Джон Голсуорси
Plays : First Series
COLONEL. [Brooding.] Your aunt's very funny. She's a born manager. She 'd manage the hind leg off a donkey; but if I want five shillings for a charity or what not, I have to whistle for it. And then all of a sudden, Molly, she'll take it into her head to spend goodness knows what on some trumpery or other and come to me for the money. If I have n't got it to give her, out she flies about 3 per cent., and worries me to invest in some wild-cat or other, like your friend's thing, the Jaco what is it? I don't pay the slightest attention to her.
MRS. HOPE. [From the direction of the house.] Tom!
COLONEL. [Rising.] Yes, dear! [Then dropping his voice.] I say, Molly, don't you mind what I said about young Lever. I don't want you to imagine that I think harm of people – you know I don't – but so many women come to grief, and – [hotly] – I can't stand men about town; not that he of course —
MRS. HOPE, [Peremptorily.] Tom!
COLONEL. [In hasty confidence.] I find it best to let your aunt run on. If she says anything —
MRS. HOPE. To-om!
COLONEL. Yes, dear!
[He goes hastily. MRS. GWYN sits drawing circles on the ground with her charming parasol. Suddenly she springs to her feet, and stands waiting like an animal at bay. The COLONEL and MRS. HOPE approach her talking.]
MRS. HOPE. Well, how was I to know?
COLONEL. Did n't Joy come and tell you?
MRS. HOPE. I don't know what's the matter with that child? Well, Molly, so here you are. You're before your time – that train's always late.
MRS. GWYN. [With faint irony.] I'm sorry, Aunt Nell!
[They bob, seem to take fright, and kiss each other gingerly.]
MRS. HOPE. What have you done with Mr. Lever? I shall have to put him in Peachey's room. Tom's got no champagne.
COLONEL. They've a very decent brand down at the George, Molly, I'll send Bob over —
MRS. HOPE. Rubbish, Tom! He'll just have to put up with what he can get!
MRS. GWYN. Of course! He's not a snob! For goodness sake, Aunt Nell, don't put yourself out! I'm sorry I suggested his coming.
COLONEL. My dear, we ought to have champagne in the house – in case of accident.
MRS. GWYN. [Shaking him gently by the coat.] No, please, Uncle Tom!
MRS. HOPE. [Suddenly.] Now, I've told your uncle, Molly, that he's not to go in for this gold mine without making certain it's a good thing. Mind, I think you've been very rash. I'm going to give you a good talking to; and that's not all – you ought n't to go about like this with a young man; he's not at all bad looking. I remember him perfectly well at the Fleming's dance.
[On MRS. GWYN's lips there comes a little mocking smile.]
COLONEL. [Pulling his wife's sleeve.] Nell!
MRS. HOPE. No, Tom, I'm going to talk to Molly; she's old enough to know better.
MRS. GWYN. Yes?
MRS. HOPE. Yes, and you'll get yourself into a mess; I don't approve of it, and when I see a thing I don't approve of —
COLONEL. [Walking about, and pulling his moustache.] Nell, I won't have it, I simply won't have it.
MRS. HOPE. What rate of interest are these Preference shares to pay?
MRS. GWYN. [Still smiling.] Ten per cent.
MRS. HOPE. What did I tell you, Tom? And are they safe?
MRS. GWYN. You'd better ask Maurice.
MRS. HOPE. There, you see, you call him Maurice! Now supposing your uncle went in for some of them —
COLONEL. [Taking off his hat-in a high, hot voice] I'm not going in for anything of the sort.
MRS. HOPE. Don't swing your hat by the brim! Go and look if you can see him coming!
[The COLONEL goes.]
[In a lower voice.] Your uncle's getting very bald. I 've only shoulder of lamb for lunch, and a salad. It's lucky it's too hot to eat.
[MISS BEECH has appeared while she is speaking.]
Here she is, Peachey!
MISS BEECH. I see her. [She kisses MRS. GWYN, and looks at her intently.]
