald! + +GERALD (getting up and smiling at her). Oh, Pamela, Pamela! + +PAMELA. I wonder how much you really want me. + +GERALD. I'll show you when we're married. I don't think I could even +begin to tell you now. + +PAMELA (wistfully). Couldn't you try? + +(GERALD catches hold of her suddenly, and holding her tightly to him, +kisses her again and again.) + +GERALD. There! + +PAMELA (releasing herself). Oh, Gerald, my darling, you frighten me +sometimes. + +GERALD. Did I frighten you then? + +PAMELA (happily). Oh, no, no, no, no! (Earnestly) Always want me very +much, Gerald. Always be in need of me. Don't be too successful without +me. However much the sun shines on you, let me make it gentler and more +caressing for you. + +GERALD. It is so, darling. Didn't I say so? + +PAMELA. Ah, but I want such a lot of telling. + +GERALD (laughing happily as he goes over to the table by the fireplace +and takes a cigarette). Who was the fellow who threw something into +the sea because he was frightened by his own luck? What shall I throw? +(Looking at a presentation clock on the mantelpiece) That's rather +asking for it. In a way it would be killing two birds with one stone. +Oh, Lord, I am lucky! + +PAMELA (coming to him and taking his arm). As long as you don't throw +me. + +GERALD. Pamela, you're talking rubbish. I talk a good deal myself, but I +do keep within the bounds. Let's go and chatter to Bob about contangos. +I don't know what they are, but they sound extraordinarily sober. + +PAMELA (gently). Poor old Bob! + +GERALD (quickly). Why _poor_ old Bob? + +PAMELA. He's worried about something. I tried to get him to tell me as +we came from the station, but he wouldn't. + +GERALD. Poor old Bob! I suppose things are going up--or down, or +something. Brokerage one-eighth--that's what's worrying him, I expect. + +PAMELA. I think he wants to talk to you about it. Be nice to him, +darling, won't you? + +GERALD (surprised). Nice to him? + +PAMELA. You know what I mean--sympathetic. I know it's a difficult +relationship--brothers. + +GERALD. All relationships are difficult. But after you, he's the person +I love best in the world. (With a laugh) But I don't propose to fall on +his neck and tell him so. + +PAMELA (smiling). I know you will help him if you can. + +GERALD. Of course I will, though I don't quite see how. (Hopefully) +Perhaps he's only slicing his drives again. + +PAMELA. Oh, I love you, Gerald. (Wonderingly) _Do_ I love you, or am I +only just charmed by you? + +GERALD. You said you loved me once. You can't go back on that. + +PAMELA. Then I love you. And make a century for me on Monday. + +GERALD. Well, I'll try. Of course the bowler may be in love too. But +even if I get out first ball, I can say, "Well, anyhow, Pamela loves +me." + +PAMELA. Oh, I think I hope you get out first ball. + +GERALD. Baby Pamela. + +PAMELA. And on Thursday we shall be alone together here, and you've +promised to take me out in the boat for the day. + +GERALD. You mean you've promised to let me. + +PAMELA. What happy days there are in the world! + +[Enter BOB from the garden.] + +GERALD. Hullo, Bob. Tea? (He moves towards the door.) + +BOB. Cigarettes. (He goes over to the fireplace and fills his cigarette +case.) + +GERALD. Still, I expect tea's nearly ready. + +PAMELA (going towards door R. at the back). I'll join you; I'm not going +out without a sunshade again. [Exit.] + +(There is an awkward silence.) + +BOB (to GERALD). I say! + +GERALD (turning round). Hullo! + +BOB. Just wait a moment. + +(GERALD comes back slowly.) + +GERALD. I warn you those are rotten cigarettes. (Holds out his own case) + +BOB (taking one). Thanks. (Awkwardly) You're so confoundedly difficult +to get hold of nowadays. Never less than half-a-dozen all round you. + +GERALD (laughing). Good old Bob! + +BOB (after lighting a cigarette). I want to talk to you about something. + +GERALD. Well, of course. + +BOB (after a pause). You've heard of Marcus, my partner? + +GERALD (with the idea of putting himself and BOB more at their ease). +Good old Marcus and Farringdon! It's the most perfect name for a firm. +They sound so exactly as though they could sell you anything from a +share to a shaving-brush. Marcus and Farringdon's pure badger, two +shillings--gilt-edged badger half-a-crown. + +BOB (fiercely). I suppose everything is just a pleasant joke to you. + +GERALD (utterly surprised). Bob! Bob, old boy, what's the matter? +(Putting his hand on BOB'S shoulder) I say, Bob, I haven't hurt you, +have I? + +BOB (hopelessly). Oh, Jerry, I believe I'm in the devil of a hole. + +GERALD. You haven't called me "Jerry" since we were at school. + +BOB. You got me out of holes then--damn you! and you were my younger +brother. Oh, Jerry, get me out of this one. + +GERALD. But, of course. (Firmly, as if a little nervous of a scene from +BOB) My dear Bob, you're as right as anything. You've got nothing on +earth to worry about. At the worst it's only a question of money, and we +can always put that right somehow. + +BOB. I'm not sure that it is only a question of money. + +GERALD (frightened). What do you mean? (Turning away with a laugh) +You're talking nonsense. + +BOB. Gerald, Marcus is a wrong un. (Fiercely) An out-and-out wrong un. + +GERALD. The only time I saw him he looked like it. + +BOB. God knows what he's let me in for. + +GERALD. You mean money? + +BOB. More than that, perhaps. + +GERALD. You mean you're just going bankrupt? + +BOB. No. (After a pause) Prosecution. + +GERALD. Well, let them prosecute. That ends Marcus. You're well rid of +him. + +BOB (miserably). Perhaps it isn't only Marcus. + +GERALD (sharply, after this has sunk in). What can they prosecute you +for? + +BOB (speaking rapidly). What the devil did they ever send me to the City +for? I didn't want to go. I was never any good at figures. I loathe +the whole thing. What the devil did they want to send me there for--and +shove me on to a wrong un like Marcus? That's his life, messing about +with money in the City. How can I stand out against a man like that? I +never wanted to go into it at all. + +GERALD (holding out his cigarette-case). Have another cigarette? (They +each light one, and GERALD sits down in the chair opposite to him.) +Let's look at it calmly. You've done nothing dishonourable, I know that. +That's obvious. + +BOB. You see, Jerry, I'm so hopeless at that sort of business. +Naturally I got in the way of leaving things to Marcus. But that's all. +(Resentfully) Of course, that's all. + +GERALD. Good. Well, then, you're making much too much fuss about it. +My dear boy, innocent people don't get put into prison nowadays. You've +been reading detective stories. "The Stain on the Bath Mat," or "The +Crimson Sponge." Good Lord! I shall be coming to _you_ next and saying +that _I'm_ going to be put in prison for selling secret documents to a +foreign country. These things don't happen; they don't really, old boy. + +BOB (cheered, but not convinced). I don't know; it looks devilish bad, +what I can make of it. + +GERALD. Well, let's see what I can make of it. + +BOB (trying not to show his eagerness). I was wondering if you would. +Come up on Monday and we'll have a go at it together. Marcus has gone, +of course. Probably halfway to South America by now. (Bitterly) Or +wherever you go to. + +GERALD. Right-o! At least, I can't come on Monday, of course, but we'll +have a go at it on Thursday. + +BOB. Why can't you come on Monday? + +GERALD. Well, the Surrey match. + +BOB (bitterly). I suppose as long as you beat Surrey, it doesn't matter +if I go to prison. + +GERALD (annoyed). Oh, shut up about going to prison! There's not the +slightest chance of your going to prison. You know perfectly well, if +there were, that I'd walk on my hands and knees to London to-night to +try and stop it. As it is, I have promised to play for the county; it's +a particularly important match, and I don't think it's fair to let them +down. Anyway, if I did, the whole family would want to know why, and I +don't suppose you want to tell them that yet. + +BOB (mumbling). You could say the Foreign Office had rung you up. + +GERALD (earnestly). Really, Bob old boy, I'm sure you're making too much +of it. Dammit! you've done nothing wrong; what is there to worry about? +And if it's only a question of money, we'll manage it on our heads, +somehow. I'll come up directly the match is over. It may be Tuesday +night, with luck. + +BOB (grumbling). If the weather's like this, it's bound to last three +days. + +GERALD. Then at the worst, I'll come first train Thursday morning. That +I promise. Anyway, why don't you consult Wentworth? He's a good chap and +he knows all about the law. He could probably help you much more than I +could. + +BOB. I suppose you think I _like_ talking about it to everybody. + +GERALD (getting up and touching BOB gently on the shoulder as he goes +past him). Poor old Bob! But you're as right as anything. I'll come up +by the first train on Thursday and we'll--good Lord! + +BOB. What's the matter now? + +GERALD. I am a damned fool! Why, of course, we arranged-- + +BOB (sneeringly). And now you can't come on Thursday, I suppose. + +GERALD. Why, you see, I arranged-- + +BOB. You _must_ keep your promise to the county, but you needn't keep +your promise to me. + +GERALD. Yes, but the trouble is I promised Pamela--oh, well, that will +have to go; she'll understand. All right, Bob, that holds. Directly the +match is over I come. And for the Lord's sake, keep smiling till then. + +BOB. It's all very well for _you_.... I wish you could have--well, +anyhow, I suppose Thursday's better than nothing. You'll see just how it +is then. (Getting up) You won't say anything about it to the others? + +GERALD. Of course not. What about Pamela? Does she know anything? + +BOB. She knows that I'm worried about something, but of course she +doesn't know what I've told you. + +GERALD. All right, then I won't tell her anything. At least, I'll just +say that bananas remain firm at 127, and that I've got to go and see my +broker about it. (Smiling) Something like that. + +(BOB goes towards the garden, while GERALD stops to wait for PAMELA. At +the door he turns round.) + +BOB (awkwardly). Er--thanks. [Exit.] + +(GERALD throws him a nod, as much as to say, "That's all right." He +stands looking after him, gives a little sigh, laughs and says to +himself, "Poor old Bob!" He is half-sitting on, half-leaning against the +table, thinking it all over, when PAMELA comes in again.) + +PAMELA. I waited for him to go; I knew he wanted to talk to you about +something. Gerald, he is all right, isn't he? + +GERALD (taking her hands). Who? Bob? Oh yes, he's all right. So is +Pamela. + +PAMELA. Sure? + +GERALD. Oh yes, he's all right. + +PAMELA. I take rather a motherly interest in Bob, you know. What was +worrying him? + +GERALD (smiling). His arithmetic again; compound interest. His masters +are very pleased with his progress in English. And he wants more +pocket-money. He says that fourpence a week doesn't give him enough +scope. + +PAMELA (smiling). But he really is all right? + +GERALD. Well, I've got to go up on Thursday to see his House Master--I +mean I've got to go up to town on Thursday. + +PAMELA (drawing back). Thursday? That was _our_ day, Gerald. + +GERALD. Yes, I know; it's a confounded nuisance. + +PAMELA (slowly). Yes, it is rather a--nuisance. + +GERALD. I'm awfully sorry, darling. I hate it just as much as you do. + +PAMELA. I wonder if you do. + +GERALD (shaking his head at her). Oh, woman, woman! And you asked me to +be kind to Bob. + +PAMELA. It is for Bob? He really does want you? + +GERALD. He thinks I can help him if I go up on Thursday. (Smiling) We +aren't going to quarrel about that. + +PAMELA (holding out her hand to him). Come along. Of course we aren't +going to quarrel--I don't think I could quarrel with you for more than +five minutes. Only--you make me wonder sometimes. + +GERALD (getting up and taking her arm). What do you wonder about? + +PAMELA. Oh--things. + +[They go out into the garden together.] + + + + +ACT II + +[It is a quiet old-fashioned hotel which SIR JAMES and LADY FARRINGDON +patronize in Dover Street on their occasional visits to London. Their +private sitting-room is furnished in heavy early Victorian style. A +couple of gloomy palms help to decorate the room, on whose walls are +engravings of Landseer's masterpieces.] + +[MASON, a faithful kindly body, once nurse, now familiar servant, is at +the table arranging flowers, in a gallant attempt to make the room more +cheerful. As she fills each vase she takes it to its place, steps back +to consider the effect, and returns to fill the next one. GERALD, in +London clothes as attractive as ever, but looking none rather serious, +discovers her at work.] + +GERALD. Hullo, Nanny, when did you come? + +MASON. This morning, sir. Her ladyship telegraphed for me. + +GERALD (smiling affectionately at her). Whenever there's any trouble +about, we send for Nanny. I wonder she ever came to London without you. + +MASON. I told her I'd better come, but she wouldn't listen to me. Dear, +dear! there _is_ trouble about now Master Gerald. + +GERALD. Yes. + +MASON. I thought a few flowers would cheer us up. I said to Mr. +Underhill before I started, "Give me some flowers to take with me," I +said, "so that I can make the place look more homey and comfortable for +her ladyship." + +GERALD. And you have. No one like Nanny for that. + +MASON (timidly). Is there any news of Master Bob this morning? Of +course, we've all been reading about it in the papers. They're not going +to send him to prison? + +GERALD. I'm afraid they are. + +MASON. Dear, dear! (She goes on arranging the flowers.) He's not in +prison now? + +GERALD. No; he's on bail for the moment. Perhaps he'll be round here for +lunch. But I'm afraid that to-night-- + +MASON. Even as a baby he was never quite like you, Master Gerald. Never +was there such a little lamb as you. How long will they send him to +prison for? + +GERALD. We don't know yet; I expect we shall know this evening. But +there's no doubt which way the case is going. + +MASON. Two of the men were making their bets about it over the +supper-table last night. I didn't wait long before giving them a piece +of my mind, I can promise you. + +GERALD (turning round sharply). Who were they? Out they go to-morrow. + +MASON. That wouldn't be quite fair, would it, sir? They're young and +thoughtless like. + +GERALD (to himself rather than to her). After all, it's only what +everybody else has been doing. + +MASON. It wouldn't be anything very bad that Master Bob has done? + +GERALD (emphatically). No, Nanny. No. Nothing bad; only--stupid. + +MASON. I didn't know they put you in prison for being stupid. Some of us +have been lucky. + +GERALD. They can put you in prison for everything Nanny--being stupid or +being wise, being bad or being good, being poor or--yes, or being rich. + +MASON (putting her last touches to the flowers). There! Now it looks +much more like what her ladyship's used to. If you aren't sent to prison +for being bad, it doesn't seem to matter so much. + +GERALD. Well--it isn't nice, you know. + +MASON. There's lots of things that aren't nice in the world. They +haven't come _your_ way yet, and I only hope they never will. + +GERALD. I wish they hadn't come Bob's way. + +MASON. Ah, Master Bob was born to meet them. Well, I'll go up to her +ladyship now. + +GERALD. Oh, are they back? + +MASON. Sir James and her ladyship came back from the police-station-- + +GERALD. The Old Bailey, Nanny. + +MASON. They came back about ten minutes ago, Master Gerald. And went up +to their rooms. + +GERALD. Tell mother I'm here, will you? + +MASON. Yes, Sir. + +(She goes out and comes back almost at once with PAMELA.) + +MASON. Here's Miss Pamela. (To PAMELA) I was just saying that her +ladyship will be down directly. + +GERALD (smiling). Not too directly now, Nanny. + +MASON. No, Master Gerald. [Exit.] + +GERALD. Pamela! Have you just come up? + +PAMELA. Mother and I are staying with Aunt Judith. Oh, Gerald! Poor, +poor Bob! + +GERALD. Have you seen him? + +PAMELA. He came down to us last week, and he has been writing the most +heart-rending letters. + +GERALD. You're a dear to be so good to him. + +PAMELA. How can one help it? Oh, Gerald, he _has_ been stupid! How he +could have gone on as he did, hating it all, understanding nothing, but +feeling all the time that things were wrong, and yet too proud or too +obstinate to ask for help--hadn't you any idea, _any_ of you? + +GERALD (awkwardly). You never could get him to talk about the City at +all. If you asked him, he changed the subject. + +PAMELA (reproachfully). Ah! but how did you ask him? Lightly? Jokingly? +"Hullo, Rothschild, how's the City getting on?" That sort of way. You +didn't really mind. + +GERALD (smiling). Well, if it comes to that, he didn't much mind how I +was getting on at the Foreign Office. He never even said, "Hullo, Grey, +how are Balkans?" + +PAMELA. You had plenty of people to say that; Bob was different. I +think I was the first person he really talked to about himself. That was +before I met you. I begged him then to get out of it--little knowing. I +wonder if it would have made any difference if you had gone up with him +on--Oh, well, it doesn't matter now. + +GERALD (defensively). What were you going to say? + +PAMELA. Nothing. (Looking at him thoughtfully) Poor Gerald! it's been +bad for you too. + +GERALD. You're not making it better by suggesting that I've let Bob down +in some way--I don't quite know how. + +PAMELA (in distress). Oh, Gerald, don't be angry with me--I don't want +to hurt you. But I can only think of Bob now. You're so--you want so +little; Bob wants so much. Why doesn't he come? I sent a note round +to his rooms to say that I'd be here. Doesn't he have lunch here? Oh, +Gerald, suppose the case is over, and they've taken him to prison, and +I've never said good-bye to him. He said it wouldn't be over till this +evening, but how would he know? Oh, I can't bear it if they've taken him +away, and his only friend never said good-bye to him. + +GERALD. Pamela, Pamela, don't be so silly. It's all right, dear; of +course I'm not angry with you. And of course Bob will be here. I rang up +Wentworth an hour ago, and he said the case can't end till this evening. + +PAMELA (recovering). Sorry, Gerald, I'm being rather a fool. + +GERALD (taking her hands). You're being--(There is a knock at the door, +and he turns round impatiently) Oh, what is it? + +[Enter MASON.] + +MASON (handing note). There's a telephone message been waiting for you, +sir. And her ladyship will be down directly. + +GERALD. Thank you, Nanny. [Exit MASON.] (To PAMELA) May I? (He reads it) +Oh, I say, this is rather--this is from Wentworth. He's taken Bob round +to lunch with him. + +PAMELA (going towards the door). I must go, Gerald. Mr. Wentworth won't +mind. + +GERALD (stopping her). Look here, dear, it's going to be quite all +right. Wentworth rang up from his rooms; they're probably halfway +through lunch by now, and they'll be round in ten minutes. + +PAMELA. Supposing he doesn't come? Supposing he didn't get my note? It +may be waiting for him in his rooms now. + +GERALD. All right, then, darling, I'll ring him up. + +PAMELA (determined). No. I'll do it. Yes, Gerald, I know how to manage +him. It isn't only that I must see him myself, but if--(bravely) if the +case is to be over this evening, and if what we fear is going to happen, +he must--oh, he must say good-bye to his mother too. + +GERALD. Well, if that's all, I'll tell him. + +PAMELA. He mightn't come for you. He will for me; No, Gerald; I mean it. +None of you understand him. I do. + +GERALD. But supposing he's already started and you miss him? + +PAMELA. I'll telephone to him at his rooms. Oh, _don't_ stand there +talking-- + +GERALD (opening the door for her). Oh, well! But I think you're--[She +has gone.] + +(He walks up and down the room absently, picking up papers and putting +them down. MASON comes in and arranges the sofa R.) + +MASON. Miss Pamela gone, Master Gerald? + +GERALD. She's coming back. + +[Enter LADY FARRINGDON.] + +LADY FARRINGDON. Oh, Gerald, I hoped you'd be here. + +GERALD (kissing her). I've only just got away. I couldn't get round +to the court. (Seeing her to the sofa) You're all right, dear? [Exit +MASON.] + +LADY FARRINGDON. Now you're here, Gerald. I telegraphed for Mason. She's +such a comfort. How nicely she's done the flowers! (She sits down on the +sofa.) + +GERALD. I'm so glad you sent for her. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I don't think your father-- + +[Enter SIR JAMES.] + +SIR JAMES. Ah, Gerald, I had to take your mother out. She +was--ah--overcome. They have adjourned, I suppose? + +GERALD. Yes. The judge is summing up directly after lunch. Bob will be +round here when he's had something to eat. + +SIR JAMES (looking at his watch). Well, I suppose we ought to try and +eat something. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I couldn't touch anything. + +GERALD (going over to her). Poor mother! + +LADY FARRINGDON. Oh, Gerald, couldn't _you_ do anything? I'm sure if +you'd gone into the witness-box, or told the judge--Oh, why didn't you +go to the Bar, and then you could have defended him. You would have been +so much better than that stupid man. + +SIR JAMES. I must say I didn't at all like his tone. He's practically +making out my son to be an idiot. + +GERALD. Well, it's really the only line he could take. + +SIR JAMES. What do you mean? Bob is far from being an idiot. + +LADY FARRINGDON. We always knew he wasn't as clever as Gerald, dear. + +GERALD. You see, Bob either understood what was going on or he didn't. +If he did, then he's in it as much as Marcus. If he didn't--well, of +course we know that he didn't. But no doubt the jury will think that he +ought to have known. + +SIR JAMES. The old story, a knave or a fool, eh? + +GERALD. The folly was in sending him there. + +SIR JAMES (angrily). That was Parkinson's fault. It was he who +recommended Marcus to me. I shall never speak to that man again. (To his +wife) Mary, if the Parkinsons call, you are out; remember that. + +GERALD. He never ought to have gone into business at all. Why couldn't +you have had him taught farming or estate agency or something? + +SIR JAMES. We've got to move with the times, my boy. Land is played out +as a living for gentlemen; they go into business nowadays. If he can't +get on there, it's his own fault. He went to Eton and Oxford; what more +does he want? + +LADY FARRINGDON (to GERALD). You must remember he isn't clever like you, +Gerald. + +GERALD. Oh, well, it's no good talking about it now. Poor old Bob! +Wentworth thinks-- + +SIR JAMES. Ah, now why couldn't Wentworth have defended him? That other +man--why, to begin with, I don't even call him a gentleman. + +GERALD. Wentworth recommended him. But I wish he had gone to Wentworth +before, as soon as he knew what was coming. + +SIR JAMES. Why didn't he come to _me_? Why didn't he come to _any_ of +us? Then we might have done something. + +LADY FARRINGDON. Didn't he even tell _you_, Gerald? + +GERALD (awkwardly). Only just at the last. It was--it was too late to do +anything then. It was the Saturday before he was--arrested. (To himself) +"The Saturday before Bob was arrested"--what a way to remember anything +by! + +LADY FARRINGDON (to GERALD). Bob is coming round, dear? + +GERALD. Yes. Wentworth's looking after him. Pamela will be here too. + +SIR JAMES. We haven't seen much of Pamela lately. What does _she_ think +about it? + +GERALD (sharply). What do you mean? + +SIR JAMES. The disgrace of it. I hope it's not going to affect your +engagement. + +GERALD. Disgrace? what disgrace? + +SIR JAMES. Well, of course, he hasn't been found guilty yet. + +GERALD. What's that got to do with it? What does it matter what a lot +of rotten jurymen think of him? _We_ know that he has done nothing +disgraceful. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I'm sure Pamela wouldn't think anything like that of +your brother, dear. + +GERALD. Of course she wouldn't. She's been a perfect angel to Bob these +last few weeks. What does it matter if he does go to prison? + +SIR JAMES. I suppose you think I shall enjoy telling my neighbours, when +they ask me what my elder boy is doing, that he's--ah--in prison. + +GERALD. Of course you won't enjoy it, and I don't suppose Bob will enjoy +it either, but that's no reason why we should make it worse for him +by pretending that he's a disgrace to the family. (Half to himself) If +anything we've done has helped to send him to prison then it's we who +should be ashamed. + +SIR JAMES. I don't profess to know anything about business, but I +flatter myself that I understand my fellow men. If I had been in Bob's +place, I should have pretty soon seen what that fellow Marcus was up +to. I don't want to be unfair to Bob; I don't think that any son of mine +would do a dishonourable action; but the Law is the Law, and if the Law +sends Bob to prison I can't help feeling the disgrace of it. + +GERALD. Yes, it's rough on you and mother. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I don't mind about myself, dear. It's you I feel so +sorry for--and Bob, of course. + +GERALD. I don't see how it's going to affect _me_. + +SIR JAMES. In the Foreign Office one has to be like Caesar's wife--above +suspicion. + +GERALD. Yes, but in this case it's Caesar's brother-in-law's partner +who's the wrong un. I don't suppose Caesar was so particular about +_him_. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I don't see how Caesar comes into it at all. + +SIR JAMES (kindly). I spoke in metaphors, dear. + +[The door opens and WENTWORTH appears.] + +GERALD. Come in, Wentworth. Where's Bob? + +WENTWORTH. I dropped him at his rooms--a letter or something he wanted +to get. But he'll be here directly. (Nervously) How do you do, Lady +Farringdon? How do you do, Sir James? + +SIR JAMES. Ah, Wentworth. + +(There is an awkward silence and nobody seems to know what to say.) + +WENTWORTH. Very hot this morning. + +SIR JAMES. Very hot. Very. + +(There is another awkward silence.) + +WENTWORTH. This is quite a good hotel. My mother always stays here when +she's in London. + +SIR JAMES. Ah, yes. We use it a good deal ourselves. + +LADY FARRINGDON. How is Mrs. Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. She's been keeping very well this summer, thank you. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I'm so glad. + +(There is another awkward silence.) + +GERALD (impatiently). Oh, what's the good of pretending this is a formal +call, Wentworth? Tell us about Bob; how's he taking it? + +WENTWORTH. He doesn't say much. He had lunch in my rooms--you got my +message. He couldn't bear the thought of being recognized by anyone, so +I had something sent up. + +GERALD (realizing what it must feel like). Poor old Bob! + +WENTWORTH. Lady Farringdon, I can't possibly tell you what I feel about +this, but I should like to say that all of us who know Bob know that he +couldn't do anything dishonourable. Whatever the result of the trial, we +shall feel just the same towards him. + +(LADY FARRINGDON is hardly able to acknowledge this, and SIR JAMES goes +across to comfort her.) + +SIR JAMES (helplessly). There, there, Mary. + +GERALD (seizing his opportunity, to WENTWORTH). What'll he get? + +WENTWORTH (quietly). Three months--six months. One can't be certain. + +GERALD (cheering up). Thank the Lord! I imagined awful things. + +SIR JAMES (his ministrations over). After all, he hasn't been found +guilty yet; eh, Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH. Certainly, Sir James. With a jury there's always hope. + +SIR JAMES. What do you think yourself? + +WENTWORTH. I think he has been very foolish; whether the Law will call +it criminally foolish I should hardly like to say. I only wish I had +known about it before. He must have suspected something--didn't he say +anything to anybody? + +SIR JAMES. He told Gerald, apparently. For some reason he preferred to +keep his father in the dark. + +GERALD (eagerly). That was the day you came down to us, Wentworth; five +days before he was arrested. I asked him to tell you, but he wouldn't. + +WENTWORTH. Oh, it was too late then. Marcus had absconded by that time. + +GERALD (earnestly). Nobody could have helped him then, could they? + +WENTWORTH. Oh no. + +GERALD (to himself). Thank God. + +SIR JAMES (to LADY FARRINGDON as he looks at his watch). Well, dear, I +really think you ought to try to eat something. + +LADY FARRINGDON. I couldn't, James. (Getting up) But you must have +_your_ lunch. + +SIR JAMES. Well, one oughtn't to neglect one's health, of course. But +I insist on your having a glass of claret anyhow, Mary. What about you, +Gerald? + +GERALD. I'm all right. I'll wait for Bob. I've had something. + +LADY FARRINGDON. You won't let Bob go without seeing us? + +GERALD. Of course not, dear. + +(He goes with them to the door and sees them out.) + +GERALD (coming back to WENTWORTH). Three months. By Jove! that's +nothing. + +WENTWORTH. It's long enough for a man with a grievance. It gives him +plenty of time to brood about it. + +GERALD (anxiously). Who has Bob got a grievance against particularly? + +WENTWORTH. The world. + +GERALD (relieved). Ah! Still, three months, Wentworth. I could do it on +my head. + +WENTWORTH. You're not Bob. Bob will do it on his heart. + +GERALD. We must buck him up, Wentworth. If he takes it the right way, +it's nothing. I had awful thoughts of five years. + +WENTWORTH. I'm not the judge, you know. It may be six months. + +GERALD. Of course. How does he decide? Tosses up for it? Three months or +six months or six years, it's all the same to him, and there's the poor +devil in the dock praying his soul out that he'll hit on the shortest +one. Good Lord! I'm glad I'm not a judge. + +WENTWORTH (drily). Yes; that isn't quite the way the Law works. + +GERALD. Oh, I'm not blaming the Law. (Smiling) Stick to it, Wentworth, +by all means. But I should make a bad judge. I should believe everything +the prisoner said, and just tell him not to do it again. + +[BOB comes in awkwardly and stops at the door.] + +WENTWORTH (getting up). Come along, Bob. (Taking out his case) Have a +cigarette. + +BOB (gruffly). No, thanks. (He takes out his pipe.) + +GERALD (brightly but awkwardly). Hullo, Bob, old boy. + +BOB. Where's Pamela? She said she'd be here. (He sits down in the large +armchair.) + +GERALD. If she said she'd be here, she will be here. + +BOB (with a grunt). 