ACT III.Scene.—Alma Blake’sapartments. An octagonal room, being a sort of boudoir, furnished and draped in the extreme of artistic luxury. DoorsR.andL.A number of bouquets about the room. Photographs, knick-knacks everywhere. WindowC.Tom’spicture of the knights on the wall,R.EnterSusan,L.C.with a bouquet.Susan.Another of ’em! Who’s this from, I wonder? (reads card attached) From Sir George Greenfield. We shall have enough to stock Covent Garden directly. (EnterAlma,R.C., in a morning wrapper, with her hair loosely arranged) Another bouquet! (gives it toAlma;goes up back)Alma.(looks at card carelessly) Oh! (tosses the bouquet amongst the rest) No letter from the theatre?Susan.No, miss.Alma.It’s very strange.Susan.Did you expect one?Alma.Yes, from Mr. Dick. Before I play in the new piece——Susan.In Mr. Chetwynd’s piece?Alma.I must have better terms. I asked five pounds a week advance, and Dick wouldn’t hear of it; so last night I gave him notice.Susan.You’re going to leave?Alma.Not I! (crosses to sofa) But that’s the only way to deal with Dick. I ought to have had a letter by this time giving me my terms.Susan.Perhaps Mr. Dick ’ll call.Alma.Perhaps. I don’t care. (drops on sofa) Oh, dear! (leans her head on her hands; slight pause;Susanarranges the bouquet) How did I look last night?Susan.(coming down to back of table) Your very best.Alma.How did I play?Susan.Better than ever, I think. (goes up and arranges bouquet; another pause)Alma.Susan, have you ever been in love?Susan.La, miss, a dozen times! Haven’t you?Alma.Only once.Susan.Well, Iamsurprised.Alma.And that was with my husband.Susan.Gracious me! (comes down to back of table)Alma.He was in front last night.Susan.Your husband, miss! I didn’t know you had a husband.Alma.We all have husbands—on the stage.Susan.You keep ’em very quiet.Alma.Best thing we can do, with most of ’em! My husband painted that. (pointing to picture,R.)Susan.The picture Mr. Chetwynd gave you?Alma.Yes.Susan.Don’t you and your husband speak, miss?Alma.I hadn’t seen him for six years, until three months ago; when we met accidentally.Susan.And didn’t he speakthen?Alma.Not twenty words. I might have been a stranger. (half to herself) When those we would forgive won’t let us forgive them, what are we to do?Susan.Whatever we like;Ishould! Would you be friends with him?Alma.I thought not. I thought I had forgotten him. But when I saw him standing by my side, and heard his voice, oh, you don’t know how the old time came back to me, and how I longed for the old home. (a ring below)Susan.There’s the bell, miss. (Exit,L.C.)Alma.And is it never to be mine again? Is he to go out of my life forever? Or if he meets me, is it to be as a stranger? Is he to sit near me, and never speak to me? Am I, who once was everything to him, to be nothing? (rises; crosses to table) No, oh, no! He is a man, and he can bear it; I’m only a woman, and I can’t. My pride has all gone—gone, I don’t know where! Six years of loneliness have used it up. I don’t care who was right—I don’t care who was wrong—I want him back again. (sitsL.of table)Re-enterSusan,L.C., withNed.Ned.Good morning. (ExitSusan,L.C.)Alma.(rising) Ned! What brings you here so early?Ned.What’s this I hear from Dick? He says you’ve given him notice.Alma.So I have.Ned.Then who’s to play your part?Alma.Oh, there are lots of women.Ned.Only one Alma Blake.Alma.I’m very sorry, for your sake.Ned.If, now my piece is really coming out, after all thesepostponements, you refuse to play in it, you can’t be sorry for me, Miss Blake.Alma.Miss Blake?Ned.Yes, Miss Blake. It was Miss Blake that spoke—it’s Miss Blake who’s thrown up her part—but it’s Alma who’s going to play.Alma.Don’t make too sure of that. (crossesR.)Ned.You don’t consider my feelings in the least. Do you suppose it’s all the same to me who speaks my lines?Alma.You’ll get them better spoken, I daresay.Ned.Very well—someone elseshallspeak them. (crosses toC.)Alma.No, they shan’t.Ned.You’ll play the part, after all! (puts hat and stick down on chair,L.of table)Alma.I meant to play it all the time, you goose! I’ve no idea of leaving Dick. I only want five pounds a week more salary.Ned.That’s a weight off my mind. (crosses to sofa; sits) You can’t believe how sensitive I am about this play. It is the only link between me and my wife. I sometimes think that if she saw it it might bring her back to me. That is the reason I’m so anxious about it.Alma.Of course, she’d recognise the letter.Ned.What can have become of her?Alma.Nothing been heard yet?Ned.Not since she was traced to Leeds; there the clue was lost.Alma.Did she know anybody there?Ned.Not that I know of. What is she doing? What can she be living on? Alma, it drives me nearly mad sometimes. (rises; gets back,L.)Re-enterSusan,L.C., withDick.Susan.Here’s Mr. Dick, miss. (Exit,L.C.)Alma.Oh, you’ve come at last!Dick.Did you expect me? (puts hat on sofa)Alma.To be sure I did! Brought the engagement with you?Dick.What engagement?Alma.Five pounds a week more salary.Dick.Five fiddlesticks!Alma.What have you come for, then?Dick.Two minutes’ conversation.Alma.You shall have ten. Sit down.Dick.Don’t want ten. Two’s enough. (produces a letter)Horrible hand you write. It took me half-an-hour to make it out.Alma.I’m sure it’s plain enough.Dick.Well, it’s not pretty.Alma.You don’t waste time in compliments.Dick.No time to waste. You’ve given me notice.Alma.Yes, a fortnight’s notice.Dick.Oh, it’s quite regular.Alma.Well?Dick.I accept it.Alma.Ned.}What?Dick.(turns up stage) I’m obliged to you for giving me the chance.Alma.You’ll let me leave?Dick.The sooner, the better.Alma.What are you going to do?Dick.That’smybusiness.Alma.Whom are you going to get?Dick.Pooh! There are lots of actresses.Ned.But you won’t get another Alma Blake.Dick.Gad, I hope not.Alma.Mr. Dick, have you come here to insult me?Dick.No time to insult people.Alma.Say what you’ve come for, then.Dick.Your part in the new piece.Alma.For someone else to study!Dick.Look alive!Alma.If I refuse?Dick.You can’t. You’ve given me notice.Alma.If I withdraw my notice?Dick.Too late. Hand over the part.Alma.I shan’t hand it over!Dick.Won’t you? (puts hat on) Good morning. (goes up to door,L.C.)Alma.Where are you going? (followingDickup)Dick.Police-court.Alma.What for?Dick.Summons—unlawfully detaining property. (pause—they confront each other)Alma.I’ll get the part. (Exit,R.C.)Dick.(coming down,C.) I thought she would. I’ve scored this time.Ned.Have you considered what you’re doing, Dick?Dick.(winks) Do you suppose I should talk in that way if I hadn’t found another woman? Catch a weazel!Ned.Of course, I didn’t know that.Dick.Blake did; saw it at a glance. That was what knocked her over. Clever woman! She’ll be a loss. (hat on sofa)Ned.Irreparable.Dick.Nothing’s irreparable in the female line. (crosses toR.)Ned.Who is the other lady?Dick.Miss Ruth Carlton.Ned.Never heard of her.Dick.Comes from the country.Ned.Not an amateur!Dick.Jackson, of Huddersfield, tells me she’s a wonder—a perfect genius for domestic drama.Ned.How is it he didn’t keep her in Huddersfield? (goes up,L.)Dick.Shewouldcome up to town. “Private affairs.” We all know what that means. Got a good-for-nothing husband somewhere, and wants to find him.Ned.Is she in town now?Dick.She’s taken lodgings in this very house.Ned.That creature on the ground-floor?Dick.Ground-floor? No! Where are the geniuses always? In the attic. (points up; crosses toL.)Ned.Strange! (crosses at back toR.)Dick.What’s strange? (sits on sofa)Ned.That she has chosen this house of all others.Dick.It’s a theatrical place. I recommended it to Blake—Jackson recommended it to Carlton. What is there strange about that?Ned.Nothing, when it’s explained; but it did seem a curious coincidence.Dick.Call that a coincidence? You should have seen my last comedy. Sparkle’s the man for coincidences.Ned.Have you been up to see her?Dick.Just come down. Engagement signed this morning. Splendid terms!Ned.For Miss Carlton?Dick.For Carlton? No—for me.Ned.What’s she like?Dick.Very pretty girl—rather washed out, but she’ll be all right at night. Fancy I’ve seen her face before somewhere; but then, I see so many faces—soon forget ’em. Good thing, too; great blessing to forget some faces. (rises; takes hat) Well, I can’t wait all day. Tell Blake I couldn’t stop. You bring the part on to the theatre. (going off,L.C.; stops; puts on hat)Ned.All right.Dick.On second thoughts—(coming down; chuckles)—tell her to send it to the girl upstairs. That’ll take it out of her. Ha, ha, ha, ha! She thought she’d get a rise out ofme;but I’ve taken a rise out ofher.