by Unknown
LORD CARLTON. And the old gentleman?
MOIRA. Grandpa. He died three years ago.
LORD CARLTON (quite touched). And that little girl — had to do without boxes.
MOIRA. Yes. (Tragically) And now I am afraid to go near children for fear I have lost my way with them.
LORD CARLTON (sits by her incredulous). You lose your way with them.
MOIRA. Perhaps I have.
LORD CARLTON. And what a way you had with them!
MOIRA (beaming). Hadn’t I? (Seeing them in her mind’s EYE and clasping them — with wistful gravity) Lord, do you ever wish you had been Eve?
LORD CARLTON (solemnly, and feeling his old delight in her). Eve? Do you know, I don’t believe I ever had.
MOIRA (ecstatic). To have been Eve, and to have had the first one! Not to have had a notion what they were like and then to have one. Oh, the sweet!
LORD CARLTON. Dear little Cain — I say, Mother!
MOIRA. Yes!
LORD CARLTON. Let me give you a tip. You get my sister to put you into the purple room. It is next the nurseries.
MOIRA. Are there children?
LORD CARLTON. Two. And from that room you can hear them playing, falling into the fireirons, dancing, screaming, having their bath, getting up at five o’clock in the morning.
MOIRA. Do you?
LORD CARLTON. Yes, I had the room once — for one night.
MOIRA. Ah, you ‘re too kind. Everyone will be wanting it.
LORD CARLTON. Well, of course, the demand for it is enormous — but I shall insist.
MOIRA (changing). Perhaps I’d better not have it, it might tempt me away from my work.
LORD CARLTON. You have come here to work.
MOIRA (uneasily). Yes.
LORD CARLTON. For Lady Plumleigh?
MOIRA. Yes.
LORD CARLTON. I see — I understand — I was wondering —
(Seeing she is not happy) Well, I am quite sure the little girl of the boxes is not afraid of work.
MOIRA. Oh, but that wasn’t work. That was doing all the dear things I love to do. Work is doing what you don’t like to do.
LORD CARLTON. And that is the kind of work you’ve come to do now?
MOIRA. Yes.
LORD CARLTON. I’m sorry — I’m very sorry. You make me feel ashamed. Gad, I remember you had just the same effect before.
MOIRA (wistfully). Do you do anything?
LORD CARLTON. Not a blessed thing.
MOIRA. That’s because you are so ill!
LORD CARLTON. No, I’m very well. (Remembers) Now who was it who used to say that? That we were splendid people, but very ill?
MOIRA (half afraid). Grandpa.
LORD CARLTON. Of course! Grandpa! (Chuckles.)
MOIRA (anxious). He was to touch a spring and set you all going again.
LORD CARLTON. The very words. What a pity that he died — for we need him more than ever.
MOIRA (trying to subdue excitement). Don’t you remember that I was trying to help him?
LORD CARLTON. Well, now is your chance. (Wryly) If you would only begin on my boy.
MOIRA. But I thought you said he was always playing marbles.
LORD CARLTON. He is still at them. Now if you would only touch a spring and set him going.
MOIRA. I had rather it was you.
LORD CARLTON (with humorous alarm, falling back a little). None of that, Mother — no meddling with me — I’ve been lazy too long — I’m a lifer. (He plays with her bag and its weight amazes him.) Oh, lord, how surprisingly heavy!
MOIRA (goes to bag — because she can say nothing else). Yes.
(Enter LADY GEORGY; MOIRA turns to her; LADY GEORGY flattered at seeing these two together.)
MOIRA. Lady Plumleigh?
LADY GEORGY. I have only just heard of your arrival —
David, you haven’t been saying horrid things to her?
LORD CARLTON. Horrid things? On the contrary, I am delighted to see this lady.
LADY GEORGY (astonished). Already? (To MOIRA) You clever thing!
(LORD PLUMLEIGH wheels LADY MILLICENT to front of seat in bath-chair. She is a sweet, pale invalid of nineteen with no spirit.)
LORD CARLTON (comes to her). Ah, Milly! My dear child, are you better?
LADY MILLICENT. I must be thankful I am no worse, uncle, (Seeing MOIRA) Mother — Is it?
LADY GEORGY. Yes, and she has made a convert already —
YOUR UNCLE.
LORD PLUMLEIGH. I say!
LADY MILLICENT (to LORD CARLTON). I am so glad!
LORD CARLTON. A convert?
MOIRA (in anguish — but trying to be calm). Lady Plumleigh, Lord Carlton does not know who I am. Won’t you please tell him?
LADY GEORGY (crushed). You don’t know?
LORD CARLTON (beginning to wonder). Not by name. Will you introduce me? (Goes to MOIRA.)
LADY GEORGY (flattering). Lord Carlton — Miss Loney.
(They are all prepared for a scene, but the name is nothing to him.)
LORD CARLTON (shaking her hand). Delighted to meet Miss Loney — but I know a better name for her than that.
LADY MILLICENT (thinking like the others that he means the Stormy Petrel). And you don’t mind. Mother, he doesn’t mind.
