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If I Had A Father. A Drama.
By George MacDonald
ACT I.
SCENE.--A Sculptor's studio. ARTHUR GERVAISE working at a clay figure and humming a tune. A knock.
Ger. Come in. (Throws a wet cloth over the clay. Enter WARREN by the door communicating with the house.) Ah, Warren! How do you do?
War. How are you, Gervaise? I'm delighted to see you once more. I have but just heard of your return.
Ger. I've been home but a fortnight. I was just thinking of you.
War. I was certain I should find you at work.
Ger. You see my work can go on by any light. It is more independent than yours.
War. I wish it weren't, then.
Ger. Why?
War. Because there would be a chance of our getting you out of your den sometimes.
Ger. Like any other wild beast when the dark falls--eh?
War. Just so.
Ger. And where the good?
War. Why shouldn't you roar a little now and then like other honest lions?
Ger. I doubt if the roaring lions do much beyond roaring.
War. And I doubt whether the lion that won't even whisk his tail, will get food enough shoved through his bars to make it worth his while to keep a cage in London.
Ger. I certainly shall not make use of myself to recommend my work.
War. What is it now?
Ger. Oh, nothing!--only a little fancy of my own.
War. There again! The moment I set foot in your study, you throw the sheet over your clay, and when I ask you what you are working at--"Oh--a little fancy of my own!"
Ger. I couldn't tell it was you coming.
War. Let me see what you've been doing, then.
Ger. Oh, she's a mere Lot's-wife as yet!
War. (approaching the figure). Of course, of course! I understand all that.
Ger. (laying his hand on his arm). Excuse me: I would rather not show it.
War. I beg your pardon.--I couldn't believe you really meant it.
Ger. I'll show you the mould if you like.
War. I don't know what you mean by that: you would never throw a wet sheet over a cast! (GER. lifts a painting from the floor and sets it on an easel. WAR. regards it for a few moments in silence.) Ah! by Jove, Gervaise! some one sent you down the wrong turn: you ought to have been a painter. What a sky! And what a sea! Those blues and greens--rich as a peacock's feather-eyes! Superb! A tropical night! The dolphin at its last gasp in the west, and all above, an abyss of blue, at the bottom of which the stars lie like gems in the mineshaft of the darkness!
Ger. You seem to have taken the wrong turn, Warren! You ought to have been a poet.
War. Such a thing as that puts the slang out of a fellow's bend.
Ger. I'm glad you like it. I do myself, though it falls short of my intent sadly enough.
War. But I don't for the life of me see what this has to do with that. You said something about a mould.
Ger. I will tell you what I meant. Every individual aspect of nature looks to me as if about to give birth to a human form, embodying that of which itself only dreams. In this way landscape-painting is, in my eyes, the mother of sculpture. That Apollo is of the summer dawn; that Aphrodite of the moonlit sea; this picture represents the mother of my Psyche.
War. Under the sheet there?
Ger. Yes. You shall see her some day; but to show your work too soon, is to uncork your champagne before dinner.
War. Well, you've spoiled my picture. I shall go home and scrape my canvas to the bone.
Ger. On second thoughts, I will show you my Psyche. (Uncovers the clay. WAR. stands in admiration. Enter WATERFIELD by same door.)
Wat. Ah, Warren! here you are before me! Mr. Gervaise, I hope I see you well.
War. Mr. Waterfield--an old friend of yours, Gervaise, I believe.
Ger. I cannot appropriate the honour.
Wat. I was twice in your studio at Rome, but it's six months ago, Mr. Gervaise. Ha! (using his eye-glass) What a charming figure! A Psyche! Wings suggested by--Very skilful! Contour lovely! Altogether antique in pose and expression!--Is she a commission?
Ger. No.
Wat. Then I beg you will consider her one.
Ger. Excuse me; I never work on commission--at least never in this kind. A bust or two I have done.
Wat. By Jove!--I should like to see your model!--This is perfect. Are you going to carve her?
Ger. Possibly.
Wat. Uncommissioned?
Ger. If at all.
Wat. Well, I can't call it running any risk. What lines!--You will let me drop in some day when you've got your model here?
Ger. Impossible.
Wat. You don't mean--?
Ger. I had no model.
Wat. No model? Ha! ha!--You must excuse me! (GER. takes up the wet sheet.) I understand. Reasons. A little mystery enhances--eh?--is convenient too--balks intrusion--throws the drapery over the mignonette. I understand. (GER. covers the clay.) Oh! pray don't carry out my figure. That is a damper now!
Ger. I am not fond of acting the showman. You must excuse me: I am busy.
Wat. Ah well!--some other time--when you've got on with her a bit. Good morning. Ta, ta, Warren.
Ger. Good morning. This way, if you please. (Shows him out by the door to the street.) How did the fellow find his way here?
War. I am the culprit, I'm sorry to say. He asked me for your address, and I gave it him.
Ger. How long have you known him?
War. A month or two.
Ger. Don't bring him here again.
War. Don't say I brought him. I didn't do that. But I'm afraid you've not seen the last of him.
Ger. Oh yes, I have! Old Martha would let in anybody, but I've got a man now.--William!
Enter COL. GERVAISE dressed as a servant.
You didn't see the gentleman just gone, I'm afraid, William?
Col. G. No, sir.
Ger. Don't let in any one calling himself Waterfield.
Col. G. No, sir.
Ger. I'm going out with Mr. Warren. I shall be back shortly.
Col. G. Very well, sir. Exit into the house.
Ger. (to WAR.) I can't touch clay again till I get that fellow out of my head.
War. Come along, then.
Exeunt GER. and WAR.
Re-enter COL. G. polishing a boot. Regards it with dissatisfaction.
Col. G. Confound the thing! I wish it were a scabbard. When I think I'm getting it all right--one rub more and it's gone dull again!
The house-door opens slowly, and THOMAS peeps cautiously in.
Th. What sort of a plaze be this, maister?
Col. G. You ought to have asked that outside. How did you get in?
Th. By th' dur-hole. Iv yo leave th' dur oppen, th' dogs'll coom in.
Col. G. I must speak to Martha again. She will leave the street-door open!--Well, you needn't look so frightened. It ain't a robbers' cave.
Th. That be more'n aw knaw--not for sartin sure, maister. Nobory mun keawnt upon nobory up to Lonnon, they tells mo. But iv a gentleman axes mo into his heawse, aw'm noan beawn to be afeard. Aw'll coom in, for mayhap yo can help mo. It be a coorous plaze. What dun yo mak here?
Col. G. What would you think now?
Th. It looks to mo like a mason's shed--a greight one.
Col. G. You're not so far wrong.
Th. (advancing). It do look a queer plaze. Aw be noan so sure abeawt it. But they wonnot coot mo throat beout warnin'. Aw'll bother noan. (Sits down on the dais and wipes his face.) Well, aw be a'most weary.
Col. G. Is there anything I can do for you?
Th. Nay, aw donnot know; but beout aw get somebory to help mo, aw dunnot think aw'll coom to th' end in haste. Aw're a lookin' for summut aw've lost, mou.
Col. G. Did you come all the way from Lancashire to look for it?
Th. Eh, lad! aw thowt thae'rt beawn to know wheer aw coom fro!
Col. G. Anybody could tell that, the first word you spoke. I mean no offence.
Th. (looking disappointed). Well, noan's ta'en. But thae dunnot say thae's ne'er been to Lancashire thisel'?
Col. G. No, I don't say that: I've been to Lancashire several times.
Th. Wheer to?
Col. G. Why, Manchester.
Th. That's noan ov it.
Col. G. And Lancaster.
Th. Tut! tut! That's noan of it, nayther.
Col. G. And Liverpool. I was once there for a whole week.
Th. Nay, nay. Noather o' those plazes. Fur away off 'em.
Col. G. But what does it matter where I have or haven't been?
Th. Mun aw tell tho again? Aw've lost summut, aw tell tho. Didsto ne'er hear tell ov th' owd woman 'at lost her shillin'? Hoo couldn't sit her deawn beawt hoo feawnd it! Yon's me. (Hides his face in his hands.)
Col. G. Ah! now I begin to guess! (aside).--You don't mean you've lost your--
Th. (starting up and grasping his stick with both hands). Aw do mane aw've lost mo yung lass; and aw dunnot say thae's feawnd her, but aw do say thae knows wheer hoo is. Aw do. Theighur! Nea then!
Col. G. What on earth makes you think that? I don't know what you're after.
Th. Thae knows well enough. Thae knowed what aw'd lost afoor aw tou'd tho yo' be deny in' your own name. Thae knows. Aw'll tay tho afore the police, beout thou gie her oop. Aw wull.
Col. G. What story have you to tell the police then? They'll want to know.
Th. Story saysto? The dule's i' th' mon! Didn't aw seigh th' mon 'at stealed her away goo into this heawse not mich over hauve an hour ago?--Aw seigh him wi' mo own eighes.
Col. G. Why didn't you speak to him?
Th. He poppit in at th' same dur, and there aw've been a-watching ever since. Aw've not took my eighes off ov it. He's somewheeres now in this same heawse.
Col. G. He may have been out in the morning (aside).--But you see there are more doors than one to the place. There is a back door; and there is a door out into the street.
Th. Eigh! eigh! Th' t'one has to do wi' th' t'other--have it? Three dur-holes to one shed! That looks bad!
Col. G. He's not here, whoever it was. There's not a man but myself in the place.
Th. Hea am aw to know yo're not playin' a marlock wi' mo? He'll be oop i' th' heawse theer. Aw mun go look (going).
Col. G. (preventing him). And how am I to know you're not a housebreaker?
Th. Dun yo think an owd mon like mosel' would be of mich use for sich wark as that, mon?
Col. G. The more fit for a spy, though, to see what might be made of it.
Th. Eh, mon! Dun they do sich things as yon? But aw'm seechin' nothin', man nor meawse, that donnot belung me. Aw tell yo true. Gie mo mo Mattie, and aw'll trouble yo no moor. Aw winnot--if yo'll give mo back mo Mattie. (Comes close up to him and lays his hand on his arm.) Be yo a feyther, mon?
Col. G. Yes.
Th. Ov a pratty yung lass?
Col. G. Well, no. I have but a son.
Th. Then thae winnot help mo?
Col. G. I shall be very glad to help you, if you will tell me how.
Th. Tell yor maister 'at Mattie's owd feyther's coom a' the gait fro Rachda to fot her whoam, and aw'll be much obleeged to him iv he'll let her goo beout lunger delay, for her mother wants her to whoam: hoo's but poorly. Tell yor maister that.
Col. G. But I don't believe my master knows anything about her.
Th. Aw're tellin' tho, aw seigh' th' mon goo into this heawse but a feow minutes agoo?
Col. G. You've mistaken somebody for him.
Th. Well, aw'm beawn to tell tho moore. Twothre days ago, aw seigh mo chylt coom eawt ov this same dur--aw mane th' heawsedur, yon.
Col. G. Are you sure of that?
Th. Sure as death. Aw seigh her back.
Col. G. Her back! Who could be sure of a back?
Th. By th' maskins! dosto think I dunnot know mo Mattie's back? I seign her coom eawt o' that dur, aw tell tho!
Col. G. Why didn't you speak to her?
Th. Aw co'd.
Col. G. And she didn't answer?
Th. Aw didn't co' leawd. Aw're not willin' to have ony mak ov a din.
Col. G. But you followed her surely?
Th. Aw did; but aw're noan so good at walkin' as aw wur when aw coom; th' stwons ha' blistered mo fet. An it're the edge o' dark like. Aw connot seigh weel at neet, wi o' th' lamps; an afoor aw geet oop wi' her, hoo's reawnd th' nook, and gwon fro mo seet.
Col. G. There are ten thousands girls in London you might take for your own under such circumstances--not seeing more than the backs of them.
Th. Ten theawsand girls like mo Mattie, saysto?--wi'her greight eighes and her lung yure?--Puh!
Col. G. But you've just said you didn't see her face!
Th. Dunnot aw know what th' face ov mo chylt be like, beout seem' ov it? Aw'm noan ov a lump-yed. Nobory as seigh her once wouldn't know her again.
Col. G. (aside). He's a lunatic!--I don't see what I can do for you, old fellow.
Th. (rising). And aw met ha' known it beout axin'! O'reet! Aw're a greight foo'! But aw're beawn to coom in: aw lung'd to goo through th' same dur wi' mo Mattie. Good day, sir. It be like maister, like mon! God's curse upon o' sich! (Turns his back. After a moment turns again.) Noa. Aw winnot say that; for mo Mattie's sake aw winnot say that. God forgie you! (going by the house).
Col. G. This way, please! (opening the street-door).
Th. Aw see. Aw'm not to have a chance ov seem' oather Mattie or th' mon. Exit.
Col. G. resumes his boot absently. Re-enter THOMAS, shaking his fist.
Th. But aw tell tho, aw'll stick to th' place day and neet, aw wull. Aw wull. Aw wull.
Col. G. Come back to-morrow.
Th. Coom back, saysto? Aw'll not goo away (growing fierce). Wilto gie mo mo Mattie? Aw'm noan beawn to ston here so mich lunger. Wilto gie mo mo Mattie?
Col. G. I cannot give you what I haven't got.
Th. Aw'll break thi yed, thou villain! (threatening him with his stick). Eh, Mattie! Mattie! to loe sich a mon's maister more'n me! I would dey fur thee, Mattie. Exit.
Col. G. It's all a mistake, of course. There are plenty of young men--but my Arthur's none of such. I cannot believe it of him. The daughter! If I could find her, she would settle the question. (It begins to grow dark.) I must help the old man to find her. He's sure to come back. Arthur does not look the least like it. But--(polishes vigorously). I cannot get this boot to look like a gentleman's. I wish I had taken a lesson or two first. I'll get hold of a shoeblack, and make him come for a morning or two. No, he does not look like it. There he comes. (Goes on polishing.)
Enter GER.
Ger. William!
Col. G. (turning). Yes, sir.
Ger. Light the gas. Any one called?
Col. G. Yes, sir.
Ger. Who?
Col. G. I don't know, sir. (Lighting the gas.)
Ger. You should have asked his name. (Stands before the clay, contemplating it.)
Col. G. I'm sorry I forgot, sir. It was only an old man from the country--after his daughter, he said.
Ger. Came to offer his daughter, or himself perhaps. (Begins to work at the figure.)
Col. G. (watching him stealthily). He looked a respectable old party--from Lancashire, he said.
Ger. I dare say. You will have many such callers. Take the address. Models, you know.
Col. G. If he calls again, sir?
Ger. Ask him to leave his address, I say.
Col. G. But he told me you knew her.
Ger. Possibly. I had a good many models before I left. But it's of no consequence; I don't want any at present.
Col. G. He seemed in a great way, sir--and swore. I couldn't make him out.
Ger. Ah! hm!
Col. G. He says he saw her come out of the house.
Ger. Has there been any girl here? Have you seen any about?
Col. G. No, sir.
Ger. My aunt had a dressmaker to meet her here the other evening. I have had no model since I came back.
Col. G. The man was in a sad taking about her, sir. I didn't know what to make of it. There seemed some truth--something suspicious.
Ger. Perhaps my aunt can throw some light upon it. (COL. G. lingers.) That will do. (Exit COL. G.) How oddly the man behaves! A sun-stroke in India, perhaps. Or he may have had a knock on the head. I must keep my eye on him. (Stops working, steps backward, and gazes at the Psyche.) She is growing very like some one! Who can it be? She knows she is puzzling me, the beauty! See how she is keeping back a smile! She knows if she lets one smile out, her whole face will follow it through the clay. How strange the half-lights of memory are! You know and you don't know--both at once. Like a bat in the twilight you are sure of it, and the same moment it is nowhere. Who is my Psyche like?--The forehead above the eyebrow, and round by the temple? The half-playful, half-sorrowful curve of the lip? The hope in the lifted eyelid? There is more there than ever I put there. Some power has been shaping my ends. By heaven, I have it!--No--yes--it is--it is Constance--momently dawning out of the clay! What does this mean? She never gave me a sitting--at least, she has not done so for the last ten years--yet here she is--she, and no other! I never thought she was beautiful. When she came with my aunt the other day though, I did fancy I saw a new soul dawning through the lovely face. Here it is--the same soul breaking through the clay of my Psyche!--I will give just one touch to the corner of the mouth.
Gives a few touches, then steps back again and contemplates the figure. Turns away and walks up and down. The light darkens to slow plaintive music, which lasts for a minute. Then the morning begins to dawn, gleaming blue upon the statues and casts, and revealing GER. seated before his Psyche, gazing at her. He rises, and exit.
Enter COL. G. and looks about.
Col. G. I don't know what to make of it! Or rather I'm afraid I do know what to make of it! It looks bad. He's not been in bed all night. But it shows he has some conscience left--and that's a comfort.
Enter Mrs. CLIFFORD, peeping round cautiously.
Col. G. What, Clara! you here so early!
Mrs. C. Well, you know, brother, you're so fond of mystery!
Col. G. It's very kind of you to come! But we must be very careful; I can't tell when my master may be home.
Mrs. C. Has he been out all night, then?
Col. G. Oh no; he's just gone.
Mrs. C. I never knew him such an early bird. I made sure he was safe in bed for a couple of hours yet. But I do trust, Walter, you have had enough of this fooling, and are prepared to act like a rational man and a gentleman.
Col. G. On the contrary, Clara, with my usual obstinacy, I am more determined than ever that my boy shall not know me, until, as I told you, I have rendered him such service as may prove me not altogether unworthy to be his father. Twenty years of neglect will be hard to surmount.
Mrs. C. But mere menial service cannot discharge the least portion of your obligations. As his father alone can you really serve him.
Col. G. You persist in misunderstanding me. This is not the service I mean. I scorn the fancy. This is only the means, as I told you plainly before, of finding out how I may serve him--of learning what he really needs--or most desires. If I fail in discovering how to recommend myself to him, I shall go back to India, and content myself with leaving him a tolerable fortune.
