George Winter.
But so much less effective.
Anne.
I’m sure you’ve been drinking too much champagne, George.
George Winter.
[Laughing.] Nonsense. I could drink a gallon, and be as sober as a judge at the end of it.
Anne.
Well, good-night.
George Winter.
[Kissing her.] Good-night, my chick. Have you named the happy day yet?
Lady Francis.
Good-night.
George Winter.
[To O’Donnell.] And you can add that I enveloped my mother-in-law in my arms.
Lady Francis.
[With a smile, warding off his attempt to embrace her.] I congratulate you. It’s been a great triumph.
George Winter.
Oh, it’s only the beginning. I’ve got the world at my feet. In ten years I shall be crying like Alexander because there are no more worlds to conquer.
O’Donnell.
You don’t want me any more, do you?
[Lady Francis and Anne go out.
George Winter.
No, go to bed. You’re young, and you want your beauty sleep. I’ll be bound you’re not worried by the trains. Where’s your room?
O’Donnell.
It’s just above yours. But I sleep like a top.
George Winter.
That’s a good sign. You’ll be as great a man as I am one of these days.
O’Donnell.
[With a laugh.] Good-night.
George Winter.
[To Etchingham.] And you’d better go off too, old man. You look tired out.
Etchingham.
[Wearily.] It’s been an exciting day for all of us.
George Winter.
It’s been one of the days that make life worth living.
Etchingham.
Good-night.
[As they go out Catherine comes forward.
Catherine.
I won’t say good-night to you just yet. If Mr. Ford is not going to keep you long I should like to speak to you afterwards.
James Ford.
It’ll be ten minutes at the utmost, Mrs. Winter.
George Winter.
[With exaggerated gallantry.] I’m at your disposal, darling, now and always.
[With a slight bow to James Ford, Catherine goes out.
George Winter.
I told you I was justified in trusting my luck. Everything is coming out right. The Lewishams won’t be able to stand against me much longer. They’ll have to take me in. We’ll combine our interests, and then we shall hold Central America in the hollow of our hands. You’ll be in it too, James. You’re going to be a richer man than you guess. And when I’m in with the Lewishams I shall bide my time. Manny Lewisham can’t last much longer, and his sons are fools. When he’s gone I shall get the whole business in my hands. I’ve got ten times more brains than anyone in that market. There’s no one who can stand against me.
James Ford.
[Quietly.] You haven’t forgotten that article in The Financial Standard?
George Winter.
[Gaily.] Oh, is that what you want to talk to me about? I tell you that shan’t disturb my night’s rest. By the way, that reminds me: if I have won the election it was through no help of yours. I asked you to go down and speak in the Cattle Market, and when I got there I found there’d been no sign of you. It might have been devilish awkward.
James Ford.
Well, it so happens it didn’t matter.
George Winter.
Where did you get to after all?
James Ford.
[Looking at him.] I went up to London!
George Winter.
[Indifferently, doing all he can to hide his suspicion.] Did you?
James Ford.
[Very quietly, almost diffidently.] I was struck by one of the paragraphs in the article. The one about where you got the money from.
George Winter.
[With a smile.] I noticed that seemed to bother you a bit.
James Ford.
Things were pretty tight at that time.
George Winter.
A man in my position can always lay his hands on money.
James Ford.
It was a big sum.
George Winter.
Fair to moderate.
[There is a very short pause. The two men, both shrewd, hard and keen, face one another like two duellists.
James Ford.
It struck me that the Middlepool Investment Trust had got a large batch of bonds lying in the bank.
[He watches George Winter for the effect of this statement.
George Winter.
[With a smile.] Well, they’re lying there still.
James Ford.
Will you take your oath on that?
George Winter.
Yes.
James Ford.
The more I thought of it, the more nervous I was. I went to the bank.
[George Winter gives him a rapid look, but otherwise makes no sign that he realizes his theft is discovered.
James Ford.
They showed me an order for delivery of the bonds signed by you, Etchingham, and Bennett.
George Winter.
Have a cigar, will you?
James Ford.
No.... What have you done with those bonds?
George Winter.
If they’re in their place when the auditor makes his examination no one has any question to ask.
James Ford.
[More sternly.] You had no more right to touch them than my office boy has the right to take a sovereign from the petty cash.
George Winter.
What the devil d’you mean by that?
James Ford.
I’m a director of the Middlepool Investment Trust. I insist on the bonds being produced at once.
George Winter.
They shall be produced in a fortnight.
James Ford.
No, no, my friend, that won’t do.
George Winter.
[Impatiently.] Don’t be a fool, James, you know as well as I do that business is business.
James Ford.
Yes, and not theft.
George Winter.
[Apparently flying into a passion.] How dare you speak to me like that!
James Ford.
It’s no good trying to bluster with me, George. I’ve seen you do it at shareholders’ meetings and very effective it is sometimes, but this isn’t the time for it.
