[She gives a little laugh.
[She gives a little laugh.
Colin: Now, look here, Gwen; people whoshilly-shallyround and get someone in their lives, and then look round and wonder whether someone else wouldn’t give them a fuller life! I’ve no use for it. I know a good deal about life.
Gwen: You mean you’ve had a lot of ... of lovers?
Colin: You know that. I don’t want to pretend. Not an abnormal amount! Nothing out of the ordinary, butbecausethis isn’t new to me, I haven’t a doubt. This thing’s permanent. Iknow.
Gwen: It’s all new to me.
Colin: Can’t you trust me?
Gwen: To teach me love. Yes.
Colin: Gwen, I’ve seen my children in your eyes.
Gwen(with a little cry): Oh, why did you say that? You know I want them, too; but not yet.
Colin: My dear love; if you want to see life, or the world, a bit first—of course—there’s nowhere you can’t go; nothing you can’t have for the asking; I’m going to give the rest of my life to give you everything you want.
Gwen: I only want you.
Colin: That’s all right then. Now; when are we going to get married?...
[She is silent.
[She is silent.
Has John been putting you up to this?
Gwen: To what?
Colin: This refusing-to-marry stunt!
Gwen: No.
Colin: Yes; he has; you’ve been listening to him.
Gwen: Well, why not?
Colin: Why not?
Gwen: Yes.
Colin: Because ... because I won’t stand for it!
Gwen: You won’t stand for it?
Colin: No. Why should I? Your head’s full of his stuff.
Gwen: It’s full of his stuff because I believe it’s true.
Colin: Oh, damn it all, Gwen; what d’you believe’s true?
Gwen: I believe with all my soul to marry you now, straight off, would be a wrong thing to do. (She is passionately sincere.) Really! Really! I don’t believe it would beright! If I did, it would only be to save bother. I want to do what’s right. Oh, I can’t talk; I can’t say what I mean; I feel it; it isn’t only myself ... it’s the others.
Colin: The others?
Gwen: Yes; we’re supposed to; it isn’t easy to hold out; some girls are; I want to be on their side; I want to keep hold of my part in the future; if I give in right at the beginning, how can I ever take any part, or interest ever again, without being ashamed ... if that’s a “stunt”; if it’s all “rot” to you ... it’s no good; you’d better go!
Colin: And you say you love me!
Gwen: Yes; I love you; make no mistake about that. I don’t know what I shall do, if you go.... I love you so much, I don’t want our first love to be spoiled by feeling I’m doing wrong.
Colin: You’re obstinate.
Gwen: I can’t help it.... Oh, Colin, please, don’t you see ... ifyou’recertain, it’ll make no difference in the end.
Colin: Oh, it’ll make a difference all right!
Gwen: What difference?
Colin: It’s going to be very unpleasant for me.
Gwen: If I’m not more important than unpleasantness——
Colin: Suppose I’m obstinate too; and just as conscientious; and I don’t want it to be spoiled, and I think weoughtto get married.
Gwen: You don’t. You want to avoid unpleasantness.
Colin: Thanks.
Gwen: It’s true.
Colin: Suppose it’s a question of doing things my way, or saying good-bye?
Gwen: Oh no!
Colin: Yes.
Gwen: Colin! ... if I gave in, I shouldn’t be anygoodto you; something in me would die.
Colin: I’ll risk that.
Gwen: I can’t give in.
Colin: My way, or saying good-bye.
Gwen: Oh, Colin.
Colin: ... Well?
Gwen: Colin!——
[Mr. Freemanenters. He has hurried and is in a temper anyhow, which is not improved by finding “that feller” alone with his daughter.
[Mr. Freemanenters. He has hurried and is in a temper anyhow, which is not improved by finding “that feller” alone with his daughter.
Mr. Freeman: Oh!... Where’s John?
Gwen: He went out.
Mr. Freeman: Where to?
Gwen: I don’t know.
Mr. Freeman: He’s got no business to go out. I want to speak to him. I told him I wanted to speak to him.
[A whistle from the speaking-tube.
[A whistle from the speaking-tube.
That’s probably him.
[Gwenhas gone to answer. She takes the receiver and speaks.
[Gwenhas gone to answer. She takes the receiver and speaks.
Gwen: Hullo!
Mr. Freeman(taking it from her): Here, give it to me. (He listens.) ... Has he“popped” what? No. It’s me speaking.Me.I don’t know what you’re talking about. Come down. At once. (He replaces the instrument.) ... What the devil did he mean?... Going off his chump! That’s what’s the matter with him. Off their chumps! That’s what’s the matter with the whole family.
[A silence.ColinandGwenare hung in mid-air, as it were; whileMr. Freemanbecomes more and more manifestly oppressed with their presence.
[A silence.ColinandGwenare hung in mid-air, as it were; whileMr. Freemanbecomes more and more manifestly oppressed with their presence.
Colin: ... Well, I must be getting along.
