Title: The Squire: An Original Comedy in Three Acts
Author: Arthur Wing Pinero
Release date: May 22, 2007 [eBook #21570]
Most recently updated: February 7, 2013
Language: English
Credits: Produced by David Widger
Produced at the St. James's Theatre, London, on December 29th, 1881 with the following cast:--
| The Rev. Paul Dormer | Mr. Hare |
| Lieutenant Thorndyke | Mr. Kendal |
| Gilbert Hythe | Mr. T. N. Wenraan |
| Gunnion | Mr. Macintosh |
| Izod Haggerston | Mr. T. W. Robertson |
| Fell | Mr. Martin |
| Robjohns, Junior | Mr. Brandon Thomas |
| The Representative of the "Pagley Mercury " | Mr. Steyne |
| Kate Verity | Mrs. Kendal |
| Christiana Haggerston | Miss Ada Murray |
| Felicity Gunnion | Miss Stella Brereton |
| Villagers. |
Scene:—The exterior of a decayed, weatherbeaten, Elizabethan 'mansion, overgrown with ivy and autumn-tinted creeper. On the R., the lower part of a tower, square or circular. Facing the audience, about five feet from the ground, a door opening into the tower, the entrance proper to the house. This door leads out on to a stone terrace, which is run off the stage R., and which terminates R. C., in a few broken and irregular steps. At the foot of the steps, C., of stage, an old halting stone. Below the terrace, R., a wooden garden seat. On the R., of garden seat, a small rustic table, on which is a work-basket with materials for needlework. At back, up stage, the house runs from R., to L., In R., corner, a piece of broken stonework, almost concealed by ivy, forming a footing to gain a broad beam which runs about twelve feet from the ground, from R., to L., Above the beam, two substantial casement windows, R., c. and L., Below the beams, R., C., a window, and on the L. a large archway, with broken iron gates leaning against its walls. Through the archway, a bright view of farm lands, ricks, etc., etc. On the L., continuing the house wall, down the stage, an outhouse, suggesting a kitchen dairy; outside this, up stage L., a wooden bench with milk-pails, etc. Down stage, a door leading into outhouse. Above door, L., C., rough deal table and two chairs. The ground is flagged with broken stones, which are much overgrown with moss and weed.
(Bright Music at opening. Lights full up. At rise
of curtain, the bell rings in a discordant way.
Christiana Haggerston discovered L., scrubbing
a small wooden pail. Christiana is a handsome
dark woman with the tinge of the gipsy upon her
face.)
Chris. What is it? (puts pail on form L., goes
up into archway and looks off R.)
Izod. (offstage) Hullo! Christie!
Chris. Why, come in, Izod, darling—what's
wrong?
Izod. (R. off stage) It's the dog, he can't abide
me.
(Chris, hurls her scrubbing brush at the dog.)
Chris. (savagely) Lie down, you beast, (softly)
Come along, Izod, dear! (comes down)
(Izod backs on as though afraid of dog. Izod
Haggerston enters through archway. He is a little
thin, dark fellow—half cad, half gipsy—with a
brown face, and crisp, curly, black hair. He is
dirty and disreputable, an idler and a sneak.)
(L. C.—putting her arms round his neck) I haven't
seen you for nearly a week, brother dear.
Izod. (C., shaking himself clear) All right, don't
maul, Christie. If the Squire was commonly civil
to a poor chap, you'd see a little more of me. I
want something to drink, and some coin for tobacco.
Chris. (standing by him and stroking his head)
No luck, dearie?
Izod. Luck! No! The farmers won't look at
a fellow with a dark skin—curse 'em!
Chris. The brutes. (fondling him)
Izod. Well, don't maul, Christie. I'm dead dry.
Chris, (looking round) Wait here and I'll bring
you a drink, (she crosses to L.)
(She goes into outhouse L., Izod looks round
towards door R., C., with an evil expression. He then
deliberately takes off the coloured handkerchief
which he wears round his neck, unfolds it and
produces a bunch of bright keys.)
Izod. (jingling the keys and looking towards
door R., C., ) Keys! I wonder if keys are worth
anything. (slips keys into side pocket, and crosses
to door L., meeting Chris., who comes out with a
mug of milk. Snatching it from her) There's a
dear! (he puts mug to lips and takes it away quickly,
wiping his mouth with the back of his hand) Pah!
You're a good sort of a sister—milk!
Chris. I dursn't tap the ale without Squire's
orders—the new barrel isn't to be touched till the
Harvest Feast. Down with it—it's meat and drink.
Izod. Ugh! Here goes! Confound the Squire!
(he drinks, gives back mug and holds out hand for
coin. She puts mug on table) Coin for tobacco.
Chris. Don't spend your money on tobacco, darling.
Have a meal.
Izod. I had a meal yesterday, mid-day. (proudly)
I earned two shillings in half-an-hour.
Chris. Good gracious! How?
Izod. (walking R., and back) I and old Mrs.
Thorndyke's gardener carried a sick woman on a litter
from Pagley Railway Station to the White Lion,
at Market-Sinfield. Oh, she was a weight! (sits R.
of L., table)
Chris. Carried a sick woman on a litter? (leans
against table L., of it)
Izod. The railway journey had upset her, and the
doctor said she was too ill to be shook up on the
roadway.
Chris. A common woman or a lady?
Izod. A lady—jolly dark, jolly pretty, and
jolly ill.
Chris. (curiously) What does she do at an inn in
Market-Sinfield? (sits on table)
Izod. She gave out that she was a stranger in
these parts, and wanted to see a clergyman. She
was a weight!
Chris. Well?
Izod. So I fetched Mr. Dormer, the mad parson.
Chris. Did he go to her?
Izod. I dunno. Coin for tobacco! (rises)
(Izod goes up to arch.)
Chris. I've only got a little money. I'll fetch
it, dear, (she takes up mug reflectively) A pretty lady
in Market-Sinfield—very dark, very ill, and among
strangers, (sighing) How unlucky all dark women
seem to be!
Izod. Coin for tobacco! (rapping table)
Chris. (starting) Oh, yes, dear.
(She goes off L., Izod again produces the keys and
jingles them on the table.)
Izod. (glancing in the direction of door R., C.)
Keys! and a name cut on the key-ring, (shaking
them) What sort of a tune do they play, I wonder?
(rises)
(Chris, re-enters carrying a small purse. She comes
L. of table, and empties the contents into his R.
hand.)
(counting money) Five bob.
Chris. Leave me a little.
Izod. (pocketing money) There's a shilling for
you. I'll pay you what I owe you when you coax
the squire to employ me regularly on the farm, (goes
to R., C.)
Chris. (C.) That'll never be—I've tried.
Izod. Have you? (showing bunch of keys) Look
there. Don't snatch; read the name on the ring.
(showing the ring only)
(She examines the ring, which he still holds fast.)
Chris. The name of the man who is always hanging
about this place, (quickly) Where did you get
this?
(Gilbert Hythe appears in the archway from L.;
as he enters, they separate, Izod to R., she to L.)
Gil. Is the Squire indoors, Christie? (He comes
down C. He is a fine, strapping fellow, about thirty,
dressed roughly in an old velvet jacket, cords and
gaiters. He carries a light double-barrelled gun)
Chris. (L.) Yes, Mr. Hythe.
Gil. (C, seeing Izod) What the devil are you
doing here?
Izod. (R.) Nothing.
Gil. That's what you're always doing everywhere.
Get out!
Izod. (defiantly) I cleaned the windows here last
Tuesday, and I haven't been paid for it.
Gil. That's a lie. (goes towards him)
Izod. Well, then, I have been paid for it, and I've
come to visit my dear sister.
Gil. Look here, Izod, I've had half an hour at
the ricks this morning, ferreting the rats. A man
shoots rats because they are vermin—it's lucky for
you, and idlers like you, that you're on two legs
instead of four.
Chris. For shame, Gilbert Hythe; I'm his sister.
(goes to C.)
Gil. I beg your pardon, Christie; I ought to have
held my tongue before you. Look here, Izod, my
lad, you know that the Squire can't bear the sight
of loafers and ne'er-do-wells. Why don't you go
where you're welcome? (goes up stage to archway)
Izod. Where's that? I've mislaid the address.
(Christie goes to L.)
Gil. (in archway) Christie, tell the Squire that
I have brought two men with me—young Rob Johns,
the fiddler's son, and a newspaper chap.
Chris. (at L., C.) Very well. And your dinner
is waiting for you, Mr. Hythe, (pointing to door L.)
and has been this half-hour.
Gil. My dinner—oh, yes. Izod, old fellow, eat
my dinner for me; I'm busy.
Chris. (gratefully) Thank you, Mr. Hythe.
Gil. And then pull yourself together, man, and
work.
(Gil. goes off up stage, through archway. Chris.
comes quickly to Izod, who gets to C. Christie
goes up stage and looks after Gilbert.)
Chris. Tell me, dear, dear, dear, where did you
find that key ring?
(Izod looks round cautiously.)
Izod. (pointing to windows above archway) I
cleaned those windows here last week, and badly paid
I was for the job.
Chris. Well?
Izod. On that beam which is broad enough for a
man to crawl along, I found this bunch of keys.
Chris. What does that mean?
Izod. Look here, (he goes up stage R. C., to the
stonework which runs up to the coping) Do you see
this? An easy flight of steps up to that window
sill.
Chris. What of it?
Izod. (pointing to the ivy running up the wall)
The ivy is old and strong enough—if you clutch it,
no fear of falling.
Chris. What of it?
Izod. (removing some of the leaves from the
stonework) Look there—footprints—where a boot
has kicked away the old crust from the stones.
Chris. (in an earnest whisper) What of it?
Izod. (pointing above) More footprints up there,
stopping at that window, and under the window this
key-ring, without a speck of rust on it.
Chris. (earnestly) Tell me what you think—tell
me what you mean!
Izod. (comes down to her) I mean that that is
the Squire's room, and that this bunch of keys belongs
to the man who seems more anxious than anyone
in the parish to be in the Squire's company. I
mean that if the Squire wants to entertain a visitor
unbeknown to you or anybody about the place, that
is the way in.
Chris. Climb to a window, when there's a door
there?
Izod. (pointing to door R., C.) Who sleeps at the
head of the stairs, outside the Squire's room?
Chris. I do. (Izod gives a short whistle) But
the dog, Izod,—nobody that the dog doesn't love,
dares try to pass the gateway—the dog!
Izod. Who gave the dog to the Squire, a twelve-
month back?
Chris. Ah!
Izod. (holding out bunch of keys) Why, the man
whose name is cut on that key-ring! (Chris.
snatches the keys from him, and puts them behind
her back. Izod seizes her hand) Give them up to
me, you devil!
Chris. (firmly) I'll call Gilbert Hythe, if you
touch me, darling, (he releases her) Listen, Izod;
I've been here, on this bit o' land, resting under
this old roof, and working in this old yard, since I
was a mite—so high. I've been here in times of
merrymaking and times of mourning, and I've seen
the grass grow over all the Veritys but one—the
Squire who gives me the same living that goes to the
best table, and as soft a pillow as lies on the best
bed. No, I'll keep the keys, Izod dear; you go and
swallow Gilbert Hythe's dinner.
Izod. (slouches over to door L., with a scowl)
You don't care if the Squire does snub your poor
brother. Faugh! you've nothing of the gipsy but
the skin. (He goes out into outhouse, door L.)
Chris. (looks at the keys, and slips them into
her pocket) A bunch of his keys; they are safer in
my pocket than in Izod's—poor Izod is so impulsive.
(she crosses to R. C., goes up the steps and calls
at door. Calling) Squire! Squire! Here's Gilbert
Hythe with two men. Don't let 'em bring their
boots indoors.
(Izod appears at door L.)
Izod. (savagely) Christiana!
Chris. (turning) Hush! (coming down steps)
Izod. How long am I to be treated like this?
Chris. (going towards L.) What's wrong, dear?
Izod. What's wrong! Why, it's only cold meat!
Chris. Go in, Izod! Here's the Squire! go in!
(She pushes Izod in L.)
(Kate Verity comes out of house R., C. and down
the steps; she is a pretty woman, bright, fresh, and
cheery; she carries a small key-basket containing
keys, and an account book and pencil, which she
places on R., table as she turns from Gilbert;
she throws the shawl over the mounting stone as
Gilbert Hythe appears in the archway, followed
by Robjohns, Junior, a mild-looking, fair youth,
and a shabby person in black with a red face.)
I'm close at hand if you want me, Squire. Here's
Gilbert! (she goes into outhouse L.)
Kate. What are you doing with the gun, Gilbert?
Gil. I've been putting the ferrets at the ricks.
(holding out hand eagerly) Good afternoon, Squire.
Kate. (shakes her head at Gil.) What a mania
you have for shaking hands, Gilbert.
Gil. (withdrawing his hand) I beg your pardon.
Kate. Who are those men?
Gil. The son of old Robjohns, the fiddler, and a
reporting man on the "Mercury."
Kate. Well, Master Robjohns, how's your father?
(sits R.)
(Rob. comes down L., C., nervously.)
Rob. (with a dialect) Father's respects, and he's
ill a-bed with rheumatics, and he hopes it'll make
no difference.
Kate. Who's to play the fiddle to-morrow night
for the harvest folks?
Rob. Father wants me to take his place. I'm
not nearly such a good fiddler as father is, and he
hopes it'll make no difference.
Kate. Your father has played at every harvest
feast here for the last five and twenty years—is he
very ill?
Rob. Father's respects, and he's as bad as he can
well be, and he hopes it'll make no difference.
Kate. Good gracious! Gilbert, have you sent
the doctor?
Gil. The doctor's busy with an invalid at the
White Lion at Market-Sinfield—a stranger.
Kate. No stranger has a right to all the doctor.
(rises and stands by table R., making notes in book)
All right, Master Robjohns, you shall play the fiddle
to-morrow night.
Rob. Thank'ee, Squire.
Kate. Christie!
Gil. Christie!
Chris. (from within L.) Yes!
Kate. Give Master Robjohns something to drink.
Chris. (appearing at the door) Yes, Squire.
(She retires.)
Kate. And give my love—the Squire's love—to
father, and tell him to keep a good heart.