Mrs. C. How ever a hair-brained fellow like you, Walter, could have made such a soldier!--Why don't you tell your boy you love him, and have done with it?
Col. G. I will, as soon as I have proof to back the assertion.
Mrs. C. I tell you it is rank pride.
Col. G. It may be pride, sister; but it is the pride of a repentant thief who puts off his confession until he has the money in his hand to prove the genuineness of his sorrow.
Mrs. C. It never was of any use to argue with you, Walter; you know that, or at least I know it. So I give up.--I trust you have got over your prejudice against his profession. It is not my fault.
Col. G. In truth, I had forgotten the profession--as you call it--in watching the professor.
Mrs. C. And has it not once occurred to you to ask how he may take such watching?
Col. G. By the time he is aware of it, he will be ready to understand it.
Mrs. C. But suppose he should discover you before you have thus established your position?
Col. G. I must run the risk.
Mrs. C. Suppose then you should thus find out something he would not have you know?
Col. G. (hurriedly). Do you imagine his servant might know a thing he would hide from his father?
Mrs. C. I do not, Walter. I can trust him. But he might well resent the espionage of even his father. You cannot get rid of the vile look of the thing.
Col. G. Again I say, my boy shall be my judge, and my love shall be my plea. In any case I shall have to ask his forgiveness. But there is his key in the lock! Run into the house.
Exit MRS. C. Enter GER., and goes straight to the Psyche.
Col. G. Breakfast is waiting, sir.
Ger. By and by, William.
Col. G. You haven't been in bed, sir!
Ger. Well? What of that?
Col. G. I hope you're not ill, sir.
Ger. Not in the least: I work all night sometimes.--You can go. (COL. G. lingers, with a searching gaze at the Psyche.)--I don't want anything.
Col. G. Pardon me, sir, but I am sure you are ill. You've done no work since last night.
Ger. (with displeasure). I am quite well, and wish to be alone.
Col. G. Mayn't I go and fetch a doctor, sir? It is better to take things in time.
Ger. You are troublesome. (Exit COL. G.)--What can the fellow mean? He looked at me so strangely too! He's officious--that's all, I dare say. A good sort of man, I do think! William!--What is it in the man's face?--(Enter Col G.) Is the breakfast ready?
Col. G. Quite ready, sir.
Ger. I'm sorry I spoke to you so hastily. The fact is--
Col. G. Don't mention it, sir. Speak as you will to me; I shan't mind it. When there's anything on a man's conscience--I--I--I mean on a man's mind--
Ger. What do you mean?
Col. G. I mean, when there is anything there, he can't well help his temper, sir.
Ger. I don't understand you; but, anyhow, you--go too far, William.
Col. G. I beg your pardon, sir: I forgot myself. I do humbly beg your pardon. Shall I make some fresh coffee, sir? It's not cold--only it's stood too long.
Ger. The coffee will do well enough. (Exit COL. G.)--Is she so beautiful? (turning to the Psyche)--Is there a likeness?--I see it.--Nonsense! A mere chance confluence of the ideal and the actual.--Even then the chance must mean something. Such a mere chance would indeed be a strange one!
Enter CONSTANCE.
Oh, my heart! here she comes! my Psyche herself!--Well, Constance!
Con. Oh, Arthur, I am so glad I've found you! I want to talk to you about something. I know you don't care much about me now, but I must tell you, for it would be wrong not.
Ger. (aside). How beautiful she is! What can she have to tell me about? It cannot be--it shall not be--. Sit down, won't you? (offering her a chair.)
Con. No. You sit there (pointing to the dais), and I will sit here (placing herself on the lower step). It was here I used to sit so often when I was a little girl. Why can't one keep little? I was always with you then! (Sighs.)
Ger. It is not my fault, Constance.
Con. Oh no! I suppose it can't be. Only I don't see why. Oh, Arthur, where should I be but for you! I saw the old place yesterday. How dreadful and yet how dear it was!
Ger. Who took you there?
Con. Nobody. I went alone.
Ger. It was hardly safe.--I don't like your going out alone, Constance.
Con. Why, Arthur! I used to know every court and alley about Shoreditch better than I know Berkeley Square now!
Ger. But what made you go there?
Con. I went to find a dressmaker who has been working for my aunt, and lost my way. And--would you believe it?--I was actually frightened!
Ger. No wonder! There are rough people about there.
Con. I never used to think them rough when I lived among them with my father and mother. There must be just as good people there as anywhere else. Yet I could not help shuddering at the thought of living there again!--How strange it made me feel! You have been my angel, Arthur. What would have become of me if you hadn't taken me, I dare not think.
Ger. I have had my reward, Constance: you are happy.
Con. Not quite. There's something I want to tell you.
Ger. Tell on, child.
Con. Oh, thank you!--that is how you used to talk to me. (Hesitates.)
Ger. (with foreboding) Well, what is it?
Con. (pulling the fingers of her gloves) A gentleman--you know him--has been--calling upon aunt--and me. We have seen a good deal of him.
Ger. Who is he?
Con. Mr. Waterfield. (Keeps her eyes on the floor.)
Ger. Well?
Con. He says--he--he--he wants me to marry him.--Aunt likes him.
Ger. And you?
Con. I like him too. I don't think I like him enough--I dare say I shall. It is so good of him to take poor me! He is very rich, they say.
Ger. Have you accepted him?
Con. I am afraid he thinks so.--Ye--e--s.--I hardly know.
Ger. Haven't you--been rather--in a hurry--Constance?
Con. No, indeed! I haven't been in a hurry at all. He has been a long time trying to make me like him. I have been too long a burden to Mrs. Clifford.
Ger. So! it is her doing, then!
Con. You were away, you know.
Ger. (bitterly) Yes; too far--chipping stones and making mud-pies!
Con. I don't know what you mean by that, Arthur.
Ger. Oh--nothing. I mean that--that--Of course if you are engaged to him, then--
Con. I'm afraid I've done very wrong, Arthur. If I had thought you would care!--I knew aunt would be pleased!--she wanted me to have him, I knew.--I ought to do what I can to please her,--ought I not? I have no right to--
Ger. Surely, surely. Yes, yes; I understand. It was not your fault. Only you mustn't marry him, if you--. Thank you for telling me.
Con. I ought to have told you before--before I let him speak to me again. But I didn't think you would care--not much.
Ger. Yes, yes.
Con. (looking up with anxiety) Ah! you are vexed with me, Arthur! I see how wrong it was now. I never saw you look like that. I am very, very sorry. (Bursts into tears.)
Ger. No, no, child! Only it is rather sudden, and I want to think about it. Shall I send William home with you?
Con. No, thank you. I have a cab waiting. You're not angry with your little beggar, Arthur?
Ger. What is there to be angry about, child?
Con. That I--did anything without asking you first.
Ger. Nonsense! You couldn't help it. You're not to blame one bit.
Con. Oh, yes, I am! I ought to have asked you first. But indeed I did not know you would care. Good-bye.--Shall I go at once?
Ger. Good-bye. (Exit CON., looking back troubled.) Come at last! Oh fool! fool! fool! In love with her at last!--and too late! For three years I haven't seen her--have not once written to her! Since I came back I've seen her just twice,--and now in the very hell of love! The ragged little darling that used to lie coiled up there in that corner! If it were my sister, it would be hard to lose her so! And to such a fellow as that!--not even a gentleman! How could she take him for one! That does perplex me! Ah, well! I suppose men have borne such things before, and men will bear them again! I must work! Nothing but work will save me. (Approaches the Psyche, but turns from it with a look of despair and disgust.) What a fool I have been!--Constance! Constance!--A brute like that to touch one of her fingers! God in heaven! It will drive me mad. (Rushes out, leaving the door open.)
Enter COL. GERVAISE.
Col. G. Gone again! and without his breakfast! My poor boy! There's something very wrong with you! It's that girl! It must be! But there's conscience in him yet!--It is all my fault. If I had been a father to him, this would never have happened.--If he were to marry the girl now?--Only, who can tell but she led him astray? I have known such a thing. (Sits down and buries his face in his hands.)
Enter WATERFIELD.
Wat. Is Mr. Gervaise in?
Col. G. (rising) No, sir.
Wat. Tell him I called, will you? [Exit.]
Col. G. Yes, sir.--Forgot again. Young man;--gentleman or cad?--don't know; think the latter.
Enter THOMAS.
Th. Han yo heard speyk ov mo chylt yet, sir?
Col. G. (starting up). In the name of God, I know nothing of your child; but bring her here, and I will give you a hundred pounds--in golden sovereigns.
Th. Hea am aw to fot her yere, when I dunnot know wheer hoo be, sir?
Col. G. That's your business. Bring her, and there will be your money.
Th. Dun yo think, sir, o' the gouden suverings i' th' Bank ov England would put a sharper edge on mo oud eighes when they look for mo lass? Eh, mon! Yo dunnot know the heart ov a feyther--ov the feyther ov a lass-barn, sir. Han yo kilt and buried her, and nea be yo sorry for't? I' hoo be dead and gwoan, tell mo, sir, and aw'll goo whoam again, for mo oud lass be main lonesome beout mo, and we'll wait till we goo to her, for hoo winnot coom no moor to us.
Col. G. For anything I know, your daughter is alive and well. Bring her here, I say, and I will make you happy.
Th. Aw shannot want thes or thi silverings either to mak mo happy then, maister. Iv aw hed a houd o' mo lass, it's noan o' yere aw'd be a coomin' wi' her. It's reet streight whoam to her mother we'd be gooin', aw'll be beawn. Nay, nay, mon!--aw'm noan sich a greight foo as yo tak mo for.
Exit. COL. G. follows him. Enter. GER. Sits down before the Psyche, but without looking at her.
Ger. Oh those fingers! They are striking terrible chords on my heart! I will conquer it. But I will love her. The spear shall fill its own wound. To draw it out and die, would be no victory. "I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, and then I'll rise and fight again." Brave old Sir Andrew!
Enter COL. G.
Col. G. I beg your pardon, sir--a young man called while you were out.
Ger. (listlessly). Very well, William.
Col. G. Is there any message, if he calls again, sir? He said he would.
Ger. No. (COL. G. lingers.) You can go.
Col. G. I hope you feel better, sir?
Ger. Quite well.
Col. G. Can I get you anything, sir?
Ger. No, thank you; I want nothing.--Why do you stay?
Col. G. Can't you think of something I can do for you, sir?
Ger. Fetch that red cloth.
Col. G. Yes, sir.
Ger. Throw it over that--
Col. G. This, sir?
Ger. No, no--the clay there. Thank you. (A knock at the door.) See who that is.
Col. G. Are you at home, sir?
Ger. That depends. Not to Mr. Waterfield. Oh, my head! my head! [Exit COL. G.
Enter CONSTANCE. GER. starts, but keeps his head leaning on his hand.
Con. I forgot to say to you, Arthur,--. But you are ill! What is the matter, dear Arthur?
Ger. (without looking up) Nothing--only a headache.
Con. Do come home with me, and let aunt and me nurse you. Don't be vexed with me any more. I will do whatever you like. I couldn't go home without seeing you again. And now I find you ill!
Ger. Not a bit. I am only dreadfully busy. I must go out of town. I am so busy! I can't stay in it a moment longer. I have so many things to do.
Con. Mayn't I come and see you while you work? I never used to interrupt you. I want so to sit once more in my old place. (Draws a stool towards him.)
Ger. No, no--not--not there! Constance used to sit there. William!
Con. You frighten me, Arthur!
Enter COL. G.
Ger. Bring a chair, William.
Constance sits down like a chidden child. Exit COL. G.
Con. I must have offended you more than I thought, Arthur! What can I say? It is so stupid to be always saying I am sorry.
Ger. No, no. But some one may call.
Con. You mean more than that. Will you not let me understand?
Ger. Your friend Mr. Waterfield called a few minutes ago. He will be here again presently, I dare say.
Con. (indifferently). Indeed!
Ger. I suppose you appointed--expected--to meet him here.
Con. Arthur! Do you think I would come to you to meet him? I saw him this morning; I don't want to see him again. I wish you knew him.
Ger. Why should you want me to know him?
Con. Because you would do him good.
Ger. What good does he want done him?
Con. He has got beautiful things in him--talks well--in bits--arms and feet and faces--never anything like--(turning to the Psyche) Why have you--? Has she been naughty too?
Ger. Is it only naughty things that must be put out of sight, Constance?
Con. Dear Arthur! you spoke like your own self then.
Ger. (rising hurriedly). Excuse me. I must go. It is very rude, but--William!
Enter COL. G.
Col. G. Yes, sir.
Ger. Fetch a hansom directly.
Col. G. Yes, sir. Exit.
Con. You do frighten me, Arthur! I am sure you are ill.
Ger. Not at all. I have an engagement.
Con. I must go then--must I?
Ger. Do not think me unkind?
Con. I will not think anything you would not have me think.
Re-enter COL. G.
Col. G. The cab is at the door, sir.
Ger. Thank you. Then show Miss Lacordere out. Stay. I will open the door for her myself. Exeunt GER. and CON.
Col. G. He speaks like one in despair, forcing every word! If he should die! Oh, my God!
Re-enter GER. Walks up and down the room.
Col. G. Ain't you going, sir?
Ger. No. I have sent the lady in the cab.
Col. G. Then hadn't you better lie down, sir?
Ger. Lie down! What do you mean? I'm not in the way of lying down except to sleep.
Col. G. And let me go for the doctor, sir?
Ger. The doctor! Ha! ha ha!--You are a soldier, you say?
Col. G. Yes, sir.
Ger. Right. We're all soldiers--or ought to be. I will put you to your catechism. What is a soldier's first duty?
Col. G. Obedience, sir.
[GER. sits down and leans his head on his hands. COL. G. watches him.]
Ger. Ah! obedience, is it? Then turn those women out. They will hurt you--may kill you; but you must not mind that. They burn, they blister, and they blast, for as white as they look! The hottest is the white fire. But duty, old soldier!--obedience, you know!--Ha! ha! Oh, my head! my head! I believe I am losing my senses, William. I was in a bad part of the town this morning. I went to see a place I knew long ago. It had gone to hell--but the black edges of it were left. There was a smell--and I can't get it out of me. Oh, William! William! take hold of me. Don't let them come near me. Psyche is laughing at me. I told you to throw the red cloth over her.
Col. G. My poor boy!
Ger. Don't fancy you're my father, though! I wish you were. But I cannot allow that.--Why the devil didn't you throw the red cloth over that butterfly? She's sucking the blood from my heart.
Col. G. You said the Psyche, sir! The red cloth is over the Psyche, sir. Look.
Ger. Yes. Yes. I beg your pardon. Take it off. It is too red. It will scorch her wings. It burns my brain. Take it off, I say! (COL. G. uncovers the Psyche.) There! I told you! She's laughing at me! Ungrateful child! I'm not her Cupid. Cover her up. Not the red cloth again. It's too hot, I say. I won't torture her. I am a man and I can bear it. She's a woman and she shan't bear it.
Sinks back in his chair. COL. G. lays him on the dais, and sits down beside him.
Col. G. His heart's all right! And when a fellow's miserable over his faults, there must be some way out of them.--But the consequences?--Ah! there's the rub.
Ger. What's the matter? Where am I?
Col. G. I must fetch a doctor, sir. You've been in a faint.
Ger. Why couldn't I keep in it? It was very nice: you know nothing--and that's the nicest thing of all. Why is it we can't stop, William?
Col. G. I don't understand you, sir.
Ger. Stop living, I mean. It's no use killing yourself, for you don't stop then. At least they say you go on living all the same. If I thought it did mean stopping, William--
Col. C. Do come to your room, sir.
Ger. I won't. I'll stop here. How hot it is! Don't let anybody in.
Stretches out his hand. COL. G. holds it. He falls asleep.
Col. G. What shall I do? If he married her, he'd be miserable, and make her miserable too. I'll take her away somewhere. I'll be a father to her; I'll tend her as if she were his widow. But what confusions would follow! Alas! alas! one crime is the mother of a thousand miseries! And now he's in for a fever--typhus, perhaps!--I must find this girl!--What a sweet creature that Miss Lacordere is! If only he might have her! I don't care what she was.
Ger. Don't let them near me, William! They will drive me mad. They think I shall love them. I will not. If she comes one step nearer, I shall strike her. You Diana! Hecate! Hell-cat!--Fire-hearted Chaos is burning me to ashes! My brain is a cinder! Some water, William!
Col. G. Here it is, sir.
Ger. But just look to Psyche there. Ah. she's off! There she goes! melting away in the blue, like a dissolving vapour. Bring me my field-glass, William. I may catch a glimpse of her yet. Make haste.
Col. G. Pray don't talk so, sir. Do be quiet, or you will make yourself very ill. Think what will become of me if--
Ger. What worse would you be, William? You are a soldier. I must talk. You are all wrong about it: it keeps me quiet (holding his head with both hands). I should go raving mad else (wildly). Give me some water. (He drinks eagerly, then looks slowly round the room.) Now they are gone, and I do believe they won't come again! I see everything--and your face, William. You are very good to me--very patient! I should die if it weren't for you.
Col. G. I would die for you, sir.
Ger. Would you? But perhaps you don't care much for your life. Anybody might have my life for the asking. I dare say it's just as good to be dead.--Ah! there is a toad--a toad with a tail! No; it's a toad with a slow-worm after him. Take them away, William!--Thank you.--I used to think life pleasant, but now--somehow there's nothing in it. She told me the truth about it--Constance did. Don't let those women come back. What if I should love them, William!--love and hate them both at once! William! William! (A knock at the door.) See who that is. Mind you don't let them in.
Col. G. Martha is there, sir.
