Captain Cranberry
Captain Cranberry
SCENE.—Living room inCynthia Tinker’shome. ExitsL.,R.andC.There is a fireplaceR.front. There should be a stairway atL.C.,but it is not absolutely necessary, as another exit may be used representing exit to up-stairs rooms. There is a large center table with a lighted lamp upon it. Old style chairs.
(As curtain rises,Cynthia Tinkerstands by the fireplace. She is removing some vases and pictures from mantel and packing them into a box which is on the floor near the fireplace.Cyn.is about forty, rather small, bright and energetic. There is a knock at the doorC.)
Cyn.Come in and, for the land sakes, shut the door quick!
EnterHepsy Sawyer,C.She is about thirty-five, tall and wiry. She wears a man’s oil coat and hat.
Hep.(as she enters). Well, I should say! (Slams the door.) Ain’t this a night though?
Cyn.It certainly is. Are you crazy, Hepsy? Or is somebody sick? Whatever on earth brought you out in all this storm?
Hep.You, Cynthy! (Removes coat and hat.) I thought I might be able to help you some an’ I couldn’t bear to think of you alone here on your last night.
Cyn.(taking hat and coat). That’s more’n kind of you, Hepsy. There’s a roaring fire in the kitchen stove. I’ll hang your coat up to dry, and put on some water to make a cup of tea.
(Exit,R.Hep.walks to fireplace and stands warming her hands.)
ReënterCyn.,R.
Hep.You are really goin’ in the morning, Cynth?
Cyn.(energetically). I really am.
Hep.Well, how you can be cheerful about it beats me! How do you know you’ll like it over to Falmouth and how do you know as you’ll get along with the people you’re going to keep house for?
Cyn.I don’t know anything about it, Hepsy, but I’ve got to give it a try. I ain’t got money enough to live on an’ I can’t set down in this house and starve. I can’t eat the shingles nor the wall paper. I’m doing the only sensible thing there is to do.
Hep.Trust you to do that, Cynthy. Can I do anything to help you? Hev you got everything packed?
Cyn.Yes, all that I’m going to pack. I was just finishing the last few little things. Cap’n Daniels thinks he can let the house all furnished.
Hep.(explosively). What?
Cyn.So that I won’t have to bother to have my things moved out an’ some—some day (looking around the room with a sigh), I may be able to come home an’ everything will be here waiting for me.
Hep.Cynthia Tinker, do you mean to say that Obed Daniels has let this place already?
Cyn.He thinks so.
Hep.(excited). Who to? Do tell, Cynthy!
Cyn.I don’t know who it is.
Hep.Don’t know? My land! Do you mean that you didn’t ask him?
Cyn.I haven’t seen him yet. He jest sent me a message by Bennie Hill.
Hep.And you ain’t the slightest idee who it is?
Cyn.Not the slightest.
Hep.My land! I shan’t sleep a wink to-night. Land sakes! Who could it be, Cynth? To want a house all furnished? Why in the land o’ goshen ain’t they got furniture o’ their own? Must be somebody awful queer coming to town. Good land, that reminds me! I most forgot to tell you! Arey Freeman is at home.
Cyn.Why, what do you mean, Hepsy?
Hep.Jest that! She come on the afternoon train. Her eyes hev give out and the doctor won’t let her study any more this year an’ she’s come home.
Cyn.Why, I can’t believe it. Are you sure, Hepsy? Have you seen her?
Hep.Oh, yes, I’ve been over. My Sammy told me first an’ I declare to goodness I didn’t know whether it was the truth or one of Sammy’s fairy tales. Sometimes I think that young one will be the death of me an’ Lem before we ever get him raised. It’s the most wearing thing! He keeps us guessing all the time. You can’t tell more’n half the time whether he’s telling the truth or lyin’!