Rob. Thank'ee, Squire. But father sends his
respects, and thinks he's a dead 'un, and hopes it'll
make no difference.
(Rob. goes over to L. meeting Chris., who gives
him a mug of milk and retires. Rob. sits L., and
drinks on form.)
Kate. (sits on stone C., sharply to the Shabby
Person, who is up stage) Now then, sir, what do
you want?
S. P. (who is evidently addicted to drink) I—oh
yes. (to Gil.) Is this Miss Verity?
Gil. That is the Squire, (behind Squire a little
to her L.)
S. P. The Squire!
Gil. The Squire in these parts is the person who
owns Verity's lands. Miss Verity chooses to be
regarded as the Squire, and to be called so. (passes
behind Squire)
S. P. Quite so. (he comes down L., C.) Hem!
The editor of the "Pagley Mercury and Market-
Sinfield Herald," with which are incorporated the
"Inn-Keeper's Manual" and the "Agriculturists'
Guide," presents his compliments to Squire Verity,
and, regarding the ever-spreading influence of modern
journalism, requests that I, its representative,
may be permitted to be present at Squire Verity's
Harvest Feast to-morrow evening. (Kate laughs
heartily. The S. P. looks round at Rob. to ascertain
the cause of her amusement) Journalism is as a tree,
its root is embedded in our constitution, while its
branches—
Kate. All right; you can come.
S. P. (raising his arms) While its branches—
Kate. All right; you can come.
S. P. (hurt) Thank you.
Kate. Would you—(noticing his face) Oh dear
S. P. I beg pardon.
Kate. Would you—would you like anything to
drink?
S. P. (quickly) Yes.
Kate. Christie!
Gil. Christie!
Kate. (sorrowfully) Are you quite sure?
S. P. Positive, (sits R., of table)
(Chris, appears at door L.)
Kate. Christie! (emphatically) Milk!
S. P. Er—I should prefer ale. (rises quickly)
Chris. The old cask has run out, and the new
one isn't to be tapped till to-morrow.
S. P. I don't think I really need anything. I'm
very moderate. Thank you. Good day!
(Robjohns puts mug on form, rises and goes up
stage wiping mouth.)
(Shabby Person hurries off through archway;
Kate laughs.)
Kate. Good-bye, Master Robjohns!
Rob. (turning round, up stage) Father's respects,
and he has always heretofore cut up the ducks at
the harvest feast.
Kate. Well?
Rob. Father's mortally fond of duck, but he
always cut 'em up fairly and friendly.
Kate. Yes?
Rob. My best respects to you, Squire, and as I
come, in place of father, I hope you'll make no
difference. Good day to ye, Squire.
(He goes off through archway. Kate rises, goes
up C., and down L., C.)
Kate. Thank you, Gilbert, for thinking so much
of to-morrow.
Gil. (looking at her earnestly) Don't name it,
Squire.
Kate. (awkwardly) The summer's over—the
winds are getting quite cold—good afternoon, Gilbert.
(Kate takes shawl off stone and goes towards steps,
where Gilbert intercepts her.)
Gil. Squire!
Kate. Yes?
Gil. Will you listen to me?
Kate. (L. C.) Business?
Gil. (R. of her) The business of my life.
Kate. Oh, Gilbert! Again? (sits)
Gil. (puts gun down R., of archway) Squire—
Squire Kate, I—I can't take "no" for an answer.
Kate. Are you a strong man or a weak one?
Gil. Strong enough to keep from drink and
gambling, when you make me mad; weak enough to
crawl about this place for the sake of a look from
you. Strong enough to love you with all my soul;
weak enough not to hate you for wrecking my life.
Kate. Don't talk fiddle-de-dee nonsense about
your life being wrecked. Gilbert, we were children
together, we were lad and lass together, and perhaps,
if we both live, we may be old people together—but
we mustn't be man and woman together; it doesn't
answer. Now, tell me, what are you supposed to be
on my land?
Gil. Folks call me the bailiff, but I'm more of a
handyman. I work for Squire Kate, my dear
master—and I love Squire Kate, my dear mistress.
Kate. Then take a word of advice—cut yourself
adrift from Squire Kate's apron strings. (Gilbert
turns away) When my father, John Verity, died,
and left his girl alone in the world, you helped me
out of debt and difficulty; but all the skill on earth
can never squeeze more than bread and butter out
of this dear broken-down old place. (she rises) So
go away where there's a world for you, a world to
work in and a world to live in. (she holds out her
hand to him) Thank you for the past. Good-bye.
Gil. (R. C., falteringly) If I come back—rich—
in a year, would there be any chance for me?
Kate. (in a whisper) No. (crosses to R.)
Gil. Good-bye, dear Squire Kate, (goes to her)
Kate. Good-bye, old friend Gilbert, (they shake
hands)
(She sits on garden seat, thoughtfully. Takes small
purse from her pocket, looks at wedding ring in
it, and kisses it. Gil. goes quickly up stage, then
turns and looks at her; after a moment he comes
softly, unperceived, to C.)
Gil. (quietly) Kate.
Kate. (rising with a start) Eric!
Gil. Oh!
Kate. (seeing Gil.) You!—why have you come
back? (reseating herself)
Gil. (bitterly) Eric! Eric! The young soldier
who is privileged to wind the apron strings round
his neck—who lolls away his leisure here with his
feet higher than his head, and a cigar between his
teeth.
Kate. (confused) Don't heed me—I don't know
what I have said!
Gil. Said! Called me by another man's name.
Oh, I didn't mean to trap you.
Kate. (rising) Trap! (takes up key-basket)
Gil. I beg your pardon, (meekly) but it was
concerning this very Mr. Thorndyke that I returned
to speak to you.
Kate. I won't hear you. I'm going indoors.
Gil. (calmly) I won't let you. (standing before
her)
Kate. You know what you are here?
Gil. Is it mistress and servant?
Kate. I was your mistress—you are my discharged
servant.
Gil. Humbly, then, as an old servant, I ask you
to consider what this Mr. Thorndyke really is.
Kate. (coldly) A gentleman and a soldier.
Gil. Not a gentleman, because he's a soldier—
what does he do here? (pause)
Kate. We are friends.
Gil. They don't say that in the parlour of the
White Lion.
Kate. Oh! Do they dare—?
Gil. Oh, yes, they dare.
Kate. The idlers in a pot-house malign the
woman out of whose land they get the very crust
they eat. (covers her face with her hands and sits
on garden seat) How hard! How cruel!
Gil. (earnestly) I have stopped their tongues
when I have been by. I have always said—
Kate. (raising her head) You, Mr. Hythe?
Thank you. In the future don't meddle with their
legitimate pleasures, (laughing with pain) They've
so little to amuse them. How selfish I am! (the
bell rings) Who is that?
(The Rev. Paul Dormer appears in the archway
from L., He is a dark-browed man, about forty,
but with white hair; he is attired as a clergyman,
but his dress is rusty, shabby, and slovenly; he
carries a heavy stick.)
Gil. (surprised) Parson Dormer! (going up C.)
Kate. (rising) Mr. Dormer! (Dor. comes down,
meeting Gil.)
Dormer. (to Gil. roughly) You're Gilbert
Hythe, I think.
Gil. You think aright—I am.
Dormer. Can you carry a basket?
Gil. Where to?
Dormer. To the White Lion!
Gil. What for?
Dormer. For the sake of a sick woman.
Gil. I can carry a basket to the White Lion.
Dormer. (gruffly) Thank you.
Gil. (looking at Dor.) For the sake of a sick
woman?
Dormer. (turning away) Ah!
Gil. (to Kate.) Call me when I'm wanted,
Squire. I'm going to say good-bye to the dog.
(Goes off through archway to R., Dor. sits R., of
table.)
Kate. (L. C.) If your business is with Gilbert
Hythe, you can dispense with the mistress of the
house, Mr. Dormer, (about to go)
Dormer. No, I want you, too.
Kate. Really, parson—you haven't shown face
at The Priors since father died, two years ago; you
don't say "How do you do?" to John Verity's
daughter; and you don't say "Good-day" to the
nearest approach to a Squire that your parish can
boast. The one omission is rude—the other
impolitic.
Dormer. I didn't like your father—you resemble
him in face and manner.
Kate. My father didn't like you. (she holds out
her hand, going to him) How are you, parson?
What can I do for you?
(He looks at her, takes her hand sulkily.)
Dormer. Fill a basket with food, fit for an invalid,
and send your man with it to Market-Sinfield.
Kate. (calling) Christie! (to Dor.) A woman
manages the White Lion, I think.
Dormer. A woman mismanages the White Lion.
Kate. (clapping her hands) Christie! (to Dor.)
Shan't we hurt the landlady's feelings by sending
food there? (goes to R., table)
Dormer. (with enjoyment) We shall, (irritably)
Now then, you—what's-your-name?—why don't you
come when you're called?
(Christiana appears at door, wiping her hands on
her apron.)
Chris. (angrily) Who's calling me "what's-your-
name"? (seeing Dor.) Why, parson! (curtseys at
door)
Dormer. (rises—shaking his stick at her) The
gipsy girl, who won't sing the hymns on Sunday.
Kate. You start them in such a high key, parson.
Chris. (curtseying) Yes, Squire, that he does.
Dormer. (raising his finger) The higher the
key, Madam, the nearer Heaven! (passes behind
table to L., of it. Chris, laughs)
Kate. Hush, Christie, come here. (Chris, comes
to Kate c.) Fill a basket with everything that is
tempting, fit for an invalid, (gives key to Christie)
Chris. (to Dor.) For the lady at the White Lion,
parson?
Dormer. (sitting L., of table) I'm not here to
feed woman's curiosity.
Kate. Run along, Christie.
(Christie runs up the steps into the house R., C.
Kate crosses softly over to Dor. and stands by
table, R., of it.)
(quietly) It is not often, Parson Dormer, that you
stoop to ask help of a woman, by all accounts.
Dormer. (without looking at her) No!
Kate. Don't think me rude—but in Market-Sinfield
the folks call you the Woman-Hater.
Dormer. What else do they call me in Market-Sinfield?
Kate. I—I—don't know.
Dormer. That's not true.
Kate. That's not polite.
Dormer. What else do they call me in Market-Sinfield?
Kate. (firing up) They call you the Mad Parson!
Dormer. Ah! The Woman-Hater and the Mad
Parson—contradictory terms, (moves stool to back
of table and sits)
Kate. You're not mad, Mr. Dormer—but you are
rude.
Dormer. How long will that woman take to pack
the basket?
Kate. Are you a woman-hater, Mr. Dormer?
Dormer. I'm not a woman-lover.
Kate. (leaning her arms on table, and looking at
Dor. timidly) Have you always been a woman-hater,
parson?
(Dormer looks up quickly and turns away.)
Dormer. (roughly) How long will that woman
take to pack that basket?
Kate. Not very long, (the Parson's arm is on
the table; Kate places her hand on his sleeve—very
gently) You—you—haven't always been a woman-
hater, parson—have you?
Dormer. (drooping his head) No.
Kate. Thank you, parson. Was she—pretty?
Dormer. I suppose she was.
Kate. She must have been. Was she—good?
(no answer) We've never had a chat together, till
now. Was she good?
Dormer. No.
Kate. (in a whisper) Oh! (rises and lays her
hand on Dor's shoulder, gently) I'm so sorry. And
now they tell me you've no woman-folk at the
Rectory.
Dormer. No.
Kate. Only awkward, clumsy men.
Dormer. Two honest men.
Kate. (looking at his shoulder) That's why your
sleeve is coming away from your coat at the shoulder
for want of a few stitches. Shall I mend it for you?
Dormer. When will that woman bring the basket?
(rises and crosses to c.)
Kate. (pointing to table R.) There's a needle and
thread, and a thimble on my table. Take off your
coat and I'll sew till the basket comes. Please.
(With a sigh of despair he lets her take off his coat,
she standing behind him.)
Dormer. That's the worst of women. I should
never have known the coat was torn.
(Kate takes the coat over to R., and sits on garden
seat mending coat Dormer stands with his
hands in his pockets.)
Kate. (seated r). Would you rather go indoors,
parson?
Dormer. No. I'd rather stay where I am.
Kate. Please to walk up and down, then, to avoid
catching cold. (Dormer sits obstinately at table; as
he does so, the contents of one of his coat pockets
drop at Kate's feet) Oh, dear, something has fallen
out of the pocket.
Dormer. (rising quickly) What is it?
(Kate picks up a clay pipe much blackened.)
Kate. A clay pipe—dirty one.
Dormer. (hurrying over to C.) Is it broken?
Kate. (handing it to him) Not a chip, (picking
up a tobacco pouch which has also dropped) Would
you care to smoke?
Dormer. (returning to table) No, thank you,
ma'am.
Kate. Poor father used to feel great interest in
the colouring of a clay pipe.
Dormer. (with interest) Did he? I think better
of him for it.
Kate. But father had great troubles, which made
him throw his pipes at the servant, (rises, comes
across to Dormer, who is seated L., C., again, and
offers pipe which she has filled, then strikes a match
which she has brought from R., table) I could load a
pipe very nicely once—father used to say I crammed
pretty thoughts into it. (quickly) Of course I don't
want you to say that if you don't think so. (gives
him the match)
Dormer. (lighting pipe) Thank ye.
(Kate goes back to R., and puts matches on table.
Chris. enters from house R., C. carrying a basket
neatly packed and covered with a white napkin.)
Chris. (comes down steps to C.) The basket is
packed, parson. Chicken and jelly, sponge cakes,
grapes—(seeing Dormer in his coat sleeves) Well,
I never—!
Dormer. Have you never seen a man with his
coat off before?
Chris. Never a clergyman, sir!
Kate. Call Gilbert, Christie; he's by the kennel.
(sitting R.)
Chris. (goes up through the archway and calls)
Gilbert!
Kate. Would the sick lady like me to see her,
parson?
Dormer. No, she doesn't speak in your language.
Kate. A foreigner!
(Gil. enters at bach from R., takes the basket from
Chris. and comes down R., C. to Kate. Chris.
drops down L.)
Gil. I shall bring the keys of the barns and the
oats house to you to-night, Squire, also my books
and such like. I should feel happier if you'd take
them from me.
Kate. Very well, Gilbert. And as you pass the
cottages, tell Gunnion, the shepherd, to come to me
—he will do your duties from to-morrow.
