THE SECOND ACT

trebell'shouse in Queen Anne Street, London. Eleven o'clock on an October morning.

trebell'sworking room is remarkable chiefly for the love of sunlight it evidences in its owner. The walls are white; the window which faces you is bare of all but the necessary curtains. Indeed, lack of draperies testifies also to his horror of dust. There faces you besides a double door; when it is opened another door is seen. When that is opened you discover a writing table, and beyond can discern a book-case filled with heavy volumes—law reports perhaps. The little room beyond is, so to speak, an under-study. Between the two rooms a window, again barely curtained, throws light down the staircase. But in the big room, while the books are many the choice of them is catholic; and the book-cases are low, running along the wall. There is an armchair before the bright fire, which is on your right. There is a sofa. And in the middle of the room is an enormous double writing table piled tidily with much appropriate impedimenta, blue books and pamphlets and with an especial heap of unopened letters and parcels. At the table sitstrebellhimself, in good health and spirits, but eyeing askance the work to which he has evidently just returned. His sister looks in on him. She is dressed to go out and has a housekeeping air.

frances.Are you busy, Henry?

trebell.More or less. Come in.

frances.You'll dine at home?

trebell.Anyone coming?

frances.Julia Farrant and Lucy have run up to town, I think. I thought of going round and asking them to come in . . but perhaps your young man will be going there. Amy O'Connell said something vague about our going to Charles Street . . but she may be out of town by now.

trebell.Well . . I'll be in anyhow.

frances.[Going to the window as she buttons her gloves.] Were you on deck early this morning? It must have been lovely.

trebell.No, I turned in before we got out of le Havre. I left Kent on deck and found him there at six.

frances.I don't think autumn means to come at all this year . . it'll be winter one morning. September has been like a hive of bees, busy and drowsy. By the way, Cousin Mary has another baby . . a girl.

trebell.[Indifferent to the information.] That's the fourth.

frances.Fifth. They asked me down for the christening . . but I really couldn't.

trebell.September's the month for Tuscany. The car chose to break down one morning just as we were starting North again: so we climbed one of the little hills and sat for a couple of hours, while I composed a fifteenth century electioneering speech to the citizens of Siena.

frances.[With a half smile.] Have you a vein of romance for holiday time?

trebell.[Dispersing the suggestion.] Not at all romantic . . nothing but figures and fiscal questions. That was the hardest commercial civilisation there has been, though you only think of its art and its murders now.

frances.The papers on both sides have been veryfull of you . . saying you hold the moral balance . . or denying it.

trebell.An interviewer caught me at Basle. I offered to discuss the state of the Swiss navy.

frances.Was that before Lord Horsham wrote to you?

trebell.Yes, his letter came to Innsbruck. He "expressed" it somehow. Why . . it isn't known that he will definitely ask me to join?

frances.The Whitehall had a leader before the Elections were well over to say that he must . . but, of course, that was Mr. Farrant.

trebell.[Knowingly.] Mrs. Farrant. I saw it in Paris . . it just caught me up.

frances.The Times is very shy over the whole question . . has a letter from a fresh bishop every day . . doesn't talk of you very kindly yet.

trebell.Tampering with the Establishment, even Cantelupe's way, will be a pill to the real old Tory right to the bitter end.

walter kentcomes in, very fresh and happy-looking. A young man started in life,trebellhails him.

trebell.Hullo . . you've not been long getting shaved.

kent.How do you do, Miss Trebell? Lucy turned me out.

frances.My congratulations. I've not seen you since I heard the news.

kent.[Glad and unembarrassed.] Thank you. I do deserve them, don't I? Mrs. Farrant didn't come down . . she left us to breakfast together. But I've a message for you . . her love and she is in town. I went and saw Lord Charles, sir. He will come to you and be here at half past eleven.

trebell.Look at these.

He smacks on the back, so to speak, the pile of parcels and letters.

kent.Oh, lord! . . I'd better start on them.

frances.[Continuing in her smooth oldmaidish manner.] Thank you for getting engaged just before you went off with Henry . . it has given me my only news of him, through Lucy and your postcards.

trebell.Oh, what about Wedgecroft?

kent.I think it was he spun up just as I'd been let in.

trebell.Oh, well . . [And he rings at the telephone which is on his table.]

kent.[Confiding in miss trebell.] We're a common sense couple, aren't we? I offered to ask to stay behind but she . . .

simpson,the maid, comes in.

simpson.Dr. Wedgecroft, sir.

wedgecroftis on her heels. If you have an eye for essentials you may tell at once that he is a doctor, but if you only notice externals you will take him for anything else. He is over forty and in perfect health of body and spirit. His enthusiasms are his vitality and he has too many of them ever to lose one. He squeezesmiss trebell'shand with an air of fearless affection which is another of his characteristics and not the least loveable.

wedgecroft.How are you?