Cyn.Oh, Hepsy, you shouldn’t speak that way about Sammy. He’s a dear little fellow and awful good-hearted, and——
Hep.(interrupting). Now don’t you go to takin’ his part! He’s all you say maybe but that don’t make it out he can’t tell the biggest yarns of any young one that walks! And what do you suppose? His father went into the store the other day and found him telling one of his tales to the Center Church minister. Lem like to have swooned. He said he guessed things had gone jest about far enough and he walked Sammy home in a hurry, I tell you! And do you know the Rev. Mr. Peters told Lem he ought not to blame Sammy. Well, Lem was struck in a heap. “Not blame him fer lyin’?” says Lem. “He don’t mean it that way,” says Mr. Peters. “The boy is a wonder. Why, genius just burns in him and he must let it out. If he keeps on this way you may have a famous writer in your family some day.” Wal, I declare to goodness, Lem nearly went crazy. He warmed Sammy plenty that night and then he set a shingle up on the kitchen mantel and told Sammy to keep his eye on it, and when he felt genius burning to jest remember that with his father’s help that shingle could make things a good deal hotter for him than ever genius thought of doing. A writer! My land! Lem can’t stand anything sissy, you know. The Sawyers have always been able-bodied men, and able to do a day’s work as long as they breathed. Why, Grandfather Sawyer lived to be a hundred and three, and weighed two hundred, an’ the day he died he worked six hours and ate seven pancakes and five hot biscuit for his tea. That was his last night on this earth.
Cyn.(dryly). I should thought it might have been.
Hep.Hey? What did you say, Cynthy?
Cyn.(hastily). I—I was—going to ask you about Ariel. You went over?
Hep.Yes, as soon as I made up my mind that Sammy was telling the truth I started right over and what do you think I found? Five women there ahead of me! Ain’t that terrible?Shouldn’t you think they’d have let her alone, jest gettin’ home that way, an’ she looked tired to death, though I must say she is prettier’n ever. An’ I says to her, says I——.
Samuel Sawyer(outside). Maw! Oh, maw! Be you in Miss Cynthy’s house?
Hep.(starting up). Good land! Sammy! What’s he want? (Going toward door,C.) It’s a pity a body can’t go calling without bein’ chased up by the family! (Opens door.) What do you want? No! You’re too wet to come in.
Cyn.(quickly). No, he isn’t! (Goes to door.) You come right in, Sammy. I don’t mind a little water. I’ve lived too close to it all my life to be afraid of it.
EnterSam.,C.He is about nine years old, small for his age and rather delicate looking. He is a decidedly pretty boy and in decided contrast to either mother or father. He wears raincoat and hat and rubber boots.
Hep.Take your feet right off this floor!
Sam.(uncertainly lifting first one foot then the other). How’ll I do it? Where’ll I put ’em, maw?
Hep.(pulling him onto a rug). Stand on a rug! My land! Did any one ever see sech a young one? What do you want o’ me?
Sam.A man has stole father’s pipe.
Cyn.(astonished). Good land!
Hep.(sternly). Now, Samuel Henry, that will do right now before you go any further!
Sam.’Tain’t no story, maw. It’s so. I was a-goin’ along an’——
Hep.(warningly). Samuel Henry!
Sam.(beginning to whimper). It’s so, maw. I tell you it’s so!
Cyn.Gracious, Hepsy, I’d listen to what he says.
Hep.Listen to sech foolishness?
Sam.’Tain’t foolish, maw. Pa’s over to the store, you know he is.
Hep.(disgusted). Yes, leave it to your pa to hang out at the store.
Sam.An’—an’—it isn’t pleasant out——
Cyn.(laughing). No, I guess it ain’t. That’s one truthful story, Sammy, if you never tell another.
Sam.(beginning to grow encouraged). An’—an’—pa forgothis pipe an’ he sent me home for it, an’—I was goin’ along holdin’ the pipe in my hand—an’—an’—you can’t see a thing out, the fog’s so thick—an’ a man come right out the fog an’ grabbed the pipe out o’ my hand an’ ran off with it.
Cyn.(with a gasp). My land!
Hep.Samuel Henry, where do you expect to go when you die?
Sam.It’s so! It is so, maw!
Cyn.Well, of all the queer——
Hep.Didn’t I tell you? He jest lost that pipe somewhere and that’s the kind of a story he makes up, and the Rev. Mr. Peters thinks he is smart.
Cyn.Well, my land, if he can tell it off as natural as all that and look as innocent as he does, he sartain is smart. Sammy, you don’t really mean a man took your father’s pipe away from you? Bay Point folks don’t do things like that.
Sam.I don’t believe it was any one in Bay Point.
Hep.Nor in any other town. You march yourself home as straight as you can go.
Sam.No, no! I ain’t! Not alone! I ain’t a-goin’ out alone again to-night. He’ll jump out at me again. I’m scared an’—an’—cold.
Hep.Well, you jest go an’ tell your pa where his pipe’s gone to an’ you won’t complain about bein’ cold any more.
Sam.(beginning to cry). It’s so, maw! It’s so!