Gil. Gunnion's a very old man.
Kate. I know that (looking at him) but it's
safer.
(Gil. turns away and goes to Dormer.)
Gil. Er—is—there—any message—with the
basket?
Dormer. No—I'll follow you when I've smoked
my pipe.
Gil. (rests his gun against the R., side of the
arch. To Chris.) I'll come back for the gun,
Christie.
(Chris. goes into outhouse L.)
(As Gil. walks through the archway, Lieutenant
Thorndyke passes him with a careless nod.)
Eric. (to Gil.) Hello, Hythe! Playing at Little
Red Riding Hood? Mind the wolf. (Gil. looks
angrily at him, and goes off L., Eric comes down;
he is a handsome young fellow with an indolent
manner. Crossing to Kate) How do you do, Squire?
Kate. (carelessly) What brings you here?
Eric. Strolled over from barracks—doctor says
I must walk, and your place is somewhere to
walk to.
Kate. Do you know Mr. Dormer?
Eric. (turning to Dor.) No, but my mother
does. How do you do? (Eric shakes hands with
Dormer. Dor. draws his hand away quickly and
puts his hand in trousers pocket) Mrs. Thorndyke
is a parishioner of yours, Mr. Dormer—her son ought
to know a little of you.
Dormer. If her son attended his church regularly,
he would know a little of me.
Eric. So my mother says. And you're not afraid
of catching cold?
Dormer. No, sir! I am not. (irritably) Have
you never seen a man with his coat off?
Eric. I beg your pardon—never a clergyman.
(Kate has finished mending the coat and has risen.
Eric takes out his cigar case.)
(offering it to Dormer) Smoke a cigar, parson?
Kate. (catching his arm) No! (confused) I—
I like to see the parson with a pipe, (aside) He
mustn't see that! (she points to the inside flap of
the case, which is worked with an inscription in silk,
and crosses behind Eric to Dormer)
Eric. (aside—reading inscription) "Kate's love
to Eric." Oh! by Jove, I forgot! (he crams cigar
case hurriedly into his pocket; Kate crosses to Dor.
L. C. with coat. Eric saunters over to garden seat R.
and sits. Kate assists Dor. to put on his coat)
Eric. (lazily) I really must give up walking,
I'm quite knocked up.
Dormer. The British officer seems very easily
knocked up.
(Kate gets L., behind table.)
Eric. The British officer, at whose expense so
many people make merry, is a mild creature in
"piping times of peace"—no offence to the clay,
parson.
(Eric lights a cigar. Dor. crosses to R., C., to speak
to him. Kate looks on anxiously, fearing a
quarrel.)
Dormer. And in times of war, sir?
Eric. The British officer, I am credibly informed,
is a demon when roused, (putting his legs up on
garden seat) I have never been roused. You don't
like my profession, parson?
Dormer. No, sir, I do not.
Eric. I often wish my mother had made me a
parson.
Dormer. Why, sir?
Eric. Because, sir, a clergyman is the only man
in the world privileged to be rude on the subject of
another person's calling.
(Kate approaches them.)
Dormer. A clergyman, sir, is a professional
truth-teller.
Eric. I've known a common soldier to be a practical
one.
Dormer. I recognize no profession which creates
idlers.
Eric. My dear parson, it is the most industrious
people who never really do anything. After all, the
bees only make honey—and how exceedingly well
everybody could get on without honey.
Dormer. An idler, sir, often does mischief
against his will!
Kate. (laying her hand on his sleeve) Mr. Dormer,
don't.
Dormer. And brings evil into a region where the
very purity of the air nourishes it! Mr. Thorndyke,
beware of idling! Miss Verity, beware of idlers.
Good-day, sir. (crosses to table L., for hat, and then
goes up to archway. Kate gets to R., of him)
Eric. (closing his eyes with fatigue) Must you
really go? (takes out "Sporting Times")
Kate. (soothingly) You'll come again, Mr.
Dormer—some day, when Mr. Thorndyke isn't here.
Dormer. (in an undertone) If I come again, see
that it be then.
Kate. What do you mean?
Dormer. (putting his hand on her shoulder)
Years ago, Kate Verity, I closed one book for ever—
it was called "Woman." As I see the tide ebb and
flow, without passion, so I watch a woman in her
rise and in her fall with a still heart—they are both
beyond me. Mark me, I care no more for you, as a
woman, than for the beggars in our High Street;
but, for the sake of the charities which stand to the
account of one Squire Kate, I throw into the current
a small pebble.
Kate. (in an undertone) What is that? (keeps
her eyes on Eric)
Dormer. (pointing in the direction of Eric)
Repair those old gates, and keep that young gentleman
on the other side of them.
Kate. Suppose—I—like the young gentleman?
Dormer. If he marries in his mother's lifetime
he is a pauper.
Kate. I know that.
Dormer. What business has he here?
Kate. It kills time.
Dormer. So does the Racquet Court at Pagley
Barracks.
Kate. A friend likes a friend better than racquets.
Dormer. And a woman likes a lover better than
a friend. There, I have thrown my pebble—the tide
washes it away.
(Christiana enters from L., carrying mug and a
glass of milk; she gives mug to Dormer and places
glass on table, waits till Dormer has finished, and
then takes mug off with her.)
Chris. Will you taste the milk, gentlemen?
(Dor. stands L., of table—Chris, goes out as Gunnion
enters through archway. Gun. is a very old
man, a dirty specimen of the agriculturist, with
straggling grey hair and an unshaven chin. He
wears a battered hat, worsted stockings, and huge
boots. He speaks a broad country dialect in a
wavering treble key.)
Gun. (coming down R., c.) Mornin', Squire!
Kate. (sitting R., of table) Good afternoon, Mr.
Gunnion.
Gun. (seeing Dormer) Lord bless my eyesight,
there's Parson Dormer, a-drinkin' a mug o' milk, as
nat'ral as may be—the very man I wanted for to see.
(seeing Eric) Ay, and there's the young lieutenant
—well, he be fond of our bit of a place.
Eric. (raising his head) Who's that? (seeing
Gun) Oh, are you quite well? (relapsing)
Gun. I'm an old man, I am. I ain't got a tooth
in my yead.
Eric. (dreamily) Don't name it.
Kate. (impatiently) Have you heard the news,
Mr. Gunnion?
Gun. I hear as how Gilbert Hythe leaves the
Priors, and that I'm to do his dooties.
Kate. How do you like the prospect?
Gun. I'm an old man, I am. I ain't got a tooth
in my yead. But says Gilbert Hythe to me, "Mr.
Gunnion, if you do double dooty, you'll get hadykit
remuneration."
Kate. Of course you will, Mr. Gunnion.
Gun. To which I said, "If I had the chance, I'd
die for the Squire."
Eric. Give him the chance.
Kate. Then that is settled, and you are head
man here. You enter on your new duties at once.
Gun. Which I shall do all the freer when I've
got a burden off my chest. (Dor. rises as if to leave)
Kate. A burden?
Gun. Don't you go, parson, for you're the man
to lift it.
Dormer. What's the burden, Gunnion? (Dormer
comes down below chair)
(Gun. goes up through the archway and calls.)
Gun. (calling) Felicity! (to Kate) My daughter,
Squire, (calling) Felicity Gunnion!
(Felicity enters herefrom R.)
Kate. Is that the little girl who sings so sweetly
in the choir?
Gun. Ay, her singing's sweet enough, but her
behaviour's 'orrid.—(coming down)
Kate. Oh dear! Oh dear! (Dor. resumes his
seat)
(Felicity enters through the archway. Felicity
is a pretty little girl with a sweet face and simple
manner. Her dress is rustic, but clean and tidy.
She comes down R., C., and makes a curtsey.)
(R. of table) Sit down, Felicity. (Fel. sits on
stone C.)
Dormer. In heaven's name, why Felicity?
Gun. (C.) We called her Felicity, parson,
because she was our thirteenth hoffspring.
Eric. Good gracious!
Gun. She's the only one left—the other dozen
are all out in the world, some doin' precious well,
some doin' precious bad—most of 'em precious bad.
Kate. Felicity's a great consolation to you, isn't
she?
Gun. Squire, that gell is a weight on my chest.
You wouldn't guess it to look at her, but Felicity
Gunnion is a desolate character.
Kate. A desolate character!
Gun. A mad-brained, rampagious, desolate character.
She's had as fine a schooling as you, Squire
—pianner, twelve lessons—singing, six lessons—
deportment, as they call it—deportment, I taught her.
Notwithstanding the all o' which, her writin's
despisable, her grammar's shockin', her spellin's beastly
—and, Lord, oh, Lord, she's in love with a soldier!
(works round behind Felicity to R., of her during
speech)
Eric. (shuddering) Ugh! What depravity.
Kate. Why, Felicity, come here. (Fel. crosses
to R., of Kate) In love with a soldier? (kisses her)
Is that true, dearie?
Fel. It's true, Squire. He's in the 84th now at
Pagley Barracks.
Kate. That's Mr. Thorndyke's regiment.
Fel. (curtseying to Eric) Then you'd know him,
sir; a fine looking gentleman, with a dark moustache
—Serjeant Tom Morris.
Eric. Morris! Oh, yes, I know him. (aside)
Morris! Poor little soul.
Dormer. What do you want with me, Gunnion?
Gun. Why, parson, I thought, the gell being in
the choir, and sittin' well forrard in the gallery, as
how you might, so to speak, preach right full at her.
The Serjeant goes to church, too, and you could lug
him in at the finish with the sinners.
Fel. Oh, don't, parson, don't!
Dormer. Is the girl happy at home?
Fel. No, parson, that's it—I'm not happy at
home. I—I—I'm not fond of dear father.
Gun. Ye hear that? It's not the first time she's
said it. She said it o' Friday.
Kate. (to Fel.) Hush! You mustn't speak
like that. I loved my father so much, and his
memory is the sweetest thing left me.
Fel. Yes, Squire, and I'm sure I shall love
father's memory. But he's not kind, and he's rude
to those who are good to me, especially the Serjeant.
And I've said that I'll run away, and I mean it,
for you know I'm to be Tom Morris's wife, and
travel with him to the beautiful places where the
regiment goes.
Kate. (aside to Dor.) What shall I do, parson?
(Kate and Dormer rise—Gunnion pinches
Felicity.)
Dormer. (aside) She's only a baby! Keep her
as long as you can, Gunnion!
(Gun. and Dor. speak up stage C, in archway.)
Kate. (Eric rises and stands R., C., To Fel.,
pointing to door L.) Go to that door, child, and call
"Christie." (Fel. crosses to L., door. Kate goes to
Eric R. C.—to Eric) Do you know this Morris?
Eric. Yes.
Kate. What kind of man is he?
Fel. (at door L.) Christie!
Eric. The biggest scoundrel in the regiment.
(Christiana appears at door L.)
Chris. (to Fel.) Who are you?
Fel. I'm Gunnion's daughter.
Chris. (frowning) Who told you to call "Christie"?
Eric. (to Kate) Poor little woman—do her a
good turn, (strolls off R., 1, E.)
(Kate sits on stone R., C.)
Kate. Felicity! (Fel. comes to her—Kate passes
across in front of her to R., Felicity kneels, Chris.
watches them with a dark look from door L., Gun.
and Dor. look on from up stage) Would you like to
be my little maid, and brush my hair, and lace my
dresses for me?
(Fel. kneels beside Kate on her R.) And sing to
me when I'm lonely?
Fel. Oh, Squire! And I can darn, and mend,
and mark, and I can read, and, Squire—
Kate. Well?
Fel. Will you let me tell you all about Tom
Morris?
Kate. Perhaps. Christie! (gives her a key from
chatelaine. Chris, L., C.) Felicity Gunnion is coming
to live with us, and to be my little maid. Take
her up stairs, and give her the small room above
mine.
(Felicity rises and goes R., C.)
Chris. I beg your pardon, Squire, but I have
been good enough to wait on you since you were that
high. What's wrong with me now?
Kate. Wrong, Christie? Only that you're an
industrious, hard-working girl, and deserve a help-mate.
Chris. (tugging at her apron impetuously) I
don't want a helpmate. I want all you, Squire. We
were children together, you and me, mistress and
maid. Don't halve your heart now, Squire. I can't
bear it.
Kate. (rises) My heart's large enough, Christie,
for all folks.
Chris. (biting her lips) I can't help what I'm
saying. I won't bear it.
Kate. Hush, hush! Take the child upstairs and
don't be silly, (goes up to Gun. and Dor.)
Chris. (crosses to Fel. C.—in an undertone to
Fel.) You're the girl that they say is in love with
a soldier, aren't you?
Fel. Yes, miss.
Chris. A soldier! That's why the Squire has
gushed over you, isn't it?
Fel. No, miss.
Chris. (contemptuously) "No, miss!" (shaking
her finger at Fel.) Now listen to one word from me.
You get wed to your common soldier as soon as you
can hook him, do you hear?
Fel. Why?
Chris. Because as long as you're in this house,
there's mischief and bad blood in it, upon my soul
there is! Come along and see your bedroom.
(She seizes Fel. by the arm, and takes her up the
steps into the house, pushing her in front of her
—Gun. and Kate come down.)
Gun. (L. C.) Well, I'm mightily obliged to you,
Squire. I'll bring the brat's box down to-night, that
I will.
Kate. (R. C.) Do, Gunnion. Are you thirsty?
Gun. Thirsty! I'm perishing for a drop o'
drink.
Kate. Get it for yourself. (Gun. crosses to L.
door) And, Gunnion, (Gun. turns) Milk!
Gun. Milk?
Kate. No ale till to-morrow night.
Gun. I'm the father of thirteen, I am. I ain't
got a tooth to my yead. Did I understand you,
Squire, to say milk?
Kate. Yes, milk, (joins Dormer in archway)
(Eric saunters on from R., 1 e., sits on seat R., looks
at Kate's book for a moment.)
Gun. (downcast) Milk! Oh!
(He goes off door L.)
Dormer. (up stage with Kate) Will you walk
towards Market-Sinfield, Mr. Thorndyke?
Eric.. (on seat r.) Not yet, parson, thanks.
Dormer. (turning away) Pah!
Kate. (stopping him) You will come to the
Harvest Supper, Parson Dormer, won't you?