MRS. GWYN. [Shrugging her shoulders.] Well, Peachey! What d 'you make of me?
COLONEL. [Returning from his search.] There's a white hat crossing the second stile. Is that your friend, Molly?
[MRS. GWYN nods.]
MRS. HOPE. Oh! before I forget, Peachey – Letty and Ernest can move their things back again. I'm going to put Mr. Lever in your room. [Catching sight o f the paint pot on the ground.] There's that disgusting paint pot! Take it up at once, Tom, and put it in the tree.
[The COLONEL picks up the pot and bears it to the hollow tree followed by MRS. HOPE; he enters.]
MRS. HOPE. [Speaking into the tree.] Not there!
COLONEL. [From within.] Well, where then?
MRS. HOPE. Why – up – oh! gracious!
[MRS. GWYN, standing alone, is smiling. LEVER approaches from the towing-path. He is a man like a fencer's wrist, supple and steely. A man whose age is difficult to tell, with a quick, good-looking face, and a line between his brows; his darkish hair is flecked with grey. He gives the feeling that he has always had to spurt to keep pace with his own life.]
MRS. HOPE. [Also entering the hollow tree.] No-oh!
COLONEL. [From the depths, in a high voice.] Well, dash it then!
What do you want?
MRS. GWYN. Peachey, may I introduce Mr. Lever to you? Miss Beech, my old governess.
[They shake each other by the hand.]
LEVER. How do you do? [His voice is pleasant, his manner easy.]
MISS BEECH. Pleased to meet you.
[Her manner is that of one who is not pleased. She watches.]
MRS. GWYN. [Pointing to the tree-maliciously.] This is my uncle and my aunt. They're taking exercise, I think.
[The COLONEL and MRS. HOPE emerge convulsively. They are very hot. LEVER and MRS. GWYN are very cool.]
MRS. HOPE. [Shaking hands with him.] So you 've got here! Are n't you very hot? – Tom!
COLONEL. Brought a splendid day with you! Splendid!
[As he speaks, Joy comes running with a bunch of roses; seeing LEVER, she stops and stands quite rigid.]
MISS BEECH. [Sitting in the swing.] Thunder!
COLONEL. Thunder? Nonsense, Peachey, you're always imagining something. Look at the sky!
MISS BEECH. Thunder!
[MRS. GWYN's smile has faded. ]
MRS. HOPE. [Turning.] Joy, don't you see Mr. Lever?
[Joy, turning to her mother, gives her the roses. With a forced smile, LEVER advances, holding out his hand.]
LEVER. How are you, Joy? Have n't seen you for an age!
JOY. [Without expression.] I am very well, thank you.
[She raises her hand, and just touches his. MRS. GWYN'S eyes are fixed on her daughter. Miss BEECH is watching them intently. MRS. HOPE is buttoning the COLONEL'S coat.]
The curtain falls.
ACT II
It is afternoon, and at a garden-table placed beneath the hollow tree, the COLONEL is poring over plans. Astride of a garden-chair, LEVER is smoking cigarettes. DICK is hanging Chinese lanterns to the hollow tree.
LEVER. Of course, if this level [pointing with his cigarette] peters out to the West we shall be in a tightish place; you know what a mine is at this stage, Colonel Hope.
COLONEL. [Absently.] Yes, yes. [Tracing a line.] What is there to prevent its running out here to the East?
LEVER. Well, nothing, except that as a matter of fact it doesn't.
COLONEL. [With some excitement.] I'm very glad you showed me these papers, very glad! I say that it's a most astonishing thing if the ore suddenly stops there. [A gleam of humour visits LEVER'S face.] I'm not an expert, but you ought to prove that ground to the East more thoroughly.
LEVER. [Quizzically.] Of course, sir, if you advise that —
COLONEL. If it were mine, I'd no more sit down under the belief that the ore stopped there than I 'd – There's a harmony in these things.
NEVER. I can only tell you what our experts say.