frances.I'm very well, thanks.

wedgecroft.[Totrebell,as they shake hands.] You're looking fit.

trebell.[With tremendous emphasis.] I am!

wedgecroft.You've got the motor eye though.

trebell.Full of dust?

wedgecroft.Look at Kent's. [He takeswalter'sarm.] It's a slight but serious contraction of the pupil . . which I charge fifty guineas to cure.

frances.It's the eye of faith in you and your homeopathic doses. Don't you interfere with it.

frances trebell,housekeeper, goes out.kenthas seized on the letters and is carrying them to his room.

kent.This looks like popularity and the great heart of the people, doesn't it?

wedgecroft.Trebell, you're not ill, and I've work to do.

trebell.I want ten minutes. Keep anybody out, Kent.

kent.I'll switch that speaking tube arrangement to my room.

trebell,overflowing with vitality, starts to pace the floor.

trebell.I've seen the last of Pump Court, Gilbert.

wedgecroft.The Bar ought to give you a testimonial . . to the man who not only could retire on twenty years' briefs, buthas.

trebell.Fifteen. But I bled the City sharks with a good conscience . . quite freely.

wedgecroft.[With a pretence at grumbling.] I wish I could retire.

trebell.No you don't. Doctoring's a priestcraft . . you've taken vows.

wedgecroft.Then why don't you establishourchurch instead of . .

trebell.Yes, my friend . . but you're a heretic. I'd have to give the Medical Council power to burn you at the stake.

kent.[With the book packages.] Parcel from the S. P. C. K., sir.

trebell.I know . . Disestablishment a crime against God; sermon preached by the Vicar of something Parva in eighteen seventy three. I hope you're aware it's your duty to read all those.

kent.Suppose they convert me? Lucy wanted to know if she could see you.

trebell.[His eyebrows up.] Yes, I'll call at Mrs. Farrant's. Oh, wait. Aren't they coming to dinner?

kent.To-night? No, I think they go back to Shaptersby the five o'clock. I told her she might come round about twelve on the chance.

trebell.Yes . . if Cantelupe's punctual . . I'd sooner not have too long with him.

kent.All right, then.

He goes, shutting the door; then you hear the door of his room shut too. The two friends face each other, glad of a talk.

trebell.Well?

wedgecroft.Well . . you'll never do it.

trebell.Yes, I shall.

wedgecroft.You can't carry any bill to be a credit to you with the coming Tory cabinet on your back. You know the Government is cursing you with its dying breath.

trebell.[Rubbing his hands.] Of course. They've been beaten out of the House and in now. I suppose they will meet Parliament.

wedgecroft.They must, I think. It's over a month since—

trebell.[His thoughts running quickly.] There'll only be a nominal majority of sixteen against them. The Labour lot are committed on their side . . and now that the Irish have gone—

wedgecroft.But they'll be beaten on the Address first go.

trebell.Yes . . Horsham hasn't any doubt of it.

wedgecroft.He'll be in office within a week of the King's speech.

trebell.[With another access of energy.] I'll pull the bill that's in my head through a Horsham cabinet and the House. Then I'll leave them . . they'll go to the country—

wedgecroft.You know Percival's pledge about that at Bristol wasn't very definite.

trebell.Horsham means to.

wedgecroft.[With friendly contempt.] Oh, Horsham!

trebell.Anyway, it's about Percival I want you. How ill is he?

wedgecroft.Not very.

trebell.Is he going to die?

wedgecroft.Well, I'm attending him.

trebell.[Pinked.] Yes . . that's a good answer. How does he stomach me in prospect as a colleague, so far?

wedgecroft.Sir, professional etiquette forbids me to disclose what a patient may confess in the sweat of his agony.

trebell.He'll be Chancellor again and lead the House.

wedgecroft.Why not? He only grumbles that he's getting old.

trebell.[Thinking busily again.] The difficulty is I shall have to stay through one budget with them. He'll have a surplus . . well, it looks like it . . and my only way of agreeing with him will be to collar it.

wedgecroft.But . . good heavens! . . you'll have a hundred million or so to give away when you've disendowed.

trebell.Not to give away. I'll sell every penny.

wedgecroft.[With an incredulous grin.] You're not going back to extending old-age pensions after turning the unfortunate Liberals out on it, are you?

trebell.No, no . . none of your half crown measures. They can wait to round off their solution of that till they've the courage to make one big bite of it.

wedgecroft.We shan't see the day.

trebell.[Lifting the subject off its feet.] Not if I come out of the cabinet and preach revolution?

wedgecroft.Or will they make a Tory of you?

trebell.[Acknowledging that stroke with a return grin.] It'll be said they have when the bill is out.

wedgecroft.It's said so already.

trebell.Who knows a radical bill when he sees it!