Ger. She's but an old woman; she can't keep them out. They would walk over her. All the goddesses have such long legs! You go and look. You'll easily know them: if they've got no irises to their eyes, don't let them in, for the love of God, William! Real women have irises to their eyes: those have none--those frightful snowy beauties.--And yet snow is very nice! And I'm so hot! There they come again! Exit COL. G.
Enter MRS. CLIFFORD.
Ger. Aunt! aunt! help me! There they come!
Mrs. C. What is it, my Arthur? They shan't hurt you. I am here. I will take care of you.
Ger. Yes, yes, you will! I am not a bit afraid of them now. Do you know them, aunt? I'll tell you a secret: they are Juno and Diana and Venus.--They hate sculptors. But I never wronged them. Three white women--only, between their fingers and behind their knees they are purple--and inside their lips, when they smile--and in the hollows of their eyes--ugh! They want me to love them; and they say you are all--all of you women--no better than they are. I know that is a lie; for they have no eyelids and no irises to their eyes.
Mrs. C. Dear boy, they shan't come near you. Shall I sing to you, and drive them away?
Ger. No, don't. I can't bear birds in my brain.
Mrs. C. How long have you had this headache? (laying her hand on his forehead.)
Ger. Only a year or two--since the white woman came--that woman (pointing to the Psyche). She's been buried for ages, and won't grow brown.
Mrs. C. There's no woman there, Arthur.
Ger. Of course not. It was an old story that bothered me. Oh, my head! my head!--There's my father standing behind the door and won't come in!--He could help me now, if he would. William! show my father in. But he isn't in the story--so he can't.
Mrs. C. Do try to keep yourself quiet, Arthur. The doctor will be here in a few minutes.
Ger. He shan't come here! He would put the white woman out. She does smell earthy, but I won't part with her. (A knock.) What a devil of a noise! Why don't they use the knocker? What's the use of taking a sledge-hammer?
Mrs. C. It's that stupid James!
Enter CONSTANCE. MRS. C. goes to meet her.
Mrs. C. Constance, you go and hurry the doctor. I will stay with Arthur.
Con. Is he very ill, aunt?
Mrs. C. I'm afraid he is.
Ger. (sitting up). Constance! Constance!
Con. Here I am! (running to him).
Ger. Oh, my head! I wish I could find somewhere to lay it!--Sit by me, Constance, and let me lay my head on your shoulder--for one minute--only one minute. It aches so! (She sits down by him. His head sinks on her shoulder. MRS. C. looks annoyed, and exit.)
Con. Thank you, thank you, dear Arthur! (sobbing). You used to like me! I could not believe you hated me now. You have forgiven me? Dear head!
He closes his eyes. Slow plaintive music.
Ger. (half waking). I can't read. When I get to the bottom of the page, I wonder what it was all about. I shall never get to Garibaldi! and if I don't, I shall never get farther. If I could but keep that one line away! It drives me mad, mad. "He took her by the lily-white hand."--I could strangle myself for thinking of such things, but they will come!--I won't go mad. I should never get to Garibaldi, and never be rid of this red-hot ploughshare ploughing up my heart. I will not go mad! I will die like a man.
Con. Arthur! Arthur!
Ger. God in heaven! she is there! And the others are behind her!--Psyche! Psyche! Don't speak to those women! Come alone, and I will tear my heart out and give it you.--It is Psyche herself now, and the rest are gone! Psyche--listen.
Con. It's only me, Arthur! your own little Constance! If aunt would but let me stay and nurse you! But I don't know what's come to her: she's not like herself at all.
Ger. Who's that behind you?
Con. Behind me? (looking round). There's nobody behind me.
Ger. I thought there was somebody behind you. William!--What can have become of William?
Con. I dare say aunt has sent him somewhere.
Ger. Then he's gone! he's gone!
Con. You're not afraid of being left alone with me, Arthur?
Ger. Oh no! of course not?--What can have become of William? Don't you know they sent him--not those women, but the dead people--to look after me? He's a good fellow. He said he would die for me. Ha! ha! ha! Not much in that--is there?
Con. Don't laugh so, dear Arthur.
Ger. Well, I won't. I have something to tell you, Constance. I will try to keep my senses till I've told you.
Con. Do tell me. I hope I haven't done anything more to vex you. Indeed I am sorry. I won't speak to that man again, if you like. I would rather not--if you wish it.
Ger. What right have I to dictate to you, my child?
Con. Every right. I am yours. I belong to you. Nobody owned me when you took me.
Ger. Don't talk like that; you will drive me mad.
Con. Arthur! Arthur!
Ger. Listen to me, Constance. I am going to Garibaldi. He wants soldiers. I must not live an idle life any longer.--We must part, Constance.--Good-bye, my darling!
Con. No, no; not yet; we'll talk about it by-and-by. You see I shall have ever so many things to make for you before you can go! (smiling).
Ger. Garibaldi can't wait, Constance--and I can't wait. I shall die if I stop here.
Con. Oh, Arthur, you are in some trouble, and you won't tell me what it is, so I can't help you!
Ger. I shall be killed, I know. I mean to be. Will you think of me sometimes? Give me one kiss. I may have a last kiss.
Con. (weeping.) My heart will break if you talk like that, Arthur. I will do anything you please. There's something wrong, dreadfully wrong! And it must be my fault!--Oh! there's that man! (starting up.) He shall not come here.
[Runs to the house-door, and stands listening, with her hand on the key.]
END OF ACT I.
ACT II.
SCENE.--A street in Mayfair. MRS. CLIFFORD'S house. A pastrycook's shop. Boys looking in at the window.
Bill. I say, Jim, ain't it a lot o' grub? If I wos a pig now,--
Jack. I likes to hear Bill a supposin' of hisself. Go it, Bill!--There ain't nothink he can't suppose hisself, Jim.--Bein' as you ain't a pig. Bill, you've got yer own trotters, an' yer own tater-trap.
Bill. Vereupon blue Bobby eccosts me with the remark, "I wants you, Bill;" and seem' me too parerlyzed to bolt, he pops me in that 'ere jug vithout e'er a handle.
Jack. Mother kep' a pig once.
Jim. What was he like, Jack?
Jack. As like any other pig as ever he could look; accep' that where other pigs is black he wor white, an' where other pigs is white he wor black.
Jim. Did you have the milk in your tea, Jack?
Jack. Pigs ain't got no milk, Jim, you stupe!
Bill. Pigs has milk, Jack, only they don't give it to coves.--I wish I wos the Lord Mayor!
Jack. Go it again, Bill. He ought ha' been a beak, Bill ought. What 'ud you do, Bill, supposin' as how you wos the Lord Mayor?
Bill. I'd take all the beaks, an' all the peelers, an' put their own bracelets on 'em, an' feed 'em once a day on scraps o' wittles to bring out the hunger: a cove can't be hungry upon nuffin at all.
Jim. He gets what mother calls the squeamishes.
Jack. Well, Bill?
Bill. Well, the worry moment their bellies was as long an' as loose as a o'-clo'-bag of a winter's mornin', I'd bring 'em all up to this 'ere winder, five or six at a time--with the darbies on, mind ye--
Jim. And I'm to be there to see, Bill--ain't I?
Bill. If you're good, Jim, an' don't forget yer prayers.
Jack. My eye! it's as good as a penny gaff! Go it, Bill.
Bill. Then I up an' addresses 'em: "My Lords an' Gen'lemen, 'cos as how ye're all good boys, an' goes to church, an' don't eat too many wittles, an' don't take off your bracelets when you goes to bed, you shall obswerve me eat."
Jim. Go it, Bill! I likes you, Bill.
Bill. No, Jim; I must close. The imagination is a 'ungry gift, as the cock said when he bolted the pebbles. Let's sojourn the meetin'.
Jack. Yes; come along. 'Tain't a comfable corner this yere: the wind cuts round uncommon sharp. Them pies ain't good--leastways not to look at.
Bill. They ain't disgestible. But look ye here, Jack and Jim--hearkee, my kids. (Puts an arm round the neck of each, and whispers first to one and then to the other.)
Enter MATTIE and SUSAN.
Sus. Now, Mattie, we're close to the house, an' I don't want to be seen with you, for she's mad at me.
Mat. You must have made her mad, then, Sue.
Sus. She madded me first: what else when she wouldn't believe a word I said? She'd ha' sworn on the gospel book, we sent the parcel up the spout. But she'll believe you, an' give you something, and then we'll have a chop!
Mat. How can you expect that, Sue, when the work's lost?
Sus. Never mind; you go and see.
Mat. I shan't take it, Susan. I couldn't.
Sus. Stuff and nonsense! I'll wait you round the corner: I don't like the smell o' them pastry things.
Exit. MATTIE walks past the window.
Mat. I don't like going. It makes me feel a thief to be suspected.
Bill. Lor! it's our Mattie! There's our Mattie!--Mattie! Mattie!
Mat. Ah, Bill! you're there--are you?
Bill. Yes, Mattie. It's a tart-show. You walks up and takes yer chice;--leastways, you makes it: somebody else takes it.
Mat. Wouldn't you like to take your choice sometimes, Bill?
Bill. In course I would.
Mat. Then why don't you work, and better yourself a bit?
Bill. Bless you, Mattie! myself is werry comf'able. He never complains.
Mat. You're hungry sometimes,--ain't you?
Bill. Most remarkable 'ungry, Mattie--this werry moment. Odd you should ask now--ain't it?
Mat. You would get plenty to eat if you would work.
Bill. Thank you--I'd rayther not. Them as ain't 'ungry never enj'ys their damaged tarts. If I'm 'appy, vere's the odds? as the cat said to the mouse as wanted to be let off the engagement. Why should I work more'n any other gen'leman?
Mat. A gentleman that don't work is a curse to his neighbours, Bill.
Bill. Bless you, Mattie! I ain't a curse--nohow to nobody. I don't see as you've got any call to say that, Mattie. I don't go fakin' clies, or crackin' cribs--nothin' o' the sort. An' I don't mind doin' of a odd job, if it is a odd one. Don't go for to say that again, Mattie.
Mat. I won't, then, Bill. But just look at yourself!--You're all in rags.
Bill. Rags is the hairier, as the Skye terrier said to the black-an'-tan.--I shouldn't object to a new pair of old trousers, though.
Mat. Why don't you have a pair of real new ones? If you would only sweep a crossing--
Bill. There ain't, a crossin' but what's took. Besides, my legs ain't put together for one place all day long. It ain't to be done, Mattie. They can't do it.
Mat. There's the shoe-black business, then.
Bill. That ain't so bad, acause you can shoulder your box and trudge. But if it's all the same to you, Mattie, I'd rayther enj'y life: they say it's short.
Mat. But it ain't the same to me. It's so bad for you to be idle, Bill!
Bill. Not as I knows on. I'm tollable jolly, so long's I gets the browns for my bed.
Mat. Wouldn't you like a bed with a blanket to it?
Bill. Well, yes--if it was guv to me. But I don't go in for knocking of yourself about, to sleep warm.
Mat. Well, look here, Bill. It's all Susan and I can do to pay for our room, and get a bit of bread and a cup of tea. It ain't enough.--If you were to earn a few pence now--
Bill. Oh golly! I never thought o' that. What a hass I wur, to be sure! I'll go a shoe-blackin' to-morror--I will.
Mat. Did you ever black a shoe, Bill?
Bill. I tried a boot oncet--when Jim wor a blackin' for a day or two. But I made nothink on it--nothink worth mentionin'. The blackin' or som'at was wrong. The gen'leman said it wur coal-dust, an he'd slog me, an' adwised me to go an' learn my trade.
Mat. And what did you say to that?
Bill. Holler'd out "Shine yer boots!" as loud as I could holler.
Mat. You must try my boots next time you come.
Bill. This wery night, Mattie. I'll make 'em shine like plate glass--see then if I don't. But where'll I get a box and brushes?
Mat. You shall have our brushes and my footstool.
Bill. I see! Turn the stool upside down, put the brushes in, and carry it by one leg--as drunken Moll does her kid.--Here you are, sir! Black your boots, sir?--Shine your trotters, sir? (bawling.)
Mat. That'll do; that'll do, Bill! Famous! You needn't do it again (holding her ears). Would you like a tart?
Bill. Just wouldn't I, then!--Shine your boooooots!
Mat. (laughing). Do hold your tongue, Bill. There's a penny for a tart.
Bill. Thank you, Mattie. Thank you.
Exit into the shop.
Jack and Jim (touching their supposed caps). Please, ma'am! Please, ma'am! I likes 'em too. I likes 'em more 'n Bill.
Mat. I'm very sorry, but--(feeling in her pocket) I've got a ha'penny, I believe. No--there's a penny! You must share it, you know. (Gives it to Jack. Knocks at Mrs. Clifford's door.)
Jack and Jim. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.
Exit MATTIE into MRS. CLIFFORD'S.
Jim. Now, Jack, what's it to be?
Jack. I believe I shall spend it in St. Martin's Lane.
Jim. A ha'p'orth on it's mine, you know, Jack.
Jack. Well, you do put the stunners on me!
Jim. She said we wos to divide it--she did.
Jack. 'Taint possible. It beats my ivories. (He pretends to bite it. JIM flies at him in a rage.)
Re-enter BILL, with his mouth full.
Bill. Now what are you two a squabblin' over? Oh! Jack's got a yennep, and Jim's iookin' shirty.
Jim. She told him to divide it, and he won't.
Bill. Who told him?
Jim. Mattie.
Bill. You dare, Jack? Hand over.
Jack. Be hanged if I do.
Bill. Then do and be hanged. (A struggle.) There, Jim! Now you go and buy what you like.
Jim. Am I to give Jack the half?
Bill. Yes, if our Mattie said it.
Jim. All right, Bill. (Goes into the shop.)
Jack. I owe you one for that, Bill.
Bill. Owe it me then, Jack. I do like fair play--always did (eating).
Jack. You ain't a sharin' of your yennep, Bill.
Bill. Mattie didn't say I was to. She knowed one wouldn't break up into three nohow. 'Tain't in natur', Jack.
Jack. You might ha' guv me a bite, anyhow, Bill.
Bill. It ain't desirable, Jack--size o' trap dooly considered. Here comes your share.
Re-enter JIM. Gives a bun to JACK.
Jim. I tell you what, Bill--she ain't your Mattie. She ain't nobody's Mattie; she's a hangel.
Bill. No, Jim, she ain't a hangel; she 'ain't got no wings, leastways outside her clo'es, and she 'ain't got clo'es enough to hide 'em. I wish I wos a hangel!
Jack. At it again, Bill! I do like to hear Bill a wishin' of hisself! Why, Bill?
Bill. Acause they're never 'ungry.
Jack. How do you know they ain't?
Bill. You never sees 'em loafin' about nowheres.
Jim. Is Mattie your sister, Bill?
Bill. No, Jim; I ain't good 'nough to have a sister like she.
Jack. Your sweetheart, Bill? Ha! ha! ha!
Bill. Dry up, Jack.
Jim. Tell me about her, Bill. I didn't jaw you.
Bill. She lives in our court, Jim. Makes shirts and things.
Jack. Oh! ho!
BILL hits JACK. JACK doubles himself up.
Bill. Jim, our Mattie ain't like other gals; I never see her out afore this blessed day--upon my word and honour, Jim, never!
Jack. (wiping his nose with his sleeve). You don't know a joke from a jemmy, Bill.
Bill. I'll joke you!--A hangel tips you a tart, and you plucks her feathers! Get on t'other side of the way, you little dirty devil, or I'll give you another smeller--cheap too. Off with you!
Jack. No, Bill; no, please. I'm wery sorry. I ain't so bad's all that conies to.
Bill. If you wants to go with Jim and me, then behave like a gen'leman.
Jim. I calls our Mattie a brick!
Bill. None o' your jaw, Jim! She ain't your Mattie.
Enter THOMAS.
Tho. Childer, dun yo know th' way to Paradise--Row, or Road, or summat?
Bill. Dunnow, sir. You axes at the Sunday-school.
Tho. Wheer's th' Sunday-school, chylt?
Bill. Second door round the corner, sir.
Tho. Second dur reawnd th' corner! Which corner, my man?
Bill. Round any corner. Second door's all-ways Sunday-school. (Takes a sight. Exeunt boys.)
THOMAS sits down on a door-step.
Tho. Eh, but aw be main weary! Surely th' Lord dunnot be a forsakin' ov mo. There's that abeawt th' lost ship. Oop yon, wheer th' angels keep greight flocks ov 'em, they dunnot like to lose one ov 'em, an' they met well be helpin' ov mo to look for mo lost lamb i' this awful plaze! What has th' shepherd o' th' sheep himsel' to do, God bless him! but go look for th' lost ones and carry 'em whoam! O Lord! gie mo mo Mattie. Aw'm a silly ship mosel, a sarchin' for mo lost lamb. (Boys begin to gather and stare.) She's o' the world to me. O Lord, hear mo, and gie mo mo Mattie. Nea, aw'll geet oop, and go look again. (Rises.)
First Boy. Ain't he a cricket, Tommy?
Second Boy. Spry, ain't he? Prod him, and see him jump. (General insult.)
Tho. Why, childer, what have aw done, that yo cry after mo like a thief?
First Boy. Daddy Longlegs! Daddy Longlegs!
They hustle and crowd him. Re-enter BILL. THOMAS makes a rush.
They run. He seizes BILL. They gather again.
Tho. Han yo getten a mother, lad?
Bill. No, thank ye. 'Ain't got no mother. Come of a haunt, I do.
First Boy. Game!--ain't he?
Tho. Well, aw'll tak yo whoam to yor aunt--aw wull.
Bill. Will you now, old chap? Wery well. (Squats.)
Tho. (holding him up by the collar, and shaking his stick over him). Tell mo wheer's por aunt, or aw'll breyk every bone i' yor body.