Dormer. (looking at Eric) No.
Kate. And smoke your clay pipe like father
used to?
Dormer. (looking at Kate) Perhaps, (he goes
off through archway, to L.)
(Kate watches him through archway till he has
disappeared, then she comes softly to door L., listens
for a moment and sees that it is closed. She then
crosses to R., C., gives a glance at the house, and
runs to Eric's side. Eric puts his arms round
her, and kisses her fondly. Music ceases.)
Kate. Dear old Eric! (kneeling)
Eric. My darling wife!
Kate. Hush! you noisy fellow. Whisper it,
there's a good boy, now. (she bends her head, he
whispers)
Eric. (softly) Wife!
Kate. (takes her wedding ring from her purse,
and gives it to him) Place my ring upon my finger,
Eric, for a moment. (He slips the ring on her finger
and kisses her hand. Pressing the ring to her lips)
I have so much in my heart to tell you. Oh, husband,
storm-clouds, storm-clouds!
Eric. Let them break, Kate. Love is a good
substantial umbrella.
Kate. A gingham, dear, a gingham. They are
talking in Market-Sinfield about me.
Eric. I envy them their topic.
Kate. I can't bear it, Eric. What shall I do?
Eric. The yokels mustn't see me here so frequently,
that's all.
Kate. (rises) To stop their tongues and break
my heart. Eric, turn your back to me, I've something
to say to you. (they sit back to back)
Eric. Fire away, darling.
Kate. Eric, when we two were wed a year ago
our compact was that our marriage should never
become known during your mother's lifetime.
Eric. That's it, wifie.
Kate. Because your pride would never allow you
to share my means.
Eric. Very true, Kate.
Kate. Now, Eric, doesn't it strike you that you
were in the wrong?
Eric. No.
Kate. Because if a man will take from a woman
something so precious as her love, surely he may
share with her anything so paltry as her money.
(Eric turns to embrace her)
Eric. My darling.
Kate. (looking round) Don't, Eric. I shall have
to go indoors if you behave badly.
Eric. My dear Kate, there is another point of
view which presents itself to the prudent husband.
Kate. What's that?
Eric. How much does Priors Mesne bring you in?
Kate. Oh, dear, I'm afraid to tell you!
Eric. Ah!
Kate. It's not my fault. I've done everything
I could.
Eric. Well, then, Kate, my pay and my mother's
allowance tot up to three hundred and fifty a year,
and, my darling, I'm in debt.
Kate. (turning and seizing him by the shoulder)
Oh, Eric, how can you!
Eric. (laughingly) Don't, dear, I shall have to
go home if you behave badly.
Kate. Why, Eric, some of my farmhands flourish
with families on eighteen shillings a week.
Eric. Yes, darling, there are animals who live on
flesh and fruit, and there are animals who subsist
on nuts. If I were a beast I could not look at a nut.
Kate. If you tried very hard, Eric, do you think
you could write?
Eric. I've been taught, dear.
Kate. No, no, I mean in journals and magazines.
Eric. Never can write anything fluently but a
cheque, and that's not always presentable. I'm an
ornament, Kate, or nothing. I'm afraid I'm nothing
—but your sweetheart, (she bows her head in
her hands) Why, Kate, this is one of your gloomy
days.
Kate. (rises and dries her eyes with her
hand-kerchief) I suppose, Eric, there is not the faintest
ray of hope that your mother would ever forgive you
for your marriage.
Eric. Not the faintest. Poor mother, I'm the
only living thing belonging to her upon earth. I
once persuaded her to keep rabbits, with a view to
diverting her affections—it didn't answer. (Kate
walks slowly to C. by stone. Eric follows her) You
are not yourself, Kate; brighten up. Aren't you
happy?
Kate. (gives a quick look round) Is any man's
love so strong for a woman that he would beggar
himself for her sake?
Eric. Why, Kate!
Kate. What sacrifice will you make for me?
Tell me how many bright golden prospects you will
blot out for the silly woman you have married.
Quick!
Eric. What is it you wish?
Kate. (seizing his hand) Eric, publish our foolish
marriage of a year ago—let it be known and
laughed at in every house and every inn-yard in the
country. Do this for me, and for heaven's sake, do
it quickly!
Eric. (holding her hand) A little silly gossip has
upset you. It can't be, dear.
Kate. Then, as surely as we stand here—man
and wife—you drive me from the place where I was
born—where even every weed growing on my poor
poverty-stricken land has a voice for me; where the
women and children love and pray for me; you, the
man who has brought this ill upon my head, drive
me out! (turns up a little)
Eric. What do you mean? Where are you going?
Kate. To hide, abroad, anywhere, in any hole and
corner where no soul knows me. (comes down to
front of stone C.)
Eric. (going to her) Kate, you have some secret
—tell me it.
Kate. (with his hand in hers she turns from
him, softly) Can't you guess? (sinks on stone)
Eric. (quickly) Kate!
Kate. Dear, dear husband! (there is a pause,
then Eric raises her and kisses her)
Eric. Kate, my dear, fetch me pen and ink, and
some writing paper.
(She crosses sadly to the steps then turns to him,
half way up steps.)
Kate. (timidly) Husband!
Eric. (thoughtfully) Wife! (foot on first step)
Kate. Are you angry?
Eric. (taking her hands in his) Angry! (runs
up to her) Kate, (drawing his breath) you are a
wonder! (kiss. She runs into the house.)
(Eric leans a moment with elbow on pillar, descends
steps, rubs his ear, one foot resting on bottom
step, then whistles "See the conquering hero
comes" and crosses to L., table and takes up his
mug of milk.)
(raising the mug) Baby's health!
(He drinks. Kate comes out of the house, carrying
a small desk; she places it on table R.; he crosses
to her.)
Kate. (looking at the closed desk) There—I
haven't brought the key.
Eric. (searching his pockets) Try my keys—oh!
I forgot—I have had no keys for the last week or so.
(crosses to seat R., pulls table forward)
Kate. (opening the desk) It isn't locked—how
silly of me. (they sit side by side with the desk open
before them) What are you going to do, dear? (R.
of Eric.)
Eric. Listen to this, (writing) "Mother, I have
sown my wild oats in Squire Verity's farm, and have
reaped a rich crop of womanly love and duty."
Kate. Dear old boy! (touches his R., hand)
Eric. You've made me make a blot, (writing)
"I suppose you will shut your heart upon me. So
be it. But if Heaven ever gives us a little daughter,
I promise you she shall bear the name of my dear
old mother. Your dutiful, Eric." (folds and
addresses the letter)
Kate. What are you going to do with it?
Eric. Leave it at The Packmores on my way
back to Pagley; give it boldly to Stibbs the butler,
and run off as fast as my legs can carry me.
(Chris, comes out of the house on to balcony; hearing
voices below, she bends over slyly and catches
sight of Eric and Kate, who are gazing dubiously
at the letter.)
Kate. What a red-letter day for both of us, Eric.
Eric. (pocketing letter) What a red letter day
for mother, when she has read this letter!
Chris. (aside, between her teeth) And that's the
woman they make a saint of in Market-Sinfield.
And she dares to turn her back on me—for Felicity.
Kate. (to Eric) Must you go?
Eric. (taking out watch) Look.
(Gilbert enters through the archway from L., and
takes up his gun.)
Kate. (to Eric) Don't let the idlers at the
White Lion see you on the highroad.
Gil. (hearing voices, turns—aside, watching
Eric) The man who has robbed me of my hope—
my ambition! If I stay another day at the Priors
I shall go mad!
(Gunnion and Izod, with very uncertain steps,
and supporting each other shoulder to shoulder,
stagger out of the outhouse up to the archway.)
Chris. (aside) Felicity! Not the name for this
house! (she takes the bunch of keys from her pocket
and looks at them exultingly) Ah! I shall have to
jingle you yet.
(Eric. rises to part. Chris. draws back)
Gil. (stops Gun. and Izod) My successor, (taking
Gun's hand) God bless you, man. May you be
happier in my shoes than I have been. (Gun hiccoughs)
Confound you, you're not sober.
Gun. Milk!
(Music. Curtain falls quickly.)
Scene:—An old-fashioned, comfortable, oak-panelled room. The furniture dark and cumbersome. Down stage R., a door. Up stage, R., C, capacious fireplace, with solid mantel-piece above it. At back R., and L., two substantial casement windows. The windows are in deep recesses, about two steps above the stage level. These recesses are sheltered by heavy draperies. Between the windows, up stage, C., a massive bureau, opened, with writing materials upon it. Before bureau a square stool. On L., of bureau a chair. Up stage L., a door. Below door L., a settee; above settee, a bell rope. Before fire a comfortable arm-chair; L. of arm-chair, a small table with a reading lamp upon it. On mantel-piece, a clock to strike; other articles of furniture, etc., to fill spaces. The flooring of dark oak, square carpeting R., of stage. The whole to produce the effect of "a woman's room" Curtains closed, L. window unfastened. See written letter on bureau. All gas out behind. Gas one-half up inside. Music for act drop.
It is night time—no moon. The lighting to be sombre throughout the act.
(Before the curtain rises Felicity's voice is heard
singing off R.)
There's a jingle to make a maiden glad
And flush the skies above her,
The clink of the spurs of her soldier lad,
"I am a faithful lover."
Sun is shining, flow'rs are blooming,
Light and bloom are not for aye;
What if sob and sigh are looming,
Hear the jingle while you may!
CURTAIN.
There's a jingle to make a maiden glad,
etc.
(Kate enters at close of song—puts keys on table.)
Kate. (leans over back of arm-chair—listening)
Poor little bird, singing of her soldier lover. How
am I to tell her that her soldier's heart is not of so
bright a colour as his jacket? How can I tell her,
when there is another soldier lover in the world so
good and so true? (sits R., of table—she opens her
locket; it contains a likeness of Eric) Eric! Ah!
the man who painted this miniature hasn't done Eric
justice; the face is too white and pink, and the
moustache isn't at all the right shade. I know I
could catch the exact tone of Eric's moustache if I
were a painter. It's a kind of browny, yellowy,
red-tinted, a sad auburn, with a sea-weedy wash about it.
Under the nose it suggests one of our daybreak skies,
and there, where the ends droop, a sunset of Turner's.
Dear old Eric! (kisses locket)
(There is a knock at the door L.,; Kate hastily closes
the locket and glances at clock.)
It's late! (aloud) Who is it?
(The door opens, L., and Christiana enters, knitting
stocking.)
Chris. Gilbert Hythe and Gunnion, with a box
of clothes for the girl, (down by settee L.)
(Gilbert and Gunnion enter—Gil. carrying a very
diminutive wooden trunk; he places the box down
L. C., and doffs his hat. Gil. still has his gun with
him; he goes up to bureau.)
Gun. Good-night to you, Squire. Gilbert Hythe's
been so kind as to lend me a hand with this blessed
box. (pointing to box) My child's wardrobe, Squire,
scraped together by the sweat of my brow.
Kate. Sit down, Gilbert. (Gilbert puts his gun
down L., of bureau and gets to R., of it, standing)
Take Felicity's wardrobe upstairs into Felicity's
room, Mr. Gunnion. (Gun. goes to take box—Chris.
down L.)
Chris. Excuse me, Squire, but before Gunnion
goes I should like you to make note of the ale
(Gun. drops box) that's been drawn from the new cask.
The ale was in my keeping and it's due to me for
you to know of the loss.
Gun. (on his knees—to Chris.) Drat you for a
mischievous hussy! Why, your own flesh and blood
helped me to drive the tap in with a mallet, and
drank double what I did.
Chris. More shame for an old man to lead a
poor boy astray!
Kate. (shaking her finger at Gun.) Oh! Mr.
Gunnion, how could you!
Gun. (rises—gets nearer table) Well, Squire,
it's not a thing I've done afore, and it's not a thing
I'm like to do again.
Kate. Come, come, that's all right.
Gun. And I've paid the penalty precious dear.
I've had my yead under the pump from four o'clock
till past sunset, and wettin' my yead is a thing I
dursn't do.
Kate. Oh, dear!
Gun. As for the drop o' drink, I was druv to it
by grief.
Kate. By grief?
Gun. I'm an old man, I am, I ain't got a tooth
to my yead. I've had thirteen children, and now
the last of 'em's gone. It ain't for an old man to
see the only set of teeth in his house walk out of
the front door without takin' on a bit.
(Felicity sings again off R.)
Why, confound the brat, she's squalling in the
Squire's place now. Don't 'ee stand it, Squire!
(Felicity comes from door R., carrying a book and
a little silken shawl. She gives book to Kate,
and gently places the shawl on Kate's chair.)
Drat you, what do you mean by vocalizing free and
easy like this? You ain't been called on for it. Do
you want to make your father look small?
Fel. (R.) I beg Squire's pardon. If I didn't
sing I should cry. That's the worst of being too
happy—it makes people chokey. (Kate pats her
cheek—seeing her box) Oh, father's brought my
bits o' things, (crosses in front—she runs over to
box, throws open the lid and hurriedly empties it of
the few mean articles of clothing it contains. From
the bottom of the box she takes out a small gaudily
framed picture) Oh, I am so glad! There's my
linsey, and my goloshes—my workbox!
Gun. What do you mean by bits o' things?
Leave your wardrobe alone.
(Gun. hastily replaces the clothing. Fel. runs over
to Kate and gives her the portrait.)
Fel. Look, Squire—Tom Morris—ain't he handsome?
Gun. (replacing clothes) Darn these things!
(mumbling) What d'ye mean by tossing your things
on the floor in that way? (lifting box) Good-night
to you, Squire.
(Christie goes up to chair by L., D.)
I'll leave this in the gell's room and be off.
Kate. Good-night, Gunnion.
Fel. (goes to Gun.) Good-night, father. Go
straight home.
Gun. Drat 'ee, what d'ye mean by that!
(Fel. goes round back of Kate's chair to stool R.,
and sits looking at photo.)
Good-night to ye, Gilbert Hythe, and thank 'ee for
your help. Good-night, Christie, (shouldering box)
Darn this wardrobe! (turning to look at Fel.) Ah!
your twelve brothers and sisters never had a start
in the world like o' this!
(He goes off—Chris, closes the door after him, then
sits on chair up L., knitting. Gil. comes to table,
puts hat down.)
