ACT II
SCENE.—Same as in Act I. The next morning.
(The table is set for breakfast.Cyn.andLeeare seated at the table. The center door is open. It is a bright sunlight morning.)
Cyn.More coffee, Mr. Gordon?
Lee(passing her his cup). Don’t care if I do, Miss Tinker. Do you know, I am positive that I am dreaming!
Cyn.I ain’t sure but I am myself. This has all been rather sudden.
Lee.That doesn’t express it, Miss Tinker. When I think of all the things that have happened since I left Orleans yesterday noon, I feel as if I had been struck by alandslide, and landed right side up in Paradise.
Cyn.Land, Mr. Gordon, that ain’t no way to talk.
Lee.Isn’t it? Well, if these muffins aren’t heavenly, I never struck anything that was. The only thing that worries me is a fear that you will regret your kindness in taking in a derelict, and want to withdraw from your part of the bargain. Do you? I hate like time to give you the opportunity, but I know I took advantage of the storm to get a shelter last night. Do you want me to release you?
Cyn.I ain’t said anything about it, have I?
Lee.No, but you certainly are taking a chance. You haven’t even asked me for references.
Cyn.No, I’m taking you on faith, and if I’m satisfied to do it I shouldn’t think you need to worry.
Lee(reaching across the table and shaking hands with her). Miss Tinker, you’re a brick! I feel just as if I had come to visit my aunt, or something. I hope you will never regret your kindness. (AsCyn.passes him the plate of muffins.) No, don’t. Have mercy. If I eat another mouthful I shall have to be helped from the table. (Rises.) That’s the best breakfast I ever ate, and believe me, the landlady is way ahead of the breakfast.
Cyn.Land sakes, that’s no way to talk to a woman my age. What do you think of the view from here?
Lee(going to door). Perfectly corking. It cleared off great, didn’t it?
Cyn.Think this will be a good place for your work?
Lee.Yes, if you happen to have a window on the back looking out onto a nice quiet little hen-house.
Cyn.(astonished). What on earth do you mean? You don’t want to paint a hen-house, do you?
Lee.Paint a——(Suddenly realizes what she means.) Oh, no, no, of course not! I get you now! You—you don’t understand me, of course. Well, I have to work where there’s nothing to look at.
Cyn.Land o’ goshen, what do you paint?
Lee(airily). Oh, anything, any little thing I take a fancy to. I have a good long look at it, and then I paint it from memory. If I should look at the object I was painting I shouldn’t paint, I should just sit and look.
Cyn.Well, I never heard the beat!
Lee.Odd, isn’t it? I suppose you have heard of the impressionist art. Well, I belong to a new line. It’s called the memorist art.
Cyn.You don’t say? Well, folks are never satisfied. They’re always getting up something new. Land, if you’re so newfangled as all that (glancing at table), I don’t know as I’ll be able to suit you.
Lee(starting toward stairs). I should worry! I may have an up-to-date line of art, but I’ve got an old-fashioned stomach.
[Exit by stairs.
Cyn.(looking after him and smiling). Land sakes!
(She takes some dishes from table and exits,R.)
EnterSam., c.,in his school suit, cap and sweater.
Sam.Miss Cynthy! Miss Cynthy! (Stops and listens, then goes to table.) Gee! Muffins!
(Puts one in his pocket, and starts to eat another. He goes to door, listens; to stairs, listens; takes two pipes from his pocket, looks about uncertainly, puts one in the pocket ofLee’sraincoat which still hangs over chair by fire. He still looks about uncertainly; goes to table; opens the sugar-bowl, puts other pipe in, and puts cover on. Hethen runs out,C.Slight pause.Leecomes half-way down-stairs.Cyn.entersR.with a pan but without noticing.Cyn.exits,C.)
Lee(looking up the stairs). Come on! Hurry up! She has gone out but she is apt to come back!
EnterPeterby stairs.
Peter.Say, how long do you suppose I am going to stand this “come on, hurry up” business? You seem to think I’m a regular little baseball ready for you to bat around whenever you happen to be in a playful mood.
Lee.There, don’t be peeved. Didn’t I get you a shelter from the storm? Now, get out, quick, and come back later, and ask Miss Tinker to board you. It’s best we should be in the same house but whatever you do, don’t let on that you know me.
Peter.Don’t fret! I wish I didn’t. I’m not at all proud of the acquaintance. (Goes to table.) The way you always manage to get next to the eats is a caution.
(Eats a muffin and pours some coffee.)
Lee.We must get to work just as soon as possible. I’ve got to throw a bluff about the artist business. Say, what are you going to pretend you are doing in Bay Point?
Peter.Don’t let that worry you!
Lee.Well, you don’t want to choose the same thing I have.
Peter.Say, you make me tired! You haven’t got the only crop of brains on earth. I guess I can think up something for myself, and you just bet it won’t be any such silly line of labor as you are engaged in.
