LAWRENCE: (Apologetically.) If there’s anything else we can do, I’d be happy to …
LAL SINGH: The young man will have to come to trial.
LAWRENCE: (Firmly.) I’m afraid that may not be possible. He can only be tried according to the rules of the Honourable Company. However, I intend to deal with him as severely as I can. Please rest assured that this will not happen again.
(Pause.)
I have a request.
RANI: The Angrez has no lack of requests.
LAWRENCE: (Unperturbed.) I request you to arrange for a special guard around the Shah’ alami area and the Residency tonight.
RANI: Anything else?
LAWRENCE: No, thank you. Good night!
(Exit.)
LAL SINGH: (Furious.) The son of a pig! I’m going to burn the Residency tonight.
RANI: (Calmly.) No, my sparrow, I’ll handle him.
(Pause. She smiles.)
LAL SINGH: Why do you smile?
RANI: You know, my sparrow, I like our Resident. (More to herself.)
Yes, I like him. He has something …
LAL SINGH: (Muttering.) That’s not surprising.
RANI: (Sharply.) What do you mean?
LAL SINGH: (Appeasing.) You know what I mean.
(She slaps him.)
RANI: If you’re jealous, at least be civilized about it. (Sensuously.) Our Resident is full of fire.
(Suddenly.)
What’s your lackey doing in the hall?
LAL SINGH: Who? Tej Singh?
RANI: Yes, I can see him at the door. He’s trying his best to hear what we are saying.
LAL SINGH: Rani Sahiba, I beg of you to be more polite to the ministers and the officials of the Darbar. Tej Singh is the Commander-in-Chief of our army, and …
RANI: They’re all lackeys! I’m tired. Good night. (Exit.)
(Enter Tej Singh from the opposite side.)
TEJ SINGH: (Laughing.) Ho, ho, ho!
LAL SINGH: What are you laughing about, you son of an owl!
TEJ SINGH: The way she slapped you. Ho, ho, ho!
LAL SINGH: Shut up, you owl. She called you a lackey.
TEJ SINGH: (Hurt.) Did she?
(Pause.)
LAL SINGH: The Angrez Resident is clever—perhaps too clever for his own good. He might upset our plans.
TEJ SINGH: (Proudly.) I can teach him a lesson.
LAL SINGH: You can’t, you peasant. Do you realize who he is? He is the victorious army’s Governor. Besides, he can take on ten of your kind.
TEJ SINGH: (Hurt.) Yes?
LAL SINGH: To make matters worse, someone’s been talking to the boy.
TEJ SINGH: Who?
LAL SINGH: You village peasant, why don’t you think for yourself? Do you think I have all the answers? Sometimes I think your mother forgot to feed you her milk.
TEJ SINGH: (Undaunted.) Is it the Angrez?
LAL SINGH: No. He’s different; he wouldn’t do this. (Suddenly in a whisper.) Anyhow our work may be easy. The Angrez is going to make a public apology in the Shah’ alami Gate tomorrow. Perhaps that is the time to act.
TEJ SINGH: (Impressed.) You are clever, Wazir Sahib.
LAL SINGH: Shh!
Act One Scene 3
The Residency at Lahore, an hour later. Lawrence’s young men, including Sher Singh, are lounging about in the Common Room waiting for him. A punkah is swaying lazily overhead.
LUMSDEN: Are you going to the nautch tonight, Abbot?
ABBOT: (Yawning.) The nautch girls sing too long. By the time it gets interesting I’m half asleep.
LUMSDEN: Pretty awful business if you ask me.
ABBOT: How’s your black wench, Lumsden?
LUMSDEN: Not good.
EDWARDES: Oh?
LUMSDEN: She is pregnant.
ABBOT: So soon.
SHER SINGH: (Laughing.) Ha, ha, That’s what happens. First there is woman, then there are children. Ha, ha.
LUMSDEN: (Snubbing.) Shut up, funny man.
SHER SINGH: (Quietly.) I didn’t mean any offence.
LUMSDEN: You can’t afford to offend us. Don’t forget that you are a native, funny man.
EDWARDES: Don’t, Lumsden.
LUMSDEN: Natives should speak only when spoken to.
SHER SINGH: (Getting up.) Are you trying to provoke me?
EDWARDES: (Appeasing.) All right, Sher Singh. Enough, Lumsden. No one’s going anywhere tonight.
(Pause.)
