I'll take your husband.
I'll take your husband.
(Continues dancing)
Mrs. Egerton.
Why, Gladys Egerton!
Why, Gladys Egerton!
A Man's Voice.
Just any time you want him, Gladys.
Just any time you want him, Gladys.
Gladys Egerton.
All right.
All right.
A Man.
(Appearing forward right)
Ladies, the Governor is telling stories.Out of politeness let's give him a crowd.
Ladies, the Governor is telling stories.Out of politeness let's give him a crowd.
(Some of the ladies start right, others begin to move about)
Fifth Lady.
She'd make a good catch.
She'd make a good catch.
Sixth Lady.
Either she or George would.
Either she or George would.
Third Lady.
(Calling aloud)
Here is another! Now there are thirteen of us.
Here is another! Now there are thirteen of us.
(Laughter)
Fourth Lady.
There you're on my toes. Marjorie's after George.
There you're on my toes. Marjorie's after George.
Sixth Lady.
Your Marge, my dear——
Your Marge, my dear——
(Glances in the direction of Mrs. Egerton, then whispers)
Your Marge may have the other.
Your Marge may have the other.
Fourth Lady.
Thank you, dear Mrs. Casper, we'll have—gander.
Thank you, dear Mrs. Casper, we'll have—gander.
(Laughter. They go out right)
Seventh Lady.
To have a son like that!
To have a son like that!
Eighth Lady.
Yes, what a pity.
Yes, what a pity.
Ninth Lady.
He hasn't anything like the grace of George.
He hasn't anything like the grace of George.
Seventh Lady.
Nor the accomplishments.
Nor the accomplishments.
Eighth Lady.
Nor the education.
Nor the education.
Seventh Lady.
He belongs down in the mill among the men.
He belongs down in the mill among the men.
Eighth Lady.
One would have thought, though, at the first reception—If only for his mother's sake.
One would have thought, though, at the first reception—If only for his mother's sake.
Seventh Lady.
That's true.
That's true.
Ninth Lady.
How old she looks to-night.
How old she looks to-night.
Gladys Egerton.
(Who has been skipping to the music, whirls in from the main hall)
Mother is old.
Mother is old.
Ninth Lady.
I did not mean for you to overhear that.
I did not mean for you to overhear that.
Gladys Egerton.
O that's all right. We always do that way.
O that's all right. We always do that way.
(Continues dancing)
If you had on your heart what mother hasYou'd look old, too.
If you had on your heart what mother hasYou'd look old, too.
Eighth Lady.
What did she mean by that?
What did she mean by that?
Gladys Egerton.
Leave us alone here just a little while.
Leave us alone here just a little while.
(The women go out right)
Gladys Egerton.
Mother!
Mother!
Mrs. Egerton.
Yes, darling.
Yes, darling.
Gladys Egerton.
Mother, where is Harry?
Mother, where is Harry?
(Dances)
Mrs. Egerton.
I do not know.
I do not know.
Gladys Egerton.
It's very embarrassing.People are whispering. Mother, has no word come?
It's very embarrassing.People are whispering. Mother, has no word come?
Mrs. Egerton.
Have you asked your father?
Have you asked your father?
Gladys Egerton.
Yes.
Yes.
(Dances)
Mother, I'm sureSomething has happened to him.
Mother, I'm sureSomething has happened to him.
Mrs. Egerton.
Don't, my child,Don't say that.
Don't, my child,Don't say that.
Gladys Egerton.
(Mysteriously)
Why?
Why?
Mrs. Egerton.
Go, child; people are watching us.
Go, child; people are watching us.
Gladys Egerton.
Iknow why!Iknow why!
Iknow why!Iknow why!
(Dances)
Let go! let go!
Let go! let go!
Mrs. Egerton.
And please tell Donald that I'm waiting for him.
And please tell Donald that I'm waiting for him.
Gladys Egerton.
You're going after flowers, mother;Iknow.
You're going after flowers, mother;Iknow.
Mrs. Egerton.
Flowers, my child? What for?
Flowers, my child? What for?
Gladys Egerton.
For Harry's grave.
For Harry's grave.
Mrs. Egerton.
Why Gladys, Gladys Egerton!
Why Gladys, Gladys Egerton!
Gladys Egerton.
(Whirling back into the main hall)
Iknow.
Iknow.
(She disappears into the conservatory, left. Alone, Mrs. Egerton stands a pathetic figure. She walks back into the deserted hall and stops and listens as though to the upper part of the walls. She then turns slowly and comes forward again. George Egerton enters quickly from the conservatory)
George Egerton.
Mother!
Mother!
Mrs. Egerton.