Cyn.My land, Hepsy, he does look scared.
Hep.(grimly). Yes, he knows his pa pretty well. Wal, I suppose I got to travel along. All the time I get to make social calls you can put in your eye. Lem can set in the store and talk hours on a stretch, but I’d like to ever get a chance to say anything. I’ll get my coat.
[Exit,R.
Cyn.(going toSam.and speaking coaxingly). Sammy, if you lost the pipe, why don’t you own up to it? It would be ever so much easier for you in the end.
Sam.(throwing his arms around her). I didn’t, Miss Cynthy. A man took it!
EnterHep.,in hat and coat.
Hep.I’ll see you again ’fore you go, Cynthy.
Cyn.(going to door with them). All right. My land! Ain’t it thick?
[ExeuntHep.andSam.,C.
Hep.(outside). I never see it worse. You can’t see an inch ’fore your nose. Walk along, Samuel Henry!
(Cyn.closes door, walks slowly to fireplace and puts some things into box.)
Ariel Freeman(calling from outside). Miss Cynthy! Oh, Miss Cynthy!
Cyn.(hurrying to door and opening it). Ariel! You blessed child!
EnterAriel.She is about eighteen; light complexioned; exceedingly pretty.
Ariel.Don’t touch me! I’m soaked! (Throws her coat off.) Will this be all right?
(Throws coat over the back of a chair and turns chair toward fire.)
Cyn.Yes, of course. How in the world did you ever get here? You can’t see your hand before your face.
Ariel.Well, I couldn’t if it was clear, so it doesn’t make much difference, but I could find my way to your house if I was stone blind.
(Goes toCyn.and throws her arms around her.)
Cyn.(alarmed). Your eyes, Arey? It isn’t really serious?
Ariel.No, they will come out all right but it’s a good deal of a nuisance. I can’t see across this room.
Cyn.Good land, you blessed child! You are sure you will get over it?
Ariel.Absolutely, but it will take time and I have got to try to have patience. My, but it’s good to feel your arms around me!
Cyn.And it’s good to feel them there, but you ought not to have come way over here such a night as this is!
Ariel.I ran away. Father said not to come, but they told me a dreadful story about your going away in the morning and I just had to see you. It isn’t true, is it?
Cyn.Yes, it is true, dearie. There’s no other way.
Ariel.Why, it can’t be true! There must be some way. Why, what am I going to do without you? You are all the mother I have got, and I need you to help me bear my troubles. Surely you could find something to do here in Bay Point.
Cyn.No, I can’t. There isn’t a thing. The factory over to Tylerville has shut down for good. Layford has failed, andthere ain’t another thing I can do in my own home, so I got to go out of it to earn a living.
Ariel.Some one else will be sure to take the factory and you can get work again.
Cyn.Some time, maybe, but I can’t set around and wait.
Ariel.It will be summer before long and maybe you could get some boarders.
Cyn.Now you know, Arey, that summer people haven’t begun to come here yet. Maybe they will some time, but I can’t wait for them, either.
Ariel.Well, I don’t care! It’s simply dreadful! I know you don’t want to go! Why, you love this house and everything in it! I have heard you say so time and time again.
Cyn.Yes, you have, dearie. It’s—true—(breaking down) I don’t want to go.
Ariel(kneeling by her). Oh, how selfish I am! I was just thinking of myself. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.
Cyn.I have tried to put a brave face on it, but it’s jest takin’ my heart out.
Ariel.You are all worn out. I bet you have cleaned and packed all day! Haven’t you?
Cyn.(faintly). Yes.
Ariel.And you haven’t had a mouthful of supper, have you?
Cyn.No, I don’t want anything.
Ariel.Yes, you do!
Cyn.(protesting). No, I couldn’t eat a thing, dearie.
Ariel(rising). Yes, you could! It’s just what you need. Now you sit here and rest and I will get you something to eat.
Cyn.No, no——
Ariel.But I say, yes, yes!
[Exit,R.
Cranford Berry(outside). Whoa! Port your hellum! (Slight pause.Cyn.listens and dabs at her eyes with her handkerchief.) I say, Miss Tinker! Ship ahoy!
Cyn.(in a shaky voice, going toward the door). Ye-es, Cap’n Berry!
EnterBer.He is about fifty, with gray hair and a smooth face browned by wind and sea. He has a kindly manner, a rough but hearty voice that can be heard at a long distance, and he carries a package.
Ber.Well, Miss Tinker, how be you?
