[Two men have climbed upon the table, and suddenly seizeUmanskifrom behind. Momentarily, theybear him down, and this obstacle is removed. As they drag him up R., the rest of the gang closes in from all sides, hiding Daniel, who is forced up stage C. The table is overturned. Above the struggling mass are seen fists striking down, various improvised weapons in action. A Dockman, who, atJoe'sspeech, has lifted the bench from behindDaniel,to fell him with it, and whose weapon has been seized, from the rear, by theHenchleys,pommels madly. Above the pandemonium are distinguished voices—Pearl: "Help!"Umanski: "I kill somebody!"Miss Levinson: "Police!"Goodkind: "Let him alone!"SuddenlyUmanskithrows off his captors, and, attacking the mob from in front, mows his way through, tossing them to left and right. When a way is cleared, he ... and we ... seeDaniel,senseless, lying in the overturned table, a tiny trickle of blood running down his face, his head supported by the table-leg R.Umanskigives a deep groan of rage and pity. Hearing this and divining that something dreadful has happened to her hero,Mary Margaret,who has ceased praying, and raised herself to her feet by the aid of a neighboring chair, walks down to L. C. Before she seesDaniel,Miss Levinsonseesher,and emits a piercing scream.]
[Two men have climbed upon the table, and suddenly seizeUmanskifrom behind. Momentarily, theybear him down, and this obstacle is removed. As they drag him up R., the rest of the gang closes in from all sides, hiding Daniel, who is forced up stage C. The table is overturned. Above the struggling mass are seen fists striking down, various improvised weapons in action. A Dockman, who, atJoe'sspeech, has lifted the bench from behindDaniel,to fell him with it, and whose weapon has been seized, from the rear, by theHenchleys,pommels madly. Above the pandemonium are distinguished voices—Pearl: "Help!"Umanski: "I kill somebody!"Miss Levinson: "Police!"Goodkind: "Let him alone!"SuddenlyUmanskithrows off his captors, and, attacking the mob from in front, mows his way through, tossing them to left and right. When a way is cleared, he ... and we ... seeDaniel,senseless, lying in the overturned table, a tiny trickle of blood running down his face, his head supported by the table-leg R.Umanskigives a deep groan of rage and pity. Hearing this and divining that something dreadful has happened to her hero,Mary Margaret,who has ceased praying, and raised herself to her feet by the aid of a neighboring chair, walks down to L. C. Before she seesDaniel,Miss Levinsonseesher,and emits a piercing scream.]
Miss Levinson
Mary Margaret! Where are your crutches?
Mary Margaret
[Looking at her legs in tearful bewilderment] I don't know! [She tries them; then, in an hysterical cry]: I kin walk! I kin walk! [She looks for her benefactor ... to show him.] Mr. Gilchrist! Mr. Gilchrist! [The crowd parts, and she sees the figure lying against the overturned table.] Oh, Mr. Gilchrist! [She folds him in her arms.]
Umanski
[Staring atMary Margaret,and in a tone of hushed awe]: You wanted a sign—LOOK! Down on your knees—you murderers! God's in this room! Down on your knees!
[One by one and two by two, the frightened mob obeys.Joeis lying senseless, but his cohorts, crossing themselves, have seen a miracle.]
[One by one and two by two, the frightened mob obeys.Joeis lying senseless, but his cohorts, crossing themselves, have seen a miracle.]
the curtain falls
Scene:Gilchrist's Room—"Upstairs."Two months later.
The room is cheerful. That is its chief aspect. Cheerful, and comfortable, and homelike. Such a room ... in the rear of the fourth story ... might be had anywhere for seven dollars a week, and its contents duplicated for a couple of hundred, yet no one should be able to look in without envying the occupant. Before the warm glow of a fireplace down R. is a big, brown leather-covered armchair. An electric lamp stands on a table stage left of the chair and squarely opposite the fireplace. There are books on the table, too, and writing things, and another chair on its left. Above the grate a picture of Christ in the Temple. Conspicuous in the flat, and visible from all parts of the house, a big studio window. There are cream-colored outside curtains, and brown denim inside curtains, drawn now, but when they are pulled aside, one sees chimney-pots, and roof-tops, and a blue night-sky, with one particularly bright star. Up L., a curtained arch into a hall bedroom, and down L. a door. The walls, covered with old-gold grass-cloth, are hidden, to a height of six feet, by roughly-built bookcases, filled with much-used books. A sofa, against the wallL., now holds numerous packages. There is a brown-and-tan grass rug on the floor, and there may be a window seat, with brown cushions, beneath the window. The furniture is all old ... probably second-hand ... but, as aforesaid, the room suggests comfort and peace.At Rise:It is just after eight o'clock, Christmas Eve, 1920.Danielis discovered, dreaming, in the armchair R., a pipe in his mouth and his face to the fire. He has not lighted the desk lamp, and, except for the glow of the embers, the room is in darkness. Hanging over the left arm of the chair,Daniel'shand holds a magazine, but he has not begun reading. After a pause long enough for the audience to take in his surroundings, there is a light tap at the door and, without waiting for a response,Mary Margaretenters. She walks without crutches—quite briskly—but plainly is on some secret business. Daniel is lost in the darkness. A package in her hand,Mary Margaretcrosses quickly to the table, and turns on one and then the other of the two lights in the lamp. Instantly, of course, she sees the figure in the chair, and conceals the package beneath her apron.