(Takes all the muffins from the plate and exits,C. Leestands looking after him a second and then slowly exits by stairs. Slight pause.)
EnterHep.,C.
Hep.Cynthy! Cynthy! (Looks about, goes to door,R.) Where are you? (Cyn.entersC.,with a pan of potatoes.) Oh, there you are! I couldn’t hardly wait to swallow my breakfast. Obed Daniels came over last night an’ he said you’d got some more work an’ weren’t goin’ ter leave after all. Iwouldn’t ’a’ been ten seconds gettin’ here if it hadn’t been for the night. Did yer ever see sech a storm as we had last night? I wuz scared to come over agin. How’d you happen ter git work after I left, Cynthy? Weren’t it dreadful sudden?
Cyn.Yes, it was rather sudden.
(Sits down and pares some potatoes.)
Hep.And my land, how did you happen ter get work on sech a night?
Cyn.The storm sent the work to me.
Hep.(astounded). The storm sent it? Cynthia Tinker, what air you goin’ ter do?
Cyn.Well, I suppose you might as well know one time’s another. I’ve taken a boarder.
Hep.(with a little scream). A boarder! Cynthy Tinker, who? Fer the land’s sake, tell me before I die!
Cyn.Hush!
EnterLeeby stairs.
Lee.Pardon me, Miss Tinker.
Cyn.That’s all right. Mr. Gordon, this is one of my neighbors, Mrs. Sawyer.
Lee.Delighted, I’m sure.
Hep.(all eyes). Land sakes, I’m pleased to be acquaintanced.
Lee(taking his coat from chair). I think I’ll go up shore and see what has become of my car.
Hep.I hope you will find it there all right.
Lee.Oh, it’s there! I’m not worried about that. What troubles me is how I’m going to get it here. [Exit,C.
Hep.(breathlessly). Cynth—is that—you ain’t never—do tell—my land!
Cyn.Well, Hepsy, are you overcome?
Hep.I—I am! Cynthy, is that young flip your boarder?
Cyn.Yes.
Hep.Where—where did he come from?
Cyn.Out of the storm last night.
Hep.You ain’t telling me that you’ve took in a stranger?
Cyn.No, I’m not telling anything. You are doing the telling, but it’s what I did.
Hep.What do you know about him?
Cyn.He paid me a month in advance. I don’t need to know any more.
Hep.Well, I’m beat! I never heard the match! Where did he come from, and what did he come for?
Cyn.You will have to ask him a few things yourself. I haven’t known him very long.
Hep.Well, if he’d stayed in my house over night I’ll bet I’d have known.
Cyn.(impatiently). Do you think we sat up all night?
Hep.And do you know, I wuz so upset when Obed told me about you gettin’ some work, an’ he didn’t know what, said it wuz a secret. My land, I thought I should go out o’ my head, I wuz so upset. I forgot to ask him about that family who wuz coming without any furniture. It went clean out o’ my mind until he’d gone out an’ then it come over me all to once. I made one leap for the door and opened my mouth good and wide to yell Obed! An’ jest then a gust o’ wind and rain come round the corner an’ knocked my breath clean down my throat. I thought I wuz a goner fer a second, but the thought o’ them people without any furniture brought me to, but by that time Obed hed gone an’ I don’t know yet who they be.
Cyn.(dryly). That certain is a pity, Hepsy.
Lemuel Sawyer(outside). Hepsy! Hepsy! Be you in there?
Hep.Yes, Lem! What is it?
EnterLem.He is tall and angular; about forty years old, and self-important.
Lem.Mornin’, Miss Cynthy. I hear you ain’t leavin’ us after all.
Cyn.No, I’ve decided to stay.
Hep.Lem Sawyer, what do you suppose Cynthy has up an’ done?
Lem.I swan, I give up. You wimmen folks is likely ter do most anything. What now?
Hep.She’s took a boarder. A teetotal stranger! Took him right out o’ the fog last night.
Lem.Well, that ain’t the only queer thing that wuz done in the bay last night. Where’s Samuel?
Hep.Samuel? Mercy sakes, gone to school, I suppose. (Looks at clock.) No, ’tain’t time yet. I don’t know where he is.
Lem.Well, I got to get holt o’ him before he gets into school. Come an’ look for him!
Hep.What on airth has he been up to now?
Lem.Nothing. I got to find out some more ’bout that pipe business. I guess fer once there wuz more truth than poetry in what he told. There wuz seven pipes stole last night.
Lem.Yep! An’ the post office wuz broke into!
Hep.What?
Cyn.Mercy sakes!
Lem.I guess there ain’t been sech doin’s in this town fer quite a spell. I reckon as constable o’ Bay Point I’m goin’ ter be pretty busy. By the way, Cynthy, you say you’ve took a stranger in? Where does he hail from?