Yes, George.
Yes, George.
George Egerton.
This is disgraceful, mother.
This is disgraceful, mother.
Mrs. Egerton.
I cannot help it, George.
I cannot help it, George.
George Egerton.
Where did he go?
Where did he go?
Mrs. Egerton.
I've told you, George. Now please don't bother me.
I've told you, George. Now please don't bother me.
George Egerton.
People are whispering.
People are whispering.
Mrs. Egerton.
But what can I do?
But what can I do?
George Egerton.
Call to them that he's up in bed with fever,Or say that he was brought home from the river drowned.
Call to them that he's up in bed with fever,Or say that he was brought home from the river drowned.
Mrs. Egerton.
(Calling aloud)
It's none of your business, people! Harry's my son.
It's none of your business, people! Harry's my son.
(She comes forward)
George Egerton.
That wasn't what I said. You are just like him.
That wasn't what I said. You are just like him.
(He turns back and re-enters the conservatory. Mrs. Egerton passes into the room forward right. The lights in the hall become dimmer)
Voices.
(From the walls)
Sam! Sam! Sam!
Sam! Sam! Sam!
(There is a silence, then a sigh as of innumerable voices, then a silence and another sigh and still another)
Harry Egerton.
My father! O my father!
My father! O my father!
(From the conservatory comes a sound of laughter, and a beautiful girl runs in. A moment later the bloom of a large white chrysanthemum is thrown in after her. A young man enters. Other couples come in. George Egerton, evidently master of ceremonies, moves about here and there. A tuning of instruments is heard. People come from the side rooms. When all is in readiness, while the dancers, who have taken their positions, stand waiting for the music to begin, the sighing is again heard)
George Egerton.
(Exasperated by the delay)
What's the matter there, Melazzini?
What's the matter there, Melazzini?
(Excusing himself to his partner, he goes toward the conservatory, where the orchestra is stationed. As the sigh is repeated the couples gather together. At the third sigh they scatter, some of them running out through the middle door right, others hurrying forward, one or two of the girls laughing hysterically)
George Egerton.
It's just the wind that's blowing through somewhere.
It's just the wind that's blowing through somewhere.
(The people disappear into the apartment right. Charles, the butler, and two maids, badly frightened, come in rear)
George Egerton.
Close that door, Charles.
Close that door, Charles.
Charles.
There's no door open, sir.
There's no door open, sir.
(The four come forward, the butler and maids briskly, George Egerton more slowly and with a sort of defiance. They, too, pass out right)
Voices.
(From the walls)
Sam! Sam! Sam!
Sam! Sam! Sam!
(The sighs are repeated)
Harry Egerton.
My father! O my father!
My father! O my father!
(The mountain lion upon the newel-post spits the light from his mouth and it breaks upon the floor. The monster then gets down)
Lion.
Chris!
Chris!
A Voice.
Yes.
Yes.
Lion.
Mike!
Mike!
A Voice.
Here.
Here.
Lion.
Wes Dicey!
Wes Dicey!
A Voice.
Sure.
Sure.
Harry Egerton.
(As though a roll were being called)
Harvey Anderson!
Harvey Anderson!
Lion.
Whose voice was that?
Whose voice was that?
A Voice.
Who's Harvey Anderson?
Who's Harvey Anderson?
Second Voice.
There's some spy here.
There's some spy here.
Lion.
Come down, comrades!
Come down, comrades!
Voices.
(Above)
We're fast! we're fast!Nails in our hands and feet!
We're fast! we're fast!Nails in our hands and feet!
Third Voice.
Who's that?
Who's that?
Voices.
(Below)
They've danced upon my face! And mine!And mine! And mine! And mine! And mine!
They've danced upon my face! And mine!And mine! And mine! And mine! And mine!
A Voice.
I've been a door-jamb years and years!
I've been a door-jamb years and years!
Voices.
(From round the walls)
We've held these arches up for ages!
We've held these arches up for ages!
Voices.
(From far below)
We're the foundations! Help us, comrades!Down on the rock here—deeper! deeper!
We're the foundations! Help us, comrades!Down on the rock here—deeper! deeper!
Voices.
Help us, Sam Williams! Help us, Sam Williams!
Help us, Sam Williams! Help us, Sam Williams!
Lion.
Come down, comrades!
Come down, comrades!
Voices.
(From far away)
We're the windows!They made us sand, then made us shine!We've touched their faces and their hair!
We're the windows!They made us sand, then made us shine!We've touched their faces and their hair!
Voices.
(From up the stairs)
We're coming, and there's thousands of us!
We're coming, and there's thousands of us!