Gil. The time's come for us to part company.
I've brought my books and odds and ends, Squire,
as I promised.
Kate. But you must make one at the Harvest
Feast, Gilbert. Who is to play with the children,
and to set the old folks laughing, if you are missing?
Gil. Folks will have to laugh at me, Squire, if
they are to get a laugh out of me, to-morrow, (he
takes a few rusty keys and some small dog-eared
books from his pocket, and places them on table
before Kate) Here are the keys—the Red Barn, the
barn below Fenning's field, the store house. The
key of the oats house—(Kate puts key and money
in key basket)—Gunnion's got. (puts books on table)
There's my account—it's poor book-keeping, Squire,
but plain. Will you cast your eye over it?
Kate. (shaking her head) No!
Gil. Thank you, Squire, (places a little bag of
money before her) John Buckle's rent, and Mrs.
Tester's arrears—less some job wages paid by me
since Saturday. And that's all.
Kate. Thank you Gilbert.
Gil. And now, Squire, I can't say good-bye to
you in two words. Will you hear what I've to say?
Kate. Certainly, Gilbert, (gives book to Felicity)
(Gil. looks at Fel. and at Chris, and learn over
the back of Kate's chair.)
Gil. (in an undertone to Kate) Can't it be
between us two, Squire?
Kate. No!
Gil. (aside in Kate's ear) Kate, I'm almost a
desperate man. Take care how you treat me to-night.
Kate. (without moving, aside to Gil.) How
dare you speak to me like that?
Gil. (aside to Kate) Reason before you let your
good friends slip from you. I'll give you a chance
to consider what you are doing, (turns up to bureau
—aloud) Squire, I want to scribble a few words
to you. (pointing to bureau) May I write here?
Kate. If you please.
(Gil. sits at bureau and writes quickly.)
(fretfully) What are all these, Felicity?
Fel. (opening book and reading) "Gilbert
Hythe's cures for cows." Shall I read 'em, Squire?
Kate. Oh no.
Fel. (from another book) "Poor mother's receipt
for brewing herb beer. Note: but nobody can
brew it like poor mother could."
Kate. (takes the book from Fel. and reads—
aside to Fel.) Gilbert's mother was my nurse, (takes
book from Fel.—looking over her shoulder at Gil.,
who is writing) Poor fellow!
Fel. (opens another book) "An account of Joe
Skilliter's pig, who could say 'Yes' and 'No,' by
moving his ears. Note: When Joe's pig was killed it
was tough eating. Another argument against the
spread of education."
Gil. (rises and comes down to table. He places
a note before Kate) The few words, Squire, (she
takes the note) Ah! don't read 'em till I've gone.
(Kate replaces the note with a shrug of the shoulders.
Christie rises—to Fel.) Good-bye, little
woman.
Fel. (rises with a curtesy) Good-bye to ye, Mr.
Hythe. (sits again)
(Gil. is going.)
Kate. (holds out her hand) Good-night, Gilbert.
(Gil. looks at Chris., who is busy knitting, then
speaks aside to Kate.)
Gil. (in an undertone) You haven't read my
note yet, Squire. (Kate elevates her eyebrows in
surprise—Gil. crosses to L., to Chris.) Good-bye,
Chris., my girl.
Chris. Turn up your collar, Gilbert, it's bitter
cold, (turns it up for him)
Gil. You're right, there's a wet mist; we're going
to have a bad night, take my word for it. Good-night
to you.
(He goes out L., Kate rises and goes to window R.)
Kate. (looking out) Good-night. It is as black
as ink. (shivering) Christie, make up a fire here. I
shall read for a little while before I go to bed. (puts
money and key basket in bureau drawer, and sits on
stool by bureau)
Chris. (looking at Fel., who is reading the little
books) My hands are as white as hers, but I suppose
she is to be the lady's maid.
Kate. Oh, Christie, Christie, after all these
years! Surely you are my friend still, (takes book
from table)
Chris. I know I'm your servant; whether or not
I'm your friend, Squire, is another matter; but I'm
not her friend, and I own it.
Kate. You're very foolish, and very jealous.
Chris. That's it, I'm jealous; I hope there'll
never be a worse name for it.
(She goes out, door L., Kate sits on sofa L.)
Kate. (to Fel.) You can run off to bed, little
maid.
Fel. Thank'ee, Squire, (puts books down)
Kate. I shan't want you any more to-night.
(Fel. curtseys—crosses to door L., carrying the
soldier's portrait.)
Don't forget to say your prayers.
Fel. (coming down) Squire, (looks round
nervously, twitching apron. Kate looks up from her
book)
Kate. (raising her head—fretfully) What is it?
Fel. I suppose there's no harm in a girl praying
for her sweetheart?
Kate. No—if he's a good fellow and worthy
of her.
Fel. If he's a bad 'un, praying's likely to be of
more good to him. (she comes nearer Kate and
speaks in an undertone) Because, Squire—don't be
vexed at me—because, if you like, when I'm praying
for Tom I might make a small mention of—er—the
other gentleman, (close to Kate)
Kate. What other gentleman?
Fel. (bending forward and whispering) The
young lieutenant, Squire. (Kate rises angrily)
Kate. How dare you! I am very angry with
you! There's not the slightest—Oh, Felicity, how
came you to think of such a thing? (she draws Fel.
to her. Fel. claps her hands and laughs)
Fel. He's such a nice young man, Squire—you
couldn't help it.
Kate. Be quiet, child. We don't always fall in
love with nice young men.
Fel. We do generally, Squire. May I just mention
him along with Tom? Parson won't know.
Kate. Well, Felicity, there's no harm in praying
for a man, even if one is not over-fond of him.
Fel. No, Squire.
Kate. So, if you like, just a little for the young
lieutenant—
Fel. Yes, Squire?
Kate. And—
Fel. And who, Squire?
Kate. And the woman he loves. Good-night,
dear, (pats her cheeks—Fel. goes up L.)
(Chris, enters door L., followed by Izod carrying
wood fuel. Chris, takes the wood from Izod,
and crosses to fireplace R.)
Why, Christie, what is he doing here?
Chris. (R. on her knees before fire) He's been
sleeping off the effects of that wicked old man's
temptation, poor dear, (takes up bellows)
Izod. (C.) I'm better now, Squire, thank you.
I've been precious queer all the afternoon.
Kate. (L. C.) Have you, indeed! Well, now
you've carried up the wood, you can be off home.
(Fel. has gone up to door L.)
Fel. (up L., turning) Good-night, Miss Christiana.
Chris. (sulkily—lighting fire) Good-night.
(blowing fire)
(Izod, unnoticed by Kate, gives Fel. a low
mock bow.)
Fel. (timidly) Good-night, sir.
Izod. Good-night, Miss Gunnion. (makes a grimace
at her)
(She goes out hurriedly.)
Chris. (R.) My poor brother has something to
say to you, Squire.
Izod. (C.) It's this, Squire. I hear that Gilbert
Hythe has had enough of the Priors, and that there's
room for a new handyman.
Kate. Gunnion takes Gilbert Hythe's place—you
know that.
Izod. Yes, Squire—but in consequence of the old
man's awful dishonesty with the harvest ale, I thought
perhaps you'd like to chuck him over. (Chris, gets
to R., of Izod) Now, Squire, I'm doing nothing just at
present—a gentleman, so to speak—give me a turn—
have me at your own price, Squire, and you get me
cheap.
Kate. (rising) Look here, Master Haggerston, I
don't want to do you an injustice, but I don't like
you. There's no room on my farm for you. I shall
be glad to hear that you're doing well elsewhere.
(Kate crosses to fireplace—the fire is now burning
brightly. Kate leans against mantel-piece as
Chris. goes over to Izod. L.)
Izod. (L. C., to Chris., aside) There, I told you so,
she's a cat!
Chris. (C.) Poor boy. (to Kate, whose back is
turned to them) Will you want me again to-night,
Squire?
Kate. (R. without turning) No. Go to bed,
Christie.
Chris. And I suppose Izod can be off about his
business?
Kate. Yes.
Chris. (aside to Izod, clutching his arm) Izod,
I'll see you out past the dog, dear—then go and lie
by the ricks near the Five Trees, and watch who
passes under the archway to-night.
Izod. (in a whisper) How long am I to wait?
Chris. Wait till a man walks from the Market-Sinfield
road, and you won't wait long, (to Kate) Good-night,
Squire, dear.
Kate. (turning) Good-night, Christie.
(Chris, and Izod go out L., closing the door after
them. The clock strikes nine.)
(Looks at her watch) Already! Oh, if that boy
should not have passed the Five Trees before
Eric comes! How provoking! (she crosses to door
L., listens, then turns the key) There's something
about to-night that I don't like. Christie! How
unkind of Christie to be so jealous! (still listening,
she goes to window L., pulls tack the curtain and
opens window) That's Christie and her brother walking
over the stones, (looking out) And there's the
light in Felicity's room still burning—I can see the
shadows. When will the house be still? Ugh! What
a dark night for Eric's lonely walk, (the bell rings in
the court below. Katie draws back) The bell! So
late—what can that mean? (she comes from the
window and draws the curtain over the recess) Something
wrong in the village—someone ill. (she crosses
to fireplace, nervously) Perhaps poor Mrs. Tester
has sent for me to read to her, or old Mr. Parsley
wants me to witness another will—I've witnessed
eight of them—he has only a few spoons to leave
behind him—I can't go to-night. (A knocking at the
door L.) Who is that?
Chris. (outside) Christiana.
(Kate crosses quickly to door L., and unlocks it.)
Kate. Christiana! (opening the door) What is
wrong, Christie?
(Christiana enters.)
Chris. Parson Dormer has walked over from
Market-Sinfield and must see you to-night.
Kate. Not to-night—not to-night—to-morrow.
(Dormer enters; he wears an old Inverness cape and
woollen gloves.)
Dormer. I suppose a man ought to apologize for
calling at this hour. It's cold enough, so one pays
the penalty, (takes off cape, gloves, and hat, and puts
them on settee L.)
Kate. (crosses distractedly to fireplace) Come to
the fire, parson, (he crosses to Kate.) Something
unusual must have brought you so late, (crosses
towards fire below table)
Dormer. (pauses below table) Perhaps, (crosses
to fire)
(While he does so, Chris, up stage gently looks
through the curtain into the window recess.)
Chris. (at L. C.—aside) She has opened the
window—the saint! Poor Izod won't have to wait
long, (going to door L.) Shall I sit up, Squire?
Kate. No, I will see the parson through the
archway.
(Chris, goes out.)
Dormer. Something unusual has brought me to
you.
Kate. (with exclamation and quickly) I
feared so.
Dormer. I am here to render a service to John
Verity's daughter.
Kate. Thank you.
Dormer. (stands with his back to fire—the red
glow is upon them) People think me a strange man,
but I am strange even to myself when I find my heart
running away with me as it does to-night.
Kate. You make me frightened of what you have
to say to me.
Dormer. It rests with you whether I shall speak
or hold my tongue.
Kate. (moves front chair R., of table) No—-say
what you have to say.
Dormer. Will you be truthful with me?
Kate. What do you mean by that?
Dormer. Strange thing for a rough man, such as
I, to aim at. I want to save you pain, (puts his
hand on her shoulder)
Kate. Pain! I thought so.
Dormer. If it had pleased Heaven to give me that
one woman for a wife, and that woman had borne
me a daughter, to that daughter I should have spoken
as I speak to you now.
Kate. (slowly places her hand in his—with pain)
Is anyone, who might be dear to me, dead?
Dormer. No. (Kate sinks back) Some one has
returned to life.
Kate. Can it concern me?
Dormer. I hope—no! Answer me one question
honestly—do you love this young soldier whom I saw
here to-day?
Kate. Suppose I say—"no."
Dormer. Then I leave you without another word.
Kate. If I say—"yes?"
Dormer. Then I deliver to you a message.
Kate. A message! From whom?
Dormer. From the one who has returned to life.
Yes or No?
Kate. Heaven help me—I love Eric!
"There's a jingle,"
(In the distance there is the faint sound of Fel's
song, supposed to proceed from the room above
through the open window. Dor. crosses at back
and listens.)
"Sun is shining,"
Dormer. What is that? (crosses behind table
to c.)
Kate. (calmly) The child singing. She is happy.
Go on—I want the message. (Dormer takes some
papers from pocket-book)
—"Hear the jingle,"
Dormer. It is here—in writing, (at bureau)
Kate. Addressed—to whom?
"—while you may."
Dormer. To the woman who loves Eric Thorndyke.
Kate. I am she—who sends it?
"—above her."
Dormer. The stranger at the White Lion.
Kate. (after a pause) Who is the stranger at the
White Lion?
"—lover."
Dormer. (L. of table) Eric Thorndyke's wife.
(Kate rises slowly, supporting herself upon the
table; she and Dor. stand face to face. The song
above ceases.)
Kate. Eric—Thorndyke's—wife. Yes? (falls
back into chair)
Dormer. Shall I read the message?
Kate. If you please.
(Dormer goes up to the bureau, puts on his spectacles
and by the light of the lamp arranges his
papers.)
Dormer. It is written in French. I have translated
it faithfully, (he places a paper before Kate)
That is the original.
(She takes it mechanically, looks at it, then lets it
fall upon the floor. At the same moment the
shadow of a man is seen at the window L., and the
curtains move slightly.)
Shall I read the translation to you? (opens paper
with one hand; pushes it off table)
Kate. If you please, (goes toward lamps)
(The movement of the curtain stops. Dor. reads
slowly.)
Dormer. (reading) "I was a singer in Brussels,
with a sweet voice. They called me La Sirène."
Kate. (in a low tone) Stop—the Siren. Yes.
Dormer. (continuing) "I am a Protestant, born
at Chaudefontaine, five miles from Liège. My father
was an Englishman, my mother a Belgian woman.
They died when I was a child."
Kate. An orphan, like me. (touches lamp again)
Dormer. (continuing) "Three years ago a student,
Eric Thorndyke—
(Eric appears at L. C., holding back curtain.)
married me secretly but legally at the Protestant
church in the Rue de Stassart in Brussels." Are
you listening?
Kate. Yes.