LADY GEORGY (relieved). Dear David, you knew all the time!
MOIRA. He does not know yet — please tell him.
I.ADY GEORGY. I — I — (Hesitates.)
(LORD CARLTON wonders.)
LORD PLUMLEIGH. Mater — (Gloating) See who are coming!
(Enter SIR JENNINGS and DR. TOPPING.)
SIR JENNINGS. A dream of a garden, dear lady, a dream!
(LORD CARLTON goes up to LORD PLUMLEIGH.)LADY GEORGY. Yes, I — Sir Jennings, it seems inhospitable, but the coachman says you have just time to catch your train.
(LORD CARLTON looks at his watch.)
SIR JENNINGS. Oh, then we must be off. Thank you so much. (Shakes hands with LADY GEORGY) Goodbye. (A step down to LADY MILLICENT) Goodbye, Lady Millicent.
(Bows to MOIRA.)
LORD CARLTON. Sir Jennings, you have lots of time — I am going by the same train. Before you go I should like to present a lady to you.
SIR JENNINGS. Ah! (Comes back; is attracted by MOIRA’S face.) I shall be delighted indeed.
LORD CARLTON (watching for effect on SIR JENNINGS). Sir Jennings Pyke — Miss Loney.
(SIR JENNINGS in the act of bowing pulls himself up sharply.)
SIR JENNINGS. Not — not the Miss Loney?
MOIRA. I am the Miss Loney you mean, Sir Jennings.
SIR JENNINGS. Was this insult prepared, my lord?
LORD CARLTON. I am aware of no insult.
SIR JENNINGS. We are all entitled to our opinion. I am content to know this lady by her more picturesque name.
LORD CARLTON. What is that?
DR. TOPPING. Don’t you know, my lord? The Stormy Petrel.
LORD CARLTON. This lady! Impossible.
MOIRA. That is who I am. (There is a timid dignity about her.)
LORD CARLTON (after a pause). Sir Jennings, I beg your pardon.
(MOIRA shivers but stands quietly.)
SIR JENNINGS (turning to LADY PLUMLEIGH severely). Am I to understand that this lady has been introduced into the house to effect one of her marvellous cures on Lady Millicent?
LADY GEORGY. Oh no, oh dear no, I — I should never dream of such a thing; I never meant to trust her — not absolutely, you know!
SIR JENNINGS. Lady Plumleigh — I warn you solemnly against putting your daughter’s life in the hands of this lady. You know something of what happened when she was at Frisby Court.
LADY GEORGY. I know that she cured Colonel Frisby.
SIR JENNINGS. And that as soon as he was cured he tried to blow his brains out.
LORD CARLTON. Surely she was not responsible for that, Sir Jennings?
MOIRA. Yes, I think I was.
(A look between SIR JENNINGS and DR. TOPPING; they
are uncomfortable.)
SIR JENNINGS. It is but one of the several scandals that have procured for her the name of which she is doubtless proud.
DR. TOPPING. A lady who makes use of a medium!
LORD PLUMLEIGH. Miss Loney, where is Little Mary?
MOIRA. She is here.
LADY GEORGY. Deighton told me she hadn’t come with you.
MOIRA. I found her here when I arrived.
LADY GEORGY. Here!
LORD CARLTON. An invisible medium! Georgy, surely you are not going on with this.
SIR JENNINGS. Are we to withdraw from the case, or is she?
LADY GEORGY (desperately). Milly must decide.
LADY MILLICENT. Please let there be no unpleasantness on my account.
DR. TOPPING (coming to LADY PLUMLEIGH). In time —
LADY GEORGY. Time! Miss Loney — can you make her well?
MOIRA. I think so.
LADY GEORGY. In — time?
MOIRA. In a month.
SIR JENNINGS (turns to DR. TOPPING). A month exactly, Topping.
DR. TOPPING. Yet she knows nothing about the case.
MOIRA. I have made inquiries about the case.
SIR JENNINGS. Which leaves you confident?
MOIRA. Yes.
SIR JENNINGS. Lady Millicent — have you decided?
LADY MILLICENT. Dear Sir Jennings, I am not worth all this unpleasantness. I don’t think I even wish to get well again. Let us leave it to her.
SIR JENNINGS (hesitates, he crosses to MOIRA). Madam.
MOIRA (soft but firm). I was invited here. I felt it was just the sort of house that needed me, and I shall remain unless I am turned out.
LADY GEORGY. I can’t turn her out.
SIR JENNINGS. Then we withdraw. (Goes to door — turns and listens.)
MOIRA (with an effect — crosses to LADY GEORGY). Lady Plumleigh, I think it is only right to warn you that the effect of my presence here may not be limited to Lady Millicent. It is probable that I may have a strange effect on everyone in the house. What this effect may be I know as little as themselves, but those who prefer to remain as they are will be wise to leave.
LORD PLUMLEIGH. That sounds jolly exciting.
SIR JENNINGS. Lady Plumleigh, Lady Millicent. (Bowing to them.) Lord Carlton. (Gives supercilious look at MOIRA and then goes up to door, turns to DR. TOPPING) We had better go, Topping, before we are changed.