Bill (wriggling and howling and rubbing his eyes with alternate sleeves). Let me go, I say. Let me go and I'll tell ye. I will indeed, sir.
Tho. (letting go) Wheer then, mo lad?
Bill (starting up). I' the church-cellar, sir--first bin over the left--feeds musty, and smells strong. Ho! ho! ho! (Takes a sight.)
THOMAS makes a dart. BILL dodges him.
First Boy. Ain't he a cricket now, Tommy?
Second Boy. Got one leg too many for a cricket, Sam.
Third Boy. That's what he jerks hisself with, Tommy.
Tho. Boys, I want to be freens wi' yo. Here's a penny.
One of the boys knocks it out of his hand. A scramble.
Tho. Now, boys, dun yo know wheer's a young woman bi th' name ov Mattie--somewheer abeawt Paradise Row?
First Boy. Yes, old un.
Second Boy. Lots on 'em.
Third Boy. Which on em' do you want, Mr. Cricket?
Fourth Boy. You ain't peticlar, I s'pose, old corner-bones?
First Boy. Don't you fret, old stilts. We'll find you a Mattie. There's plenty on 'em--all nice gals.
Tho. I want mo own Mattie.
First Boy. Why, you'd never tell one from t'other on 'em!
Third Boy. All on 'em wery glad to see old Daddy Longlegs!
Tho. Oh dear! Oh dear! What an awful plaze this Lon'on do be! To see the childer so bad!
Second Boy. Don't cry, gran'pa. She'd chaff you worser 'n us! We're only poor little innocent boys. We don't know nothink, bless you! Oh no!
First Boy. You'd better let her alone, arter all, bag o' nails.
Second Boy. She'll have it out on you now, for woppin' of her when she wor a kid.
First Boy. She's a wopper herself now.
Third Boy. Mighty fine, with your shirt for a great-coat. He! he! he!
Fourth Boy. Mattie never kicks us poor innocent boys--cos we 'ain't got no mothers to take our parts. Boo hoo!
Enter JACK--his hands in his pockets.
Jack. What's the row, Bill?
Bill. Dunnow, Jack. Old chap collared me when I wasn't alludin' to him. He's after some Mattie or other. It can't be our Mattie. She wouldn't never have such a blazin' old parient as that.
Jack. Supposin' it was your Mattie, Bill, would you split, and let Scull-and-cross-bones nab her?
Bill. Would I? Would I 'and over our Mattie to her natural enemy? Did you ax it, Jack?
Jack. Natural enemy! My eye, Bill! what words you fakes!
Bill. Ain't he her natural enemy, then? Ain't it yer father as bumps yer 'ed, an' cusses ye, an' lets ye see him eat? Afore he gets our Mattie, I'll bite!
Tho. Poor lad! poor lad! Dunnot say that! Her feyther's th' best freen' hoo's getten. Th' moor's th' pity, for it's not mich he can do for her. But he would dee for her--he would.
Boys (all together). Go along, Daddy-devil! Pick yer own bones, an' ha' done.
Bag-raker!
Skin-cat!
Bag o' nails!
Scull-an'-cross-bones!
Old Daddy Longlegs wouldn't say his prayers--
Take him by his left leg, and throw him downstairs.
Go along! Go to hell!
We'll skin you.
Melt ye down for taller, we will.
Only he 'ain't got none, the red herrin'!
They throw things at him. He sits down on the door-step, and covers his head with his arms. Enter COL. G. Boys run off.
Tho. Oh, mo Mattie! mo Mattie!
Col. G. Poor old fellow! Are you hurt?
Tho. Eh! yo be a followin' ov mo too!
Col. G. What are you doing here?
Tho. What am aw doin' yere! Thee knows well enough what aw're a doin' yere. It 're o' thy fau't, mon.
Col. G. Why, you've got a blow! Your head is cut! Poor old fellow!
Tho. Never yo mind mo yed.
Col. G. You must go home.
Tho. Goo whoam, says to! Aw goo no-wheers but to th' grave afoor aw've feawnd mo chylt.
Col. G. Come along with me; I will do all I can to find her. Perhaps I can help you after all.
Tho. Aw mak nea deawbt o' that, mon. And thae seems a gradely chap. Aw'm a'most spent. An' aw'm sick, sick! Dunnot let th' boys shove mo abeawt again.
Col. G. I will not. They shan't come near you. Take my arm. Poor old fellow! If you would but trust me! Hey! Cab there!
Exeunt.
Enter SUSAN, peeping.
Sus. I wonder whatever's come to Mattie! It's long time she was out again.
Enter MATTIE, hurriedly.
Mat. Oh, Susan! Susan! (Falls.)
Sus. Mattie! Mattie! (Kneels beside her, and undoes her bonnet.)
Enter POLICEMAN.
Pol. What ails her? (Goes to lift her.)
Sus. Leave her alone, will you? Let her head down. Get some water.
Pol. Drunk--is she?
Sus. Hold your tongue, you brute! If she'd a satin frock on, i'stead o' this here poor cotton gownd, you'd ha' showed her t'other side o' your manners! Get away with you. You're too ugly to look at.--Mattie! Mattie! Look up, child.
Pol. She mustn't lie there.
Mat. Susan!
Pol. Come, my girl.
Sus. You keep off, I tell you! Don't touch her. She's none o' your sort. Come, Mattie, dear.--Why don't you make 'em move on?
Pol. You'd better keep a civil tongue in your head, young woman.
Sus. You live lobster!
Pol. I'll have to lock you up, I see. One violent. T'other incapable.
Sus. You're another. Mattie, my dear, come along home.
Pol. That's right; be off with you.
MATTIE rises.
Mat. Let's go. Sue! Let's get farther off.
Sus. You can't walk, child. If I hadn't been so short o' wittles for a week, I could ha' carried you. But it's only a step to the cook-shop.
Mat. No money, Sue. (Tries to walk.)
Sus. O Lord! What shall I do! And that blue-bottle there a buzzin' an' a starin' at us like a dead codfish!--Boh!
Enter BILL.
Bill. Our Mattie! Gracious! what's the row, Susan?
Sus. She ain't well. Take her other arm, Bill, and help her out o' this. We ain't in no Christian country. Pluck up, Mattie, dear.
Bill. Come into the tart-shop. I'm a customer.
They go towards the shop. Exit POLICEMAN.
Mat. No, no, Sukey! I can't abide the smell of it. Let me sit on the kerb for a minute. (Sits down.) Oh, father! father!
Bill. Never you mind, Mattie! If he wor twenty fathers, he shan't come near ye.
Mat. Oh, Bill! if you could find him for me! He would take me home.
Bill. Now who'd ha' thought o' that? Axially wantin' her own father! I'd run far enough out o' the way o' mine--an' farther if he wur a-axin' arter me.
Mat. Oh me! my side!
Sus. It's hunger, poor dear! (Sits down beside her.)
Bill (aside). This won't do, Bill! I'm a shamed o' you, Bill! Exit.
Mat. No, Susan, it's not hunger. It's the old story, Sue.
Sus. Mattie! I never! You don't mean to go for to tell me you're a breakin' of your precious heart about him? It's not your gentleman surely! It's not him ye're turnin' sick about, this time o' day?
MATTIE nods her head listlessly.
Sus. What's up fresh, then? You was pretty bobbish when you left me. It's little he thinks of you, I'll be bound.
Mat. That's true enough. It's little he ever thought of me. He did say he loved me, though. It's fifty times he did!
Sus. Lies, lies, Mattie--all lies!
Mat. No, Susan; it wasn't lies. He meant it--at the time. That's what made it look all right. Oh dear! Oh dear!
Sus. But what's come to you now, Mattie? What's fresh in it? You're not turned like this all at once for nothink!
Mat. I've seen him!
Sus. Seen him! Oh, my! I wish it had been me. I'd ha' seen him! I'd ha' torn his ugly eyes out.
Mat. They ain't ugly eyes. They're big and blue, and they sparkle so when he talks to her!
Sus. And who's her? Ye didn't mention a her. Some brazen-faced imperence!
Mat. No. The young lady at Mrs. Clifford's.
Sus. Oho! See if I do a stitch for her!--Shan't I leave a needle in her shimmy, just!
Mat. What shall I do! All the good's gone out of me! And such a pain here!
Sus. Keep in yer breath a minute, an' push yer ribs out. It's one on 'em's got a top o' the other.
Mat. Such a grand creature! And her colour coming and going like the shadows on the corn! It's no wonder he forgot poor me. But it'll burn itself out afore long.
Sus. Don't ye talk like that, Mattie; I can't abear it.
Mat. If I was dressed like her, though, and could get my colour back! But laws! I'm such a washed out piece o' goods beside her!
Sus. That's as I say, Matilda! It's the dress makes the differ.
Mat. No, Susan, it ain't. It's the free look of them--and the head up--and the white hands--and the taper fingers. They're stronger than us, and they're that trained like, that all their body goes in one, like the music at a concert. I couldn't pick up a needle without going down on my knees after it. It's the pain in my side, Sue.--Yes, it's a fine thing to be born a lady. It's not the clothes, Sue. If we was dressed ever so, we couldn't come near them. It's that look,--I don't know what.
Sus. Speak for yerself, Mattie; I'm not a goin' to think such small beer of myself, I can tell you! I believe if I'd been took in time--
Mat. It's a big if that though, Sue.--And then she looked so good! You'd hardly think it of me,--perhaps it's because I'm dying-- but for one minute I could ha' kissed her very shoes. Oh, my side!
Sus. (putting her arm tight round her waist). Does that help it Mattie, dear?--a little teeny bit?
Mat. Yes, Sukey. It holds it together a bit. Will he break her heart too, I wonder?
Sus. No fear o' that! Ladies takes care o' theirselves. They're brought up to it.
Mat. It's only poor girls gentlemen don't mind hurting, I suppose.
Sus. It's the ladies' fathers and brothers, Mattie! We've got nobody to look after us.
Mat. They may break their hearts, though, for all that.
Sus. They won't forgive them like you, then, Mattie!
Mat. I dare say they're much the same as we are when it comes to that, Sue.
Sus. Don't say me, Mattie. I wouldn't forgive him--no, not if I was to die for it. But what came of it, child?
Mat. I made some noise, I suppose, and the lady started.
Sus. And then you up and spoke?
Mat. I turned sick, and fell down.
Sus. Poor dear!
Mat. She got me a glass of wine, but I couldn't swallow it, and got up and crawled out.
Sus. Did he see you?
Mat. I think he did.
Sus. You'll tell her, in course?
Mat. No, Sue; he'd hate me, and I couldn't bear that. Oh me! my side! It's so bad!
Sus. Let's try for home, Mattie. It's a long way, and there's nothing to eat when you're there; but you can lie down, and that's everything to them as can't sit up.
Mat. (rising). I keep fancying I'm going to meet my father.
Sus. Let's fancy it then every turn all the way home, an' that'll get us along. There, take my arm. There!--Come along. Exeunt.
Slow music. Twilight.
Enter BILL with a three-legged stool, brushes, etc.
Bill. Come! it's blackin' all over! When gents can't no longer see their boots, 'tain't much use offerin' to shine 'em. But if I can get a penny, I will. I must take a tart to Mattie, or this here damaged one (laying his hand on his stomach) won't go to sleep this night.
Enter WATERFIELD.
Bill. Black your boots for a party, sir?
Wat. (aside) The very rascal I saw her speaking to! But wasn't she a brick not to split! That's what I call devotion now! There are some of them capable of it. I'll set her up for life. I'd give a cool thousand it hadn't happened, though. I saw her father too hanging about Gervaise's yesterday.
Bill. Clean your boots, sir? Shine 'em till they grin like a Cheshire cat eatin' cheese!
Wat. Shine away, you beggar.
Bill (turning up his trousers). I ain't no beggar, sir. Shine for a shiner's fair play.
Wat. Do you live in this neighbourhood?
Bill. No, sir.
Wat. Where, then?
Bill (feeling where a pocket should be). I don't appear to 'ave a card about me, sir, but my address is Lamb's Court, Camomile Street--leastways I do my sleepin' not far off of it. I've lived there, what livin' I have done, sin' ever I wor anywheres as I knows on.
Wat. Do you happen to know a girl of the name of Pearson?
Bill. No, sir. I can't say as how I rec'lect the name. Is she a old girl or a young un?
Wat. You young liar! I saw you talking to her not two hours ago!
Bill. Did ye now, sir? That's odd, ain't it? Bless you! I talks to everybody. I ain't proud, sir.
Wat. Well, do you see this? (holding up a sovereign).
Bill. That's one o' them tilings what don't require much seein', sir. There! Bright as a butterfly! T'other twin, sir!
Wat. I'll give you this, if you'll do something for me--and another to that when the thing's done.
Bill. 'Tain't stealin', sir?
Wat. No.
Bill. Cos, you see, Mattie--
Wat. Who did you say?
Bill. Old Madge as lets the beds at tuppence a short night. 'Tain't stealin', you say, sir?
Wat. What do you take me for? I want you to find out for me where the girl Pearson lives--that's all.
Bill (snatching the sovereign and putting it in his mouth). Now then, sir!--What's the young woman like?
Wat. Rather tall--thin--dark hair--large dark eyes--and long white hands. Her name's Matilda--Mattie Pearson--the girl you were talking to, I tell you, on this very spot an hour or two ago.
Bill (dropping the sovereign, and stooping to find it). Golly! it is our Mattie!
Wat. Shall you know her again?
Bill. Any boy as wasn't a hass would know his own grandmother by them spots. Besides, I remember sich a gal addressin' of me this mornin'. If you say her it was, I'll detect her for ye.
Wat. There's a good boy! What's your name?
Bill. Timothy, sir.
Wat. What else?
Bill. Never had no other--leastways as I knows on.
Wat. Well, Timothy--there's the other sov.--and it's yours the moment you take me to her. Look at it.
Bill. My eye!--Is she a square Moll, sir?
Wat. What do you mean by that?
Bill. Green you are, to be sure!--She ain't one as steals, or--
Wat. Not she. She's a sempstress--a needlewoman, or something of the sort.
Bill. And where shall I find you, sir?
Wat. Let me see:--to-morrow night--on the steps of St. Martin's Church--ten o'clock.
Bill. But if I don't find her? It may be a week--or a month--or--
Wat. Come whether you find her or not, and let me know.
Bill. All serene, sir! There you are, sir! Brush your trousers, sir?
Wat. No; leave 'em.--Don't forget now.
Bill. Honour bright, sir! Not if I knows it, sir!
Wat. There's that other skid, you know.
Bill. All right, sir! Anything more, sir?
Wat. Damn your impudence! Get along.
Exit. BILL watches him into MRS. CLIFFORD'S.
Bill. Now by all the 'ungry gums of Arabiar, 'ere's a swell arter our Mattie!--A right rig'lar swell! I knows 'em--soverings an' red socks. What's come to our Mattie? 'Ere's Daddy Longlegs arter her, vith his penny and his blessin'! an' 'ere's this 'ere mighty swell vith his soverings--an' his red socks! An' she's 'ungry, poor gal!--This 'ere yellow-boy?--I 'ain't got no faith in swells--no more 'n in Daddy Longlegses--I 'ain't!--S'posin' he wants to marry her?--Not if I knows it. He ain't half good 'nough for her. Too many quids--goin' a flingin' on 'em about like buttons! He's been a crackin' o' cribs--he has. I ain't a goin' to interduce our Mattie to no sich blokes as him. No fathers or lovyers for me--says I!--But this here pebble o' Paradise!--What's to be done wi' the cherub? I can't tell her a lie about it, an' who'll break it up for a cove like me, lookin' jes' as if I'd been an' tarred myself and crep' through a rag-bag! They'd jug me. An' what 'ud Mattie say then? I wish I 'adn't 'a' touched it. I'm blowed if I don't toss it over a bridge!--Then the gent 'ain't got the weight on his dunop out o' me. O Lord! what shall I do with it? I wish I'd skied it in his face! I don't believe it's a good un; I don't! (Bites it.) It do taste wery nasty. It's nothin' better 'n a gilt fardin'! Jes' what a cove might look for from sich a swell! (Goes to a street lamp and examines it.) Lor! there's a bobby! (Exit. Re-enter to the lamp.) I wish the gen'leman 'ad guv me a penny. I can't do nothin' wi' this 'ere quid. Vere am I to put it? I 'ain't got no pocket, an' if I was to stow it in my 'tato-trap, I couldn't wag my red rag--an' Mother Madge 'ud soon have me by the chops. Nor I've got noveres to plant it.--O Lor! it's all I've got, an' Madge lets nobody go to bed without the tuppence. It's all up with Bill--for the night!--Where's the odds!--there's a first-class hotel by the river--The Adelphi Arches, they calls it--where they'll take me in fast enough, and I can go to sleep with it in my cheek. Coves is past talkin' to you there. Nobody as sees me in that 'ere 'aunt of luxury, 'ill take me for a millionaire vith a skid in his mouth. 'Tain't a bit cold to-night neither (going).--Vy do they say a aunt of luxury? I s'pose acause she's wife to my uncle. Exit.
Slow music. The night passes. A policeman crosses twice. THOMAS crosses between. Dawn.
Re-enter BILL.
Bill. I'm hanged if this here blasted quid ain't a burnin' of me like a red-hot fardin'! I'm blest if I've slep' more 'n half the night. I woke up oncet, with it a slippin' down red lane. I wish I had swallered it. Then nobody 'd 'a' ast me vere I got it. I don't wonder as rich coves turn out sich a bad lot. I believe the devil's in this 'ere!
Knocks at MRS. CLIFFORD'S door. JAMES opens. Is shutting it again. BILL shoves in his stool.
Bill. Hillo, Blazes! where's your manners? Is that the way you behaves to callers on your gov'nor's business?
James (half opening the door). Get about your own business, you imperent boy!
Bill. I'm about it now, young man. I wants to see your gov'nor.