[There is a pause. George Winter considers the position and determines to face it.
George Winter.
All right then.... I knew the mine was a good thing. I pledged the bonds to pay for it. I shall get them back as soon as the money comes in from the issue. Now you’ve got it.
James Ford.
It’s theft pure and simple.
George Winter.
[Insolently.] I suppose you want to come in with me. [He does not notice James Ford’s instinctive movement of repulsion.] I’ll give you your shares for nothing. That means ten thousand pounds, and if you hold on to them they’ll be worth fifty thousand in a year.
James Ford.
Thank you. I’m not going to risk a lifetime’s honest work for a few thousand pounds.
George Winter.
Then what do you want?
James Ford.
Nothing.
George Winter.
[With a slight smile.] You’ve been Mayor of Middlepool twice, and you’ve done a lot of work for the party. I can’t help thinking it’s almost time the Government showed some appreciation of your services.
James Ford.
You’ve mistaken your man, George Winter. I’ve worked like a nigger for thirty years. I’ve not let any chance slip by me, but I’ve never done anything that a man need be ashamed of. I’ve built up an honest business to leave to my sons, and an honest name. I’m too old to start being a rogue now.
George Winter.
[Impatiently.] I thought you wanted to talk business.
James Ford.
Right’s right, and wrong’s wrong. You can’t get over that. I couldn’t rest for a moment if I thought any act of mine wasn’t above board. It’s no credit of mine, I’m just made that way.
George Winter.
[As if he were talking to a child.] Come, James, we’ve been good friends for twenty years.
James Ford.
[In a low voice.] This afternoon, when I found out what you’d done — well, I could have cried.
[There is a real anguish in his tone which startles George Winter. For the first time he realizes that the affair is serious. He begins to get frightened.
George Winter.
[Quickly, hoarsely.] But you don’t mean seriously....
James Ford.
[Desperately.] How can I make you understand? You don’t seem to see that now I know what you’ve done I’m just filled with horror and loathing. If you’ve done this God knows what else you haven’t done. I don’t want to be hard on you. I must do my duty. I’m a director of the company. I put all my friends in it. I put my sister into it. And this mine. Is it true what that paper says? For all I know that’s a swindle too.
George Winter.
[With sudden anxiety.] You’re not going to push me down now that I’m almost at the top of the tree? I’ve got the world at my feet. If you’ll only give me a month I can put everything straight.
James Ford.
Five minutes ago it was a fortnight. I don’t believe it. These things don’t come right. When a man has crossed the line that separates honesty from dishonesty he never gets back.
George Winter.
If you give me away now it’ll mean a general smash. The only chance of saving things is to go on. The money’s gone. You won’t get it back by giving me up to the police.
James Ford.
I must take my chance of that. After all, if I don’t speak it makes me a party to the crime. It can be proved that I went to the bank to-day.
George Winter.
Now you’re saying something I can understand. If I show you by plain figures that I can put everything right if you’ll only give me time....
James Ford.
I tell you I can’t. I’ve got my wife to think of, and my boys. It’s theft, it’s the money of orphans and widows that you’ve taken, and there’s only one course open to me.
George Winter.
What are you going to do?
James Ford.
[Brokenly.] My God, what can I do? I trusted you as I would have trusted my sons.
George Winter.
Out with it!
James Ford.
I must — I must consult the Chief Constable.
George Winter.
You wouldn’t do that? You don’t seriously mean that you’d go to the police? It’s madness. It’s so impractical. It’s stupid.
James Ford.
I could never respect myself again if I.... It’s a matter between my conscience and myself.... Oh, George, why have you put me in this position?
George Winter.
Look here, old man, I’ve done wrong. I admit it. I’ve done something that other men have done before me and it’s come out all right. At the time I thought the slump would only last a few days, and I thought I should be able to replace the bonds in a week. It’s the only slip I’ve made. Don’t be too hard on me.... [With a break in his voice.] Have mercy as you hope in your turn to have mercy shown to you. Don’t ruin me for this one mistake. Let it mean something to you that I’m humiliating myself before you.... It wasn’t a crime. It was only thoughtlessness. Give me another chance.
[James Ford, with his face between his hands, thinks it over. He is deeply moved by George Winter’s appeal. George, watching him keenly, thinks he is going to yield.
George Winter.
We’ve gone through bad times and good together. I’ve been a good friend to you. You’ve never had anything to reproach me with till now.
James Ford.
[Brokenly.] I can’t risk the money of all these poor people again.
George Winter.
Will it satisfy you if I give up the directorship of the Middlepool Trust? Give me six months to save my face and I’ll resign.
[James Ford looks up at him, wondering if he can put any trust in George Winter. George waits for the decision with beating heart. He feels almost sick with fear.
James Ford.
I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If the bonds are in their place by four o’clock to-morrow I’ll say nothing.