Cyn.Why—why, he didn’t say. Land sakes, Lem, he’s nothing but a boy. You wouldn’t go to suspecting any one jest because they was a stranger in town.
Lem.I dunno. I’ll be back later. I got to keep my eye on everybody, strangers especially.
Hep.That’s right, Lem. I see this little flip that’s boardin’ with Cynthy an’ I don’t like the looks of him at all. I wouldn’t trust him as fur as I could heave a cat!
(Exit,C.,followed byLem.)
Cyn.(indignantly, following them to door). Hepsy Sawyer! (Stands looking after them a second, and goes slowly back to table. She suddenly discovers the empty muffin dish.) My land! Two dozen muffins!
(Ber.sticks his head in the door.)
Ber.(at the top of his voice). Fresh mackerel!
Cyn.(turning with a start). Land sakes, Cap’n! Is it you?
Ber.(laughing and stepping in). I reckon it is! You didn’t go after all?
Cyn.No, I didn’t. Cap’n Berry, it’s the strangest thing. After you left last night, I—I got to thinking about what you said. It was enough to set anybody thinking and the more I thought about it, the more I believed you were right and finally I said jest what you told me to, and I put back all the things I had been packing and made up my mind to stay right here. Then I said it again, and I was jest thinking that I was making a terrible fool of myself, when there comes a knock at the door,and a young fellow comes in out of the storm and wants to board with me.
Ber.(smiling). Yes?
Cyn.My land! Is that all you are going to say? Aren’t you surprised?
Ber.No. It was odd the way it happened, but something, you know, was bound to happen.
Cyn.Well, I’m beat! I ain’t got over it yet.
Ber.(taking her hand). I’m glad, Miss Tinker, glad as I can be, an’ now you jest keep your eye on the Beacon and you will make port all right. Like your boarder?
Cyn.Oh, yes, he’s a nice little fellow with a real taking way, if I can only keep him filled up. If he eats everything the way he eats muffins I don’t know. Ain’t you over early, Cap’n?
Ber.Yes, rather. The constable telephoned fer me to come over soon’s I could. Seems to have been a good deal goin’ on last night. Post-office robbed and seven pipes took.
Cyn.You didn’t find yours then?
Ber.No.
Cyn.Ain’t it the queerest thing?
Ber.Seems kind of that way. I’ll look in agin before I go back to the point. I’d kind of like to get a look at your boarder.
Cyn.Well, I guess you won’t be the only Bay Pointer taken that way. I expect the whole town before the day is over.
Ber.(laughing). Shouldn’t wonder. Well, I’ve got a special reason for wantin’ to see him. (Heartily.) I’m glad, Miss Cynthy, more’n glad!
[Exit,C.
(Cyn.clears the remaining things from the table and exitsR.,leaving sugar bowl and pitcher of water on the table.Peterknocks several times at door, and finally steps in.Cyn.enters,R.,and looks at him in surprise.)
Cyn.Land sakes! I thought I heard some one knocking.
Peter(with a low bow). Yes, madame, I knocked but receiving no response to my vociferous attack upon your door, I took the unprecedented privilege of entering your charming domicile, I will not say unheralded but unbidden.
Cyn.(staggering). Well, for the mercy, wh-what—did you want to see me?
Peter.If you rejoice in the euphonious name of Cynthia Tinker, it is you I seek. Are you Miss Tinker?
Cyn.Good land, yes! What on airth do you want?
Peter.I seek a place to satisfy the cravings of the inner man. Also a place to rest my weary brain.
Cyn.I should think likely your brain would be weary. I don’t seem to understand yet what it is you’re driving at. If you’d jest tell me kind of plain like what you want of me.
Peter.I would like to board with you.
Cyn.(staggered). What?
Peter.Alas! Is that not plain enough? How can I say it in a more simple form? I would like to sleep in one of your rooms, eat of your delicious muffins.
Cyn.Muffins? What do you know about my muffins?
Peter.In faith not much, but you have a look about you which tells me that you are an expert at muffins.
Cyn.(half convinced). Whatever made you come here?
Peter.I met a lady somewhat loquacious, but seeming n’ertheless to know whereof she spoke, who advised me to come.
Cyn.Is that so? Must have been Hepsy Sawyer. Hum! Mighty free about advising people to go to other people’s houses. What did she say?
Peter(doubtfully). You really wish me to tell you?
Cyn.(grimly). Yes, every word.
Peter.Let me think. She said inasmuch as you had been foolish enough to take in one poor silly imitation of a man, you might be crazy enough to accommodate as big a fool as I appeared to be.
Cyn.Indeed? To pay her for that I will take you. If I’m going to have the reputation of running a lunatic asylum I might as well have plenty of inmates. Who be you?
Peter.Peter Pretzel Pomeroy. (Bows low.)
Cyn.For the land——
Peter.From Brookline, Mass.
