Walter. But what have I to wait for? (Rises.)
Ste. Sorry to occupy your valuable, time, but you're going to wait. You'll find a fire.
(Exit Walter l.)
That chap's wasted as a curate. (Sits.) He's beaten me! Me licked by a bricking curate!
Al. But I don't understand.
Ste. Oh, he got hold of our company idea, told Sir Charles and smashed our plans. That's all. Nothing very serious. We're out of pocket for a few expenses that won't hurt any of us, and we've missed a good piece of plunder. Well, the thing to do now is to turn round and do the handsome over that recreation ground.Ouridea for the benefit of the town!Mynegotiations with the Polygon! If we can't get cash by it, gentlemen, let us get credit.
Smiths.. And what about the rates?
Ste. Well, what about them? More fresh air, less ill health. Less ill health, less poverty. Less poverty, fewer paupers. That recreation ground 'ull pay for itself in less than no time. If there's going to be any barging about the rates we'll raise the money by subscription, and for two pins I'll head the list myself.
Al. It's a queer finish to our plans.
Ste. It is a finish, Alcorn. We're knocked out, and we've got to take it with a big, broad smile and nobody will even so much as guess we've meant anything but the square thing all the time.
Bam. That curate 'ull talk. Curates are always talking.
Ste. No, he won't.
Bam. You can't stop an old woman gossiping. Gab's a parson's stock-in-trade.
Ste. He's no old woman. He's a wide-awake young man and he's going to marry my daughter—if she's free. That'll shut his mouth for him.
Smiths. Well, we'll leave that to you, Verity.
Ste. You can, safely.
Al. It's been a lot of trouble all for nothing.
(Rises; general rise.)
Ste. Well, we're good sportsmen, I hope, and the Carrington recreation ground 'ull be an everlasting monument to our civic enterprise and public spirit.
Al. Aye, I'm beginning to feel good already.
Smiths. It's a disappointment, Verity. Ah, well, we can't win every time.
Ste. No. Better luck next time. Good night, Smithson. (Takes chair up stage.)
Smiths. Good night. Good night all.
Al. I'm coming your way.
Smiths. Come along then. (Crosses r.)
Al. Good night.
(Exeunt Smithson and Alcorn, r.)
Bam. I'm glad they've gone. Something to put to you, Verity, private.
Ste. About her?
Bam. Her? No. I've said my say about that, and you need her to shut the curate's mouth.
Ste. I'll shut his mouth without that if you want her. It's a thousand a year, you know.
Lucy. The auction recommences, Mr. Bamford.
Bam. Don't fret yourself, Miss Verity. I'm not bidding. You've had my last word, Verity.
Ste. Well, what's this you want to say?
Bam. About me being mayor. That stands, of course?
Ste. No, it doesn't. (Above table.)
Bam. But——
Ste. That was a contract made by a company that's wound up.
Bam. But, hang it, I'd counted on being mayor. I've mentioned it to one or two. (Goes above table R.)
Ste. All right, then. There's your mayoress.
Bam. Is that the price?
Ste. There's your mayoress.
Lucy. I won't be haggled over.
Bam. Miss Verity, it's not you. If I wanted to marry I dunno as I'd look an inch further. It's—I'm not the marrying sort and that's top and bottom of it.
Ste. Sam, I'll be mayor myself if it's only for the fun of opening that recreation ground to the public and making a speech about the anxious negotiating the Council had to do before they brought off this great scheme and conferred an inestimable boon on the deserving working classes.
Bam. Oh, if you're putting up for mayor, I retire. I can't fight a man of your weight.
Ste. Fight be hanged. We're good friends.
Bam. Aye. You've got your man in there.
Ste. Well! (Pause.) Yes.
Lucy. It's very sweet of you not to want to marry me, Mr. Bamford.
Bam. Ask me to the wedding.
Ste. Yes, you should be good for a thumping present after this.
Bam. I'll stand my corner. You've to tackle the curate. I'll be off.
Ste. Good night.
Lucy. Good night, and thank you.
Bam. It'smethat's thankful. Good night.
(Exit Bamford. Stephen crosses to left door, opens it and calls.)
Ste. Now, Mr. Montgomery.
(Enter Walter. Lucy rises, l.)
Walter. Well, sir? (Crosses to r. below table.)
Ste. (c. above table). Are you or are you not going to marry my daughter?
Walter. That depends.
Ste. I'll tell you something. The syndicate's bust. In fact, there never was a syndicate.
Walter. You mustn't ask me to believe that, sir. You gave the thing away yourself.
Ste. (impressively). There never was a syndicate. A limited company isn't a limited company till it's registered. We weren't registered. You understand? You can't go telling people about a syndicate that never existed.
Walter(smiling). That sounds reasonable. I shan't tell.
Ste. Yes. Well, what about my daughter?
Walter. I thought you objected to me.
Ste. I did. But I begin to think there's more in you than meets the eye.
Walter. Thanks for the compliment.
Ste. I do wish you weren't a curate, though.
(Crosses to fire.) There's nothing in the Church for a smart man.
Walter. There are plenty of prizes in the Church.
Lucy. And Walter's going to win them, father. (Up to Walter.)
Walter. Yes.
Ste. He's not won much yet.
Walter. This is all the prize I want, Mr. Verity. (Takes her hand.)
Ste. She's not a bad start, either. You've got round me, and it takes a bit of doing. (Crosses to Walter.) Look here, my lad, I come of a long lived stock and you'll disappoint me if I don't see you a bishop before I die. I'll come to the Palace, Lucy, and hang my hat up some day. (Going to exit to leave them together.)