'M! (There is an awkward silence.) + +BOB (angrily to GERALD). Why don't you say something? You came here to +say good-bye to me, I suppose--why don't you say it? + +WENTWORTH. Steady, Bob. + +GERALD (eagerly). Look here, Bob, old son, you mustn't take it too +hardly. Wentworth thinks it will only be three months--don't you, +Wentworth? You know, we none of us think any the worse of you for it. + +BOB. Thanks. That will console me a lot in prison. + +GERALD. Oh, Bob, don't be an old fool. You know what I mean. You have +done nothing to be ashamed of, so what's the good of brooding in prison, +and grousing about your bad luck, and all that sort of thing? If you had +three months in bed with a broken leg, you'd try and get some sort of +satisfaction out of it--well, so you can now if you try. + +WENTWORTH (after waiting for BOB to say something). There's a good deal +in that, Bob, you know. Prison is largely what you make it. + +BOB. What do either of you know about it? + +GERALD. Everything. The man with imagination knows the best and the +worst of everything. + +BOB (fiercely). Imagination? You think _I_ haven't imagined it? + +GERALD. Wentworth's right. You can make what you like of it. You can be +miserable anywhere, if you let yourself be. You can be happy anywhere, +if you try to be. + +WENTWORTH (to lead him on). I can't quite see myself being actually +happy in prison, Gerald. + +GERALD. I could, Wentworth, I swear I could. + +BOB. He'd get popular with the warders; he'd love that. + +GERALD (smiling). Silly old ass! But there are lots of things one can do +in prison, only no one ever seems to think of them. (He gets interested +and begins to walk up and down the room.) Now take this solitary +confinement there's so much fuss about. If you look at it the right way, +there's nothing in it at all. + +WENTWORTH. A bit boring, perhaps. + +GERALD. Boring? Nonsense. You're allowed one book a week from the prison +library, aren't you? + +WENTWORTH. You know, you mustn't think that, because I'm a barrister, I +know all about the inside of a prison. + +GERALD. Well, suppose you are allowed one, and you choose a French +dictionary, and try to learn it off by heart before you come out. Why, +it's the chance of a lifetime to learn French. + +WENTWORTH. Well, of course, if you _could_ get a French dictionary-- + +GERALD. Well, there'd be _some_ book there anyway. If it's a Bible, read +it. When you've read it, count the letters in it; have little bets with +yourself as to which man's name is mentioned most times in it; put +your money on Moses and see if you win. Anything like that. If it's a +hymn-book, count how many of the rhymes rhyme and how many don't; try +and make them _all_ rhyme. Learn 'em by heart; I don't say that that +would be particularly useful to you in the business world afterwards, +but it would be amusing to see how quickly you could do it, how many you +could keep in your head at the same time. + +WENTWORTH. This is too intellectual for me; my brain would go in no +time. + +GERALD. You aren't doing it all day, of course; there are other things. +Physical training. Swedish exercises. Tell yourself that you'll be able +to push up fifty times from the ground before you come out. Learn to +walk on your hands. Practise cart-wheels, if you like. Gad! you could +come out a Hercules. + +WENTWORTH. I can't help feeling that the strain of improving myself so +enormously would tell on me. + +GERALD. Oh, you'd have your games and so on to keep you bright and +jolly. + +WENTWORTH (sarcastically). Golf and cricket, I suppose? + +GERALD. Golf, of course; I'm doubtful about cricket. You must have +another one for cricket, and I'm afraid the warder wouldn't play. But +golf, and squash rackets, and bowls, and billiards--and croquet-- + +WENTWORTH (in despair). Oh, _go_ on! + +GERALD. Really, you're hopeless. What the Swiss Family Wentworth would +have done if they'd ever been shipwrecked, I can't think. Don't you +_ever_ invent _any_thing for yourself? (Excitedly) Man alive! you've +got a hymn-book and a piece of soap, what more do you want? You can +play anything with that. (Thoughtfully) Oh, I forgot the Olympic games. +Standing long jump. And they talk about the boredom of it! + +WENTWORTH (thoughtfully). You've got your ideas, Gerald. I wonder if +you'd act up to them. + +GERALD. One never knows, but honestly I think so. (There is silence for +a little.) + +BOB. Is that all? + +GERALD. Oh, Bob, I know it's easy for me to talk-- + +BOB. I wonder you didn't say at once: "Try not to think about it." +You're always helpful. + +GERALD. You're a little difficult to help, you know Bob. (Awkwardly) +I thought I might just give you an idea. If I only could help you, you +know how-- + +BOB (doggedly). I asked you to help me once. + +GERALD (distressed). Oh, I didn't realize then--besides, Wentworth says +it would have been much too late--didn't you, Wentworth? + +WENTWORTH (taking up his hat). I think I must be getting along now. +(Holding out his hand) Good-bye, Bob. I can only say, "The best of +luck," and--er--whatever happens, you know what I feel about it. + +BOB (shaking his hand). Good-bye, Wentworth, and thanks very much for +all you've done for me. + +WENTWORTH (hurriedly). That's all right. (TO GERALD, quietly, as he +passes him on the way to the door) You must bear with him, Gerald. +Naturally he's--(Nodding) Good-bye. [He goes out.] + +GERALD (going back to BOB). Bob-- + +BOB. Why doesn't Pamela come? I want Pamela. + +GERALD (speaking quickly). Look here, think what you like of me for the +moment. But you must listen to what I've got to say. You can imagine +it's somebody else speaking Pamela, if you like--Pamela would say just +the same. You _must not_ go to prison and spend your time there brooding +over the wrongs people have done to you, and the way the world has +treated you, and all that sort of thing. You simply must make an +effort--and--and--well, come out as good a man as you went in. I know +it's easy for me to talk, but that doesn't make it any the less true. +Oh, Bob, be a--be a Sportsman about it! You can take it out of me +afterwards, if you like, but don't take it out of me now by--by not +bucking up just because I suggest it. + +BOB. I want Pamela. Why doesn't she come? + +(PAMELA has come in while he is saying this.) + +PAMELA. Here I am, Bob. + +BOB (getting up). At last! I began to be afraid you were never coming. + +PAMELA. You couldn't think that. I told you I was coming. + +GERALD. Look here, Pamela, we've got to cheer old Bob up. + +BOB (almost shouting). Good Lord! can't you see that I don't want _you_? +I want Pamela alone. + +PAMELA (putting her hand on GERALD'S shoulder). Gerald, dear, you +mustn't be angry with Bob now. Let me be alone with him. + +GERALD (with a shrug). All right. Poor old Bob! (He goes over to his +brother and holds out his hand.) Good-bye, old boy, and--good luck. + +BOB (coldly). Good-bye. + +GERALD. Shake hands, Bob. + +BOB. No. I've been nothing to you all your life. You could have saved me +from this, and you wouldn't help me. + +GERALD (angrily). Don't talk such rot! + +PAMELA (coming between them). Gerald, dear, you'd better go. Bob won't +always feel like this towards you, but just now-- + +GERALD (indignantly). Pamela, you don't believe this about me? + +PAMELA. I can't think of you, dear, now; I can only think of Bob. +[GERALD gives a shrug and goes out.] + +BOB. Pamela. + +PAMELA (coming to him). Yes, dear? + +BOB. Come and sit near me. You're the only friend I've got in the world. + +PAMELA. You know that isn't true. + +(She sits down in the armchair and he sits on the floor at her feet.) + +BOB. If it hadn't been for you, I should have shot myself long ago. + +PAMELA. That would have been rather cowardly, wouldn't it? + +BOB. I am a coward. There's something about the Law that makes people +cowards. It's so--what's the word? It goes on. You can't stop it, you +can't explain to it, you can't even speak to it. + +PAMELA. But you can stand up to it. You needn't run away from it. + +BOB. I think I would have broken my bail and run, if it hadn't been +for you. But you would have thought less of me if I had. Besides, I +shouldn't have seen you again. + +PAMELA. Bob, you mustn't just do, or not do, things for _me_; you must +do them because of yourself. You must be brave because it's you, and +honourable because it's you, and cheerful because it's you. You mustn't +just say, "I won't let Pamela down." You must say, "I won't let myself +down." You must be proud of yourself. + +BOB (bitterly). I've been taught to be proud of myself, haven't I? Proud +of myself! What's the family creed? "I believe in Gerald. I believe in +Gerald the Brother. I believe in Gerald the Son. I believe in Gerald +the Nephew. I believe in Gerald the Friend, the Lover, Gerald the Holy +Marvel." There may be brothers who don't mind that sort of thing, but +not when you're born jealous as I was. Do you think father or mother +cares a damn what happens to me? They're upset, of course, and they feel +the disgrace for themselves, but the beloved Gerald is all right, and +that's all that really matters. + +PAMELA. Bob, dear, forget about Gerald now. Don't think about him; think +about yourself. + +BOB. I shan't think about myself or about Gerald when I'm in prison. I +shall only think of you. + +PAMELA. Will it help you to think of me? + +BOB. You're the only person in the world I've got to think of. I found +you first--and then Gerald took you from me. Just as he's always taken +everything from me. + +PAMELA. No, no. Not about Gerald again. Let's get away from Gerald. + +BOB. You can't. He's a devil to get away from. (There is silence for a +little.) When I was a small boy, I used to pray very hard on the last +day of the holidays for a telegram to come saying that the school had +been burnt down.... It never had. + +PAMELA. Oh, Bob! + +BOB. I suppose I've got about ten minutes more. But nothing will happen. + +PAMELA (in a hopeless effort to be hopeful). Perhaps after all you +might-- + +BOB. Why can't the world end suddenly now? It wouldn't matter to +anybody. They wouldn't know; they wouldn't have time to understand. (He +looks up and sees her face of distress and says) All right, Pamela, you +needn't worry. I'm going through with it all right. + +PAMELA. You must keep thinking of the afterwards. Only of the +afterwards. The day when you come back to us. + +BOB. Will that be such a very great day? (PAMELA is silent.) Triumphant +procession through the village. All the neighbours hurrying out to +welcome the young squire home. Great rush in the City to offer him +partnerships. + +PAMELA (quietly). Do you want to go back to the City? + +BOB. Good God, no! + +PAMELA. Then why are you being sarcastic about it? Be honest with +yourself, Bob. You made a mess of the City. Oh, I know you weren't +suited to it, but men have had to do work they didn't like before now, +and they haven't _all_ made a mess of it. You're getting your punishment +now--much more than you deserve, and we're all sorry for you--but men +have been punished unfairly before now and they have stood it. You'll +have your chance when you come back; I'll stand by you for one, and +you've plenty of other friends; but we can't help a man who won't help +himself, you know. + +Bon (sulkily). Thank you, Pamela. + +PAMELA (shaking him). Bob, Bob, don't be such a baby. Oh, I want to +laugh at you, and yet my heart just aches for you. You're just a little +boy, Bob (with a sigh), on the last day of his holidays. + +BOB (after a pause). Are you allowed to have letters in prison? + +PAMELA. I expect so. Every now and then. + +BOB. You will write to me? + +PAMELA. Of course, dear; whenever I may. + +BOB. I suppose some beast will read it. But you won't mind that, will +you? + +PAMELA. No, dear. + +BOB. I'll write to you whenever they let me. That will be something to +look forward to. Will you meet me when I come out? + +PAMELA (happily). Yes, Bob. So very gladly. + +BOB. I'll let you know when it is. I expect I'll be owed to. + +PAMELA. You must just think of that day all the time. Whenever you are +unhappy or depressed or angry, you must look forward to that day. + +BOB. You'll let it be a fine day, won't you? What shall we do? + +PAMELA (rather startled). What? + +BOB. What shall we do directly after I come out? + +PAMELA. Well, I suppose we--I mean you--well, we'll come up to London +together, I suppose, and you'll go to your old rooms. At least, if you +still have them. + +BOB (instantly depressed again). My old rooms. That'll be lively. + +PAMELA. Well, unless you'd rather-- + +BOB. I'm not going home, if that's what you mean. The prodigal son, and +Gerald falling on my neck. + +PAMELA (stroking his head). Never mind Gerald, Baby. (He turns round +suddenly and seizes her hands.) + +BOB (in a rush). Whatever happens, you mustn't desert me when I come +out. I want you. I've got to know you're there, waiting for me. I'm not +making love to you, you're engaged to somebody else, but you were my +friend before you were his, and you've got to go on being my friend. I +want you--I want you more than he does. I'm not making love to you; you +can marry him if you like, but you've got to stand by me. I want you. + +PAMELA. Haven't I stood by you? + +BOB (in a low voice). You've been an angel. (He kisses her hands and +then gets up and walks away from her; with his back to her, looking out +of the window, he says) When are you marrying him? + +PAMELA (taken by surprise). I--I don't know, Bob. We _had_ thought +about--but, of course, things are different now. We haven't talked about +it lately. + +BOB (casually). I wonder if you'd mind promising me something. + +PAMELA. What is it? + +BOB. Not to get married till after I come out. (After waiting for PAMELA +to speak) You will have about forty years together afterwards. It isn't +much to ask. + +PAMELA. Why should it make a difference to you? + +BOB. It would. + +PAMELA. It isn't a thing I like making promises about. But I don't +suppose for a moment--Would it help you very much, Bob? + +BOB (from the bottom of his heart). I don't want Gerald's wife to be +waiting for me when I come out; I want my friend. + +PAMELA (standing up and facing him as he turns round towards her). All +right, Bob, she shall be there. + +(They stand looking at each other intently for a moment. Voices are +heard outside, and SIR JAMES, LADY FARRINGDON, and GERALD come into the +room.) + + + + +ACT III + +[SCENE.--In the hall at SIR JAMES FARRINGDON'S again. It is autumn nom +and there is a fire burning.] + +[LETTY and TOMMY are on the sofa side by side, holding hands, and +looking the picture of peaceful happiness. Indeed, TOMMY has his mouth +open slightly.] + +LETTY. It's your turn to say something, Tommy. + +TOMMY. Oh, I say. + +LETTY. Now I suppose it's my turn. + +TOMMY. I say, you know, I feel too idiotically happy to say anything. I +feel I want to talk poetry, or rot like that, only--only I don't quite +know how to put it. + +LETTY (sympathetically). Never mind, darling. + +TOMMY. I say, you do understand how frightfully--I say, what about +another kiss? (They have one.) + +LETTY. Tommy, I just adore you. Only I think you might have been a +little more romantic about your proposal. + +TOMMY (anxious). I say, do you-- + +LETTY. Yes. Strictly speaking, I don't think anybody ought to propose +with a niblick in his hand. + +TOMMY. It just sort of came then. Of course I ought to have put it down. + +LETTY. You dear!... "Letting his niblick go for a moment, Mr. T. Todd +went on as follows: 'Letitia, my beloved, many moons have waxed and +waned since first I cast eyes of love upon thee. An absence of ducats, +coupled with the necessity of getting my handicap down to ten, has +prevented my speaking ere this. Now at last I am free. My aged uncle--'" + +TOMMY (lovingly). I say, you do pull my leg. Go on doing it always, +won't you? + +LETTY. Always, Tommy. We're going to have fun, always. + +TOMMY. I'm awfully glad we got engaged down here. + +LETTY. We've had lovely times here, haven't we? + +TOMMY. I wonder what Gerald will say. A bit of a surprise for him. I +say, it would be rather fun if we had a double wedding. You and I, and +Gerald and Pamela. + +LETTY (getting up in pretended indignation). Certainly not! + +TOMMY (following her). I say, what's the matter? + +LETTY (waving him back). Go away. Unhand me villain. + +TOMMY. I say, what's up? + +LETTY. I want a wedding of my own. I've never been married before, and +perhaps I shall never be married again, and I'm going to have a wedding +all to myself. I don't mind your being there, but I'm not going to have +crowds of other brides and bridegrooms taking up the whole aisle--said +she, seizing her engagement-ring and--Oh, bother! I haven't got one yet. + +(TOMMY rushes up and takes her in his arms. At this moment GERALD comes +in by the garden door. He stops on seeing them, and then goes quickly on +to the door in front of the staircase.) + +GERALD (as he passes them). Came in and went tactfully out again. + +TOMMY (as LETTY frees herself). I say, Gerald, old man. + +GERALD (stopping at the door, turning round and coming back in the same +business-like way). Returned hopefully. + +TOMMY (in confusion). I say, we're engaged. + +GERALD (looking at them happily). Oh, hoo-ray! + +LETTY. Do say you're surprised. + +GERALD. Awfully, awfully pleased, Letty. Of course, when I saw +you--er--thinking together in a corner--By Jove, I _am_ bucked. I did +hope so much. + +LETTY. You dear! + +GERALD. I feel very fatherly. Bless you, my children. + +TOMMY. We shall have about tuppence a year, but Letty doesn't mind that. + +GERALD (to LETTY). You'll have to make him work. (Thoughtfully) He's too +old for a caddy. + +LETTY. Couldn't you find him something in the Foreign Office? He knows +the French for pen and ink. + +TOMMY. What's ink? + +LETTY. At least, he knows the French for pen. + +GERALD. Oh, we'll find something. Only I warn you, Tommy, if you dare to +get married before Pamela and me, there'll be trouble. + +TOMMY. Why don't we ever see Pamela now? + +GERALD (gaily). She is coming, my children--_mes enfants_, as Tommy will +say when he gets his job as ribbon starcher to the French ambassador. +To-morrow, no less. I've just had a letter. Lord, I haven't seen her for +months. + +LETTY. She's come back? + +GERALD. Yes. Egypt knows her no more. The Sphinx is inconsolable. +To-morrow at 3.30 she comes; I shall go and meet her. + +TOMMY. I say, won't she be surprised about Letty and me! + +GERALD. She'll be as bucked as I am. (Looking from one to the other) Has +anything else frightfully exciting happened to you since lunch? Because, +if not, I've got some more news. + +LETTY. What is it? I love news. + +GERALD. All ready? Then one, two, three: Bob is coming this afternoon. + +LETTY and TOMMY together. No! Rot! + +GERALD (Singing to the tune of "Here we go gathering nuts and may"). Oh, +Bob is coming this afternoon, this afternoon, this afternoon! Oh, Bob is +coming this afternoon, all on an autumn morning! Now then, all together. + +(They join hands and march up the hall and back again, singing +together.) + +ALL TOGETHER (waving imaginary hats). Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! + +TOMMY. It doesn't make sense, you know, coming back in the afternoon on +an autumn morning. + +GERALD. Who cares for sense? + +LETTY (squeezing his arm). Oh, Gerald, I _am_ glad. But I thought he had +another week or so. + +GERALD. They always let you out early, you know, if you're good. We +knew he was coming soon, but we didn't quite know when. I've just had a +telegram. + +LETTY. Poor Bob! he must have had a time. + +GERALD. What does it matter? It's over now. + +TOMMY (struck by an idea). I say, this puts a bit of a stopper on our +news. + +GERALD (pulled up suddenly by this). Oh! + +LETTY (going over and taking TOMMY'S arm). We'll go to a house where +they _do_ make a fuss of us, Tommy. (Very politely) Good-bye, Mr. +Farringdon, and thank you for a very pleasant Friday. + +GERALD. Poor darlings! it's rather bad luck for you. Did I announce my +news too soon? I'm awfully sorry. + +LETTY. It wasn't your fault; you were a dear. + +GERALD. As a matter of fact, it will be rather lucky, you know. It will +give us something to talk about when Bob comes. (Smiling) Thanks very +much for arranging it. + +LETTY. Poor old Bob! I wonder what it feels like coming out of prison. + +GERALD. Rotten. Now, for the Lord's sake, Tommy, be tactful. + +LETTY (to GERALD). I think he'd be safer if he wasn't. Tommy's rather +dangerous when he's tactful. + +GERALD (thoughtfully). Yes, there _is_ that. + +TOMMY. It's all the same to me. Only just let me know which you want. + +GERALD. Well, as long as you don't overdo it. Don't rub it in that he's +just left prison, and--don't rub it out. + +TOMMY. I suppose it would be quite safe to ask him to pass the mustard? + +GERALD (laughing). Good old Tommy! + +LETTY. You'd better talk to me all the time, and then you'll be all +right. + +GERALD. We'll make it go between us. And, of course, Pamela will help +to-morrow. Hooray for Pamela! It makes me quite envious seeing you young +people together. By the way, I interrupted you just now. + +LETTY. You did rather. + +GERALD. Well, I absolutely refuse to go away now. But, of course, if +you're longing to show each other the stables or anything--(with a wave +of the hand) pray show. Or try anywhere else. Save for Aunt Tabitha's +room upstairs and the hall down here, the whole house is at your +disposal. + +LETTY (sitting down firmly). Then I shall stay here. Isn't Aunt Mary +back yet? + +GERALD. They are probably still eating. It's the very latest millionaire +from London, so they're having the lunch of their lives, I expect. +Afterwards father will put him at his ease by talking about crops. +(Picking up a book and settling himself comfortably in front of the +fire) Tommy, if you can't find a book, sing or something. + +LETTY. Oh, come on, Tommy. + +[She jumps up and goes out of the door in front of the staircase. TOMMY +following her.] + +(Left alone, GERALD closes his book with a slam. He stands up and takes +the telegram out of his pocket and reads it again. He suddenly catches +sight of MISS FARRINGDON in the gallery shove, calls out "Hullo!" and +goes up the stairs to meet her.) + +GERALD (as he goes). You're just the person I wanted, Aunt Tabitha. I'm +full of news. (He kisses her at the top of the stairs.) How are you, +dear? (He offers her his arm.) + +MISS FARRINGDON. If I had wanted help, down the stairs, Gerald, my maid +could have given it me. + +GERALD. Yes, but your maid wouldn't have enjoyed giving it you; I do. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Charming Gerald. (She comes down the stairs on his +arm.) + +GERALD. No, happy Gerald. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Is that part of the news? + +GERALD. It's all because of the news. + +(He arranges her in her chair by the fire and sits on the coffin-stool +near her.) + +MISS FARRINGDON. I heard Mr. Todd and Letty just now, so I suppose I +shan't be the first to hear it. What a pity! + +GERALD. Ah, but they don't count. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Why not? + +GERALD. Well, that's part of the news. They've just got engaged. + +MISS FARRINGDON. In my young days they'd have been engaged a long time +ago. When are we going to see Pamela again? + +GERALD. That's more of the news. She's coming down to-morrow. + +MISS FARRINGDON. That will save you a lot in stamps. + +GERALD (laughing). Aunt Tabitha, you're a witch. How did you know? + +MISS FARRINGDON. Know what? + +GERALD. That Pamela and I haven't been writing to each other. + +MISS FARRINGDON (very innocently). Haven't you? + +GERALD. No. You see--oh, I hate discussing Pamela with anyone, but +you're different. + +MISS FARRINGDON. I always like that sort of compliment best, Gerald. The +unintended sort. + +GERALD. I think, you know, Pamela felt that Bob's doing to prison might +make a difference. I don't mean that she didn't like the disgrace for +herself, but that she was afraid that I mightn't like it for her; and so +she went away, and beyond a letter or two at the start there hasn't been +a Pamela. + +MISS FARRINGDON. But Gerald went on being successful? + +GERALD. Oh, Aunt Tabitha, Aunt Tabitha, if ever I were going to be +conceited--and I don't think I am really--you'd soon stop it, wouldn't +you? I wonder if you _do_ know me as well as you think. You think I'm +all outside, don't you, and inside there's nothing? + +MISS FARRINGDON. Oh, you've got brains, I'll grant you that. You're the +first Farringdon that's had any. Of the men, of course. + +GERALD. Oh, brains--I don't mean brains. But you think that everything +only touches me on the surface, and that nothing ever goes deep inside. +You don't believe I ever loved Pamela; you don't believe I love her now. +You don't believe I've got a heart at all. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Well, you've never shown it. You've shown a lot of +delightful things which silly people mistake for it--but that's all. + +GERALD (curtly). No, I've never shown my heart to anybody. Some people +can't. (Gently) Perhaps I'll show it to Pamela on my wedding-day. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Dear me, have I been wrong all these years? I shouldn't +like to think that. (After a pause) Any more news? + +GERALD (taking his thoughts off PAMELA). Yes. Now _this_ time, Aunt +Tabitha, you'll really be as pleased as I am. + +MISS FARRINGDON. I wonder. + +GERALD. Oh yes, you will, because it's about your favourite--Bob. + +MISS FARRINGDON. So Bob's my favourite? I'm learning a good many things +to-day. + +GERALD. He's coming back this afternoon. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Poor Bob! I'm glad he's finished with that part of it. + +GERALD. You think he's got the worst part coming? (Smiling at her) Aunt +Tabitha, have you got any influence with your nephew? + +MISS FARRINGDON. You or Bob? (GERALD smiles and shakes his head.) Oh, +you mean James? + +GERALD. It seems hard to realize that one's father is anybody else's +nephew, but you _are_ his aunt, and--Oh, don't let him do anything +stupid about Bob. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Bob's his own master; he's old enough to look after +himself. + +GERALD. Yes, but he's got in the way of being looked after by other +people. I wish _you_ would look after him and tell him what to do. It's +going to be difficult for him. I expect he'll want to get away from all +of us for a bit. Where's he going, and what's he going to do? + +MISS FARRINGDON (after a pause). When did you say Pamela was coming +here? + +GERALD. To-morrow. _She'll_ help, of course. + +MISS FARRINGDON. Gerald, you've been very nice to me always; I don't +know why I've been rather unkind to you sometimes. + +GERALD. What an idea! You know I've loved our little skirmishes. + +MISS FARRINGDON. That's because you've been happy, and haven't minded +one way or another. But if ever you were in trouble, Gerald, I don't +think I should be unsympathetic. + +GERALD. You dear, of course you wouldn't. But why do you say that now, +just when I _am_ so happy? + +MISS FARRINGDON (getting up slowly). I'm feeling rather an old woman +to-day. I think I'll go and lie down. + +GERALD (jumping up). I'll ring for your maid. + +MISS FARRINGDON. No, no; I'm not going upstairs, and I don't want a maid +when I've got a great big nephew. Come and tuck me up on the sofa in the +drawing-room; I shall be quite happy there. + +(She puts her hand on his arm, and they go together towards the door in +front of the staircase.) + +MISS FARRINGDON. Poor Gerald! + +GERALD (laughing). Why poor? [They go out together.] + +[The door on the right at the back opens quietly and BOB comes in. He +stands there for a moment looking at the hall, and then speaks over his +shoulder to somebody behind him.] + +BOB. It's all right, there's nobody here. + +PAMELA. I wonder where Gerald is. + +BOB. You're sure he's down here? + +PAMELA. Yes, I had a letter from him; he told me he was going to be. + +BOB (going up to her). Pamela, you can't see him alone. + +PAMELA. I must. You can see him afterwards, but I must see him alone +first. Poor Gerald! + +BOB. He never really loved you. + +PAMELA. I don't think he did really, but it will hurt him. + +BOB (eagerly). Say you're not sorry for what you're doing. + +PAMELA. Aren't I doing it? + +BOB. Say you love _me_ and not Gerald. Say you really love me, and it's +not just because you are sorry for me. + +PAMELA. Oh, I have so much in my heart for you, Bob. I'm glad I'm +marrying you. But you must always love me, and want me as you want me +now. + +BOB (seizing her is his arms). By God! you'll get that. (He kisses her +fiercely.) + +PAMELA (satisfied). Oh, Bob! Oh, Bob! I'm glad I found you at last. (She +goes away from him and stands looking into the fire, one hand on the +mantelpiece.) + +BOB. Shall I go and look for Gerald? + +PAMELA (looking into the fire). Yes. No. He'll come. + +BOB. You won't let him talk you round? + +PAMELA (looking up at him in surprise). Oh no; I'm quite safe now. + +BOB. I can never thank you for all you've done, for all you've been to +me. When we are out of this cursed country, and I have you to myself, I +will try to show you. (She says nothing, and he walks restlessly about +the room. He picks up a hat and says) Hullo, Tommy's here. + +PAMELA (quickly). I don't want to see him, I don't want to see anybody. +We must just tell Gerald and then go. + +BOB. Anybody might come at any moment. You should have let me write as I +wanted to. Or waited till he came back to London. + +PAMELA. We've given up being cowards. Perhaps you'd better try and find +him. We'll only tell Gerald. If we see the others, we'll just have to +make the best of it. + +BOB (moving off towards the door in front of the staircase). All right. +If I find him I'll send him in here. [He goes out.] + +(PAMELA drops into a chair and remains looking at the fire. GERALD, +coming down from the gallery above, suddenly catches sight of her.) + +GERALD (rushing down the stairs). Pamela! Why, Pamela! (Excitedly) Why +are you--You said tomorrow. Pamela, you said--Never mind, you're here. +Oh, bless you! (PAMELA has got up to meet him, and he is now standing +holding her hands, and looking at her happily.) Pamela's here; all's +right with the world. (He leans forward to kiss her, but she stops him.) + +PAMELA (nervously). No, no; I've something to tell you, Gerald. + +GERALD. I've got a thousand things to tell _you_. + +PAMELA. Bob's here. + +GERALD (excited). Bob? Did you come down with him? + +PAMELA. Yes. + +GERALD. I had a telegram, but it didn't say--Did you meet him? Why +didn't he tell us? Where is he? + +PAMELA. He just went to look for you. + +GERALD. I'll soon find him. + +(He turns away to go after BOB, but PAMELA stops him.) + +PAMELA. Gerald! + +GERALD (turning round). Yes. + +PAMELA. Never mind Bob for the moment. I wanted to see you alone. + +GERALD (coming back quickly). Of course. Hang Bob! Come on the sofa and +tell me everything. Jove! it's wonderful to see you again; you've been +away for years. + +(He takes her hand and tries to lead her towards the sofa, but she +stops.) + +PAMELA. Gerald, you're making it very hard for me; I've got something to +tell you. + +GERALD (afraid suddenly and speaking sharply). What do you mean? + +PAMELA. Oh, don't look at me like that--I know it will hurt you, but it +won't be more than that. I want you to release me from my promise. + +GERALD. What promise? + +PAMELA (in a low voice). My promise to marry you. + +GERALD. I don't understand. Why? + +PAMELA (bravely). I want to marry Bob. + +(Keeping his eyes on her all the time, GERALD moves slowly away from +her.) + +GERALD (to himself). Bob! Bob! But you knew Bob first. + +PAMELA. Yes. + +GERALD. And then you promised to marry me. You couldn't have been in +love with him. I don't understand. + +PAMELA (sadly). I don't understand either, but that's how it's happened. + +GERALD. And to think how I've been throwing you in Bob's way, and +wanting you and him to be fond of each other. (Fiercely) _That_ didn't +make you think that I didn't love you? + +PAMELA (faltering). I--I don't--you didn't-- + +GERALD. I was so confident of you. That was your fault. You made me. + +PAMELA. I think you could have made me love you if you hadn't been so +confident. + +GERALD. I trusted you. You had told me. _I_ knew I should never change, +and I thought I knew _you_ wouldn't. + +PAMELA. I was wrong. I never did love you. + +GERALD. Then why did you say-- + +PAMELA (looking at him rather wistfully). You're rather charming, +Gerald, you know, and you-- + +GERALD (turning away from her furiously). _Damn_ charming! That's what +you all say. I'm sick of it! You think that if a man's charming, that's +the end of him, and that all he's good for is to amuse a few old ladies +at a tea party. I'm sick of it! The rude rough man with the heart of +gold--that's the only sort that can have a heart at all, according to +some of you. + +PAMELA (utterly surprised by this). Gerald! + +GERALD. I'm sorry, Pamela. Of course you wouldn't understand. But we +were just talking. (With a sudden disarming smile) I don't know whether +an apology is overdoing the charm? + +PAMELA (in distress). Oh, Gerald, you couldn't really have loved me; you +don't really now. Of course, it will hurt you, but you'll soon get over +it. Oh, what's the good of my talking like this? I've never really known +you; I don't know you now. + +GERALD (quietly). It's no good now, anyway. (He walks away from her +and looks out through the windows at the back.) Just tell me one or two +things. Were you in love with him when he went to prison? + +PAMELA. I don't know--really I don't know. I was so dreadfully sorry for +him all that time before, and I felt so very friendly towards him, so +very--oh, Gerald, so motherly. And I wanted to be wanted so badly, and +you didn't seem to want me in that way. That was why, when he had gone, +I went right away from you, and asked you not to write to me; I wanted +to think it all out--alone. + +GERALD. But you wrote to Bob? + +PAMELA. Oh, Gerald, he wanted it so badly. + +GERALD. I'm sorry. + +PAMELA. I wrote to him and he wrote to me. I met him when he came +out--he told me when to come. I suppose I had decided by then; we came +down here to tell you. I had to come at once. + +GERALD. You do love him, Pamela? It isn't just pity? + +PAMELA. I do, Gerald; I think I found that out this afternoon. (Timidly) +Say you don't hate me very much. + +GERALD. I wish to God I could.... What are you and Bob going to do? + +PAMELA. Canada, as soon as we can. I've got friends there. We've a +little money between us. Bob ought to have done it a long time ago. +(Coming up to him) Just do one more nice thing for me before we go. + +GERALD (moving away from her on pretence of getting a cigarette). What +is it? + +PAMELA. Bob will want to see you before he goes. + +GERALD. I don't want to see him. + +PAMELA. Ah, but you must. + +GERALD. What have we got to say to each other? + +PAMELA. I don't know, but I feel you must see him. Otherwise he'll think +that he ran away from you. + +GERALD (with a shrug). All right. You'll go back to London at once, I +suppose? + +PAMELA. Yes. We hired a car. We left it outside at the gates. We didn't +want to see anybody but you, if possible. + +GERALD. Father and mother are out. Aunt Harriet knows--oh, and Tommy +and Letty--that Bob was coming to-day; nobody else. But I can make +up something. We'll keep Tommy and Letty out of it for the moment. Of +course, they'll all have to know in the end. + +PAMELA. We'll write, of course. + +GERALD. Yes. Tommy and Letty are engaged, by the way. + +PAMELA. Oh! (Understanding how he must feel about it) Oh, Gerald! (She +makes a movement towards him, but he takes no notice.) I'll send Bob to +you; he's waiting outside, I expect. (Timidly) Good-bye, Gerald. + +GERALD (still with his back to her). Good-bye, Pamela. + +PAMELA. Won't you-- + +GERALD (from the bottom of his heart). Go away, go away! I can't bear +the sound of your voice; I can't bear to look at you. Go away! + +PAMELA. Oh, Gerald! [She goes out.] + +(GERALD looks up as she goes out, and then looks quickly down again. +When BOB comes in he is still resting with his arm on the mantelpiece +looking into the fire.) + +GERALD (looking up). Hullo. + +BOB. Hullo. (After a pause) Is that all you've got to say? + +GERALD. I've just seen Pamela. + +BOB (trying not to show his eagerness). Well? + +GERALD. Well--isn't that enough? + +BOB. What do you mean? + +GERALD (bitterly). Do you want me to fall on, your neck, and say take +her and be happy? + +BOB. You never loved her. + +GERALD. That's a lie, and anyhow we won't discuss it. She's going to +marry you, and that's an end of it. + +BOB (very eagerly). She _is_ going to? + +GERALD (sharply). Don't you know it? + +BOB (mumbling). Yes, but she might--Ah, you couldn't charm her away from +me this time. + +GERALD (with an effort). I don't know what you mean by "_this_ time." I +think we'd better leave Pamela out of it altogether. She's waiting for +you outside. Last time I offered to shake hands with you, you had some +fancied grievance against me, and you wouldn't; now if there's any +grievance between us, it's on _my_ side. (Holding out his hand) +Good-bye, Bob, and--quite honestly--good luck. + +BOB (ignoring the hand). Magnanimous Gerald! + +(GERALD looks at him in surprise for a moment. Then he shrugs his +shoulders, turns round, and goes back to the mantelpiece, and takes a +cigarette from the box there.) + +GERALD. I'm tired of you, Bob. If you don't want me, I don't want you. +(He sits down in a chair and lights his cigarette.) + +BOB. And now I suppose you're thoroughly pleased with yourself, and +quite happy. + +GERALD (looking at him in absolute wonder). Happy? You fool! (Something +in BOB'S face surprises him, and he gets up and says) Why do you +suddenly hate me like this? + +BOB (with a bitter laugh). Suddenly! + +GERALD (almost frightened). Bob! + +BOB (letting the jealousy that has been pent up for years come out at +last). You're surprised! Surprised! You would be. You've never stopped +to think what other people are thinking; you take it for granted that +they all love you, and that's all you care about. Do you think I liked +playing second fiddle to you all my life? Do you think I've never had +any ambitions of my own? I suppose you thought I was quite happy being +one of the crowd of admirers round you, all saying, "Oh, look at Gerald, +isn't he wonderful?" + +GERALD (astounded). Bob, I had no idea--I never dreamt-- + +BOB. They thought something of me when I was young. When I first went +to school they thought something of me. I daresay even _you_ thought +something of me then; I could come back in the holidays and tell you +what school was like, and what a lot they thought of me. They didn't +think much of me when _you_ came; you soon put a stop to that. I was +just young Farringdon's brother then, and when we came home together, +all the talk was of the wonderful things _Gerald_ had done. It was like +that at Eton; it was like that at Oxford. It's always been like that. I +managed to get away from you a bit after Oxford, but it went on just +the same. "How do you do, Mr. Farringdon? Are you any relation to Gerald +Farringdon?" (With the utmost contempt) And you actually thought I liked +that; you thought I enjoyed it. You thought I smiled modestly and said, +"Oh yes, he's my brother, my young brother; isn't he wonderful?" + +GERALD (hardly able to realise it). And you've felt like this for years? +(To himself) For years! + +BOB (not noticing him). And that wasn't enough for you. They got you +into the Foreign Office--they could have got me there. They could have +put me into the Army (Almost shouting) Aren't I the eldest son? But no, +it didn't matter about the eldest son--never mind about him; put him +in the City, anywhere as long as he's out of the way. If we have any +influence, we must use it for Gerald--the wonderful Gerald. + +GERALD. If this is an indictment, it's drawn against the wrong person. + +BOB (more quietly). Then at last I found a friend; somebody who took me +for my own sake. (Bitterly) And like a damned fool I brought her down +here, and she saw _you_. I might have known what would happen. + +GERALD. Pamela! + +BOB. Yes, and you took her. After taking everything you could all your +life, you took _her_. She was Bob's friend--that was quite enough. She +must be one more in the crowd of admirers round you. So you took her. +(Triumphantly) Ah, but I got her back in the end. I've got her now--and +I think I'm square, Gerald. + +GERALD. Yes, I think you're square now. + +BOB (rather jauntily, as he leans back against the end of the sofa and +feels for his cigarette-case). I seem to have surprised you rather. + +GERALD. You've thought like that about me for years and you've never +said anything? You've felt like that about Pamela and you've never said +anything? + +BOB. I've been thinking it over, particularly these last few months--in +prison, Gerald. You have a lot of time for thinking in prison. Oh, +I know; you advised me to stand on my head and waggle my legs in the +air--something like that. You were full of brilliant ideas. I had a +better idea--I _thought_. + +GERALD (realising his state of mind). My God, what a time you must have +had! + +BOB (furiously). Damn you! I _won't_ be pitied by you. + +GERALD (coolly). And you're not going to be. You've talked about +yourself and thought about yourself quite long enough; now I'm going to +talk about _my_self. + +BOB. And it won't be the first time either. + +GERALD (quickly). It will be the first time to _you_. You say I've never +tried to understand your feelings--have you ever tried to understand +mine? My God, Bob! I've thought a good deal more about you than you have +about me. Have I ever talked about myself to you? When a boy does well +at school he likes talking about it; did I ever bore _you_ with it? +Never! Because I knew how you'd feel about it. I knew how _I'd_ feel +about it, and so I tried to make it easy for you. + +BOB. Very noble of you. + +GERALD (angrily). Don't be such a damned fool, Bob. What's the good +of talking like that? If whatever I do is wrong, then you're only +convicting yourself; you're not convicting me. According to you, if I +talk about myself I'm being conceited and superior, and if I don't talk +about myself, I'm being noble and still more superior. In fact, whatever +I do, I can't please you. That doesn't condemn me; it condemns yourself. +(Wearily) What's the good of talking? + +BOB. Go on; I like to hear it. + +GERALD. Very well. We'll take the definite accusations first. Apart from +the general charge of being successful--whatever that amounts to--you +accuse me of two things. One you didn't mention just now, but it was +more or less obvious the last time I saw you. That was that I neglected +to help you when you were in trouble, and that through me you went to +prison. + +BOB. Yes, I forgot that this time. (With an unpleasant laugh) But I +didn't forget it in prison. + +GERALD. You had a sense of humour once, Bob. I don't know what's +happened to it lately. Don't you think it's rather funny to hate a +person steadily for fifteen years, judge all his acts as you'd hardly +judge those of your bitterest enemy, and yet, the first time you are in +trouble, to expect him to throw everything on one side and rush to your +help--and then to feel bitterly ill-used if he doesn't? + +BOB (rather taken aback). I--you didn't--I didn't-- + +GERALD (quietly). That's been rather like you all through, Bob. You were +always the one who had to be helped; you were always the one who was +allowed to have the grievance. Still, that doesn't make it any better +for me if I could have helped you and didn't. However, I'm quite certain +that I _couldn't_ have helped you then. We'll take the other accusation, +that I stole Pamela from you. I've only got two things to say to that. +First, that Pamela was not engaged to you, and was perfectly free to +choose between us. Secondly, that you never told me, and I hadn't the +slightest idea, that you were the least bit fond of her. Indeed, I don't +believe you realized it yourself at that time. + +BOB (rather shamefaced). I've realized it since. + +GERALD. Yes, and you've taken Pamela back since. I think if I were you +I would keep her out of it. (BOB looks away and GERALD goes on) Now we +come to the general charge, which seems to be (very deliberately) that +I'm better than you at games, that I've got better manners than you, +that I'm cleverer than you--in fact, that I'm superior to you in +every outward way, and am only inferior to you in--well, in the moral +qualities. (Quietly) Bob, what are these moral qualities in which I +am so deficient and you so endowed? You judge me by the qualities I am +supposed to have shown to you; now what have you shown to _me_? +Have _you_ been generous, have _you_ been friendly, have _you_ been +sympathetic? No; you've just told me that for fifteen years you've hated +me and been jealous of me. Things have been rotten for you, I admit; +have you ever tried to make the best of them? You've had disadvantages +to fight against; have you ever fought against them? Never! You've +turned every trouble into a grievance, and hoarded it up. I said just +now I was sick of you. I am--utterly. You said just now you didn't want +my pity. You haven't got it; you've only got my contempt.... (He turns +away, and then suddenly turns back, and, holding out his hand to BOB, +says utterly unexpectedly) And now, damn you! will you shake hands? + +BOB (incoherent with surprise). What do you--I--you didn't--(GERALD'S +hand is still held out, and he is smiling.) Oh, Jerry! (He takes the +hand.) + +GERALD. That's all right. Good-bye, Bob, and good luck. + +BOB (bewildered). Good-bye. (He tuns round and goes towards the door. +Half-way there, he looks over his shoulder and says awkwardly) Had +rather a rotten time in prison. (GERALD nods. At the door BOB says) +Pamela and I-- + +[With rather a forced smile, GERALD nods again, and BOB goes out.] + +(Left alone, GERALD stands looking into the fire and thinking. He tries +sitting down to see if that will make thinking any pleasanter; then he +tries standing up again. He goes to the door in front of the staircase +and opens it to see if there is anybody there; then he goes to the +windows at the back and looks through them. Evidently he sees somebody, +for he beckons and then returns to his old place by the fire. In a few +moments LETTY and TOMMY come in.) + +TOMMY (excitedly). I say, has Bob come? + +GERALD. Why? + +TOMMY. I could have sworn we saw him just now as we were coming in. At +least, Letty swore she did-- + +LETTY. I _know_ I did. + +TOMMY. So I gave him a shout, but he fairly trekked off. Was it Bob? + +GERALD. Yes. Now look here, I want you to be two nice people. Don't say +anything to anybody. He came, but he didn't want to see the whole crowd +of us. He's going to Canada. I'll do all the explaining, if you two just +say nothing. Do you see? + +LETTY. Of course, Gerald. + +TOMMY. Rather, old boy. Besides, it will make it much better for Letty +and me. + +LETTY. No rival attraction, Tommy means. + +[Enter SIR JAMES and LADY FARRINGDON from the outer hull, having just +returned from their lunch.] + +SIR JAMES. Ah! here you all are. + +GERALD. Had a good lunch? + +SIR JAMES. Lunch was all right, but the people were dull, very dull. + +LADY FARRINGDON. There were one or two nice ones, I thought, dear. They +all knew about _you_, Gerald. + +TOMMY (proudly). Of course they would. + +SIR JAMES. Oh, one or two were all right, but _he_ was--well, I was +discussing shorthorns with him after lunch, and he hardly seemed +interested at all. Dull, very dull. I've got no use for that sort of +man. + +(During this speech the Butler has come in with a telegram for GERALD.) + +GERALD (taking it). Just a moment. (He reads it quickly.) No answer. +[Exit Butler.] + +(GERALD reads his telegram again more thoughtfully.) + +LADY FARRINGDON. From Pamela, dear? + +GERALD. From the office. I shall have to go up at once. + +LADY FARRINGDON (very disappointed). Oh, Gerald! + +SIR JAMES. Something on? + +GERALD. Rather an important thing really. I never thought I should get +it, but there was just a chance. (Looking at his watch) Oh, I can do it +comfortably. + +SIR JAMES (obviously proud that GERALD is in the thick of things). What +is it? I suppose you mustn't tell us. + +GERALD. Something abroad. + +SIR JAMES. Diplomatic mission, eh? + +GERALD. Yes. + +LETTY. That does sound so frightfully exciting. + +LADY FARRINGDON (proudly). Oh, Gerald! (Thoughtfully). I wish we had +known about it this morning, we could have mentioned it at lunch. + +SIR JAMES. That ought to lead to something. + +GERALD. Yes. I think it will. It's rather an opportunity: + +(They are all round him now, just as they have always been. The buzz +begins.) + +SIR JAMES. Aha! you'll be an ambassador yet. What do you think of that, +Letty? + +LETTY. Well done, Gerald. + +LADY FARRINGDON. How like you, Gerald! + +TOMMY. Good old Gerald! I never knew such a chap. You really _are_! + +GERALD (softly). I wish I weren't, Tommy! Oh, I wish I weren't! + +(They don't hear him; they are still buzzing.) + + + + +THE BOY COMES HOME + +A COMEDY IN ONE ACT + + +CHARACTERS. + + UNCLE JAMES. + AUNT EMILY. + PHILIP. + MARY. + MRS. HIGGINS. + +This play was first produced by Mr. Owen Nares at the Victoria Palace +Theatre on September 9,1918, with the following cast: + + Philip--OWEN NARES. + Uncle James--TOM REYNOLDS. + Aunt Emily--DOROTHY RADFORD. + Mary--ADAH DICK. + Mrs. Higgins--RACHEL DE SOLLA. + + +[SCENE.--A room in UNCLE JAMES'S house in the Cromwell Road.] + +[TIME.--The day after the War.] + +[Any room in UNCLE JAMES'S house is furnished in heavy mid-Victorian +style; this particular morning-room is perhaps solider and more +respectable even than the others, from the heavy table in the middle of +it to the heavy engravings on the walls. There are two doors to it. +The one at the back opens into the hall, the one at the side into the +dining-room.] + +[PHILIP comes from the hall and goes into the dining-room. Apparently he +finds nothing there, for he returns to the morning-room, looks about him +for a moment and then rings the bell. It is ten o'clock, and he wants +his breakfast. He picks up the paper, and sits in a heavy armchair in +front of the fire--a pleasant-looking well-built person of twenty-three, +with an air of decisiveness about him. MARY, the parlour-maid, comes +in.] + +MARY. Did you ring, Master Philip? + +PHILIP (absently). Yes; I want some breakfast, please, Mary. + +MARY (coldly). Breakfast has been cleared away an hour ago. + +PHILIP. Exactly. That's why I rang. You can boil me a couple of eggs or +something. And coffee, not tea. + +MARY. I'm sure I don't know what Mrs. Higgins will say? + +PHILIP (getting up). Who is Mrs. Higgins? + +MARY. The cook. And she's not used to being put about like this. + +PHILIP. Do you think she'll say something? + +MARY. I don't know _what_ she'll say. + +PHILIP. You needn't tell me, you know, if you don't want to. Anyway, +I don't suppose it will shock me. One gets used to it in the Army. (He +smiles pleasantly at her.) + +MARY. Well, I'll do what I can, sir. But breakfast at eight sharp is the +master's rule, just as it used to be before you went away to the war. + +PHILIP. Before I went away to the war I did a lot of silly things. Don't +drag them up now. (More curtly) Two eggs, and if there's a ham bring +that along too. (He turns away.) + +MARY (doubtfully, as she prepares to go). Well, I'm sure I don't know +what Mrs. Higgins will say. [Exit MARY.] + +(As she goes out she makes way for AUNT EMILY to come in, a kind-hearted +mid-Victorian lady who has never had any desire for the vote.) + +EMILY. There you are, Philip! Good-morning, dear. Did you sleep well? + +PHILIP. Rather; splendidly, thanks, Aunt Emily. How are you? (He kisses +her.) + +EMILY. And did you have a good breakfast? Naughty boy to be late for it. +I always thought they had to get up so early in the Army. + +PHILIP. They do. That's why they're so late when they get out of the +Army. + +EMILY: Dear me! I should have thought a habit of four years would have +stayed with you. + +PHILIP. Every morning for four years, as I've shot out of bed, I've said +to myself, "Wait! A time will come." (Smiling) That doesn't really give +a habit a chance. + +EMILY. Well, I daresay you wanted your sleep out. I was so afraid that +a really cosy bed would keep you awake after all those years in the +trenches. + +PHILIP. Well, one isn't in the trenches all the time. And one gets +leave--if one's an officer. + +EMILY.(reproachfully). You didn't spend much of it with _us_, Philip. + +PHILIP (taking her hands). I know; but you did understand, didn't you, +dear? + +EMILY. We're not very gay, and I know you must have wanted gaiety for +the little time you had. But I think your Uncle James felt it. After +all, dear, you've lived with us for some years, and he _is_ your +guardian. + +PHILIP. I know. _You've_ been a darling to me always, Aunt Emily. But +(awkwardly) Uncle James and I-- + +EMILY. Of course, he is a _little_ difficult to get on with. I'm more +used to him. But I'm sure he really is very fond of you, Philip. + +PHILIP. H'm! I always used to be frightened of him.... I suppose he's +just the same. He seemed just the same last night--and he still has +breakfast at eight o'clock. Been making pots of money, I suppose? + +EMILY. He never tells me exactly, but he did speak once about the +absurdity of the excess-profits tax. You see, jam is a thing the Army +wants. + +PHILIP. It certainly gets it. + +EMILY. It was so nice for him, because it made him feel he was doing his +bit, helping the poor men in the trenches. + +[Enter MARY.] + +MARY. Mrs. Higgins wishes to speak to you, ma'am. (She looks at PHILIP +as much as to say, "There you are!") + +EMILY (getting up). Yes, I'll come. (To PHILIP) I think I'd better just +see what she wants, Philip. + +PHILIP (firmly to MARY). Tell Mrs. Higgins to come here. (MARY hesitates +and looks at her mistress.) At once, please. [Exit MARY.] + +EMILY (upset). Philip, dear, I don't know what Mrs. Higgins will say-- + +PHILIP. No; nobody seems to. I thought we might really find out for +once. + +EMILY (going towards the door). Perhaps I'd better go-- + +PHILIP (putting his arm round her waist). Oh no, you mustn't. You see, +she really wants to see _me_. + +EMILY. _You_? + +PHILIP. Yes; I ordered breakfast five minutes ago. + +EMILY. Philip! My poor boy! Why didn't you tell me? and I daresay I +could have got it for you. Though I don't know what Mrs. Higgins-- + +(An extremely angry voice is heard outside, and MRS. HIGGINS, stout and +aggressive, comes in.) + +MRS. HIGGINS (truculently). You sent for me, ma'am? + +EMILY (nervously). Yes--er--I think if you--perhaps-- + +PHILIP (calmly). _I_ sent for you, Mrs. Higgins. I want some breakfast. +Didn't Mary tell you? + +MRS. HIGGINS. Breakfast is at eight o'clock. It always has been as +long as I've been in this house, and always will be until I get further +orders. + +PHILIP. Well, you've just got further orders. Two eggs, and if there's a +ham-- + +MRS. HIGGINS. Orders. We're talking about orders. From whom in this +house do I take orders, may I ask? + +PHILIP. In this case from me. + +MRS. HIGGINS (playing her trump-card). In that case, ma'am, I wish to +give a month's notice from to-day. _In_clusive. + +PHILIP (quickly, before his aunt can say anything). Certainly. In fact, +you'd probably prefer it if my aunt gave _you_ notice, and then you +could go at once. We can easily arrange that. (TO AUNT EMILY as he takes +out a fountain pen and cheque-book) What do you pay her? + +EMILY (faintly). Forty-five pounds. + +PHILIP (writing on his knee). Twelves into forty-five.... (Pleasantly +to MRS. HIGGINS, but without looking up) I hope you don't mind a Cox's +cheque. Some people do; but this is quite a good one. (Tearing it out) +Here you are. + +MRS. HIGGINS (taken aback). What's this? + +PHILIP. Your wages instead of notice. Now you can go at once. + +MRS. HIGGINS. Who said anything about going? + +PHILIP (surprised). I'm sorry; I thought _you_ did. + +MRS. HIGGINS. If it's only a bit of breakfast, I don't say but what I +mightn't get it, if I'm asked decent. + +PHILIP (putting back the cheque). Then let me say again, "Two eggs, ham +and coffee." And Mary can bring the ham up at once, and I'll get going +on that. (Turning away) Thanks very much. + +MRS. HIGGINS. Well, I--well--well! [Exit speechless.] + +PHILIP (surprised). Is that all she ever says? It isn't much to worry +about. + +EMILY. Philip, how could you! I should have been terrified. + +PHILIP. Well, you see, I've done your job for two years out there. + +EMILY. What job? + +PHILIP. Mess President.... I think I'll go and see about that ham. + +(He smiles at her and goes out into the dining-room. AUNT EMILY wanders +round the room, putting a few things tidy as is her habit, when she is +interrupted by the entrance of UNCLE JAMES. JAMES is not a big man, +nor an impressive one in his black morning-coat; and his thin straggly +beard, now going grey, does not hide a chin of any great power; but he +has a severity which passes for strength with the weak.) + +JAMES. Philip down yet? + +EMILY. He's just having his breakfast. + +JAMES (looking at his watch). Ten o'clock. (Snapping it shut and putting +it back) Ten o'clock. I say ten o'clock, Emily. + +EMILY. Yes, dear, I heard you. + +JAMES. You don't say anything? + +EMILY (vaguely). I expect he's tired after that long war. + +JAMES. That's no excuse for not being punctual. I suppose he learnt +punctuality in the Army? + +EMILY. I expect he learnt it, James, but I understood him to say that +he'd forgotten it. + +JAMES. Then the sooner he learns it again the better. I particularly +stayed away from the office to-day in order to talk things over with +him, and (looking at his watch) here's ten o'clock--past ten--and no +sign of him. I'm practically throwing away a day. + +EMILY. What are you going to talk to him about? + +JAMES. His future, naturally. I have decided that the best thing he can +do is to come into the business at once. + +EMILY. Are you really going to talk it over with him, James, or are you +just going to tell him that he _must_ come? + +JAMES (surprised). What do you mean? What's the difference? Naturally +we shall talk it over first, and--er--naturally he'll fall in with my +wishes. + +EMILY. I suppose he can hardly help himself, poor boy. + +JAMES. Not until he's twenty-five, anyhow. When he's twenty-five he can +have his own money and do what he likes with it. + +EMILY (timidly). But I think you ought to consult him at little, dear. +After all, he _has_ been fighting for us. + +JAMES (with his back to the fire). Now that's the sort of silly +sentiment that there's been much too much of. I object to it strongly. +I don't want to boast, but I think I may claim to have done my share. I +gave up my nephew to my country, and I--er--suffered from the shortage +of potatoes to an extent that you probably didn't realize. Indeed, if it +hadn't been for your fortunate discovery about that time that you didn't +really like potatoes, I don't know how we should have carried on. And, +as I think I've told you before, the excess-profits tax seemed to me a +singularly stupid piece of legislation--but I paid it. And I don't go +boasting about how much I paid. + +EMILY (unconvinced). Well, I think that Philip's four years out there +have made him more of a man; he doesn't seem somehow like a boy who can +be told what to do. I'm sure they've taught him something. + +JAMES. I've no doubt that they've taught him something about--er--bombs +and--er--which end a revolver goes off, and how to form fours. But I +don't see that that sort of thing helps him to decide upon the most +suitable career for a young man in after-war conditions. + +EMILY. Well, I can only say you'll find him different. + +JAMES. I didn't notice any particular difference last night. + +EMILY. I think you'll find him rather more--I can't quite think of the +word, but Mrs. Higgins could tell you what I mean. + +JAMES. Of course, if he likes to earn his living any other way, he +may; but I don t see how he proposes to do it so long as I hold the +purse-strings. (Looking at his watch) Perhaps you'd better tell him that +I cannot wait any longer. + +(EMILY opens the door leading into the dining-room and talks through it +to PHILIP.) + +EMILY. Philip, your uncle is waiting to see you before he goes to the +office. Will you be long, dear? + +PHILIP (from the dining-room). Is he in a hurry? + +JAMES (shortly). Yes. + +EMILY. He says he is rather, dear. + +PHILIP. Couldn't he come and talk in here? It wouldn't interfere with my +breakfast. + +JAMES. No. + +EMILY. He says he'd rather you came to _him_, darling. + +PHILIP (resigned). Oh, well. + +EMILY (to JAMES). He'll be here directly, dear. Just sit down in front +of the fire and make yourself comfortable with the paper. He won't keep +you long. (She arranges him.) + +JAMES (taking the paper). The morning is not the time to make oneself +comfortable. It's a most dangerous habit. I nearly found myself dropping +off in front of the fire just now. I don't like this hanging about, +wasting the day. (He opens the paper.) + +EMILY. You should have had a nice sleep, dear, while you could. We were +up so late last night listening to Philip's stories. + +JAMES. Yes, yes. (He begins a yawn and stifles it hurriedly.) You +mustn't neglect your duties, Emily. I've no doubt you have plenty to do. + +EMILY. All right, James, then I'll leave you. But don't be hard on the +boy. + +JAMES (sleepily). I shall be just, Emily; you can rely upon that. + +EMILY (going to the door). I don't think that's quite what I meant. [She +goes out.] + +(JAMES, who is now quite comfortable, begins to nod. He wakes up with a +start, turns over the paper, and nods again. Soon he is breathing deeply +with closed eyes.) + +*** + +PHILIP (coming in). Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was a bit late +for breakfast. (He takes out his pipe.) Are we going to talk business or +what? + +JAMES (taking out his match). A _bit_ late! I make it just two hours. + +PHILIP (pleasantly). All right, Uncle James. Call it two hours late. Or +twenty-two hours early for tomorrow's breakfast, if you like. (He sits +down in a chair on the opposite side of the table from his uncle, and +lights his pipe.) + +JAMES. You smoke now? + +PHILIP (staggered). I what? + +JAMES (nodding at his pipe). You smoke? + +PHILIP. Good heavens! what did you think we did in France? + +JAMES. Before you start smoking all over the house, I should have +thought you would have asked your aunt's permission. + +(PHILIP looks at him in amazement, and then goes to the door.) + +PHILIP (calling). Aunt Emily!... Aunt Emily!... Do you mind my smoking +in here? + +AUNT EMILY (from upstairs). Of course not, darling. + +PHILIP (to JAMES, as he returns to his chair). Of course not, darling. +(He puts back his pipe in his mouth.) + +JAMES. Now, understand once and for all, Philip, while you remain in my +house I expect not only punctuality, but also civility and respect. I +will _not_ have impertinence. + +PHILIP (unimpressed). Well, that's what I want to talk to you about, +Uncle James. About staying in your house, I mean. + +JAMES. I don't know what you do mean. + +PHILIP. Well, we don't get on too well together, and I thought perhaps +I'd better take rooms somewhere. You could give me an allowance until I +came into my money. Or I suppose you could give me the money now if you +really liked. I don't quite know how father left it to me. + +JAMES (coldly). You come into your money when you are twenty-five. +Your father very wisely felt that to trust a large sum to a mere boy of +twenty-one was simply putting temptation in his way. Whether I have the +power or not to alter his dispositions, I certainly don't propose to do +so. + +PHILIP. If it comes to that, I am twenty-five. + +JAMES. Indeed? I had an impression that that event took place in about +two years' time. When did you become twenty-five, may I ask? + +PHILIP (quietly). It was on the Somme. We were attacking the next day +and my company was in support. We were in a so-called trench on the edge +of a wood--a damned rotten place to be, and we got hell. The company +commander sent back to ask if we could move. The C.O. said, "Certainly +not; hang on." We hung on; doing nothing, you know--just hanging on and +waiting for the next day. Of course, the Boche knew all about that. +He had it on us nicely.... (Sadly) Dear old Billy! he was one of the +best--our company commander, you know. They got him, poor devil! That +left _me_ in command of the company. I sent a runner back to ask if I +could move. Well, I'd had a bit of a scout on my own and found a sort of +trench five hundred yards to the right. Not what you'd call a trench, of +course, but compared to that wood--well, it was absolutely Hyde Park. I +described the position and asked if I could go there. My man never came +back. I waited an hour and sent another man. He went west too. Well, I +wasn't going to send a third. It was murder. So I had to decide. We'd +lost about half the company by this time, you see. Well, there were +three things I could do--hang on, move to this other trench, against +orders, or go back myself and explain the situation.... I moved.... And +then I went back to the C.O. and told him I'd moved.... And then I +went back to the company again.... (Quietly) That was when I became +twenty-five.... or thirty-five.... or forty-five. + +JAMES (recovering himself with an effort). Ah yes, yes. (He coughs +awkwardly.) No doubt points like that frequently crop up in the +trenches. I am glad that you did well out there, and I'm sure your +Colonel would speak kindly of you; but when it comes to choosing +a career for you now that you have left the Army, my advice is not +altogether to be despised. Your father evidently thought so, or he would +not have entrusted you to my care. + +PHILIP. My father didn't foresee this war. + +JAMES. Yes, yes, but you make too much of this war. All you young boys +seem to think you've come back from France to teach us our business. +You'll find that it is you who'll have to learn, not we. + +PHILIP. I'm quite prepared to learn; in fact, I want to. + +JAMES. Excellent. Then we can consider that settled. + +PHILIP. Well, we haven't settled yet what business I'm going to learn. + +JAMES. I don't think that's very difficult. I propose to take you into +my business. You'll start at the bottom of course, but it will be a +splendid opening for you. + +PHILIP (thoughtfully). I see. So you've decided it for me? The jam +business. + +JAMES (sharply). Is there anything to be ashamed of in that? + +PHILIP. Oh no, nothing at all. Only it doesn't happen to appeal to me. + +JAMES. If you knew which side your bread was buttered, it would appeal +to you very considerably. + +PHILIP. I'm afraid I can't see the butter for the jam. + +JAMES. I don't want any silly jokes of that sort. You were glad enough +to get it out there, I've no doubt. + +PHILIP. Oh yes. Perhaps that's why I'm so sick of it now.... No, it's no +good, Uncle James; you must think of something else. + +JAMES (with a sneer). Perhaps _you've_ thought of something else? + +PHILIP. Well, I had some idea of being an architect-- + +JAMES. You propose to start learning to be an architect at twenty-three? + +PHILIP (smiling). Well, I couldn't start before, could I? + +JAMES. Exactly. And now you'll find it's too late. + +PHILIP. Is it? Aren't there going to be any more architects, or doctors, +or solicitors, or barristers? Because we've all lost four years of our +lives, are all the professions going to die out? + +JAMES. And how old do you suppose you'll be before you're earning money +as an architect? + +PHILIP. The usual time, whatever that may be. If I'm four years behind, +so is everybody else. + +JAMES. Well, I think it's high time you began to earn a living at once. + +PHILIP. Look here, Uncle James, do you really think that you can treat +me like a boy who's just left school? Do you think four years at the +front have made no difference at all? + +JAMES. If there had been any difference, I should have expected it to +take the form of an increased readiness in obey orders and recognize +authority. + +PHILIP (regretfully). You are evidently determined to have a row. +Perhaps I had better tell you once and for all that I refuse to go into +the turnip and vegetable marrow business. + +JAMES (thumping the table angrily). And perhaps I'd better tell _you_, +sir, once and for all, that I don't propose to allow rude rudeness from +an impertinent young puppy. + +PHILIP (reminiscently). I remember annoying our Brigadier once. He was +covered with red, had a very red face, about twenty medals, and a cold +blue eye. He told me how angry he was for about five minutes while +I stood to attention. I'm afraid you aren't nearly impressive, Uncle +James. + +JAMES (rather upset). Oh! (Recovering himself) Fortunately I have other +means of impressing you. The power of the purse goes a long way in this +world. I propose to use it. + +PHILIP. I see.... Yes... that's rather awkward, isn't it? + +JAMES (pleasantly). I think you'll find it very awkward. + +PHILIP (thoughtfully). Yes. + +(With an amused laugh JAMES settles down to his paper as if the +interview were over.) + +PHILIP (to himself). I suppose I shall have to think of another +argument. (He takes out a revolver from him pocket and fondles it +affectionately.) + +JAMES (looking up suddenly as he is doing this--amazed). What on earth +are you doing? + +PHILIP. Souvenir from France. Do you know, Uncle. James, that this +revolver has killed about twenty Germans? + +JAMES (shortly). Oh! Well, don't go playing about with it here, or +you'll be killing Englishmen before you know where you are. + +PHILIP. Well, you never know. (He raises it leisurely and points it at +his uncle.) It's a nice little weapon. + +JAMES (angrily). Put it down, sir. You ought to have grown out of monkey +tricks like that in the Army. You ought to know better than to point an +unloaded revolver at anybody. That's the way accidents always happen. + +PHILIP. Not when you've been on a revolver course and know all about it. +Besides, it _is_ loaded. + +JAMES (very angry because he is frightened suddenly). Put it down at +once, sir. (PHILIP turns it away from him and examines it carelessly.) +What's the matter with you? Have you gone mad suddenly? + +PHILIP (mildly). I thought you'd be interested in it. It's shot such a +lot of Germans. + +JAMES. Well, it won't want to shoot any more, and the sooner you get rid +of it the better. + +PHILIP. I wonder. Does it ever occur to you, Uncle James, that there are +about a hundred thousand people in England who own revolvers, who are +quite accustomed to them and--who have nobody to practise on now? + +JAMES. No, sir, it certainly doesn't. + +PHILIP (thoughtfully). I wonder if it will make any difference. You +know, one gets so used to potting at people. It's rather difficult to +realize suddenly that one oughtn't to. + +JAMES (getting up). I don't know what the object of this tomfoolery +is, if it has one. But you understand that I expect you to come to +the office with me to-morrow at nine o'clock. Kindly see that you're +punctual. (He turns to go away.) + +PHILIP (softly). Uncle James. + +JAMES (over his shoulder). I have no more-- + +PHILIP (in his parade voice). Damn it, sir! stand to attention when +you talk to an officer! (JAMES instinctively turns round and stiffens +himself.) That's better; you can sit down if you like. (He motions JAMES +to his chair with the revolver.) + +JAMES (going nervously to his chair). What does this bluff mean? + +PHILIP. It isn't bluff, it's quite serious. (Pointing the revolver at +his uncle) Do sit down. + +JAMES (sitting donor). Threats, eh? + +PHILIP. Persuasion. + +JAMES. At the point of the revolver? You settle your arguments by force? +Good heavens, sir! this is just the very thing that we were fighting to +put down. + +PHILIP. _We_ were fighting! _We_! _We_! Uncle, you're a humorist. + +JAMES, Well, "you," if you prefer it. Although those of us who stayed at +home-- + +PHILIP. Yes, never mind about the excess profits now. I can tell you +quite well what we fought for. We used force to put down force. That's +what I'm doing now. You were going to use force--the force of money--to +make me do what you wanted. Now I'm using force to stop it. (He levels +the revolver again.) + +JAMES. You're--you're going to shoot your old uncle? + +PHILIP. Why not? I've shot lots of old uncles--Landsturmers. + +JAMES. But those were Germans! It's different shooting Germans. You're +in England now. You couldn't have a crime on your conscience like that. + +PHILIP. Ah, but you mustn't think that after four years of war one has +quite the same ideas about the sanctity of human life. How could one? + +JAMES. You'll find that juries have kept pretty much the same ideas, I +fancy. + +PHILIP. Yes, but revolvers often go off accidentally. You said so +yourself. This is going to be the purest accident. Can't you see it in +the papers? "The deceased's nephew, who was obviously upset--" + +JAMES. I suppose you think it's brave to come back from the front and +threaten a defenceless man with a revolver? Is that the sort of fair +play they teach you in the Army? + +PHILIP. Good heavens! of course it is. You don't think that you wait +until the other side has got just as many guns as you before you attack? +You're really rather lucky. Strictly speaking, I ought to have thrown +half a dozen bombs at you first. (Taking one out of his pocket) As it +happens, I've only got one. + +JAMES (thoroughly alarmed). Put that back at once. + +PHILIP (putting down the revolver and taking it in his hands). You hold +it in the right hand--so--taking care to keep the lever down. Then you +take the pin in the finger--so, and--but perhaps this doesn't interest +you? + +JAMES (edging his chair away). Put it down at once, sir. Good heavens! +anything might happen. + +PHILIP (putting it down and taking up the revolver again). Does it ever +occur to you, Uncle James, that there are about three million people in +England who know all about bombs, and how to throw them, and-- + +JAMES. It certainly does not occur to me. I should never dream of +letting these things occur to me. + +PHILIP (looking at the bomb regretfully). It's rather against +my principles as a soldier, but just to make things a bit more +fair--(generously) you shall have it. (He holds it out to him suddenly.) + +JAMES (shrinking back again). Certainly not, sir. It might go off at any +moment. + +PHILIP (putting it back in his pocket). Oh no; it's quite useless; +there's no detonator.... (Sternly) Now, then, let's talk business. + +JAMES. What do you want me to do? + +PHILIP. Strictly speaking, you should be holding your hands over your +head and saying "Kamerad!" However, I'll let you off that. All I ask +from you is that you should be reasonable. + +JAMES. And if I refuse, you'll shoot me? + +PHILIP. Well, I don't quite know, Uncle James. I expect we should go +through this little scene again to-morrow. You haven't enjoyed it, have +you? Well, there's lots more of it to come. We'll rehearse it every +day. One day, if you go on being unreasonable, the thing will go off. Of +course, you think that I shouldn't have the pluck to fire. But you can't +be quite certain. It's a hundred to one that I shan't--only I might. +Fear--it's a horrible thing. Elderly men die of it sometimes. + +JAMES. Pooh! I'm not to be bluffed like that. + +PHILIP (suddenly). You're quite right; you're not that sort. I made a +mistake. (Aiming carefully) I shall have to do it straight off, after +all. One--two-- + +JAMES (on his knees, with uplifted hands, in an agony of terror). +Philip! Mercy! What are your terms? + +PHILIP (picking him up by the scruff, and helping him into the chair). +Good man, that's the way to talk. I'll get them for you. Make yourself +comfortable in front of the fire till I come back. Here's the paper. (He +gives his uncle the paper, and goes out into the hall.) + +*** + +(JAMES opens his eyes with a start and looks round him in a bewildered +way. He rubs his heart, takes out his match and looks at it, and then +stares round the room again. The door from the dining-room opens, and +PHILIP comes in with a piece of toast in his hand.) + +PHILIP (his mouth full). You wanted to see me, Uncle James? + +JAMES (still bewildered). That's all right, my boy, that's all right. +What have you been doing? + +PHILIP (surprised). Breakfast. (Putting the last piece in his mouth) +Rather late, I'm afraid. + +JAMES. That's all right. (He laughs awkwardly.) + +PHILIP. Anything the matter? You don't look your usual bright self. + +JAMES. I--er--seem to have dropped asleep in front of the fire. Most +unusual thing for me to have done. Most unusual. + +PHILIP. Let that be a lesson to you not to get up so early. Of course, +if you're in the Army you can't help yourself. Thank Heaven I'm out of +it, and my own master again. + +JAMES. Ah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Sit down, Philip. +(He indicates the chair by the fire.) + +PHILIP (taking a chair by the table). You have that, uncle; I shall be +all right here. + +JAMES (hastily). No, no; you come here. (He gives PHILIP the armchair +and sits by the table himself.) I should be dropping off again. (He +laughs awkwardly.) + +PHILIP. Righto. (He puts his hand to his pocket. UNCLE JAMES shivers and +looks at him to horror. PHILIP brings out his pipe, and a sickly grin of +relief comes into JAMES'S face.) + +JAMES. I suppose you smoked a lot in France? + +PHILIP. Rather! Nothing else to do. It's allowed in here? + +JAMES (hastily). Yes, yes, of course. (PHILIP lights his pipe.) Well +now, Philip, what are you going to do, now you've left the Army? + +PHILIP (promptly). Burn my uniform and sell my revolver. + +JAMES (starting at the word "revolver"). Sell your revolver, eh? + +PHILIP (surprised). Well, I don't want it now, do I? + +JAMES. No.... Oh no.... Oh, most certainly not, I should say. Oh, I +can't see why you should want it at all. (With an uneasy laugh) You're +in England now. No need for revolvers here--eh? + +PHILIP (staring at him). Well, no, I hope not. + +JAMES (hastily). Quite so. Well now, Philip, what next? We must find a +profession for you. + +PHILIP (yawning). I suppose so. I haven't really thought about it much. + +JAMES. You never wanted to be an architect? + +PHILIP (surprised). Architect? (JAMES rubs his head and wonders what +made him think of architect.) + +JAMES. Or anything like that. + +PHILIP. It's a bit late, isn't it? + +JAMES. Well, if you're four years behind, so is everybody else. (He +feels vaguely that he has heard this argument before.) + +PHILIP (smiling): To tell the truth, I don't feel I mind much anyway. +Anything you like--except a commissionaire. I absolutely refuse to wear +uniform again. + +JAMES. How would you like to come into the business? + +PHILIP. The jam business? Well, I don't know. You wouldn't want me to +salute you in the mornings? + +JAMES. My dear boy, no! + +PHILIP. All right, I'll try it if you like. I don't know if I shall be +any good--what do you do? + +JAMES. It's your experience in managing and--er--handling men which I +hope will be of value. + +PHILIP. Oh, I can do that all right. (Stretching himself luxuriously) +Uncle James, do you realize that I'm never going to salute again, or +wear a uniform, or get wet--really wet, I mean--or examine men's feet, +or stand to attention when I'm spoken to, or--oh, lots more things. And +best of all, I'm never going to be frightened again. Have you ever known +what it is to be afraid--really afraid? + +JAMES (embarrassed). I--er--well--(He coughs.) + +PHILIP. No, you couldn't--not really afraid of death, I mean. Well, +that's over now. Good lord! I could spend the rest of my life in the +British Museum and be happy.... + +JAMES (getting up). All right, we'll try you in the office. I expect you +want a holiday first, though. + +PHILIP (getting up). My dear uncle, this is holiday. Being in London +is holiday. Buying an evening paper--wearing a waistcoat again--running +after a bus--anything--it's all holiday. + +JAMES. All right, then, come along with me now, and I'll introduce you +to Mr. Bamford. + +PHILIP. Right. Who's he? + +JAMES. Our manager. A little stiff, but a very good fellow. He'll be +delighted to hear that you are coming into the firm. + +PHILIP (smiling). Perhaps I'd better bring my revolver, in case he +isn't. + +JAMES (laughing with forced heartiness as they go together to the door). +Ha, ha! A good joke that! Ha, ha, ha! A good joke--but only a joke, of +course. Ha, ha! He, he, he! + +[PHILIP goes out. JAMES, following him, turns at the door, and looks +round the room in a bewildered way. Was it a dream, or wasn't it? He +will never be quite certain.] + + + + +BELINDA + +An April Folly in Three Acts + + +CHARACTERS + + BELINDA TREMAYNE. + DELIA (her daughter). + HAROLD BAXTER. + CLAUDE DEVENISH. + JOHN TREMAYNE. + BETTY. + +The action takes place in Belinda's country-house in Devonshire at the +end of April. + + +This play was first produced by Mr. Dion Boucicault at the New Theatre, +London, on April 8, 1918, with the following cast: + + Belinda Tremayne--IRENE VANBRUGH. + Delia--ISOBEL ELSOM. + Harold Baxter--DION BOUCICAULT. + Claude Devenish--DENNIS NEILSON-TERRY. + John Tremayne--BEN WEBSTER. + Betty--ANNE WALDEN. + + + + +ACT I + +[It is a lovely April afternoon--a foretaste of summer--in BELINDA'S +garden.] + +[BETTY, a middle-aged servant, is fastening a hammock--its first +appearance this year--between two trees at the back. In front of these +there is a solid oak garden-table, with a comfortable chair on the right +of it and a straight-backed one on the left. There are books, papers, +and magazines on the table. BELINDA, of whom we shall know more +presently, is on the other side of the open windows which look on to the +garden, talking to BETTY.] + +BELINDA (from inside the house). Are you sure you're tying it up tightly +enough, Betty? + +BETTY (coming to front of hammock). Yes, ma'am; I think it's firm. + +BELINDA. Because I'm not the fairy I used to be. + +BETTY (trying the knots at the other end of the hammock). Yes, ma'am; +it's quite firm this end too. + +BELINDA. It's not the ends I'm frightened of; it's the middle where the +weight's coming. (She comes into the garden.) It looks very nice. + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA (trying the middle of it with her hand). I asked them at the +Stores if they were quite _sure_ it would bear me, and they said it +would take anything up to--I forget how many tons. I know I thought it +was rather rude of them. (Looking at it anxiously) How does one get in? +So trying to be a sailor! + +BETTY. I think you sit in it, ma'am, and then (explaining with her +hands) throw your legs over. + +BELINDA. I see. (She sits gingerly in the hammock, and then, with a +sudden flutter of white, does what BETTY suggests.) Yes. (Regretfully.) +I'm afraid that was rather wasted on you, Betty. We must have some +spectators next time. + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. Cushions. (She arranges them at her back with BETTY'S help. +With a sigh of comfort) There! Now then, Betty, about callers. + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. If Mr. Baxter calls--he is the rather prim gentleman-- + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am; the one who's been here several times before. + +BELINDA (giving BETTY a quick look). Yes. Well, if he calls, you'll say, +"Not at home." + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. He will say, "Oh--er--oh--er--really." Then you'll smile very +sweetly and say, "I beg your pardon, was it Mr. _Baxter_?" And he'll +say, "Yes!" and you'll say, "Oh, I beg your pardon, sir; _this_ way, +please." + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. That's right, Betty. Well now, if Mr. Devenish calls--he is the +rather poetical gentleman-- + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am; the one who's always coming here. + +BELINDA (with a pleased smile). Yes. Well, if he calls you'll say, "Not +at home." + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. He'll immediately throw down his bunch of flowers and dive +despairingly into the moat. You'll stop him, just as he is going in, and +say, "I beg your pardon, sir, was it Mr. _Devenish_?" And he will +say, "Yes!" and you will say, "Oh, I beg your pardon, sir; _this_ way, +please." + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. And suppose they both call together? + +BELINDA. We won't suppose anything so exciting, Betty. + +BETTY. No, ma'am. And suppose any other gentleman calls? + +BELINDA (with a sigh). There aren't any other gentlemen. + +BETTY. It might be a clergyman, come to ask for a subscription like. + +BELINDA. If it's a clergyman, Betty, I shall--I shall want your +assistance out of the hammock first. + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. + +BELINDA. That's all. To anybody else I'm not at home. (Trying to secure +book on table and nearly falling out of the hammock.) Oh, just give me +that little green book. (Pointing to books on the table.) The one at +the bottom there--that's the one. (BETTY gives it to her.) Thank you. +(Reading the title.) "The Lute of Love," by Claude Devenish. (To herself +as she turns the pages.) It doesn't seem much for half-a-crown when you +think of the _Daily Telegraph_. ... Lute... Lute.... I should have +quite a pretty mouth if I kept on saying that. (With a great deal of +expression.) Lute! (She pats her mouth back.) + +BETTY. Is that all, ma'am? + +BELINDA. That's all. (BETTY prepares to go.) Oh, what am I thinking of! +(Waving to the table.) I want that review; I think it's the blue one. +(As BETTY begins to look.) It has an article by Mr. Baxter on the "Rise +of Lunacy in the Eastern Counties"--yes, that's the one. I'd better have +that too; I'm just at the most exciting place. You shall have it after +_me, _Betty. + +BETTY. Is that all, ma'am? + +BELINDA. Yes, that really is all. + +[BETTY goes into the house.] + +BELINDA (reading to herself). "It is a matter of grave concern to all +serious students of social problems--" (Putting the review down in +hammock and shaking her head gently.) But not in April. (Lazily opening +the book and reading.) "Tell me where is love"--well, that's the +question, isn't it? (She puts the book down, gives a sigh of happiness, +and lazily closes her eyes. DELIA comes into the garden, from Paris. +She is decidedly a modern girl, pretty and self-possessed. Her hair +is half-way up; waiting for her birthday, perhaps. She sees her mother +suddenly, stops, and then goes on tiptoe to the head of the hammock. She +smiles and kisses her mother on the forehead. BELINDA, looking supremely +unconscious, goes on sleeping. DELIA kisses her lightly again. BELINDA +wakes up with an extraordinarily natural start, and is just about to +say, "Oh, Mr. Devenish--you mustn't!"