wedgecroft.I'm not pleased you have to be running a tilt against the party system. [He becomes a little dubious.] My friend . . it's a nasty windmill. Oh, you've not seen that article in the Nation on Politics and Society . . it's written at Mrs. Farrant and Lady Lurgashall and that set. They hint that the Tories would never have had you if it hadn't been for this bad habit of opposite party men meeting each other.

trebell.[Unimpressed.] Excellent habit! What we really want in this country is a coalition of all the shibboleths with the rest of us in opposition . . for five years only.

wedgecroft.[Smiling generously.] Well, it's a sensation to see you become arbiter. The Tories are owning they can't do without you. Percival likes you personally . . Townsend don't matter . . Cantelupe you buy with a price, I suppose . . Farrant you can put in your pocket. I tell you I think the man you may run up against is Blackborough.

trebell.No, all he wants is to be let look big . . and to have an idea given him when he's going to make a speech, which isn't often.

wedgecroft.Otherwise . . I suppose . . now I may go down to history as having been in your confidence. I'm very glad you've arrived.

trebell.[With great seriousness.] I've sharpened myself as a weapon to this purpose.

wedgecroft.[Kindly.] And you're sure of yourself, aren't you?

trebell.[Turning his wrist.] Try.

wedgecroft.[Slipping his doctor's fingers over the the pulse.] Seventy, I should say.

trebell.I promise you it hasn't varied a beat these three big months.

wedgecroft.Well, I wish it had. Perfect balance is most easily lost. How do you know you've the power ofrecovery? . . and it's that gets one up in the morning day by day.

trebell.Is it? My brain works steadily on . . hasn't failed me yet. I keep it well fed. [He breathes deeply.] But I'm not sure one shouldn't have been away from England for five years instead of five weeks . . to come back to a job like this with a fresh mind. D'you know why really I went back on the Liberals over this question? Not because they wanted the church money for their pensions . . but because all they can see in Disestablishment is destruction. Any fool can destroy! I'm not going to let a power like the Church get loose from the State. A thirteen hundred years' tradition of service . . and all they can think of is to cut it adrift!

wedgecroft.I think the Church is moribund.

trebell.Oh, yes, of course you do . . you sentimental agnostic anarchist. Nonsense! The supernatural's a bit blown upon . . till we re-discover what it means. But it's not essential. Nor is the Christian doctrine. Put a Jesuit in a corner and shut the door and he'll own that. No . . the tradition of self-sacrifice and fellowship in service for its own sake . . that's the spirit we've to capture and keep.

wedgecroft.[Really struck.] A secular Church!

trebell.[With reasoning in his tone.] Well . . why not? Listen here. In drafting an act of Parliament one must alternately imagine oneself God Almighty and the most ignorant prejudiced little blighter who will be affected by what's passed. God says: Let's have done with Heaven and Hell . . it's the Earth that shan't pass away. Why not turn all those theology mongers into doctors or schoolmasters?

wedgecroft.As to doctors—

trebell.Quite so, you naturally prejudiced blighter. That priestcraft don't need re-inforcing.

wedgecroft.It needs recognition.

trebell.What! It's the only thing most people believe in. Talk about superstition! However, there's more life in you. Therefore it's to be schoolmasters.

wedgecroft.How?

trebell.Listen again, young man. In the youth of the world, when priests were the teachers of men . . .

wedgecroft.[Not to be preached at.] And physicians of men.

trebell.Shut up.

wedgecroft.If there's any real reform going, I want my profession made into a state department. I won't shut up for less.

trebell.[Putting this aside with one finger.] I'll deal with you later. There's still Youth in the world in another sense; but the priests haven't found out the difference yet, so they're wasting most of their time.

wedgecroft.Religious education won't do now-a-days.

trebell.What's Now-a-days? You're very dull, Gilbert.

wedgecroft.I'm not duller than the people who will have to understand your scheme.

trebell.They won't understand it. I shan't explain to them that education is religion, and that those who deal in it are priests without any laying on of hands.

wedgecroft.No matter what they teach?

trebell.No . . the matter is how they teach it. I see schools in the future, Gilbert, not built next to the church, but on the site of the church.

wedgecroft.Do you think the world is grown up enough to do without dogma?

trebell.Yes, I do.

wedgecroft.What! . . and am I to write my prescriptions in English?

trebell.Yes, you are.

wedgecroft.Lord save us! I never thought to find you a visionary.

trebell.Isn't it absurd to think that in a hundred years we shall be giving our best brains and the price of them not to training grown men into the discipline of destruction . . not even to curing the ills which we might be preventing . . but to teaching our children. There's nothing else to be done . . nothing else matters. But it's work for a priesthood.

wedgecroft.[Affected; not quite convinced.] Do you think you can buy a tradition and transmute it?

trebell.Don't mock at money.

wedgecroft.I never have.

trebell.But you speak of it as an end not as a means. That's unfair.

wedgecroft.I speaks as I finds.