COLONEL. Ah! Experts! No faith in them – never had! Miners, lawyers, theologians, cowardly lot – pays them to be cowardly. When they have n't their own axes to grind, they've got their theories; a theory's a dangerous thing. [He loses himself in contemplation of the papers.] Now my theory is, you 're in strata here of what we call the Triassic Age.
LEVER. [Smiling faintly.] Ah!
COLONEL. You've struck a fault, that's what's happened. The ore may be as much as thirty or forty yards out; but it 's there, depend on it.
LEVER. Would you back that opinion, sir?
COLONEL. [With dignity.] I never give an opinion that I'm not prepared to back. I want to get to the bottom of this. What's to prevent the gold going down indefinitely?
LEVER. Nothing, so far as I know.
COLONEL. [With suspicion.] Eh!
LEVER. All I can tell you is: This is as far as we've got, and we want more money before we can get any farther.
COLONEL. [Absently.] Yes, yes; that's very usual.
LEVER. If you ask my personal opinion I think it's very doubtful that the gold does go down.
COLONEL. [Smiling.] Oh! a personal opinion a matter of this sort!
LEVER. [As though about to take the papers.] Perhaps we'd better close the sitting, sir; sorry to have bored you.
COLONEL. Now, now! Don't be so touchy! If I'm to put money in, I'm bound to look at it all round.
LEVER. [With lifted brows.] Please don't imagine that I want you to put money in.
COLONEL. Confound it, sir! D 'you suppose I take you for a Company promoter?
LEVER. Thank you!
COLONEL. [Looking at him doubtfully.] You've got Irish blood in you – um? You're so hasty!
LEVER. If you 're really thinking of taking shares – my advice to you is, don't!
COLONEL. [Regretfully.] If this were an ordinary gold mine, I wouldn't dream of looking at it, I want you to understand that. Nobody has a greater objection to gold mines than I.
LEVER. [Looks down at his host with half-closed eyes.] But it is a gold mine, Colonel Hope.
COLONEL. I know, I know; but I 've been into it for myself; I've formed my opinion personally. Now, what 's the reason you don't want me to invest?
LEVER. Well, if it doesn't turn out as you expect, you'll say it's my doing. I know what investors are.
COLONEL. [Dubiously.] If it were a Westralian or a Kaffir I would n't touch it with a pair of tongs! It 's not as if I were going to put much in! [He suddenly bends above the papers as though magnetically attracted.] I like these Triassic formations!
[DICK, who has hung the last lantern, moodily departs.]
LEVER. [Looking after him.] That young man seems depressed.
COLONEL. [As though remembering his principles.] I don't like mines, never have! [Suddenly absorbed again.] I tell you what, Lever – this thing's got tremendous possibilities. You don't seem to believe in it enough. No mine's any good without faith; until I see for myself, however, I shan't commit myself beyond a thousand.
LEVER. Are you serious, sir?
COLONEL. Certainly! I've been thinking it over ever since you told me Henty had fought shy. I 've a poor opinion of Henty. He's one of those fellows that says one thing and does another. An opportunist!
LEVER. [Slowly.] I'm afraid we're all that, more or less. [He sits beneath the hollow tree.]
COLONEL. A man never knows what he is himself. There 's my wife. She thinks she 's – By the way, don't say anything to her about this, please. And, Lever [nervously], I don't think, you know, this is quite the sort of thing for my niece.
LEVER. [Quietly.] I agree. I mean to get her out of it.
COLONEL. [A little taken aback.] Ah! You know, she – she's in a very delicate position, living by herself in London. [LEVER looks at him ironically.] You [very nervously] see a good deal of her? If it had n't been for Joy growing so fast, we shouldn't have had the child down here. Her mother ought to have her with her. Eh! Don't you think so?
LEVER. [Forcing a smile.] Mrs. Gwyn always seems to me to get on all right.
COLONEL. [As though making a discovery.] You know, I've found that when a woman's living alone and unprotected, the very least thing will set a lot of hags and jackanapes talking. [Hotly.] The more unprotected and helpless a woman is, the more they revel in it. If there's anything I hate in this world, it's those wretched creatures who babble about their neighbours' affairs.