(Exit,L.C.)Ned.(sitsR.of table) Another disappointment. I write a part for Alma to create, and it’s to be murdered by an amateur! What does it matter? Pshaw! I hate the play! But for it Lucy wouldn’t have left me. If it should be a big success, she isn’t here to share it.Re-enterAlma,R.,with part.Alma.(crosses to sofa) Here’s the part. (looks round) What’s become of Dick?Ned.Mr. Dick said he couldn’t wait all day. You are to send the part to your successor, Miss Ruth Carlton.Alma.(sits on sofa) I send the part? Does he imagine I’m the Parcels Post!Ned.You won’t have to send it far. Miss Carlton’s living in this very house.Alma.Which floor?Ned.The attic.Alma.(rises; crosses toNed) That child play my part?Ned.(rises) You’ve seen her?Alma.No; I heard all about her from the landlady. She’s been here a week, and never left her room. I’d half a mind to ask her down here for a change of scene, but I shan’t now. (crosses toL.)Ned.(crosses toAlma) Shall I take the part up to her?Alma.Let her come down and fetch it.Ned.You said she shouldn’t.Alma.But I say she shall.Ned.You’ve changed your mind very quickly.Alma.It’s my own mind; I can do what I like with it, I suppose. I’m not the only changeable person in the world. I know an author who once said he’d written a part specially for me, that I was the only person whocouldplay it, and that I was the only person who should play it; because he thought I was the only person whowouldplay it: and now he’s found another woman, it’s all off. He wants to take the part out of my hands and put it into hers; and a nice mess she’ll make of it, and I hope she will. (goes round sofa, and up to back)Ned.(crosses toL.C.) How do you know she can’t play the part?Alma.(followingNed,L.) Because there’s only one woman on the stage who can—and that’s me. That’s howI know it; and when your piece is damned, and they shy bricks at you, you’ll know it too. Here, take your part, and take your play, and take your hat, and take your stick, and get out of my room. (thrusting the things on him)Ned.(going up) I’ll take it to Miss Carlton.Alma.(stopping him; snatches part back; removes his hat and stick, and bumps him down on sofa) No, you won’t. I tell you she can’t play it! What’s more, sheshan’tplay it. (tucking it under her arm, and taking stageR.) This part was written for Miss Alma Blake, and no one but Miss Alma Blake shall touch it! (crossesR.)Ned.(rising; crosses toAlma,overjoyed) You’ve changed your mind again.Alma.That’s only twice. I’ve changed it twenty times in less time before now—(crosses toNed)—and I shall change it fifty if I like! Why shouldn’t I change my mind? If you had such a nasty, horrid, cantankerous mind as I’ve had for the last five minutes, shouldn’t you be preciousgladto change it?Ned.I’m only too delighted.Alma.So am I.Ned.Alma!Alma.It’s “Alma” now!Ned.Yes—the old Alma!Alma.I’m not middle-aged. You’ll make me out a grandmother directly, and say Miss Carlton is my granddaughter. Miss Carlton! Who’s Miss Carlton?Ned.Here, keep the part and never mind Miss Carlton. I’ll tell Dick——Alma.No! Stop! Not a word! Now, don’t you interfere between me and my manager. I shall turn up at rehearsal just as usual.Ned.But Dick——Alma.Bother Dick!Ned.All right, bother him; he’s botheredmeenough! But how are you to get over your notice?Alma.Ignore it altogether—say nothing about it.Ned.But supposeDicksays——Alma.Tell him he dreamt it.Ned.But if he shows your letter?Alma.Tear it to pieces—laugh at him! Oh, I know how to manage Dick. Leave that to me. This happens once a week. (crosses toR.)Ned.(getting hat and stick) Then I shall see you at rehearsal?Alma.Yes. (crosses to table)Ned.Good-bye——Alma.Send Susan up to me.Ned.And thank you very much. (Exit,L.C.)Alma.(sitsL.of table; leaves part on table) Dick took it out of me this morning; I must take it out of him this afternoon. He wouldn’t give me five pounds a week more. All right. He’ll have to give me ten. Mr. Dick must be taught his position. (Re-enterSusan,L.C.) Susan, the brush and comb, and brush out my hair. (ExitSusan,R.C.) Susan, bring the powder-puff. Susan, the powder-puff. (Re-enterSusan,L.C., with brush and comb) Susan, have you seen that girl in the attic?Susan.(back of table) No, miss; but Mrs. Pritchard says she looks so ill, and never eats a morsel. She wishes you would speak to her; she seems so lonely.Alma.Do you mean Miss Carlton?Susan.Yes. Mrs. Pritchard thinks——Alma.Never mind what Mrs. Pritchard thinks!Susan.She says she’s always crying.Alma.What do I care what Mrs. Pritchard says? I asked you if you’d seen her.Susan.No, Miss Blake.Alma.Then go and see her now.Susan.Yes, Miss Blake.Alma.I’ll do my hair myself. Don’t mention any name—Mr. Dick’s given her my part to play, and she mightn’t care to see me. Say that the lady on the first floor wants to speak to her on business connected with the theatre.Susan.Yes, Miss Blake. (crosses at back toL.C.)Alma.Bring her down with you.Susan.If she’ll come, I will.Alma.(turns) Bring her down with you, whether she’ll come or not, or take a month’s warning. (Susanlaughs) What are you laughing at?Susan.That’s the third time to-day you’ve given me warning.Alma.(lifting hair-brush) I’ll give you something else, if you’re not quick. (ExitSusan,L.C.) I feel quite curious to see this girl Dick thinks is good enough to play my part. Some greenhorn at a pound or two a week, or Dick wouldn’t have engaged her. No, she can’t be a greenhorn. She doesn’t eat: greenhorns do. And what did Susan say? She’s always crying. Humph! She must be married. The old tale, I suppose. And yet people go on getting married. (rises; looks for puff) It’s a funny world. What has that Susan done with the powder-puff? Hang the girl! I’ll giveher warning again as soon as she comes down. If I had a husband, I believe I should givehimwarning to-day. Brutes, all of ’em. (Exit,R.C.)Susan.(outside) Mind how you turn the corner, they’re such awkward stairs, and it’s so dark up here. This is the way. Take a seat, please.Re-enterSusan,L.C., followed byLucy.Lucy.(sits sofa) You’re very kind. (looking full atSusan;starts)Susan.If it’s not——Lucy.Susan!Susan.Mrs. Chetwynd!Lucy.Hush! What are you doing here?Susan.We live here, m’m.Lucy.We! Who? (Re-enterAlma,R.C., with powder-puff) Who sent for me? (rises)Alma.I sent for you, Miss Carlton. (puffing her face)Lucy.Mrs. Blake! (Almadrops hand, then turns and signalsSusanto go. ExitSusan,running,L.C.) I didn’t know who you were or I should not have come. What can you want with me?Alma.