James. You've got business with him, have you, eh?
Bill. Amazin' precoxity! You've hit it! I have got business with him, Door-post--not in the wery smallest with you, Door-post!--essep' the knife-boy's been and neglected of your feet-bags this mornin'. (JAMES would slam the door. BILL shoves in his stool.) Don't you try that 'ere little game again, young man! for if I loses my temper and takes to hollerin', you'll wish yourself farther.
James. A humbug you are! I 'ain't got no gov'nor, boy. The master as belongs to me is a mis'ess.
Bill. Then that 'ere gen'lemen as comes an' goes, ain't your master--eh?
James. What gen'leman, stoopid?
Bill. Oh! it don't matter.
James. What have--you--got to say to him?
Bill. Some'at pickled: it'll keep.
James. I'll give him a message, if you like.
Bill. Well, you may tell him the bargain's hoff, and if he wants his money, it's a waitin' of him round the corner.
James. You little blackguard! Do you suppose a gen'leman's a goin' to deliver sich a message as that! Be off, you himp! (Makes a dart at him.)
Bill (dodging him). How d'e do, Clumsy? Don't touch me; I ain't nice. Why, what was you made for, Parrot? Is them calves your own rearin' now? Is that a quid or a fardin? Have a shot, now, Shins.
James. None o' your imperence, young blackie! 'And me over the money, and I'll give it to the gen'leman.
Bill. Do you see anything peticlar green in my eye, Rainbow?
JAMES makes a rush. BILL gets down before him. JAMES tumbles over him. BILL blacks his face with his brush.
Bill (running a little way). Ha! ha! ha! Bill Shoeblack--his mark! Who's blackie now? You owes me a penny--twopence--'twor sich a ugly job! Ain't shiny? I'll come back and shine ye for another penny. Good mornin', Jim Crow! Take my adwice, and don't on no account apply your winegar afore you've opened your hoyster. Likeways: Butter don't melt on a cold tater. Exit.
Exit JAMES into the house, banging the door.
Enter WATERFIELD, followed by BILL.
Bill. Please, sir, I been a watchin' for you.
Wat. Go to the devil!
Bill. I'd rayther not. So there's your suv'ring!
Wat. Go along. Meet me where I told you.
Bill. I won't. There's yer skid.
Wat. Be off, or I'll give you in charge. Hey! Policeman! Exit.
Bill. Well, I'm blowed! This quid '11 be the hangin' o' me! Damn you! (Throws it fiercely on the ground and stamps on it.) Serves me right for chaffin' the old un! He didn't look a bad sort--for a gov'nor.--Now I reflexes, I heerd Mattie spoony on some father or other, afore. O Lord! I'll get Jim and Jack to help me look out for him. (Enter THOMAS.) Lor' ha' mussy!--talk o' the old un!--I'm wery peticlar glad as I found you, daddy. I been a lookin' for ye--leastways I was a goin' to look for ye this wery moment as you turns up. I chaffed you like a zorologicle monkey yesterday, daddy, an' I'm wery sorry. But you see fathers ain't nice i' this 'ere part o' the continent. (Enter JAMES, in plain clothes, watching them.) They ain't no good nohow to nobody. If I wos a husband and a father, I don't know as how I should be A One, myself. P'r'aps I might think it wur my turn to break arms and legs. I knowed more 'n one father as did. It's no wonder the boys is a plaguy lot, daddy.
Tho. Goo away, boy. Dosto yer, aw've seen so mich wickedness sin' aw coom to Lon'on. that aw dunnot knaw whether to breighk thi yed, or to goo wi' tho? There be thieves and there be robbers.
Bill. Never fear, daddy. You ain't worth robbin' of, I don't think.
Tho. How dosto knaw that? Aw've moore 'n I want to lose abeawt mo.
Bill. Then Mattie 'ill have som'at to eat--will she, daddy?
Tho. Som'at to eight, boy! Be mo Mattie hungry--dun yo think?
Bill. Many and many's the time, daddy.
Tho. Yigh--afore her dinner!
Bill. And after it too, daddy.
Tho. O Lord!--And what does hoo do when hoo 's hungry?
Bill. Grins and bears it. Come and see her, daddy?
Tho. O Lord! Mo Mattie, an' nothin' to eight! Goo on, boy. Aw'm beawn to follow yo. Tak mo wheer yo like. Aw'll goo.
Bill. Come along then, daddy.
James (collaring him). Hullo, young un! You're the rascal as stole the suvering: I saw you!
Bill. Dunno what you're up to. I never stole nothink.
James. Oh no! of course not! What's that in yer fist now? (Catches BILL'S hand, and forces it open.) There!
BILL drops his stool on JAMES'S foot, throws up the coin, catches it with his other hand, and puts it in his mouth.
Tho. Theighur! Theighur! The like ov that! Aw're agooin wi' a thief--aw wur!
Bill. Never you mind, daddy. It wur guv to me.
James. That's what they allus says, sir.--You come along.--I'd be obliged to you, sir, if you would come too, and say you saw him.
Tho. Nay! aw connot say aw seigh him steyle it.
James. You saw it in his hand.
Tho. Yigh! aw did.
Bill. It wis guv to me, I tell ye.
James. Honest boy, this one! Looks like it, don't he, sir? What do you think of yourself, you young devil, a decoying of a grey-haired old gen'leman like this? Why, sir, him an' his pals 'ud ha' taken every penny you had about you! Murdered you, they might--I've knowed as much. It's a good thing I 'appened on the spot.--Come along, you bad boy!
Bill. I didn't, take it. And I won't go.
James. Come along. They'll change it for you at the lock-up.
Bill. You didn't see me steal it! You ain't never a goin' to gi' me in charge?
James. Wrong again, young un! That's? percisely what I am a goin' to do!
Bill. Oh, sir! please, sir! I'm a honest boy. It's the Bible-truth. I'll kiss twenty books on it.
James. I won't ax you.--Why, sir, he ain't even one o' the shoe-brigade. He 'ain't got a red coat. Bless my soul! he 'ain't even got a box--nothin' but a scrubby pair o' brushes as I'm alive! He ain't no shoeblack. He's a thief as purtends to black shoes, and picks pockets.
Bill. You're a liar! I never picked a pocket, in my life.
James. Bad language, you see! What more would you have?
Tho. Who'd iver lia' thowt o' sich wickedness in a boy like that!
Bill. I ain't a wicked boy, no. Nay, doan't thae tell mo that! Thae made gam of mo, and hurried and scurried mo, as iv aw'd been a mak ov a deevil--yo did.
James. He's one of the worst boys I know. This Timothy is one of the very worst boys in all London.
Bill (aside). Timothy, eh? I twigs! It's Rainbow, by Peter and Paul!--Look y'e here, old gen'leman! This 'ere's a bad cove as is takin' adwantage o' your woolliness. I knows him. His master guv me the suvering. He guv it to me to tell him where your Mattie was.
James. Don't you fancy you're g' in' to take in an experienced old gen'leman like that with your cock-and-bull stories! Come along, I say. Hey! Police!
Bill. Here you are! (Takes the coin from his mouth, rubs it dry on his jacket, and offers it.) I don't want it. Give it to old Hunx there.--He shan't never see his Mattie! I wur right to chivy him, arter all.
James (taking the coin). Now look here, Timothy. I'm a detective hofficer. But I won't never be hard on no buy as wants to make a honest livin'. So you be hoff! I'll show the old gen'leman where he wants to go to.
BILL moves two paces, and takes a sight at him.
Tho. The Lord be praised! Dosto know eawr Mattie then?
James. It's the dooty of a detective hofficer to know every girl in his beat.
Bill. My eye! there's a oner!
Tho. Tak mo to her, sir, an' aw'll pray for yo.
James. I will.--If I cotch you nearer than Mile End, I'll give you in charge at oncet.
Bill (bolting five yards). He's a humbug, daddy! but he'll serve you right. He'll melt you down for taller. He ain't no 'tective. I know him.
Tho. Goo away.
Bill. Good-bye, daddy! He don't know your Mattie. Good-bye, skelington! Exit.
Tho. Eh! sech a boy!
James. Let me see. You want a girl of the name of Mattie?
Tho. Aw do, sir.
James. The name is not an oncommon one. There's Mattie Kent?
Tho. Nay; it's noan o' her.
James. Then there's Mattie Winchfield?
Tho. Nay; it's noan o' her.
James. Then there's Mattie Pearson?
Tho. Yigh, that's hoo! That's hoo! Wheer? Wheer?
James. Well, it's too far for a man of your age to walk. But I'll call a cab, and we'll go comfortable.
Tho. But aw connot affoord to peigh for a cab--as yo co it.
James. You don't suppose I'm a goin' to put an honest man like you to expense!
Tho. It's but raysonable I should peigh. But thae knows best.
James. Hey! Cab there! Exeunt.
Re-enter BILL, following them.
Bill. I'll have an eye of him, though. The swell as give me the yellow-boy--he's his master! Poor old codger! He'll believe any cove but the one as tells him the truth!
Exit.
Enter from the house MRS. CLIFFORD. Enter from opposite side COL. G.
Col. G. I was just coming to see you, Clara.
Mrs. C. And I was going to see you. How's Arthur to-day? I thought you would have come yesterday.
Col. G. My poor boy is as dependent on me as if I were not his father. I am very anxious about him. The fever keeps returning.
Mrs. C. Fortune seems to have favoured your mad scheme, Walter.
Col. G. Or something better than fortune.
Mrs. C. You have had rare and ample opportunity. You may end the farce when you please, and in triumph.
Col. G. On the contrary, Clara, it would be nothing but an anticlimax to end what you are pleased to call the farce now. As if I could make a merit of nursing my own boy! I did more for my black servant. I wish I had him here.
Mrs. C. You would like to double the watch--would you?
Col. G. Something has vexed you, Clara.
Mrs. C. I never liked the scheme, and I like it less every day.
Col. G. I have had no chance yet. He has been ill all the time. I wish you would come and see him a little oftener.
Mrs. C. He doesn't want me. You are everything now. Besides, I can't come alone.
Col G. Why not?
Mrs. C. Constance would fancy I did not want to take her.
Col. G. Then why not take her?
Mrs. C. I have my reasons.
Col. G. What are they?
Mrs. C. Never mind.
Col. G. I insist upon knowing them.
Mrs. C. It would break my heart, Walter, to quarrel with you, but I will if you use such an expression.
Col. G. But why shouldn't you bring Miss Lacordere with you?
Mrs. C. He's but a boy, and it might put some nonsense in his head.
Col. G. She's a fine girl. You make a friend of her.
Mrs. C. She's a good girl, and a lady-like girl; but I don't want to meddle with the bulwarks of society. I hope to goodness they will last my time.
Col. G. Clara, I begin to doubt whether pride be a Christian virtue.
Mrs. C. I see! You'll be a radical before long. Everything is going that way.
Col. G. I don't care what I am, so I do what's right. I'm sick of all that kind of thing. What I want is bare honesty. I believe I'm a tory as yet, but I should be a radical to-morrow if I thought justice lay on that side.--If a man falls in love with a woman, why shouldn't he marry her?
Mrs. C. She may be unfit for him.
Col. G. How should he fall in love with her, then? Men don't fall in love with birds.
Mrs. C. It's a risk--a great risk.
Col. G. None the greater that he pleases himself, and all the more worth taking. I wish my poor boy--
Mrs. C. Your poor boy might please himself and yet not succeed in pleasing you, brother!
Col. G. (aside). She knows something.--I must go and see about his dinner. Good-bye, sister.
Mrs. C. Good-bye, then. You will have your own way!
Col. G. This once, Clara. Exeunt severally.
END OF ACT II.
ACT III.
SCENE.--A garret-room. MATTIE. SUSAN.
Mat. At the worst we've got to die some day, Sue, and I don't know but hunger may be as easy a way as another.
Sus. I'd rather have a choice, though. And it's not hunger I would choose.
Mat. There are worse ways.
Sus. Never mind: we don't seem likely to be bothered wi' choosin'.
Mat. There's that button-hole done. (Lays down her work with a sigh, and leans bade in her chair.)
Sus. I'll take it to old Nathan. It'll be a chop a-piece. It's wonderful what a chop can do to hearten you up.
Mat. I don't think we ought to buy chops, dear. We must be content with bread, I think.
Sus. Bread, indeed!
Mat. Well, it's something to eat.
Sus. Do you call it eatin' when you see a dog polishin' a bone?
Mat. Bread's very good with a cup of tea.
Sus. Tea, indeed! Fawn-colour, trimmed with sky-blue!--If you'd mentioned lobster-salad and sherry, now!
Mat. I never tasted lobster-salad.
Sus. I have, though; and I do call lobster-salad good. You don't care about your wittles: I do. When I'm hungry, I'm not at all comfortable.
Mat. Poor dear Sue! There is a crust in the cupboard.
Sus. I can't eat crusts. I want summat nice. I ain't dyin' of 'unger. It's only I'm peckish. Very peckish, though. I could eat--let me see what I could eat:--I could eat a lobster-salad, and two dozen oysters, and a lump of cake, and a wing and a leg of a chicken--if it was a spring chicken, with watercreases round it--and a Bath-bun, and a sandwich; and in fact I don't know what I couldn't eat, except just that crust in the cupboard. And I do believe I could drink a whole bottle of champagne.
Mat. I don't know what one of those things tastes like--scarce one; and I don't believe you do either.
Sus. Don't I?--I never did taste champagne, but I've seen them eating lobster-salad many a time;--girls not half so good-lookin' as you or me, Mattie, and fine gentlemen a waitin' upon 'em. Oh dear! I am so hungry! Think of having your supper with a real gentleman as talks to you as if you was fit to talk to--not like them Jew-tailors, as tosses your work about as if it dirtied their fingers--and them none so clean for all their fine rings!
Mat. I saw Nathan's Joseph in a pastrycook's last Saturday, and a very pretty girl with him, poor thing!
Sus. Oh the hussy to let that beast pay for her!
Mat. I suppose she was hungry.
Sus. I'd die before I let a snob like that treat me. No, Mattie! I spoke of a real gentleman.
Mat. Are you sure you wouldn't take Nathan's Joseph for a gentleman if he was civil to you?
Sus. Thank you, miss! I know a sham from a real gentleman the moment I set eyes on him.
Mat. What do you mean by a real gentleman, Susan?
Sus. A gentleman as makes a lady of his girl.
Mat. But what sort of lady, Sue? The poor girl may fancy herself a lady, but only till she's left in the dirt. That sort of gentleman makes fine speeches to your face, and calls you horrid names behind your back. Sue, dear, don't have a word to say to one of them--if he speaks ever so soft.
Sus. Lawks, Mattie! they ain't all one sort.
Mat. You won't have more than one sort to choose from. They may be rough or civil, good-natured or bad, but they're all the same in this, that not one of them cares a pin more for you than if you was a horse--no--nor half a quarter so much. Don't for God's sake have a word to say to one of them. If I die, Susan--
Sus. If you do, Matilda--if you go and do that thing, I'll take to gin--that's what I'll do. Don't say I didn't act fair, and tell you beforehand.
Mat. How can I help dying, Susan?
Sus. I say, Don't do it, Mattie. We'll fall out, if you do. Don't do it, Matilda--La! there's that lumping Bill again--always a comin' up the stair when you don't want him!
Enter BILL.
Mat. Well, Bill, how have you been getting on?
Bill. Pretty tollol, Mattie. But I can't go on so. (Holds out his stool.) It ain't respectable.
Mat. What ain't respectable? Everything's respectable that's honest.
Bill. Why, who ever saw a respectable shiner goin' about with a three-legged stool for a blackin' box? It ain't the thing. The rig'lars chaffs me fit to throw it at their 'eads, they does--only there's too many on 'em, an' I've got to dror it mild. A box I must have, or a feller's ockypation's gone. Look ye here! One bob, one tanner, and a joey! There! that's what comes of never condescending to an 'a'penny.
Sus. Bless us! what mighty fine words we've got a waitin' on us!
Bill. If I 'ave a weakness, Miss Susan, it's for the right word in the right place--as the coster said to the devil-dodger as blowed him up for purfane swearin'.--When a gen'leman hoffers me an 'a'penny, I axes him in the purlitest manner I can assume, to oblige me by givin' of it to the first beggar he may 'ave the good fort'n to meet. Some on 'em throws down the 'a'penny. Most on 'em makes it a penny.--But I say, Mattie, you don't want nobody arter you--do you now?
Mat. I don't know what you mean by that, Bill.
Bill. You don't want a father--do you now? Do she, Susan?
Sus. We want no father a hectorin' here, Bill. You 'ain't seen one about, have you?
Bill. I seen a rig'lar swell arter Mattie, anyhow.
Mat. What do you mean, Bill? Bill. A rig'lar swell--I repeats it--a astin' arter a young woman by the name o' Mattie.
Sus. (pulling him aside). Hold your tongue, Bill! You'll kill her! You young viper! Hold your tongue, or I'll twist your neck. Don't you see how white she is?
Mat. What was he like? Do tell me, Bill.
Bill. A long-legged rig'lar swell, with a gold chain, and a cane with a hivory 'andle.
Sus. He's a bad man, Bill, and Mattie can't abide him. If you tell him where she is, she'll never speak to you again.
Mat. Oh, Susan! what shall I do? Don't bring him here, Bill. I shall have to run away again; and I can't, for we owe a week's rent.
Sus. There, Bill!
Bill. Don't you be afeard, Mattie. He shan't touch you. Nor the old one neither.
Mat. There wasn't an old man with him?--not an old man with a long stick?
Bill. Not with him. Daddy was on his own hook?
Mat. It must have been my father, Susan. (Sinks back on her chair.)
Sus. 'Tain't the least likely.--There, Bill! I always said you was no good! You've killed her.
Bill. Mattie! Mattie! I didn't tell him where you was.