LEVER. I agree with you.
COLONEL. One ought to be very careful not to give them – that is – [checks himself confused; then hurrying on] – I suppose you and Joy get on all right?
LEVER. [Coolly.] Pretty well, thanks. I'm not exactly in Joy's line; have n't seen very much of her, in fact.
[Miss BEECH and JOY have been approaching from the house. But seeing LEVER, JOY turns abruptly, hesitates a moment, and with an angry gesture goes away.]
COLONEL [Unconscious.] Wonderfully affectionate little thing! Well, she'll be going home to-morrow!
MISS BEECH. [Who has been gazing after JOY.] Talkin' business, poor creatures?
LEVER. Oh, no! If you'll excuse me, I'll wash my hands before tea.
[He glances at the COLONEL poring over papers, and, shrugging his shoulders, strolls away.]
MISS BEECH. [Sitting in the swing.] I see your horrid papers.
COLONEL. Be quiet, Peachey!
MISS BEECH. On a beautiful summer's day, too.
COLONEL. That'll do now.
MISS BEECH. [Unmoved.] For every ounce you take out of a gold mine you put two in.
COLONEL. Who told you that rubbish?
MISS BEECH. [With devilry.] You did!
COLONEL. This is n't an ordinary gold mine.
MISS BEECH. Oh! quite a special thing.
[COLONEL stares at her, but subsiding at hey impassivity, he pores again over the papers.]
[Rosy has approached with a tea cloth.]
ROSE. If you please, sir, the Missis told me to lay the tea.
COLONEL. Go away! Ten fives fifty. Ten 5 16ths, Peachey?
MISS BEECH. I hate your nasty sums!
[ROSE goes away. The COLONEL Writes. MRS. HOPE'S voice is heard, "Now then, bring those chairs, you two. Not that one, Ernest." ERNEST and LETTY appear through the openings of the wall, each with a chair.]
COLONEL. [With dull exasperation.] What do you want?
LETTY. Tea, Father.
[She places her chair and goes away.]
ERNEST. That Johnny-bird Lever is too cocksure for me, Colonel.
Those South American things are no good at all. I know all about them from young Scrotton. There's not one that's worth a red cent.
If you want a flutter —
COLONEL. [Explosively.] Flutter! I'm not a gambler, sir!
ERNEST. Well, Colonel [with a smile], I only don't want you to chuck your money away on a stiff 'un. If you want anything good you should go to Mexico.
COLONEL. [Jumping up and holding out the map.] Go to [He stops in time.] What d'you call that, eh? M-E-X —
ERNEST. [Not to be embarrassed.] It all depend on what part.
COLONEL. You think you know everything – you think nothing's right unless it's your own idea! Be good enough to keep your advice to yourself.
ERNEST. [Moving with his chair, and stopping with a smile.] If you ask me, I should say it wasn't playing the game to put Molly into a thing like that.
COLONEL. What do you mean, sir?
ERNEST. Any Juggins can see that she's a bit gone on our friend.
COLONEL. [Freezingly.] Indeed!
ERNEST. He's not at all the sort of Johnny that appeals to me.
COLONEL. Really?
ERNEST. [Unmoved.] If I were you, Colonel, I should tip her the wink. He was hanging about her at Ascot all the time. It 's a bit thick!
[MRS. HOPE followed by ROSE appears from the house.]
COLONEL. [Stammering with passion.] Jackanapes!
MRS. HOPE. Don't stand there, Tom; clear those papers, and let Rose lay the table. Now, Ernest, go and get another chair.
[The COLONEL looks wildly round and sits beneath the hollow tree, with his head held in his hands. ROSE lays the cloth.]
MRS. BEECH. [Sitting beside the COLONEL.] Poor creature!
ERNEST. [Carrying his chair about with him.] Ask any Johnny in the City, he 'll tell you Mexico's a very tricky country – the people are awful rotters.
MRS. HOPE. Put that chair down, Ernest.