(crosses toLucy) To tell the truth, I didn’t know itwasyou when I sent for you. I thought it was only somebody who had been trying to supplant me in my business.Lucy.And if I had, it would only be just. Haven’t you supplanted me in my home?Alma.It wasn’t my fault that you left your home. You left because you were suspicious of your husband.Lucy.I had reason to be.Alma.Oh, probably enough! Men are a bad lot, and he’s one of them.Lucy.Ned wasn’t bad!Alma.Why did you leave him then? (turning on her quickly) You love him? (thrusting her on sofa, and kneeling down beside her) Yes, you do, or you wouldn’t resent the way I spoke of him; and loving him, you should have trusted him.Lucy.To be deceived!Alma.Better to trust and be deceived, than to suspect and deceiveyourself. You’re a fond, foolish girl, who’ve done your best to wreck your own life and your husband’s too. You’ve done me a great wrong, and now I’m going to have my revenge.Lucy.What wrong have I doneyou?Alma.You think I love your husband, but I don’t. I never loved any man but one—my own. You think yourhusband lovesme,but he doesn’t. Nobody loves me—not even my own.Lucy.You say so.Alma.I will prove it. You think I am your enemy, but I’m your best friend. I’ll show you, you have done me an injustice, and for my revenge—(rises)—I’ll give you back your husband, and forgive you.Lucy.(rises) Ned wrote a letter to you.Alma.(at table) I never received it.Lucy.Never received it! When I heard you reading it!Alma.You heard me!Lucy.The very words are ringing in my ears, and always will be! “My own dearest Alma!”Alma.(reading from part) “At last I have a moment to myself——”Lucy.You said you never received it. You have it there?Alma.I have no letter here.Lucy.What are you reading, then?Alma.My part in the new piece.Lucy.Those were Ned’s very words!Alma.(quietly) It is your husband’s play. (pause)Lucy.That letter’s in the play? (snatches part fromAlma) But “Alma”!Alma.Was the heroine. (Lucydrops the part; stands for a moment as if dazed; then drops her head and falls inAlma’sarms)Re-enterSusan,L.C.Susan.Another visitor!Alma.(sharply) I can see nobody!Susan.But he’s coming up.Lucy.(trying to walk) Let me go first! I can’t bear to see anyone.Alma.Put Mrs. Chetwynd in my room. When you feel stronger, I will talk to you.Susan.(leadingLucyoff) I’m very sorry!Alma.Take another warning! (picks up puff. ExeuntSusanandLucy,R.C.) Was ever anything so inopportune! (puffing her face vigorously. EnterSir Humphrey,L.C.) Sir Humphrey! Is it you? (crosses toSir Humphrey;comes down with him) How kind of you to come and see me!Sir H.I have come to ask you to see someone else, Mrs. Blake.Alma.Anyone you like, of course.Sir H.Even your husband?Alma.Tom! (leans on chair)Sir H.I’ve brought him with me. Once I said I might be of service to you; and I can now, if you will see him.Alma.(leaving chair) What’s the use? When last he saw me he would scarcely speak to me.Sir H.But I have seen him very often since. I have been thinking a great deal of what you told me, and of what he has told me recently, and I should like to speak to both of you together.Alma.As you please.Re-enterSusan,R.C.Sir H.Ask Mr. Potter to come here. (toSusan)Susan.Yes, sir. (Exit,L.C.)Sir H.One favour more. If you have kept the portion of the letter you last wrote to him, will you entrust me with it?Alma.I will bring it you.Sir H.I don’t think you’ll regret the confidence. (puts hat and gloves down. ExitAlma,R.C.) How shall I put it to them? (pacing up and down, his eyes fall on the picture,R.) What’s that? His picture! Ah! the very thing! (EnterTom,L.C.) Come in, your wife will see you.Tom.Very well. But I don’t know what purpose it will serve. It’s only my respect for you that brings me.Sir H.Tom, do you recognise that picture?Tom.(surprised) It’s my stupid knights!Sir H.Ned gave it Mrs. Blake. You know the story?Tom.Didn’t I tell ityou?Sir H.Yet, you’ve not learnt its lesson. After you left my house so suddenly, upon your recognition of your wife, I wouldn’t meet you. I was like those knights. I didn’t see what purpose it would serve. But I was wrong.Tom.AsIam now. You’re right. Thank you for bringing me, whatever comes of it.Sir H.You have your portion of that letter?Tom.(putting hat down on sofa) Here it is. (gives it toSir Humphrey.Re-enterAlma,R.C.Sir Humphreygoes to meet her, and takes from her the paper in her hand—then leads her near toTom,and takes his place between them, glancing meanwhile over the note)Sir H.Mrs. Blake, I was just reminding Mr. Potter of an old fable you may perhaps have heard. Once on a time there were two knights who fought about a certain silver shield. Silver, as one called it—the other called it gold. When they had killed each other, so the story runs, it was discovered both of them were right, and, at the same time,both of them were wrong. The shield was gold on one side, silver on the other. Years afterwards the spirits of those knights revisited the earth. They took the form, the one of a young husband, and the other of his wife. They loved one another, but they were unhappy. The wife was a coquette. I’m sure she meant no harm but she incurred her husband’s anger. He remonstrated with her; and the result was she resolved to say good-bye to her admirers. She wrote to one of them to tell him so. When she had written the first sheet she put it in her desk; and in the middle of the next was interrupted. Her husband, finding it, and thinking it was meant for him, left her. (pause) Six years they lived apart. Each had one portion of the letter, and each showed it to a common friend, when it occurred to this same common friend to put the sheets together—(does so)—and lo! he found that each of them was right again, and each of them again was wrong. He took upon him to reverse the sheets—(reverses them)—and asked to hear them read aloud together. (looks atTom) The husband held the first sheet, and began. (handsAlma’ssheet toTom)Tom.(reads) “You will consider this a very cruel letter, but I mean it kindly. Something has occurred to show me I’ve been acting very foolishly, and deceiving both my husband and you. You may think me heartless and fickle; but I haven’t really changed. I always loved him in my heart of hearts. I know he doesn’t like me seeing you; and to continue seeing you against his will would be like saying to——”Alma.(to whomSir HumphreyhandsTom’ssheet; reads)—“Tom, I love another more than I love you. (pause) Isn’t it best that we should say good-bye? I have no right to tell you I will never see you, for the fault is mine; but if I do, it will only be painful, and I leave it to your magnanimity to go away from me for ever."Sir H.I have done. (goes up and turns his back to them, deeply moved; pause)Tom.And have we lost six years of this short life?Alma.(crosses toTom) Not lost! if we have learnt to trust appearance less, and one another more.Tom.Is it you, Alma? Time and grief have made us almost strangers.Alma.But time and happiness shall make us friends.Re-enterSusan,L.C.Tomcrosses toR.Susan.Dr. and Mrs. Dozey.EnterDr.andMrs. Dozey,L.C.ExitSusan,L.C.Dr.(downL.) Being on a visit to the Metropolis, and happening to be in the neighbourhood—— (shakes hands)Alma.Very glad to see you, doctor. How is Mrs. Dozey?Mrs. D.I owe you an apology, my dear.Alma.You owe me an apology! What for?Mrs. D.The months and months I thought you were a widow; when all the time you were a respectable married woman. (embracesAlma,and sits in armchair,L.of table)Tom.Ah! the knights again.Dr.