Mr. Freeman(jumping at this): I’m sorry I can’t ask you to stay. I’ve got some particular business to discuss with my son.
Colin: Oh, of course. (He hesitates awkwardly a moment, and then says, low, toGwen:) Will you come and have dinner to-night?
Gwen: Yes.
Mr. Freeman(catching this): What’s that?
Colin: I was asking your daughter if she’d dine with me to-night.
Mr. Freeman: I’m afraid I can’t allow it.
Gwen: Father!
Mr. Freeman:That’s enough!... You’ve been out with Mr. Mackenzie six times this week. I’m sure Mr. Mackenzie’s man-of-the-world enough to realise that’s unusual.
Gwen: I’m over twenty-one.
Mr. Freeman: I can’t help that. You’re in my house; under my charge.
[Johncomes in.
[Johncomes in.
Come in. I’ve just had to put my foot down. I’ve forbidden your sister to go out with Mr. Mackenzie.
John: Forbidden!
Mr. Freeman: Yes.Forbidden!If I don’t take a strong line, goodness knows where we shall get to. You young people think you can play highty-tighty just as you please.... As I say, I’ve no wish to be offensiveto Mr. Mackenzie. It’s very good of him to spend so much time on her.... Every now and again. Yes. Of course. But six times a week! The thing becomes ridiculous. (ToColin.) I hope you understand my position.
Colin: I think perhaps you don’t quite understandmyposition. I have asked your daughter to marry me.
Mr. Freeman: This is the first I’ve heard of it.
Colin: I only asked her a few minutes ago.
Mr. Freeman: Well, of course, this does rather alter the aspect of things.... I don’t know what to say; ’pon my word, you’ve rather taken the wind out of my sails ... of course, it’s all got to be considered. I shall want to talk to you ... then, if I approve, and her mother ... the whole thing wants talking over.
Gwen(she is very pale, and her teeth are set): You needn’t talk it over, thank you. I’ve made up my mind.
Mr. Freeman: Oh, you have.
Gwen: Yes. I’ve told him I won’t marry him yet. But I’ve told him I’ll go away with him; and we can get married later; when I know what I’m doing; if we want to.
Mr. Freeman(blankly): You told him you’d go away with him!
Gwen: Yes.
Mr. Freeman: I don’t understand! What d’you mean?
Gwen: What I said: I told him I’d go away with him. I’ll marry him afterwards when I’m sure.
John(almost to himself): Gwen! That’s good!
Mr. Freeman(turning fiercely on him):Good!!!What the devil do you mean—good?!!! Really, I don’t know whether I’m on my head or my heels! (ToColin.) What haveyougot to do with this?
Colin(taken aback): Me?
Mr. Freeman: Is this the result of six dinners with you?
Colin(trying to be dignified): Certainly not.
Mr. Freeman: I suppose I can believe my ears. You heard what she said ... she’s already made this outrageous suggestion to you.
Colin: Yes.
Mr. Freeman: After any encouragement from you?
Colin: No.
Mr. Freeman: Do I understand then that you propose to behave like a gentleman?
Colin: I’m not quite certain how a gentleman would behave under the circumstances.
Mr. Freeman: I’m sorry to hear that.
Colin: Well, how wouldyoubehave?
Mr. Freeman: Me?
Colin: Yes. Supposing when you were single, the girl you loved, out of a sort of access of social duty, had proposed a sort of trial trip before you were——
Mr. Freeman: Social fiddle-sticks! When I was a young man the thing was unthinkable.
Mr. Freeman(turning on his children and shouting): Iwillnot argue.
Colin: I don’t want to argue either; but I think you might answer my question. What would you do in my place?
Mr. Freeman: Do! Why, good God, sir, I should tell her to go to the devil.
Colin: I’m rather thinking of telling her to do that.
Mr. Freeman: I’m glad to hear it.
Colin: Only if she does, I suppose I shall go with her.
[A very tiny suspicion of a laugh fromJohnis immediately quashed.
[A very tiny suspicion of a laugh fromJohnis immediately quashed.
Mr. Freeman:Stop that noise!Is your sister’sshamea laughing matter to you?
John(dangerously):Shame?!
Mr. Freeman: Yes; that’s what I said—shame. It’s time there was a little plain-speaking in this house!! I don’t know what’s come over you; both of you. You think you can treat us just as you like; push us on one side; me, and your mother, and the family; the traditions; trample on everything we hold sacred. You can’t.
[The two stand silent, while he looses his wrath against them. ToJohn:
[The two stand silent, while he looses his wrath against them. ToJohn:
You think you can break faith just as you will: you can’t; you throw over the girl you’ve been engaged to since you were children; and the same with the business; and never a word ’till this afternoon ... and now this ... this cruel, insane, folly of Gwen’s. A cruel,thoughtless, insanewickednessthat I never thought I should find in a child of mine. Have you no thought for others—either of you? No consideration? (ToJohn.) You’re lazy; that’s what’s the matter with you. No aim in life. No desire to get on. Dog lazy. And you. (He turns on his daughter.) You’re worse. Are you mad? or are you wanton? You seem to have no thought but for your own pleasure——
John(going off suddenly, like a bomb):BeQUIET!!!!