The room is cheerful. That is its chief aspect. Cheerful, and comfortable, and homelike. Such a room ... in the rear of the fourth story ... might be had anywhere for seven dollars a week, and its contents duplicated for a couple of hundred, yet no one should be able to look in without envying the occupant. Before the warm glow of a fireplace down R. is a big, brown leather-covered armchair. An electric lamp stands on a table stage left of the chair and squarely opposite the fireplace. There are books on the table, too, and writing things, and another chair on its left. Above the grate a picture of Christ in the Temple. Conspicuous in the flat, and visible from all parts of the house, a big studio window. There are cream-colored outside curtains, and brown denim inside curtains, drawn now, but when they are pulled aside, one sees chimney-pots, and roof-tops, and a blue night-sky, with one particularly bright star. Up L., a curtained arch into a hall bedroom, and down L. a door. The walls, covered with old-gold grass-cloth, are hidden, to a height of six feet, by roughly-built bookcases, filled with much-used books. A sofa, against the wallL., now holds numerous packages. There is a brown-and-tan grass rug on the floor, and there may be a window seat, with brown cushions, beneath the window. The furniture is all old ... probably second-hand ... but, as aforesaid, the room suggests comfort and peace.
At Rise:It is just after eight o'clock, Christmas Eve, 1920.Danielis discovered, dreaming, in the armchair R., a pipe in his mouth and his face to the fire. He has not lighted the desk lamp, and, except for the glow of the embers, the room is in darkness. Hanging over the left arm of the chair,Daniel'shand holds a magazine, but he has not begun reading. After a pause long enough for the audience to take in his surroundings, there is a light tap at the door and, without waiting for a response,Mary Margaretenters. She walks without crutches—quite briskly—but plainly is on some secret business. Daniel is lost in the darkness. A package in her hand,Mary Margaretcrosses quickly to the table, and turns on one and then the other of the two lights in the lamp. Instantly, of course, she sees the figure in the chair, and conceals the package beneath her apron.
Mary Margaret
Mr. Gilchrist? [He shows himself] Goo'ness, how you scared me! I thought you went out!
Daniel
No; I just slipped up here to read a while before we put our gifts on the tree.... Where's Grubby?
Mary Margaret
[Contemptuously]: Grubby!
Daniel
He promised to help with the packages.
Mary Margaret
Grubby's all swelled up with his new taxicab. Christmas Eve's the big night in his business, but he says don't worry ... he'll be here in time for the sandwiches. Am I interruptin' your readin'?
Daniel
Oh, no! What have you there?
Mary Margaret
Where?
Daniel
Under your apron.
Mary Margaret
Oh!
[She reveals the parcel] I was gonna surprise you. It's your Christmas present.
Daniel
From you?
Mary Margaret
[Handing it across the table]: Yes. It ain't much ...youknow ... an' I didn't want it on the tree... before everybody. I wanted to give it to you myself. Open it now. [He does so. The package contains a framed picture.]
Daniel
Mary Margaret!
Mary Margaret
The name's on the back! [He turns it around, revealing to the audience a cheap and highly-colored chromo] See ... "Mama's Treasure."
Daniel
It's just what I wanted.
Mary Margaret
[Delighted]: Is it ... honest?... Let's put it in place of that one over the mantel-piece! That's an awful pretty pitcher, but mine's got colors in it!
Daniel
Why not in place of the Venus who fell on her nose?
Mary Margaret
Oh, yes! [She stands "Mama's Treasure" atop a bookcase L.] It looks good, don't it?
Daniel
Beautiful. I can't thank you enough. [Takes her hand] I can't really.
Mary Margaret
Youcan't thankme! You that's give me—[She looks down at her legs, and up again with eyes full of tears] Oh, Mr. Gilchrist!
Daniel
Now! Now! Now! We mustn't cry on Christmas!
Mary Margaret
What're you going to do if you're happy?
Daniel
Try laughing. [She does] Anyway, if I'm having my Christmas now, you must have yours. Suppose you rummage on the sofa.