You’ve landed us into a fine mess with that silly cow, eh Lumsden.
ABBOT: I’m not sure if I wouldn’t have done the same thing.
EDWARDES: For God’s sake, he could have let the damn cow pass.
LUMSDEN: It was blocking the road.
ABBOT: Anyway, why in heaven’s name are the niggers so touchy about cows?
LUMSDEN: I don’t know. You should have seen them though. They rose out of the earth and swarmed behind us like bees as we ran here.
ABBOT: Why didn’t you fire on them?
LUMSDEN: We were running for our lives …
EDWARDES: I don’t understand. If the cow was blocking the road you could have pushed it.
SHER SINGH: (Bursting out.) Ha ha ha! I can see him pushing a cow off the road.
LUMSDEN: Shut up, black man.
EDWARDES: Don’t bully him, Lumsden.
SHER SINGH: (Getting up.) No one’s going to bully me. Mr Lumsden obviously doesn’t know the wrath of a Sardar.
(Sher Singh knocks Lumsden down. There is a scuffle. Edwardes and Abbot try to break it up. Sound of footsteps, and the two hurriedly come apart. Enter Henry Lawrence. All promptly come to attention. Lawrence looks about silently, blank expression on his face. Long pause.)
LAWRENCE: (Quietly.) What’s happening?
SHER SINGH: (Cheerfully.) Oh, we were having a friendly wrestling match.
LAWRENCE: (Quietly.) I don’t think it is the place or the time for physical exercise.
(Pause.)
Come here, Mr Lumsden.
(Lumsden steps forward. Lawrence looks at him, then slaps him hard on his cheek.)
You did it deliberately.
LUMSDEN: No, sir.
LAWRENCE: Yes, you did. You killed the cow deliberately and perversely.
LUMSDEN: It was blocking my way.
LAWRENCE: No, sir.
LUMSDEN: Yes.
LAWRENCE: You lied to me. You went out of your way to kill the cow, knowing all the time that the sensitivities of the people there would be outraged by this.
LUMSDEN: No.
LAWRENCE: Get out of my sight. I don’t like liars. This time it’s only a warning. Next time you will be discharged.
LUMSDEN: (Rubbing his cheek.) I shall have to tell Mr Currie about this.
LAWRENCE: Get out!
LUMSDEN: (Leaving.) Striking an officer is a serious offence, Mr Lawrence. Calcutta is not going to like it.
LAWRENCE: Get out!
(Exit Lumsden.)
Wait!
(Lumsden re-enters.)
You had better go to the downstairs room. There’s a full guard outside. Don’t move out if you value your life.
(Exit Lumsden.)
Gentlemen, you serve your country and your conduct must reflect this.
EDWARDES: If I may be allowed to speak, sir, I think this is a bit harsh on poor Lumsden.
LAWRENCE: Mr Edwardes, I am less concerned with the integrity of Mr Lumsden than with the fact that there are at least a thousand persons outside who would be glad to have his head. Fortunately Indians are civilized people and don’t resort to violence easily. In another land, we would have been burnt alive.
ABBOT: The natives aren’t Christians, sir. Their odious religion has thousands of ugly Gods and rituals. We aren’t expected to know them all, are we?
EDWARDES: Yes sir, we should keep as far away from them as possible.
LAWRENCE: Enough! I didn’t think I’d hear such disgusting nonsense from two of my best men. Have your forgott
en perhaps that these people are also human beings?
(Pause.)
You were selected from the entire East India Company. Each of you has something which puts him above all others who have come to make their fortunes in India. You are incapable of becoming ‘pukka Indians’ …
SHER SINGH: Wah, what’s a ‘pukka Indian?’
LAWRENCE: A pukka Indian is an Englishman full of curry and bad Hindustani, with a fat liver and no brains, but with a self-sufficient idea that no one can know India, except through a long experience of brandy, gin, gram-fed mutton, and cheroots.
SHER SINGH: Wah, wah! A real burra Sahib!
LAWRENCE: The average Englishman thinks that he’s doing someone a favour by being in India. But I thought you were here because you liked being here. If I’m mistaken, let me know now. Better still, get out of India by the next boat.
Undeceive yourselves, if you think by remaining in India you will shoulder someone’s burden and march into a hero’s sunset. Rest assured, Mr Abbot, the Indian doesn’t need anyone’s shoulder to lean upon. He can do without the Englishman, who as soon as he sets foot in India eternally pines for London fogs and Surrey greens. Your mission to civilize ‘the crafty Hindu’ will only result in his losing faith in the English. If you have any doubt, go, for God’s sake, go to your ‘fresh mornings,’ ‘gorgeous noons,’ and ‘dewy eves.’