--when she sees DELIA.) Delia! + +DELIA. Well, mummy, aren't you glad to see me? + +BELINDA. My darling child! (They kiss each other frantically.) + +DELIA. Say you're glad. + +BELINDA (sitting up). My darling, I'm absolutely--Hold the hammock while +I get out, dear; we don't want an accident. (Getting out with DELIA'S +help) They're all right when you're there, and they'll bear two tons, +but they're horrid getting in and out of. (Kissing her again) Darling, +it really _is_ you? + +DELIA. Oh, it is jolly seeing you again. I believe you were asleep. + +BELINDA (with dignity). Certainly not, child. I was reading "The +Nineteenth Century"--(with an air)--and after. (Earnestly) Darling, +wasn't it next Thursday you were coming back? + +DELIA. No, this Thursday, silly. + +BELINDA (penitently). Oh, my darling, and I was going over to Paris to +bring you home. + +DELIA. I half expected you. + +BELINDA. So confusing their both being called Thursday. And you were +leaving school for the very last time. If you don't forgive me, Delia, I +shall cry. + +DELIA (stroking her hand fondly). Silly mother! + +(BELINDA sits down in a basket chair and DELIA sits on a table next to +her.) + +BELINDA. Isn't it a lovely day for April, darling! I've wanted to say +that to somebody all day, and you're the first person who's given me the +chance. Oh, I said it to Betty, but she only said, "Yes, ma'am." + +DELIA. Poor mother! + +BELINDA (jumping up suddenly and kissing DELIA again). I simply must +have another one. And to think that you're never going back to school +any more. (Looking at her fondly) Darling, you _are_ looking pretty. + +DELIA. Am I? + +BELINDA. Lovely. (Going back to her seat) And now you're going to stay +with me for just as long as you want a mother. (Anxiously) Darling, you +didn't mind being sent away to school, did you? It _is_ the usual thing, +you know. + +DELIA. Silly mother! of course it is. + +BELINDA (relieved). I'm so glad you think so too. + +DELIA. Have you been very lonely without me? + +BELINDA. Very. + +DELIA (holding up a finger). The truth, mummy! + +BELINDA. I've missed you horribly, Delia. (Primly.) The absence of +female companionship of the requisite-- + +DELIA. Are you really all alone? + +BELINDA (smiling mysteriously). Well, not always, of course. + +DELIA (excitedly, at she slips off the table). Mummy, I believe you're +being bad again. + +BELINDA. Really, darling, you forget that I'm old enough to be--in fact, +am--your mother. + +DELIA (nodding her head). You are being bad. + +BELINDA (rising with dignity and drawing herself up to her full height). +My child, that is not the way to--Oh, I say, what a lot taller I am than +you! + +DELIA. And prettier. + +BELINDA (fluttering her eyelids). Oh, do you think so? (Firmly) Don't be +silly, child. + +DELIA (holding up a finger). Now tell me all that's been happening here +at once. + +BELINDA (with a sigh). And I was just going to ask you how you were +getting on with your French. + +DELIA. Bother French! You've been having a much more interesting time +than I have, so you've got to tell. + +BELINDA (with a happy sigh). O-oh! (She sinks back into her chair.) + +DELIA. Is it like the Count at Scarborough? + +BELINDA (surprised and pained). My darling, what _do_ you mean? + +DELIA. Don't you remember the Count who kept proposing to you at +Scarborough? I do. + +BELINDA (reproachfully). Dear one, you were the merest child, paddling +about on the beach and digging castles. + +DELIA (smiling to herself). I was old enough to notice the Count. + +BELINDA (sadly). And I'd bought her a perfectly new spade! How one +deceives oneself! + +DELIA. And then there was the M.P. who proposed at Windermere. + +BELINDA. Yes, dear, but it wasn't seconded--I mean he never got very far +with it. + +DELIA. And the artist in Wales. + +BELINDA. Darling child, what a memory you have. No wonder your teachers +are pleased with you. + +DELIA (settling herself comfortably). Now tell me all about this one. + +BELINDA (meekly). Which one? + +DELIA (excitedly). Oh, are there lots? + +BELINDA (severely). Only two. + +DELIA. Two! You abandoned woman! + +BELINDA. It's something in the air, darling. I've never been in +Devonshire in April before. + +DELIA. Is it really serious this time? + +BELINDA (pained). I wish you wouldn't say _this_ time, Delia. It sounds +so unromantic. If you'd only put it into French--_cette fois_--it sounds +so much better. _Cette fois_. (Parentally.) When one's daughter has just +returned from an expensive schooling in Paris, one likes to feel-- + +DELIA. What I meant, dear, was, am I to have a stepfather at last? + +BELINDA. Now you're being _too_ French, darling. + +DELIA. Why, do you still think father may be alive? + +BELINDA. Why not? It's only eighteen years since he left us, and he was +quite a young man then. + +DELIA. Yes, but surely you'd have heard from him in all those years, if +he'd been alive? + +BELINDA. Well, he hasn't heard from _me, _and I'm still alive. + +DELIA (looking earnestly at her mother). I shall never understand it. + +BELINDA. Understand what? + +DELIA. Were you as heavenly when you were young as you are now? + +BELINDA (rapturously). Oh, I was sweet! + +DELIA. And yet he left you after only six months. + +BELINDA (rather crossly). I wish you wouldn't keep on saying he left me. +I left him too. + +DELIA. Why? + +BELINDA (smiling to herself). Well, you see, he was quite certain he +knew how to manage women, and I was quite certain I knew how to manage +men. (Thoughtfully.) If only one of us had been certain, it would have +been all right. + +DELIA (seriously). What really happened, mummy? I'm grown up now, so I +think you ought to tell me. + +BELINDA (thoughtfully). That was about all, you know... except for his +beard. + +DELIA. Had he a beard? How funny! + +BELINDA. Yes, dear, it was; but he never would see it. He took it quite +seriously. + +DELIA. And did you say dramatically, "If you really loved me, you'd take +it off"? + +BELINDA (apologetically). I'm afraid I did, darling. + +DELIA. And what did _he_ say? + +BELINDA. He said--_very_ rudely--that, if I loved _him_, I'd do my hair +in a different way. + +DELIA. How ridiculous! + +BELINDA (touching her hair). Of course, I didn't do it like this then. +(With a sigh.) I suppose we never ought to have married, really. + +DELIA. Why did you? + +BELINDA. Mother rather wanted it. (Solemnly.) Delia, never get married +because your mother--Oh, I forgot; _I'm_ your mother. + +DELIA. And I don't want a better one.... And so you left each other? + +BELINDA. Yes. + +DELIA. But, darling, didn't you tell him there was going to be a Me? + +BELINDA. Oh no! + +DELIA. I wonder why not? + +BELINDA. Well, you see, if I had, he might have wanted to stay. + +DELIA. But-- + +BELINDA (hurt). If he didn't want to stay for _me_, I didn't want him to +stay for _you_. (Penitently.) Forgive me, darling, but I didn't know +you very well then. (DELIA jumps off the table and hugs her mother +impetuously.) We've been very happy together, haven't we? + +DELIA (going back to her seat). I should think we have. + +BELINDA. I don't want to deny you anything, and, of course, if you'd +like a stepfather (looking down modestly) or two-- + +DELIA. Oh, you _have_ been enjoying yourself. + +BELINDA. Only you see how awkward it would be if Jack turned up in the +middle of the wedding, like--like Eugene Aram. + +DELIA. Enoch Arden, darling. + +BELINDA. It's very confusing their having the same initials. Perhaps I'd +better call them both E. A. in future and then I shall be safe. Well, +anyhow it would be awkward, darling, wouldn't it? Not that I should know +him from Adam after all these years--except for a mole on his left arm. + +DELIA. Perhaps Adam had a mole. + +BELINDA. No, darling; you're thinking of Noah. He had two. + +DELIA (thoughtfully). I wonder what would happen if you met somebody +whom you really did fall in love with? + +BELINDA (reproachfully). Now you're being serious, and it's April. + +DELIA. Aren't these two--the present two--serious? + +BELINDA. Oh no! They think they are, but they aren't a bit, really. +Besides, I'm doing them such a lot of good. I'm sure they'd hate to +marry me, but they love to think they're in love with me, and--_I_ love +it, and--and _they_ love it, and--and we _all_ love it. + +DELIA. You really are the biggest, darlingest baby who ever lived. +(Kisses her.) Do say I shan't spoil your lovely times. + +BELINDA (surprised). Spoil them? Why, you'll make them more lovely than +ever. + +DELIA. Well, but do they know you have a grown-up daughter? + +BELINDA (suddenly realizing). Oh! + +DELIA. It doesn't really matter, because you don't look a day more than +thirty. + +BELINDA (absently). No. (Hurriedly.) I mean, how sweet of you--only-- + +DELIA. What! + +BELINDA (playing with her rings). Well, one of them, Mr. +Baxter--Harold--(she looks quickly up at DELIA and down again in pretty +affectation, but she is really laughing at herself all the time) he +writes statistical articles for the Reviews--percentages and all those +things. He's just the sort of man, if he knew that I was your mother, +to work it out that I was more than thirty. The other one, Mr. +Devenish--Claude--(she looks up and down as before) he's rather, rather +poetical. He thinks I came straight from heaven--last week. + +DELIA (jumping up). I think _I'd_ better go straight back to Paris. + +BELINDA (jumping up and catching her firmly by the arms). You will do +nothing of the sort. You will take off that hat--(she lets go of the +arm and begins to take out the pin) which is a perfect duck, and I don't +know why I didn't say so before--(she puts the hat down on the table) +and let me take a good look at you (she does so), and kiss you (she does +so), and then we'll go to your room and unpack and have a lovely talk +about clothes. And then we'll have tea. + +[BETTY comes in.] + +BELINDA. And now here's Betty coming in to upset all our delightful +plans, just when we've made them. + +DELIA. How are you, Betty? I've left school. + +BETTY. Very nicely, thank you, miss. You've grown. + +BELINDA (patting the top of DELIA'S head). I'm much taller than she +is.... Well, Betty, what is it? + +BETTY. The two gentlemen, Mr. Baxter and Mr. Devenish, have both called +together, ma'am. + +BELINDA (excited). Oh! How--how very simultaneous of them! + +DELIA (eagerly). Oh, do let me see them! + +BELINDA. Darling, you'll see plenty of them before you've finished. (To +BETTY) What have you done with them? + +BETTY. They're waiting in the hall, ma'am, while I said I would see if +you were at home. + +BELINDA. All right, Betty. Give me two minutes and then show them out +here. + +BETTY. Yes, ma'am. [Exit.] + +BELINDA. They can't do much harm to each other in two minutes. + +DELIA (taking her hat). Well, I'll go and unpack. You really won't mind +my coming down afterwards? + +BELINDA. Of course not. (A little awkwardly) Darling one, I wonder if +you'd mind--just at first--being introduced as my niece. You see, I +expect they're in a bad temper already, having come here together, and +we don't want to spoil their day entirely. + +DELIA (smiling). I'll be your mother if you like. + +BELINDA. Oh no, that wouldn't do, because then Mr. Baxter would feel +that he ought to ask your permission before paying his attentions to me. +He's just that sort of man. A niece is so safe--however good you are at +statistics, you can't really prove anything. + +DELIA. All right, mummy. + +BELINDA (enjoying herself). You'd like to be called by a different name, +wouldn't you? There's something so thrilling about taking a false name. +Such a lot of adventures begin like that. How would you like to be Miss +Robinson, darling? It's a nice easy one to remember. (Persuasively.) And +you shall put your hair up so as to feel more disguised. What fun we're +going to have! + +DELIA. You baby! All right, then, I'm Miss Robinson, your favourite +niece. (She moves towards the house.) + +BELINDA. How sweet of you! Oh, I'm coming with you to do your hair. You +don't think you're going to be allowed to do it yourself, when so much +depends on it, and husbands leave you because of it, and--[They do in +together.] + +[BETTY comes from the other side of the house into the garden, followed +by MR. BAXTER and MR. DEVENISH. MR. BAXTER is forty-five, prim and +erect, with close-trimmed moustache and side-whiskers. His clothes +are dark and he wears a bowler-hat. MR. DEVENISH is a long-haired, +good-looking boy in a neglige costume; perhaps twenty-two years old, and +very scornful of the world.] + +BETTY (looking about her surprised). The mistress was here a moment ago. +I expect she'll be back directly, if you'll just wait. [She goes back +into the house.] + +(MR. BAXTER puts his bowler-hat firmly on his head and sits down very +stiffly and upright in a chair on the left-hand side of the table. +DEVENISH throws his felt hat on to the table and walks about +inquisitively. He sees the review in the hammock and picks it up.) + +DEVENISH. Good heavens, Baxter, she's been reading your article! + +BAXTER. I dare say she's not the only one. + +DEVENISH. That's only guesswork (going to back of table); you don't know +of anyone else. + +BAXTER. How many people, may I ask, have bought your poems? + +DEVENISH (loftily). I don't write for the mob. + +BAXTER. I think I may say that of my own work. + +DEVENISH. Baxter, I don't want to disappoint you, but I have reluctantly +come to the conclusion that you _are_ one of the mob. (Annoyed.) Dash +it! what are you doing in the country at all in a bowler-hat? + +BAXTER. If I wanted to be personal, I could say, "Why don't you get your +hair cut?" Only that form of schoolboy humour doesn't appeal to me. + +DEVENISH. This is not a personal matter; I am protesting on behalf of +nature. What do the birds and the flowers and the beautiful trees think +of your hat? + +BAXTER. If one began to ask oneself what the birds thought of +things--(He pauses.) + +DEVENISH. Well, and why shouldn't one ask oneself? It is better than +asking oneself what the Stock Exchange thinks of things. + +BAXTER. Well (looking up at DEVENISH'S extravagant hair), it's the +nesting season. Your hair! (Suddenly.) Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! + +DEVENISH (hastily smoothing it down). Really, Baxter, you're vulgar. (He +turns away and resumes his promenading. Suddenly he sees his book on +the grass beneath the hammock and makes a dash for it.) Ha, my book! +(Gloating over it) Baxter, she reads my book. + +BAXTER. I suppose you gave her a copy. + +DEVENISH (exultingly). Yes, I gave her a copy. My next book will be hers +and hers alone. + +BAXTER. Then let me say that, in my opinion, you took a very great +liberty. + +DEVENISH. Liberty! And this from a man who is continually forcing his +unwelcome statistics upon her. + +BAXTER. At any rate, I flatter myself that there is no suggestion of +impropriety in anything that _I_ write. + +DEVENISH. I'm not so sure about that, Baxter. + +BAXTER. What do you mean, sir? + +DEVENISH. Did you read _The Times_ this month on the new reviews! + +BAXTER. Well! + +DEVENISH. Oh, nothing. It just said, "Mr. Baxter's statistics are +extremely suggestive." I haven't read them, so of course I don't know +what you've been up to. + +BAXTER (turning away in disgust). Pah! + +DEVENISH. Poor old Baxter! (He wanders about the garden again, and, +having picked a flower, comes to rest against one of the trees from +which the hammock is swung. He leans against this and regards the flower +thoughtfully.) Baxter-- + +BAXTER (crossly). I wish you wouldn't keep calling me "Baxter." + +DEVENISH. Harold. + +BAXTER. It is only by accident--an accident which we both deplore--that +we have met at all, and in any case I am a considerably older man than +yourself. + +DEVENISH. Mr. Baxter--father--I have a proposal to make. We will leave +it to this beautiful flower to decide which of us the lady loves. + +BAXTER (turning round). Eh? + +DEVENISH (pulling off the petals). She loves me, she loves Mr. Baxter, +she loves me, she loves Mr. Baxter--Heaven help her!--she loves me-- + +BELINDA (at the garden door.). What _are_ you doing, Mr. Devenish! + +DEVENISH (throwing away the flower and bowing very low). My lady. + +BAXTER (removing his bowler-hat stiffly). Good afternoon, Mrs. Tremayne. + +(She gives her left hand to DEVENISH, who kisses it, and her right to +BAXTER, who shakes it.) + +BELINDA. How nice of you both to come! + +BAXTER. Mr. Devenish and I are inseparable--apparently. + +BELINDA. You haven't told me what you were doing, Mr. Devenish. Was it +"This year, next year?" or "Silk, satin--" + +DEVENISH. My lady, it was even more romantic than that. I have the +honour to announce to your ladyship that Mr. Baxter is to be a sailor. + +BELINDA (to BAXTER). Doesn't he talk nonsense? + +BAXTER. He'll grow out of it. I did. + +BELINDA. Oh, I hope not. I love talking nonsense, and I'm ever so old. +(As they both start forward to protest) Now which one of you will say it +first? + +DEVENISH. You are as old as the stars and as young as the dawn. + +BAXTER. You are ten years younger than I am. + +BELINDA. What sweet things to say! I don't know which I like best. + +DEVENISH. Where will my lady sit? + +BELINDA. I will recline in the hammock, an it please thee, my lord--only +it's rather awkward getting in, Mr. Baxter. Perhaps you'd both better +look at the tulips for a moment. + +BAXTER. Oh--ah--yes. (He puts his hat on and turns his back to the +hammock.) + +DEVENISH (leaning over her). If only-- + +BELINDA. You'd better not say anything, Mr. Devenish. Keep it for your +next volume. (He turns away.) One, two, three--that was better than last +time. (They turn round to see her safely in the hammock. DEVENISH leans +against the tree at her feet, and BAXTER draws the chair from the right +side of the table and turns it round towards her. He presses his hat +more firmly on and sits down.) I wonder if either of you can guess what +I've been reading this afternoon! + +DEVENISH (looking at her lovingly). I know. + +BELINDA (giving him a fleeting look). How did you know? (to BAXTER). +Yes, Mr. Baxter, it was your article I was reading. If you'd come five +minutes earlier you'd have found me wrestling--I mean revelling in it. + +BAXTER. I am very greatly honoured, Mrs. Tremayne. Ah--it seemed to me a +very interesting curve showing the rise and fall of-- + +BELINDA. I hadn't got up to the curves. They _are_ interesting, aren't +they? They are really more in Mr. Devenish's line. (To DEVENISH.) Mr. +Devenish, it was a great disappointment to me that all the poems in your +book seemed to be written to somebody else. + +DEVENISH. It was before I met you, lady. They were addressed to the +goddess of my imagination. It is only in these last few weeks that I +have discovered her. + +BELINDA. And discovered she was dark and not fair. + +DEVENISH. She will be dark in my next volume. + +BELINDA. Oh, how nice of her! + +BAXTER (kindly). You should write a real poem to Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA (excitedly). Oh do! "To Belinda." I don't know what rhymes, +except cinder. You could say your heart was like a cinder--all burnt up. + +DEVENISH (pained). Oh, my lady, I'm afraid that is a cockney rhyme. + +BELINDA. How thrilling! I've never been to Hampstead Heath. + +DEVENISH. "Belinda." It is far too beautiful to rhyme with anything but +itself. + +BELINDA. Fancy! But what about Tremayne? (Singing.) Oh, I am Mrs. +Tremayne, and I don't want to marry again. + +DEVENISH (protesting). My lady! + +BAXTER (protesting). Belinda! + +BELINDA (pointing excitedly to BAXTER). There, that's the first time +he's called me Belinda! + +DEVENISH. Are you serious? + +BELINDA. Not as a rule. + +DEVENISH. You're not going to marry again? + +BELINDA. Well, who could I marry? + +DEVENISH and BAXTER (together). Me! + +BELINDA (dropping her eyes modestly). But this is England. + +BAXTER. Mrs. Tremayne, I claim the right of age--of my greater years--to +speak first. + +DEVENISH. Mrs. Tremayne, I-- + +BELINDA (kindly to DEVENISH). You can speak afterwards, Mr. Devenish. +It's so awkward when you both speak together. + +BAXTER. Mrs. Tremayne, I am a man of substantial position, and perhaps +I may say of some repute in serious circles. All that I have, whether +of material or mental endowment, I lay at your feet, together with an +admiration which I cannot readily put into words. As my wife I think you +would be happy, and I feel that with you by my side I could achieve even +greater things. + +BELINDA. How sweet of you! But I ought to tell you that I'm no good at +figures. + +DEVENISH (protesting). My lady-- + +BELINDA. I don't mean what you mean, Mr. Devenish. You wait till it's +your turn. (To BAXTER.) Yes? + +BAXTER. I ask you to marry me, Belinda. + +BELINDA (settling herself happily and closing her eyes). O-oh!... Now +it's _your_ turn, Mr. Devenish. + +DEVENISH (excitedly). Money--thank Heaven, I have no money. +Reputation--thank Heaven, I have no reputation. What can I offer you? +Dreams--nothing but dreams. Come with me and I will show you the world +through my dreams. What can I give you? Youth, freedom, beauty-- + +BAXTER. Debts. + +BELINDA (still with her eyes shut). You mustn't interrupt, Mr. Baxter. + +DEVENISH. Belinda, marry me and I will open your eyes to the beauty of +the world. Come to me! + +BELINDA (happily). O-oh! You've got such different ways of putting +things. How can I choose between you? + +DEVENISH. Then you will marry one of us? + +BELINDA. You know I really _oughtn't_ to. + +BAXTER. I don't see why not. + +BELINDA. Well, there's just a little difficulty in the way. + +DEVENISH. What is it? I will remove it. For you I could remove +anything--yes, even Baxter. (He looks at BAXTER, who is sitting more +solidly than ever in his chair.) + +BELINDA. And anyhow I should have to choose between you. + +DEVENISH (in a whisper). Choose me. + +BAXTER (stiffly). Mrs. Tremayne does not require any prompting. A fair +field and let the best man win. + +DEVENISH (going across to and slapping the astonished BAXTER on the +back). Aye, let the best man win! Well spoken, Baxter. (To BELINDA) Send +us out into the world upon some knightly quest, lady, and let the victor +be rewarded. + +BAXTER. I--er--ought to say that I should be unable to go very far. I +have an engagement to speak at Newcastle on the 21st. + +DEVENISH. Baxter, I will take no unfair advantage of you. Let the beard +of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle be the talisman that my lady demands; I +am satisfied. + +BAXTER. This sort of thing is entirely contrary to my usual mode of +life, but I will not be outfaced by a mere boy. (Slapping his bowler-hat +on the table) I am prepared. + +DEVENISH. Speak, lady. + +BELINDA (speaking in a deep, mysterious voice). Gentlemen, ye put wild +thoughts into my head. In sooth, I am minded to send ye forth upon a +quest that is passing strange. Know ye that there is a maid journeyed +hither, hight Robinson--whose--(in her natural voice) what's the old for +aunt? + +BAXTER (hopefully). Mother's sister. + +BELINDA. You know, I think I shall have to explain this in ordinary +language. You won't mind very much, will you, Mr. Devenish? + +DEVENISH. It is the spirit of this which matters, not the language which +clothes it. + +BELINDA. Oh, I'm so glad you think so. Well, now about Miss Robinson. +She's my niece and she's just come to stay with me, and--poor +girl--she's lost her father. Absolutely lost him. He disappeared ever +such a long time ago, and poor Miss Robinson--Delia--naturally wants to +find him. Poor girl! she can't think where he is. + +DEVENISH (nobly). I will find him. + +BELINDA. Oh, thank you, Mr. Devenish; Miss Robinson would be so much +obliged. + +BAXTER. Yes--er--but what have we to go upon? Beyond the fact that his +name is Robinson-- + +BELINDA. I shouldn't go on that too much. You see, he may easily have +changed it by now. He was never very much of a Robinson. Nothing to do +with Peter or any of those. + +DEVENISH. I will find him. + +BAXTER. Well, can you tell us what he's like? + +BELINDA. Well, it's such a long time since I saw him. (Looking down +modestly.) Of course, I was quite a girl then. The only thing I know for +certain is that he has a mole on his left arm about here. (She indicates +a spot just below the elbow.) + +DEVENISH (folding his arms and looking nobly upwards). I will find him. + +BAXTER. I am bound to inform you, Mrs. Tremayne, that even a trained +detective could not give you very much hope in such a case. However, I +will keep a look-out for him, and, of course, if-- + +DEVENISH. Fear not, lady, I will find him. + +BAXTER (annoyed). Yes, you keep on saying that, but what have you got to +go on? + +DEVENISH (grandly). Faith! The faith which moves mountains. + +BELINDA. Yes, and this is only just one small mole-hill, Mr. Baxter. + +BAXTER. Yes, but still-- + +BELINDA. S'sh! here is Miss Robinson. If Mr. Devenish will hold the +hammock while I alight--we don't want an accident--I can introduce +you. (He helps her to get out.) Thank you. Delia darling, this is Mr. +Baxter,--and Mr. Devenish. My niece, Miss Robinson-- + +DELIA. How do you do? + +BELINDA. Miss Robinson has just come over from France. _Mon Dieu, quel +pays!_ + +BAXTER. I hope you had a good crossing, Miss Robinson. + +DELIA. Oh, I never mind about the crossing. Aunt Belinda--(She stops and +smiles.) + +BELINDA. Yes, dear? + +DELIA. I believe tea is almost ready. I want mine, and I'm sure Mr. +Baxter's hungry. Mr. Devenish scorns food, I expect. + +DEVENISH (hurt). Why do you say that? + +DELIA. Aren't you a poet? + +BELINDA. Yes, darling, but that doesn't prevent him eating. He'll be +absolutely lyrical over Betty's sandwiches. + +DEVENISH. You won't deny me that inspiration, I hope, Miss Robinson. + +BELINDA. Well, let's go and see what they're like. (DELIA and DEVENISH +begin to move towards the house.) Mr. Baxter, just a moment. + +BAXTER. Yes? + +BELINDA (secretly). Not a word to her about Mr. Robinson. It must be a +surprise for her. + +BAXTER. Quite so, I understand. + +BELINDA. That's right. (Raising her voice.) Oh, Mr. Devenish. + +DEVENISH. Yes, Mrs. Tremayne? (He comes back.) + +BELINDA (secretly). Not a word to her about Mr. Robinson. It must be a +surprise for her. + +DEVENISH. Of course! I shouldn't dream--(Indignantly.) Robinson! _What_ +an unsuitable name! + +[BAXTER _and_ DELIA _are_ just going into the house.] + +BELINDA (dismissing DEVENISH). All right, I'll catch you up. + +[DEVENISH goes after the other two.] + +(Left alone, BELINDA _laughs happily_ to herself, and then begins to look +rather aimlessly about her. She picks up her sunshade and opens it. She +comes to the hammock, picks out her handkerchief, says, "Ah, there you +are!" and puts it away. She goes slowly towards the house, turns her +head just as she comes to the door, and comes slowly back again. She +stops at the table looking down the garden.) + +BELINDA (to herself). Have you lost yourself, or something? No; the +latch is this side.... Yes, that's right. + +[TREMAYNE comes in. He has been knocking about the world for eighteen +years, and is very much a man, though he has kept his manners. His hair +is greying a little at the sides, and he looks the forty-odd that he +is. Without his moustache and beard he is very different from the boy +BELINDA married.] + +TREMAYNE (with his hat in his hand). I'm afraid I'm trespassing. + +BELINDA (winningly). But it's such a pretty garden (turns away, dosing +her parasol), isn't it? + +TREMAYNE (rather confused). I-I beg your pardon, I-er--(He is wondering +if it can possibly be she. BELINDA thinks his confusion is due to the +fact that he is trespassing, and hastens to put him at his ease.) + +BELINDA. I should have done the same myself, you know. + +TREMAYNE (pulling himself together). Oh, but you mustn't think I just +came in because I liked the garden-- + +BELINDA (clapping her hands). No; but say you do like it, quick. + +TREMAYNE. It's lovely and--(He hesitates.) + +BELINDA (hopefully). Yes? + +TREMAYNE (with conviction). Yes, it's lovely. + +BELINDA (with that happy sigh of hers). O-oh!... Now tell me what really +did happen? + +TREMAYNE. I was on my way to Marytown-- + +BELINDA. To where? + +TREMAYNE. Marytown. + +BELINDA. Oh, you mean Mariton. + +TREMAYNE. Do I? + +BELINDA. Yes; we always call it Mariton down here. (Earnestly.) You +don't mind, do you? + +TREMAYNE (smiling). Not a bit. + +BELINDA. Just say it--to see if you've got it right. + +TREMAYNE. Mariton. + +BELINDA (shaking her head). Oh no, that's quite wrong. Try it again +(With a rustic accent.) Mariton. + +TREMAYNE. Mariton. + +BELINDA. Yes, that's much better.... (As if it were he who had +interrupted.) Well, do go on. + +TREMAYNE. I'm afraid it isn't much of an apology really. I saw what +looked like a private road, but what I rather hoped wasn't, and--well, I +thought I'd risk it. I do hope you'll forgive me. + +BELINDA. Oh, but I love people seeing my garden. Are you staying in +Mariton? + +TREMAYNE. I think so. Oh yes, decidedly. + +BELINDA. Well, perhaps the next time the road won't feel so private. + +TREMAYNE. How charming of you! (He feels he must know.) Are you Mrs. +Tremayne by any chance? + +BELINDA. Yes. + +TREMAYNE (nodding to himself). Yes. + +BELINDA. How did you know? + +TREMAYNE (hastily inventing). They use you as a sign-post in the +village. Past Mrs. Tremayne's house and then bear to the left-- + +BELINDA. And you couldn't go past it? + +TREMAYNE. I'm afraid I couldn't. Thank you so much for not minding. +Well, I must be getting on, I have trespassed quite enough. + +BELINDA (regretfully). And you haven't really seen the garden yet. + +TREMAYNE. If you won't mind my going on this way, I shall see some more +on my way out. + +BELINDA. Please do. It likes being looked at. (With the faintest +suggestion of demureness) All pretty things do. + +TREMAYNE. Thank you very much. Er--(He hesitates.) + +BELINDA (helpfully). Yes? + +TREMAYNE. I wonder if you'd mind very much if I called one day to thank +you formally for the lesson you gave me in pronunciation? + +BELINDA (gravely). Yes. I almost think you ought to. I think it's the +correct thing to do. + +TREMAYNE (contentedly). Thank you very much, Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA. You'll come in quite formally by the front-door next time, +won't you, because--because that seems the only chance of my getting to +know your name. + +TREMAYNE. Oh, I beg your pardon. My name is--er--er--Robinson. + +BELINDA (laughing). How very odd! + +TREMAYNE (startled). Odd? + +BELINDA. Yes; we have someone called Robinson staying in the house. I +wonder if she is any relation? + +TREMAYNE (hastily). Oh no, no. No, she couldn't be. I have no relations +called Robinson--not to speak of. + +BELINDA (holding out her hand). You must tell me all about your +relations when you come and call, Mr. Robinson. + +TREMAYNE. I think we can find something better worth talking about than +that. + +BELINDA. Do you think so? (He says "Yes" with his eyes, bows, and goes +off down the garden. BELINDA stays looking after him, then gives that +happy sigh of hers, only even more so) O-oh! + +[Enter BETTY.] + +BETTY. If you please, ma'am, Miss Delia says, are you coming in to tea? + +BELINDA (looking straight in front of her, and taking no notice of +BETTY, in a happy, dreamy voice). Betty,... about callers.... If +Mr. Robinson calls--he's the handsome gentleman who hasn't been here +before--you will say, "Not at home." And he will say, "Oh!" And you will +say, "I beg your pardon, sir, was it Mr. _Robinson_?" And he will say, +"Yes!" And you will say, "Oh, I beg your pardon, sir--" (Almost as if +she were BETTY, she begins to move towards the house.) "This way--" (she +would be smiling an invitation over her shoulder to MR. ROBINSON, if he +were there, and she were BETTY)--"please!" (And the abandoned woman goes +in to tea.) + + + + +ACT II + +[It is morning in BELINDA'S hall, a low-roofed, oak-beamed place, +comfortably furnished as a sitting-room. There is an inner and an outer +front-door, both of which are open.] + +[DEVENISH, who has just rung the bell, is waiting with a bouquet of +violets between the two. Midway on the right is a door leading to a +small room where hats and coats are kept. A door on the left leads +towards the living-rooms.] + +BETTY. Good morning, sir. + +DEVENISH. Good morning. I am afraid this is an unceremonious hour for a +call, but my sense of beauty urged me hither in defiance of convention. + +BETTY. Yes, sir. + +DEVENISH (holding up his bouquet to BETTY). See, the dew is yet +lingering upon them; how could I let them wait until this afternoon? + +BETTY. Yes, sir; but I think the mistress is out. + +DEVENISH. They are not for your mistress; they are for Miss Delia. + +BETTY. Oh, I beg your pardon, sir. If you will come in, I'll see if I +can find her. (She brings him in and goes away to find DELIA.) + +(DEVENISH tries a number of poses about the room for himself and his +bouquet, and finally selects one against the right side of the door by +which he has just come in.) + +[Enter DELIA from the door on the left.] + +DELIA (shutting the door and going _to_ DEVENISH). Oh, good morning, Mr. +Devenish. I'm afraid my--er--aunt is out. + +DEVENISH. I know, Miss Delia, I know. + +DELIA. She'll be so sorry to have missed you. It is her day for you, +isn't it? + +DEVENISH. Her day for me? + +DELIA. Yes; Mr. Baxter generally comes to-morrow, doesn't he? + +DEVENISH. Miss Delia, if our friendship is to progress at all, it can +only be on the distinct understanding that I take no interest whatever +in Mr. Baxter's movements. + +DELIA. Oh, I'm so sorry; I thought you knew. What lovely flowers! Are +they for my aunt? + +DEVENISH. To whom does one bring violets? To modest, shrinking, tender +youth. + +DELIA. I don't think we have anybody here like that. + +DEVENISH (with a bow). Miss Delia, they are for you. + +DELIA. Oh, how nice of you! But I'm afraid I oughtn't to take them from +you under false pretences; I don't shrink. + +DEVENISH. A fanciful way of putting it, perhaps. They are none the less +for you. + +DELIA. Well, it's awfully kind of you. I'm afraid I'm not a very +romantic person. Aunt Belinda does all the romancing in our family. + +DEVENISH. Your aunt is a very remarkable woman. + +DELIA. She is. Don't you dare to say a word against her. + +DEVENISH. My dear Miss Delia, nothing could be further from my thoughts. +Why, am I not indebted to her for that great happiness which has come to +me in these last few days? + +DELIA (surprised). Good gracious! and I didn't know anything about it. +But what about poor Mr. Baxter? + +DEVENISH (stiffly). I must beg that Mr. Baxter's name be kept out of our +conversation. + +DELIA. But I thought Mr. Baxter and you--do tell me what's happened. I +seem to have lost myself. + +DEVENISH. What has happened, Miss Delia, is that I have learnt at last +the secret that my heart has been striving to tell me for weeks past. As +soon as I saw that gracious lady, your aunt, I knew that I was in love. +Foolishly I took it for granted that it was she for whom my heart was +thrilling. How mistaken I was! Directly you came, you opened my eyes, +and now-- + +DELIA. Mr. Devenish, you don't say you're proposing to me? + +DEVENISH. I am. I feel sure I am. Delia, I love you. + +DELIA. How exciting of you! + +DEVENISH (with a modest shrug). It's nothing; I am a poet. + +DELIA. You really want to marry me? + +DEVENISH. Such is my earnest wish. + +DELIA. But what about my aunt? + +DEVENISH (simply). She will be my aunt-in-law. + +DELIA. She'll be rather surprised. + +DEVENISH. Delia, I will be frank with you. I admit that I made Mrs. +Tremayne an offer of marriage. + +DELIA (excitedly). You really did? Was it that first afternoon I came? + +DEVENISH. Yes. + +DELIA. Oh, I wish I'd been there! + +DEVENISH (with dignity). It is not my custom to propose in the presence +of a third party. It is true that on the occasion you mention a man +called Baxter was on the lawn, but I regarded him no more than the old +apple-tree or the flower-beds, or any other of the fixtures. + +DELIA. What did she say? + +DEVENISH. She accepted me conditionally. + +DELIA. Oh, do tell me! + +DEVENISH. It is rather an unhappy story. This man called Baxter in his +vulgar way also made a proposal of marriage. Mrs. Tremayne was gracious +enough to imply that she would marry whichever one of us fulfilled a +certain condition. + +DELIA. How sweet of her! + +DEVENISH. It is my earnest hope, Miss Delia, that the man called +Baxter will be the victor. As far as is consistent with honour, I shall +endeavour to let Mr. Baxter (banging the table with his hand) win. + +DELIA. What was the condition? + +DEVENISH. That I am not at liberty to tell. It is, I understand, to be a +surprise for you. + +DELIA. How exciting!... Mr. Devenish, you have been very frank. May I be +equally so? (DEVENISH bows.) Why do you wear your hair so long? + +DEVENISH (pleased). You have noticed it? + +DELIA. Well, yes, I have. + +DEVENISH. I wear it so to express my contempt for the conventions of +so-called society. + +DELIA. I always thought that people wore it very very short if they +despised the conventions of society. + +DEVENISH. I think that the mere fact that my hair annoys Mr. Baxter is +sufficient justification for its length. + +DELIA. But if it annoys me too? + +DEVENISH (heroically). It shall go. + +DELIA (apologetically). I told you I wasn't a very romantic person, +didn't I? (Kindly.) You can always grow it again if you fall in love +with somebody else. + +DEVENISH. That is cruel of you, Delia. I shall never fall in love again. + +[Enter BELINDA in a hat.] + +BELINDA. Why, it's Mr. Devenish! How nice of you to come so early in the +morning! How is Mr. Baxter? + +DEVENISH. I do not know, Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA (to DELIA). I got most of the things, Delia. (To DEVENISH.) "The +things," Mr. Devenish, is my rather stuffy way of referring to all the +delightful poems that you are going to eat to-night. + +DEVENISH. I am looking forward to it immensely, Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA. I do hope I've got all your and Mr. Baxter's favourite dishes. + +DEVENISH. I'm afraid Mr. Baxter and I are not likely to appreciate the +same things. + +BELINDA (coyly). Oh, Mr. Devenish! And you were so unanimous a few days +ago. + +DELIA. I think Mr. Devenish was referring entirely to things to eat. + +BELINDA. I felt quite sad when I was buying the lamb cutlets. To think +that, only a few days before, they had been frisking about with their +mammas, and having poems written about them by Mr. Devenish. There! I'm +giving away the whole dinner. Delia, take him away before I tell him any +more. We must keep some surprises for him. + +DELIA (to DEVENISH as she picks up the flowers). Come along, Mr. +Devenish. + +BELINDA (wickedly). Are those my flowers, Mr. Devenish? + +DEVENISH (after a little hesitation, with a bow which might refer to +either of them). They are for the most beautiful lady in the land. + +BELINDA. Oh, how nice of you! + +[DEVENISH follows DELIA out through the door on the left.] + +BELINDA (unpinning her hat before a mirror). I suppose he means +Delia--bless them! (She gives a few pats to her hair and then walks +about the room singing softly to herself. She does to the front-door +and looks happily out into the garden. Suddenly she sees MR. BAXTER +approaching. She hurries back into a chair and pretends to be very busy +reading.) + +BAXTER (rather nervously). Er--may I come in, Mrs. Tremayne? + +BELINDA (dropping her book and turning round with a violent start). Oh, +Mr. Baxter, how you surprised me! (She puts her hand to her heart.) + +BAXTER. I must apologize for intruding upon you at this hour, Mrs. +Tremayne. + +BELINDA (holding up her hand). Stop! + +BAXTER (startled). What? + +BELINDA. I cannot let you come in like that. + +BAXTER (looking down at himself). Like what? + +BELINDA (dropping her eyes). You called me Belinda once. + +BAXTER (coming down to her). May I explain my position, Mrs. Tremayne? + +BELINDA. Before you begin--have you been seeing my niece lately? + +BAXTER (surprised). No. + +BELINDA. Oh! (Sweetly.) Please go on. + +BAXTER. Why, is _she_ lost too? + +BELINDA. Oh no; I just--Do sit down. Let me put your hat down somewhere +for you. + +BAXTER (keeping it firmly in his hand, and sitting down on the sofa). It +will be all right here, thank you. + +BELINDA (returning to her chair). I'm dying to hear what you are going +to say. + +BAXTER. First as regards the use of your Christian name. I felt that, +as a man of honour, I could not permit myself to use it until I had +established my right over that of Mr. Devenish. + +BELINDA. All my friends call me Belinda. + +BAXTER. As between myself and Mr. Devenish the case is somewhat +different. Until one of us is successful over the other in the quest +upon which you have sent us, I feel that as far as possible we should +hold aloof from you. + +BELINDA (pleadingly). Just say "Belinda" once more, in case you're a +long time. + +BAXTER (very formally). Belinda. + +BELINDA. How nicely you say it--Harold. + +BAXTER (half getting out of his seat). Mrs. Tremayne, I must not listen +to this. + +BELINDA (meekly). I won't offend again, Mr. Baxter. Please go on. Tell +me about the quest; are you winning? + +BAXTER. I am progressing, Mrs. Tremayne. Indeed, I came here this +morning to acquaint you with the results of my investigations. Yesterday +I located a man called Robinson working upon a farm close by. I ventured +to ask him if he had any marks upon him by which he could be recognized. +He adopted a threatening attitude, and replied that if I wanted any he +could give me some. With the aid of half-a-crown I managed to placate +him. Putting my inquiry in another form, I asked if he had any moles. +A regrettable misunderstanding, which led to a fruitless journey to +another part of the village, was eventually cleared up, and on my return +I satisfied myself that this man was in no way related to your niece. + +BELINDA (admiringly). How splendid of you! Well, now, we know _he's_ +not. (She holds up one finger.) + +BAXTER. Yes. In the afternoon I located another Mr. Robinson following +the profession of a carrier. My first inquiries led to a similar +result, with the exception that in this case Mr. Robinson carried his +threatening attitude so far as to take off his coat and roll up his +sleeves. Perceiving at once that he was not the man, I withdrew. + +BELINDA. How brave you are! That makes two. (She holds up another +finger). It still leaves a good many. (Pleadingly.) Just call me Belinda +again. + +BAXTER (nervously). You mustn't tempt me, Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA (penitently). I won't! + +BAXTER. To resume, then, my narrative. This morning I have heard of a +third Mr. Robinson. Whether there is actually any particular fortune +attached to the number three I cannot say for certain. It is doubtful +whether statistics would be found to support the popular belief. But one +likes to flatter oneself that in one's own case it may be true; and so-- + +BELINDA. And so the third Mr. Robinson--? + +BAXTER. Something for which I cannot altogether account inspires me with +hope. He is, I have discovered, staying at Mariton. This afternoon I go +to look for him. + +BELINDA (to herself). Mariton! How funny! I wonder if it's the same one. + +BAXTER. What one? + +BELINDA. Oh, just one of the ones. (Gratefully.) Mr. Baxter, you are +doing all this for _me_. + +BAXTER. Pray do not mention it. I don't know if it's Devonshire, or the +time of the year, or the sort of atmosphere you create, Mrs. Tremayne, +but I feel an entirely different man. There is something in the air +which--yes, I shall certainly go over to Mariton this afternoon. + +BELINDA (gravely). I have had the same feeling sometimes, Mr. Baxter. I +am not always the staid respectable matron which I appear to you to +be. Sometimes I--(She looks absently at the watch on her wrist.) Good +gracious! + +BAXTER (alarmed). What is it! + +BELINDA (looking anxiously from the door to him). Mr. Baxter, I'm going +to throw myself on your mercy. + +BAXTER. My dear Mrs. Tremayne-- + +BELINDA (looking at her watch again). A strange man will be here +directly. He must not find you with me. + +BAXTER (rising, jealously). A man? + +BELINDA (excitedly). Yes, yes, a man! He is pursuing me with his +attentions. If he found you here, there would be a terrible scene. + +BAXTER. I will defend you from him. + +BELINDA. No, no. He is a big man. He will--he will overpower you. + +BAXTER. But you--? + +BELINDA. I can defend myself. I will send him away. But he must not find +you here. You must hide before he overpowers you. + +BAXTER (with dignity). I will withdraw if you wish it. + +BELINDA. No, not withdraw, hide. He might see you withdrawing. (Leading +the way to a door on the right) Quick, in here. + +BAXTER (embarrassed at the thought that this sort of thing really only +happens in a bedroom farce). I don't think I quite-- + +BELINDA (reassuring him). It's perfectly respectable; it's where we keep +the umbrellas. (She takes him by the hand.) + +BAXTER (still resisting). I'm not at all sure that I-- + +BELINDA (earnestly). Oh, but don't you see what _trust_ I'm putting in +you? Some people are so nervous about their umbrellas. + +BAXTER. Well, of course, if you--but I don't see why I shouldn't just +slip out of the door before he comes. + +BELINDA (reproachfully). Of course, if you grudge me every little +pleasure--Quick! Here he is. + +(She bundles him through the door, and with a sigh of happiness comes +back and looks at herself in the mirror. She goes to the front-door, +moves her hand to somebody in the distance, and comes into the hall +again. Seeing MR. BAXTER'S bowler hat on the sofa, she carries across to +his door, knocks, hands it to him, saying, "Your hat. S'sh!" and returns +to her chair. TREMAYNE comes in.) + +TREMAYNE (at the door). It's no good your pretending to be surprised, +because you said I could come. + +BELINDA (welcoming him). But I can still be surprised that you wanted to +come. + +TREMAYNE Oh no, you aren't. + +BELINDA (marking it off on her fingers). Just a little bit--that much. + +TREMAYNE. It would be much more surprising if I hadn't come. + +BELINDA (sitting down on the sofa). It is a pretty garden, isn't it? + +TREMAYNE (sitting down next to her). You forget that I saw the garden +yesterday. + +BELINDA. Oh, but the things have grown so much since then. Let me see, +this is the third day you've been and we only met three days ago. And +then you're coming to dinner again to-night. + +TREMAYNE (eagerly). Am I? + +BELINDA. Yes. Haven't you been asked? + +TREMAYNE. No, not a word. + +BELINDA. Yes, that's quite right; I remember now, I only thought of it +this morning, so I couldn't ask you before, could I? + +TREMAYNE (earnestly). What made you think of it then? + +BELINDA (romantically). It was at the butcher's. There was one little +lamb cutlet left over and sitting out all by itself, and there was +nobody to love it. And I said to myself, suddenly, "I know, that will do +for Mr. Robinson." (Prosaically.) I do hope you like lamb? + +TREMAYNE. I adore it. + +BELINDA. Oh, I'm so glad! When I saw it sitting there I thought you'd +love it. I'm afraid I can't tell you any more about the rest of the +dinner, because I wouldn't tell Mr. Devenish, and I want to be fair. + +TREMAYNE. Who's Mr. Devenish? + +BELINDA. Oh, haven't you met him? He's always coming here. + +TREMAYNE Is he in love with you too? + +BELINDA. Too? Oh, you mean Mr. Baxter. + +TREMAYNE. Confound it, that's three! + +BELINDA (innocently). Three? (She looks up at him and down again.) + +TREMAYNE. Who is Mr. Baxter? + +BELINDA. Oh, haven't you met him? He's always coming here. + +TREMAYNE. Who is Mr. Baxter? + +BELINDA. Oh, he's a sort of statistician. Isn't that a horrid word to +say? So stishany. + +TREMAYNE. What does he make statistics about? + +BELINDA. Oh, umbrellas and things. Don't let's talk about him. + +TREMAYNE. All right, then; who is Mr. Devenish? + +BELINDA. Oh, he's a poet. (She throws up her eyes and sighs deeply.) Ah +me! + +TREMAYNE. What does he write poetry about? (BELINDA looks at him, and +down again, and then at him again, and then down, and gives a little +sigh--all of which means, "Can't you guess?") What does he write poetry +about? + +BELINDA (obediently). He wrote "The Lute of Love and other Poems, by +Claude Devenish." The Lute of Love--(To herself.) I haven't been saying +that lately. (With great expression.) The Lute of Love--the Lute. (She +pats her mouth back.) + +TREMAYNE. And what is Mr. Devenish-- + +BELINDA (putting her hand on his sleeve). You'll let me know when it's +my turn, won't you? + +TREMAYNE. Your turn? + +BELINDA. Yes, to ask questions. I love this game--it's like clumps. (She +crosses her hands on her lap and waits for the next question.) + +TREMAYNE. I beg your pardon. I--er--of course have no right to +cross-examine you like this. + +BELINDA. Oh, do go on, I love it. (With childish excitement.) I've got +my question ready. + +TREMAYNE (smiling). I think perhaps it _is_ your turn. + +BELINDA (eagerly). Is it really? (He nods.) Well then--_who_ is Mr. +Robinson? + +TREMAYNE (alarmed). What? + +BELINDA. I think it's a fair question. I met you three days ago and you +told me you were staying at Mariton. Mariton. You can say it all right +now, can't you? + +TREMAYNE. I think so. + +BELINDA (coaxingly). Just say it. + +TREMAYNE. Mariton. + +BELINDA (clapping her hands). Lovely! I don't think any of the villagers +do it as well as that. + +TREMAYNE. Well? + +BELINDA. Well, that was three days ago. You came the next day to see the +garden, and you came the day after to see the garden, and you've come +this morning--to see the garden; and you're coming to dinner to-night, +and it's so lovely, we shall simply have to go into the garden +afterwards. And all I know about you is that you _haven't_ any relations +called Robinson. + +TREMAYNE. What do I know about Mrs. Tremayne but that she _has_ a +relation called Robinson? + +BELINDA. And two dear friends called Devenish and Baxter. + +TREMAYNE (annoyed). I was forgetting them. + +BELINDA (to herself). I mustn't forget Mr. Baxter. + +TREMAYNE (getting up). But what does it matter? What would it matter if +I knew nothing about you? I know everything about you--everything that +matters. + +BELINDA (closing her eyes contentedly). Tell me some of them. + +TREMAYNE (bending over her earnestly). Belinda-- + +BELINDA (still with her eyes shut). He's going to propose to me. I can +feel it coming. + +TREMAYNE. Confound it! how many men _have_ proposed to you? + +BELINDA (surprised). Since when? + +TREMAYNE. Since your first husband proposed to you. + +BELINDA. Oh, I thought you meant this year. (Sitting up.) Well now, +let me see. (Slowly and thoughtfully.) One. (She pushes up her first +finger.) Two. (She pushes up the second.) Three. (She pushes up the +third finger, holds it there for a moment and then pushes it gently down +again.) No, I don't think that one ought to count really. (She pushes +up two more fingers and the thumb.) Three, four, five--do you want the +names or just the total? + +TREMAYNE. This is horrible. + +BELINDA (innocently). But anybody can propose. Now if you'd asked how +many I'd accepted--Let me see, where was I up to? I shan't count yours, +because I haven't really had it yet. Six, seven--Yes, Betty, what is it? + +[BETTY has just come in from the door on the left.] + +BETTY. If you please, ma'am, cook would like to speak to you for a +minute. + +BELINDA (getting up). Yes, I'll come. (To TREMAYNE.) You'll forgive me, +won't you? You'll find some cigarettes there. (She starts to go, +but comes back and adds confidentially) It's probably about the lamb +cutlets; I expect your little one refuses to be cooked. + +[She goes out after BETTY.] + +(Left alone, TREMAYNE stalks moodily about the room, occasionally +kicking things which come in his way. He takes up his hat suddenly and +goes towards the door; stops irresolutely and comes back. He is standing +in the middle of the room with his hands in his pockets when DEVENISH +comes in from the door on the left.) + +DEVENISH (surprised). Hullo! + +TREMAYNE Hullo!... Are you Mr. Devenish? + +DEVENISH. Yes. + +TREMAYNE. Devenish the poet? + +DEVENISH (coming up and shaking him warmly by the hand). My dear fellow, +you know my work? + +TREMAYNE (grimly). My dear Mr. Devenish, your name is most familiar to +me. + +DEVENISH. I congratulate you. I thought your great-grandchildren would +be the first to hear of me. + +TREMAYNE. My name's Robinson, by the way. + +DEVENISH. Then let me return the compliment, Robinson. Your name is +familiar to _me_. + +TREMAYNE (hastily). I don't think I'm related to any Robinsons you know. + +DEVENISH. Well, no, I suppose not. When I was very much younger I began +a collection of Robinsons. Actually it was only three days ago, but it +seems much longer. Many things have happened since then. + +TREMAYNE (uninterested). Really! + +DEVENISH. There is a man called Baxter who is still collecting, +I believe. For myself, I am only interested in one of the great +family--Delia. + +TREMAYNE (eagerly). You are interested in _her_? + +DEVENISH. Devotedly. In fact, I am at this moment waiting for her to put +on her hat. + +TREMAYNE (warmly). My dear Devenish, I am delighted to make your +acquaintance. (He seizes his hand and grips it heartily.) How are you? + +DEVENISH (feeling his fingers). Fairly well, thanks. + +TREMAYNE. That's right. (They sit on the sofa together.) + +DEVENISH (still nursing his hand). You are a very lucky fellow, +Robinson. + +TREMAYNE. In what way? + +DEVENISH. People you meet must be so very reluctant to say good-bye to +you. Have you ever tried strangling lions or anything like that? + +TREMAYNE (with a laugh). Well, as a matter of fact, I have. + +DEVENISH. I suppose you won all right? + +TREMAYNE. In the end, with the help of my beater. + +DEVENISH. Personally I should have backed you alone against any two +ordinary lions. + +TREMAYNE. One was quite enough. As it was, he gave me something to +remember him by. (Putting up his left sleeve, he displays a deep scar.) + +DEVENISH (looking at it casually). By Jove, that's a nasty one! (He +suddenly catches sight of the mole and stares at it fascinated.) Good +heavens! + +TREMAYNE. What's the matter? + +DEVENISH (clasping his head). Wait. Let me think. (After a pause.) Have +you ever met a man called Baxter? + +TREMAYNE. No. + +DEVENISH. Would you like to? + +TREMAYNE (grimly). Very much indeed. + +DEVENISH. He's the man I told you about who's interested in Robinsons. +He'll be delighted to meet you. (With a nervous laugh.) Funny thing, +he's rather an authority on lions. You must show him that scar of yours; +it will intrigue him immensely. (Earnestly.) _Don't_ shake hands with +him too heartily just at first; it might put him off the whole thing. + +TREMAYNE. This Mr. Baxter seems to be a curious man. + +DIVENISH (absently). Yes, he is rather odd. (Looking at his watch.) I +wonder if I--(To TREMAYNE.) I suppose you won't be--(He stops suddenly. +A slight tapping noise comes from the room where they keep umbrellas.) + +TREMAYNE. What's that! + +(The tapping noise is repeated, a little more loudly this time.) + +DEVENISH. Come in. + +(The door opens and BAXTER comes in nervously, holding his bowler hat in +his hand.) + +BAXTER. Oh, I just--(TREMAYNE _stands up_)--I just--(He goes back again.) + +DEVENISH (springing across the room). Baxter! (The door opens nervously +again and BAXTER'S head appears round it.) Come in, Baxter, old man; +you're just the very person I wanted. (BAXTER comes in carefully.) Good +man. (To TREMAYNE) This is Mr. Baxter that I was telling you about. + +TREMAYNE (much relieved at the appearance of his rival). Oh, is this Mr. +Baxter? (Holding out his hand with great friendliness) How are you, Mr. +Baxter? + +DEVENISH (warningly). Steady! (TREMAYNE shakes BAXTER quite gently by +the hand.) Baxter, this is Mr. Robinson. (Casually.) R-o-b-i-n-s-o-n. +(He looks sideways at BAXTER to see how he takes it. BAXTER is +noticeably impressed.) + +BAXTER. Really? I am very glad to meet you, sir. + +TREMAYNE. Very good of you to say so. + +DEVENISH (to BAXTER). Robinson is a great big-game hunter. + +BAXTER. Indeed? I have never done anything in that way myself, but I'm +sure it must be an absorbing pursuit. + +TREMAYNE. Oh, well, it's something to do. + +DEVENISH (to BAXTER). You must get him to tell you about a wrestle +he had with a lion once. Extraordinary story! (Looking at his watch +suddenly.) Jove! I must be off. See you again, Baxter. Good-bye, +Robinson. No, don't shake hands. I'm in a hurry. [He looks at his watch +again and goes out hurriedly by the door on the left.] + +(TREMAYNE sit down together on the sofa.) + +TREMAYNE. Unusual man, your friend Devenish. I suppose it comes of being +a poet. + +BAXTER. I have no great liking for Mr. Devenish-- + +TREMAYNE. Oh, he's all right. + +BAXTER. But I am sure that if he is impressed by anything outside +himself or his own works, it must be something rather remarkable. Pray +tell me of your adventure with the lion. + +TREMAYNE (laughing). Really, you mustn't think that I go about telling +everybody my adventures. It just happened to come up. I'm afraid I shook +his hand rather more warmly than I meant, and he asked me if I'd ever +tried strangling lions. That was all. + +BAXTER. And had you? + +TREMAYNE. Well, it just happened that I had. + +BAXTER. Indeed! You came off scathless, I trust? + +TREMAYNE (carelessly indicating his arm). Well, he got me one across +there. + +BAXTER (obviously excited). Really, really. One across there. Not bad, I +hope? + +TREMAYNE (laughing). Well, it doesn't show unless I do that. (He pulls +up his sleeve carelessly and BAXTER bends eagerly over his arm.) + +BAXTER. Good heavens! I've found it! + +TREMAYNE. Found what? (He pulls down his sleeve.) + +BAXTER. I must see Mrs. Tremayne. Where's Mrs. Tremayne? + +TREMAYNE. She went out just now. What's the matter? + +BAXTER. Out! I must find her. This is a matter of life and death. [He +seizes his hat and hurries out by the front door.] + +(TREMAYNE stares after him in amazement. Then he pulls up his sleeve, +looks at his scar again and shakes his head. While he is still puzzling +over it, BELINDA comes back.) + +BELINDA. Such a to-do in the kitchen! The cook's given notice--at least +she will directly--and your lamb cutlet slipped back to the shop when +nobody was looking, and I've got to go into the village again, and oh +dear, oh dear, I have such a lot of things to do! (Looking across at MR. +BAXTER'S door.) Oh yes, that's another one. Mr. Robinson, you will have +to leave me. Farewell. + +TREMAYNE. Belinda-- + +BELINDA. No, not even Belinda. Wait till this evening. + +TREMAYNE. I have a thousand things to say to you; I shall say them this +evening. + +BELINDA (giving him her hand). Begin about eight o'clock. Good-bye till +then. + +[He takes her hand, looks at her for a moment, then suddenly bends and +kisses it, and out.] + +(BELINDA stands looking from her hand to him, gives a little wondering +exclamation and then presses the back of her hand against her cheek, and +goes to the swing doors. She turns back, and remembers MR. BAXTER again. +With a smile she goes to the door and taps gently.) + +BELINDA. Mr. Baxter, Mr. Baxter, you may come in now; he has withdrawn. +I have unhanded him. (She opens the door and finds the room empty.) Oh! + +[BAXTER comes in at the front door.] + +BAXTER. Ah, there you are! + +BELINDA (turning with a start). Oh, how you frightened me, Mr. Baxter! +I couldn't think what had happened to you. I thought perhaps you'd been +eaten up by one of the umbrellas. + +BAXTER. Mrs. Tremayne, I have some wonderful news for you. I have found +Miss Robinson's father. + +BELINDA (hardly understanding). Miss Robinson's father? + +BAXTER. Yes. _Mr_. Robinson. + +BELINDA. Oh, you mean--Oh yes, he told me his name was Robinson--Oh, but +he's no relation. + +BAXTER. Wait! I saw his arm. By a subterfuge I managed to see his arm. + +BELINDA (her eyes opening more and more widely as she begins to +realize). You saw-- + +BAXTER. I saw the mole. + +BELINDA (faintly as she holds out her own arm). Show me. + +BAXTER (very decorously indicating). There! + +(BELINDA holds the place with her other hand, and still looking at MR. +BAXTER, slowly begins to laugh--half-laughter, half-tears, wonderingly, +happily, contentedly.) + +BELINDA. And I didn't know! + +BAXTER. Mrs. Tremayne, I am delighted to have done this service for your +niece-- + +BELINDA (to herself). Of course, _he_ knew all the time. + +BAXTER (to the world). Still more am I delighted to have gained the +victory over Mr. Devenish in this enterprise. + +BELINDA. Eighteen years--but I _ought_ to have known. + +BAXTER (at large). I shall not be accused of exaggerating when I say +that the odds against such an enterprise were enormous. + +BELINDA. Eighteen years--And now I've eight whole _hours_ to wait! + +BAXTER (triumphantly). It will be announced to-night. "Mr. Devenish," I +shall say, "young fellow--" (He arranges his speech in his mind.) + +BELINDA. So I was right, after all! (Slowly and triumphantly.) He _does_ +look better without a beard! + +BAXTER (making his speech). "Mr. Devenish, young fellow, when you +matched yourself against a man of my repute, when you matched yourself +against a man"--(BELINDA has slipped out, to enjoy her happiness +alone)--"who has read papers at soirees of the Royal Statistical +Society; when--er--" + +[He looks round the room and discovers to his amazement that he is +alone. He claps on his bowler-hat, gives another amazed look round, says +with a shrug, "Unusual!" and goes out.] + + + + +ACT III + +[It is after dinner in BELINDA'S hall. BELINDA is lying on the sofa with +a coffee-cup in her hand. DELIA, in the chair on the right, has picked +up "The Lute of Love" from a table and is reading it impatiently.] + +DELIA. What rubbish he writes! + +BELINDA (coming back from her thoughts). Who, dear? + +DELIA. Claude--Mr. Devenish. Of course, he's very young. + +BELINDA. So was Keats, darling. + +DELIA. I don't think Claude has had Keats' advantages. Keats started +life as an apothecary. + +BELINDA. So much nicer than a chemist. + +DELIA. Now, Claude started with nothing to do. + +BELINDA (mildly). Do you always call him Claude, darling? I hope you +aren't going to grow into a flirt like that horrid Mrs. Tremayne. + +DELIA. Silly mother! (Seriously) I don't think he'll ever be any good +till he really gets work. Did you notice his hair this evening? + +BELINDA (dreamily). Whose, dear? + +DELIA. Mummy, look me in the eye and tell me you are not being bad. + +BELINDA (innocently). Bad, darling? + +DELIA. You've made Mr. Robinson fall in love with you. + +BELINDA (happily). Have I? + +DELIA. Yes; it's serious this time. He's not like the other two. + +BELINDA. However did you know that? + +DELIA. Oh, I know. + +BELINDA. Darling, I believe you've grown up. It's quite time I settled +down. + +DELIA. With Mr. Robinson? + +(BELINDA looks thoughtfully at DELIA for a little time and then sits +up.) + +BELINDA (mysteriously). Delia, are you prepared for a great secret to be +revealed to you? + +DELIA (childishly). Oh, I love secrets. + +BELINDA (reproachfully). Darling, you mustn't take it like that. This is +a great, deep, dark secret; you'll probably need your sal volatile. + +DELIA (excitedly). Go on! + +BELINDA. Well--(Looking round the room.) Shall we have the lights down a +little? + +DELIA. Go _on_, mummy. + +BELINDA. Well, Mr. Robinson is--(impressively)--is not quite the +Robinson he appears to be. + +DELIA. Yes? + +BELINDA. In fact, child, he is--Hadn't you better come and hold your +mother's hand? + +DELIA (struggling with some emotion). Go _on_. + +BELINDA. Well, Mr. Robinson is a--sort of relation of yours; +in fact--(playing with her rings and looking down coyly)--he is +your--father. (She looks up at DELIA to see how the news is being +received.) Dear one, this is not a matter for mirth. + +DELIA (coming over and kissing her). Darling, it is lovely, isn't it? I +am laughing because I am so happy. + +BELINDA. Aren't you surprised? + +DELIA. No. You see, Claude told me this morning. He found out just +before Mr. Baxter. + +BELINDA. Well! Every one seems to have known except me. + +DELIA. Didn't you see how friendly father and I got at dinner? I thought +I'd better start breaking the ice--because I suppose he'll be kissing me +directly. + +BELINDA. Say you like him. + +DELIA. I think he's going to be awfully nice. Does he know you know? +(She goes back to her seat.) + +BELINDA. Not yet. Just at present I've rather got Mr. Baxter on my +mind. I suppose, darling, you wouldn't like him as well as Mr. Devenish! +(Pathetically.) You see, they're so used to going about together. + +DELIA. Claude is quite enough. + +BELINDA. I think I must see Mr. Baxter and get it over. Do you mind if I +have Mr. Devenish too? I feel more at home with both of them. I'll give +you him back. Oh dear, I feel so happy to-night! (She jumps up and goes +over to DELIA.) And is my little girl going to be happy too? That's what +mothers always say on the stage. I think it's so sweet. + +DELIA (smiling at her). Yes, I think so, mummy. Of course, I'm not +romantic like you. I expect I'm more like father, really. + +BELINDA (dreamily). Jack can be romantic now. He was telling me this +morning all about the people he has proposed to. I mean, I was telling +_him_. Anyhow, he wasn't a bit like a father. Of course, he doesn't know +he is a father yet. Darling, I think you might take him into the garden; +only don't let him know who he is. You see, he ought to propose to me +first, oughtn't he? (As the men come in, she gets up.) Here you all are! +I do hope you haven't been throwing away your cigars, because smoking is +allowed all over the house. + +TREMAYNE. Oh, we've finished, thank you. + +BELINDA. Isn't it a wonderful night?