Mary Margaret
Oh! [She runs to obey, and holds up a parcel inquiringly.]
Daniel
That's a book for Miss Levinson.
Mary Margaret
[Reads from another bundle]: Mrs. Henchley. [Takes up a third] This one ain't marked.
Daniel
Gloves for Mack. I wanted to show I appreciated his bringing back that coat.
Mary Margaret
[Reading from two packages]: Peter ... Paul....
Daniel
For your brothers.
Mary Margaret
[With a fourth]: And ... Mary Margaret!
Daniel
Open it now.
Mary Margaret
[Breathless, she comes to him C. Hesitates, and then, removing the wrapping, reveals a child's set in beaver—muff and neckpiece]: Oh, Mr. Gilchrist! [She tries them] Oh, Mr. Gilchrist; you oughtn't! [Looks about for a mirror] They're beautiful! They're the most beautifulest furs I ever seen! I've wanted a set like this always! You've made me so happy! I never was so happy before in my life! [And she begins to cry again.]
Daniel
Now! [She remembers, and laughs.]
Mary Margaret
I don't know how to thank you.
Daniel
Don't try.
Mary Margaret
I never expected no such a Christmas! [Starts for door] I gotta show mother!
Daniel
[Turning R.]: Take down a few of the packages!
Mary Margaret
I'll be back in a minute! [She opens the door, disclosingGoodkind.Seriously alarmed] Oh!... Mr. Gilchrist!
Daniel
[Turning L.]: Well ... Mr. Goodkind!
Goodkind
May I come in?
Daniel
Of course! [He enters. Dan indicates chair L. of table R.] Sit down!
Goodkind
I've only a moment. Jerry's waiting for me in the car.
Daniel
How is Jerry? [Mary Margaretarranges the chair.]
Goodkind
[Shakes his head despairingly. Looks atMary Margaret]: I wish you could perform a miracle onhim.
Daniel
I wish I could.
Goodkind
[ToMary Margaret]: You seem to walk all right.
Mary Margaret
Oh, yes!
Goodkind
[ToDan]: Had a doctor look her over?
Daniel
Three of 'em.
Goodkind
Any opinion?
Daniel
Three opinions.
Mary Margaret
They saidhedidn't do it, and you seen him!
Daniel
[Holds up a warning finger]:Ssh![Then toGoodkind] They all say she suffered from hysterical paraplegia. [Goodkindpuzzled] Hysterical paralysis. One says she was cured by shock—you know; the riot. Another says it was suggestion ... believing ... which is another way of saying faith, isn't it? The important thing is that she's cured!
Mary Margaret
God did it—God and Mr. Gilchrist!
Daniel
[Hushing her again]: Take down an armful of those packages ... like a good girl!
Mary Margaret
I will. [She gathers them up, and, returning L. C., looks apprehensively atGoodkind] You call ... if you want me! [Exits]
Goodkind
[Hesitates. Doesn't know how to begin. Takes cigars from his pocket]: Smoke?
Daniel
Thanks. [Showing his pipe] I'll stick to my old friend. [He sits.]
Goodkind
How are things with you?
Daniel
[Enthusiastically]: Fine!
Goodkind
Happy?
Daniel
[Radiantly]: Yes!... And you?
Goodkind
No. Everything's ... all wrong. My boy's very ill. Clare's wonderful to him. I can't explain it—she's like a different woman. Andsheseems happy. But Jerry's had to give up work, and there's more trouble in Black River, and that's what brought me!
Daniel
You don't wantmyadvice?
Goodkind
I wantyou... as general manager. These strikes are such utter damned waste! We had a working compromise on your agreement, and everything was all right, but we began figuring we could make more money ... and the men walked out, and flooded the mines. I'd like you to take charge, Daniel.
Daniel
I can't.
Goodkind
Name your own salary.
Daniel
My work is here.
Goodkind
You can have anything you want.
Daniel
I don't want anything.
Goodkind
You want to see the men get their rights.
Daniel
They'll get 'em. Nothing can stop that.
Goodkind
You're not going to turn down fifty thousand dollars a year?
Daniel
What can I buy with it that I haven't got?
Goodkind
What can you buy with fifty——
Daniel
What haveyoubought?
Goodkind
I've got one of the finest houses in New York!
Daniel
Is it any more comfortable than this?
Goodkind
This one little room!
Daniel
How many rooms do you live in at the same time?
Goodkind
I've got half a dozen cars!
Daniel
I've two legs, and I walk, and keep well.
Goodkind
I've twenty servants——
Daniel
Don't tell me you enjoy that!
Goodkind
And the respect of people about me——
Daniel
So have I!
Goodkind
And, what's most important of all, I'm a success!