Cyn.(swallowing). Pre-t-ty well.
Ber.Well, I’m glad to hear it! It’s more’n you’re lookin’. Obed was jest telling me that you are setting sail for a new port in the morning. I jest stopped in to tell you I’m sorry to hear it. You’ve been mighty kind to me since I come a stranger to Bay Point, an’ I couldn’t let you go ’thout tellin’ you I appreciate it. (Places package on table.) I brought you a little fruit from the store. Jest as a little farewell gift. I don’t know how good it is. Obed don’t keep much of a assortment but you can eat it on the train; ’twill help to kill the homesickness.
Cyn.Oh-o-o! Cap’n Berry!
(Sits down and bursts into tears.)
Ber.(very much upset). There, now! There, now! I didn’t mean to set you to pumping for salt water that way! I always was an awful clumsy duffer!
Cyn.(trying to control herself). No, no, you’re not! You are jest as kind as you can be! It’s your kindness that’s upset me. I’m awful nervous to-night and tired! I don’t want to go, Cap’n Berry. I ain’t lettin’ folks know it. I ain’t tellin’ Hepsy Sawyer and the rest of them but what I’m tickled to pieces over it.
Ber.Good idee! What Mis’ Sawyer don’t know won’t hurt her, but what she does know keeps pressing on her brain until she has to let it out or die from concussion. (Glances about the room.) You don’t feel that there is any way you can stay here?
Cyn.No, there isn’t. I have thought of everything, but there is no way. (Ber.walks to the fireplace and stands warming his hands and looking thoughtfully into the fire.) I love my little home, Cap’n Berry. I was born here in this house. Mother died here and father and me lived a long time here together. After father was too old to go fishing he still had his pension, and with what I could get to do we managed to pull along, and after he died I managed to get along by myself though it wasn’t quite so easy. Father called this the Anchorage, and I never supposed I would have to leave it. I’ve worked hard to stay, and it doesn’t seem right for me to have to go.
Ber.You really mean that you don’t think it is right for you to have to go?
Cyn.That’s the way it seems. Father left the home to meand intended I should live here, and it doesn’t seem right to have to leave.
Ber.Then I shouldn’t leave. I should stay right here.
Cyn.(astonished). Good land, Cap’n, what do you mean?
Ber.Jest what I say! ’Tisn’t a good idee to do a thing you think it ain’t right to do.
Cyn.But land sakes, Cap’n, how could I stay here? I can’t live on empty air, can I?
Ber.Well, no, not exactly that. I’ll tell you, though I don’t know as I’ll be very good at finding the right words to tell you jest what I mean. You say you think it is right for you to stay here. Now if you really think and believe that, why—stay! You say this is your home and a way has always been provided for you to live here. Miss Cynthy, you have faith in something. All of us have! We all have a Beacon light we’re steering our course by. Well, jest as long as it’s been fair weather an’ you had your Beacon plain in sight you sailed along all serene, but jest the minute the fog shut in you lost your grip on the steering gear. Miss Cynthy, I reckon the Keeper of the Beacon expects you to believe that He is there and the Beacon is shining jest as bright as ever, and when the fog lifts the rays will be all the brighter to guide you in the right course.
Cyn.(astonished and somewhat breathless). But—I don’t understand exactly. What do you think I ought to do?
Ber.Jest keep your faith in the Beacon! Miss Cynthy, if a ship was trying to make port and the fog was so thick they couldn’t see my light, I should feel mighty bad if they thought I was laying down on the job jest because the weather was rough. No, Miss Cynthy, they know I am there, and the light is burning, and they jest stop a while until the fog lifts and they can see their course more clearly. Miss Cynthy, why don’t you jest stop a while and say with all your might—“this is my home in foul weather as well as fair. The fog is lifting and the Keeper of the Beacon is sending me brighter rays to steer my course”?
EnterAriel,R.,carrying a tray.
Ariel(gaily). Now for supper! (Stops suddenly.) Oh, I beg your pardon. I didn’t know you had callers, Miss Cynthy.
(Looks uncertainly towardBer.,who she can see but indistinctly. He gives her one look, reels back against the mantel breathing hard.)
Ber.(hoarsely). Who—who——
Cyn.(is upset herself and doesn’t notice his agitation). Miss Freeman. Abner’s daughter. Arey, this is Cap’n Berry.
Ariel.Oh, yes, the new keeper of Bay Point. I’m glad to meet you.