(crosses toTom) Herein we see the folly of rash judgment, and the frailty of our flesh. The subject naturally subdivides itself——Alma.My husband.Tom.How d’you do? (takesDr. Dozeyaside)Mrs. D.You’re reconciled?Alma.At last.Mrs. D.Oh, how I shall enjoy a sermon after this!Re-enterSusan,L.C.Susan.Mr. Dick, Mr. Chetwynd.Dick.Come along, Chetwynd. (downR.C.ofAlma.Nedcrosses toSir Humphrey.Susanexits,L.C.) Morning everybody. Important business. (puts hat on sofa)Sir H.Business? Then I’m afraid we’re in the way. (NedcrossesL.)Alma.Not in the least. Don’t move. If anybody’s in the way it’s Mr. Dick. To what am I indebted for this intrusion?Dick.Just been upstairs looking for Miss Carlton, and I’m told you’ve been getting at her. What are you up to now? What business have you with my leading lady?Alma.Miss Carlton’s indisposed, and can’t attend rehearsal.Dick.Teaching her some of your own tricks already. Where’s the doctor’s certificate?Alma.She’s seriously ill, and won’t be able to appear at all.Dick.Not appear! not appear! This is your doing, to throw me over at the eleventh hour! Someone shall pay for this!Alma.Yes; you shall pay for it yourself.Dick.(desperate) Not appear! Who’s to play the part?Alma.The woman it was written for! Who else?Dick.You’ll play it after all? You’ll come back to me? You’re not half a bad sort, when all’s said and done!Alma.Yes, I’ve decided to come back to you.Dick.(overjoyed) At the old figure?Alma.No—(Dick’sface falls)—at ten pounds a week advance.Dick.(dismayed) Ten! You said five last night.Alma.But I say ten this morning.Ned.Better accept.Alma.It’ll be fifteen to-morrow.Ned.Give it her, Dick.Alma.Or I won’t play the part. (Dr. Dozeycomes down,R.)Dick.Gad, I should like to give it her! This is a conspiracy. No, hang me if I give you ten pounds a week rise. Go to the—— (crosses toR.;meetsDr. Dozey)Dr.Hem!Dick.(looking atDr. Dozey) To the Antipodes. (toAlma) You’ve been there once, and you can go again.Dr.Diana, I was too precipitate.Dick.I’ll find some other woman. You shan’t play the part.Ned.Then youshan’tplay my piece.Dick.(crosses toNed) Shan’t play your piece?Yourpiece?Ned.My piece.Dick.Yours, after all the alterations I’ve made!Ned.Well, youhavecut it up! (sits head of sofa)Dick.Do you suppose there’s only one piece in the world? My room is full of ’em—chock full—so full I can scarcely get into it!Ned.All rubbish.Dick.You haven’t read them, sir.Ned.No more have you.Alma.You’d better settle, Dick.Dick.(crosses toC.) Be beaten by a woman? No, by jingo, no! (puts on hat) I’ll find some other woman. Hang it all! there are plenty of women in the world—too many—hangthemall! Good morning everybody; and may I be—— (runs againstSusan,who re-enters,L.C., with telegram; he stops)Susan.Oh! (recovering herself) Telegram, miss.Dick.Telegram?Alma.(who’s opened it) From Baker of the Colosseum. (Dicklooks over her while she reads) “Hear you leave Dick. Come to me. Forty pounds a week. Wire answer. Reply paid.”Dick.(snatching form, crosses to chair whereMrs. Dozeyis asleep; puts his knee on elbow; wakesMrs. Dozey) Look here,I’llanswer that. (writes) “Blake doesnotleave me.Ipay forty-five. Mind your own business.” (gives form toSusan)Alma.Forty-five.Dick.It’s settled. (they shake hands; puts hat down on table with a bang, startingDr.andMrs. Dozey)Mrs. D.Dionysius?Dr.After mature deliberation, I have arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Dick did not intend to say “Antipodes.”Mrs. D.I don’t believe he did. (AlmaleavesDickand goes toSusan,to whom she gives instructions in dumb show, leading herR.TomapproachesDick,who’s dropped on sofa, wiping his forehead)Tom.You got the worst of that, sir?Dick.No, I didn’t. I never get the worst of anything. If she had played her cards well I’d have given her fifty.Tom.Fifty?Dick.She’s worth it.Tom.Very glad to hear it. (turns off,L.)Dick.(to himself, half followingTom) Why is he glad to hear it? (aside toSir Humphrey) I say, who is that?Sir H.Mrs. Blake’s husband.Dick.(drops on to seat,C.,atR.back) He’ll tell her! He’s telling her. (TomandAlmalaugh over it across the sofa) No matter. (coming down, C.; addressingAlma) I’ll take it out of you. I’ll change the bill continually. You shall have rehearsals morning, noon, and night. (ExitSusan,R.C.)Ned.(down,L.) Oh, no, you won’t. You haven’t plays enough.Dick.Soon get ’em. Sparkle shall set his type-writer to work, and you must set your wits. I’ll give you a wholesale order.Ned.I’m a slow worker; I’m afraid I couldn’t execute it.Alma.Why not? What’s the difficulty?Ned.I can’t think of a plot.Alma.I’ll give you one.Sir H.(coming down) You, Miss Blake! (Dicklaughs)Alma.(toDick) What are you laughing at?Dick.(sitting down at back,L.C.) Your plot. A nice old hash up it’ll be.Alma.You haven’t heard it.Dick.Don’t want to hear it. All been done before!Sir H.It’ll be new to us, at any rate.Alma.Sir Humphrey, sit down. (Sir Humphreysits at back of table) Doctor, you shall be my audience.Dr.(rising; alsoMrs. Dozey) Pardon me, but it is against my principles.Alma.Did I say audience? I meant congregation.Mrs. D.(sits) Ah! (goes to sleep)Dr.That removes my scruples. There is no evil in an audience, regarded in the aspect of a congregation. (sits)Alma.Don’t make yourself too comfortable, Ned. I shall want you to play a leading part. Dick, you shall be the front row of the pit. (Dickbrings chair down,C.Re-enterSusan,R.C.) And here comes Susan, just in time to be the prompter. Ready? (sits on sofa) Curtain up. Hero and heroine, a young married couple. They’re very fond of one another—very happy. So the play opens brightly.Dick.Wife working slippers—husband smoking—embraces—footstool business—the old fake—told you so.Alma.The husband is an author, like Mr. Chetwynd; and as the act progresses, his wife grows rather jealous.Dick.Quite a new motive, isn’t it? Only been done about a thousand times.Dr.(rises; looks atDick,who turns away) These interruptions are distracting. (sits)Mrs. D.(wakes) Silence! (goes to sleep again)Sir H.Please go on.Alma.He is at work upon a play, in which a faithless lover is a leading character.Ned.That ismyplay!Dick.Of course it is! I knew Blake couldn’t be original.Alma.The lover writes to tell his second love how much better he likes her than his first, and the sheet of paper on which the letter is written, the author, in the old untidy way, leaves lying about the house.Dick.It’s all been done! Wife finds the letter—thinks it’s genuine—and leaves home to slow music.Alma.End of Act the first.Dick.(rises) And a nice fine old crusted situation that is to ring down on.Dr.(rises) It is a drawback to interpolations that they interrupt the argument and distract the attention. (business withDickrepeat; sits)Sir H.Never mind Mr. Dick. Come to the second act. (Nedlistens eagerly)Alma.The wife goes on the stage.Dick.What manager would take her?Alma.Probably some old curmudgeon who’d just refused his leading lady a few pounds. (Dickturns from her; meetsDr. Dozeylooking at him on the other side, then back again)Dick.Go on—go on—we’re waiting.Alma.Well, in course of time, a certain part is given her; and in the part she finds the letter she’d misunderstood.Tom.It is her husband’s play!Ned.(much excited)Myplay!Sir H.Yours! (beginning to understand)Alma.(rises) Act the third. (turns toSusan) Prompter, you’d better call the heroine. (rises.Susanopens door,R.)Ned.(rising) Go on!Alma.One day she meets a certain actress——Ned.You!Alma.Who lives in the same house——Dick.(rises; gets down,R.C.) Hallo! here’s something new.Alma.Who knows her husband, and who tells the story. He stands aghast—his wife is at the door—they are about to meet—she only waits her cue. Her cue is her own name. Her name is—— (Susansignals toLucy,R.C.)Ned.Lucy! (rushes to meet her)Re-enterLucy,R.C.Lucy.Ned! (running into his arms; all rise exceptMrs. Dozey)Alma.Tableau!Dick.(as if signalling the flies) Ring!Alma.Curtain!Curtain.
Scene.—Alma Blake’sapartments. An octagonal room, being a sort of boudoir, furnished and draped in the extreme of artistic luxury. DoorsR.andL.A number of bouquets about the room. Photographs, knick-knacks everywhere. WindowC.Tom’spicture of the knights on the wall,R.
EnterSusan,L.C.with a bouquet.