Dormer. (continuing) "I married for money
and station. I won neither. I found myself wedded
to a man who was dependent on a wretched allowance,
and who dared not disclose his marriage. We
were never happy, and I grew to hate him. One
terrible night he discovered me in a gaming house
pledging his name to pay my losses. I feared him
for the first time in my life, and I fled."
Kate. Is this—a woman?
Dormer. (continuing) "The fatigue of my journey
threw me into a fever. For many a day I lay
at death's door, and throughout the country where
the Siren's was a familiar voice I was thought dead."
Kate. Dead. I see.
Dormer. (continuing) "When I recovered, my
sweet voice and pretty face had gone from me forever.
I had nothing but a mad loathing for the man
whom I had never loved, and I formed a plan to
ruin him."
Kate. Oh!
Dormer. (continuing) "I took a new name and
fostered the report of my death, saying to myself,
'He will love and marry again, and then I, the
wreck of what I have been, will come back to life
and destroy his peace,'"
(Eric disappears.)
Kate. Not a woman—not a woman!
Dormer. (continuing) "But in time my heart
softened and my hate died away. My conscience
won't let me rest, and now, when remorse has broken
me, I drag myself to where Eric is, to learn what
evil I have caused. If there be any wrong, it is I
that have worked it—not my deceived husband, whom
I have not the courage to face." Signed "Mathilde."
Kate. Is that all?
Dormer. (pocketing paper) That is all. (Kate
rises)
Kate. How comes this—creature to know of the
existence of the woman who loves Eric Thorndyke?
Dormer. She asked me if I thought such a woman
existed. I replied, yes. "Then," said she, "whoever
this woman is, and wherever she may be, carry
my warning to her before it is too late." (puts paper
away and goes to sofa L.)
(Kate struggles with herself for a moment; her
manner becomes completely changed.)
Kate. (lightly) Ah, thank you, Parson Dormer,
for your goodness, and for your cold journey. May
I give you some wine?
Dormer. No. (he resumes his cape and gloves,
then holds out his hand to Kate) Good-night, (she
takes his hand) Don't come down, I can find my way
out. (looking round) I used to quarrel here with
your father.
Kate. Good-night. I shall look for you to-morrow
at our harvest supper—it is the happiest night in
our year, (screams and falls back, Dormer catches
her—he is going—she clutches his sleeve) Parson!
Parson! look! (she points to the written confession
which lies upon the floor) Don't leave me alone with
that!
Dormer. That—what?
Kate. That. Take it away with you—take it
away!
(Dormer crosses to table, takes up paper and puts it
in his pocket, and crosses back to L.)
(lightly again) Strange creatures, we women, aren't
we—and superstitious, a little. Remember, Parson
dear, we must keep our secret. Think of the scandal
and misery for poor Eric if this history became
known. For Eric's sake, remember.
Dormer. You bear the young gentleman no
grudge?
Kate. I—no.
Dormer. (looking at her) Ah, you'll eat a breakfast
to-morrow—I shan't—and my wound is twenty
years old. Good-night to you.
(He goes out. Kate listens to his receding steps L. D.)
Kate. (softly) Good-night! Good-night!
(There is the sound of the closing of a door in the
distance) Gone! (she looks round) Quite alone
(She shuts the door softly, then with uncertain
steps walks to the settee L., upon which she sinks
with a low moan—starts up wildly) It's late! Let
me see! (she takes her wedding ring from her pocket)
My wedding ring—I'll hide that; it is such a lie to
carry about with me. (She hurriedly opens a small
drawer in the bureau R., of it and brings it to table)
It will rest there, and can never be laughed at. (she
takes off her bracelets) These too—Eric's gifts, (she
throws them into the open drawer, then takes the
locket from her neck) Eric's portrait, (she opens the
locket and gazes at the portrait, earnestly) Another
woman's husband! (she rises) Nobody sees me.
(music—kisses locket—Eric covers his face with
his hands. Kate throws locket into the drawer. As
she does so, she catches sight of the papers lying
there. She seizes them) Papers! I had almost forgotten.
They would tell tales, if—if anything bad
happened to me. (She examines them. Eric comes
from the recess as if about to speak. Kate opens a
letter. From Eric when his regiment was quartered
at—(reading)—"My own Kate." Oh! (Eric sinks
horror-stricken, upon the chair by the bureau—his
head drops upon his arm. Kate finds an old photograph)
Ah! a photograph of the church where we
were married. I remember—we entered at that door
—not the one under the porch—and it brought us to
the chancel. Ah, here it is—(reading) "The Parish
Church of St. Paul, at Blissworth, in Yorkshire."
How pretty. It's one hundred and fifty miles away.
What a long journey for such a marriage. A valentine!
(she takes the papers and kneels at the fire-place.
She goes down on her knees before fire and
burns the papers, first kissing them. Eric raises
his head) A lucky thing that Christie made such a
bright fire for me. (shivering) And yet it is cold.
Ha! I suppose heat never comes from burnt love
letters, (to the letters) Good-bye! Good-bye! (Eric
rises and slowly comes down C.)
Eric. (hoarsely) Kate!
Kate. (with a cry she starts up and faces him)
Eric!
(Music stops.)
Eric. I know everything. I have heard. What
have you to say to me?
(Kate walks feebly towards him behind chair.)
Kate. (leaning on chair for support) Nothing
but—leave me. I am looking at you now for the
last time, (passes behind table to C. R., of bureau)
Eric. How can I leave you when we are bound
by such ties? My love chains me to you—nothing
earthly can break that?
Kate. The same words with which you wooed
that other woman! (passes to front of table)
Eric. Kate! (advancing)
Kate. Don't touch me or I shall drop dead with
shame.
(Eric advances again.)
Don't touch me—I can bear anything now but that!
Eric. You must hear me! (moves L. C.)
Kate. Hear you! What can you tell me but that
the pretty music you have played in my ears has been
but the dull echo of your old love-making? What
can you tell me but that I am a dishonoured woman,
(Eric turns away) with no husband, yet not a widow
—like to be a mother, and never to be a wife!\
(advances a step)
Eric. You will listen to me to-morrow? (turns
up a little)
Kate. To-morrow! I have no to-morrow. I am
living my life now. My life! my life! oh, what it
might have been! (she sinks on her knees with her
head upon the floor by table. Eric bends over her)
Eric. Kate, don't shrink from me! I go down in
the same wreck with you. You are a hopeless woman
—I stand beside you a hopeless man.
Kate. (moaning) You never told me of the past.
Oh, the times I have looked in the glass, with the
flush on my cheek that you have painted there, and
called myself Eric's First Sweetheart, (moves) If
you had told me of the past!
Eric. I could not believe in its reality. She
never loved me, Kate—she threw me away like an
old glove or a broken feather. I believed her dead.
Ah, Kate, do you think I would have stolen one look
from you if I hadn't believed myself to be a free
man?
Kate. Oh, Eric, Eric!
Eric. I had news from a distance that she had
died, a repentant woman. In my dreams I have seen
the grass and the flowers springing up from her
grave.
Kate. Oh, Eric, Eric!
Eric. (moves to L., C., a bit) What dreams will
haunt me this night—the grave of your life and
mine? (hand to head)
Kate. Dreams that picture despair and parting.
(walks up and returns)
Eric. (advances L., rousing himself) Tell me
where to turn, where to go. If I die, what then?
If I live, what then? I'll do anything you bid me,
(returns to her) but if you shrink from me at parting
it is more than I can bear, only look at me. One
last look—a look for me to cherish. Kate! (advancing,
Moves down, back to audience.)
Kate. (rises) No, no! (he covers his eyes with
his hand—there is a pause) Let me see your face,
Eric (he turns, they look each other in the face—
pityingly) Trouble makes you pale. Oh, how selfish
I am. Poor Eric!
Eric. I am thinking of the day we first met!
How bright! And now, what a parting!
Kate. Hush! I shall go mad if you make me
think. (The clock chimes again—starting) Look at
the hour—Good-night! (goes R., a little)
(He turns to go—stops.)
Eric. (holds out his hand) Touch my hand but
once.
Kate. (looking at him) We are suffering so much
together, aren't we? I don't know what I've said to
you, but it is no fault of yours, dear. We were
wedded in happiness—we are divorced in grief. Yes
—I will just take your hand.
(Without approaching too nearly, she lays her hand
in his—their eyes meet.)
Eric. Oh, Kate, the future!
(With a cry they go to each other, but as Eric is
about to press his lips to hers, she recoils with
horror.)
Kate. Oh, no! I, that have prayed God to make
me good all my life, what should I be if you kissed
me now?
Eric. Oh, Kate!
Kate. Go, go. Eric, you love me too well for
that, don't you?
Eric. Heaven give me strength, yes!
(The door L., opens, and Gilbert appears with a
fixed and determined look, carrying his gun.)
Gil. (L.) Mr. Thorndyke! (at door)
Eric. (c. calmly) Well, sir. (a pause)
Kate. Why have you come back to the house?
Gil. (puts hat on chair and shuts door) I have
not left the house. I come for an answer to my
letter.
Kate. (putting her hand to her head) Your letter?
(the letter lies unopened upon the table, Kate
sees it) Oh, there it is, unopened.
(Gil. walks firmly into the room, and points towards
the letter.)
Gil. Read it, please, (down L. C.)
(Kate opens the letter, draws her hands across her
eyes and reads, sitting R., of table.)
Kate. (reading) "Squire Kate—I will be satisfied
that this Thorndyke's name is not to blacken
yours in the mouths of the people of Market-Sinfield.
I shall remain concealed in this house till I can
speak to you alone. Remember—my love makes me
desperate—one more harsh word from you may bring
mischief to another. Gilbert." Mischief to another?
Eric. (C. slowly takes the letter from Kate)
What gives you a right to control this lady?
Gil. Her loneliness—my love. I was born and
reared on these lands—we plucked wild flowers
together, as children.
Eric. Are you her guardian, now that she is a
woman?
Gil. I am—and of any weak soul in peril.
Kate. (rises) What do you want of me?
Gil. Nothing; because I am face to face with him.
Eric. Quickly, then, sir, your business with me?
(throws paper down)
Gil. Mr. Thorndyke, you, who are supposed to
be a sunshine acquaintance of our Squire's, are found
here at dead of night, in the house of one whom all
honest folks know as Miss Verity.
Eric. Well, sir?
Gil. (pointing to Kate) I can't—I won't believe
but that that lady is good and pure. You either
have a sacred right here, or you are an intruder and
worse than a thief. You have to answer for this
to me.
Eric. Sir, you are in the presence of a sorrow too
profound to be disturbed by sharp questions and hot
answers. In justice to this lady, we may meet to-morrow.
Gil. Not to-morrow, when I trap my game to-night.
Eric. (indignantly) Ah!
Kate. Gilbert, you used to be so gentle! (Eric
restrains her)
Gil. Pardon me, Squire, my reckoning is with
him. Mr. Thorndyke, you have robbed me of a love
which I have laboured for for years. Ceaseless
yearning—heart-sickness—hope raised and hope
deferred—sleep without rest—thirst for which there
is no drink. That is my account. What is yours?
I find you now where you can have no right but the
sacred one of husband. (Eric and Kate exchange
a look—he comes nearer to Eric and looks in his
face) Is that lady your wife?
Eric. You approach me, sir, with the light of a
murderer in your eyes, and carrying a weapon. Your
very tone, sir, is a sacrilege. I tell you, man, there
is a grief so deep that it is holy before Heaven.
Gil. Is that lady your wife?
Kate. (advancing) Gilbert, you shall know—!
Eric. (stopping her) Hush! (to Gil.) Do you
threaten me?
Gil. I am the protector of a helpless woman—
I do.
Eric. You are a coward.
Gil. (stamping his foot) Is that lady your wife?
Eric. Then, sir, in the sight of heaven, yes.
Gil. (madly) In the sight of the law?
Eric. No.
Gil. Heaven forgive you—stand back!
(He raises his gun. Kate rushes forward with a
cry, and catches his uplifted arm.)
Kate. Gilbert! Gilbert! The father of my
child!
(music.)
(She falls in a swoon at his feet. Gil. with a cry
drops his gun, and looks down with horror upon
Kate. Eric kneels beside her, as the curtain falls
quickly.)
QUICK ACT DROP.
(Picture—Eric supporting Kate's head, L., of her,
Gil. looking on dumbfounded.)
Scene:—The same as in Act II. Daylight. The curtains over the window recesses are drawn back. The fire is burning brightly. It is afternoon. The sun sets as the act advances. All lights full. Bed lime R., for fire. Red lime on slot behind cloth for sun. Amber line behind transparent cloth R. Ditto L., to be worked on at cue. Music for Act drop. Clear lamp and book from table, lamp from bureau, and shut it (bureau) up. L. window open. Laughter and voices off L. as curtain rises, till Christie gets to window, then a Voice.
Voice. There's Christie! (she shuts window) Ah,
we're not good enough for Christie! (murmurs from
All)
(Christiana enters up stage, door L., There is the
distant sound of rough laughter. She looks out
of L. C.)
Chris. What a lot of animals! Ugh! How
awful common people look when they're clean, (comes
down C.)
(Izod's head appears in doorway L.)
Izod. Christie!
Chris. (turning sharply) Hallo!
Izod. (entering) What's wrong with the Squire?
Chris. (R. C.) Ill, she says. Hush! (pointing,
to door R.) She's in there. What do you want, dear?
Izod. (C.) Coin, (falls back up R. C., as Gunnion
enters door L., much perturbed. He is attired in his
grandest, wearing a large rosette of coloured ribbons)
Gun. Where's Squire? that's what I want to
know!
Chris. Hush! she's in her room. What's the
matter?
Gun. (sitting on stool C., wiping his forehead)
Hunpunctuality's the matter—a lot of 'em's not come
yet. The fiddle ain't come; the Mercury ain't come.
I don't give 'em a single sentiment till Mercury's
here to take me down.
Izod. You want somebody here to take you down.
Gun. Fell the grocer's not come. If he 'adn't
been harsked he'd have 'owled. Now he have been
harsked, he's for marching in late like a prince,
(rising) I'm the master of the ceremonies, I am
—take care he don't find hisself heaved out.
Chris. You're quite right, Gunnion; act up to
your ribbons.