George Winter.
[Astounded.] To-morrow? It can’t be done. It’s impossible.
James Ford.
That’s all I can do for you.
George Winter.
[Hardly knowing what he is saying.] But no one could get it. You know it’s impossible. Even if you gave me a week I couldn’t do it. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. With the attack on us to-day we’re — we’re tottering. It’s as much as we shall be able to do to hold out till the tide turns. That’s not giving me a chance. Not a chance. To-morrow! It’s absurd!
James Ford.
That’s my last word.
George Winter.
You might as well send for the police at once. Oh, my God! It’s impossible.
James Ford.
If the money is not there by the time the bank closes I shall apply for a warrant.
George Winter.
D’you know what that means? It means a trial, and then — and then prison.
James Ford.
I can’t do more for you than I’ve offered.
[The finality of this, the deep regret and the decision in Ford’s tone, are like a blow in the face to George Winter. He gives a sudden start, and throwing off his humbleness, flies into ungovernable passion. He whips himself into a rage as he flings the scornful invective at James Ford and ends up on the last words in a positive scream of fury.
George Winter.
Oh, it’s infamous. It’s damned hypocrisy. You don’t care if I’ve taken the money or not. You’re afraid of your own skin. And you’re jealous of me. It’s envy. I knew you envied me all the time. D’you think I’ve been taken in by you? You were a little tin god in Middlepool till I came along. You didn’t fight me like a man. You just sided with me, waiting for your chance to trip me up. You think when I’m gone you’ll have the field to yourself. Why shouldn’t you be the member as well as I? It’s mean. It’s mean. You with your damned Christianity, your parrot cries of honesty. Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!
James Ford.
[Quietly.] You see, you’ve gone too far. I shall never make you understand. You can’t realize that a man may be honest, even if he loses by it, just because he can’t help it, because he’s made straight as some men are made crooked.
George Winter.
It’s childish.
James Ford.
You’ve got through the world by knowing that nine men out of ten are rascals. You’ve forgotten that the tenth man must cross your path at last.
[When he hears these words George Winter gives a start, and he looks at Ford with staring, terrified eyes. He passes his hand over his forehead, trying to recall.
George Winter.
[Almost to himself.] Who said that to me before?
[There is a pause.
James Ford.
Good-bye, George. My promise holds.
George Winter.
[Bitterly.] It’s no good to me. I’m like a rat in a trap. You can get what fun you like out of seeing me wriggle.
[For a moment James Ford looks at him, then silently goes out. George Winter is seized with a horrible, convulsive trembling. He shakes as a man might shake in an ague. With his quick mind he sees that no subtlety will save him now; he is up against the blank wall of a character as strong as his own. In a moment Catherine enters the room.
George Winter.
; What the devil d’you want?
Catherine.
I heard Mr. Ford go. May I speak to you now?
[George Winter makes an effort to appear composed.
George Winter.
Well?
Catherine.
Now that the election is over you can have no further use for me. I’ve carried out my part of the bargain scrupulously.
George Winter.
[Putting his hand in a dazed way to his head.] I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Catherine.
I understand that I’ve condoned all your offences towards me, and I’m helpless now to do anything. So you need have no fear that I shall interfere with you in any way. [He turns round and looks at her. He takes in at last what she is saying.] But there’s no reason that I should expose myself any longer to a humiliation that I found unbearable. I’ve come to tell you that now I’ve done all you exacted I’m going to leave you, this time for good. I’m starting early to-morrow morning for the Continent with my friend Barbara Herbert, and I shall not return. You can devise whatever explanation you think necessary, and you may be quite sure I shan’t contradict it. I shall be gone by the time you get up. You will find in my room all the trinkets you’ve given me. I wish to take nothing with me that I have received from you.
George Winter.
[With clenched teeth.] Are you leaving your clothes?
Catherine.
[With a shrug of the shoulders.] I think there is nothing more to be said. Good-bye. I trust you to leave me in peace. I promise on my side to do nothing that can inconvenience you.
[She waits for a moment to see if he has anything further to say, but as he remains silent she goes towards the door. As she is about to go out he bursts into a peal of laughter. She stops with a start and looks at him. His laughter grows, peal upon peal. It becomes wild and shrill and hysterical. He bellows with laughter. Already half frightened, not understanding, Catherine makes a step or two back into the room.
Catherine.
What’s the matter? George, George!
[He laughs still, and then suddenly breaks into a sob. He gives way entirely, and bursts into uncontrolled weeping.
Catherine.
[Coming down to him.] George, what is it?
George Winter.
For God’s sake give me a drink.
[She hurries to the half-empty bottle of champagne on the table and pours out a glass of wine. He drinks it at a gulp.
George Winter.
[Recovering himself.] That’s rich, that is. Rich.
[Again he bursts into laughter.
Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated) Page 373