trebell.I'll buy the Church, not with money, but with the promise of new life. [A certain rather gleeful cunning comes over him.] It'll only look like a dose of reaction at first . . Sectarian Training Colleges endowed to the hilt.

wedgecroft.What'll the Nonconformists say?

trebell.Bribe them with the means of equal efficiency. The crux of the whole matter will be in the statutes I'll force on those colleges.

wedgecroft.They'll want dogma.

trebell.Dogma's not a bad thing if you've power to adapt it occasionally.

wedgecroft.Instead of spending your brains in explaining it. Yes, I agree.

trebell.[With full voice.] But in the creed I'll lay down as unalterable there shall be neither Jew nor Greek . . What do you think of St. Paul, Gilbert?

wedgecroft.I'd make him the head of a college.

trebell.I'll make the Devil himself head of a college, if he'll undertake to teach honestly all he knows.

wedgecroft.And he'll conjure up Comte and Robespierre for you to assist in this littlerechaufféeof their schemes.

trebell.Hullo! Comte I knew about. Have I stolen from Robespierre too?

wedgecroft.[Giving out the epigram with an air.] Property to him who can make the best use of it.

trebell.And then what we must do is to give the children power over their teachers?

Now he is comically enigmatic.wedgecroftechoes him.

wedgecroft.And what exactly do you mean by that?

trebell.[Serious again.] How positive a pedagogue would you be if you had to prove your cases and justify your creed every century or so to the pupils who had learnt just a little more than you could teach them? Give power to the future, my friend . . not to the past. Give responsibility . . even if you give it for your own discredit. What's beneath trust deeds and last wills and testaments, and even acts of Parliament and official creeds? Fear of the verdict of the next generation . . fear of looking foolish in their eyes. Ah, we . . doing our best now . . must be ready for every sort of death. And to provide the means of change and disregard of the past is a secret of statesmanship. Presume that the world will come to an end every thirty years if it's not reconstructed. Therefore give responsibility . . give responsibility . . give the children power.

wedgecroft.[Disposed to whistle.] Those statutes will want some framing.

trebell.[Relapsing to a chuckle.] There's an incidental change to foresee. Disappearance of the parson into the schoolmaster . . and the Archdeacon into the Inspector . . and the Bishop into—I rather hope he'll stick to his mitre, Gilbert.

wedgecroft.Some Ruskin will arise and make him.

trebell.[As he paces the room and the walls of it fade away to him.] What a church could be made of the best brains in England, sworn only to learn all they could teach what they knew without fear of the future or favour to the past . . sworn upon their honour as seekers after truth, knowingly to tell no child a lie. It will come.

wedgecroft.A priesthood of women too? There's the tradition of service with them.

trebell.[With the sourest look yet on his face.] Slavery . . not quite the same thing. And the paradox of such slavery is that they're your only tyrants.

[At this moment the bell of the telephone upon the table rings. He goes to it talking the while.]

One has to be very optimistic not to advocate the harem. That's simple and wholesome . . Yes?

kentcomes in.

kent.Does it work?

trebell.[Slamming down the receiver.] You and your new toy! What is it?

kent.I'm not sure about the plugs of it . . I thought I'd got them wrong. Mrs. O'Connell has come to see Miss Trebell, who is out, and she says will we ask you if any message has been left for her.

trebell.No. Oh, about dinner? Well, she's round at Mrs. Farrant's.

kent.I'll ring them up.

He goes back into his room to do so leavingtrebell'sdoor open. The two continue their talk.

trebell.My difficulties will be with Percival.

wedgecroft.Not over the Church.

trebell.You see I must discover how keen he'd be on settling the Education quarrel, once and for all . . what there is left of it.

wedgecroft.He's not sectarian.

trebell.It'll cost him his surplus. When'll he be up and about?

wedgecroft.Not for a week or more.

trebell.[Knitting his brow.] And I've to deal with Cantelupe. Curious beggar, Gilbert.

wedgecroft.Not my sort. He'll want some dealing with over your bill as introduced to me.

trebell.I've not cross-examined company promoters for ten years without learning how to do business with a professional high churchman.

wedgecroft.Providence limited . . eh?

They are interrupted bymrs. o'connell'sappearance in the doorway. She is rather pale, very calm; but there is pain in her eyes and her voice is unnaturally steady.

amy.Your maid told me to come up and I'm interrupting business . . I thought she was wrong.

trebell.[With no trace of self-consciousness.] Well . . how are you, after this long time?

amy.How do you do? [Then she seeswedgecroftand has to control a shrinking from him.] Oh!

wedgecroft.How are you, Mrs. O'Connell?

trebell.Kent is telephoning to Frances. He knows where she is.

amy.How are you, Dr. Wedgecroft? [then totrebell.] Did you have a good holiday? London pulls one to pieces wretchedly. I shall give up living here at all.

wedgecroft.You look very well.

amy.Do I!

trebell.A very good holiday. Sit down . . he won't be a minute.