Mat. (reviving). Run and fetch him, Bill--there's a dear! Oh! how proud I've been! If mother did say a hard word, she didn't mean it--not for long. Run, Bill, run and fetch him.
Bill. Mattie, I was a fetchin' of him, but he wouldn't trust me. And didn't he cut up crusty, and collar me tight! He's a game old cock--he is, Mattie.
Mat. (getting up and pacing about the room). Oh, Susan! my heart'll break. To think he's somewhere near and I can't get to him! Oh my side! Don't you know where he is, Bill?
Bill. He's someveres about, and blow me if I don't, find him!--a respectable old party in a white pinny, an' 'peared as if he'd go on a walkin' till he walked hisself up staudin'. A scrumptious old party!
Mat. Had he a stick, Bill?
Bill. Yes--a knobby stick--leastways a stick wi' knobs all over it.
Mat. That's him, Susan!
Bill. I could swear to the stick. I was too near gittin' at the taste on it not to know it again.
Mat. When was it you saw him, Bill?
Bill. Yesterday, Mattie--jest arter you give me the tart. I sawr him again this mornin', but he wouldn't place no confidence in me.
Mat. Oh dear! Why didn't you come straight to me, Bill?
Bill. If I'd only ha' known as you wanted him! But that was sech a unlikely thing! It's werry perwokin'! I uses my judgment, an' puts my hoof in it! I am sorry, Mattie. But I didn't know no better (crying).
Mat. Don't cry, Bill. You'll find him for me yet--won't you?
Bill. I'm off this indentical minute. But you see--
Sus. There! there!--now you mizzle. I don't want no fathers here--goodness knows; but the poor girl's took a fancy to hers, and she'll die if she don't get him. Run now--there's a good boy! (Exit BILL.) You 'ain't forgotten who's a comin', Mattie?
Mat. No, indeed.
Sus. Well, I hope she'll be civil, or I'll just give her a bit of my mind.
Mat. Not enough to change hers, I'm afraid. That sort of thing never does any good.
Sus. And am I to go a twiddlin' of my thumbs, and sayin' yes, ma'am, an' no, ma'am? Not if I knows it, Matilda!
Mat. You will only make her the more positive in her ill opinion of us.
Sus. An' what's that to me?
Mat. Well, I don't like to be thought a thief. Besides, Mrs. Clifford has been kind to us.
Sus. She's paid us for work done; so has old Nathan.
Mat. Did old Nathan ever give you a glass of wine when you took home his slops?
Sus. Oh! that don't cost much; and besides, she takes it out in kingdom-come.
Mat. You're unfair, Susan.
Sus. Well, it's little fairness I get.
Mat. And to set that right you're unfair yourself! What you call speaking your mind, is as cheap, and as nasty, as the worst shoddy old Nathan ever got gobble-stitched into coats and trousers.
Sus. Very well, Miss Matilda! (rising and snatching her bonnet). The sooner we part the better! You stick by your fine friends! I don't care that for them! (snapping her fingers)--and you may tell 'em so! I can make a livin' without them or you either. Goodness gracious knows it ain't much of a livin' I've made sin' I come across you, Miss! Exit.
Mat (trying to rise). Susan! Susan! (Lays her head on the table).
A tap at the door, and enter MRS. CLIFFORD, with JAMES behind.
MATTIE rises.
Mrs. C. Wait on the landing, James.
James. Yes, ma'am.
Exit JAMES, leaving the door a little ajar.
Mrs. C. Well, Miss Pearson! (Mattie offers a chair.) No, thank you. That person is still with you, I see!
Mat. Indeed, ma'am, she's an honest girl.
Mrs. C. She is a low creature, and capable of anything. I advise you to get rid of her.
Mat. Was she rude on the stair, ma'am?
Mrs. C. Rude! Vulgar--quite vulgar! Insulting!
Mat. I am very sorry. But, believe me, ma'am, she is an honest girl, and never pawned that work. It was done--every stitch of it; and the loss of the money is hard upon us too. Indeed, ma'am, she did lose the parcel.
Mrs. C. You have only her word for it. If you don't give her up, I give you up.
Mat. I can't, ma'am. She might go into bad ways if I did.
Mrs. C. She can't well get into worse. Her language! You would do ever so much better without her.
Mat. I daren't, ma'am. I should never get it off my conscience.
Mrs. C. Your conscience indeed! (rising). I wish you a good morning, Miss Pearson.--(Sound of a blow, followed by scuffling.)--What is that? I fear I have got into an improper place.
SUSAN bursts in.
Sus. Yes, ma'am, and that you have! It's a wery improper place for the likes o' you, ma'am--as believes all sorts o' wicked things of people as is poor. Who are you to bring your low flunkies a-listenin' at honest girls' doors! (Turning to James in the doorway.) Get out, will you? Let me catch you here again, and I'll mark you that the devil wouldn't know his own! You dirty Paul Pry--you! (Falls on her knees to Mattie.) Mattie, you angel!
Mat. (trying to make her get up) Never mind. It's all right between you and me, Susan.
Mrs. C. I see! I thought as much!
Sus. (starting up) As much as what, then, my lady? Oh, I know you and your sort--well enough! We're the dirt under your feet--lucky if we stick to your shoes! But this room's mine.
Mrs. C. That linen was mine, young woman, I believe.
Sus. An' it's for that miserable parcel you come a-talkin', an' abusin' as no lady ought to! How dare you look that angel in the face there an' say she stole it--which you're not fit to lace her boots for her! There!
Mat. Susan! Susan! do be quiet.
Sus. It's all very well for the likes o' me (courtesying spitefully)--which I'm no better'n I should be, and a great deal worse, if I'm on my oath to your ladyship--that's neither here nor there!--but she's better'n a van-load o' sich ladies as you, pryin' into other people's houses, with yer bibles, an' yer religion, an' yer flunkies! I know ye! I do!
Mat. Don't, Susan.
Sus. Why don't ye go an' pay twopence a week to somebody to learn ye good manners? I been better brought up myself.
Mrs. C. I see I was wrong: I ought at once to have handed the matter over to the police.
Sus. The perlice, indeed!--You get out of this, ma'am, or I'll make you!--you and your cowardly man-pup there, as is afraid to look me in the face through the crack o' the door! Get out, I say, with your--insolence--that's your word!
Exit MRS. CLIFFORD.
Mat. Susan! Susan! what is to become of us?
Sus. She daren't do it--the old scrooge! But just let her try it on! See if I don't show her up afore the magistrate! Mattie! I'll work ray fingers to the bone for you. I would do worse, only you won't let me. I'll go to the court, and tell the magistrate you're a-dyin' of hunger, which it's as true as gospel.
Mat. They'd send me to the workhouse, Sukey.
Sus. There must be some good people somewheres, Mattie.
Mat. Yes; if we could get at them. But we can live till we die, Sukey.
Sus. I'll go and list for a soldier, I will. Women ha' done it afore. It's quite respectable, so long as they don't find you out--and they shouldn't me. There's ne'er a one o' the redcoats 'ill cut up rougher 'n I shall--barrin' the beard, and that don't go for much now-a-days.
Mat. And what should I do without you, Susan?
Sus. Do you care to have me, then?
Mat. That I do, indeed. But you shouldn't have talked like that to Mrs. Clifford. Ladies ain't used to such words. They sound worse than they are--quite dreadful, to them. She don't know your kind heart as I do. Besides, the look of things is against us. Ain't it now? Say yourself.
Sus. (starting up) I'll go and beg her pardon. I'll go direckly--I will. I swear I will. I can't abear her, but I'll do it. I believe hunger has nigh drove me mad.
Mat. It takes all the madness out of me.--No, Susan; we must bear it now. Come along. We can be miserable just as well working. There's your sleeve. I'll thread your needle for you. Don't cry--there's a dear!
Sus. I will cry. It's all I ever could do to my own mind, and it's all as is left me. But if I could get my claws on that lovyer o' yours, I wouldn't cry then. He's at the bottom of it! I don't see myself what's the use of fallin' in love. One man's as much of a fool as another to me. But you must go to bed. You ain't fit. You'll be easier when you've got your frock off. There! Why, child, you're all of a tremble!--And no wonder, wi' nothing on her blessed body but her frock and her shimmy!
Mat. Don't take off my frock, Sue. I must get on with my work.
Sus. Lie down a bit, anyhow. I'll lie at your back, and you'll soon be as warm's a toast. (MAT. lies down.) O Lord! she's dead! Her heart's stopped beatin'. (Runs out of the room.)
A moment of silence. A tap at the door.
CONSTANCE peeps in, then enters, with a basket.
Con. Miss Pearson!--She's asleep. (Goes near.) Good heavens! (Lays her hand on her.) No. (Takes a bottle from her basket, finds a cup, and pours into it.) Take this, Miss Pearson; it will do you good. There now! You'll find something else in the basket.
Mat. I don't want anything. I had so nearly got away! Why did you bring me back?
Con. Life is good!
Mat. It is not good. How dare you do it? Why keep a miserable creature alive? Life ain't to us what it is to you. The grave is the only place we have any right to.
Con. If I could make your life worth something to you--
Mat. You make my life worth to me! You don't know what you're saying, miss. (Sitting up.)
Con. I think I do.
Mat. I will not owe my life to you. I could love you, though--your hands are so white, and your look so brave. That's what comes of being born a lady. We never have a chance.
Con. Miss Pearson--Mattie, I would call you, if you wouldn't be offended--
Mat. Me offended, miss!--I've not got life enough for it. I only want my father and my mother, and a long sleep.--If I had been born rich--
Con. You might have been miserable all the same. Listen, Mattie. I will tell you my story--I was once as badly off as you--worse in some ways--ran about the streets without shoes to my feet, and hardly a frock to cover me.
Mat. La, miss! you don't say so! It's not possible! Look at you!
Con. Indeed, I tell you the truth. I know what hunger is too--well enough. My father was a silkweaver in Spitalfields. When he died, I didn't know where to go. But a gentleman--
Mat. Oh! a gentleman!--(Fiercely.) Why couldn't you be content with one, then?
Con. I don't understand you.
Mat. I dare say not! There! take your basket. I'll die afore a morsel passes my lips. There! Go away, miss.
Con. (aside). Poor girl! she is delirious. I must ask William to fetch a doctor. Exit.
Mat. I wish my hands were as white as hers.
Enter SUSAN, followed by COL. G. CONSTANCE behind.
Sus. Mattie! dear Mattie! this gentleman--don't be vexed--I couldn't help him bein' a gentleman; I was cryin' that bad, and I didn't see no one come up to me, and when he spoke to me, it made me jump, and I couldn't help answerin' of him--he spoke so civil and soft like, and me nigh mad! I thought you was dead, Mattie. He says he'll see us righted, Mattie.
Col. G. I'll do what I can, if you will tell me what's amiss.
Sus. Oh, everything's amiss--everything!--Who was that went out, Mattie--this minute--as we come in?
Mat. Miss Lacordere.
Sus. Her imperence! Well! I should die of shame if I was her.
Mat. She's an angel, Susan. There's her basket. I told her to take it away, but she would leave it.
Sus. (peeping into the basket). Oh, my! Ain't this nice? You must have a bit, Mattie.
Mat. Not one mouthful. You wouldn't have me, Susan!
Sus. I ain't so peticlar (eating a great mouthful). You really must, Mattie. (Goes on eating.)
Col. G. Don't tease her. We'll get something for her presently. And don't you eat too much--all at once.
Sus. I think she'd like a chop, sir.--There's that boy, Bill, again!--Always when he ain't wanted!
Enter BILL.
Bill (aside to Susan). What's the row? What's that 'ere gent up to? I've been an' had enough o' gents. They're a bad lot. I been too much for one on 'em, though. I ha' run him down.--And, Mattie, I've found the old gen'leman.
Mat. My father, Bill?
Bill. That's it percisely! Right as a trivet--he is!
Mat. Susan! take hold of me. My heart's going again.
Bill. Lord! what's up wi' Mattie? She do look dreadful.
Sus. You been an' upset her, you clumsy boy! Here--run and fetch a sausage or two, and a--
Col. G. No, no! That will never do.
Sus. Them's for Bill and me, sir. I was a goin' on, sir.--And, Bill, a chop--a nice chop. But Lord! how are we to cook it, with never a fryin'-pan, or a bit o' fire to set it on!
Col. G. You'd never think of doing a chop for an invalid in the frying-pan?
Sus. Certainly not, sir--we 'ain't got one. Everything's up the spout an' over the top. Run, Bill. A bit of cold chicken, and two pints o' bottled stout. There's the money the gen'leman give me.--'T 'ain't no Miss Lackodare's, Mattie.
Bill. I'll trouble no gen'leman to perwide for my family--obleeged all the same, sir. Mattie never wos a dub at dewourin', but I'll get her some'at toothsome. I favours grub myself.
Col. G. I'll go with you, Bill. I want to talk to you.
Bill. Well, I 'ain't no objection--so be you wants to talk friendly, sir.
Col. G. Good night. I'll come and see you to-morrow.
Sus. God bless you, sir. You've saved both on our lives. I was a goin' to drown myself, Mattie--I really was this time. Wasn't I, sir?
Col. G. Well, you looked like it--that is all I can say. You shall do it next time--so far as I'm concerned.
Sus. I won't never no more again, sir--not if Mattie don't drive me to it.
Con. (to COL. G.). Come back for me in a little while.
Col. G. Yes, miss. Come, Bill. Exit.
Bill. All right, sir. I'm a follerin', as the cat said to the pigeon. Exit.
Sus. I'll just go and get you a cup o' tea. Mrs. Jones's kettle's sure to be a bilin'. That's what you would like.
Exit. Constance steps aside, and Susan passes without seeing her.
Mat. Oh! to be a baby again in my mother's arms! But it'll soon be over now.
CONSTANCE comes forward.
Con. I hope you're a little better now?
Mat. You're very kind, miss; and I beg your pardon for speaking to you as I did.
Con. Don't say a word about it. You didn't quite know what you were saying. I'm in trouble myself. I don't know how soon I may be worse off than you.
Mat. Why, miss, I thought you were going to be married!
Con. No, I am not.
Mat. Why, miss, what's happened. He's never going to play you false--is he?
Con. I don't mean ever to speak to him again?
Mat. What has he done to offend you, miss?
Con. Nothing. Only I know now I don't like him. To tell you the truth, Mattie, he's not a gentleman.
Mat. Not a gentleman, miss! How dare you say so?
Con. Do you know anything about him? Did you ever see him?
Mat. Yes.
Con. Where?
Mat. Once at your house.
Con. Oh! I remember--that time! I begin to--It couldn't be at the sight of him you fainted, Mattie?--You knew him? Tell me! tell me! Make me sure of it.
Mat. To give you your revenge! No. It's a mean spite to say he ain't a gentleman.
Con. Perhaps you and I have different ideas of what goes to make a gentleman.
Mat. Very likely.
Con. Oh! don't be vexed, Mattie. I didn't mean to hurt you.
Mat. Oh! I dare say!
Con. If you talk to me like that, I must go.
Mat. I never asked you to come.
Con. Well, I did want to be friendly with you. I wouldn't hurt you for the world.
Mat. (bursting into tears) I beg your pardon, miss. I'm behaving like a brute. But you must forgive me; my heart is breaking.
Con. Poor dear! (kissing her) So is mine almost. Let us be friends. Where's Susan gone?
Mat. To fetch me a cup of tea. She'll be back directly.
Con. Don't let her say bad words: I can't bear them. I think it's because I was so used to them once--in the streets, I mean--not at home--never at home.
Mat. She don't often, miss. She's a good-hearted creature. It's only when hunger makes her cross. She don't like to be hungry.
Con. I should think not, poor girl!
Mat. Don't mind what she says, please. If you say nothing, she'll come all right. When she's spoken her mind, she feels better. Here she comes!
Re-enter SUSAN. It begins to grow dark.
Sus. Well, and who have we got here?
Mat. Miss Lacordere, Sukey.
Sus. There's no lack o' dare about her, to come here!
Mat. It's very kind of her to come, Susan.
Sus. I tell you what, miss: that parcel was stole. It was stole, miss!--stole from me--an' that angel there a dyin' in the street!
Con. I'm quite sure of it, Susan. I never thought anything else.
Sus. Not but I allow it was a pity, miss!--I'm very sorry. But, bless you! (lighting a candle)--with all your fine clothes--! My! you look like a theayter-queen--you do, miss! If you was to send them up the spout now!--My! what a lot they'd let you have on that silk!
Con. The shawl is worth a good deal, I believe. It's an Indian one--all needlework.
Sus. And the bee-utiful silk! Laws, miss! just shouldn't I like to wear a frock like that! I should be hard up before I pledged that! But the shawl! If I was you, miss, I would send 'most everything up before that!--things inside, you know, miss--where it don't matter so much.
Con. (laughing) The shawl would be the first thing I should part with. I would rather be nice inside than out.
Sus. Lawk, miss! I shouldn't wonder if that was one of the differs now! Well, I never! It ain't seen! It must be one o' the differs!
Con. What differs? I don't understand you.
Sus. The differs 'tween girls an' ladies--girls like me an' real ladies like you.
Con. Oh, I see! But how dark it has got! What can be keeping William? I must go at once, or what will my aunt say! Would you mind going with me a little bit, Susan?
Sus. I'll go with pleasure, miss.
Con. Just a little way, I mean, till we get to the wide streets. You couldn't lend me an old cloak, could you?
Sus. I 'ain't got one stitch, miss, but what I stand up in--'cep' it be a hodd glove an' 'alf a pocket-'an'kercher. Nobody 'ill know you.
Con. But I oughtn't to be out dressed like this.
Sus. You've only got to turn up your skirt over your head, miss.
Con. (drawing up her skirt) I never thought of that!
Sus. Well, I never!
Con. What's the matter?