(Pause.)
What do you say, Sher Singh?
SHER SINGH: What can I say, sir? I’m a ‘filthy, black nigger.’
LAWRENCE: Don’t be so bloody sensitive!
SHER SINGH: (Hurt.) I’m not.
LAWRENCE: You Indians are the most touchy people in the world. Sometimes it’s so difficult to talk to you. One’s always afraid of hurting you. You know Sher Singh, there’s a hunting bird who is so sensitive … even if you are standing a hundred feet behind it and you move an inch, its neck will cringe. An Indian is like that. One has to be so careful with you.
SHER SINGH: I’m not like that.
LAWRENCE: No, you’re not. I’m sorry.
(Pause.)
I’m tired now.
(They get up to leave.)
EDWARDES: (Leaving.) We don’t want to leave sir.
(Lawrence smiles. Then nods. All leave, except Sher Singh and Lawrence.)
SHER SINGH: You’re tired, Larins. You haven’t eaten anything.
LAWRENCE: I’m not hungry.
(Shuts his eyes. Long pause.)
I feel suddenly at ease.
(Edwardes re-enters and gives a sealed note to Sher Singh.)
EDWARDES: Urgent message for Sher Singh.
SHER SINGH: (Opening it.) You’ve a visitor, Larins Sahib.
EDWARDES: Visitor? Who’s it at this time?
LAWRENCE: Whoever it is, send him in.
SHER SINGH: It is not a ‘he,’ and it wants to see you alone.
EDWARDES: Who is it?
LAWRENCE: That’s all right. Send it in.
EDWARDES: (Flabbergasted.) But, sir, you mustn’t see just anyone like this. You must observe proper protocol and security before you see a stranger.
LAWRENCE: (Smiling.) Strangeress, you mean?
EDWARDES: (Confused.) Why yes, sir. Sir?
LAWRENCE: My dear Edwardes, the British Empire wasn’t built on ‘proper security.’
(Pause.)
Send her in.
(Smiling.)
Gentlemen, if you’ll now excuse me.
(They withdraw. A veiled woman, tall and stately, slowly and gracefully walks in. She is dressed in the courtesan’s brocaded and ostentatious clothes.)
RANI: (Salaaming.) Zubheda Begum, the singing queen of Benaras offers her salaams and services to the Resident Sahib.
LAWRENCE: (Elaborately returning her salaams.) We welcome the Begum
(Pause.)
But we are at a loss to remember if we asked for the charming favours of the Singing Queen.
RANI: The widespread fame of the Resident attracts the Queen as the flickering light from an earthern lamp attracts the moth of the night.
LAWRENCE: (Obviously enjoying himself.) Such flattery would make even the Gods blush.
RANI: Truth is not flattery, Resident Sahib.
LAWRENCE: Then to be alive, certainly is, Begum Sahiba.
RANI: Not to one who deserves it.
LAWRENCE: No one can possibly be deserving of so charming a presence.
RANI: Immortals humble all presences.
LAWRENCE: Humility humbles even mortals.
RANI: ‘Mortals should not presume to become immortal,’ said the wise man.
LAWRENCE: ‘It is mortals who become immortal,’ replied the fool.
RANI: The Resident Sahib is accomplished.
LAWRENCE: The Begum Sahiba is generous.
RANI: Not any more than the Resident Sahib.
(Pause.)
But the brave and mighty Angrez seems to be afraid.
LAWRENCE: ‘Fear is only human,’ said the jackal.
RANI: ‘But the brave are not afraid,’ said the lion.
LAWRENCE: ‘Even the bravest are afraid of beautiful women,’ said the fox.
RANI: The Angrez gives and takes with the same hand. Come, why is the brave man afraid?
LAWRENCE: He’s afraid that his charming guest may be the Queen of Lahore. He is afraid that the Queen may have got it into her beautiful head that English Residents are expendable. And he’s afraid to dirty this clean spot of Punjab earth with good English blood.
RANI: (Lifting her veil.) The Resident is right and wrong. I am Jindan Kaur, the Regent of the Punjab. But I don’t think that Residents are expendable. And I haven’t come to murder anyone.
