I am going, sir. I shake the dust of this house off my feet. (Opens door at back and glances out, then turns towards Cherry and speaks in a suppressed voice.) I should never have thought it possible that any man could be so deceived in another as I have been in you. (Looks out again and then round.) I have no hesitation in describing you, Mr. Cherry, as a blackleg—an experienced blackleg, sir. (Looks out as before.) I only hope that——- (Hears noise, looks out, slips round door, and disappears.)
(He follows to door and looks after him.) Ah, well, I think that counts one to you, Adam Cherry.
(Enter Nelly.)
Will you come upstairs and see my aunt before she goes, Adam?
Oh, tell her, my dear, she can come down. It's all right now. Come in a minute I want to speak to you. (He closes door.)
Is he gone?
Yes, my dear.
For good?
Let us hope so. He is on his way to the continent. And (giving to her letter) he left this letter, my dear, for you and Ted. I think you will find the contents very satisfactory.
It's the best thing that could happen, undoubtedly. I suppose he's walked off with nearly all aunt's money?
A good deal of it I'm afraid, dear. And he's not the only old man who's had the idea of walking off with other people's property.
(With a laugh.) Have you been finding out any more of them?
Yes, my dear (turning towards her). An old gentleman, my dear, (taking her hand and stroking it) that was about to walk off with a beautiful young lady who, by all the laws of love, was the rightful property of somebody else. Only, fortunately, he was stopped in time. (Nelly looks at him and is about to speak. Stopping her, kindly.) Don't say anything, my dear, it will be less painful for both of us. I was an old fool; and you—you thought of others more than of yourself, my dear. (Lightly) The property must be restored to its real owner, and I must leave you, my dear, to make all necessary compensation for temporary loss. See Jack and tell him you are free.
(Enter Mrs. Ben Dixon, followed by Theodore.)
We saw that old scoundrel sneak off. Is he coming back?
I fancy not.
Did Mrs. Wheedles let him go?
I don't think she knows as yet. She's got to learn it poor woman.
Poor soul! I must stop and say a kind word to her. I've been calling her a lot of bad names. (Suddenly) Here, do you know what Ted's done?
(Alarmed.) Nothing rash?
Well, it all depends upon how you look at it. He's, got himself engaged to Primrose.
(Smiling meaningly.) Rather a good thing for him, isn't it?
(Enter Primrose and Ted.)
(Who has overheard Cherry's remark as she enters.) No, it isn't. You mustn't think that at all, Mr. Cherry.
I haven't any money, we're going to give it all away. Ted doesn't want me to have any.
(Aside to her.) Put it by, quietly, my dear, and hear what he says two years after marriage.
(Who has been occupying an unobtrusive position, taking notes.) You know I think it extremely uncivil of you; Ted, I had always regarded Primrose as my own personal property. I had been "nursing" her, as we say in the political world, for years.
(Laughing!) I should have thought that a man of your age would have got over all ideas of that kind.
(Laughing.) Besides, Theodore, I'm not literary. You know I read theFamily Herald.
My dear Primrose, that's a great mistake people make. A literary man doesn't want a literary wife. It would be like living with a critic. A clever man wants a wife foolish enough to always admire him. We should have got on admirably together. (To Cherry.) You haven't seen my pocket-book about anywhere, have you, Cherry?
(Taking it from his pocket and giving it to him.) Yes, you left it on the table. I took the liberty of glancing into it; you don't mind I suppose?
Not at all. Learnt how to write a comedy?
Yes, and (turning away) how to live one.
(Who has been reading letter.) Ted. (He comes to her.) Mr. Ben Dixon left this addressed to us. (Gives it him.) Read it.
Moral advice, I suppose. Why what—why here's notes for——
It's the money you let him have to put in that building society.
What, the whole £4,000! Nelly, we're rich! Primrose! (She comes to him.) Poor old Ben, he wasn't so bad. (Nelly, Primrose, and ted talk together near window.)
That was very clever of you, Adam. I never thought of that. You're a good sort, Cherry.
(Enter Mrs. Wheedles, dressed somewhat extravagantly. She comes in eagerly, then pauses at door and looks round. Her heart sinks.)
Where's——
Gone, Mrs Wheedles. It was only a dodge to get you out of the room that he might bolt. Don't think any more about him.
(Mrs. Wheedles sinks into a chair.)
Believe me, Mrs. Wheedles, it was the kindest thing he could do for you. We are both well rid of him.
(Crying softly.) I believe you're right, ma'am.
(At window looking out.) Hulloa, here's Jack. (To Cherry.) Shall I ask him in here?
(Moving towards door at back.) No, dear boy. I'll send him up to you myself.
(Who has exchanged glances with Cherry at the mention of Jack's name, slips across quietly and meets him at door just as he is going out.) I shall always love you, Mr. Cherry. You're such a grand little gentleman.
(Cherry, taking her face between his hands, kisses her and goes out.)