Daniel
Are you?
Goodkind
Huh?
Daniel
Are you? What is success? Money? Yes; that's what our civilization tells us. Money! But where has that brought us? Only to the elevation of the unfit ... the merely shrewd and predatory. All around us we see men of wealth who have nothing else ... neither health nor happiness nor love nor respect. Men who can get no joy out of books, or pictures, or music, or even themselves. Tired, worried men who are afraid to quit because they have no resource except to make money—money with which to buy vulgar excitement for their own debased souls. Why, Mr. Goodkind, I have an income that you wouldn't suggest to your bookkeeper, but I have peace, and health, and friends, and time to read, and think, and dream, and help. Which of us is the rich man?
Goodkind
But if everybody lived your way, what would become of the world's work?
Daniel
Living that way is my contribution to the world's work. Another man's might be selling shoes, or writing plays, or digging ditches. Doing his job doesn't prevent any man from doing his bit. "From every man according to his ability, to every man according to his needs." And every man who gives his best must find his happiness.
Goodkind
I'm afraid there wouldn't be much progress ... living your way.
Daniel
That's the second time you've spoken of my way. It isn'tmyway. It's the sum total of all that has been learned and taught. You, and Jerry, and the others have called me eccentric, and a fool, because I'm trying to walk a path trod hard by countless feet. Was Christ eccentric? Was Confucius a fool? And how about Buddha and Mohammed? What of St. Bernard, and St. Teresa, and St. Francis of Assisi—of Plato, and Zeno, and Lincoln, and Emerson, and Florence Nightingale, and Father Damien, and Octavia Hill, and all the saints and scientists, and poets and philosophers, who have lived and died in complete forgetfulness of self? Were they fools, or were they wise men and women who had found the way to peace and happiness? Were they failures, or were they the great successes of all Time and all Eternity?
Goodkind
God knows!
[Jerryenters ... a dying man. He drags his legs with difficulty, and his speech is thick, but he is still cynical and defiant.]
[Jerryenters ... a dying man. He drags his legs with difficulty, and his speech is thick, but he is still cynical and defiant.]
Jerry
Well, you've been the devil of a time! I came up to see what was keeping you!
Goodkind
[Rising]: Mr. Gilchrist.
Jerry
Hello, Gilchrist!
Daniel
[Crossing to C.]: How are you, Jerry?
Jerry
Not so damned well! But I'll be all right in the Spring! Clare's looking after me. Clare's a good sport. What I need now's a run down to Palm Beach! [Looks around] So you're reduced to this, are you?
Daniel
Yes.
Jerry
Going to take my job?
Daniel
No.
Jerry
Why not?
Daniel
Your father understands.
Jerry
Yes ... so do I! Didn't I always say you were a nut? That's it; a nut! [He laughs with a laugh that begins to get the better of him.]
Goodkind
[Crossing rapidly to the door]: Come, Jerry!
[A light rap;Goodkindopens. EnterMary Margaret.She glances at him and crosses to upper L. C.Jerrylooks at her, and turns back toDan.]
[A light rap;Goodkindopens. EnterMary Margaret.She glances at him and crosses to upper L. C.Jerrylooks at her, and turns back toDan.]
Jerry
Who's the girl?
Daniel
Your father's waiting.
Jerry
A' right!... [Crosses L.] Some failureyou'vemade out of life! [Turns back and leers atMary Margaret.In the doorway, looks atDan.] Wheels ... by God! Wheels! [He laughs, and exits.]
Goodkind
[Goes toDanand takes his hand]: I wonder ifyou'rethe failure, after all. [Returns to the door.] Good-night! [He exits.]
[Dantakes his pipe from his pocket and puts it in his mouth. Some chimes, in the distance, begin theanthem "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."Danielgoes up, draws back the curtains, and throws open the window.Mary Margaret,feeling the fresh air, draws her furs about her, happily. She turns up.Danielis standing with his left arm akimbo.Mary Margaretslips her head through it, and nestles to him. They ... and we ... see the chimney pots, and the blue night sky, and one bright star.]
[Dantakes his pipe from his pocket and puts it in his mouth. Some chimes, in the distance, begin theanthem "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."Danielgoes up, draws back the curtains, and throws open the window.Mary Margaret,feeling the fresh air, draws her furs about her, happily. She turns up.Danielis standing with his left arm akimbo.Mary Margaretslips her head through it, and nestles to him. They ... and we ... see the chimney pots, and the blue night sky, and one bright star.]
Mary Margaret
Mr. Gilchrist! Is that the Star of Bethlehem?
Daniel
I wonder. [The chimes swell out, and
the curtain falls
Transcriber's NotesPages73,150: Original book used multi-line braces to indicate [Together] lines.