(SIR JENNINGS bows stiffly and exits with DR. TOPPING, LADY GEORGY follows them off.)
LORD CARLTON. Georgy, I wish to speak to Miss Loney.
(LADY GEORGY exits in distress after doctors.)
Digby. (Motions to LORD PLUMLEIGH to take LADY MILLICENT off)
(LORD PLUMLEIGH wheels LADY MILLICENT off.)
MOIRA (who has remained very still). Say all the cruel hard things you want to say.
LORD CARLTON (compassionately). I want to say nothing cruel or hard. I suppose I ought to take it with a laugh. But that little girl of the boxes. I don’t know what sort of a struggle she went through before she sank to this, but it must have been grim.
(She beats her hands together, meaning that it was grim.)
In memory of her, won’t you give this up?
(She has an internal struggle.)
Come, let me help you.
(Her manner indicates there can be no turning back.)
There is still time. (In a last appeal — puts his hand on her shoulder) So that you may look little children in the face.
MOIRA (after a painful struggle). I don’t undertake to do anything that I can’t perform.
LORD CARLTON (takes his hand off her. In pain but scornful). Why say this to me?
MOIRA (beseeching). Remain and test me!
LORD CARLTON (giving her up). Not I. Goodbye, Miss Loney! I despise you! You are a common cheat!
MOIRA (stabbed by these words — pause). You hurt my heart!
LORD CARLTON (turns, comes to her — changing his mind). Very well, then. I shall stay.
MOIRA (to whom this is the great thing — silently). Oh! Oh!
(Presses her hands in delight.)
LORD CARLTON. But I shall watch, and if I detect you at any roguery, why, madam, in the interests of society in general I shall expose you publicly. I shall not stop short of putting you in jail.
MOIRA (fervently). Oh, thank you, thank you. But it is right that I should remind you of one thing.
LORD CARLTON (suspicious). Ah!
MOIRA. That while the others are changing, you may change too.
LORD CARLTON (drily). I think not. You see, I have no faith.
MOIRA. Faith does not matter. You will be changed just the same. It may be a very startling change.
LORD CARLTON. I shall risk it.
(Exit through french window.)
MOIRA (in exultation to her bag). Grandpa! I shall save them!
ACT III
The scene is the room into which the door at the back in Act II led, and the time is morning — a month having elapsed between the Acts. It is a pretty room on the cottage model, but luxurious. It is used as both hall and library. At back the glass door and windows of Act II are seen now from inside. View through them is of the courtyard. There is a large bulging cottage window looking on to rose garden. The wall and the back of the room has bookcases fitted into recesses. Fireplace fitted as bookcase. Near window a Sandow apparatus is fixed in wall. Bell-pull. A staircase. Against stair, a writing-desk with revolving cover over it. Curtains, chair covers, etc., are of chintz which has a good deal of purple in it. The morning sun brings out the colour of this purple. At back is door with wide passage.
(DEIGHTON, the butler, shows in LORD CARLTON. LORD CARLTON is in travelling garb and DEIGHTON helps him to disrobe, LORD CARLTON looks at watch — holds it to his ear; butler takes his hat and coat.)
LORD CARLTON. What time do you make it, Deighton?
(Looking at his watch.)
DEIGHTON. Eight thirty-five, my lord. (Looks at his.)
LORD CARLTON (winding up his watch). I always forget to wind up my watch when I travel by the night train. Anything happened since I left, Deighton?
DEIGHTON. No, my lord — everything going on just as usual.
LORD CARLTON (disappointed — though he had expected nothing better). H’m, well, don’t let me disturb the house. I shall have a smoke and in an hour or so I expect some of them will be toddling down. Breakfast anything after ten, isn’t it?
DEIGHTON (heavily). Breakfast is at eight sharp, my lord.
LORD CARLTON (taken aback). In this house? (Amazed)
Here? When did this happen?
DEIGHTON (considering). Your lordship has been gone a fortnight?
LORD CARLTON. Yes, and I was here a fortnight.
DEIGHTON. I think breakfast had begun to be earlier before your lordship left, and it has been getting earlier and earlier —
(Dazed) — until now it is at eight.
LORD CARLTON. And you said nothing had happened.
DEIGHTON. I thought your lordship was referring to — Miss Loney.
LORD CARLTON (with a sigh). Ah well, I suppose I was.
(Returning to inquiries.) Everybody in the house breakfasts at eight?
DEIGHTON. All except Lord Plumleigh — he breakfasts alone, my lord.
LORD CARLTON. I bet he does at about eleven.
DEIGHTON. No, my lord — at seven-thirty.
LORD CARLTON. What?
(LORD PLUMLEIGH enters. His indolent manner has gone; he moves briskly, like one who knows the value of time.)
LORD PLUMLEIGH. Got back, uncle! (Shakes hands.) Hope you ‘re decent — seen mother? (Goes up to Sandow exerciser.)
LORD CARLTON (surprised). Not yet.
(Exit DEIGHTON.)