Ber.(recovering). Same to you, Miss. Well, I’ll set sail for the Point, Miss Tinker. I wish you didn’t feel that you had to be leaving us in the morning, but whatever course you steer jest keep your eye on the Beacon and I wish you luck.
(Shakes hands with her.)
Cyn.Thank you, Cap’n Cranberry. (Aghast.) Oh, I beg your pardon. You see so many call you that and——
Ber.That’s all right! That’s all right! I got to be a Berry, and I might as well be a cranberry as any other kind. Evenin’, ladies. [Exit,C.
Ariel(arranging things on the table, and pouring tea). Here’s supper, Miss Cynthy. You’ll feel better after you have some hot tea.
Cyn.(looking afterBer.). I—I believe I’m feeling better anyway.
Ber.(outside). Belay there! Heave to! All aboard! Gid’ap! Now, we’re off!
Ariel(smiling as she listens). I like him, Miss Cynthy; although I only saw him a minute and didn’t really see him either.
Cyn.(sitting by table and beginning to eat). He’s a splendid man if there ever was one!
Ariel.Who is with him at the light?
Cyn.An old shipmate. They’re doing their own housekeeping, an’ I must say I’d like to see the inside of a house run by a couple of men. Cap’n Berry followed the sea for years, and I have heard tell that he lost his wife and child in a shipwreck. I don’t believe he’s ever got over it. From something he said one day I imagine he’s had a pretty sad and lonesome life, but he certain makes the best of it. He’s invested in a cranberry bog up the cape, an’ that and his name was enough to set folks goin’, and he’s pretty generally called Cap’n Cranberry, but I’m mortified to death to think I should call him that right to his face.
Ariel.I don’t believe he cared.
Cyn.He wouldn’t let on if he did. My land, Arey, you ain’t told me a thing about yourself yet. Weren’t it hard to leave school? Won’t it make a difference when you go back?
Ariel.No, I can catch up with my class when I get my eyes again, and they bothered me so much I was rather glad to give up the fight and come home. There’s only one thing bothering me. Father says Nat Williams is expected home any day.
Cyn.(sharply). Well, what of it?
Ariel.You know what of it!
Cyn.Now see here, Arey, your father has surely got over that foolishness. As well as he loves you he won’t try to marry you to a man you don’t love. Didn’t say anything to-day, did he?
Ariel.No, only that Nat is coming and praised him to the skies, the way he always does. I can’t imagine why he cares so much for Nat.
Cyn.(decidedly). Well, you don’t have to even if he does. I don’t believe your father will start that thing to going again.
Ariel(with a sigh). If he does I had about as soon be dead. I owe so much to my father, and I want to please him but I never could make up my mind——(Stops abruptly.)
Cyn.No, of course you couldn’t. I never was struck on Nat myself. I can’t imagine what ails your father.
Ariel(rising). I must go back. Dad went to the store and I slipped out. (Takes her coat from chair and puts it on.) If he goes home and finds me gone such a night as this, he will sound the fire alarm and get out a searching party. (KissesCyn.) Good-night, Miss Cynthy. I—I—oh, I won’t say anything more to make you feel badly, but I can’t believe there is anything right about your going away. I’ll see you in the morning. Good-night. (Opens door,C.)
Cyn.Good-night, dearie. My land, it grows worse! You ought not to try to go home alone.
Ariel.Nonsense! (Exit.) I guess I know Bay Point.
(Cyn.closes door, walks back to table and pours another cup of tea. She starts to drink it.)
Ber.(outside). Whoa! Avast there! Heave over your anchor! Ahoy, Miss Tinker!
Cyn.(surprised). Yes, Cap’n. (Starts toward door.)
Ber.(entering). Didn’t expect me back quite so soon, did you? I’ve lost my pipe. (Feels in his pocket.) It’s durnedqueer! I most generally keep it in this pocket. I thought maybe I dropped it here.
(Begins to look about on the floor.)
Cyn.(joining in search). I haven’t seen it. Are you sure you had it with you?
Ber.Sartain! I never travel without it, an’ I declare I’d about as soon go back home without my head.
Cyn.Land sakes! You can buy another pipe, can’t you?
Ber.Yes, but not jest like this one. This pipe came clear from Calcutta and it sartain is one of my best friends. That pipe an’ me has faced some black times together and she has always proved a true comrade in rough weather. Well, I guess I didn’t drop her here. (Tries to speak carelessly.) Little gal gone?
Cyn.Ariel? Yes.