She sits on the nearest chair.

amy.You're not ill . . interviewing a doctor?

trebell.The one thing Wedgecroft's no good at is doctoring. He keeps me well by sheer moral suasion.

kentcomes out of his room and is off downstairs.

trebellcalls to him.

trebell.Mrs. O'Connell's here.

kent.Oh! [He comes back and into the room.] Miss Trebell hasn't got there yet.

wedgecrofthas suddenly looked at his watch.

wedgecroft.I must fly. Good bye, Mrs. O'Connell.

amy.[Putting her hand, constrained by its glove, into his open hand.] I am always a little afraid of you.

wedgecroft.That isn't the feeling a doctor wants to inspire.

kent.[Totrebell.] David Evans—

trebell.Evans?

kent.The reverend one . . is downstairs and wants to see you.

wedgecroft.[As he comes to them.] Hampstead Road Tabernacle . . Oh, the mammon of righteousness!

trebell.Shut up! How long have I before Lord Charles—?

kent.Only ten minutes.

mrs. o'connellgoes to sit at the big table, and apparently idly takes a sheet of paper to scribble on.

trebell.[Half thinking, half questioning.] He's a man I can say nothing to politely.

wedgecroft.I'm off to Percival's now. Then I've another case and I'm due back at twelve. If there's anything helpful to say I'll look in again for two minutes . . not more.

trebell.You're a good man.

wedgecroft.[As he goes.] Congratulations, Kent.

kent.[Taking him to the stairs.] Thank you very much.

amy.[Beckoning with her eyes.] What's this, Mr. Trebell?

trebell.Eh? I beg your pardon.

He goes behind her and reads over her shoulder what she has written.kentcomes back.

kent.Shall I bring him up here?

trebelllooks up and for a moment stares at his secretary rather sharply, then speaks in a matter-of-fact voice.

trebell.See him yourself, downstairs. Talk to him for five minutes . . find out what he wants. Tell him it will be as well for the next week or two if he can say he hasn't seen me.

kent.Yes.

He goes.trebellfollows him to the door which he shuts. Then he turns to faceamy,who is tearing up the paper she wrote on.

trebell.What is it?

amy.[Her steady voice breaking, her carefully calculated control giving way.] Oh Henry . . Henry!

trebell.Are you in trouble?

amy.You'll hate me, but . . oh, it's brutal of you to have been away so long.

trebell.Is it with your husband?

amy.Perhaps. Oh, come nearer to me . . do.

trebell.[Coming nearer without haste or excitement.] Well? [Her eyes are closed.] My dear girl, I'm too busy for love-making now. If there are any facts to be faced, let me have them . . quite quickly.

She looks up at him for a moment; then speaks swiftly and sharply as one speaks of disaster.

amy.There's a danger of my having a child . . your child . . some time in April. That's all.

trebell.[A sceptic who has seen a vision.] Oh . . it's impossible.

amy.[Flashing at him, revengefully.] Why?

trebell.[Brought to his mundane self.] Well . . are you sure?

amy.[In sudden agony.] D'you think I want it to be true? D'you think I—? You don't know what it is to have a thing happening in spite of you.

trebell.[His face set in thought.] Where have you been since we met?

amy.Not to Ireland . . I haven't seen Justin for a year.

trebell.All the easier for you not to see him for another year.

amy.That wasn't what you meant.

trebell.It wasn't . . but never mind.

They are silent for a moment . . miles apart. . Then she speaks dully.

amy.We do hate each other . . don't we!

trebell.Nonsense. Let's think of what matters.

amy.[Aimlessly.] I went to a man at Dover . . picked him out of the directory . . didn't give my own name . . pretended I was off abroad. He was a kind old thing . . said it was all most satisfactory. Oh, my God!

trebell.[He goes to bend over her kindly.] Yes, you've had a torturing month or two. That's been wrong, I'm sorry.

amy.Even now I have to keep telling myself that it's so . . otherwise I couldn't understand it. Any more than one really believes one will ever die . . one doesn't believe that, you know.

trebell.[On the edge of a sensation that is new to him.] I am told that a man begins to feel unimportant from this moment forward. Perhaps it's true.

amy.What has it to do with you anyhow? We don't belong to each other. How long were we together that night? Half an hour! You didn't seem to care a bit until after you'd kissed me and . . this is an absurd consequence.

trebell.Nature's a tyrant.

amy.Oh, it's my punishment . . I see that well enough . . for thinking myself so clever . . forgetting my duty and religion . . not going to confession, I mean. [Thenhysterically.] God can make you believe in Him when he likes, can't he?

trebell.[With comfortable strength.] My dear girl, this needs your pluck. [And he sits by her.] All we have to do is to prevent it being found out.

amy.Yes . . the scandal would smash you, wouldn't it?

trebell.There isn't going to be any scandal.

amy.No . . if we're careful. You'll tell me what to do, won't you? Oh, it's a relief to be able to talk about it.

trebell.For one thing, you must take care of yourself and stop worrying.