--and so warm for April. Delia, you +must show Mr. Robinson the garden by moonlight--it's the only light he +hasn't seen it by. + +DEVENISH (quickly). I don't think I've ever seen it by moonlight, Miss +Delia. + +BELINDA. I thought poets were always seeing things by moonlight. + +BAXTER. I was hoping, Mrs. Tremayne, that--er--perhaps-- + +DELIA. Come along, Mr. Robinson. + +(TREMAYNE _looks at_ BELINDA, who gives him a nod.) + +TREMAYNE. It's very kind of you, Miss Robinson. I suppose there is no +chance of a nightingale? + +BELINDA. There ought to be. I ordered one specially for Mr. Devenish. +(DELIA and TREMAYNE go out together. BELINDA settles herself comfortably +on the sofa.) Now we're together again. Well, Mr. Devenish? + +DEVENISH. Er--I-- + +BELINDA. No; I think I'll let Mr. Baxter speak first. I know he's +longing to. + +BAXTER. Yes. H'r'm! Mrs. Tremayne, I beg formally to claim your hand. + +BELINDA (sweetly). On what grounds, Mr. Baxter? + +DEVENISH (spiritedly). Yes, sir, on what grounds? + +BAXTER. On the grounds that, as I told you this morning, I had succeeded +in the quest. + +DEVENISH (appearing to be greatly surprised). Succeeded? + +BAXTER. Yes, Mr. Devenish, young fellow, you have lost. I have +discovered the missing Mr. Robinson. + +DEVENISH. Who--where-- + +BAXTER (dramatically). Miss Robinson has at this moment gone out with +her father. + +DEVENISH. Good heavens! It was he! + +BELINDA (sympathetically). Poor Mr. Devenish! + +DEVENISH (pointing tragically to the table). And to think that I +actually sat on that table--no, that seat--no, not that one, it was the +sofa--that I sat on the sofa with him this morning, and never guessed! +Why, ten minutes ago I was asking him for the nuts! + +BAXTER. Aha, Devenish, you're not so clever as you thought you were. + +DEVENISH. Why, I must have given you the clue myself! He told me he had +a scar on his arm, and I never thought any more of it. And then I went +away innocently and left you two talking about it. + +BELINDA (alarmed). A scar on his arm? + +DEVENISH. Where a lion mauled him. + +(BELINDA gives a little shudder.) + +BAXTER. It's quite healed up now, Mrs. Tremayne. + +BELINDA (looking at him admiringly). A lion! What you two have +adventured for my sake! + +BAXTER. I suppose you will admit, Devenish, that I may fairly claim to +have won? + +(Looking the picture of despair, DEVENISH droops his head, raises his +arms and lets them fall hopelessly to his sides.) + +BELINDA. Mr. Devenish, I have never admired you so much as I do at this +moment. + +BAXTER (indignantly to DEVENISH). I say, you know, that's not fair. It's +all very well to take your defeat like a man, but you mustn't overdo it. +Mrs. Tremayne, I claim the reward which I have earned. + +BELINDA (after a pause). Mr. Baxter--Mr. Devenish, I have something to +tell you. (Penitently.) I have not been quite frank with you. I think +you both ought to know that--I--I made a mistake. Delia is not my niece; +she is my daughter. + +DEVENISH. Your daughter! I say, how ripping! + +(BELINDA gives him an understanding look.) + +BAXTER. Your daughter! + +BELINDA. Yes. + +BAXTER. But--but you aren't old enough to have a daughter of that age. + +BELINDA (apologetically). Well, there she is. + +BAXTER. But--but she's grown up. + +BELINDA. Quite. + +BAXTER. Then in that case you must be--(He hesitates, evidently working +it out.) + +BELINDA (hastily). I'm afraid so, Mr. Baxter. + +BAXTER. But this makes a great difference. I had no idea. Why, when I'm +fifty you would be-- + +BELINDA (sighing). Yes, I suppose I should. + +BAXTER. And when I'm sixty-- + +BELINDA (pleadingly to DEVENISH). Can't you stop him? + +DEVENISH. Look here, Baxter, another word from you and you'll never +_get_ to sixty. + +BAXTER. And then there's Miss--er--Delia. In the event of our marrying, +Mrs. Tremayne, she, I take it, would be my step-daughter. + +BELINDA. I don't think she would trouble us much, Mr. Baxter. I have +an idea that she will be getting married before long. (She glances at +DEVENISH, who returns her look gratefully.) + +BAXTER. None the less, the fact would be disturbing. I have never yet +considered myself seriously as a step-father. I don't think I am going +too far if I say that to some extent I have been deceived in this +matter. + +BELINDA (reproachfully). And so have I. I thought you loved me. + +DEVENISH (sympathetically). Yes, yes. + +BELINDA (turning to him suddenly). _And_ Mr. Devenish too. + +BAXTER. Er-- + +DEVENISH. Er-- + +(They stand before her guiltily and have nothing to say.) + +BELINDA (with a shrug). Well, I shall have to marry somebody else, +that's all. + +BAXTER. Who? + +BELINDA. I suppose Mr. Robinson. After all, if I am Delia's mother, +and Mr. Baxter says that Mr. Robinson's her father, it's about time we +_were_ married. + +DEVENISH (eagerly). Mrs. Tremayne, what fools we are! He _is_ your +husband all the time! + +BELINDA. Yes. + +BAXTER. You've had a husband all the time? + +BELINDA (apologetically). I lost him; it wasn't my fault. + +BAXTER. Really, this is very confusing. I don't know where I am. I +gather--I am to gather, it seems, that you are no longer eligible as a +possible wife? + +BELINDA. I am afraid not, Mr. Baxter. + +BAXTER. But this is very confusing--this is very disturbing to a man +of my age. For weeks past I have been regarding myself as a--a possible +benedict. I have--ah--taken steps. Only this morning, in writing to +my housekeeper, I warned her that she might hear at any moment a most +startling announcement. + +DEVENISH (cheerfully). Oh, that's all right. That might only mean that +you were getting a new bowler-hat. + +BAXTER (suddenly). Ah, and what about you, sir? How is it that you take +this so lightly? (Triumphantly.) I have it. It all becomes clear to me. +You have transferred your affections to her daughter! + +DEVENISH. Oh, I say, Baxter, this is very crude. + +BELINDA. And why should he not, Mr. Baxter? (Softly.) He has made me +very happy. + +BAXTER. He has made you happy, Mrs. Tremayne! + +BELINDA. Very happy. + +BAXTER (thoughtfully). Ah! (He takes a turn round the room in, silence, +and then comes back to her.) Mrs. Tremayne, I have taken a great +resolve. (Solemnly.) I also will make you happy. (Thumping his heart.) +I also will woo Miss Delia. (Suddenly seizing DEVENISH'S arm) Come, +we will seek Miss Delia together. It may be that she will send us upon +another quest in which I shall again be victorious. (Tempestuously) +Come, I say! (He marches the resisting DEVENISH to the swing doors.) + +DEVENISH (to BELINDA). Please! + +BELINDA (gently). Mr. Baxter... Harold. (BAXTER stops and turns round.) +You are too impetuous. I think that as Delia's mother-- + +BAXTER. Your pardon, Mrs. Tremayne. In the intoxication of the moment I +am forgetting. (Formally.) I have the honour to ask your permission to +pay my addresses-- + +BELINDA. No, no, I didn't mean that. But, as Delia's mother, I ought +to warn you that she is hardly fitted to take the place of your +housekeeper. She is not very domesticated. + +BAXTER (indignantly). Not domesticated? Why, did I not hear her tell her +father at dinner that she had arranged all the flowers? + +BELINDA. There are other things than flowers. + +DEVENISH. Bed-socks, for instance, Baxter. It's a very tricky thing +airing bed-socks. I am sure your house-keeper-- + +BAXTER. Mrs. Tremayne, she will learn. The daughter of such a mother... +I need say no more. + +BELINDA. Oh, thank you. But there is something else, Mr. Baxter. You are +not being quite fair to yourself. In starting out upon this simultaneous +wooing, you forget that Mr. Devenish has already had his turn this +morning alone. You should have yours... alone... too. + +DEVENISH. Oh, I say! + +BAXTER. Yes, yes, you are right. I must introduce myself first as a +suitor. I see that. (To DEVENISH) _You_ stay here; _I_ will go alone +into the garden, and-- + +BELINDA. It is perhaps a little cold out of doors for people of... of +_our_ age, Mr. Baxter. Now, in the library-- + +BAXTER (astonished). Library? + +BELINDA. Yes. + +BAXTER. You have a library? + +BELINDA (to DEVENISH). He doesn't believe I have a library. + +DEVENISH. You ought to see the library, Baxter. + +BAXTER. But you are continually springing surprises on me this evening, +Mrs. Tremayne. First a daughter, then a husband, and then--a library! I +have been here three weeks, and I never knew you had a library. Dear me, +I wonder how it is that I never saw it? + +BELINDA (modestly). I thought you came to see _me_. + +BAXTER. Yes, yes, to see you, certainly. But if I had known you had a +library.... + +BELINDA. Oh, I am so glad I mentioned it. Wasn't it lucky, Mr. Devenish? + +BAXTER. My work has been greatly handicapped of late by lack of certain +books to which I wanted to refer. It would be a great help-- + +BELINDA. My dear Mr. Baxter, my whole library is at your disposal. (To +DEVENISH, as she leads the way to the door, in a confidential whisper.) +I'm just going to show him the "Encyclopedia Britannica." (She smiles +at him, and he opens the door for them both. Then he goes towards the +garden door and looks outside.) + +DELIA (from the garden). Hullo, we're just coming in. (He goes back and +waits for them.) + +TREMAYNE. Where's Mrs. Tremayne? + +DEVENISH. She's gone to the library with Baxter. + +TREMAYNE (carelessly). Oh, the library. Where's that? + +DEVENISH (promptly going towards the door and opening it). The end door +on the right. Right at the end. You can't mistake it. On the right. + +TREMAYNE. Ah, yes. (He looks round at DELIA.) Yes. (He looks at +DEVENISH.) Yes. [He goes out.] + +(DEVENISH hastily shuts the door and comes back to DELIA.) + +DEVENISH. I say, your mother is a ripper. + +DELIA (enthusiastically). Isn't she! (Remembering.) At least, you mean +my aunt? + +DEVENISH (smiling at her). No, I mean your mother. To think that I once +had the cheek to propose to her. + +DELIA. Oh! Is it cheek to propose to people! + +DEVENISH. To _her_. + +DELIA. But not to me? + +DEVENISH. Oh I say, Delia! + +DELIA (with great dignity). Thank you, my name is Miss Robinson--I mean, +Tremayne. + +DEVENISH. Well, if you're not quite sure which it is, it's much safer to +call you Delia. + +DELIA (smiling). Well, perhaps it is. + +DEVENISH. And if I did propose to you, you haven't answered + +DELIA. If you want an answer now, it's no; but if you like to wait till +next April-- + +DEVENISH (reproachfully). Oh, I say, and I cut my hair for you the same +afternoon. You haven't really told me how you like it yet. + +DELIA. Oh, how bad of me! You look lovely. + +DEVENISH. And I promised to give up poetry for your sake. + +DELIA. Perhaps I oughtn't to have asked you that. + +DEVENISH. As far as I'm concerned, Delia, I'll do it gladly, but, of +course, one has to think about posterity. + +DELIA. But you needn't be a poet. You could give posterity plenty to +think about if you were a statesman. + +DEVENISH. I don't quite see your objection to poetry. + +DELIA. You would be about the house so much. I want you to go away every +day and do great things, and then come home in the evening and tell me +all about it. + +DEVENISH. Then you _are_ thinking of marrying me! + +DELIA. Well, I was just thinking in case I had to. + +DEVENISH. It would be rather fun if you did. And look here--I _will_ +be a statesman, if you like, and go up to Downing Street every day, and +come back in the evening and tell you all about it. + +DELIA. How nice of you! + +DEVENISH (magnificently, holding up his hand to Heaven). Farewell, +Parnassus! + +DELIA. What does that mean? + +DEVENISH. Well, it means that I've chucked poetry. A statesman's life is +the life for me; behold Mr. Devenish, the new M.P.--no, look here, that +was quite accidental. + +DELIA (smiling at him). I believe I shall really like you when I get to +know you. + +DEVENISH. I don't know if it's you, or Devonshire, or the fact that +I've had my hair cut, but I feel quite a different being from what I was +three days ago. + +DELIA. You _are_ different. Perhaps it's your sense of humour coming +back. + +DEVENISH. Perhaps that's it. It's a curious feeling. + +DELIA (holding out her hand). Let's go outside; there's a heavenly moon. + +DEVENISH (taking her hand). Moon? Moon? Now where have I heard that word +before? + +DELIA. What _do_ you mean? + +DEVENISH. I was trying not to be a poet. Well, I'll come with you, but +I shall refuse to look at it. (Putting his left hand behind his back, +he walks slowly out with her, saying to himself) The Prime Minister then +left the House. + +[BELINDA and TREMAYNE come from the library.] + +BELINDA (as he opens the door). Thank you. I don't think it's unkind to +leave him, do you? He seemed quite happy. + +TREMAYNE. I shouldn't have been happy if we'd stayed. + +BELINDA (going to the sofa and putting her feet up). Yes, but I was +really thinking of Mr. Baxter. + +TREMAYNE. Not of me? + +BELINDA. Well, I thought it was Mr. Baxter's turn. Poor man, he's had a +disappointment lately. + +TREMAYNE (eagerly). A disappointment? + +BELINDA. Yes, he thought I was--younger than I was. + +TREMAYNE (smiling to himself). How old are you, Belinda? + +BELINDA (dropping her eyes). Twenty-two. (After a pause.) He thought I +was eighteen. Such a disappointment! + +TREMAYNE (smiling openly at her). Belinda, how old are you? + +BELINDA. Just about the right age, Mr. Robinson. + +TREMAYNE. The right age for what? + +BELINDA. For this sort of conversation. + +TREMAYNE. Shall I tell you how old you are? + +BELINDA. Do you mean in figures or--poetically? + +TREMAYNE. I meant-- + +BELINDA. Mr. Devenish said I was as old as the--now, I must get this the +right way round--as old as the-- + +TREMAYNE. I don't want to talk about Mr. Devenish. + +BELINDA (with a sigh). Nobody ever does--except Mr. Devenish. As old as +the stars, and as young as the dawn. (Settling herself cosily.) I think +that's rather a nice age to be, don't you? + +TREMAYNE. A very nice age to be. + +BELINDA. It's a pity he's thrown me over for Delia; I shall miss that +sort of thing rather. You don't say those sort of things about your +aunt-in-law--not so often. + +TREMAYNE (eagerly). He really is in love with Miss Robinson! + +BELINDA. Oh yes. I expect he is out in the moonlight with her now, +comparing her to Diana. + +TREMAYNE. Well, that accounts for _him. _Now what about Baxter? + +BELINDA. I thought I told you. Deeply disappointed to find that I +was four years older than he expected, Mr. Baxter hurried from the +drawing-room and buried himself in a column of the "Encyclopedia +Britannica." + +TREMAYNE. Well, that settles Baxter. Are there any more men in the +neighbourhood? + +BELINDA (shaking her head). Isn't it awful? I've only had those two for +the last three weeks. + +(TREMAYNE sits on the back of the sofa and looks down at her.) + +TREMAYNE. Belinda. + +BELINDA. Yes, Henry! + +TREMAYNE. My name is John. + +BELINDA. Well, you never told me. I had to guess. Everybody thinks they +can call me Belinda without giving me the least idea what their own +names are. You were saying, John? + +TREMAYNE. My friends call me Jack. + +BELINDA. Jack Robinson. That's the man who always goes away so quickly. +I hope you're making more of a stay? + +TREMAYNE. Oh, you maddening, maddening woman! + +BELINDA. Well, I have to keep the conversation going. You do nothing but +say "Belinda." + +TREMAYNE (taking her hand). Have you ever loved anybody seriously, +Belinda? + +BELINDA. I don't ever do anything very seriously. The late Mr. Tremayne, +my first husband--Jack--Isn't it funny, _his_ name was Jack--he used to +complain about it too sometimes. + +TREMAYNE (with conviction). Silly ass! + +BELINDA. Ah, I think you are a little hard on the late Mr. Tremayne. + +TREMAYNE. Has he been dead long? + +BELINDA. Dead to me. + +TREMAYNE. You quarrelled? + +BELINDA. Yes. It was his fault entirely. + +TREMAYNE. I'm sure it was. + +BELINDA. How sweet of you to say that! + +TREMAYNE. Belinda, I want you to marry me and forget about him. + +BELINDA (happily to herself). This is the proposal that those lamb +cutlets interrupted this morning. + +TREMAYNE. Belinda, I love you--do you understand? + +BELINDA. Suppose my first husband turns up suddenly like--like E. A.? + +TREMAYNE. Like who? + +BELINDA. Well, like anybody. + +TREMAYNE. He won't--I know he won't. Don't you love me enough to risk +it, Belinda? + +BELINDA. I haven't really said I love you at all yet. + +TREMAYNE. Well, say it now. (BELINDA looks at him, and then down again.) +You do! Well, I'm going to have a kiss, anyway, (He comes round the sofa +and kisses her quickly.) There! + +BELINDA (rising). O-oh! The late Mr. Tremayne never did that. + +TREMAYNE. I have already told you that he was a silly ass. (Sitting down +on the sofa) Belinda-- + +BELINDA. Yes, Henry--I mean, Jack? + +TREMAYNE. Do you know who I am! (He is thoroughly enjoying the surprise +he is about to give her.) + +BELINDA (nodding). Yes, Jack. + +TREMAYNE. Who? + +BELINDA. Jack Tremayne. + +TREMAYNE (jumping up). Good heavens, you _know_! + +BELINDA (gently). Yes, Jack. + +TREMAYNE (angrily). You've known all the time that I was your husband, +and you've been playing with me and leading me on? + +BELINDA (mildly). Well, darling, you knew all the time that I was your +wife, and you've been making love to me and leading me on. + +TREMAYNE. That's different. + +BELINDA. That's _just_ what the late Mr. Tremayne said, and then he +slammed the door and went straight off to the Rocky Mountains and shot +bears; and I didn't see him again for eighteen years. + +TREMAYNE (remorsefully). Darling, I was a fool then, and I'm a fool now. + +BELINDA. I was a fool then, but I'm not such a fool now--I'm not going +to let you go. It's quite time I married and settled down. + +TREMAYNE. You darling! How did you find out who I was? + +BELINDA (awkwardly). Well, it was rather curious, darling. (After a +pause.) It was April, and I felt all sort of Aprily, and--and--there was +the garden all full of daffodils--and--and there was Mr. Baxter--the one +we left in the library--knowing all about moles. He's probably got the +M volume down now. Well, we were talking about them one day, and I +happened to say that the late Mr. Tremayne--that was you, darling--had +rather a peculiar one on his arm. And then he happened to see it this +morning and told me about it. + +TREMAYNE. What an extraordinary story! + +BELINDA. Yes, darling; it's really much more extraordinary than that. +I think perhaps I'd better tell you the rest of it another time. +(Coaxingly.) Now show me where the nasty lion scratched you. (TREMAYNE +pulls up his sleeve.) Oh! (She kisses his arm.) You shouldn't have left +Chelsea, darling. + +TREMAYNE. I should never have found you if I hadn't. + +BELINDA (squeezing his arm). No, Jack, you wouldn't. (After a pause.) +I--I've got another little surprise for you if--if you're ready for it. +(Standing up) Properly speaking, I ought to be wearing white. I shall +certainly stand up while I'm telling you. (Modestly.) Darling, we have a +daughter--our little Delia. + +TREMAYNE. Delia? You said her name was Robinson. + +BELINDA. Yes, darling, but you said yours was. One always takes one's +father's name. Unless, of course, you were Lord Robinson. + +TREMAYNE. But you said her name was Robinson before you--oh, never mind +about that. A daughter? Belinda, how could you let me go and not tell +me? + +BELINDA. You forget how you'd slammed the door. It isn't the sort of +thing you shout through the window to a man on his way to America. + +TREMAYNE (taking her in his arms). Oh, Belinda, don't let me ever go +away again. + +BELINDA. I'm not going to, Jack. I'm going to settle down into a staid +old married woman. + +TREMAYNE. Oh no, you're not. You're going on just as you did before. And +I'm going to propose to you every April, and win you, over all the other +men in love with you. + +BELINDA. You darling! + +[DELIA and DEVENISH come in from the garden.] + +TREMAYNE (quietly to BELINDA). Our daughter. + +DELIA (going up to TREMAYNE). You're my father. + +TREMAYNE. If you don't mind very much, Delia. + +DELIA. You've been away a long time. + +TREMAYNE. I'll do my best to make up for it. + +BELINDA. Delia, darling, I think you might kiss your poor old father. + +(As the does to, DEVENISH suddenly and hastily kisses BELINDA on the +cheek.) + +DEVENISH. Just in case you're going to be my mother-in-law. + +TREMAYNE. We seem to be rather a family party. + +BELINDA (suddenly). There! We've forgotten Mr. Baxter again. + +BAXTER (who has come in quietly with a book in his hand). Oh, don't mind +about me, Mrs. Tremayne. I've enjoyed myself immensely. (Referring to +his book.) I have been collecting some most valuable information on +(looking round at them) lunacy in the--er--county of _Devonshire_. + + + + +THE RED FEATHERS + +AN OPERETTA IN ONE ACT + + +[In the living-room of a country-house, half farm, half manor, a MOTHER +and her DAUGHTER are sitting. It is any year you please--between, let +us say, the day when the fiddle first came to England and the day when +Romance left it. As for the time of the year, let us call it May. Oh +yes, it is certainly May, and about twelve o'clock, and the DAUGHTER is +singing at the spinet, while her MOTHER is at her needlework. Through +the lattice windows the murmur of a stream can be heard, on whose +banks--but we shall come to that directly. Let us listen now to what the +DAUGHTER is singing:] + + Life passes by. + I do not know its pleasure or its pain-- + The Spring was here, the Spring is here again, + The Spring will die. + + Life passes by. + The doors of Pain and Pleasure open wide, + The crowd streams in--and I am left outside.... + They know; not I. + +[You don't like it? Neither did her Mother.] + +MOTHER (looking up from her work). Yes, I should call that a melancholy +song, dear. + +DAUGHTER. It is sung by a melancholy person, Mother. + +MOTHER. Why are you that, child? + +DAUGHTER (getting up). I want so much that I shall never have. + +MOTHER. Well, so do we all. + +DAUGHTER (impatiently). Oh, why does nothing ever happen? We sit here +all day, and we sing or do our embroidery, and we go to bed, and the +next day we get up and do the same things over again, and so it goes on. +Mother, is that all there is in the world? + +MOTHER. It's all there is in our world. + +DAUGHTER. Are we so very poor? + +MOTHER. We have the house--and very little else. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, I wish that we were _really_ poor-- + +MOTHER. You needn't wish, child. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, but I mean so that it wouldn't matter what clothes we +wore; so that we could wander over the hills and down into the valleys, +and sleep perhaps in a barn and bathe ourselves in the brook next +morning, and-- + +MOTHER. I don't think I should like that very much. Perhaps I'm +peculiar. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, if only I were a boy to go out and make my own way in the +world. Would you let me go, Mother, if I were a boy? + +MOTHER. I don't suppose you'd ask me, dear. + +DAUGHTER (sighing). Oh, well! We must make the best of it, I suppose. +Perhaps one day something will happen. (She goes back to the spinet and +sings again.) + + _Lads and lasses, what will you sell, + What will you sell?_ + + Four stout walls and a roof atop, + Warm fires gleaming brightly, + Well-stored cellar and garnered crop, + Money-bags packed tightly; + An ordered task in an ordered day, + And a sure bed nightly; + Years which peacefully pass away, + Until Death comes lightly. + + _Lads and lasses, what will you buy? + What will you buy?_ + + Here is a cap to cover your head, + A cap with one red feather; + Here is a cloak to make your bed + Warm or winter weather; + Here is a satchel to store your ware, + Strongly lined with leather; + And here is a staff to take you there + When you go forth together. + + _Lads and lasses, what will you gain, + What will you gain?_ + + Chatter of rooks on tall elm-trees + New Spring houses taking; + Daffodils in an April breeze + Golden curtsies making; + Shadows of clouds across the weald + From hill to valley breaking, + The first faint stir which the woodlands yield + When the world is waking. + + _Lads and lasses, this is your gain, + This is your gain._ + +(Towards the end of the song the face and shoulders of the TALKER appear +at the open lattice window on the left. He listens with a bland and +happy smile until the song is finished.) + +TALKER. Brava! Brava! (They turn round towards the window in +astonishment.) A vastly pleasing song, vastly well sung. Mademoiselle +Nightingale, permit me to felicitate you. (Turning to the Mother) The +Mother of the Nightingale also. Mon Dieu, what is voice, of a richness, +of a purity! To live with it always! Madame, I felicitate you again. + +MOTHER. I must ask you, sir, to explain the meaning of this intrusion. + +TALKER. Intrusion? Oh, fie! Madame, not intrusion. My feet stand +upon the highway. The road, Madame, is common to all. I can quote you +Rex--What does Rex, cap. 27, para. 198, say? _Via_, says Rex, meaning +the road; _communis_ is common; _omnibus_ to all, meaning thereby--but +perchance I weary you? + +DAUGHTER. Mother, who is he? + +TALKER. Ah, Mademoiselle Nightingale, you may indeed ask. Who is he? Is +he the Pope of Rome? Nay, he is not the Pope of Rome. Is he the Cham of +Tartary? Nay, he is not the Cham of Tartary, for an he were the Cham of +Tartary-- + +MOTHER. I beg you, sir, to tell us as shortly as you can who you are and +what you want. + +TALKER. Madam, by nature I am a taciturn man; Silent John I am named by +my friends. I am a glum body, a reserved creature. These things you will +have already noticed. But now I will commit to you it secret, known only +to my dearest friends. Uncommunicative as I am by nature (he disappears +and reappears at the middle window), I am still more so when compelled +to hold converse with two such ornaments of their sex (he disappears +and reappears at the right-hand window) through a lattice window. Am I +getting any nearer the door? + +MOTHER (resigned). Pray, sir, come in and tell us all about it. I see +that we must have your tale. + +TALKER. To be exact, Madame, I have two tails who follow me about +everywhere. One is of my own poor sex, a man, a thing of whiskers; the +other has the honour to belong to that sex which--have I said it?--you +and Mademoiselle so adorn. Have I your ladyship's permission? + +DAUGHTER (eagerly). Oh, Mother, let them come. + +MOTHER. Well, I suppose I must have you all. + +TALKER (with a bow). Madame, I shall never forget this. Though I live +to be ninety-three, this will always be engraved upon my memory. My +grandchildren climbing upon my knee will wonder sometimes of what +the old man is thinking. Little will they know--But I will attend you +further within. [He bows and disappears.] + +DAUGHTER. Mother, something _is_ going to happen at last. + +MOTHER. Oh, child, were you as weary as that? + +[The TALKER comes in at the door, followed by the SINGER and the +FIDDLER. The SINGER is a pleasant-looking man of middle height, the +FIDDLER a tall, silent girl. The TALKER himself is short and round, with +a twinkling eye. Each wears a cap with a red feather in it.] + +TALKER. Madame, your humble and most devoted servants. I have the +honour to present to you her Royal Sweetness the Princess Carissima, His +Flutiness the Duke of Bogota, and myself a mere Marquis. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, Mother, they're wandering minstrels. + +MOTHER. I bid you all welcome, sir. + +TALKER. Permit me to expound further. The Princess--a courtesy title +bestowed by myself last Michaelmas Day--plays upon the fiddle with an +unerring beauty which makes strong men weep. You shall hear her. I pray +you have your handkerchers ready. His Flutiness the Duke--the title was +granted last Candlemas--has a voice of a rare richness. He is cursed +with a melancholy disposition most pleasing. He suffers from a surfeit +of rejected love. A most waggish companion withal. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, what a shame! + +SINGER. You must not believe all that Johannes says, ladies. + +MOTHER. I had already learnt that much, sir. + +TALKER. For myself, I play upon the pipe. You shall hear. (He plays +"cuckoo" with an air.) + +SINGER. The only notes he knows, ladies. + +TALKER (indignantly). Oh, fie, Sir, fie! I protest, Madame, he maligns +me. Have I not a G of surpassing splendour, of a fruitiness rarely +encountered in this vale of tears? Madame, you must hear my G. Now, +where is it? (He arranges his fingers with great care on the pipe.) +I have it. (He blows a G, and bows deeply first to MOTHER and then to +DAUGHTER.) + +SINGER. Marvellous! + +MOTHER (to TALKER). I thank you, Sir. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, Mother, isn't he splendid? + +TALKER (to MOTHER). Would you like my G again, Madame? + +MOTHER. Not just now, I thank you, sir. Doubtless we shall feel more in +need of it a little later on. But tell me, Sir, have you no other talent +to match the singing and playing of your friends? + +FIDDLER. He talks. + +MOTHER. I had noticed it. + +TALKER. This gift of talking with which her Royal Sweetness is good +enough to credit me, irksome though it is to a man of silent habit like +myself, a creature, as you will have noticed, of taciturn disposition; +this--I--(Frankly) Madame, I have lost that sentence. Have I your +gracious permission to begin again? + +MOTHER. I think it would be better, Sir. + +TALKER. Then, to put it shortly, Madame-- + +MOTHER. If you could, sir. + +TALKER. To be completely frank in this matter, Madame, I--er--go round +with the hat. It is a sordid but necessary business. + +DAUGHTER (eagerly). Oh, I hope they give you plenty of money. + +TALKER. Enough to support life, Mademoiselle. The hungry look which you +observe upon His Flutiness is, as I have explained, due to melancholy. + +DAUGHTER. You are going to perform, aren't you? + +TALKER. Of a surety, Mademoiselle. Perhaps I should add that for myself +I am resting just now, and that my part of the performance will be +limited to nothing more than a note or two upon the pipe. + +MOTHER (with a friendly smile). Sir, you are generous. We shall be glad +to hear your friends. + +(The TALKER bows and turns to his company.) + +TALKER. A song, good Master Duke, a song which her Royal Sweetness will +accompany upon the fiddle. Let it end, I pray you, with a G, so that I +may bring the thing to a climax upon the last note. + +FIDDLER (to SINGER). Morland Hill. + +SINGER. You like that? (She nods.) Very well. (He sings.) + + Oh, when the wind is in the North, + I take my staff and sally forth; + And when it whistles from the East + I do not mind it in the least; + The warm wind murmurs through the trees + Its messages from Southern seas; + But after all perhaps the best + Is that which whispers from the West. + + Oh let the wind, the wind be what it will, + So long as I may walk on Morland Hill! + + The staff which helps to carry me, + I cut it from the Hazel-tree; + But once I had a cudgel torn + Most circumspectly from the Thorn; + I know a fellow, far from rash, + Who swears entirely by the Ash; + And all good travellers invoke + A blessing on the mighty Oak. + + Oh let the wood, the wood be what it will, + So long as I may walk on Morland Hill! + + Some years ago I gave my heart + To Prue until we had to part; + Then, seeing Susan's pretty face, + I left it with her for a space; + And Susan had my heart until + I wanted it for Mistress Jill; + I think, although I am not clear, + That Chloe's had it this last year. + + Oh let the wench, the wench be whom you will, + So long as I may walk on Morland Hill! + +(The TALKER comes in proudly on the last note and takes most of the +applause.) + +DAUGHTER. I'm not sure that I like that last verse. + +TALKER. Oh, you mustn't believe all he sings. A cursed melancholy fellow +by nature. But waggish--waggish withal. + +SINGER (to DAUGHTER). We have to sing what the poets write for us, +Mademoiselle. Had I written a song myself, it had been about one woman +only. + +TALKER. And there would have been a hundred and twenty-five verses to +it. + +MOTHER. Your song was well sung, sir; I thank you for it. (To the +FIDDLER) Will you not play us something now? + +FIDDLER. If you wish it. + +TALKER. You would wish me to accompany her, of course. + +MOTHER (with a smile). It is kind of you, sir, but I think perhaps my +daughter-- + +DAUGHTER (eagerly). Yes, of course, I will if I can. (She goes to the +spinet.) + +FIDDLER (playing a few notes). Do you know this? + +DAUGHTER. Yes, I think so. (She plays. At the end of it the TALKER finds +himself bowing to the applause.) + +TALKER. And now, Madame, you have had a sample of all our poor talents, +save and except that paltry talent of mine which in other company +concludes such a performance. I pray you tell me what you think of the +entertainment. + +MOTHER. I have enjoyed it immensely, good Master Johannes. And if you +did wish to exercise that talent of yours, of which so far we have only +heard-- + +TALKER. Nay, nay, Madame, I beg you. + +MOTHER. Then, Sir, I offer you my grateful thanks for your +entertainment. + +DAUGHTER. And I too. + +TALKER. Ladies, you are too kind--er--(he hesitates)--er-- + +MOTHER. Yes? + +TALKER, The fact is, Madame, that now we approach or, so to speak, +draw nigh or adjacent--in other words, Madame, we are perilously +approximate-- + +FIDDLER. Tell her straight out. + +MOTHER. Tell her what? + +FIDDLER. What we've come for. + +SINGER. Master Johannes, Madam, is so accustomed when he goes round with +the hat to disguise under it flow of words the fact that money is as +necessary to an artist as applause, that he has lost the habit of saying +anything in less than ten sentences. + +TALKER (mournfully). And yet I am a taciturn man. + +MOWER. Well, will somebody tell me, for I confess I have been wondering +what is behind it all. + +FIDDLER. Tell her, Johannes. + +TALKER. If you will allow me, Madame. But tell me first, did you notice +anything lacking in our performance? + +MOTHER (surprised). No; I don't think so. + +TALKER (to DAUGHTER). Perhaps you, Mademoiselle? + +DAUGHTER (shyly). It seemed to lack a woman's voice, sir. + +TALKER (admiringly). What intelligence! What profundity! (To MOTHER) +Madam, I felicitate you again on your daughter. Unerringly she has laid +her finger on the weak joint in our armour. We have no woman's voice. + +MOTHER. Well, Sir, I don't see how I can help you. + +TALKER. Madame, you have a nightingale. It has lived in a cage all its +life. It looks through the bars sometimes, and sees the great world +outside, and sighs and turns back to its business of singing. Madame, it +would sing better outside in the open air, with the other birds. + +MOTHER. I don't understand you, sir. Are you referring to my daughter? + +TALKER (looking towards the window). There is a stream which runs beyond +the road, with a green bank to it. We were seated on that bank, I and +my two companions, eating our bread and cheese, and washing it down with +draughts from that good stream. We were tired, for we had come from over +the hills that morning, and it was good to lie on our backs there and +watch the little clouds taking shape after shape in the blue, and so +to dream our dreams. In a little while the road would take us westward, +here through a wood banked with primroses, there across a common or +between high spring hedges with the little stream babbling ever at the +side of us. And in the evening we would come to an inn, where there +would be good company, and we would sing and play to them, and they +would reward us. (With a shrug) It is a pleasant life. + +DAUGHTER (eagerly). Oh, go on! + +MOTHER. Yes, go on, Sir. + +TALKER. We were lying on our backs thus, Madame, when we heard the +nightingale. "Duke," says I, "it is early yet for the nightingale." His +Flutiness removes his cap from his face, takes a squint at the sun, and +says "Monstrous early, good Master Johannes," and claps his cap +back again. "What says you, Fiddler," says I, "in this matter of +nightingales? Is it possible," says I; "the sun being where it is, and +nightingales being what they are--to wit, nightingales?" "It's not a +nightingale," says Fiddler dreamily, "it's a girl." "Then," says I, +jumping up, "it is a girl we want. She must put the red feather in +her cap, and come her ways with us." (With a bow) Madame, your humble +servant. + +DAUGHTER. Oh, Mother, you will let me go, won't you? I must, I must! He +is quite right. I'm caged here. Oh, you will let me see something of the +world before I grow old! + +FIDDLER (suddenly). Yes, let her come. If she feels like that, she ought +to come. + +SINGER (with a very winning smile). We will take great care of her, +Madame, as if she were our own sister. + +MOTHER (surprisingly to JOHANNES). What do you think of cider as a +drink, Master Johannes? + +TALKER (who had not expected it, but is always ready). Cider--ah, +there's a drink! Oh, I can talk to you about cider, glum body as I am by +nature, having been as it were taciturn from birth. Yet of cider I could +talk you-- + +MOTHER. Ours is considered very good cider. (To her daughter) Take them, +child, and give them such refreshment as they want. They have deserved +it for their entertainment. + +DAUGHTER. Why, of course, Mother. Come this way please. + +[She leads the way, and the others follow, the TALKER coming last and +murmuring "Cider" to himself.] + +MOTHER. Master Johannes. (He turns round.) A word with you, if you +please, sir. + +TALKER. But certainly, Madame. The cider will be all the better for the +expectation. + +MOTHER. Sit down, please. (He does so.) Master Johannes, who are you, +all of you? + +TALKER. I thought I had explained, Madame. Her Royal Sweetness Princess +Carissima, His Flutiness the Duke of Bogota, and myself a humble +Marquis. We may be referred to collectively as the Red Feathers. For +myself I am sometimes called Silent John, being of a close disposition. + +MOTHER. Whatever you are called, you are, I think, a man of the world, +and you will understand that if I am to trust my daughter to you, for +however little a time, I must know something more about you. + +TALKER. Madame, I will make a confession to you, a confession I have +never yet made to man, woman, or child. I am forty-six years of age; it +is, in fact, my birthday. Were I to begin to tell you something +about myself, starting from that day, forty-six years ago, when I was +born--were I to begin--well, Madame, I am only too ready to begin. It is +a subject I find vastly pleasant. But, (looking at her comically) shall +I begin? + +MOTHER (with a smile). Would you make it so long a story, sir? + +TALKER (with a sigh). The tongue is an unruly member, and to one who has +but three notes on the pipe, and yet desires to express himself, talking +is a great comfort. + +MOTHER. I said you were a man of the world, sir. May I say now that I +think you must be a man of _our_ world? + +TALKER. I am a man of many worlds. But if it would comfort your mother's +heart to know that your daughter will be in good company, I think I can +give you that comfort. + +MOTHER. Is that all you can give me? + +(The TALKER gets up and walks about, frowning to himself. Suddenly he +takes out his pipe, plays "cuckoo" to himself very solemnly, and is +immensely relieved thereby. He comes back to the MOTHER with a beaming +face.) + +TALKER. Madame, I will tell you a story. (Holding up his hand to stop +any expostulation) No, quite a short one. Once on a time there was +a certain noble gentleman, a baron of estates and family. Conceiving +himself to be in love, he dared to put it to the touch to win or lose +it all. I regret to say that he lost it all. In a fit of melancholy +he abjured society, cursed all women and took to the road. A pleasant +melancholy gentleman. I made him a duke. + +MOTHER (eagerly, indicating the door out of which the duke has just +gone). You mean he really is-- + +TALKER. We will name no names, madame. I doubt not I have no right to +speak of him to another. It is just a story. (Putting his pipe to his +lips) Cuck-oo! + +MOTHER. Poor child, she is not happy here. We live so quietly; we have +no neighbours. I have wondered what to do--it seemed that I could do so +little. If only I could be sure--(Suddenly) Master Johannes, do you like +the look of this house with its little stream opposite, and the green +bank running down, on which one may lie on one's back and look up at the +sky? + +TALKER. Did we not single it out above all others by having our bread +and cheese outside it? + +MOTHER. Will you all stay with me for a little? I think I can find room +for you. Before I can lend my daughter to you, I feel that I must know +something of you. I think that is the best way, is it not? (With a very +friendly smile) The cider is good, you know. + +TALKER (rising and boning). Madame, we need say no more. + +[The other three come in. The DAUGHTER has found from somewhere a cap +with a red feather in it. They stand in a row opposite the MOTHER, and +to the FIDDLER'S accompaniment sing a merry song.] + + TOGETHER. The cuckoo comes in April, + Sings his song in May, + Changes his tune in the middle of June, + And then he flies away. + + HE. The cuckoo comes when April's here-- + He is not very good, I fear. + He goes and takes another nest-- + Perhaps he does it for the best. + Cuckoo! Cuckoo!... + + SHE. When April's over he begins + Repenting of his former sins; + From tree to tree he takes his way, + But this is all he finds to say: + Cuckoo! Cuckoo!... + + HE. By June he gets a trifle flat, + Which is not to be wondered at, + And critical observers note + A huskiness about the throat. + (Huskily) Cuckoo! Cuckoo!... + + SHE. Alas! he does not stay for long, + But other birds take up the song + Of summer gently following + The wild and happy days of Spring. + Cuckoo! + +(The TALKER conducts with his pipe in his hand, and hums "La, la, la!" +to himself. He pipes the chorus with them. At the conclusion they all +bow or curtsey deeply to the MOTHER.) + +MOTHER (half laughing, half crying). Oh! + +TALKER (suddenly and dramatically, holding up his hand). Listen! + +EVERYBODY. What? + +TALKER. Didn't I hear somebody say "cider"? + +*** + +(It is eight days later when we see them again. The DAUGHTER is at the +spinet, playing an accompaniment to the song which she and the SINGER +are sharing for the moment.) + + SHE. He does not know I love him, + He does not care; + The sky is blue above him, + The road is there + For those who dare-- + Alas! why should he care? + + HE. She does not know I love her, + She does not know; + The sky is blue above her, + The soft winds blow + Where violets grow-- + Alas! how should she know? + + TOGETHER. Yet those who sing + About the Spring + All say it should bring + Two lovers together! + Oh where, oh where + Will you find a pair + So matched as you and I, love? + Come rain or shine, + Come wet or fine, + If you are mine + What matter the weather? + Oh take my hand + And kiss me and + Confess that you are my love. + + HE. She does not know I love her-- + Ah yes, she knows; + The sky is blue above her, + The buds disclose + The first wild rose-- + Ah yes, she knows, she knows! + + SHE. He cares not that I love him-- + Ah yes, he cares; + The sky is blue above him, + A thrush declares + The world is theirs-- + Ah yes, how much he cares! + +TOGETHER. For those who sing, etc. + +DAUGHTER (looking up at him). It is a pretty song. + +SINGER. The words, I thought, were good. I liked the words. + +DAUGHTER. Who thinks of the words of a song if the tune be pretty? + +SINGER. But if the heart of the singer be in the words? + +DAUGHTER (suddenly, as, she gets up). Tell me about Chloe. + +SINGER (surprised). Chloe? + +DAUGHTER. Or whatever her name was. + +SINGER (hurt). I am not sure that I understand this conversation. + +DAUGHTER. I mean the first one. + +SINGER. I am not sure that I like this conversation. + +DAUGHTER. She was the first, wasn't she--the one who made you renounce +the world and take to the road? + +SINGER (stiffly). Her name was not Chloe. + +DAUGHTER (coaxingly). What was it? + +SINGER (annoyed). Why rake up the dead ashes of the past? I was but a +boy. It was five months ago. Besides, her name was Penelope. + +DAUGHTER. You still remember it, though it was so long ago? + +SINGER. I could have pretended to have forgotten, if it would have +pleased you better. + +DAUGHTER (coldly). I? Oh, I am not interested. + +SINGER. Well, _I_ didn't start the subject. Perhaps, as neither of us is +interested, I had better withdraw. Since we are to start this afternoon, +I have much to see about. (Bowing) With your permission. + +DAUGHTER (stopping him). Don't go. I am sorry. I have been unkind. + +SINGER (smiling). Shall we practise that other song? Our voices agree, +if our--our hearts do not. + +DAUGHTER (distressed). Oh, don't say that. We must be friends. + +SINGER. Only friends? + +DAUGHTER (gently). Tell me about her. + +SINGER. There is not much to tell, dear. I thought she loved me. Perhaps +that was why I thought I loved her. When I told her, she pretended to +be surprised. I don't think she was surprised. She was very pretty. (He +pauses.) + +DAUGHTER. And hard? + +SINGER. It is not for me to say anything against her. It is through her +that I came here. + +DAUGHTER. When you came here the other day, had you forgotten her? + +SINGER (singing). "Oh, let the wench, the wench be whom she will, so +long as I can walk on Morland Hill." Didn't I say so on that first day? + +DAUGHTER. Of course, I know very little of the world, but I do wonder +sometimes if people who sing about the joys of wandering are really +enjoying it all the time. + +SINGER (looking round at the window). Is Johannes about? + +DAUGHTER (surprised). No. + +SINGER. Then I will be frank with you. Just lately _I_ have been +wondering too. + +DAUGHTER. Oh! + +SINGER (rapidly). I have a house; you would like my house. I have a +park; you would like the park. Horses to ride and jewels to wear. I go +to London sometimes and see the King; you would like London. + +DAUGHTER (tragically). I have never been to London. + +SINGER (letting himself go suddenly). Sweetheart, all that I have--(In +an ordinary whisper) Be careful, Fiddler just went past the window. +(Keeping his arm round her, he breaks into the last line or two of his +song. She joins in, as if they were rehearsing.) + +[Enter the FIDDLER.] + +SINGER (to DAUGHTER). Yes, I think we have it pretty well now. 'Tis a +good song. (Turning round suddenly and seeing the FIDDLER). Ah, Fiddler, +are you there? What do you think of it? + +FIDDLER. Isn't it time to start? + +SINGER. To start? Ah yes, we start this afternoon. Well, we have had a +pleasant holiday and must get to work again. + +DAUGHTER (eagerly). And I am coming with you. + +FIDDLER. It is settled? + +DAUGHTER. Oh yes, I think so. + +FIDDLER. It is the best life. (TO DAUGHTER) Play something. + +[As the DAUGHTER goes to the spinet, the SINGER goes out.] + +(They play. When it is over, the DAUGHTER turns round and looks at the +FIDDLER, and sighs.) + +DAUGHTER. That is all you want? Just you and your fiddle and the open +road? + +FIDDLER. It is the best life. + +[The TALKER appears at the window.] + +TALKER. Aha! what did I hear? Did I hear our loquacious Fiddler +perorating upon Life? "Life," quoth she, with much argument and +circumstantial matter; "Life," she continued, making her points singly +and one by one, thus keeping the business in its true perspective; "Life +is--" (Lamely) Well, what is life? + +FIDDLER. When do we start, Johannes? + +[The DAUGHTER goes out.] + +TALKER. Are you so eager to be gone? + +FIDDLER. We have been here eight days. + +TALKER. Eight days! And Troy was besieged for eleven years! Eight days! +Why, I could talk for eight days without taking breath, and I am by +nature a glum, silent man. Nay, nay, say not to me "Eight days." Eight +days will not make a man grow old or a woman lose her beauty. (The +MOTHER comes into the room.) Or a woman lose her beauty--Madame, I kiss +your hands. Were I of less girth I would flit through the window and +fall upon my knees at your feet. (The FIDDLER with a shrug goes out.) +As it is, I shall enter by the door in the usual way. I have your +permission? + +MOTHER (smiling). You asked my permission a week ago. You do not need to +ask it now. + +TALKER (still at the window). It has been a happy week. The week has +liked me well. + +MOTHER. You take the road again this afternoon. Your plan still holds? + +TALKER (with a sigh). They say so, lady. + +MOTHER. Who say so? Is not Master Johannes the master of his company? +Who say so? + +TALKER. The birds. I held converse with a cuckoo-bird this morning. +"Cuckoo," he said--in this manner (he imitates it on his pipe)--meaning, +as I gathered, "O fool!" I bowed low to him, and "Pardon, bird," said +I,--"but I would have you tell me why I am a fool." He answered thus in +parables--"Cuckoo." + +MOTHER. And what did _that_ mean? + +TALKER (sighing). It meant, "There's no fool like an old fool." + +(She looks away. He waits a little, then sighs again and leaves the +window, entering a moment later by the door.) + +MOTHER (looking up). Well, Sir? + +TALKER. Madame, I am a man of good family, although--although I +quarrelled with my good family. I left them many years ago and took to +the road. I have seen something of the world since then, but I think I +must always have had at the back of my mind some dim picture of what a +home was--some ancient memory, perhaps. That memory has been very strong +within me these last days. + +MOTHER. You have liked my home, Master Johannes? + +TALKER. I have liked it well. (He takes out his pipe and plays a +melancholy "Cuckoo.") Well, well--we start this afternoon. + +MOTHER. You want my daughter? + +TALKER (sadly). Not your daughter, Madame. + +MOTHER. What is it you want? Are you so backward in asking? It is not +like the Master Johannes who came to my house eight days ago. + +TALKER (taking his courage in his hands). Madame, though I have wandered +about the world, I have saved some pennies in my time. A few trifling +coins--enough for middle-age. Since I have had the great honour of +knowing you--(He breaks of as the voice of the SINGER to full song +is heard approaching.) Oh, God bless that poor young fool! Madame, I +entreat you-- + +MOTHER (rising and moving hastily away). Another time, dear +Johannes--(she smiles very fondly at him as she goes out)--another time +you must tell me--all. + +(The TALKER stares after her, hardly believing. Then, with an air +of solemn happiness, he takes out his pipe and dances carefully but +cheerfully round the room, piping to himself. The SINGER comes in +singing merrily, He joins the TALKER at the end of the room, turns round +with hint and trips up and down the room with him, one singing and the +other piping.) + +TALKER. Friend, we are gay. + +SINGER. Very, very gay, Master Johannes. (They turn round and go up and +down the room as before.) + +TALKER. Something is stirring our middle-aged blood. I feel years +younger. + +SINGER. I have only just been born. + +TALKER (with a wave of the hand): Shall we take another turn? + +SINGER. At your pleasure. (They go up and down as before.) + +TALKER (looking at the other anxiously out of the corners of his eyes). +What do you think has happened to us? + +SINGER (with a similar look). I--I wonder. + +TALKER (nervously). I suppose the fact that we are going off this +afternoon--the joy of returning to our old gay life is--is affecting us? + +SINGER. I--I suppose so. (Without enthusiasm) Yes, that must be it. + +TALKER. This cauliflower existence, this settled life which even the +least enterprising cabbage would find monotonous, we have had more than +enough of it, my friend. + +SINGER. Yes. (He sighs deeply.) I sigh to think how we have wasted these +eight days. + +TALKER. Ah! (He sighs still more deeply.) However, Heaven be praised, we +are for the road this afternoon. + +SINGER (gloomily). Heaven be praised! It is a grand life. + +TALKER (carelessly). Of course, if you came to me and said, "Johannes," +you said, "I left my home in a fit of melancholy five months agone; the +melancholy is cured, I will return home again"--why, I would say, "God +bless you, Master Duke; go your way." Well, I can understand such a +thing happening to a man of your age, not born to the wandering as I am. + +SINGER. Bless you, Johannes, you are a true gentleman. + +TALKER (airily). Say no more, say no more. + +SINGER. But I cannot accept this sacrifice. I pledged myself to serve +you for a year, and I'll keep my pledge. + +TALKER (considerably upset by this). Wait a moment, Master Duke; I have +myself thought of retiring these many months past. Indeed, it was only +for your sake-- + +SINGER. No, no, I cannot allow it. It is only for my sake that you are +saying this. We will take the road this afternoon. (Heroically) Indeed, +I would infinitely prefer it. I am enamoured of the wandering life. + +TALKER. It is a great life. It means everything to me. + +(They stand side by side looking gloomily in front of them. Gradually +they begin to glance towards each other; they catch each other's +eyes--and understand each other thoroughly.) + +TALKER (clapping the SINGER heartily on the back). I knew it, I knew it! +You and the wandering life! + +SINGER (delightedly). You, too, Johannes! You've had enough of it! + +(They suddenly turn round and go up and down the room together, piping +and singing. A genteel cough is heard outside the window, and the MOTHER +is seen for a moment. The TALKER turns round with his pipe to his lips. +They go up the room together again, and at the top the TALKER, with a +wave of the hand, leaves his companion and goes out. He is seen passing +the window.) + +[The DAUGHTER comes in.] + +SINGER. Sweetheart! + +DAUGHTER (going to him). Is it all right? + +SINGER. Everything is all right, beloved. + +DAUGHTER. You have told him? + +SINGER (nodding). It couldn't have fallen out better. He, too, was tired +of wandering and wanted to settle down. + +DAUGHTER. I told mother. She seemed glad. You know, I think she seems +younger about something. + +[Enter FIDDLER.] + +FIDDLER. Are we starting this afternoon? + +DAUGHTER. Oh, Fiddler dear, do you mind very much? (She holds out her +hand, and the SINGER takes it.) We aren't coming at all. We--we-- + +SINGER. We are getting married. + +FIDDLER (nodding to herself). I thought so. + +DAUGHTER. But you will come and stay with us sometimes. Oh, say you +will! + +SINGER (smiling at FIDDLER with great friendliness). Of course she will. + +(The TALKER and the MOTHER are seen coming least the windows.) + +FIDDLER. There's Johannes. I expect we shall be starting this afternoon. + +[The TALKER and the MOTHER come in arm-in-arm. He bows to her and takes +the floor.] + +TALKER. Ladies and gentlemen, companions-in-arms, knights and ladies of +the road, comrades all,--I have the honour to make an announcement to +you. The wandering company of the Red Feathers is determined from this +date, likewise disbanded, or, as others would say, dissolved. "What +means this, Master Johannes?" I hear you say. "Who has done this thing?" +Ladies and gentles all, I answer you that young Cupid has done this +thing. With unerring aim he has loosed his arrows. With the same happy +arrow (taking the MOTHER'S hand) he has pierced the hearts of this +gracious lady and myself, while yonder gallant gentleman I name no +names, but the perspicacious will perceive whom I mean--is about to link +his life with the charming maiden who stands so modestly by his side. +There is one other noble lady present to whom I have not yet referred-- + +FIDDLER (holding out her hand to the MOTHER). I think I must go. +Good-bye, and thank you. + +MOTHER (taking her hand and patting it). Wait a moment, dear. + +TALKER (continuing his speech)--noble lady to whom I have not yet +referred. I will not hide from you the fact that she plays upon the +fiddle with an elegance rarely to be heard. It is the earnest wish of +(swelling his chest) my future wife and myself that she should take up +her abode with us. + +FIDDLER. It's very kind of you, but I don't think-- + +DAUGHTER (coming across). Mother, she's going to stay with us; she +promised. + +MOTHER. It's sweet of you to ask her, dear, but I think it would be much +more suitable that she should live with _us_. + +SINGER. We should love to have her, and she could come and see you +whenever she liked. + +MOTHER. I was going to suggest that she should live with us and come and +see _you_ sometimes. + +TALKER (who has been thinking deeply). I have it! What say you to this? +For six months, making in all twenty-six weeks of the year, she shall +live, reside, dwell, or, as one might say, take up her habitation with +us; whereas for the other six months--(They have been so busy discussing +the future of the FIDDLER that they have not noticed that she is no +longer there. Suddenly the sound of the fiddle is heard.) What's that? + +[The FIDDLER comes in, wearing her cap now with the red feather in it. +She is playing a wild song, a song of the road. She is content again. +She goes up the room, and as she passes them she gives them a little +bend of the head and the beginnings of a grave smile. She goes out +of the door, still playing; she is still playing as she goes past the +windows. They follow her with their eyes. When she is gone they still +listen until the music dies in the distance.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of First Plays, by A. A. 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