Ber.(curiously). Ariel? That ain’t no name for a girl.
Cyn.Ain’t it? I always thought it was real kind of pretty and fancy.
Ber.Fancy enough, but it’s a boy’s name. How’d she happen to be called that?
Cyn.Well, of course Cap’n Freeman didn’t know her real name and he said Ariel was some spirit of a storm or a tempest or something, and the name seemed real fitting.
Ber.(with an effort). Ain’t—ain’t she Freeman’s own daughter?
Cyn.Land, no! Ain’t you never heard nobody tell about Arey Freeman?
Ber.(leaning against the table and gripping the edge with his hand). No. Where’d she come from?
Cyn.Abner found her when she was a baby. It was after a big storm and there’d been a lot o’ shipwrecks and she was lashed to a spar.
Ber.Where was it?
Cyn.Near some foreign port. I forget where. At first he thought she was probably a foreign baby, but as she grew older he declared her folks must have been good Yankees. At any rate he has made a good one of her. (Suddenly noticing him.) Why, Cap’n Berry, what’s the matter?
Ber.(pulling himself together). Nothin’, Miss Cynthy, nothing but a memory. I’ll say good-night again, but not good-bye. Somehow, something tells me that you ain’t goin’ter leave us after all. (Exit,C.Outside.) Port your hellum, Nathan. All aboard!
[ExitCyn.,R.,with some of the dishes.
(There is a knock at the door. The knock is repeated.Abner Freemanenters,C.He is about fifty, tall and straight, iron gray hair and beard; is rather nervous and inclined to be irritable.)
Abner(as he enters). Cynthy! Cynthy!
EnterCyn.,R.,hurriedly.
Cyn.Land, it’s you, Cap’n Abner?
Abner.Yes. Is Cranberry here?
Cyn.No, he has been here but he is gone. Hasn’t been gone but a few minutes though.
Abner.Couldn’t catch him such a night as this if he hadn’t been gone but a minute.
Cyn.Dreadful, ain’t it?
Abner.Couldn’t be much worse. I hear you are leaving in the morning, Cynthy. Doesn’t seem as if there was any need of that.
Cyn.Doesn’t seem so, does it? I have about decided that it isn’t right.
Abner(sharply). Isn’t right? What do you mean by that?
Cyn.Why, this has always been my home and I think father would want me to stay in it.
Abner.Your father? What are you bringing him up for? He’s dead. You don’t know what he would want.
Cyn.(surprised). Goodness, Cap’n Abner, you are touchy to-night.
Abner.Foolishness always makes me touchy. I suppose some simpleton has hinted to you that your father was cheated or something and if you had what was rightfully yours you wouldn’t have to leave.
Cyn.(astonished). Why, Cap’n Abner, have you gone crazy? No one ever dreamed of such a thing.
Abner.’Twould be just like them! (Abruptly changes the subject.) Have you heard that Ariel is at home?
Cyn.(guardedly). Yes, I heard.
Abner.Nat Williams has come home to-night, too.
Cyn.(shortly). Has he? Why do you name them two almost in the same breath?
Abner.Good couple to name together.
Cyn.To your way of thinking, perhaps.
Abner(walking toward door). It’s a mighty good way. (Turns uneasily and comes back.) See here, Cynthy, if you want me to, I’ll lend you some money to keep you going until you can get some more work of some kind.
Cyn.Why, Cap’n Abner, that’s more’n kind of you.
Abner.I’d be glad to do it. I was always a good friend of your father’s. You know that, don’t you?
Cyn.Yes, indeed. Father thought everything of you.
Abner.Well, how much do you want?
Cyn.Not anything. I appreciate your kindness but I couldn’t do that.
Abner.Better do it. I’m perfectly willing.
Cyn.No. No, thank you.
Abner(walking to door). Well, just as you like, but don’t say I didn’t offer to help you. Good-night.
(Exit,C.Cyn.stands looking after him puzzled for a second; then she walks to fireplace, turns and looks about the room slowly, repeats softly.)
Cyn.“This is my home in foul weather as well as fair. The fog is lifting and the Keeper of the Beacon is sending me brighter rays to steer my course.”
(Suddenly and determinedly takes the pictures and vases from box and places them back on the mantel.)
Obadiah Daniels(knocking on the door). I say, Cynthy! This is Obed! Kin I come in a minit? (EntersC.He is small and wiry, white hair and whiskers.) Land, Cynth, I’m nearly drowned! Sech a night an’ the queerest thing’s happened. Fer the love of Admiral Farragut will you lend me a lantern?
