Car.(R. C., indignantly toNiobe) I had some business with my husband, but I can wait.
Nio.(L. C.) Oh no! We would not have you wait. He’s here and you may speak.
Car.(R.) You’re too gracious. I came, Peter, unknown to Helen, to see if you could not remove my doubts; and I find you, as usual, in open unblushing companionship with this woman.
Dunn.Open! Yes open! There is no deception. None. (rising)
Car.You loved me once, Peter.
Nio.(crosses toCarrie) He loves you still. His heart is yours; you cannot grudge me a little corner in it.
Dunn.(at table, putting down patterns) She wants a corner on it.
Car.How can I bear this infamous creature’s insolence.
Dunn.Carrie, you don’t understand; she’snotinfamous.
Car.You defend her!
Dunn.I’d defend anyone who’s unjustly accused.
Car.(cryingR.) If you are bewitched, confess it; say you are under the spell of this fair Siren.
Nio.(cryingC.) The Sirens lured Odysseus with melody and song. I have not played or sung here to Petramos.
Dunn.Now they’re both at it. Here’s a chance for the gods! Carrie, there’s no spell in the business.
Car.(R.) Ah! Why do I protest. Imighthave expected it.
Dunn.(crossing toCarrie) Ididexpect it. The moment I saw her, I knew you would object to her being here.
Car.What self-respecting wife would not? (cries at screen)
Dunn.(going to seatL.corner) Now we’re all at it. (sits) I knew it was useless to say who she was, or how she came.
Nio.(C.) He feared the truth, tho’ I advised it. Truth might have worked more mischief.
Dunn.No! truth couldn’t! But what’s the use of a truth which seemed like throwing down the gauntlet to Annanias.
Car.(crosses toPeter) Oh Peter! Confess you were beguiled and I’ll forgive you. (taking his face in her hands, turns his head towards her)
Dunn.I cannot criminate myself by owning up to what doesn’t belong to me. If you had been here when she arrived—if you had seenhowshe came, it would have been all right; you would understand that—(rises) that she is no more to me—than a sister I have not seen for years.
Goes upC.to fireplace.
Nio.(R. C.) He was near when I first drew my breath! But him in the wide world I have no one, he is my guardian, myprotector.
Car.(crossesC.) Ah, how blind I’ve been. (goes toDunnand brings him downL.of her) Forgive me, Peter, for having doubted. Why did you not say she was your sister?
Dunn.Why! I never thought of it.
Car.(toNiobe) You, too, must forgive me, and let me call you Sister. (Dunnsmiling)
Nio.Oh yes, that will be sweet. I have wanted somuchto love you, but you would not let me.
Car.(arms aroundNiobe) I might have known you would wish to be near Peter. Though he never said so; and what a resemblance! Come, Peter dear, kiss your sister. And—Helen thought different.
Dunn.Helen would. (back at table, putting away, hiding patterns)
Car.I was to blame for neglecting Peter’s kindred. I knew of your existence, that is all. What is your name, dear?
Dunn.(at back, trying to stop her) Mab——
Nio.(not heedingDunn) My name is Niobe!
Dunn.(goes downL.) She conceals nothing. She’s altogether too guileless for this nineteenth century.
EnterHelenandHattiefrom dining-roomR. I. E.
Car.Sister Niobe! (embracing her and putting her overC.) Helen! (crosses toHelen) We have wronged Peter;weare to blame. She is his sister.
Hel.(severely) Sister!
Hat.Peter’s Sister!
(together)
Car.And if we had not kept her a stranger to our circle, her coming would not have caused all this anxiety.
Hel.(nastily spoken) I always said, if she came there would be trouble.
Hat.(crosses toNiobe,R. C.) Peter’s sister. Well, you’re not a bit like him. You’re altogether too scrumptious for anything.
Nio.(C.) Though I am ignorant of what “scrumptious” means, your manner tells me it is something good.
Hat.(L. C.) You bet your boots it is.
Hel.(R.) Hattie!
Hat.(sharply) Don’t you interfere. We’re going to run our new sister on our own lines, aren’t we Carrie?
Nio.You have my sympathy—(pointing toHelen)—thatsheclaims kinship with you.
Helenturns indignantly fromNiobe.
Hat.Oh, you are a funny old thing. And say, Ni’, won’t you tell me how you dress your hair like that? (round toL.ofNiobe)
Nio.I cannot tell you that; my tiring women dressed it. It is as it was left three thousand years ago.
General surprise.
Omnes.Three thousand years!