Cyn.What are you going to do here? Write poetry stuff about the sand dunes and the ocean?
Peter.Alas, no! I am no poet. I am an agent for the Holton-Holland Co. I am demonstrating a useful little household article, called the Ladies’ Little Charm. No housekeeper can possibly be happy without one.
(Takes a clothes sprinkler from his pocket and shows it to her.)
Cyn.For the land—what is it? Looks like the top of a pepper-pot.
Peter.You have never seen one?
Cyn.(hesitating). No-o, I guess not. What is it for?
Peter.Oh, joy! Oh, bliss! Oh, rapture! They haven’t reached Bay Point yet. I’m the first on hand. This, dear madam, is a clothes sprinkler. (Takes a bottle from his pocket.) If you will just let me fill this with water, I will show you how it works. (Takes pitcher from table.) Is this water or champagne? Water, of course! (Fills the bottle and puts on the sprinkler-top. He then places a handkerchief on table.) Spread your clothes on the table and sprinkle lightly, wets them all over the same. It can likewise be used to sprinkle the floor (illustrating) before sweeping. To water the flowers!
Cyn.For the land sakes, stop! There won’t be a dry spot in the house!
Peter.Likewise to shampoo the hair.
(Waves the bottle over his own head and then over hers.)
Cyn.(desperately). If you will stop I will buy one.
Peter.You, madame? Never! I give this to you from the depths of a grateful heart. (Bows and places it on the table.) Just show it to your friends. (Abruptly changing the subject.) What room do I occupy?
Cyn.Why, come right up and see! (Goes toward the stairs followed byPeter.) The best room is taken but I guess I can satisfy you maybe.
Peter.Not the least doubt of it, madame. To be fortunate enough to secure a room in your house is like finding the dime in a birthday cake.
[They exeunt by stairs.
(Slight pause.Arielenters,C.,in a white linen dress, with a cap and sweater.)
Ariel.Miss Cynthy! Miss Cynthy!
EnterLee,C.
Lee(stopping and regarding her in astonishment). Ariel!
Ariel(doubtfully, as she turns toward him). Why—why—it’s Lee, isn’t it? (As he moves toward her.) Why, I can’t believe it can be!
Lee(taking her hand). And I can’t believe it is you! Why, Ariel, how do you happen to be here?
Ariel.My eyes are troubling me and I had to come home.
Lee.Home? My heaven, Ariel, is Bay Point your home?
Ariel.Yes. Didn’t you remember?
Lee.No. I remembered it was Cape Cod but I didn’t remember the town, and to think that I have come to your home! Ariel, it seems years since I have seen you.
Ariel.Why did you leave New Haven without seeing any of your friends?
Lee.I know what you must think of me. Things looked too black against me, but, Ariel, I am not as black as I was painted. I have come down here to start all over again. I have been told that I have a brilliant future ahead of me along a certain line. I have splendid opportunity, and I am going to make good or die. Do you understand why I’m so anxious to make good? Did you understand before—before the smash came, how much I cared for you? And I dared to hope that you cared a little, too. Did you, Ariel?
Ariel(breathlessly). Oh, you mustn’t talk this way!
Lee.Can’t you give me just a word of hope to encourage me to work? I will never bother you. I will never ask anything of you until I prove to you that I am straight. Ariel, didn’t you care just a little?
Ariel(softly). Yes.
Lee(joyfully). Ariel!
Ariel.Oh, why did I say that? I have no right to offer you any encouragement.
Lee(stepping toward her). Ariel——
Ariel.Hush! I hear some one coming. (Suddenly.) Why, Lee, I was so surprised to see you that I never thought. Have you taken this house? Has Miss Cynthy gone?
Lee.Gone? Of course not! I am boarding with her.
Ariel.Boarding with Miss Cynthy? Why, you can’t be! She was going away.
EnterCyn.by stairs.
Lee.Well, here she is to answer for herself.
Cyn.Oh, it’s you, Arey? I wondered who was talking down here. Do you know Mr. Gordon?
Ariel.I have met him before. He went to Yale and myschool is near there, you know. We have met at—at some social affairs.
Cyn.(delighted). Well, now, that’s real pleasant, ain’t it? I have taken another boarder, Mr. Gordon. I hope you don’t mind.
Lee.Not at all. The more the merrier. Who is it?
Cyn.I don’t believe I can ever remember what he said. It’s Peter, I am sure of that much, and he sells clothes sprinklers for a living.
Ariel(amused). What?
Lee(astounded). Good lord!
Cyn.Real kind o’ comical, ain’t it?
Lee.I should say it was!
Ariel(taking up the bottle on the table). Is this one of them?
Cyn.Yes, and it works real kind of cute, too.
Lee(looking at it). Good-night! Oh, Miss Tinker, I got my car up here and I was going to ask you if it would be all right to run it into this little house out back here?
Cyn.Why, yes, if it’s big enough.