[ERNEST looks at the chair, puts it down, opens his mouth, and goes away. ROSE follows him.]
What's he been talking about? You oughtn't to get so excited, Tom; is your head bad, old man? Here, take these papers! [She hands the papers to the COLONEL.] Peachey, go in and tell them tea 'll be ready in a minute, there 's a good soul? Oh! and on my dressing table you'll find a bottle of Eau de Cologne.
MRS. BEECH. Don't let him get in a temper again. That 's three times to-day!
[She goes towards the house. ]
COLONEL. Never met such a fellow in my life, the most opinionated, narrow-minded – thinks he knows everything. Whatever Letty could see in him I can't think. Pragmatical beggar!
MRS. HOPE. Now Tom! What have you been up to, to get into a state like this?
COLONEL. [Avoiding her eyes.] I shall lose my temper with him one of these days. He's got that confounded habit of thinking nobody can be right but himself.
MRS. HOPE. That's enough! I want to talk to you seriously! Dick's in love. I'm perfectly certain of it.
COLONEL. Love! Who's he in love with – Peachey?
MRS. HOPE. You can see it all over him. If I saw any signs of Joy's breaking out, I'd send them both away. I simply won't have it.
COLONEL. Why, she's a child!
MRS. HOPE. [Pursuing her own thoughts.] But she isn't – not yet.
I've been watching her very carefully. She's more in love with her Mother than any one, follows her about like a dog! She's been quite rude to Mr. Lever.
COLONEL. [Pursuing his own thoughts.] I don't believe a word of it.
[He rises and walks about]
MRS. HOPE. Don't believe a word of what?
[The COLONEL is Silent.]
[Pursuing his thoughts with her own.]
If I thought there was anything between Molly and Mr. Lever, d 'you suppose I'd have him in the house?
[The COLONEL stops, and gives a sort of grunt.]
He's a very nice fellow; and I want you to pump him well, Tom, and see what there is in this mine.
COLONEL. [Uneasily.] Pump!
MRS. HOPE. [Looking at him curiously.] Yes, you 've been up to something! Now what is it?
COLONEL. Pump my own guest! I never heard of such a thing!
MRS. HOPE. There you are on your high horse! I do wish you had a little common-sense, Tom!
COLONEL. I'd as soon you asked me to sneak about eavesdropping!
Pump!
MRS. HOPE. Well, what were you looking at these papers for? It does drive me so wild the way you throw away all the chances you have of making a little money. I've got you this opportunity, and you do nothing but rave up and down, and talk nonsense!
COLONEL. [In a high voice] Much you know about it! I 've taken a thousand shares in this mine —
[He stops dead. There is a silence. ]
MRS. HOPE. You 've – WHAT? Without consulting me? Well, then, you 'll just go and take them out again!
COLONEL. You want me to – ?
MRS. HOPE. The idea! As if you could trust your judgment in a thing like that! You 'll just go at once and say there was a mistake; then we 'll talk it over calmly.
COLONEL. [Drawing himself up.] Go back on what I 've said? Not if I lose every penny! First you worry me to take the shares, and then you worry me not – I won't have it, Nell, I won't have it!
MRS. HOPE. Well, if I'd thought you'd have forgotten what you said this morning and turned about like this, d'you suppose I'd have spoken to you at all? Now, do you?
COLONEL. Rubbish! If you can't see that this is a special opportunity!
[He walks away followed by MRS. HOPE, who endeavors to make him see her point of view. ERNEST and LETTY are now returning from the house armed with a third chair.]
LETTY. What's the matter with everybody? Is it the heat?
ERNEST. [Preoccupied and sitting in the swing.] That sportsman, Lever, you know, ought to be warned off.
LETTY. [Signing to ERNEST.] Where's Miss Joy, Rose?
ROSE. Don't know, Miss.
[Putting down the tray, she goes.]
[ROSE, has followed with the tea tray.]
LETTY. Ernie, be careful, you never know where Joy is.