Dunn.(crossing in front toC.) Ha!—Er—that’s a quotation; you know the quotation “Rode the three thousand.” (goes upC.)
EnterMary,R., from hallway,R. C.
Mary.(toNiobe) Miss Mifton wants to know if she’s ever goin’ to get her clothes?
Dunn.Yes, yes! Of course! (toNiobe) Go! Go! and give her dress back by all means. (goes up)
MaryexitsR.
Hat.Bother her shabby old clothes! You can have some of my dresses.
Car.Or mine. You are about my figure.
Nio.I am pleased you are so shapely. Cleophas thought that I was well nigh faultless.
Car.Who’s Cleophas?
Hat.(quickly,R. C.) Is he your mash?
Dunn.(going down, pushesHattieaway) Never mind him. He’s a fellow we met at the races. (toNiobe—aside) Be quiet and do as I tell you or you’ll spoil all. (goes over to window)
Nio.(gradually working up) Ah no! Fear not! (coming downC.) I cannot take the robes you’d kindly loan me, but I am touched no less with all your love and moved to the relief of melting tears.
Niobeexits crying, offR. C.up stairs;CarrieupC., looks afterNiobe;Hattiegoes upR. C., and exits afterNiobe.
Dunn.(coming downL.) At it again. Kindness or cruelty, care or neglect, all melt her alike.
Door bell.
Car.Poor, tender hearted darling.
Hel.(downR.) Irrigating Crocodile! She’s a huge sham—mark my words, we shall live to regret her coming.
Dunn.(goes a little towardsHelen) There’s no occasion for you tolive hereto regret it. If you feel you couldbearit better somewhere else, don’t let us keep you. (goesL.)
EnterBeatriceR., from hallway, advances withHattie.
Hat.(R. C.) Bea! What do you think? Such a surprise; Miss Mifton, the first Miss Mifton is——
Dunn.(L.) Hattie, my dear, be quiet. Miss Sillocks is not interested in our family surprises.
Bea.(R. C.) Oh yes I am! Especially as I have one of my own.
Car.For whom?
Bea.For all of you! Papa has always imagined, as Mr. Dunn’s sister never visited him, that there was some kind of estrangement.
Hat.Yes! And her papa was determined to get Peter’s sister over on a visit, and give them the chance to kiss and be friends.
Bea.That’s it! And he has just received a telegram to say she will come.
Hel. and Car.(R.andR. C.) Who will come?
Bea.(C.) Mr. Dunn’s sister, Mabel!
Hel.Mabel?
Car.Niobe!
Dunn.Niobe—Niobe Mabel Dunn—she has several names. Those are the two front ones—Miobe, Nabel, Dunn.
Bea.Mabel; tho’ papa says they always called her Gypsy, she was so dark.
Car.Dark!!
Hel.(rises) Dark? She is fair!
Bea.andHattiego upC.in front of fireplace;Carrieup to openingC.
Dunn.(C.) Yes, she isfair now. Itriedto keep her dark, but I couldn’t. (going—drops in chair extremeL.)
EnterCorneyfrom dining-room.
Hel.(advancesC.) I knew it—another fraud unveiled.
Corn.(R.) What is it? What’s the new discovery?
Hel.(C.) He, thismonsterof marital iniquity, has been blinding us with new and more daring falsehoods. He declared that this woman was his sister.
Dunn.Never! Never! I never declared it.
Hel.(crossesL. C.to table) See how he cowers, for he stands confessed. Fate, in the person of Beatrice Sillocks, has hunted him down.
Corn.Bea, in a new role. The guardian angel of innocence. (crossesL.toDunn)
Hat.(downC.) Perhaps he has two sisters! (Dunnwith a gleam of hope rises) Why not, there are two Miss Miftons! (CorneymeetsDunn’sgaze)
Corn.No!
Dunn.No?
Corn.No, no!
Dunn.No, no! (drops in chair again)
Corn.No! no! That’s played out. Even Peter, withall his impudence, wouldn’t set up that defence. (goes up to fire toBeatrice)
Car.(advances toR. C.) She isnotyour sister?
Dunn.No! No!
Hat.(L. C.) Oh, Peter!
Hel.Hattie! Leave the room; these disclosures are unfit for your ears.
Hattiecrosses front toR.
Corn.(bringingBeatricedownR. C.) And take Beatrice from the moral poison of his presence.
Hat.We’ll hear all about it afterwards, so it doesn’t make any difference. (Hattieexits withBeatriceR. I. E.)