Sus. Only the whiteness o' the linin' as took my breath away, miss. It ain't no use turnin' of it up: you'll look like a lady whatever you do to hide it. But never mind: that ain't no disgrace so long as you don't look down on the rest of us. There, miss! There you are--fit for a play! Come along; I'll take care of you. Lawks! I'm as good as a man--I am!
Con. Good-bye then, Mattie.
Mat. Good-bye, miss. God bless you.
Exeunt.
END OF ACT III.
ACT IV.
SCENE.--The Studio.
Enter COL. G. Walks about restless and eager.
Col. G. Thank heaven! If Bill has found Mr. Warren now,--Exit.
Enter WARREN.
War. What can the fellow be up to? There's something odd about him--something I don't like--but it can't mean mischief when he sends for me. Where could Gervaise have picked him up?--Nobody here?
Re-enter COL. G. and hurries to him with outstretched hand.
Col. G. My dear sir! I am greatly obliged to you. This is very kind.
War. (stepping back) Excuse me.--I do not understand.
Col. G. I beg your pardon. I ought to have explained.
War. I believe something of the sort is necessary.
Col. G. You are my master's friend.
War. I should be proud of the honour. Can I be of any service to him?
Col. G. I believe I can trust you. I will trust you--I am his father.
War. Whose father? Belzebub's?
Col. G. Arthur's--your friend Gervaise's. I am Sir Walter Gervaise. You must help me to help him.
WARREN regards him for a moment.
War. (stiffly) Sir Walter, I owe your son much--you nothing yet. I am his friend.
Col. G. There is not a moment to lose. Listen. An old man came about the place a few weeks ago, looking for his daughter. He has been got out of the way, but I have learned where he is: I want you to bring him.
War. I would serve your son blindfold: you must excuse me if I wish to understand first.
Col. G. Arthur is in trouble. He has a secret.--God forgive me!--I feared it was a bad one.
War. You don't know him as I do!
Col. G. I know him now--and can help him. Only I can't prove anything yet. I must have the old man. I've found his daughter, and suspect the villain: if I can bring the three together, all will come out, sure enough. The boy I sent for you will take you to the father. He will trust you, and come. (Bell rings.) I must go to Arthur now. Exit.
War. What a strange old fellow! An officer--and disguise himself!
Enter BILL.
Bill. Here you are, sir!
War. No vast amount of information in that statement, my boy!
Bill. Well, sir--here I are, sir.
War. That is a trifle more to the point, though scarcely requiring mention.
Bill. Then, here we are, sir.
War. That'll do--if you know what comes next?
Bill. I do, sir.
War. Go on, then.
Bill. Here goes! Come along, sir. You'll have to take a bobby, though.
War. We'll see about that. You go on.
Exeunt.
Enter GERVAISE, followed by COL. G.
Ger. What a time you have been, William!
Col. G. I'm sorry, sir. Did you want anything?
Ger. No. But I don't like to be left. You are the only friend I have.
Col. G. Thank you, sir. A man must do his duty, but it's a comfort when his colonel takes notice of it.
Ger. Is it all from duty, William? Yet why should I look for more? There was a little girl I tried to do my duty by once--My head's rather queer still, William.
Col. G. Is there nothing to be done, sir?
Ger. No; it's here--(putting his hand to his head)--inside.
Col. G. I meant about the little girl, sir.--I can keep dark as well as another.--When there's anything on a man's mind, sir--good or bad--it's a relief to mention it. If you could trust me--(A pause.) Men have trusted their servants and not repented it.
Ger. No doubt--no doubt. But there is no help for me.
Col. G. You cannot be sure of that, sir.
Ger. You would help me if you could, I believe.
Col. G. God knows I would, sir--to the last drop of my blood.
Ger. That's saying much, William. A son couldn't say more--no, nor a father either.
Col. G. Oh! yes, he could, sir.
Ger. And mean it?
Col. G. Yes.
Ger. If I had a father, William, I would tell him all about it. I was but two years old when he left me.
Col. G. Then you don't remember him, sir?
Ger. I often dream about him, and then I seem to remember him.
Col. G. What is he like, sir?--in your dreams, I mean.
Ger. I never see him distinctly: I try hard sometimes, but it's no use. If he would but come home! I feel as if I could bear anything then.--But I'm talking like a girl!
Col. G. Where is your father, sir?
Ger. In India.
Col. G. A soldier, sir?
Ger. Yes. Colonel Gervaise--you must have heard of him. Sir Walter he is now.
Col. G. I've heard of him, sir--away in the north parts he's been, mostly.
Ger. Yes. How I wish he would come home! I would do everything to please him. I have it, William! I'll go to India. I did think of going to Garibaldi--but I won't--I'll go to India. I must find my father. Will you go with me?
Col. G. Willingly, sir.
Ger. Is there any fighting there now?
Col. G. Not at present, I believe.
Ger. That's a pity. I would have listed in my father's regiment, and then--that is, by the time he found me out--he wouldn't be ashamed of me. I've done nothing yet. I'm nobody yet, and what could he do with a son that was nobody--a great man like him! A fine son I should be! A son ought to be worthy of his father. Don't you think so, William?
Col. G. That wouldn't be difficult, sir!--I mean with most fathers.
Ger. Ah! but mine, you know, William!--Are you good at the cut and thrust?
Col G. Pretty good, sir, I believe.
Ger. Then we'll have a bout or two. I've got rusty.--Have I said anything odd--or--or--I mean since I've been ill?
Col. G. Nothing you need mind, sir.
Ger. I'm glad of that.--I feel as if--(putting his hand to his head). William! what could you do for a man--if he was your friend?--no, I mean, if he was your enemy?
Col. G. I daren't say, sir.
Ger. Is the sun shining?
Col. G. Yes, sir. It's a lovely day.
Ger. What a desert the sky is!--so dreary and wide and waste!--Ah! if I might but creep into a hole in a tree, and feel it closing about me! How comfortable those toads must feel!
Col. G. (aside). He's getting light-headed again! I must send for the doctor. Exit.
Ger. But the tree would rot, and the walls grow thin, and the light come through. It is crumbling now! And I shall have to meet her! And then the wedding! Oh my God! (Starts up and paces about the room.)--It is the only way! My pistols, I think--yes.--(Goes to a table, finds his keys, and unlocks a case.)--There they are! I may as well have a passport at hand! (Loading one.)--The delicate thunder-tube! (Turns it over lovingly.) Solitude and silence! One roar and then rest! No--no rest!--still the demon to fight! But no eyes to meet and brave!--Who is that in the street?--She is at the door--with him!
Enter COL. G. and seizes his arm.
Ger. (with a cry). You've killed my Psyche! (Goes to the clay, and lifts the cloth.) There's the bullet-hole through her heart!
Col. G. It might have been worse, sir.
Ger. Worse! I've killed her! See where she flies! She's gone! She's gone! (Bursts into tears. COL. G. leads him to the couch.) Thank you, William. I couldn't help it. That man was with her. I meant it for myself.
Col. G. Who did you say was with her?
Ger. You mustn't heed what I say. I am mad. (A knock. He starts up.) Don't let them in, William. I shall rave if you do.
COL. G. catches up the pistols and exit hurriedly. GER. throws himself on the couch.
Re-enter COL. G.
Col. G. (aside). He is in love with her! Everything proves it. My boy! My boy!
Ger. Father! father!--Oh, William! I was dreaming, and took you for my father! I must die, William--somehow. There must be some way out of this! The doors can't all be locked.
Col. G. There's generally a chance to be had, sir. There's always a right and a wrong fighting it out somewhere. There's Garibaldi in the field again! Die by the hand of an enemy--if you will die, sir.
Ger. (smiling) That I couldn't, William: the man that killed me would be my best friend.--Yes--Garibaldi!--I don't deserve it, though: he fights for his country; I should fight but for death. Only a man doesn't stop when he dies--does he, William?
Col. G. I trust not, sir. But he may hope to be quieter--that is, if he dies honestly. It's grand for a soldier! He sweeps on the roaring billows of war into a soundless haven! Think of that, sir!
Ger. Why, William! how you talk!--Yes! it would be grand! On the crest of the war-cataract--heading a cavalry charge!--Tomorrow, William. I shall be getting stronger all the way. We'll start to-morrow.
Col. G. Where for, sir?
Ger. For Italy--for Garibaldi. You'll go with me?
Col. G. To the death, sir.
Ger. Yes; that's it--that's where I'm going. But not to-day. Look at my arm: it wouldn't kill a rat!--You saved my life, but I'm not grateful. If I was dead, I might be watching her--out of the lovely silence!--My poor Psyche!
Col. G. She's none the worse, sir. The pistol didn't go off.
Ger. Ah!--She ought to have fallen to pieces--long ago! You've been seeking to keep her shroud wet. But it's no matter. Let her go. Earth to earth, and dust to dust!--the law of Nature--and Art too.
Exit into the house.
Col. G. (following him) I mustn't lose sight of him.--Here he comes again, thank God!
Catches up a coat, and begins brushing it.
Re-enter GER.
Ger. I don't like to see you doing that.
Col. G. Why shouldn't I serve my own--superior, sir? Anything's better than serving yourself. And that's what every one does who won't serve other people.
Ger. You are right. And it's so cheap.
Col. G. And so nasty!
Ger. Right again, William!--Right indeed!--You're a gentleman! If there's anything I could help you in--anything gone wrong,--any friends offended--I'm not altogether without influence.
Col. G. (aside) He will vanquish me with my own weapons!
Ger. But you will go to Garibaldi with me?
Col. G. I will, sir.
Ger. And ride by my side?
Col. G. Of course.
Ger. If you ride by me, you will have to ride far.
Col. G. I know, sir. But if you would be fit for fighting, you must come and have something to eat and drink.
Ger. All right. A soldier must obey: I shall begin by obeying you. Only mind you keep up with me. Exit, leaning on COL. G.
Enter THOMAS.
Tho. Th' dule a mon be yere! Aw're main troubled to get shut ov they reyvers! Aw'm olez i' trouble! Mine's a gradely yed! it be!--Hoy!--Nobory yere! 'T seems to me, honest men be scarce i' Lonnon. Aw'm beawn to believe nobory but mo own heighes, and mo own oud lass. Exit.
Re-enter GERVAISE, followed by COL. G.
Ger. No, William; I won't lie down. I feel much better. Let's have a bout with the foils.
Col. G. Very well, sir. (Aside.) A little of that will go far, I know. (Gets down the foils.)
Ger. And, William, you must set a block up here. I shall have a cut or two at it to-morrow. There's a good cavalry weapon up there--next that cast of Davis's arm.
Col. G. Suppose your father were to arrive just after you had started!
Ger. I shouldn't mind. I don't want to see him yet. I'm such a poor creature! The heart seems to have gone out of me. You see, William--
Enter MRS. CLIFFORD.
Ger. Ah! How do you do, aunt?
Mrs. C. What's this nonsense about Garibaldi, Arthur?
Ger. Who told you?
Mrs. C. You don't mean it's true?
Ger. Quite true, aunt.
Mrs. C. Really, Arthur, you are more of a scatterbrain than I took you for!
Ger. Don't say that, aunt. I only take after my father.
Mrs. C. Don't talk to me of your father! I have no patience with him. A careless hard-hearted fellow--not worthy the name of a father! (She glares at SIR WALTER.)
Ger. You may go, William. (COL. G. retires slowly.)
Ger. Aunt, you have been a mother to me; but were you really my mother, I must not listen to such words of my father. He has good reasons for what he does, though I admit there is something in it we don't understand. (Aside.) If I could but understand how Constance--
Mrs. C. What do you say? What was that about Constance?
Ger. Oh, nothing, aunt. I was only thinking how difficult it is to understand people.
Mrs. C. If you mean Constance, I agree with you. She is a most provoking girl.
Ger. (smiling) I am sorry to hear that, aunt.
Mrs. C. I'm very glad you were never so silly as take a fancy to the girl. She would have led you a pretty dance! If you saw how she treats that unfortunate Waterfield! But what's bred in the bone won't out of the flesh.
Ger. There's nothing bred in her I would have out, aunt.
Mrs. C. Perhaps she originated her vulgarity. That is a shade worse.
Ger. Vulgarity, aunt! I cannot remember the meaning of the word when I think of her.
Mrs. C. If you choose to insult me, Arthur--
Exit.
Ger. It is high time I were gone! If I should be called in now to settle matters between--William! William!--William!
Enter COL. G.
Ger. To-morrow, William. Not a word. If you will go with me, I shall be glad. If you will not, I shall go without you.
Exit.
Col. G. Yes, sir.--I wish Warren were here with the old man. I don't know what to do till he comes.
Enter CONSTANCE.
Con. I thought my aunt was here, William.
Col. G. No, miss. She was here, but she's gone again.
Con. Could I see Mr. Gervaise for a moment?
Col. G. Certainly, miss. I'll tell him.
Con. Is he still determined on going, William?
Col. G. Yes, miss;--to-morrow, he says.
Con. To-morrow!
Col. G. Yes, miss. I think he means to start for Dover in the morning.
Con. What am I to do?
Col. G. What's the matter, miss?
Con. What can I do? I know he is angry with me. I don't quite know why. I wish I had never--I can't help it now. My heart will break. (Weeps.)
Col. G. Don't let him go to Dover to-morrow, miss.
Con. He would have listened to me once. He won't now. It's all so different! Everything has gone wrong somehow.
Col. G. Do try to keep him from going, miss.
Con. He would but think me forward. I could bear anything better than have him think ill of me.
Col. G. No fear of that, miss. The danger is all the other way.
Con. What other way, William?
Col. G. He thinks you don't care a bit about him.
Exit. CONSTANCE drops on the dais, nearly under the veiled Psyche.
Enter GER. and stands a moment regarding her.
Ger. Constance.
Con. (starting up, and flying to him with her hands clasped) Arthur! Arthur! don't go. I can't bear you to go. It's all my fault, but do forgive me! Oh, do, do--dear Arthur! Don't go to-morrow. I shall be miserable if you do.
Ger. But why, my--why, Constance?
Con. I was your Constance once.
Ger. But why should I not go? Nobody wants me here.
Con. Oh, Arthur! how can you be so cruel? Can it be that--? Do say something. If you won't say anything, how can I know what you are thinking--what you wish? Perhaps you don't like--I would--I have--I won't--Oh, Arthur! do say something.
Ger. I have nothing to say, Constance.
Con. Then I have lost you--altogether! I dare say I deserve it. I hardly know. God help me! What can I have done so very wicked? Oh! why did you take me out of the streets? I should have been used to them by this time! They are terrible to me now. No, no, Arthur! I thank you--thank you--with my very soul! What might I not have been by this time! But I used to lie in that corner, and I daren't now!
Enter COL. G. behind.
It was a happy time, for I had not offended you then. Good-bye. Won't you say one word to me?--You will never see me again.
She pauses a moment; then exit weeping--by the back door, behind the Psyche. COL. G. follows her.
Ger. How could she love that fellow? (Looking up.) Gone? gone! My Constance! My Psyche! I've driven her into the wild street! O my God! William! William! Constance! Which door? I won't go, Constance--I won't. I will do anything you ask me. What was that she said?--Good-bye! God in heaven!--William! you idiot! where are you? William!
He rushes out by the front door. Re-enter COL. G. by the back door.
Col. G. It was lucky I met Bill! He's after her like the wind. That message will bring her back, I think. I could trust that boy with anything! But where is he? (Enter THOMAS.) What, friend! here at last! Thank God! Just sit down a moment, will you? (Peeps into the room off the study.) He's not there! I heard him calling this moment! Perhaps he's in the house.--Did you leave the door open, sir?
Tho. Nay. Th' dur wur oppen. Aw seigh sombory run eawt as aw coom oop.
Col. G. My boy! my boy! It will kill him!--Stop here till I come back. (Rushes out.)
Tho. Aw connot stop. Aw'm tired enough, God knows, to stop anywheeres; mo yed goes reawnd and reawnd, an' aw'd fain lie mo deawn. But aw mun be gooin'. Nobory can tell what may be coomin to mo Mattie. Aw mun go look, go look! Ha! ha! they couldn't keep mo, owd mon as aw wur! But aw wish aw hed a word wi' th' mon first.
Enter WARREN.
War. (aside) This must be the old fellow himself! Here he is after all! (Peeps into the room.)
Tho. Theer be nobory theer, sir. Th' maister's run eawt, and th' mon after him.
War. Run out!
Tho. Aw niver says what aw donnot mane. An' aw'm glad yo're theer, sir; for William he towd mo to stay till he coom back; but aw've not geet so mich time to spare; and so be's yo're a friend ov th' maister's, yo'll mebbe mind th' shop a smo' bit. Aw mun goo (going).
War. I say, old man--your name's Thomas Pearson--ain't it?
Tho. Yigh. Aw yer. But hea cooms to to knaw mo name?
War. I know all about you.
Tho. Ivvery body knaws ivvery body yere! Aw connot stur a fut fur folks as knaws mo, and knaws mo name, and knaws what aw be after. Lonnon is a dreedfu' plaze. Aw mun geet mo lass to whoam. Yo'll mind th' shop till th' maister cooms back. Good neet (going).
War. (stopping him) They want you here a bit. You'd better stop. The man will be back directly. You're too suspicious.
Tho. Nea, maister, thae'rt wrung theer. Aw've trusted too mich--a theawsand times too mich.
War. You trusted the wrong people, then.
Tho. It taks no mak o' a warlock to tell mo that, maister. It's smo' comfort, noather.
War. Well now, you give me a turn, and hear what I've got to say.
Tho. Yo're o' tarred wi' th' same stick. Ivvery body maks gam ov th' poor owd mon! Let me goo, maister. Aw want mo chylt, mo Mattie!
War. You must wait till Mr. Gervaise's man comes back.