It soothes her to feel that he is concerned; but it is not enough to be soothed.

amy.Yes, I wouldn't like to have been the means of smashing you, Henry . . especially as you don't care for me.

trebell.I intend to care for you.

amy.Love me, I mean. I wish you did . . a little; then perhaps I shouldn't feel so degraded.

trebell.[A shade impatiently, a shade contemptuously.] I can say I love you if that'll make things easier.

amy.[More helpless than ever.] If you'd said it at first I should be taking it for granted . . though it wouldn't be any more true, I daresay, than now . . when I should know you weren't telling the truth.

trebell.Then I'd do without so much confusion.

amy.Don't be so heartless.

trebell.[As he leaves her.] We seem to be attaching importance to such different things.

amy.[Shrill even at a momentary desertion.] What do you mean? I want affection now just as I want food. I can't do without it . . I can't reason things out as you can. D'you think I haven't tried? [Then in sudden rebellion.] Oh, the physical curse of being a woman . .no better than any savage in this condition . . worse off than an animal. It's unfair.

trebell.Never mind . . you're here now to hand me half the responsibility, aren't you?

amy.As if I could! If I have to lie through the night simply shaking with bodily fear much longer . . I believe I shall go mad.

This aspect of the matter is meaningless to him. He returns to the practical issue.

trebell.There's nobody that need be suspecting, is there?

amy.My maid sees I'm ill and worried and makes remarks . . only to me so far. Don't I look a wreck? I nearly ran away when I saw Dr. Wedgecroft . . some of these men are so clever.

trebell.[Calculating.] Someone will have to be trusted.

amy.[Burrowing into her little tortured self again.] And I ought to feel as if I had done Justin a great wrong . . but I don't. I hate you now; now and then. I was being myself. You've brought me down. I feel worthless.

The last word strikes him. He stares at her.

trebell.Do you?

amy.[Pleadingly.] There's only one thing I'd like you to tell me, Henry . . it isn't much. That night we were together . . it was for a moment different to everything that has ever been in your life before, wasn't it?

trebell.[Collecting himself as if to explain to a child.] I must make you understand . . I must get you to realise that for a little time to come you're above the law . . above even the shortcomings and contradictions of a man's affection.

amy.But let us have one beautiful memory to share.

trebell.[Determined she shall face the cold logic of her position.] Listen. I look back on that night as one looks back on a fit of drunkenness.

amy.[Neither understanding nor wishing to; only shocked and hurt.] You beast.

trebell.[With bitter sarcasm.] No, don't say that. Won't it comfort you to think of drunkenness as a beautiful thing? There are precedents enough . . classic ones.

amy.You mean I might have been any other woman.

trebell.[Quite inexorable.] Wouldn't any other woman have served the purpose . . and is it less of a purpose because we didn't know we had it? Does my unworthiness then . . if you like to call it so . . make you unworthy now? I must make you see that it doesn't.

amy.[Petulantly hammering at her idée fixe.] But you didn't love me . . and you don't love me.

trebell.[Keeping his patience.] No . . only within the last five minutes have I really taken the smallest interest in you. And now I believe I'm half jealous. Can you understand that? You've been talking a lot of nonsense about your emotions and your immortal soul. Don't you see it's only now that you've become a person of some importance to the world . . and why?

amy.[Losing her patience, childishly.] What do you mean by the World? You don't seem to have any personal feelings at all. It's horrible you should have thought of me like that. There has been no other man than you that I would have let come anywhere near me . . not for more than a year.

He realises that she will never understand.

trebell.My dear girl, I'm sorry to be brutal. Does it matter so much to you that I should havewishedto be the father of your child?

amy.[Ungracious but pacified by his change of tone.] It doesn't matter now.

trebell.[Friendly still.] On principle I don't make promises. But I think I can promise you that if you keep your head and will keep your health, this shall all be made as easy for you as if everyone could know. Andlet's think what the child may mean to you . . just the fact of his birth. Nothing to me, of course! Perhaps that accounts for the touch of jealousy. I've forfeited my rights because I hadn't honourable intentions. You can't forfeit yours. Even if you never see him and he has to grow up among strangers . . just to have had a child must make a difference to you. Of course, it may be a girl. I wonder.

As he wanders on so optimistically she stares at him and her face changes. She realises . .

amy.Do you expect me to go through with this? Henry! . . I'd sooner kill myself.