Corn.(goes towardsPeterin front of tableL. C.) Now Peter Amos Dunn! As my sister’s brother, I am bound to bring it to your notice, that one of us, either your party or our party, must leave this house. And, I think your best course is to leave us in possession of the home you are no longer fit to occupy.
Dunn.(rises) It’smyhome, and I suit it to myself. (desperately,Corneybacks a littleC.)
Hel.Leave him to me,Corney! (going toDunn)
Dunn.Yes, do! Her sex gives her a protection you haven’t got.
Car.(R. C.) Peter, why, oh why did you say she was your sister?
Dunn.(crossing toCarrie) I didn’t! It never occurred to me or I might. You yourself said she was my sister, and I know you hate to be contradicted.
Car.(R. C.) But she gave her consent to the fraud. She let me call her sister.
Dunn.(R. C.) Oh, what of that! I’ve called many a girl sister before I married you.
Car.This woman admitted that you were her guardian and protector.
Dunn.Well, in a sense I am. I’m responsible for her. She’s purely a matter of business. She was turned over to me to take care of, and when he’s ready for her he’ll take her away.
Hel.What disgusting levity!
Car.Who will take her away?
Dunn.Why Tompkins! She’s his property, not mine.
Corn.(advancingC.) Tompkins! Isn’t this a branch of business which ought not to be intruded on the home circle?
Dunn.(C.) Don’t I know that? But Tompkins set such store by her, I had to oblige him and bring her here. (crosses to low seatL.)
Hel.(rises) Then weak as you are to shield another person’s infamy at the cost of insulting your family, you are a spotless infant compared to Tompkins.
Car.Mr. Tompkins must never set foot in this house again.
Corn.(C.) Say the word and I’ll kick Tompkins out every time he comes.
EnterMaryfrom hallwayR.fromL.
Mary.Mr. Tompkins! (Maryexits)
Corneygoes quickly toR.corner; enterTompkinsR. U. E.
Dunn.How d’ye do, Tompkins? If you’ll come to my room——
Hel.(puttingDunnback, he falls into chair) Let Mr. Tompkins first hear the opinion of the ladies, whose sense of delicacy he has outraged.
Tomp.(C.) What’s the matter, Dunn?
Dunn.Nothing! Nothing! Don’t take any notice.
Hel.He must take notice, and apologize to ladies of irreproachable character—though it is scarcely to be expected from one so utterly depraved.
Tomp.I haven’t an idea what I’m supposed to have done, but few of us have pastlives, whollyfree from blame. Even you, Miss Griffin, may have something to regret.
Hel.What dareyouinsinuate? It is not true! Who could have told you? I—I——
Dunn.It’s right! It’s right! Tompkins has found it all out—Helen’s down—and I can’t triumph—I haven’t a crow left in me. (goes upL.to fireC.)
Hel.Even for your sake Carrie, I cannot remain here to be insulted.
Car.Is not Corney here to protect you? (comes downR. C.)
Corn.To be sure, tricks of this kind won’t help you, Tompkins, and we must ask you to take her away, if you have not the decency to apologise for her presence.
Tomp.(C.) Whose presence? Who’sshe?
Corn.(R.) The woman you brought here.
Tomp.I brought!
Corn.The Governess!
Hel.(L.) Dunn’s sister!
Car.(R. C.) Miss Mifton!
Tomp.(R. C.) There are three of them?
Dunn.They’re all one!
Car.(advancing toTompkins) Mr. Dunn says she was brought here to oblige you.
Tomp.Dunn says that—(goes up toDunn)
Dunn.(crouching on stool by fire) Yes, I did, but it’s a lie—a whacking lie! I’m trying to break a record—I started in without thinking and Heaven only knows where I shall end.
Tomp.Is this meant for a joke, Mr. Dunn?
Dunn.That’s it! I never thought of it before, but it’s a joke. Ha! Ha!
Tomp.I fail to appreciate it, Sir; but fortunately my business with you will soon be over and our acquaintance can end with it. I have come to take away my Statue. (comes downC.)
Carriecrosses toL.
Dunn.His Statue! The last straw!
Tomp.I find my place is ready, and the men are here to move it.
Dunn.Move it! You can’t move it!
Corn.(R.) Why not? It’s only a question of having enough men.
Tomp.I have a score, and they will exercise every care in getting it out.
Dunn.Care’s of no use, and a hundred men couldn’t get the Statue out! It isn’t here.
Tomp.Not here!
Omnes.Not here!
Tomp.What do you mean?
Hel.The figure has not been moved.