Susan.Another of ’em! Who’s this from, I wonder? (reads card attached) From Sir George Greenfield. We shall have enough to stock Covent Garden directly. (EnterAlma,R.C., in a morning wrapper, with her hair loosely arranged) Another bouquet! (gives it toAlma;goes up back)
Alma.(looks at card carelessly) Oh! (tosses the bouquet amongst the rest) No letter from the theatre?
Susan.No, miss.
Alma.It’s very strange.
Susan.Did you expect one?
Alma.Yes, from Mr. Dick. Before I play in the new piece——
Susan.In Mr. Chetwynd’s piece?
Alma.I must have better terms. I asked five pounds a week advance, and Dick wouldn’t hear of it; so last night I gave him notice.
Susan.You’re going to leave?
Alma.Not I! (crosses to sofa) But that’s the only way to deal with Dick. I ought to have had a letter by this time giving me my terms.
Susan.Perhaps Mr. Dick ’ll call.
Alma.Perhaps. I don’t care. (drops on sofa) Oh, dear! (leans her head on her hands; slight pause;Susanarranges the bouquet) How did I look last night?
Susan.(coming down to back of table) Your very best.
Alma.How did I play?
Susan.Better than ever, I think. (goes up and arranges bouquet; another pause)
Alma.Susan, have you ever been in love?
Susan.La, miss, a dozen times! Haven’t you?
Alma.Only once.
Susan.Well, Iamsurprised.
Alma.And that was with my husband.
Susan.Gracious me! (comes down to back of table)
Alma.He was in front last night.
Susan.Your husband, miss! I didn’t know you had a husband.
Alma.We all have husbands—on the stage.
Susan.You keep ’em very quiet.
Alma.Best thing we can do, with most of ’em! My husband painted that. (pointing to picture,R.)
Susan.The picture Mr. Chetwynd gave you?
Alma.Yes.
Susan.Don’t you and your husband speak, miss?
Alma.I hadn’t seen him for six years, until three months ago; when we met accidentally.
Susan.And didn’t he speakthen?
Alma.Not twenty words. I might have been a stranger. (half to herself) When those we would forgive won’t let us forgive them, what are we to do?
Susan.Whatever we like;Ishould! Would you be friends with him?
Alma.I thought not. I thought I had forgotten him. But when I saw him standing by my side, and heard his voice, oh, you don’t know how the old time came back to me, and how I longed for the old home. (a ring below)
Susan.There’s the bell, miss. (Exit,L.C.)
Alma.And is it never to be mine again? Is he to go out of my life forever? Or if he meets me, is it to be as a stranger? Is he to sit near me, and never speak to me? Am I, who once was everything to him, to be nothing? (rises; crosses to table) No, oh, no! He is a man, and he can bear it; I’m only a woman, and I can’t. My pride has all gone—gone, I don’t know where! Six years of loneliness have used it up. I don’t care who was right—I don’t care who was wrong—I want him back again. (sitsL.of table)
Re-enterSusan,L.C., withNed.
Ned.Good morning. (ExitSusan,L.C.)
Alma.(rising) Ned! What brings you here so early?
Ned.What’s this I hear from Dick? He says you’ve given him notice.
Alma.So I have.
Ned.Then who’s to play your part?
Alma.Oh, there are lots of women.
Ned.Only one Alma Blake.
Alma.I’m very sorry, for your sake.
Ned.If, now my piece is really coming out, after all thesepostponements, you refuse to play in it, you can’t be sorry for me, Miss Blake.
Alma.Miss Blake?
Ned.Yes, Miss Blake. It was Miss Blake that spoke—it’s Miss Blake who’s thrown up her part—but it’s Alma who’s going to play.
Alma.Don’t make too sure of that. (crossesR.)
Ned.You don’t consider my feelings in the least. Do you suppose it’s all the same to me who speaks my lines?
Alma.You’ll get them better spoken, I daresay.
Ned.Very well—someone elseshallspeak them. (crosses toC.)
Alma.No, they shan’t.
Ned.You’ll play the part, after all! (puts hat and stick down on chair,L.of table)
Alma.I meant to play it all the time, you goose! I’ve no idea of leaving Dick. I only want five pounds a week more salary.
Ned.That’s a weight off my mind. (crosses to sofa; sits) You can’t believe how sensitive I am about this play. It is the only link between me and my wife. I sometimes think that if she saw it it might bring her back to me. That is the reason I’m so anxious about it.
Alma.Of course, she’d recognise the letter.
Ned.What can have become of her?
Alma.Nothing been heard yet?
Ned.Not since she was traced to Leeds; there the clue was lost.
Alma.Did she know anybody there?
Ned.Not that I know of. What is she doing? What can she be living on? Alma, it drives me nearly mad sometimes. (rises; gets back,L.)
Re-enterSusan,L.C., withDick.
Susan.Here’s Mr. Dick, miss. (Exit,L.C.)
Alma.Oh, you’ve come at last!
Dick.Did you expect me? (puts hat on sofa)
Alma.To be sure I did! Brought the engagement with you?
Dick.What engagement?
Alma.Five pounds a week more salary.
Dick.Five fiddlesticks!
Alma.What have you come for, then?
Dick.Two minutes’ conversation.
Alma.You shall have ten. Sit down.
Dick.Don’t want ten. Two’s enough. (produces a letter)Horrible hand you write. It took me half-an-hour to make it out.
Alma.I’m sure it’s plain enough.
Dick.Well, it’s not pretty.
Alma.You don’t waste time in compliments.
Dick.No time to waste. You’ve given me notice.
Alma.Yes, a fortnight’s notice.
Dick.Oh, it’s quite regular.
Alma.Well?
Dick.I accept it.
Dick.(turns up stage) I’m obliged to you for giving me the chance.
Alma.You’ll let me leave?
Dick.The sooner, the better.
Alma.What are you going to do?
Dick.That’smybusiness.
Alma.Whom are you going to get?
Dick.Pooh! There are lots of actresses.
Ned.But you won’t get another Alma Blake.
Dick.Gad, I hope not.
Alma.Mr. Dick, have you come here to insult me?
Dick.No time to insult people.
Alma.Say what you’ve come for, then.
Dick.Your part in the new piece.
Alma.For someone else to study!
Dick.Look alive!
Alma.If I refuse?
Dick.You can’t. You’ve given me notice.
Alma.If I withdraw my notice?
Dick.Too late. Hand over the part.
Alma.I shan’t hand it over!
Dick.Won’t you? (puts hat on) Good morning. (goes up to door,L.C.)
Alma.Where are you going? (followingDickup)
Dick.Police-court.
Alma.What for?
Dick.Summons—unlawfully detaining property. (pause—they confront each other)
Alma.I’ll get the part. (Exit,R.C.)
Dick.(coming down,C.) I thought she would. I’ve scored this time.
Ned.Have you considered what you’re doing, Dick?
Dick.(winks) Do you suppose I should talk in that way if I hadn’t found another woman? Catch a weazel!
Ned.Of course, I didn’t know that.
Dick.Blake did; saw it at a glance. That was what knocked her over. Clever woman! She’ll be a loss. (hat on sofa)
Ned.Irreparable.
Dick.Nothing’s irreparable in the female line. (crosses toR.)
Ned.Who is the other lady?
Dick.Miss Ruth Carlton.
Ned.Never heard of her.
Dick.Comes from the country.
Ned.Not an amateur!
Dick.Jackson, of Huddersfield, tells me she’s a wonder—a perfect genius for domestic drama.
Ned.How is it he didn’t keep her in Huddersfield? (goes up,L.)
Dick.Shewouldcome up to town. “Private affairs.” We all know what that means. Got a good-for-nothing husband somewhere, and wants to find him.
Ned.Is she in town now?
Dick.She’s taken lodgings in this very house.
Ned.That creature on the ground-floor?
Dick.Ground-floor? No! Where are the geniuses always? In the attic. (points up; crosses toL.)
Ned.Strange! (crosses at back toR.)
Dick.What’s strange? (sits on sofa)
Ned.That she has chosen this house of all others.
Dick.It’s a theatrical place. I recommended it to Blake—Jackson recommended it to Carlton. What is there strange about that?
Ned.Nothing, when it’s explained; but it did seem a curious coincidence.