ERNEST. [Preoccupied with his reflections.] Your old Dad 's as mad as a hatter with me.
LETTY. Why?
ERNEST. Well, I merely said what I thought, that Molly ought to look out what's she's doing, and he dropped on me like a cartload of bricks.
LETTY. The Dad's very fond of Molly.
ERNEST. But look here, d'you mean to tell me that she and Lever are n't —
LETTY. Don't! Suppose they are! If joy were to hear it'd be simply awful. I like Molly. I 'm not going to believe anything against her. I don't see the use of it. If it is, it is, and if it is n't, it is n't.
ERNEST. Well, all I know is that when I told her the mine was probably a frost she went for me like steam.
LETTY. Well, so should I. She was only sticking up for her friends.
ERNEST. Ask the old Peachey-bird. She knows a thing or two. Look here, I don't mind a man's being a bit of a sportsman, but I think Molly's bringin' him down here is too thick. Your old Dad's got one of his notions that because this Josser's his guest, he must keep him in a glass case, and take shares in his mine, and all the rest of it.
LETTY. I do think people are horrible, always thinking things. It's not as if Molly were a stranger. She's my own cousin. I 'm not going to believe anything about my own cousin. I simply won't.
ERNEST. [Reluctantly realising the difference that this makes.] I suppose it does make a difference, her bein' your cousin.
LETTY. Of course it does! I only hope to goodness no one will make Joy suspect —
[She stops and buts her finger to her lips, for JOY is coming towards them, as the tea-bell sounds. She is followed by DICK and MISS BEECH with the Eau de Cologne. The COLONEL and MRS. HOPE are also coming back, discussing still each other's point of view.]
JOY. Where 's Mother? Isn't she here?
MRS. HOPE. Now Joy, come and sit down; your mother's been told tea's ready; if she lets it get cold it's her lookout.
DICK. [Producing a rug, and spreading it beneath the tree.] Plenty of room, Joy.
JOY. I don't believe Mother knows, Aunt Nell.
[MRS. GWYN and LEVER appear in the opening of the wall.]
LETTY. [Touching ERNEST's arm.] Look, Ernie! Four couples and Peachey —
ERNEST. [Preoccupied.] What couples?
JOY. Oh! Mums, here you are!
[Seizing her, she turns her back on LEVER. They sit in various seats, and MRS. HOPE pours out the tea.]
MRS. HOPE. Hand the sandwiches to Mr. Lever, Peachey. It's our own jam, Mr. Lever.
LEVER. Thanks. [He takes a bite.] It's splendid!
MRS. GWYN. [With forced gaiety.] It's the first time I've ever seen you eat jam.
LEVER. [Smiling a forced smile.] Really! But I love it.
MRS. GWYN. [With a little bow.] You always refuse mine.
JOY. [Who has been staring at her enemy, suddenly.] I'm all burnt up! Are n't you simply boiled, Mother?
[She touches her Mother's forehead.]
MRS. GWYN. Ugh! You're quite clammy, Joy.
JOY. It's enough to make any one clammy.
[Her eyes go back to LEVER'S face as though to stab him.]
ERNEST. [From the swing.] I say, you know, the glass is going down.
LEVER. [Suavely.] The glass in the hall's steady enough.
ERNEST. Oh, I never go by that; that's a rotten old glass.
COLONEL. Oh! is it?
ERNEST. [Paying no attention.] I've got a little ripper – never puts you in the cart. Bet you what you like we have thunder before tomorrow night.
MISS BEECH. [Removing her gaze from JOY to LEVER.] You don't think we shall have it before to-night, do you?
LEVER. [Suavely.] I beg your pardon; did you speak to me?
MISS BEECH. I said, you don't think we shall have the thunder before to-night, do you?
[She resumes her watch on joy.]
LEVER. [Blandly.] Really, I don't see any signs of it.
[Joy, crossing to the rug, flings herself down. And DICK sits cross-legged, with his eyes fast fixed on her.]
MISS BEECH. [Eating.] People don't often see what they don't want to, do they?