Lee.Just about right, I think. Thank you. I will see you later, Miss Freeman.
Ariel.Good-morning, Mr. Gordon. (Leeexits,C.Arielgoes toCyn.and throws her arms around her.) Oh, Miss Cynthy, you aren’t going after all! Wasn’t it dreadful sudden, your taking Mr. Gordon?
Cyn.Well, it was rather unexpected. He was hunting around in the fog last night for a place to stay, and he came here, and after he got here he didn’t want to leave.
Ariel.Wasn’t that wonderful?
Cyn.(with a curious smile). Yes, I think it was kind of.
Ariel.I’m so glad. I never needed you so much in my life as I do now.
Cyn.What’s the matter?
Ariel.Nat Williams came home last night. It—it seems that before he sailed this last time father about the same as promised him that I would marry him after I graduate.
Cyn.Arey, what are you talking about?
Ariel.What am I going to do?
Cyn.As you please, of course. Your father is crazy.
Ariel.It’s so hard. I want to please father and there isn’t a thing in the world against Nat. He is a good man and doing well.
Cyn.There’s lots of good men doing well in this world, but that don’t make it out you got to marry them all.
Ariel.I just can’t make up my mind to marry Nat.
Cyn.Of course you can’t. (Decidedly.) You are too young to marry any one.
Ariel.Why, lots of girls younger than I am marry.
Cyn.Well, because some folks is foolish——(Suddenly stops and looks at her.) Land o’ goshen, Arey, there ain’t some one you want to marry, is there?
Ariel(faintly). I didn’t say so.
Cyn.Who is it?
Ariel.No one in Bay Point, Miss Cynthy. And it can’t ever come to anything. He is just the kind that father wouldn’t approve of.
Cyn.I never knew it to fail.
Ariel.And I’m so unhappy. (Begins to cry.)
Cyn.(dryly). Of course! Dyin’ of a broken heart!
Ariel(reproachfully). Why, Miss Cynthy!
Cyn.(going to her and putting her arms around her). There, child, you know I’m sorry for you. Only you’re so young, it seems so kind of foolish for you to be talking about marrying any one.
Ariel.I haven’t got any mother—and—and—(Ber.enters,C.,unnoticed) dad’s going against me, and—if—if—you don’t stand by me I’ll die!
Cyn.There, child——(Suddenly noticesBer.,who is trying to make a quiet exit.) Oh, it’s you, Cap’n?
Ariel(springing to her feet). Oh!
Cyn.It’s Cap’n Berry!
Ariel(trying to choke back her tears). Good-morning.
Cyn.Go in my room, dearie. [ExitAriel,L.,hastily.
Ber.(awkwardly). I’m sorry I happened——
Cyn.That’s all right, Cap’n. I guess you think women folks are always crying.
Ber.That’s their privilege and safety valve. There’s times when the men would like durned well to cry, but they swear instead. Wha-what did she mean about her—her father’s going against her?
Cyn.Oh, she didn’t just realize what she was saying. I don’t believe Abner would ever really go against her. He worships the ground she walks on, but he is acting queer all of a sudden.
Ber.What’s the trouble? Of course ’tain’t none of mybusiness, but sometimes an outsider can help, unexpected like, you know.
Cyn.I’m afraid no outsider can help in this. It looks like some trouble between Arey and Abner. He’s set on her marrying Nat Williams.
Ber.Cap’n Williams that sails for Howland Gordon o’ Boston?
Cyn.Yes.
Ber.Well, he’s said to be a likely sort o’ chap, ain’t he?
Cyn.Oh, yes, but you don’t believe in a girl’s being forced to marry a man she doesn’t care for, do you, even if he is a likely sort of chap?
Ber.Is Cap’n Abner forcing her?
Cyn.I don’t know as he is exactly, but he’s terrible set on it, an’ I don’t see why. He’s had two spells before this of trying to induce her to say “yes” to Nat. It’s terrible queer. He tries to make her feel that she owes everything, even her life, to him, and it’s her duty to obey.
Ber.(frowning). Oh, he does, eh? Then she knows she ain’t really Freeman’s daughter?
Cyn.Oh, yes, she knows it, but she doesn’t realize the difference. She wasn’t more’n a year old when he found her.
Ber.Never had no clues as to whom her own folks was?
Cyn.No, I guess not, although I think I’ve heard tell he has some things that were on her, a locket or something, I don’t remember what. He’s been a good father to her all these years. I can’t imagine what ails him now. Well, there’s lots o’ queer things in this world, and lots of unhappiness. (Suddenly.) Well, if I’m going to get dinner for—land, Cap’n Berry, I forgot to tell you. I’ve taken another boarder.
Ber.Well, you are rushing things, ain’t you? Say, Miss Tinker, do you know anything about the young chap you took in last night?
Cyn.No, not a thing!