Dick.Call that a coincidence? You should have seen my last comedy. Sparkle’s the man for coincidences.
Ned.Have you been up to see her?
Dick.Just come down. Engagement signed this morning. Splendid terms!
Ned.For Miss Carlton?
Dick.For Carlton? No—for me.
Ned.What’s she like?
Dick.Very pretty girl—rather washed out, but she’ll be all right at night. Fancy I’ve seen her face before somewhere; but then, I see so many faces—soon forget ’em. Good thing, too; great blessing to forget some faces. (rises; takes hat) Well, I can’t wait all day. Tell Blake I couldn’t stop. You bring the part on to the theatre. (going off,L.C.; stops; puts on hat)
Ned.All right.
Dick.On second thoughts—(coming down; chuckles)—tell her to send it to the girl upstairs. That’ll take it out of her. Ha, ha, ha, ha! She thought she’d get a rise out ofme;but I’ve taken a rise out ofher.(Exit,L.C.)
Ned.(sitsR.of table) Another disappointment. I write a part for Alma to create, and it’s to be murdered by an amateur! What does it matter? Pshaw! I hate the play! But for it Lucy wouldn’t have left me. If it should be a big success, she isn’t here to share it.
Re-enterAlma,R.,with part.
Alma.(crosses to sofa) Here’s the part. (looks round) What’s become of Dick?
Ned.Mr. Dick said he couldn’t wait all day. You are to send the part to your successor, Miss Ruth Carlton.
Alma.(sits on sofa) I send the part? Does he imagine I’m the Parcels Post!
Ned.You won’t have to send it far. Miss Carlton’s living in this very house.
Alma.Which floor?
Ned.The attic.
Alma.(rises; crosses toNed) That child play my part?
Ned.(rises) You’ve seen her?
Alma.No; I heard all about her from the landlady. She’s been here a week, and never left her room. I’d half a mind to ask her down here for a change of scene, but I shan’t now. (crosses toL.)
Ned.(crosses toAlma) Shall I take the part up to her?
Alma.Let her come down and fetch it.
Ned.You said she shouldn’t.
Alma.But I say she shall.
Ned.You’ve changed your mind very quickly.
Alma.It’s my own mind; I can do what I like with it, I suppose. I’m not the only changeable person in the world. I know an author who once said he’d written a part specially for me, that I was the only person whocouldplay it, and that I was the only person who should play it; because he thought I was the only person whowouldplay it: and now he’s found another woman, it’s all off. He wants to take the part out of my hands and put it into hers; and a nice mess she’ll make of it, and I hope she will. (goes round sofa, and up to back)
Ned.(crosses toL.C.) How do you know she can’t play the part?
Alma.(followingNed,L.) Because there’s only one woman on the stage who can—and that’s me. That’s howI know it; and when your piece is damned, and they shy bricks at you, you’ll know it too. Here, take your part, and take your play, and take your hat, and take your stick, and get out of my room. (thrusting the things on him)
Ned.(going up) I’ll take it to Miss Carlton.
Alma.(stopping him; snatches part back; removes his hat and stick, and bumps him down on sofa) No, you won’t. I tell you she can’t play it! What’s more, sheshan’tplay it. (tucking it under her arm, and taking stageR.) This part was written for Miss Alma Blake, and no one but Miss Alma Blake shall touch it! (crossesR.)
Ned.(rising; crosses toAlma,overjoyed) You’ve changed your mind again.
Alma.That’s only twice. I’ve changed it twenty times in less time before now—(crosses toNed)—and I shall change it fifty if I like! Why shouldn’t I change my mind? If you had such a nasty, horrid, cantankerous mind as I’ve had for the last five minutes, shouldn’t you be preciousgladto change it?
Ned.I’m only too delighted.
Alma.So am I.
Ned.Alma!
Alma.It’s “Alma” now!
Ned.Yes—the old Alma!
Alma.I’m not middle-aged. You’ll make me out a grandmother directly, and say Miss Carlton is my granddaughter. Miss Carlton! Who’s Miss Carlton?
Ned.Here, keep the part and never mind Miss Carlton. I’ll tell Dick——
Alma.No! Stop! Not a word! Now, don’t you interfere between me and my manager. I shall turn up at rehearsal just as usual.
Ned.But Dick——
Alma.Bother Dick!
Ned.All right, bother him; he’s botheredmeenough! But how are you to get over your notice?
Alma.Ignore it altogether—say nothing about it.
Ned.But supposeDicksays——
Alma.Tell him he dreamt it.
Ned.But if he shows your letter?
Alma.Tear it to pieces—laugh at him! Oh, I know how to manage Dick. Leave that to me. This happens once a week. (crosses toR.)
Ned.(getting hat and stick) Then I shall see you at rehearsal?
Alma.Yes. (crosses to table)
Ned.Good-bye——
Alma.Send Susan up to me.
Ned.And thank you very much. (Exit,L.C.)
Alma.(sitsL.of table; leaves part on table) Dick took it out of me this morning; I must take it out of him this afternoon. He wouldn’t give me five pounds a week more. All right. He’ll have to give me ten. Mr. Dick must be taught his position. (Re-enterSusan,L.C.) Susan, the brush and comb, and brush out my hair. (ExitSusan,R.C.) Susan, bring the powder-puff. Susan, the powder-puff. (Re-enterSusan,L.C., with brush and comb) Susan, have you seen that girl in the attic?
Susan.(back of table) No, miss; but Mrs. Pritchard says she looks so ill, and never eats a morsel. She wishes you would speak to her; she seems so lonely.
Alma.Do you mean Miss Carlton?
Susan.Yes. Mrs. Pritchard thinks——
Alma.Never mind what Mrs. Pritchard thinks!
Susan.She says she’s always crying.
Alma.What do I care what Mrs. Pritchard says? I asked you if you’d seen her.
Susan.No, Miss Blake.
Alma.Then go and see her now.
Susan.Yes, Miss Blake.
Alma.I’ll do my hair myself. Don’t mention any name—Mr. Dick’s given her my part to play, and she mightn’t care to see me. Say that the lady on the first floor wants to speak to her on business connected with the theatre.
Susan.Yes, Miss Blake. (crosses at back toL.C.)
Alma.Bring her down with you.
Susan.If she’ll come, I will.
Alma.(turns) Bring her down with you, whether she’ll come or not, or take a month’s warning. (Susanlaughs) What are you laughing at?
Susan.That’s the third time to-day you’ve given me warning.
Alma.(lifting hair-brush) I’ll give you something else, if you’re not quick. (ExitSusan,L.C.) I feel quite curious to see this girl Dick thinks is good enough to play my part. Some greenhorn at a pound or two a week, or Dick wouldn’t have engaged her. No, she can’t be a greenhorn. She doesn’t eat: greenhorns do. And what did Susan say? She’s always crying. Humph! She must be married. The old tale, I suppose. And yet people go on getting married. (rises; looks for puff) It’s a funny world. What has that Susan done with the powder-puff? Hang the girl! I’ll giveher warning again as soon as she comes down. If I had a husband, I believe I should givehimwarning to-day. Brutes, all of ’em. (Exit,R.C.)
Susan.(outside) Mind how you turn the corner, they’re such awkward stairs, and it’s so dark up here. This is the way. Take a seat, please.
Re-enterSusan,L.C., followed byLucy.
Lucy.(sits sofa) You’re very kind. (looking full atSusan;starts)
Susan.If it’s not——
Lucy.Susan!
Susan.Mrs. Chetwynd!
Lucy.Hush! What are you doing here?
Susan.We live here, m’m.
Lucy.We! Who? (Re-enterAlma,R.C., with powder-puff) Who sent for me? (rises)
Alma.I sent for you, Miss Carlton. (puffing her face)
Lucy.Mrs. Blake! (Almadrops hand, then turns and signalsSusanto go. ExitSusan,running,L.C.) I didn’t know who you were or I should not have come. What can you want with me?
Alma.(crosses toLucy) To tell the truth, I didn’t know itwasyou when I sent for you. I thought it was only somebody who had been trying to supplant me in my business.
Lucy.And if I had, it would only be just. Haven’t you supplanted me in my home?