Tho. (despairingly) O Lord. Th' peack ov sunbrunt lies they ha' been tellin' me sin' aw coom yere!--childer an o'!
War. Have patience, man. You won't repent it.
Tho. What mun be, mun. Aw connot ha' patience, but aw con stop. Aw'd rayther goo, though. Aw'm noan sorry to rest noather. (Sits down on the dais.)
Enter BILL.
War. Here, boy! Don't let the old man go till some one comes. Exit.
Bill. All right, sir! Hillo, daddy! There you are! Thank God!
Tho. What fur, boy? Wull he gie mo mo Mattie again--dosto think?
Bill. That he will, daddy! You come along, an' you'll know a honest boy next time.--I can't till I see Mr. William, though.
Tho. Iv thae manes th' maister's mon yere, he's run eawt. An' aw connot goo witho. Aw'm keepin' th' shop till he coom back. An' aw dunnot mich care to goo witho. Aw dunnot mich trust tho. Th' Lord have a care ov mo! Aw dimnot knaw which to trust, and which not to trust. But aw mun wait for maister William, as yo co' him.
Bill. All right, daddy!--Don't you stir from here till I come back--not for nobody--no, not for Joseph!
Tho. Aw dunnot knaw no Joseph.
Bill. I'll soon let you see I'm a honest boy! As you can't go to Mattie, I'll bring Mattie to you: see if I don't! An' if she ain't the right un, I'll take her back, and charge ye nuffin for carriage. Can't say fairer than that, daddy!
Tho. Bless tho, mo boy! Dosto mane it true?
Bill. Yes--an' that you'll see, afore you're an 'alf an hour older, daddy. When Mr. William comes, you say to him, "Bill's been.--All right."
Tho. Aw dunnot like secrets, lad. What don yo mane? Ivvery body seems to mane something, and nobory to say it.
Bill. Never you mind, daddy! "Bill's been.--All right." That's your ticket. I'm off. Exit.
THOMAS gets up, and walks about, murmuring to himself. A knock at the door.
Tho. Somebory after mo again! Aw'll geet eawt ov th' way. (Goes behind the Psyche.)
Enter WATERFIELD.
Wat. Nobody here! I am unlucky. "Not at home," said the rascal,--and grinned, by Jove! I'll be at the bottom of this. There's no harm in Gervaise. He's a decent fellow. (Knocks at the door of GER.'S room.) I won't leave the place till I've set things right--not if I've got to give him a post-obit for five thousand--I won't!--Nobody there? (Looks in.) No. Then I'll go in and wait. Exit.
Tho. (peeping from behind the Psyche). That's the villain! Lord o' mercy! that's the villain! If aw're as strung as aw'm owd, aw'd scrunch his yed--aw would! Aw'm sure it's th' mon. He kep eawt ov mo way--but aw seigh him once. O Lord, keep mo hands off ov him. Aw met kill him. Aw'm sartin sure ov him when aw see him. Aw'll not goo nigh him till somebory cooms--cep' he roons away. Aw'm noan fleyed ov him, but aw met not be able to keep mo howd ov him. Oh, mo Mattie! mo Mattie! to leave thi owd faither for sich a mak ov a mon as yon! But yere cooms somebory moor. (Goes behind the Psyche.)
Enter MRS. CLIFFORD.
Mrs. C. No one here? She can never be in his room with him! (Opens the door.) Oh! Mr. Waterfield! You're here--are you?
Wat. (coming to the door). Mrs. Clifford! This is indeed an unexpected pleasure!
Mrs. C. Have you got Constance with you there?
Wat. I've no such good fortune.
Mrs. C. Where is she, then?
Wat. At home, I presume.
Mrs. C. Indeed she is not. I must speak to Arthur.
Wat. He's not here.
Mrs. C. Where's my--his man, then?
Wat. Taken himself off to the public-house, I suppose. There's nobody about. Odd--ain't it?
Mrs. C. I'll go and see. Exit into the house.
Wat. What can be the row! there is some row. Exit into the room.
Enter GER., supported by COL. G.
Col. G. Thank God! Thank God!
Ger. But where is she? I shall go mad if you've told me a lie.
Col. G. I saw her, and sent a messenger after her. We shall have news of her presently. Do have a little patience, sir.
Get. How can I have patience? I'm a brute--a mean, selfish devil! If that fellow Waterfield was to horse-whip me--I should let him.
Tho. (coming forward). Theer wur that yung chap yere a while agoo, and he said aw wur to say to Maister William--what wur it aw're to say?--Yigh--it wur--"Bill's been. O'reet."
Col. G. There, sir! I told you so. Do sit down. I'll go after her.
Ger. I will. I will. Only make haste. (Stands staring at the Psyche.)
Tho. Th' boy said he'd be yere direckly.
Col. G. You sit down. I'll be with you presently.
Tho. (retiring behind the Psyche). Aw're noan likely to goo, maister.
Enter MRS. C. Crosses to room door. Enter WATERFIELD. They talk.
Ger. William! I don't want them. (Retreats towards the Psyche.)
Col. G. Sit here one moment, sir. (Leads him to the dais. Advances to MRS. C.)
Mrs. C. (trying to pass him). Arthur, what can--?
Col. G. (intercepting her). Let him rest a bit, ma'am, if you please. He's been out for the first time.
Mrs. C. At night! and in a fog! A pretty nurse you are! Poor boy!
Col. G. Mr. Waterfield, sir, would you mind stepping into the room again for a moment? (Exit WAT.) Mrs. Clifford, ma'am, would you please get a glass of wine for master? Exit MRS. C. into the house.
Ger. William! William!
Col. G. Yes, sir.
Ger. Send him away. Don't let him stop there. I have nothing to say to him.
Col. G. He shan't trouble you, sir. I'll take care of that. (Goes behind the Psyche to THOMAS, but keeps watching the door of the room.)--Did you see the man that went in there just now?
Tho. (with anxiety). He winnot joomp eawt ov th' window, dosto thenk, lad?
Re-enter MRS. C. with wine. GER. drinks.
Col. G. Why should he do that? Do you know anything about him?
Tho. Aw do.
Col. G. Has he seen you here?
Tho. No. Aw're afeard he'd roon away, and aw keepet snoog.
Col. G. I needn't ask who it is, then?
Tho. Yo needn't, lad.
Enter WATERFIELD.
Tho. Mo conscience! he'll pike eawt afoor aw geet howd on him! (Rushes out and seizes WAT.)
Enter MATTIE and BILL.
Tho. Thae'rt a domned villain! Wheer's mo Mattie?
WATERFIELD knocks THOMAS down.
Bill. O Lord! the swell's murdered old daddy!
All but GER. rush together. COLONEL GERVAISE seizes WATERFIELD. MATTIE throws herself on her knees beside THOMAS and lifts his head.
Mat. Father! father! Look at me! It's Mattie!--your own wicked Mattie! Look at her once, lather dear! (Lays down his head in despair, and rises.) Who struck the good old man?
Bill. He did--the swell as give me the gold sov.
Mat. Mr. Watkins!--
Wat. I haven't the honour of the gentleman's acquaintance. I'm not Mr. Watkins. Am I now? (to COL. G.). Ha! ha!--Let go, I say. I'm not the man. It's all a mistake, you see.
Col. G. In good time. I might make a worse. Watkins mayn't be your name, but Watkins is your nature.
Wat. Damn your insolence! Let rue go, I tell you! (Struggles threatening.)
Col. G. Gently, gently, young man!--If I give your neckcloth a twist now--!
Mat. Yes, there is a mistake--and a sad one for me! A wretch that would strike an old man! Indeed you are not what I took you for.
Wat. You hear the young woman! She says it's all a mistake.--My good girl, I'm sorry for the old gentleman; but he oughtn't to behave like a ruffian. Really, now, you know, a fellow can't stand that sort of thing! A downright assault! I'm sorry I struck him, though--devilish sorry! I'll pay the damage with pleasure. (Puts his hand in his pocket.)
Mat. (turning away) And not a gentleman! (Kneels by THOMAS and weeps.)
Tho. (feebly.) Dunnot greight, Mattie, mo chylt. Aw'm o' reet. Let th' mon goo. What's he to tho or mo?--By th' mass! aw'm strung enough to lick him yet (trying to rise, but falling back). Eigh! eigh! mo owd boans 'ud rayther not. It's noan blame sure to an owd mon to fo' tired o' feightin!
Mat. (taking' his head on her lap). Father! father! forgive me! I'm all yours.--I'll go home with you, and work for you till I drop. O father! how could I leave you for him? I don't care one bit for him now--I don't indeed. You'll forgive me--won't you, father? (Sobs.)
Tho. Aw wull, aw do, mo Mattie. Coom whoam--coom whoam.
Mat. Will mother forgive me, father?
Tho. Thi mother, chylt? Hoo's forgiven tho lung afoor--ivver so lung agoo, chylt! Thi mother may talk leawd, but her heart is as soft as parritch.--Thae knows it, Mattie.
Wat. All this is very interesting,--only you see it's the wrong man, and I can't say he enjoys it. Take your hand off my collar--will you? I'm not the man, I tell you!
Bill. All I says is--it's the same swell as guv me the skid to find her. I'll kiss the book on that!
Ger. (coming forward). Mr. Waterfield, on your honour, do you know this girl?
Wat. Come! you ain't goin' to put me to my catechism!
Ger. You must allow appearances are against you.
Wat. Damn your appearances! What do I care?
Ger. If you will not answer my question, I must beg you to leave the place.
Wat. My own desire! Will you oblige me by ordering this bull-dog of yours to take his paws off me? What the devil is he keeping me here for?
Col. G. I've a great mind to give you in charge.
Wat. The old codger assaulted me first.
Col. G. True; but the whole affair would come to light. That's what I would have. Miss Pearson, what am I to do with this man?
Enter SUSAN at the back door. Behind her, CONSTANCE peeps in.
Mat. Let him go.--Father! Father! (Kisses him.)
Sus. That can never be Mattie's gentleman, sure-ly! Hm! I don't think much of him. I knew he had ugly eyes! I told you so, Mattie! I wouldn't break my heart for him--no, nor for twenty of him--I wouldn't! He looks like a drowned cat.
Wat. What the devil have you got to do with it?
Sus. Nothing. You shut up.
Wat. Well, I'm damned if I know whether I'm on my head or my heels.
Sus. 'Tain't no count which.
Bill (aside to COL. G.). She's at the back door, Mr. William.
Col. G. Who is, Bill? Miss Lacordere?
Bill. Right you air!
COL. G. hastens to the door. CON. peeps in and draws lack.
COL. G. follows her. WATERFIELD approaches MATTIE.
Wat. Miss Pearson, if that's--
Mat. I don't know you--don't even know your name.
Wat. (looking round). You hear her say it! She don't know me!
Mat. Could you try and rise, father? I want to get out of this. There's a lady here says I'm a thief!
Tho. Nea, that she connot say, Mattie! Thae cooms ov honest folk. Aw'll geet oop direckly. (Attempts to rise.) Eigh! eigh! aw connot! aw connot!
Mrs. C. If I have been unjust to you, Miss Pearson, I shall not fail to make amends.
Sus. It's time you did then, ma'am. You've murdered her, and all but murdered me. That's how your little bill stands.
Ger. (to WAT.) Leave the place, Mr. Waterfield.
Wat. You shall answer for this, Gervaise.
Ger. Leave the study at once.
Wat. Tut! tut! I'll make it up to them. A bank note's a good plaster.
Bill. Pleasir, shall I run and fetch a bobby? I likes to see a swell wanted.
Ger. You hold your tongue. (Retires to the dais and sits down. MRS. C. follows him.)
Wat. (taking out his pocket-book, and approaching MATTIE). I didn't think you'd have served me so, Mattie! Indeed I didn't! It's not kind after what's been between you and me. (MATTIE rises and stands staring at him.) You've ruined my prospects--you have! But I don't want to bear malice: take that.--Old times, you know!--Take it. You're welcome. (Forces the note on her. She steps back. It drops.)
Mat. This is a humiliation! Will nobody take him away?
Sus. (rushing at him). You be off! An' them goggle eyes o' yours, or I'll goggle 'em! I can't bear the sight on 'em. I should never ha' taken you for a gentleman. You don't look it. You slope, I say! (Hustles him.)
WATERFIELD picks up the note, and exit.
Mat. (bursting into tears) Father! father! don't hate me; don't despise me.
THOMAS tries to get up, but falls back.
Bill. Don't be in no hurry, Daddy. There's none but friends here now--'cep' the old lady;--she do look glum.
Sus. I'll soon settle her hash!
Mat. Susie! Susie! Don't--there's a dear!
Sus. What business has she here then! She's not a doin' of nothink.
Mat. Don't you see she's looking after the poor gentleman there?
Ger. William!--William!--Gone again! What a fellow he is! The best servant in the world, but always vanishing! Call your James--will you, aunt? We must have the old man put to bed. But the poor girl looks the worse of the two! She can have the spare room, and William can sleep on the sofa in mine.
Mrs. C. I'll see to it.
Exit. GER. goes towards THOMAS.
Tho. Coom whoam--coom whoam, Mattie! Thi mother, hoo's cryin' her eighes eawt to whoam.
Mat. I'll run for a doctor first, father.
Tho. No, no, chylt! Aw're only a bit stonned, like. Aw'll be o' reet in a smo' bit. Aw dunnot want no doctor. Aw'm a coomin' reawnd.
Ger. Neither of you shall stir to-night. Your rooms will be ready in a few minutes.
Mat. Thank you, sir! I don't know what I should have done with him.--Susan, you wouldn't mind going home without me? You know Miss Lacordere--
Ger. Miss Lacordere! What do you know of her?
Mat. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I oughtn't to have mentioned her. But my poor head!--
Ger. What of Miss Lacordere? For God's sake, tell me.
Enter MRS. C. with JAMES.
Sus. Oh, nothing, sir! nothing at all! Only Miss Lacordere has been good to us--which it's more than can be said for everybody! (Scowls at MRS. C. JAMES proceeds to lift THOMAS. She flies at him.) Put the old gentleman down, you sneakin' reptile! How many doors have you been a hearkenin' at since mornin'--eh, putty-lump? You touch the old man again, and I'll mark you! Here, Bill! I'll take his head--you take his feet. We'll carry him between us like a feather.
Mat. O Susan! do hold your tongue.
Sus. It's my only weapon, my dear. If I was a man--see if I'd talk then.
James. It's a providence you ain't a man, young woman!
Sus. Right you are! Them's my werry motives. I ain't a makin' of no complaint on that score, young Plush! I wouldn't be a man for--no, not for--not even for sich a pair o' calves as yourn!
SUS. and BILL carry THO. out. MAT. follows. GER. is going after them.
Mrs. C. Don't you go, Arthur. They can manage quite well. I will go if you like.
Ger. They know something about Constance.
Mrs. C. Pray give yourself no anxiety about her.
Ger. What do you mean, aunt?
Mrs. C. I will be responsible for her.
Ger. Where is she then? (Exit MRS. C.) William!--If he doesn't come in one minute more, I'll go after her myself. Those girls know where she is. I am as strong as a giant.--O God! All but married to that infamous fellow!--That he should ever have touched the tip of one of her fingers! What a sunrise of hope! Psyche may yet fold her wings to my prayer! William! William!--Where can the fellow be?
Enter COL. G. in uniform and star, leading CONSTANCE.
Ger. (hurrying to meet them). Constance! Constance! forgive me. Oh my God! You will when you know all.
Col. G. She knows enough for that already, my boy, or she wouldn't be here. Take her--and me for her sake.
Ger. What! who--? Constance!--What does it all mean?--It must be--can it be--my father?--William--It is William!--William my father!--O father! father! (throwing his arms about him) it was you all the time then!
Col. G. My boy! my boy! There!--take Constance, and let me go. I did want to do something for you--but--There! I'm too much ashamed to look at you in my own person.
Ger. (kneeling). Father! father! don't talk like that! O father! my father!
Col. G. (raising him). My boy! my boy! I wanted to do something for you--tried hard--and was foiled.--I doubly deserved it. I doubted as well as neglected you. But God is good. He has shamed me, and saved you.
Ger. By your hand, father.
Col. G. No--by his own. It would all have come right without me. I was unworthy of the honour, my boy. But I was allowed to try; and for that I am grateful.--Arthur, I come to you empty-handed--a beggar for your love.
Ger. How dare you say that, father?--Empty-handed--bringing me her and your-self--all I ever longed for!--my father and my Psyche! Father, thank you. The poor word must do its best. I thank you with my very soul.--How shall I bear my happiness!--Constance, it was my father all the time! Did you know it? Serving me like a slave!--humouring all my whims!--watching me night and day!--and then bringing me--
Con. Your own little girl, Arthur. But why did you not tell me?
Ger. Tell you what, darling?
Con. That--that--that you--Oh! you know what, Arthur!
Ger. How could I, my child, with that--!--Shall I tell you now?
Con. No, no! I am too happy to listen--even to you, Arthur! But he should never have--I did find him out at last. If I had but known you did not like him! (hiding her face.)
Ger. (embracing his father) Father! father! I cannot hold my happiness! And it is all your doing!
Col. G. No, I tell you, my boy! I was but a straw on the tide of things. I will serve you yet though. I will be your father yet.
Bill (aside). Fathers ain't all bad coves! Here's two on 'em--good sort of old Jacobs--both on 'em. Shouldn't mind much if I had a father o' my own arter all!
GERVAISE turns to CONSTANCE--then glances at the Psyche. COL. GERVAISE removes the sheet. GERVAISE leads CONSTANCE to the chair on the dais--turns from her to the Psyche, and begins to work on the clay, glancing from the one to the other--the next moment leaves the Psyche, and seats himself on the dais at CONSTANCE'S feet, looking up in her face. COL. GERVAISE stands regarding them fixedly. Slow distant music. BILL is stealing away.
Curtain falls.
THE END.
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