There is silence between them. He looks at her as one looks at some unnatural thing. Then after a moment he speaks, very coldly.

trebell.Oh . . indeed. Don't get foolish ideas into your head. You've no choice now . . no reasonable choice.

amy.[Driven to bay; her last friend an enemy.] I won't go through with it.

trebell.It hasn't been so much the fear of scandal then—

amy.That wouldn't break my heart. You'd marry me, wouldn't you? We could go away somewhere. I could be very fond of you, Henry.

trebell.[Marvelling at these tangents.] Marry you! I should murder you in a week.

This sounds only brutal to her; she lets herself be shamed.

amy.You've no more use for me than the use you've made of me.

trebell.[Logical again.] Won't you realise that there's a third party to our discussion . . that I'm of no importance beside him and you of very little. Think of the child.

amyblazes into desperate rebellion.

amy.There's no child because I haven't chosen there shall be and there shan't be because I don't choose. You'd have me first your plaything and then Nature's, would you?

trebell.[A little abashed.] Come now, you knew what you were about.

amy.[Thinking of those moments.] Did I? I found myself wanting you, belonging to you suddenly. I didn't stop to think and explain. But are we never to be happy and irresponsible . . never for a moment?

trebell.Well . . one can't pick and choose consequences.

amy.Your choices in life have made you what you want to be, haven't they? Leave me mine.

trebell.But it's too late to argue like that.

amy.If it is, I'd better jump into the Thames. I've thought of it.

He considers how best to make a last effort to bring her to her senses. He sits by her.

trebell.Amy . . if you were my wife—

amy.[Unresponsive to him now.] I was Justin's wife, and I went away from him sooner than bear him children. Had I the right to choose or had I not?

trebell.[Taking another path.] Shall I tell you something I believe? If we were left to choose, we should stand for ever deciding whether to start with the right foot or the left. We blunder into the best things in life. Then comes the test . . have we faith enough to go on . . to go through with the unknown thing?

amy.[So bored by these metaphysics.] Faith in what?

trebell.Our vitality. I don't give a fig for beauty, happiness, or brains. All I ask of myself is . . can I pay Fate on demand?

amy.Yes . . in imagination. But I've got physical facts to face.

But he has her attention now and pursues the advantage.

trebell.Very well then . . let the meaning of them go. Look forward simply to a troublesome illness. In a little while you can go abroad quietly and wait patiently. We're not fools and we needn't find fools to trust in. Then come back to England . . .

amy.And forget. That seems simple enough, doesn't it?

trebell.If you don't want the child let it be mine . . not yours.

amy.[Wondering suddenly at this bond between them.] Yours! What would you do with it?

trebell.[Matter-of-fact.] Provide for it, of course.

amy.Never see it, perhaps.

trebell.Perhaps not. If there were anything to be gained . . for the child. I'll see that he has his chance as a human being.

amy.How hopeful! [Now her voice drops. She is looking back, perhaps at a past self.] If you loved me . . perhaps I might learn to love the thought of your child.

trebell.[As if half his life depended on her answer.] Is that true?

amy.[Irritably.] Why are you picking me to pieces? I think that is true. If you had been loving me for a long, long time— [The agony rushes back on her.] But now I'm only afraid. You might have some pity for me . . I'm so afraid.

trebell.[Touched.] Indeed . . indeed, I'll take what share of this I can.

She shrinks from him unforgivingly.

amy.No, let me alone. I'm nothing to you. I'm a sick beast in danger of my life, that's all . . cancerous!

He is roused for the first time, roused to horror and protest.

trebell.Oh, you unhappy woman! . . . if life is like death to you . . .

amy.[Turning on him.] Don't lecture me! If you'reso clever put a stop to this horror. Or you might at least say you're sorry.

trebell.Sorry! [The bell on the table rings jarringly.] Cantelupe!

He goes to the telephone. She gets up cold and collected, steadied merely by the unexpected sound.

amy.I mustn't keep you from governing the country. I'm sure you'll do it very well.

trebell.[At the telephone.] Yes, bring him up, of course . . isn't Mr. Kent there? [then to her.] I may be ten minutes with him or half an hour. Wait and we'll come to a conclusion.

kentcomes in, an open letter in his hand.

kent.This note, sir. Had I better go round myself and see him?

trebell.[As he takes the note.] Cantelupe's come.

kent.[Glancing at the telephone.] Oh, has he!

trebell.[As he reads.] Yes I think you had.

kent.Evans was very serious.

He goes back into his room.amymoves swiftly to wheretrebellis standing and whispers.

amy.Won't you tell me whom to go to?

trebell.No.

amy.Oh, really . . what unpractical sentimental children you men are! You and your consciences . . you and your laws. You drive us to distraction and sometimes to death by your stupidities. Poor women—!

The Maid comes in to announcelord charles cantelupe,who follows her.cantelupeis forty, unathletic, and a gentleman in the best and worst sense of the word. He moves always with a caution which may betray his belief in the personality of the Devil. He speaks cautiously too, and as if not he but something inside him were speaking. One feels that before strangers he would not if he could help it move or speak at all. A pale face: themouth would be hardened by fanaticism were it not for the elements of Christianity in his religion: and he has the limpid eye of the enthusiast.

trebell.Glad to see you. You know Mrs. O'Connell.

cantelupebows in silence.

amy.We have met.