Ber.Seems a good sort of fellow?
Cyn.He certain does. He’s got a real taking way with him. (Alarmed.) What’s the matter, Cap’n Berry?
Ber.Well, of course there was considerable excitement in town last night, and of course a stranger always causes a lot of talk, and his coming mysterious like——
Cyn.(interrupting). There wasn’t nothing mysterious about it fur’s I can see.
Ber.Well, some people look at it different, especiallyHepsy Sawyer. That woman’s got a northeast gale blowing off the end of her tongue fresh every hour. Anyway they’ve got it going that this chap you’ve took in may be concerned, and I expect you will have the whole crowd down here in a few minutes.
Cyn.My land, Cap’n Berry, that boy never had nothin’ ter do with it in this world. He is as innocent as—as—as a little ba-a lamb. Cap’n Berry, you don’t believe that I did wrong in taking him in? You know you—you——
Ber.Yes, I know, and I think you done jest right. I know you wouldn’t have taken a stranger in if it hadn’t been for what I said, and don’t you worry a mite, Miss Cynthy, no matter what any one says, I will stand by you. Where is your boarder? I’d like to have a look at him.
Cyn.He’s out in the back yard trying to get his car into father’s old carpenter shed. Come out and see him.
[Exit,R.,followed byBer.
EnterLee,C.He wears his raincoat.Petercomes down-stairs.
Lee(joyfully). Well, old man, you got in?
Peter(with dignity). Certainly. I should worry but what I could get into any place where they would take you. Have you heard the excitement in town this morning?
Lee.No, I have been up shore after the car. What’s going on?
Peter.Seven pipes were stolen last night.
Lee.Seven? Why, you said three.
Peter.I said I took three.
Lee(puzzled). Well—but——(Staggered.) You don’t mean to say some one else look the other four?
Peter(looking surprised). Why, I supposed you were the some one else!
Lee.Well, you have another think. I know absolutely nothing about it. I left that part of the job to you, and why—great heavens, Pete! Seven pipes? Just the number we planned on taking!
Peter.Exactly. That’s why I thought you had a hand in it.
Lee.But what do you make of it?
Peter.I don’t make. We wanted a mystery. We’ve got it! The sooner we get to work the better.
Lee.That’s right.
Peter.I’ll go out and see if I can hear something more.
Lee.Good idea, but whatever you do, don’t let on that you know me.
Peter.Don’t fret about that. I never saw you before.
(Exit,C.Leelooks after him a second and exits by stairs.)
EnterNat Williams,C.He is tall, dark complexioned, about thirty-five, and rather self-important. He has the appearance of always getting what he goes after. He glances about.ArielentersL.
Nat(rushing forward and taking her hand). Ariel! I have been chasing all over Bay Point after you. Hepsy said she thought you came down here. I couldn’t wait to see you again.
Ariel(with an effort). How do you do, Nat?
Nat.I couldn’t realize my good luck when I heard you were at home, although of course I am sorry about your eyes. I wish you would tell me that you are glad to see me.
Ariel.Why, of course I am always glad to see old friends.
Nat.That is too impersonal. I want you to say you are glad to see me.
Ariel.You are somewhat exacting, aren’t you?
Nat.Ariel, don’t talk to me that way. I can’t stand it. You know how much I care, and you must try to care, too.
Ariel.Must?
Nat.You understand what I mean.
Ariel(wearily). Haven’t we been all over this before?
Nat.We have several times, and we are going over it again and again. I have thought of you all this home trip, little dreaming that I was coming straight to you. I thought I should have to wait until summer before I saw you again. Now that I haven’t got to wait I don’t intend to lose one minute.
Ariel(impatiently). I shouldn’t say you did.
Nat.There is no one in my way. I’ll make you care for me.
Ariel(angrily). Will you, indeed? Do you expect to do it by yourself? I guess you will have to call for help.
Nat.Your father will give me all the help I need.
Ariel.This is something he cares nothing about.
Nat(growing angry). You know better than that.
Ariel.Oh, what’s the use? We always quarrel. Why start it again?
EnterAbner, c.
Nat.Captain Freeman, would you mind saying to your daughter what you said to me last night?
Ariel.Oh, never mind about it. Don’t trouble yourself, father. I can imagine what you said, and I can be just exactly as happy if I don’t hear it.
Abner.Ariel, I don’t want you to go to acting this way with Nat. You just make him mad, and I don’t wonder. Sometimes you are enough to make St. Peter swear. Nat wants to marry you, not now, but when you graduate. I don’t see any earthly reason why you shouldn’t promise to. Nat’s a fine fellow and doing well. You haven’t anything against him?
Ariel.Certainly not, but I don’t care to promise myself to any one. Graduation is quite a long ways off yet.
Abner.Ariel, I don’t very often ask anything of you. I don’t remember that I have ever asked any very special thing. Don’t you think it’s your duty to do this first thing that I ask?