[LEVER only lifts his brows.]
MRS. GWYN. [Quickly breaking ivy.] What are you talking about? The weather's perfect.
MISS BEECH. Isn't it?
MRS. HOPE. You'd better make a good tea, Peachey; nobody'll get anything till eight, and then only cold shoulder. You must just put up with no hot dinner, Mr. Lever.
LEVER. [Bowing.] Whatever is good enough for Miss Beech is good enough for me.
MISS BEECH. [Sardonically-taking another sandwich.] So you think!
MRS. GWYN. [With forced gaiety.] Don't be so absurd, Peachey.
[MISS BEECH, grunts slightly.]
COLONEL. [Once more busy with his papers.] I see the name of your engineer is Rodriguez – Italian, eh?
LEVER. Portuguese.
COLONEL. Don't like that!
LEVER. I believe he was born in England.
COLONEL. [Reassured.] Oh, was he? Ah!
ERNEST. Awful rotters, those Portuguese!
COLONEL. There you go!
LETTY. Well, Father, Ernie only said what you said.
MRS. HOPE. Now I want to ask you, Mr. Lever, is this gold mine safe? If it isn't – I simply won't allow Tom to take these shares; he can't afford it.
LEVER. It rather depends on what you call safe, Mrs. Hope.
MRS. HOPE. I don't want anything extravagant, of course; if they're going to pay their 10 per cent, regularly, and Tom can have his money out at any time – [There is a faint whistle from the swing.] I only want to know that it's a thoroughly genuine thing.
MRS. GWYN. [Indignantly.] As if Maurice would be a Director if it was n't?
MRS. HOPE. Now Molly, I'm simply asking —
MRS. GWYN. Yes, you are!
COLONEL. [Rising.] I'll take two thousand of those shares, Lever.
To have my wife talk like that – I 'm quite ashamed.
LEVER. Oh, come, sir, Mrs. Hope only meant —
[MRS. GWYN looks eagerly at LEVER.]
DICK. [Quietly.] Let's go on the river, Joy.
[JOY rises, and goes to her Mother's chair.]
MRS. HOPE. Of course! What rubbish, Tom! As if any one ever invested money without making sure!
LEVER. [Ironically.] It seems a little difficult to make sure in this case. There isn't the smallest necessity for Colonel Hope to take any shares, and it looks to me as if he'd better not.
[He lights a cigarette.]
MRS. HOPE. Now, Mr. Lever, don't be offended! I'm very anxious for Tom to take the shares if you say the thing's so good.
LEVER. I 'm afraid I must ask to be left out, please.
JOY. [Whispering.] Mother, if you've finished, do come, I want to show you my room.
MRS. HOPE. I would n't say a word, only Tom's so easily taken in.
MRS. GWYN. [Fiercely.] Aunt Nell, how can't you? [Joy gives a little savage laugh.]
LETTY. [Hastily.] Ernie, will you play Dick and me? Come on, Dick!
[All three go out towards the lawn.]
MRS. HOPE. You ought to know your Uncle by this time, Molly. He's just like a child. He'd be a pauper to-morrow if I did n't see to things.
COLONEL. Understand once for all that I shall take two thousand shares in this mine. I 'm – I 'm humiliated. [He turns and goes towards the house.]
MRS. HOPE. Well, what on earth have I said?
[She hurries after him. ]
MRS. GWYN. [In a low voice as she passes.] You need n't insult my friends!
[LEVER, shrugging his shoulders, has strolled aside. JOY, with a passionate movement seen only by Miss BEECH, goes off towards the house. MISS BEECH and MRS. GWYN aye left alone beside the remnants of the feast.]
MISS BEECH. Molly!
[MRS. GWYN looks up startled.]
Take care, Molly, take care! The child! Can't you see?
[Apostrophising LEVER.] Take care, Molly, take care!
LEVER. [Coming back.] Awfully hot, is n't it?
MISS BEECH. Ah! and it'll be hotter if we don't mind.