She offers her hand. He silently takes it and drops it.

trebell.Then you'll wait for Frances.

amy.Is it worth while?

kentwith his hat on leaves his room and goes downstairs.

trebell.Have you anything better to do?

amy.There's somewhere I can go. But I mustn't keep you chatting of my affairs. Lord Charles is impatient to disestablish the Church.

cantelupe.[Unable to escape a remark.] Forgive me, since that is also your affair.

amy.Oh . . but I was received at the Oratory when I was married.

cantelupe.[With contrition.] I beg your pardon.

Then he makes for the other side of the room.trebellandmrs. o'connellstroll to the door, their eyes full of meaning.

amy.I think I'll go on to this place that I've heard of. If I wait . . for your sister . . she may disappoint me again.

trebell.Wait.

kent'sroom is vacant.

amy.Well . . in here?

trebell.If you like law-books.

amy.I haven't been much of an interruption now, have I?

trebell.Please wait.

amy.Thank you.

trebellshuts her in, for a moment seems inclined tolock her in, but he comes back into his own room and facescantelupe,who having primed and trained himself on his subject like a gun, fires off a speech, without haste, but also apparently without taking breath.

cantelupe.I was extremely thankful, Mr. Trebell, to hear last week from Horsham that you will see your way to join his cabinet and undertake the disestablishment bill in the House of Commons. Any measure of mine, I have always been convinced, would be too much under the suspicion of blindly favouring Church interests to command the allegiance of that heterogeneous mass of thought . . in some cases, alas, of free thought . . which now-a-days composes the Conservative party. I am more than content to exercise what influence I may from a seat in the cabinet which will authorise the bill.

trebell.Yes. That chair's comfortable.

cantelupetakes another.

cantelupe.Horsham forwarded to me your memorandum upon the conditions you held necessary and I incline to think I may accept them in principle on behalf of those who honour me with their confidences.

He fishes some papers from his pocket.trebellsits squarely at his table to grapple with the matter.

trebell.Horsham told me you did accept them . . it's on that I'm joining.

cantelupe.Yes . . in principle.

trebell.Well . . we couldn't carry a bill you disapproved of, could we?

cantelupe.[With finesse.] I hope not.

trebell.[A little dangerously.] And I have no intention of being made the scapegoat of a wrecked Tory compromise with the Nonconformists.

cantelupe.[Calmly ignoring the suggestion.] So far as I am concerned I meet the Nonconformists on their ownground . . that Religion had better be free from all compromise with the State.

trebell.Quite so . . if you're set free you'll look after yourselves. My discovery must be what to do with the men who think more of the state than their Church . . the majority of parsons, don't you think? . . if the question's really put and they can be made to understand it.

cantelupe.[With sincere disdain.] There are more profitable professions.

trebell.And less. Will you allow me that it is statecraft to make a profession profitable?

cantelupepicks up his papers, avoiding theoretical discussion.

cantelupe.Well now . . will you explain to me this project for endowing Education with your surplus?

trebell.Putting Appropriation, the Buildings and the Representation question on one side for the moment?

cantelupe.Candidly, I have yet to master your figures . . .

trebell.The roughest figures so far.

cantelupe.Still I have yet to master them on the first two points.

trebell.[Firmly premising.] We agree that this is not diverting church money to actually secular uses.

cantelupe.[As he peeps from under his eyelids.] I can conceive that it might not be. You know that we hold Education to be a Church function. But . . .

trebell.Can you accept thoroughly now the secular solution for all Primary Schools?

cantelupe.Haven't we always preferred it to the undenominational? Are there to be facilities for any of the teachers giving dogmatic instruction?

trebell.I note your emphasis on any. I think we can put the burden of that decision on local authorities. Let us come to the question of Training Colleges for yourteachers. It's on that I want to make my bargain.

cantelupe.[Alert and cautious.] You want to endow colleges?

trebell.Heavily.

cantelupe.Under public control?

trebell.Church colleges under Church control.

cantelupe.There'd be others?

trebell.To preserve the necessary balance in the schools.

cantelupe.Not founded with church money?

trebell.Think of the grants in aid that will be released. I must ask the Treasury for a further lump sum and with that there may be sufficient for secular colleges . . if you can agree with me upon the statutes of those over which you'd otherwise have free control.

trebellis weighing his words.

cantelupe."You" meaning, for instance . . what authorities in the Church?

trebell.Bishops, I suppose . . and others. [cantelupepermits himself to smile.] On that point I shall be weakness itself and . . may I suggest . . your seat in the cabinet will give you some control.

Back to Index Next