Voices.
(Far up)
We're holding up the roof!
We're holding up the roof!
Lion.
Come down!You've held her up too long already!
Come down!You've held her up too long already!
(There has been a pounding of hammers and a creaking as of timbers being loosened. Sighs and groans fill the hall. The lights burn unsteadily, flashing or going out or glowing with a tint of blue)
Voices.
Help us, Sam Williams! Helpus! Helpus!
Help us, Sam Williams! Helpus! Helpus!
Other Voices.
Let 'em alone! They're scabs! They're scabs!
Let 'em alone! They're scabs! They're scabs!
(Carven figures, still rigid, come from the walls. From everywhere they come, in the most fantasticpostures, some hopping with one leg lifted, some gliding with raised axes, others bent and in pairs carrying cross-cut saws, still others with peavies in their hands. Up through the floor all round come dark figures with torches in their caps. Stealthily and with muffled voices they gather about the Lion. Suddenly the pounding ceases and all is still)
A Voice.
He's coming, and the Powers are with him!
He's coming, and the Powers are with him!
Second Voice.
Justice is all we want!
Justice is all we want!
Several Voices.
Right! Right!
Right! Right!
Lion.
Are we one, comrades?
Are we one, comrades?
All.
We're one! We're one!
We're one! We're one!
A Voice.
Ask him to release us, Sam!
Ask him to release us, Sam!
(Donald Egerton, with Governor Braddock and Bishop Hardbrooke at his heels, comes hurriedly through the centre door right)
Donald Egerton.
(Peering about, sees the Figures)
What does this mean? Back to the walls!
What does this mean? Back to the walls!
Lion.
We are the walls!
We are the walls!
Figures.
We are the walls!
We are the walls!
Donald Egerton.
I made you what you are!
I made you what you are!
Lion.
That's true!And we made you!
That's true!And we made you!
Figures.
And we made you!
And we made you!
Lion.
We made each other!You are our father and we your mother!
We made each other!You are our father and we your mother!
Figures.
That's true! That's true!
That's true! That's true!
Lion.
And now make us as we made you!
And now make us as we made you!
Governor Braddock.
Be careful, Colonel Egerton.See that one there with axe uplifted!
Be careful, Colonel Egerton.See that one there with axe uplifted!
Donald Egerton.
Braddock, as a citizen of this commonwealthI call upon you to enforce the laws!
Braddock, as a citizen of this commonwealthI call upon you to enforce the laws!
Governor Braddock.
My friends and fellow citizens.This is unwise, this course you are pursuing,And cannot in the end but injure you.The laws were made for these disputes,And you like others must obey.
My friends and fellow citizens.This is unwise, this course you are pursuing,And cannot in the end but injure you.The laws were made for these disputes,And you like others must obey.
Lion.
He made the laws!
He made the laws!
Figures.
He made the laws!
He made the laws!
Donald Egerton.
Hear that, Braddock! This is anarchy!
Hear that, Braddock! This is anarchy!
Governor Braddock.
I urge you to go peaceably to your homes!
I urge you to go peaceably to your homes!
Lion.
Our homes?
Our homes?
Figures.
What homes?
What homes?
Lion.
We have no homes!
We have no homes!
(Egerton says something to the Governor)
Governor Braddock.
Then by the——
Then by the——
Bishop Hardbrooke.
One moment, brother Egerton;One moment, Governor; let me say a word.
One moment, brother Egerton;One moment, Governor; let me say a word.
(Steps toward the Figures)
My brothers,If hunger hath driven you here, then know I speakFor one whose self was hungry, Jesus Christ;Yet was he meek and lamb-like. Why do you notGo to those places that have been preparedBy charitable, Christian men and womenFor this very purpose, to relieve distress?If you are worthy you will there be fed.
My brothers,If hunger hath driven you here, then know I speakFor one whose self was hungry, Jesus Christ;Yet was he meek and lamb-like. Why do you notGo to those places that have been preparedBy charitable, Christian men and womenFor this very purpose, to relieve distress?If you are worthy you will there be fed.
Figures.
Whited sepulchre! He's a whited sepulchre!
Whited sepulchre! He's a whited sepulchre!
(They advance toward him)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
How dare you, armed with Labor's sacred toolsWhich our Lord's father sanctified when heWrought at his wood in Nazareth, how dare you,With envy in your hearts, on murder bent,Intrude upon the quiet social hourOf honorable, law-abiding men?God sees you with your axes lifted there.And though you fear not law nor anythingOf man, fear God, for he hath powerAnd he can reach you in the uttermostParts of the earth or air, as David saith.