Ariel.Oh, dad, how can you make such a request in such a way? (Bursts into tears and runs out,R.)
Abner.Well, Nat, this looks mighty foolish to me. If a girl won’t, she won’t.
Nat.Do you intend to let her do as she pleases?
Abner.Let her? Good lord, do you expect me to force her into a marriage with you?
Nat.Don’t you feel that you owe me some recompense?
Abner.Well, great heaven, won’t anything but Ariel satisfy you?
Nat.No.
Abner(angrily). Well, I must say you——
Nat(quietly). Captain Freeman, what were you doing in the post-office last night?
Abner(starting). In the post-office?
Nat(pointedly). Yes, long after it closed?
Abner(growing angry). What do you mean?
Nat.Just what I say. I know you were there. There is no use in denying it.
Abner(beside himself). Why, you—do you mean to insinuate——
Nat(calmly). Just explain your presence there. (Slight pause.Abnerremains silent.) You didn’t find what you were looking for, did you? I was before you, Captain Freeman. Before I sailed this last time, I made a midnight visit tothe post-office myself, but I covered my tracks. I think something must have scared you off before you had a chance to pick things up.
Abner.You dare to tell me that you entered the post-office?
Nat.Oh, yes, you won’t say anything about it. If you did I should be obliged to show the papers I went after, and you wouldn’t have any one see those papers for a farm.
Abner(desperately). I don’t know what you are driving at.
Nat.Oh, yes, you do. See here, Captain Freeman, all in this world I want is your influence with Ariel. This is a mean way to get it, I’ll admit, but I want the girl and I don’t care how I get her.
Abner.And if I refuse to bother Ariel any more what is it you are threatening?
Nat.Why, I don’t know as I have exactly threatened anything. Threatened isn’t a nice word. Of course you know that you owe as much to Miss Tinker as you did to my father. I don’t know exactly how you would come out if the thing was to go to court, but as long as Miss Cynthy is in need of money it looks to me like a question of honor on your part. I understand she is about to leave town to look for work.
Abner(snapping the words out). She isn’t going! (Beside himself again.) If you think you can frighten me you are mistaken! I absolutely deny that I was inside the post-office last night.
Nat.Oh, well, of course if you are going to take that stand I shall——
Abner(warningly). Hush!
EnterLem.andObad.,C.
Lem.Oh, you are here, Cap’n Freeman?
Obad.(all out of breath). We’ve hunted all over town for yer. Fer the love of John Paul Jones, stay put fer a while until we see if we can get at any facts to help us.
Lem.What’s become o’ Cap’n Cranberry, an’ where’s Miss Cynthy?
EnterCyn.andBer.,R.Arielenters,R.
Ber.We’re here, Lem. What’s the matter?
EnterHep.,C.,dragging after herSam.,who is not at all willing to be dragged.
Hep.Lem, here’s Sammy! I’ve chased all over town and I declare ter goodness I’m——
Lem.Never mind where you’ve chased, as long as you got him.
Hep.And I had to drag him every step of the way. He wuz bound he would not come.
Sam.(fearfully). I ain’t got nothin’ ter tell, dad!
Lem.You will tell all right if I get after you.
Sam.You always said not to tell things, an’ I ain’t got nothin’ to tell.
Hep.Ain’t he the beatenest young one!
Ber.(pickingSam.up). You keep him frightened to death all the time. He will tell all about who took the pipe from him when you get ready to hear it.
Lem.Miss Cynthy, you hev taken a boarder?
Cyn.I have taken two.
Hep.Two? You don’t ever in this world mean that you have taken in that crazy——
Lem.Hepsy! Will you hush up? I don’t mean that fellow that’s just come to town this morning selling clothes sprinklers. I mean that fellow who was prowling around Bay Point last night in the fog.
Cyn.(indignantly). Who says he was prowling?
Lem.I say so. Prowling around——
Ber.Oh, belay there, Lem! There weren’t nothin’ a stranger could do last night but prowl around. It was hard enough for us folks that lives here all the time.
Lem.Well, maybe so, Cap’n, but we hev got to inquire what he was doing. (Importantly.) In fact we got to inquire into everybody’s business that was out last night. It ain’t so much those durned pipes, though it certainly beats tunket who took them, but the post-office was broken into, you must remember, and Obed’s safe was broke open.
Obad.(excited). Gosh all fog horns, yes! And, Abner, I found your pipe on the floor right by the safe.
Abner(staggered). What? I don’t believe it!
Obad.(handing him a pipe). Yes, sir! Yours all right! I know your pipe as well as I do my own.
EnterLeeby stairs, unnoticed.
Abner(breathing hard). Do you—do you mean to say that you think that I——
(Glances atNatand stops abruptly.)
Lem.Why, o’ course not! The idee, Cap’n Freeman! We know you ain’t in no ways concerned, but don’t you see? It goes to show that the fellow that stole the pipes broke into the post-office?