Alma.It wasn’t my fault that you left your home. You left because you were suspicious of your husband.
Lucy.I had reason to be.
Alma.Oh, probably enough! Men are a bad lot, and he’s one of them.
Lucy.Ned wasn’t bad!
Alma.Why did you leave him then? (turning on her quickly) You love him? (thrusting her on sofa, and kneeling down beside her) Yes, you do, or you wouldn’t resent the way I spoke of him; and loving him, you should have trusted him.
Lucy.To be deceived!
Alma.Better to trust and be deceived, than to suspect and deceiveyourself. You’re a fond, foolish girl, who’ve done your best to wreck your own life and your husband’s too. You’ve done me a great wrong, and now I’m going to have my revenge.
Lucy.What wrong have I doneyou?
Alma.You think I love your husband, but I don’t. I never loved any man but one—my own. You think yourhusband lovesme,but he doesn’t. Nobody loves me—not even my own.
Lucy.You say so.
Alma.I will prove it. You think I am your enemy, but I’m your best friend. I’ll show you, you have done me an injustice, and for my revenge—(rises)—I’ll give you back your husband, and forgive you.
Lucy.(rises) Ned wrote a letter to you.
Alma.(at table) I never received it.
Lucy.Never received it! When I heard you reading it!
Alma.You heard me!
Lucy.The very words are ringing in my ears, and always will be! “My own dearest Alma!”
Alma.(reading from part) “At last I have a moment to myself——”
Lucy.You said you never received it. You have it there?
Alma.I have no letter here.
Lucy.What are you reading, then?
Alma.My part in the new piece.
Lucy.Those were Ned’s very words!
Alma.(quietly) It is your husband’s play. (pause)
Lucy.That letter’s in the play? (snatches part fromAlma) But “Alma”!
Alma.Was the heroine. (Lucydrops the part; stands for a moment as if dazed; then drops her head and falls inAlma’sarms)
Re-enterSusan,L.C.
Susan.Another visitor!
Alma.(sharply) I can see nobody!
Susan.But he’s coming up.
Lucy.(trying to walk) Let me go first! I can’t bear to see anyone.
Alma.Put Mrs. Chetwynd in my room. When you feel stronger, I will talk to you.
Susan.(leadingLucyoff) I’m very sorry!
Alma.Take another warning! (picks up puff. ExeuntSusanandLucy,R.C.) Was ever anything so inopportune! (puffing her face vigorously. EnterSir Humphrey,L.C.) Sir Humphrey! Is it you? (crosses toSir Humphrey;comes down with him) How kind of you to come and see me!
Sir H.I have come to ask you to see someone else, Mrs. Blake.
Alma.Anyone you like, of course.
Sir H.Even your husband?
Alma.Tom! (leans on chair)
Sir H.I’ve brought him with me. Once I said I might be of service to you; and I can now, if you will see him.
Alma.(leaving chair) What’s the use? When last he saw me he would scarcely speak to me.
Sir H.But I have seen him very often since. I have been thinking a great deal of what you told me, and of what he has told me recently, and I should like to speak to both of you together.
Alma.As you please.
Re-enterSusan,R.C.
Sir H.Ask Mr. Potter to come here. (toSusan)
Susan.Yes, sir. (Exit,L.C.)
Sir H.One favour more. If you have kept the portion of the letter you last wrote to him, will you entrust me with it?
Alma.I will bring it you.
Sir H.I don’t think you’ll regret the confidence. (puts hat and gloves down. ExitAlma,R.C.) How shall I put it to them? (pacing up and down, his eyes fall on the picture,R.) What’s that? His picture! Ah! the very thing! (EnterTom,L.C.) Come in, your wife will see you.
Tom.Very well. But I don’t know what purpose it will serve. It’s only my respect for you that brings me.
Sir H.Tom, do you recognise that picture?
Tom.(surprised) It’s my stupid knights!
Sir H.Ned gave it Mrs. Blake. You know the story?
Tom.Didn’t I tell ityou?
Sir H.Yet, you’ve not learnt its lesson. After you left my house so suddenly, upon your recognition of your wife, I wouldn’t meet you. I was like those knights. I didn’t see what purpose it would serve. But I was wrong.
Tom.AsIam now. You’re right. Thank you for bringing me, whatever comes of it.
Sir H.You have your portion of that letter?
Tom.(putting hat down on sofa) Here it is. (gives it toSir Humphrey.Re-enterAlma,R.C.Sir Humphreygoes to meet her, and takes from her the paper in her hand—then leads her near toTom,and takes his place between them, glancing meanwhile over the note)
Sir H.Mrs. Blake, I was just reminding Mr. Potter of an old fable you may perhaps have heard. Once on a time there were two knights who fought about a certain silver shield. Silver, as one called it—the other called it gold. When they had killed each other, so the story runs, it was discovered both of them were right, and, at the same time,both of them were wrong. The shield was gold on one side, silver on the other. Years afterwards the spirits of those knights revisited the earth. They took the form, the one of a young husband, and the other of his wife. They loved one another, but they were unhappy. The wife was a coquette. I’m sure she meant no harm but she incurred her husband’s anger. He remonstrated with her; and the result was she resolved to say good-bye to her admirers. She wrote to one of them to tell him so. When she had written the first sheet she put it in her desk; and in the middle of the next was interrupted. Her husband, finding it, and thinking it was meant for him, left her. (pause) Six years they lived apart. Each had one portion of the letter, and each showed it to a common friend, when it occurred to this same common friend to put the sheets together—(does so)—and lo! he found that each of them was right again, and each of them again was wrong. He took upon him to reverse the sheets—(reverses them)—and asked to hear them read aloud together. (looks atTom) The husband held the first sheet, and began. (handsAlma’ssheet toTom)
Tom.(reads) “You will consider this a very cruel letter, but I mean it kindly. Something has occurred to show me I’ve been acting very foolishly, and deceiving both my husband and you. You may think me heartless and fickle; but I haven’t really changed. I always loved him in my heart of hearts. I know he doesn’t like me seeing you; and to continue seeing you against his will would be like saying to——”
Alma.(to whomSir HumphreyhandsTom’ssheet; reads)—“Tom, I love another more than I love you. (pause) Isn’t it best that we should say good-bye? I have no right to tell you I will never see you, for the fault is mine; but if I do, it will only be painful, and I leave it to your magnanimity to go away from me for ever."
Sir H.I have done. (goes up and turns his back to them, deeply moved; pause)
Tom.And have we lost six years of this short life?
Alma.(crosses toTom) Not lost! if we have learnt to trust appearance less, and one another more.
Tom.Is it you, Alma? Time and grief have made us almost strangers.
Alma.But time and happiness shall make us friends.
Re-enterSusan,L.C.Tomcrosses toR.
Susan.Dr. and Mrs. Dozey.
EnterDr.andMrs. Dozey,L.C.ExitSusan,L.C.
Dr.(downL.) Being on a visit to the Metropolis, and happening to be in the neighbourhood—— (shakes hands)
Alma.Very glad to see you, doctor. How is Mrs. Dozey?
Mrs. D.I owe you an apology, my dear.
Alma.You owe me an apology! What for?
Mrs. D.The months and months I thought you were a widow; when all the time you were a respectable married woman. (embracesAlma,and sits in armchair,L.of table)
Tom.Ah! the knights again.
Dr.(crosses toTom) Herein we see the folly of rash judgment, and the frailty of our flesh. The subject naturally subdivides itself——
Alma.My husband.
Tom.How d’you do? (takesDr. Dozeyaside)
Mrs. D.You’re reconciled?
Alma.At last.
Mrs. D.Oh, how I shall enjoy a sermon after this!
Re-enterSusan,L.C.
Susan.Mr. Dick, Mr. Chetwynd.
Dick.Come along, Chetwynd. (downR.C.ofAlma.Nedcrosses toSir Humphrey.Susanexits,L.C.) Morning everybody. Important business. (puts hat on sofa)
Sir H.Business? Then I’m afraid we’re in the way. (NedcrossesL.)
Alma.Not in the least. Don’t move. If anybody’s in the way it’s Mr. Dick. To what am I indebted for this intrusion?