Cyn.(laughing). I’ll lend you one for love of yourself, Obed. We don’t need to go way back to Admiral Farragut.
Obad.I wish you meant that, Cynth. ’Tain’t no way to joke with me ’bout love. I should think you’d be ashamed to. You know I’ve been dying of love for you ever since we learned our a-b-abs together.
Cyn.’Tain’t love that ails you, Obed, it’s indigestion.You fell in love with my lunch pail years ago and thought it was me. You never have got over your love for my—lunch pail!
Obad.By tunket, that ain’t fair, Cynth. I come over here to-night to tell yer there ain’t no need of your leavin’ Bay Point. If—if—you’d jest take a pardner into your business—you—you know I’m ready—more’n ready—hev been fer years.
Cyn.Don’t, Obed! Please! You are kind. I know how kind, and you deserve a good deal better partner than I would ever make.
Obad.I’d be satisfied. I shouldn’t fret ’bout that a mite.
Cyn.I thought you came for a lantern, Obed.
Obad.No, I wuz comin’ anyway, but I decided I needed a lantern. Fog’s so thick you can’t cut it with an axe and somebody’s stolen my pipe.
Cyn.(astonished). What?
Obad.Ever hear tell o’ sech a thing?
Cyn.(staring at him). Never!
Obad.Land sakes, Cynth, be you struck?
Cyn.I don’t know but I am, or else everybody else is. How did it happen?
Obad.Why, I wuz walkin’ along an’ some one runs up behind me, puts his hand in my pocket and then kites off fast as he could go. At first I was so s’prised I didn’t know what had happened, an’ then after a second I puts my hand in my pocket an’ my pipe wuz gone. I suppose he thought he’d got my pocketbook.
Cyn.I ain’t so sure o’ that. You’re the third I’ve heard about that’s had their pipes took this evening.
Obad.(at the top of his voice). What? Well, fer the love o’ Admiral Nelson who’s the others?
Cyn.Lemuel Sawyer and Cap’n Cranberry.
Obad.Wal, sufferin’ cats! I’m goin’ right over ter Lem’s! Must be a lunatic loose in Bay Point, an’ gosh all fog horns, he’ll murder some one in this fog ’fore he gets through!
Cyn.Wait a second! I’ll get you a lantern!
(Exit,R.Obad.walks about very much upset.Cyn.re-enters with lantern.)
Obad.(grabbing it and starting for the door). Much obleeged!
Cyn.Obed, you sent word you had somebody to take this house for me.
Obad.Yes, I hev, Cynth, some folks up to Barnstable.
Cyn.(slowly). Well, tell them please the place ain’t for rent any longer.
Obad.Hey? How’s that? You mean somebody else has took it?
Cyn.No. I’m going to stay myself.
Obad.You? Why, I thought you couldn’t. What’s happened? Air you goin’ ter hev some more work to do?
Cyn.(hesitating a second). Ye-es, I’m going to have some more work to do.
Obad.(curiously). What are you goin’ ter do, Cynth?
Cyn.I—I can’t tell you to-night.
Obad.Secret, eh?
Cyn.Yes, a secret jest now. I’ll tell you later.
Obad.Wal, I kin wait, I reckon. I’m mighty glad you’re goin’ ter stay. Good-night, Cynth.
[Exit,C.
Cyn.Good-night, Obed. (Locks the door; goes to fireplace; picks up box; carries it outR.;reënters; goes to mantel; winds a clock; goes to center table; picks up lamp; starts toward stairs; stops; half turns back; repeats softly.) “The fog is lifting and the Keeper of the Beacon is sending me brighter rays to steer my course.” (Suddenly speaks impatiently.) Cynthia Tinker, you sartain are the biggest fool that walks! (Starts toward the stairs.)
Lee Gordon(knocking at door). Oh, I say! The house! (Cyn.turns back and listens, startled.) Is anybody home? (Knocks again.) May I come in?
Cyn.(uncertainly). Who—is it?
Lee.You won’t know if I tell you. I’m a stranger around here. I’m lost and I want some one to tell me where I am at.
Cyn.(putting lamp on table, then slowly unlocking and opening door). You sound all right. I’ll risk it even if you are a stranger in Bay Point. Come in!
EnterLee.He is about twenty-one, very slight and boyish in appearance and manner. Decidedly likeable.