Abner(with a sigh of relief). Oh!
Lem.And now I want to see this boarder of yours, Miss Cynthy.
Lee(stepping forward). Am I the one you wish to see?
Lem.I guess you be. I suppose you have heard tell all about what happened in town last night?
Lee(bowing). Yes.
Lem.Well, we want to find out everything we can ’bout sech a mystery, an’ we feel obleeged to inquire about any strangers who came ter town last night.
Lee.I see. Well, my name is Lee Gordon. I came down the Cape from Boston in my auto. I am going to do some sketching.
Lem.So? Want tew know! Wal, can you inform me if you went near the post-office last night?
Lee.I may have. I don’t know.
Lem.Do you know your glove when you see it? Them’s your initials? L. G.?
(HandsLeea heavy driving glove.)
Lee.Yes, this is my glove. Where did you find it?
Obad.(dramatically). I found it on the post-office steps.
All.What?
Lee.I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t be surprised to know that I visited the meeting-house. I couldn’t tell where I was going.
Ber.Of course you couldn’t. This is all foolishness.
Lee.Of course if you want to believe I was mixed up in the robbery just because you found my glove on——
(He is carrying his raincoat on his arm and as he speaks he impatiently flings it over onto the other arm and the pipe whichSam.put in the pocket drops to the floor.)
Hep.My land! What’s that?
Obad.(at the top of his voice). It’s a pipe!
(Lem.picks it up and examines it.Leelooks at it in astonishment.Sam.looks frightened and begins to edge toward the door.)
Ber.Well, by tunket, hasn’t the fellow a right to own a pipe?
Lem.He has sartain, one o’ his own, but I can’t no wise see that he has any right to yourn, Cap’n Berry.
(Hands it toBer.,who is completely staggered.)
All.What? Did you ever? It is! Cap’n Cranberry’s!
Sam.(thinking things are moving in a manner favorable to him, opens sugar bowl). And here’s another in Miss Cynthy’s sugar bowl!
All.What?
Cyn.(dropping into a chair). Mercy sakes!
Hep.Land, Cynthy’s overcome!
(Grabs clothes sprinkler from table and sprinklesCyn.)
Lem.(toLee). Wal, now what hev you got to say, young man?
Lee.Absolutely nothing. I haven’t words equal to this occasion.
Lem.What room did he sleep in last night, Miss Cynthy?
Cyn.(sufficiently recovered to be indignant). I shan’t tell you. He never had nothing to do with this in the world, never!
Lee(gratefully). That’s mighty kind of you, Miss Tinker, but it is also foolish. (ToLem.) My room is up-stairs, the first on the right.
[ExitLem.by stairs.
Obad.Wal, I cal’late there ain’t much more ter be said.
Ariel(stepping forward). Well, there is a whole lot more. Mr. Gordon is a friend of mine.
All.What? He is?
Hep.Do tell!
Abner.Well, how long since?
Ariel.Quite a long time since.
Abner.Is that so? Queer I never heard of him before. Where did you meet him?
Ariel.At a friend’s in New Haven while Mr. Gordon was at Yale.
Nat.If you knew Mr. Gordon at Yale perhaps you know how he happened to leave college?
Ariel.Yes, I know. He left under circumstances which didn’t look favorable to him but none of his friends believed he was at all to blame, any more than I believe it now.
Hep.Well, do tell!
Nat.Mr. Gordon always seems to be found under circumstances which look anything but favorable to himself.
Abner.How do you happen to know this fellow, Nat?
Nat.He is the son of Howland Gordon, the man I sail for. After he was expelled from Yale he went to work for his father. He is just leaving his father under circumstances which don’t look favorable.
(Lem.comes down the stairs.)
Obad.Find anything, Lem?
Lem.Yes, by Crismus, three more pipes! (Shows them.)
All.What? You don’t say? Let’s see!
Cyn.(overcome). My land! My land!
Hep.(applying clothes sprinkler). There, Cynthy! There!
Lem.(toLee). Well, young man, I guess I’ll arrest you!
Lee(with a shrug of his shoulders). All right! Go ahead!
Ber.(wrathfully). Yes, go ahead, and I’ll bail him out!
Lee.I’ll admit that you have plenty of evidence against me, but here comes a man who can at least explain my connection with those pipes. (Points to the pipes inLem.’shand.)
EnterPeter,C.
Peter(stopping short and looking at the assembled company in astonishment). By my faith, I didn’t know it was old home week!
Lem.(toPeter). Young man, what do you know about this fellow?
Peter(innocently, pointing toLee). What do I know? About him? Absolutely nothing! I never saw him before in my life!
(Lem.claps his hand onLee’sshoulder and walks him to the door.Cyn.is overcome andHep.again applies the clothes sprinkler.)
CURTAIN