Dick.Just been upstairs looking for Miss Carlton, and I’m told you’ve been getting at her. What are you up to now? What business have you with my leading lady?
Alma.Miss Carlton’s indisposed, and can’t attend rehearsal.
Dick.Teaching her some of your own tricks already. Where’s the doctor’s certificate?
Alma.She’s seriously ill, and won’t be able to appear at all.
Dick.Not appear! not appear! This is your doing, to throw me over at the eleventh hour! Someone shall pay for this!
Alma.Yes; you shall pay for it yourself.
Dick.(desperate) Not appear! Who’s to play the part?
Alma.The woman it was written for! Who else?
Dick.You’ll play it after all? You’ll come back to me? You’re not half a bad sort, when all’s said and done!
Alma.Yes, I’ve decided to come back to you.
Dick.(overjoyed) At the old figure?
Alma.No—(Dick’sface falls)—at ten pounds a week advance.
Dick.(dismayed) Ten! You said five last night.
Alma.But I say ten this morning.
Ned.Better accept.
Alma.It’ll be fifteen to-morrow.
Ned.Give it her, Dick.
Alma.Or I won’t play the part. (Dr. Dozeycomes down,R.)
Dick.Gad, I should like to give it her! This is a conspiracy. No, hang me if I give you ten pounds a week rise. Go to the—— (crosses toR.;meetsDr. Dozey)
Dr.Hem!
Dick.(looking atDr. Dozey) To the Antipodes. (toAlma) You’ve been there once, and you can go again.
Dr.Diana, I was too precipitate.
Dick.I’ll find some other woman. You shan’t play the part.
Ned.Then youshan’tplay my piece.
Dick.(crosses toNed) Shan’t play your piece?Yourpiece?
Ned.My piece.
Dick.Yours, after all the alterations I’ve made!
Ned.Well, youhavecut it up! (sits head of sofa)
Dick.Do you suppose there’s only one piece in the world? My room is full of ’em—chock full—so full I can scarcely get into it!
Ned.All rubbish.
Dick.You haven’t read them, sir.
Ned.No more have you.
Alma.You’d better settle, Dick.
Dick.(crosses toC.) Be beaten by a woman? No, by jingo, no! (puts on hat) I’ll find some other woman. Hang it all! there are plenty of women in the world—too many—hangthemall! Good morning everybody; and may I be—— (runs againstSusan,who re-enters,L.C., with telegram; he stops)
Susan.Oh! (recovering herself) Telegram, miss.
Dick.Telegram?
Alma.(who’s opened it) From Baker of the Colosseum. (Dicklooks over her while she reads) “Hear you leave Dick. Come to me. Forty pounds a week. Wire answer. Reply paid.”
Dick.(snatching form, crosses to chair whereMrs. Dozeyis asleep; puts his knee on elbow; wakesMrs. Dozey) Look here,I’llanswer that. (writes) “Blake doesnotleave me.Ipay forty-five. Mind your own business.” (gives form toSusan)
Alma.Forty-five.
Dick.It’s settled. (they shake hands; puts hat down on table with a bang, startingDr.andMrs. Dozey)
Mrs. D.Dionysius?
Dr.After mature deliberation, I have arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Dick did not intend to say “Antipodes.”
Mrs. D.I don’t believe he did. (AlmaleavesDickand goes toSusan,to whom she gives instructions in dumb show, leading herR.TomapproachesDick,who’s dropped on sofa, wiping his forehead)
Tom.You got the worst of that, sir?
Dick.No, I didn’t. I never get the worst of anything. If she had played her cards well I’d have given her fifty.
Tom.Fifty?
Dick.She’s worth it.
Tom.Very glad to hear it. (turns off,L.)
Dick.(to himself, half followingTom) Why is he glad to hear it? (aside toSir Humphrey) I say, who is that?
Sir H.Mrs. Blake’s husband.
Dick.(drops on to seat,C.,atR.back) He’ll tell her! He’s telling her. (TomandAlmalaugh over it across the sofa) No matter. (coming down, C.; addressingAlma) I’ll take it out of you. I’ll change the bill continually. You shall have rehearsals morning, noon, and night. (ExitSusan,R.C.)
Ned.(down,L.) Oh, no, you won’t. You haven’t plays enough.
Dick.Soon get ’em. Sparkle shall set his type-writer to work, and you must set your wits. I’ll give you a wholesale order.
Ned.I’m a slow worker; I’m afraid I couldn’t execute it.
Alma.Why not? What’s the difficulty?
Ned.I can’t think of a plot.
Alma.I’ll give you one.
Sir H.(coming down) You, Miss Blake! (Dicklaughs)
Alma.(toDick) What are you laughing at?
Dick.(sitting down at back,L.C.) Your plot. A nice old hash up it’ll be.
Alma.You haven’t heard it.
Dick.Don’t want to hear it. All been done before!
Sir H.It’ll be new to us, at any rate.
Alma.Sir Humphrey, sit down. (Sir Humphreysits at back of table) Doctor, you shall be my audience.
Dr.(rising; alsoMrs. Dozey) Pardon me, but it is against my principles.
Alma.Did I say audience? I meant congregation.
Mrs. D.(sits) Ah! (goes to sleep)
Dr.That removes my scruples. There is no evil in an audience, regarded in the aspect of a congregation. (sits)
Alma.Don’t make yourself too comfortable, Ned. I shall want you to play a leading part. Dick, you shall be the front row of the pit. (Dickbrings chair down,C.Re-enterSusan,R.C.) And here comes Susan, just in time to be the prompter. Ready? (sits on sofa) Curtain up. Hero and heroine, a young married couple. They’re very fond of one another—very happy. So the play opens brightly.
Dick.Wife working slippers—husband smoking—embraces—footstool business—the old fake—told you so.
Alma.The husband is an author, like Mr. Chetwynd; and as the act progresses, his wife grows rather jealous.
Dick.Quite a new motive, isn’t it? Only been done about a thousand times.
Dr.(rises; looks atDick,who turns away) These interruptions are distracting. (sits)
Mrs. D.(wakes) Silence! (goes to sleep again)
Sir H.Please go on.
Alma.He is at work upon a play, in which a faithless lover is a leading character.
Ned.That ismyplay!
Dick.Of course it is! I knew Blake couldn’t be original.
Alma.The lover writes to tell his second love how much better he likes her than his first, and the sheet of paper on which the letter is written, the author, in the old untidy way, leaves lying about the house.
Dick.It’s all been done! Wife finds the letter—thinks it’s genuine—and leaves home to slow music.
Alma.End of Act the first.
Dick.(rises) And a nice fine old crusted situation that is to ring down on.
Dr.(rises) It is a drawback to interpolations that they interrupt the argument and distract the attention. (business withDickrepeat; sits)
Sir H.Never mind Mr. Dick. Come to the second act. (Nedlistens eagerly)
Alma.The wife goes on the stage.
Dick.What manager would take her?
Alma.Probably some old curmudgeon who’d just refused his leading lady a few pounds. (Dickturns from her; meetsDr. Dozeylooking at him on the other side, then back again)
Dick.Go on—go on—we’re waiting.
Alma.Well, in course of time, a certain part is given her; and in the part she finds the letter she’d misunderstood.
Tom.It is her husband’s play!
Ned.(much excited)Myplay!
Sir H.Yours! (beginning to understand)
Alma.(rises) Act the third. (turns toSusan) Prompter, you’d better call the heroine. (rises.Susanopens door,R.)
Ned.(rising) Go on!
Alma.One day she meets a certain actress——
Ned.You!
Alma.Who lives in the same house——
Dick.(rises; gets down,R.C.) Hallo! here’s something new.
Alma.Who knows her husband, and who tells the story. He stands aghast—his wife is at the door—they are about to meet—she only waits her cue. Her cue is her own name. Her name is—— (Susansignals toLucy,R.C.)
Ned.Lucy! (rushes to meet her)
Re-enterLucy,R.C.
Lucy.Ned! (running into his arms; all rise exceptMrs. Dozey)
Alma.Tableau!
Dick.(as if signalling the flies) Ring!
Alma.Curtain!
Curtain.