Lee(with a gasp). Thanks! (Slams the door.) My name is Gordon. Lee Gordon. (Leans back against the door.) I never was so nearly all in!
Cyn.I don’t wonder. I don’t know when we ever hadsech a night. Go over by the fire and get dry. And hev something to eat.
Lee(going toward table). Great! I could eat a whale!
Cyn.(taking teapot from table). I’ll get you some hot tea!
[Exit,R.
Lee(hurrying to door, opening it and speaking cautiously). Pete! Are you there? Come up into the shelter of the door and I’ll let you in as soon as I can. (Shuts door; hangs coat on chair by fire.Cyn.reënters with tea; pours him a cup. He sits down by table.) Say, but you are kind! I’ve heard about the Cape Cod folks before, and now I can well believe what I have heard. It’s great of you to do this. How do you know but what I’ll murder you and get away with the silver?
Cyn.I’ll risk it. If you want to murder me for a butter knife and seven teaspoons, go ahead. That’s all I got that’s solid.
Lee.Thanks for the tip. I guess it isn’t worth while. In return for your hospitality I will tell you the history of my bright young life. I’m an artist and I have come down the cape looking for a place to stay a while and do some sketching. I have made the trip in an auto, and I should have had sense enough to have stayed in Orleans over night. I didn’t realize how bad the storm was going to be.
Cyn.Where’s your car?
Lee.Anchored somewhere above here. I simply couldn’t make it budge another inch so I had to come on afoot. (Rises.) I’ll have to find lodgings. Gee! (Looks about.) I hate to go on. Say, you couldn’t consider——(Hesitates and looks at her doubtfully.) I don’t suppose you would think of such a thing as—as——
Cyn.As taking you in?
Lee(eagerly). That’s what I meant. Of course it’s awfully nervy of me but I do like this little house—and—and I like you, too. You have been so mighty kind. It seems almost as if I was sent right here.
Cyn.(looking at him with a staring look). It does seem that way, that’s a fact. You can stay.
Lee.Honest? You mean just over night, or as long as I please?
Cyn.As long as you please.
Lee(joyfully). Say, but that’s great! Gee! What luck!
Cyn.(rising suddenly). Ain’t it? I’ll go right up and see about your room.
(Exit,R.Reënters with a lamp and exits by stairs.)
Lee(looking after her, goes to door,C.,and opens it). Pete! Quick! Come in!
EnterPeter Pomeroy, c.He is aboutLee’sage; inclined to be stout and usually very good-natured, but now he is decidedly out of patience.
Peter.Say, of all the——
Lee.Hush! I’m going to stay here! Did you ever hear such luck?
Peter.Never! Where am I going to sleep? In the shade of the pump in the back yard?
Lee(glancing uneasily toward stairs). No, I’ll try to get you up-stairs for to-night. The landlady seems to be alone here and she will never know the difference.
Peter(going to table). And you had some eats! Do you know what h-o-g spells?
Lee.Hush! Will you? Here! (Opens door,L.,cautiously and looks out.) Get in here out of sight! (Petergrabs some food from table.) Now, don’t move until I say the word. (Pushes him toward door.)
Peter(as he exitsL.). Sure! Fido doesn’t come till he’s called.
EnterCyn.,by stairs.
Cyn.It’s all right, Mr. Gordon. I’ll get you some towels and then you can go right up.
(She exitsR.Lee rushes to door,L.,and pulls Peter into room.)
Lee.Pete! Quick!
Peter.For heaven’s sake! I had just got settled to eat lunch!
Lee.Up the stairs, quick! (Pushes him toward stairs.) I’ll be right up!
Peter(starting to go up-stairs, turns back). Say, I forgot to tell you I got three. (Takes three pipes from his pocket.)
Lee(impatiently). Three what? Oh, pipes! Three pipes already! Good work, old fellow! This is going to be some adventure.
Peter.Huh? I should worry about the adventure. I want my stomach filled up and a night’s sleep!
[Exit by stairs, eating a piece of bread.
EnterCyn.,R.,and handsLeea lamp and some towels.
Cyn.Now, you can go right up; first door on the right.
Lee.If you knew how much I appreciate your kindness. Why, it’s too good to be true. (Starts toward stairs.) I think I must be dreaming.
Cyn.Not yet.
Lee(looking back and laughing). But soon! Good-night.
Cyn.Good-night. (Leeexits by stairs. She stands looking after him.) Well, Cynthia Tinker, maybe you ain’t such a fool after all!
CURTAIN