LEVER. [Suavely.] Do we control these things?
[MISS BEECH looking from face to face, nods her head repeatedly; then gathering her skirts she walks towards the house. MRS. GWYN sits motionless, staying before her.]
Extraordinary old lady! [He pitches away his cigarette.] What's the matter with her, Molly?
MRS. GWYN, [With an effort.] Oh! Peachey's a character!
LEVER. [Frowning.] So I see! [There is a silence.]
MRS. GWYN. Maurice!
LEVER. Yes.
MRS. GWYN. Aunt Nell's hopeless, you mustn't mind her.
LEVER. [In a dubious and ironic voice.] My dear girl, I 've too much to bother me to mind trifles like that.
MRS. GWYN. [Going to him suddenly.] Tell me, won't you?
[LEVER shrugs his shoulders.]
A month ago you'd have told me soon enough!
LEVER. Now, Molly!
MRS. GWYN. Ah! [With a bitter smile.] The Spring's soon over.
LEVER. It 's always Spring between us.
MRS. GWYN. Is it?
LEVER. You did n't tell me what you were thinking about just now when you sat there like stone.
MRS. GWYN. It does n't do for a woman to say too much.
LEVER. Have I been so bad to you that you need feel like that, Molly?
MRS. GWYN. [With a little warm squeeze of his arm.] Oh! my dear, it's only that I'm so —
[She stops.]
LEVER. [Gently]. So what?
MRS. GWYN. [In a low voice.] It's hateful here.
LEVER. I didn't want to come. I don't understand why you suggested it. [MRS. GWYN is silent.] It's been a mistake.
MRS. GWYN. [Her eyes fixed on the ground.] Joy comes home to-morrow. I thought if I brought you here – I should know —
LEVER. [Vexedly.] Um!
MRS. GWYN. [Losing her control.] Can't you SEE? It haunts me? How are we to go on? I must know – I must know!
LEVER. I don't see that my coming —
MRS. GWYN. I thought I should have more confidence; I thought I should be able to face it better in London, if you came down here openly – and now – I feel I must n't speak or look at you.
LEVER. You don't think your Aunt —
MRS. GWYN. [Scornfully.] She! It's only Joy I care about.
LEVER. [Frowning.] We must be more careful, that's all. We mustn't give ourselves away again, as we were doing just now.
MRS. GWYN. When any one says anything horrid to you, I can't help it.
[She puts her hand on the label of his coat.]
LEVER. My dear child, take care!
[MRS. GWYN drops her hand. She throws her head back, and her throat is seen to work as though she were gulping down a bitter draught. She moves away.]
[Following hastily.] Don't dear, don't! I only meant – Come, Molly, let's be sensible. I want to tell you something about the mine.
MRS. GWYN. [With a quavering smile.] Yes-let 's talk sensibly, and walk properly in this sensible, proper place.
[LEVER is seen trying to soothe her, and yet to walk properly. As they disappear, they are viewed by JOY, who, like the shadow parted from its figure, has come to join it again. She stands now, foiled, a carnation in her hand; then flings herself on a chair, and leans her elbows on the table.]
JOY. I hate him! Pig!
ROSE. [Who has come to clear the tea things.] Did you call, Miss?
JOY. Not you!
ROSE. [Motionless.] No, Miss!
JOY. [Leaning back and tearing the flower.] Oh! do hurry up, Rose!
ROSE. [Collects the tea things.] Mr. Dick's coming down the path!
Aren't I going to get you to do your frock, Miss Joy?
JOY. No.
ROSE. What will the Missis say?
JOY. Oh, don't be so stuck, Rose!
[ROSE goes, but DICK has come.]
DICK. Come on the river, Joy, just for half an hour, as far as the kingfishers – do! [Joy shakes her head.] Why not? It 'll be so jolly and cool. I'm most awfully sorry if I worried you this morning. I didn't mean to. I won't again, I promise. [Joy slides a look at him, and from that look he gains a little courage.] Do come! It'll be the last time. I feel it awfully, Joy.