Mr. Freeman: What the devil?
John: I shall lose my temper in a moment.
Mr. Freeman: Lose your temper?
John: Yes. I have lost it. I’ve lost it now!! Howdareyou talk like that?How dare you?!?!
Mr. Freeman(shouting): John!
John(refusing to be stopped): It’s no good. It’s got to come out now.You, who sat at home here in comfort all those five years of hell.
Mr. Freeman(bewildered): Sat at home!
John: You don’t know what I’m talking about! You’ve forgotten. I’ll tell you. (He is possessed by an overwhelming rage.) Your generation has done ours in! Smashed it! Millions! If we were to stand at that window and they marched past us, they’d march all day, and all night, and all day again—for days and nights. Dead men. Dead. For what? They died to end war; to make a better world; and before their corpses have rotted into earth, new wars are preparing and the world’s a dam’ sight worse—and you? Is there one word of apology in you?One word of humility? No. The same old pride; and blindness; and intolerance. Because I don’t want to live as you’ve lived, I’m lazy; because Gwen wants to live, not exactly as her mother and grandmother lived, she’s mad or wanton! Good God in Heaven! if there’s one way that’s been proved wrong it’s your way! If we live exactly as you lived, it’ll all happen over again!...
[He comes to a sudden stop. The silence in the room is complete. He seems to have burnt himself out; andMr. Freemanto be knocked mentally head-over-heels, and to be only partially conscious.Johnbreaks the silence in a low voice:
[He comes to a sudden stop. The silence in the room is complete. He seems to have burnt himself out; andMr. Freemanto be knocked mentally head-over-heels, and to be only partially conscious.Johnbreaks the silence in a low voice:
Sorry. I lost my temper. I’ve got it again now.... I was rude. I’m sorry.... We only ask that you should go your way: and leave us to find ours. I beg your pardon. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be friends.
Mr. Freeman: Friends!
John: Yes.
Mr. Freeman(toGwen): Do you suppose your mother will ever lift up her head again?
Gwen: We could be far better friends when she knows.
Mr. Freeman: Don’t be a fool.
Gwen: We lived in the same house; but we’re strangers.
Mr. Freeman: Who’s fault’s that?
Gwen: What I believe is part of me, I can’t help that. I couldn’t be anything but a stranger with anyonefrom whom I had to hide it. We could be closer now. Ifshewill. I’ll do my best.
Mr. Freeman: Rubbish. (He makes for the door.) All I can say now is: I shall oppose you with every means in my power. If you persist, not another penny do you get from me—either of you. (ToColin.) And as for you, sir, you’re a damned scoundrel!
[He goes.
[He goes.
Gwen(at once, toColin): Oh, I’m so sorry.
Colin(taking her roughly by the shoulders): Look here; you’re going to love me; and I’m going to love you, and there’s going to be no one else. Do you understand?
Gwen: Yes.
Colin: Good. Now I’m going to clear out; right out of it, for a bit.
Gwen: What do you mean?
Colin: Where do you want to go to most in all the world?
Gwen: I only want to be where you are.
Colin: I’m going to Rome. As soon as I can get a passport. I think you can get a passport quicker than you can get a licence. Shall I get two—passports?
Gwen: Colin!
Colin: That’s all right. John, I’m going to marry your sister.
John: When?
Colin: As soon as I can get her away from you.
Gwen: No.
Colin: Well, when we come back to England.
Gwen: Perhaps.
Colin: Say yes.
[She shakes her head.
[She shakes her head.
You little devil. I’m only afraid of one thing.
Gwen: What?
Colin: You’ll make me serious. Then we shall all starve.
Gwen: I shouldn’t care.
Colin: I should.
John: Well. I’ve had my telegram.
Colin: What telegram?
John: My man’s bought my piano and every other damned thing in the whole attic. So we’re in the soup, now, Gwen, both of us!
Gwen: Yes.
John: Good luck to you. (He stretches out his hand.)
Gwen(taking it): Thanks. And good luck to you.
John: By God, life’sgood, isn’t it?
Colin: There’s someone knocking at the door.
John: See who it is.
[Colingoes and opens the door.
[Colingoes and opens the door.
Colin: It’s Rosie.
Gwen: Rosie!... I’d forgotten!... (With sudden misgiving.) John, this isn’t going to stop us.
John(very strongly): No. Nothing’s going to stop us now.
Gwen: But we must help her.
John:Of course we must help her; that’s part of our job.... Rosie!
[As he goes to the door theCurtain Falls.
[As he goes to the door theCurtain Falls.
End of the Play
Printed In Great Britain atThe Mayflower Press,Plymouth. William Brendon & Son, Ltd.