Gun. (going to door L.) Ay, that I'll do. The
Squire's made me what I am this blessed day. I'm
Squire's representative, I am, and they'll find me
darned unpleasant. (He goes off L., muttering.)
John Parsley ain't come; old Buckle ain't come;
Mouldy Green ain't come.
(Izod comes down R., C.)
Chris. (R. to Izod) Go away, Izod, and keep
quiet till you're wanted.
Izod. (down R., C.) I tell you I want coin,
(sniffing) I've got such an awful cold through
lying under those ricks in the mist. I want coin.
Chris. I haven't any.
Izod. Then I don't open my mouth to the parson
about what I saw last night. I tell you I want coin.
Chris. What for?
Izod. (reflectively) For—for—to buy a pocket-
handkerchief.
Chris. (hurriedly takes out her purse) How
much?
Izod. (after consideration) Six and sixpence.
Chris. (turns) For a pocket-handkerchief!
Izod. I want rather a large size pocket-handkerchief.
Chris. (gives him the money, then listens—looking
towards R.) Somebody's coming—go away.
(Izod slouches off L., as Felicity enters door R.)
(C. to Fel.) Now then, you! (meets Fel. C.)
Fel. (R. C, turning) Yes, Miss Christiana.
(meeting Chris, C.)
(Chris, takes a letter from the pocket of her apron,
and holds it up, and then puts it behind back.)
Chris. Here's a pretty thing, and a very pretty
thing; and who is the owner of this pretty thing?
You shan't have it till you guess what it is.
Fel. A letter for the Squire?
Chris. No.
Fel. For me? (joyfully and eagerly)
Chris. Yes.
Fel. (eagerly) Give it me, please.
(She holds out her hand for it; Chris, puts the letter
behind her.)
Chris. Who is it from?
Fel. How am I to know till I see it?
Chris. Guess.
Fel. How did you get it? (quickly)
Chris. It was left here this morning by a common
soldier.
Fel. (jumps with glee) Oh, it's from Tom! He's
not common—he's a sergeant. How dare you keep
my letter all day?
Chris. (holds up letter—reading the address)
"Miss Felicity Gunnion—immejit." Immejit. He
can't even spell properly—that's a good match for a
girl.
Fel. (indignantly) I can't spell at all—it's a very
good match, (she snatches the letter from Chris, and
opens it—aside) Dear Tom—(crosses to sofa L.)—
that's his smudge—he always begins with a smudge.
(she sits on couch L., and reads—Chris, watches her
grimly—reads) "Dear Miss Gunnion." Dear Miss
Gunnion! Oh, Tom! (she reads quickly)
Chris. How is he? What does he call you—
Lovey or Popsey? He smokes bad tobacco; I
shouldn't care for him to kiss me.
Fel. (wiping her eyes in great distress—crying)
Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Oh, dear! (she takes her earrings
from her ears and throws them over the back
of the couch)
Chris. (L. C.) Hallo! what's wrong with the ear-rings?
Fel. He sent them to me. You were quite right,
Miss Christiana, he is common; he's the commonest,
worst man in Pagley Barracks.
Chris. I'm glad of it; it serves you right. You
shouldn't sneak into other women's shoes. (She
goes off L.)
(The harvest people are heard again in the distance
singing a rough chorus. Off stage L. U. C.—laugh.)
All. A song, a song! Ay, ay, a song! (rapping
mugs on table)
Loud Voice. Silence! yee.
"The Countryman's Song"
(Kate Verity enters towards end of song from door
R., looking white and worn, without noticing Fel.;
she crosses slowly to window L., enters the recess,
opens casement, and looks out. The Villagers,
who are supposed to be enjoying themselves in the
court below, break off their singing as Kate appears
and cry out to her.)
Man's Voice. Theer's Squire!
All. Hurrah!
Woman's Voice. How are ye, Squire? Are you
better, Squire?
(Kate nods and closes window. Murmurs gradually
subsiding. She sits on the sofa L., C., Felicity
rises and crosses to go off R., D., and turns as Kate
speaks.)
Kate. Why, Felicity, what a sad little face.
(Fel. goes to Kate with her letter.)
Fel. I—I—I've had awful bad news, Squire.
Kate. (sits) Well, sensible, strong-minded creatures
like you and me are not to be knocked over by
a little bad news, (patting Fel's head kindly) What
is it?
Fel. (kneels at Kate's side R., of her) Oh, Squire,
dear, listen to this, (reading the letter) "Dear Miss
Gunnion"—fancy that, Squire, from Tom Morris—
"the news have come to Pagley that our regiment
is the next for India. (Kate starts) The orders
are posted that we embark in ten days from this
present, in the 'Orion.'"
Kate. Stop! For India—Eric's regiment, (she
covers her face with her hands) Oh!
Fel. What's the matter, Squire?
Kate. Nothing, dearie; don't mind me. Go on!
Fel. (continuing letter) "I have been thinking
of the matter careful, and have come to the conclusion
that the climate of India would not agree with
your health, it being a swelterer. I therefore let you
off of your engagement, but have spoke to old Stibbs,
the butler at Mrs. Thorndyke's, who has saved money,
and wants for to marry again, and I have mentioned
you as a steady hard-working lass who would make
any man's home a palace. Send me back the silver
earrings you had from me, as they will only remind
you of him you have lost. So, no more from your
heart-broken Tom." Oh, Squire!
Kate. (kisses Fel. on the forehead) Thank
Heaven, on your knees, little woman, that you can
never be that man's wife.
Fel. (rises and dries her eyes, and crosses to R. C.)
I—I'm sure I'm very glad of it. (standing C.)
Oh, Squire, them soldiers are a bad, deceiving lot.
The King has their chests padded, and so girls think
they've got big hearts, but it's all wadding, Squire,
it's all wadding, (goes up R.)
(Gunnion enters door L.)
Gun. I'm darned if this ain't a'most too much
for an old man. (calling off, at door) Come on
with ye!
(Robjohns, Junior enters, attired in his best and
carrying his fiddle in a green baize bag; he has a
white hat in his hand.)
I've got him at last; blessed if he ain't been dressing
hisself since nine o'clock this morning, (up by L., D.)
Rob. (L. U, advancing) Well, Squire, I'm truly
sorry that I'm two hours and a yarf behind time, and
I hope it'll make no difference.
Kate. (sitting L., C.) No, no.
Rob. But, fact is, Squire, father's a-lingerin' in
a most aggravatin' way, and rare work I had to get
the yat from him.
Kate. (absently) The hat?
Rob. (holding out the hat) Father's white 'at,
Squire—he's full o' yearthly pride and wouldn't give
it up.
(Rob. goes to L., D. and takes fiddle out of bag, as
Fell, the grocer, a stout man, with his Wife and
a little Child enter—types of village trades-people.)
Gun. (C.) Squire, this is Mr. Fell, the proprietor
of the grocer shop down by Thong Lane.
Fell. (L. U., advancing) I beg pardon, not a
grocer's shop—stores!
Gun. Maybe it's grocer's shop, maybe it's stores,
but if the Fells imagine that droppin' in late is
Market-Sinfield manners, they're darned well mistook.
Dooks may do it, but not grocers nor even
stores.
Kate. (on sofa—reproachfully) Gunnion!
Gun. Well, I'm the master of the ceremonies,
I am.
(Mr. and Mrs. Fell argue out the subject with Gun.
up C., Kate beckons the little Child, who runs to
her.)
Kate. (rises and kneels with Child C.) Come
here, Toddle—what's your little name?
Child. Stores.
(Gunnion places Mrs. Fell on stool up C. Fell
takes chair from L., of bureau and sits beside her.)
Kate. Stores! No, no, no, that's not your name.
(crosses to R., with Child)
(Felicity places stool beside chair R., C., of it, and
Child sits. Fel. behind her. The Shabby Person,
representative of the "Pagley Mercury" appears,
supported on either side by two country people, men)
Gun. Squire, I'm mortally grieved to say this 'ere
is Mercury. He's a little tired; we found him in the
parlour of the White Lion. Come on, drat 'ee!
(Enter Dame, her husband and son with clarionet
Kate meets Dame.)
Kate. Ah, Dame, glad to see you!
Dame. Long life to you, Squire.
Kate. (pointing to chair L.) Sit down, Dame.
(Crowd follow, all bob and curtsey and say)
All. Mornin', Squire! How are you, Squire?
(Group formed L., of stage, Gunnion arranging
them. Kate sits R., The S. P. is placed upon the
couch. The Villagers and Farm Servants,
Men, Women, and Children troop in and cluster
in doorway up stage L., At the same time the
Parson, breaking his way through them, enters and
comes to Kate. Kate. with the little child, rises
to receive him.)
Kate. (gratefully) Ah, Parson, how kind of you.
Dormer. You—you look ill.
Kate. No, no, not now.
Dormer. Whose child is this?
Kate. Mr. Fell's, the grocer's little girl.
Dormer. Bah! the world's full of girls.
Gun. Now then, Joe Parsley, leave go of Jane
Boadsley's waist! You don't see me lowering myself
with a woman! Squire, the Harvest Song! Go on,
drat 'ee!
(A simple rustic chorus is sung to the accompaniment
of Rob's fiddle.)
Chorus of Villagers.
A Woman.
What have you got for me, Good-man?
All Women.
Say—a—a—a—ay!
Men.
Laces and rings and womanly things,
Upon our harvest day—a—a—a—ay!
A Woman. (holding up a baby)
What's for your baby boy, Good-man?
All Women.
Say—a—a—a—ay!
Men.
Bawbles and milk and a robe of silk,
Upon our harvest day—a—a—a—ay!
A Woman. (pointing to the Squire)
What have you got for She, Good-man?
All Women, (pointing to the Squire)
Say—a—a—a—ay!
Men. (stooping as if to carry a burden)
Why, sheaf and stack, and a weary back,
Upon our harvest day—a—a—a—ay!
CHORUS.
Everybody.
Bread in the oven, milk in the can,
And wood for the winter fire!
Fire-ire-ire!
A broken back for the husbandman,
And golden corn for the Squire!
Squire-ire-ire!
(At end of Chorus a young girl comes from the
crowd and presents Kate with a basket of fruit
and flowers. Kate kisses her—the girl returns.)
Gun. Squire Verity, it was my desire for to have
been took down in my words by Mercury. Mercury,
however, is non composite, as the saying goes.
Villagers. More shame for him!
Gun. But what I have to tell you is this here,
Squire; the men wish you a better harvest next harvest
than this harvest—as much 'ops and more wheat
and barley, not to say hoats.
Villagers. Hear, hear!
Gun. The women wish you a good husband, who'll
love you and protect you and put a load o' money
into the land, and have all the cottages well
white-washed.
Villagers. Hear! Hear!
Gun. And lastly—if the parson will allow me that
word—lastly, we all wish you may live amongst us
long and happy until you're an octo—an octo—an
octagon. I'm sorry Mercury can't take me down.
Villagers. Bravo, Gunnion! Well spoken, very
good!
(Kate rising—with her hand on the little Child's
head—Felicity puts stool bach, and stands by
Kate taking her hand and kissing it at end of
speech.)
Kate. My dear friends, you are kinder to me
than I deserve, which makes me very pained at what
I have to tell you. You and I, who have been
together for so many years, and who have loved one
another so much, have to part company.
Villagers. (murmur) What!
Gun. Part company! You don't mean to say
you're going to put more machinery in the land,
Squire?
Kate. I mean that I am going away from Market-
Sinfield, perhaps never to come back.
Villagers. Oh, what will become of us?
(a murmur from the Women)
Kate. The lands will be worked by a richer
farmer, and you and your homes will be the gainers.
Villagers. No, that they won't! (they shake
their heads)
Kate. But what I ask of you, is—don't forget
me—
(Sob from one of the Women.)
—and to make sure of that, please christen some of
your children by my name. Kate is a pretty name,
and when your babies grow up, tell them why they
bear it. (she kisses the Child and sends it back to
the group, then sits and cries)
Gun. (sympathetically) Well, all I've got to say
is, Squire, we're well nigh heart broke, (turning to
the group) My eye—up'll go the rents.
Dormer. (coming down) Be off, all of you—
don't stand and gape at a woman who is crying!
(Felicity exits R., D. Mercury assisted off. Fel.
places his chair back as before. Dormer goes off
through the group; the rest sorrowfully disperse,
looking over their shoulders at Kate. As they
leave Gil. comes through them, and is left on the
stage. He softly closes the door and crosses to
Kate R., C.—Voices till Gilbert speaks.)
Gil. (quietly) Squire!
Kate. (looking up quickly) Oh, Gilbert! (she
gives him her hand across the table)
Gil. (L. of table) I've been watching for a chance
of a word with you. Ah, Squire, how good of you
even to look at me!
Kate. Don't speak so, Gilbert.
Gil. When you think of me as I was! Ah, Squire,
I had the devil in me last night, and I would have
shot the young lieutenant like a dog in this very room,
but for—I can't say it.
Kate. But for what?
Gil. But for the sudden thought that you were
as guilty a woman as he was a man.
Kate. You didn't know, Gilbert.
Gil. Thank you, Squire, I didn't know, (advances
to her, looking round to be sure they are alone) Well,
Squire, I've seen Mr. Thorndyke this very morning.
Kate. (eagerly) Yes?
Gil. And I'm the bearer of a message from him.
Kate. (rising) A message—what is it? Quick?
(checking herself) Oh, no, it doesn't matter—don't
tell me.
Gil. Ah, Squire, you can't have heard the news.
The regiment's going away to a strange country—
it's his duty, and he goes too.
Kate. (faltering) Yes, I know—going away—
soon.
Gil. Well, Squire, I parted from him less than an
hour ago, and he grips my hand and says to me,
"Gilbert, you're the only soul that know's our secret,
and you're my friend and hers, and we trust you."
—God bless him for that, Squire! "And, Gilbert,"
says he, "I'm packed off to the Rajkote station in
India, where many a gravestone marks the end of a
short life. It's a good country for broken hearts,
Gilbert. And, Gilbert," says he, "I want to wish
her a good-bye. She won't refuse me that, Gilbert,
she can't refuse me that." (Kate goes to fire) Ah,
Squire, I've got a man's heart, though it's rough, and
all my poor disappointments and troubles are nothing
to such a sorrow as this. And I'm here for your
answer, Squire—waiting.