Corn.(R.) It’s here in the screen right enough, it couldn’t fly out of the window. (opening screen) Gone!
Omnes.Gone!!!
Tomp.Nothing but the Pedestal!
Dunn.(advancingR. C.) Didn’t I tell you so? Do you think I am incapable ofeverspeaking the truth?
Tomp.But where is it? Where! What is your explanation?
Dunn.I haven’t got one! (falling into chairR.)
Corn.Absurd! Make a break at something. (crossing up stage and down and sits on table)
Tomp.(C.) Stupendous misfortune! You can haveno conception of the awfulness of your avowal—you cannot realize my loss.
Dunn.I can realize the loss it is to our Company!
Tomp.What is filthy lucre? No money on earth can compensate me for its destruction.
Car.(L. C.) Be calm, Mr. Tompkins!
Hel.(R.of tableL. C.) It will be found no doubt.
Tomp.Calm! With such a treasure gone! Ah! You know nothing of the halo of romance that surrounds that figure. It was no ordinary piece of statuary. There is a legend that no mortal hand carved or chiselled it. It is believed to be the actual petrifaction of theidentical once living Niobe, wife of Amphion, King of Thebes.
Dunn.(jumping up) What! Niobe herself! And you believe the story? You do!
Tomp.Why should I doubt the possibility of human petrifaction?
Dunn.(rushing atTompkins, taking his hand) Bless you, Tompkins! Bless you! NowIcan be believed! (crosses to othersL. C.) The truth seemed so preposterous before, I dared not tell it. But now—oh—Tompkins! Tompkins! (embracingTompkins)
Tomp.(pushing him away) Why this excitement?
Dunn.(going backR.) Because she, Niobe herself, from the time immediately after the Trojan war, who was there in the stone, has come to life!
Omnes.Come to life!!!
Dunn.(on pedestal) The uncovered electric wires imparted some vital current to the system, which roused the dormant principle of respiration and circulation, unpetrified her limbs and she is alive; alive, oh! (goesL.)
Music.
Tomp.(R. C.) Mirabile Dictu! (goes toR.corner)
Dunn.Call it what you like, Tompkins, you can’t alter it. Ah! She is here!
NiobeentersR. C.as Statue, coming downC.; white lime onNiobe.
Nio.(C.) Petramos, I have obeyed you.
Tomp.(R.) The same sweet face!
Car.(upC.) The same features!
Hel.(L.) The same Costume!
Nio.(C.) You stare most strangely! What does your wonder mean?
Dunn.(R. C.) It means, they have heard the truth and believe it.
Tomp.Niobe! (hands out)
Nio.(seeingTompkins) What man is this?
Dunn.Your owner. The man who paid great treasure to purchase you to adorn his home.
Nio.Am I then his slave?
Tomp.Say rather I am yours.
NiobeadvancesC.;Tompkinsto her asDunngoes up toCarrie—reconciliation business.
Tomp.Oh filtatese gewnaikos omma kai dommas,ekk s’aelptose, oupot opsesthai, dokone.
Nio.Ekkeis fthonosdy mee genoito tone theone.
They turn back to audience,Tompkinshalf embracing her; enterSillocks, Beatrice, HattieandInningsR., from hallway.
Sill.(upR. C.) Hallo! What’s this? A fancy dress ball?
Corn.(L.) Oh no! A new metamorphosis for a modern Ovid. This lady is the real article, warranted three thousand years in bottle.
SillocksandBeatricecross toL., andNiobeandTompkinsgo upC.
Hat.(L.) Oh, Corney, what a stretch!
Inn.(downL.) Why, she’s the exact counterpart of the Statue.
TompkinsandNiobego upC.and face audience.
Car.(R. C.) She is the Statue!
Sill.(upL. C.) What does it mean?
Dunn.(L.ofCarrie) It means that Tompkins has no longer an Antique excuse for living single.
Tomp.(L.ofNiobe) It means, he doesnotwant one.
Dunn.(R. C.) She’ll make you an excellent wife, Tompkins, combining all the charm of youth with a long worldly experience.
Nio.(C.) Farewell, Petramos!
Dunn.Good bye!
Nio.Good bye to all.
Niobe to Audience:I know you may expect me, from the strainOf such like plays, to turn to stone again,But life is sweet, and faults if you’ll forgiveSans tears, all smiling Niobe will live.
MUSIC.
CURTAIN.
Transcriber's Note:Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible. Some minor corrections of spelling and puctuation have been made.
Transcriber's Note:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible. Some minor corrections of spelling and puctuation have been made.