How dare you, armed with Labor's sacred toolsWhich our Lord's father sanctified when heWrought at his wood in Nazareth, how dare you,With envy in your hearts, on murder bent,Intrude upon the quiet social hourOf honorable, law-abiding men?God sees you with your axes lifted there.And though you fear not law nor anythingOf man, fear God, for he hath powerAnd he can reach you in the uttermostParts of the earth or air, as David saith.
Figures.
The rich man's friend! The rich man's friend!
The rich man's friend! The rich man's friend!
Governor Braddock.
Then by the power vested in me——
Then by the power vested in me——
Figures.
We are the power! We are the power!
We are the power! We are the power!
Governor Braddock.
As Governor of this commonwealthI will call out the military!
As Governor of this commonwealthI will call out the military!
Figures.
We are the military! We are the military!
We are the military! We are the military!
Governor Braddock.
(Calls)
General Chadbourne!
General Chadbourne!
People.
(Who have been peering in forward right)
Chadbourne! Chadbourne!
Chadbourne! Chadbourne!
(Egerton and the Bishop follow the Governor out centre right, and the people disappear)
Figures.
(Aloud)
Release, release us from this spell!
Release, release us from this spell!
Lion.
Release yourselves!
Release yourselves!
Figures.
(With tremendous surprise)
We can! We can!
We can! We can!
(There are shouts and a thunder of tools falling upon the floor)
Shouts.
We're free! We're free!
We're free! We're free!
Other Shouts.
And seize the throats that nailed us fast!
And seize the throats that nailed us fast!
Harry Egerton.
Forget the past! Forget the past!
Forget the past! Forget the past!
Shouts.
An enemy! He's an enemy!
An enemy! He's an enemy!
Harry Egerton.
Release your brothers!
Release your brothers!
Shouts.
To hell with the scabs!
To hell with the scabs!
(They rush through the house, right)
Voice of Donald Egerton.
Fire on them!
Fire on them!
Voice of Mrs. Egerton.
No, no, Donald! Shed no blood!Think of their children!
No, no, Donald! Shed no blood!Think of their children!
Voice of Donald Egerton.
Fire, I say!
Fire, I say!
Men's Voices.
We are your fathers and your brothers!
We are your fathers and your brothers!
A Deep Voice.
Fire!
Fire!
(A pause)
Cries.
Treason! Treason!
Treason! Treason!
The Deep Voice.
Shoot them down!
Shoot them down!
(Shots are heard and noises as of a riot)
Harry Egerton.
My God! My God!
My God! My God!
(The noises die away. In the darkness the walls are heard sighing)
Harry Egerton.
My father! O my father!
My father! O my father!
(A pause)
Voice.
(Forward right, in the darkness)
It's mine!
It's mine!
Second Voice.
It's mine!
It's mine!
First Voice.
Let go that hand!
Let go that hand!
Second Voice.
I had it first!
I had it first!
First Voice.
Hain't you the rubies?
Hain't you the rubies?
(Sounds of quarrelling here and there)
Third Voice.
(Centre right)
Shut up your mouths! You'll have the police here!
Shut up your mouths! You'll have the police here!
Voices.
(From the walls)
Brothers, help! We're fast! We're fast!
Brothers, help! We're fast! We're fast!
Fourth Voice.
Pick up the rug, Pete! Let's be off!
Pick up the rug, Pete! Let's be off!
(Forms of men loaded with the spoil of the mansion are seen hurrying out left)
Voices.
(Entering right)
'Tain't fair! 'Tain't fair!
'Tain't fair! 'Tain't fair!
Fifth Voice.
(Left)
Make for the river!
Make for the river!
Sixth Voice.
Sam, this ain't fair!
Sam, this ain't fair!
Sam.
(Entering right)
Hold on there, comrades!
Hold on there, comrades!
Voices.
Some's got it all and some ain't none!
Some's got it all and some ain't none!
Sam.
Put down that stuff!
Put down that stuff!
Cries.
That's right! That's right!An equal divvy! An equal divvy!
That's right! That's right!An equal divvy! An equal divvy!
Other Cries.
No, no, you don't! That's mine! That's ours!
No, no, you don't! That's mine! That's ours!
Sam.
Comrades, we're one!
Comrades, we're one!
Cries.
(Of those who have nothing)
We're one! We're one!
We're one! We're one!
Other Cries.
(Of those with their arms full)
Every man for himself! Every man for himself!
Every man for himself! Every man for himself!
(Sounds of scuffling and fighting)
Cries.
Let loose, God damn you! Knock him down!
Let loose, God damn you! Knock him down!
(The sounds die away left)
Cries.
(Far left)