LAWRENCE: (Getting up.) The Honourable East India Company’s agent is pleased to re-welcome his distinguished guest.
(Pause.)
May one ask why one is being honoured so?
RANI: Must there be a reason?
LAWRENCE: No.
RANI: (Seductively.) Then one has come because one fancies it.
(Lawrence smiles. Pause.)
Is the Resident Sahib happy with the police arrangements at the Shah’ alami Gate and around the Residency?
LAWRENCE: Yes, thank you. The efficiency of the Rani Sahiba is admirable.
(She smiles.)
RANI: Does the Resident insist on making a public apology?
LAWRENCE: Yes. Why?
RANI: Because it is not safe.
(Pause.)
Can one also request the Resident to postpone the Council meetings?
LAWRENCE: Why?
RANI: For the same reason.
LAWRENCE: But surely the wise councillors would not …
RANI: (Interrupting.) One can’t tell. Brahmins like Diwan Dina Nath may be tempted. Brahmins are especially sensitive about the cow.
LAWRENCE: We are most impressed by the Rani’s concern for our safety.
May one ask why the Rani …
RANI: (Disarmed.) The Resident is pig-headed! Doesn’t he understand if a certain person chooses to come at this hour, against all protocol, she may be concerned for someone’s safety.
(Uncomfortable pause.)
Things are not well in the Darbar, Larins.
LAWRENCE: (Concerned.) What is it?
RANI: You know what happened at Sobraon and Ferozshahr.
LAWRENCE: (Embarrassed.) You mean the … the treachery of your officers?
RANI: Yes, the Sardars are not content with betraying the Khalsa. Now they want bigger things.
LAWRENCE: What?
RANI: What do you think?
LAWRENCE: The throne?
(Rani nods.)
RANI: They are jealous of Dalip and me. Perhaps they find him too independent.
LAWRENCE: (Smiling.) You mean they find you too independent.
RANI: (Trying to smile.) Well, both of us.
LAWRENCE: And Lal Singh?
RANI: What about him.
LAWRENCE: Is he mixed up in this?
&n
bsp; (No answer.)
You won’t tell me that anyway.
RANI: (With dignity.) No, I won’t tell you that.
(Pause.)
I think that was a vulgar remark.
LAWRENCE: I’m sorry.
(Pause.)
Are the circumstances of the English victory public?
RANI: I don’t think so.
LAWRENCE: It’s important that they remain a secret.
RANI: That’s just it. They want to open up the whole thing.
LAWRENCE: And crucify themselves in the process.
RANI: No—discredit Dalip and me.
LAWRENCE: How?
RANI: Because all commands were issued under Dalip’s and my name. The treacherous message bore my signature.
(Embarrassed.)
Larins, I don’t know anything about wars. I used to sign whatever they wanted me to.
LAWRENCE: (Uncomfortably.) Rani Sahiba, please let’s not go into this …
RANI: (Hurt.) Do you think I’m a traitor?
LAWRENCE: Not you.
(Pause.)
I’m just disappointed with my countrymen.
RANI: We wouldn’t have lost in a fair fight, would we?
LAWRENCE: (Obviously uncomfortable.) No.
(Long pause.)
RANI: You see, Larins. They want to make the betrayal public and pin the whole thing on me. Once Ranjit Singh’s house is discredited they’ve a chance at the throne.
(Pause.)
But they’re fools. They don’t realize that the future of the Punjab is in British hands?
LAWRENCE: Not necessarily.
RANI: You’re modest, Larins. You know as well as I, you’re not just a Resident.
LAWRENCE: There’s one thing you forget. It’s not an easy thing to destroy fifty years of great work.
RANI: People have short memories.
LAWRENCE: (Animated.) Not for one who creates a nation. What are they compared to the Lion of Punjab? When I was doing revenue work on the border in ’36, 1 used to hear of him.
(Suddenly.)
Rani Sahiba, tell me, what was he like?
RANI: (Suddenly absorbed.) Oh, he looked mean. He was small, one-eyed, and worn out by hard living and debauchery.
(Giggles.)
Do you know Larins, he was totally illiterate?
LAWRENCE: Was he a good man?
RANI: He was good to me.
(Looking at his intense face.)
Larins, why are you so concerned with my late husband? I don’t understand. You’re suddenly so different when you talk of him. I noticed it before. Why?
LAWRENCE: (Embarrassed.) I don’t know.
Three Plays Page 6