Kate. I can't see him. I must not see him. I
am weak—ill. My answer—no!
Gil. I won't take it, Squire. My heart goes out
to him. I can't bear that answer back.
Kate. Then tell him that you found me well,
cheerful, with a smile, among my people. Say it is
better as it is; that we must learn to forget—say
anything, (she sinks helplessly in chair)
Gil. Oh, Squire! (approaches her)
Kate. Do as I bid you—keep him away from me
—that's all.
Gil. (walks sadly over to L., C, then turns)
Nothing more.
Kate. Nothing more.
(The door L., opens, and Chris. enters with Izod
at her heels.)
Chris. (to Gil.) Gilbert, the children are crying
out for you to tell them your fairy stories, and sing
your songs to them.
Gil. I'm coming, (crosses to L.)
(Chris, and Izod. go up stage R., As Gil. is leaving,
Kate rises and calls him.)
Kate. Gilbert! (crosses to Gilbert)
Gil. (turning) Squire!
Kate. (she lays her hand on his arm—aside)
Gilbert—I—I have thought about it. Tell Mr. Thorndyke
that the poor folks look for a glimpse of him
to-day. That he shouldn't leave England without
seeing the last of Verity's farm. Gilbert, say that
we need not meet, (quickly) Go—tell him to come
to me!
(Gil. hurries off; Kate sits on couch L., Chris.
stands before her. Izod. comes down C.)
Chris. You're going to turn your back on Market-
Sinfield, Squire. What's to become of me! (crosses
her arms)
Kate. The poor servant's fortune always falls
with the house, Christie. You're young and strong,
and better off than your mistress.
Chris. (uncrosses and uses her arms) Ah, I see;
it's the baby face and baby tongue of old Gunnion's
daughter that pleases you now! And why? Because
the child can talk to you of the barracks at Pagley,
and the jests they make, and the stories they tell
about young Thorndyke's lady-love!
Kate. (raising her head) You are an insolent
woman!
Chris. Insolent I may be, but I'm not worse!
(goes a little to R.)
Kate. What do you mean?
Chris. That your precious love-secret is known
to my brother and me. That we can spell the name
of the man who is the most welcome guest here, in
broad daylight when doors are open, and in the dead
of night when doors are locked!
Kate. (rising and seizing Christie's wrist)
Christie!
Chris. (throwing her off—placing her hands
behind her defiantly) Don't you touch me, because I'm
your servant no longer! don't touch me, because
you're not fit to lay your hand upon a decent woman!
Kate. All the ills of the world at one poor
woman's door! (sits on sofa) What is it you want?
Izod. (aside to Chris.) Coin!
Chris. This: I've got gipsy blood in me, and that
means "all or none." Will you promise to turn old
Gunnion's child away, never to have her near you
again?
Kate. If I refuse, what will you do?
Chris. Tell the parson that there's a lady in
Market-Sinfield who needs as much praying for as
she can get from him on Sundays—tell him what
Izod saw last night and what I heard—give him a
new text to preach to the poor folks who call you
their saint.
Kate. You'll do this? (rises) Then I promise to
be a friend to little Felicity as long as she loves me
and clings to me. Say the worst you can.
(Izod goes up towards L., D. and remains. Chris.
makes a movement as if going. Kate stops her.)
Kate. (rises) Christiana! (Chris. stands
before Kate with her hands behind her back) I'll
give you this thought to help you. I stand here, the
last of my name, in our old house, wretched and in
trouble. I'm not the first Verity that has come to
grief, but I shall be the first at whose name there's
a hush and a whisper. And this will be to your
credit—to the credit of one who has fed and slept
under my roof, and who has touched my lips with
hers. (She comes to Chris, and lays her hand upon
her shoulder) Christie, if you ever marry and have
children that cry to be lulled to sleep, don't sing
this story to them lest they should raise their little
hands against their mother. Remember that. (sits
again)
(Eric Thorndyke enters quickly, door L., and stands
facing Kate. Christiana and Izod look at each
other significantly; there is a pause—Christie
backs a little so that Eric passes in front of her,
Izod passes behind and gets on steps.)
Chris. (with a curtsey to Eric) Your servant,
Lieutenant. You haven't forgotten the Harvest
Feast, sir.
(He makes no answer. Chris, and Izod cross quietly
to door L.)
(In Izod's ear) Come to the parson—now.
(They go out, Kate and Eric are alone—they look
at each other.)
Eric. (C.) Thank you for seeing me.
Kate. You ought to hate me for it. (on sofa)
Eric. I should have delayed this till you were
stronger, but I was in dread that you would go
without a word.
Kate. I leave Market-Sinfield to-morrow. I
should not have said good-bye to you. You look tired
and worn out.
(Eric advances to sit beside her, she checks him and
points to stool C.)
Sit down—there. (he sits wearily) Has your
mother written?
Eric. (with a short bitter laugh produces a letter
from his pocket-book) (C.) Oh, yes; here is my
congé. The gates of The Packmores are shut and
locked. Stibbs, the butler, has orders to clear out
everything that spells the name of Eric. Poor
mother!
Kate. Ah, that needn't be now; you must tell her
we have quarrelled, that I have jilted you, or you me
—anything for a home.
Eric. (rises) Home, Kate! Home! That's all
over. (comes down C.)
Kate. Hush! hush!
Eric. I've been with Sylvester, our lawyer, this
morning; he is going to raise money on the reversion
of my aunt Tylcote's little place, which must come
to me. It is the merest trifle, but it is something.
And I've written to the agents in town about setting
aside half my pay.
Kate. (looking up) What is the meaning of
that?
Eric. For you, Kate. I've no thought but for
you, dear, and the little heart which is to beat against
yours.
Kate. (starts up—rises) Oh, Eric, unless you
wish to make me mad, you mustn't be kind to me, I
can't bear it. (advancing C. firmly) Why, Eric,
do you think I'd let you pinch and struggle for me!
(they meet C.)
Eric. (hotly) Why, Kate, you wouldn't live in
a fashion that doesn't become my wife!
(He stops short—they look at each other, then turn
away.)
Kate. (sits again on sofa—under her breath)
Oh, Eric, what made you say that?
Eric. It slipped from me—I didn't meant to say
it. Oh, it comes so naturally, (goes up to L., of L.
window)
Kate. It doesn't matter; it's all through wrangling
about miserable money, (goes to R., of L. window)
(The lights are getting duller, the faint glow of the
setting sun is seen outside the windows.)
Look! there's the sun going down; we mustn't stay
here longer. (She comes closer to him, looking up
into his face. They stand with their hands behind
them.) There's time only for one last word.
Eric. I'm listening, (coming down R.)
Kate. (tearfully) It's this. You may—of
course—write to me—to the Post Office at Bale, for
the present. Not to make it a tax upon you. But
when you've nothing better or more cheerful to do—
oh, write to me then!
Eric. Oh, Kate! (He moves down R., towards
her, she goes back a pace to avoid him)
Kate. (leans against chair) No, no, I'm not
going to cry. (smiling) A man is always so frightened
that a woman is going to cry. And, Eric, promise me,
dear, never to gamble, nor bet—only very little.
Will you promise?
Eric. Yes, I promise!
Kate. (both centre) Don't listen to stories at
the mess table about officers' wives—don't sit up too
late—don't drink too much wine.
Eric. There's no chance of that, (walks toward
settee L.)
Kate. Ah, dear, you haven't been in trouble till
now. And lastly, always go to church and be a good
fellow.
Eric. Which means, Kate—try to do everything
I should have done in the happy life we might have
lived together, (sits, Eric on settee, Kate C.)
Kate. Yes, that's what I mean. And when you
find yourself getting very miserable, which means,
getting very weak, I want you to say to yourself—
"Eric, old fellow, pull up—you've got a true love
somewhere—you don't know where she is—but you'd
better do everything she bids you, for she's a
perfect tyrant" (she breaks down, and stands C.)
Eric. (puts hat on chair) That's your last word,
Kate—this is mine.
(MUSIC.)
When I get away from India, on leave, I shan't know
where to bend my steps unless it's to the country that
holds my girl.
Kate. No, no. (moves to table)
(Rises and crosses, both near table.)
Eric. Ah, listen, (he holds out his right hand
and traces upon it, as if it were a map, with his left)
Suppose my hand's a map—there are lines enough
on it—and that you're dwelling in some pretty foreign
place, say here. Well, then, when you're here,
I could while away the time there, and if you're
weary of that one spot and run off to there, I could
pack up my bag and smoke my cigar here. You see,
darling? Never too near you, where I've no right,
but always about thirty or forty miles away. So
that in the twilights, which are long and saddening in
foreign places, you might sit and say to yourself, "I
don't want to meet Eric face to face, because he'd
remind me of old times and old troubles, but he's not
more than forty miles away, and he's thinking of his
dear love at this very moment."
(MUSIC changes.)
Kate. (drawing her hand across her eyes) You
mustn't speak to me any more.
(Eric takes his hat. Kate goes down to R., C.)
Eric. Good-bye. (looking in her face, trying to
smile) Why, I do believe I shall begin to write you
my Indian budget this very evening.
Kate. (struggling with her tears) It doesn't
matter how long the letter is. Good-bye. (she holds
out her hand, he walks down slowly and takes her
hand. There is a pause—softly) You are going
away—I can't help it.
(MUSIC ceases.)
(She lays her head quietly upon his breast, he folds
his arms round her. As they part Dormer enters
door L., with a stern face.)
Eric. Mr. Dormer!
Dormer. (L.) We meet, as we have met before,
sir, in hot blood. Mr. Thorndyke, you have no secret
that is not shared by me, and yet you are here, sir!
For shame!
Eric. (C.) Let me remind you, Mr. Dormer,
that one of the few advantages of being neither a
pauper nor a felon is freedom of action.
Dormer. Mr. Thorndyke, I am without the
smooth tongue of my class. I find you in a woman's
house, where you are a guest by night as well as by
day. I bid you begone. You are a soldier lacking
chivalry—a man who makes war upon weakness
—you are a coward! (step)
Eric. A coward, Mr. Dormer, is one who, under
the cover of his age and profession, uses language
for which a younger and a braver man would be
chastised, (goes up stage toward fire-place)
Kate. (crosses to Dormer R.) Parson, you don't
guess the truth. If you knew! (crosses to C. Eric
drops R.)
Dormer. I'll know no more. Miss Verity, I am
the pastor of a flock of poor, simple people, who
regard your words as precepts, and your actions as
examples. I will spare you the loss of their good
will, but I demand, so long as you remain in this
parish, that Mr. Thorndyke be excluded from your
house.
(Kate goes up to bureau.)
Eric. Oh, sir, I can relieve your mind on that
point; a moment later you would have found me
gone. Good-bye, Miss Verity, I shall inform you of
my arrival abroad if you will let me.
Kate. (takes his hand, and looks firmly at
Dormer) Stop! Parson Dormer, this house is mine;
while my heart beats, for good or for evil, neither
you nor your bishop could shut my doors upon the
man I love. That is your answer.
Dormer. And to think that yesterday your voice
had a charm and a melody for me. It serves me
rightly for forgetting my old lesson. What a fool!
What a fool! (he goes deliberately to bell rope L.,
and pulls it)
Kate. What are you going to do?
Dormer. My duty.
Kate. What is that?
Dormer. To open the eyes of these blind people.
Kate. Open their eyes to what?
Dormer. Your guilt.
(Eric gives an indignant cry. Kate goes to
Dormer.)
Kate. Guilt! It's not true! Parson, I am
unhappy, with a life wasted, with hope crushed out
of me, but not guilty yet. I am this man's wife in
the sight of heaven, married a year ago at God's altar,
prayed over and blessed by a priest of your church,
to be divorced by the cruel snare which made you its
mouthpiece. Parson, I am desperate and weak, but
not guilty yet!
Dormer. Kate! Kate! look in my eyes—is this
the truth?
Kate. (clinging to Eric) As true as that at
this moment, for the first time in my life, I am in
danger!
(Eric leads her to chair R., she sits. The village
crowd, headed by Christiana, Izod, Gunnion, and
Felicity, appear at door L., Christiana triumphant.
Dormer faces the crowd.)
Dormer. Friends, Market-Sinfield people, (laying
his hand on Chris's, arm) you've been told by
this good creature here that I've a few words to speak
to you. Very well, this is my text. Beware of Tale
Bearers! They destroy the simplicity of such natures
as yours; they feed the bitterness of such a nature as
mine. I entreat you, firstly, to believe nothing ill
against those you hate, and you'll grow to love them;
secondly, to believe nothing ill against those you love,
and you'll love them doubly. Lastly, whatever you
think, whatever you do, to pity this poor lady
(pointing to Kate) who is in some trouble at leaving the
place where she was born. Go! (turns down C.)
(Chris, snatches her arm from Dormer with a bitter
look. The crowd makes a movement to go, when
Gil forces his way through and comes to Dor. L.
of him.)
Gil. (aside to Dormer) Parson, you're wanted
up yonder!
Dormer. What is it?
(Gil. whispers a few words in Dormer's ear, and
falls back. Dormer raises his hand to stop the
crowd.)
Dormer. (emphatically) Stay! before you go
I'll tell you why the Squire leaves Market-Sinfield.
(goes a little to R., C.)
Kate. (rises and goes up behind table—to
Dormer) Parson! No! (goes down on Dormer's L.)
Dormer. (not heeding Kate) She is going to be
the wife of that young man there, our neighbor
Thorndyke.
Crowd. What! Married!
Dormer. She is going to be married to him in
your presence, in my church, and by me, before
another Sunday passes.
(A cry from the Crowd.)
But neighbor Thorndyke is off to India for some
years with his good wife, on duty to his Queen, and
that's why you lose your Squire. Men and women,
on your knees to-night, say God bless Squire Kate
and her husband, and bring them back to us to
Market-Sinfield!
(Another cry from the Crowd.)
Crowd. Hurrah!
Kate. (L. of Dormer—grasping Dormer's arm,
aside to him) Parson, the woman at the "White
Lion!"
Dormer. Hush! (to Eric) Mr. Thorndyke,
you're a free man, sir, your wife is dead!
(MUSIC.)
(As the curtain falls, Kate kneels, Dormer puts
his hand on her head.)
THE END.