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Title: Penelope - A Comedy in Three Acts
Author: Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
Language: English
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_PENELOPE_
_THE PLAYS OF
WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM_
Uniformly bound cloth, 2s 6d; paper covers, 1s 6d each
_LADY FREDERICK_
_JACK STRAW_
_A MAN OF HONOUR_
_MRS. DOT_
_THE EXPLORER_
_NOVELS BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
Price 6s each
_THE EXPLORER_
_THE MAGICIAN_
_THE MERRY-GO-ROUND_
_MRS. CRADDOCK_
_LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN_
_PENELOPE_
_A COMEDY_
_In Three Acts_
_BY W. S. MAUGHAM_
_LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN_
_MCMXII_
_Copyright 1912_
This play, originally called _Man and Wife_, was produced at the Comedy
Theatre on Saturday, January 9, 1909, with the following cast:
DR. O’FARRELL W. GRAHAM BROWNE
PROFESSOR GOLIGHTLY ALFRED BISHOP
DAVENPORT BARLOW ERIC LEWIS
MR. BEADSWORTH HERBERT ROSS
MR. ANDERSON J. H. BREWER
MRS. FERGUSSON NORMA WHALLEY
MRS. GOLIGHTLY KATE BISHOP
MRS. WATSON MRS. CHARLES CALVERT
PEYTON E. ARTHUR JONES
PENELOPE MARIE TEMPEST
_CHARACTERS_
PENELOPE
DR. O’FARRELL
PROFESSOR GOLIGHTLY
MRS. GOLIGHTLY
MR. DAVENPORT BARLOW
MRS. FERGUSSON
MR. BEADSWORTH
MRS. WATSON
A PATIENT
PEYTON
SCENE: _Dr. O’Farrell’s house in John Street, Mayfair_
TIME: _The Present Day_
_The Performing Rights of this play are fully protected, and permission
to perform it, whether by Amateurs or Professionals, must be obtained in
advance from the author’s Sole Agent, R. Golding Bright, 20 Green
Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C., from whom all particulars can be
obtained._
PENELOPE
THE FIRST ACT
SCENE: _A drawing-room in_ O’FARRELL’S _house in John Street. It is
very prettily but not extravagantly furnished. The_ O’FARRELLS _are
a young married couple of modest income_.
_It is between six and seven in the evening._
PEYTON, _a neat parlour-maid, opens the door and shows in_ MR.
DAVENPORT BARLOW.
BARLOW _is a short, self-important person of middle age. He is very
bald, red in the face, and wears a small, neatly curled moustache;
he is dressed in the height of fashion. His manner is fussy and
pompous. He comes forward as though he expected to find some one in
the room. Seeing that it is empty, he stops and looks at_ PEYTON.
_He cannot make out why there is no one to receive him._
BARLOW.
[_In a tone of surprise._] Is Mrs. O’Farrell not here?
PEYTON.
No, sir.
BARLOW.
H’m.... Will you let her know I’ve come?
PEYTON.
Mrs. O’Farrell is not at home, sir.
BARLOW.
Not at home?... But....
PEYTON.
Mrs. O’Farrell said, would you kindly sit down and make yourself
comfortable? And I was to give you the _Morning Post_.
BARLOW.
[_Pompously._] I can’t imagine why Mrs. O’Farrell should think I haven’t
read the _Morning Post_ at six o’clock in the evening.
PEYTON.
[_Imperturbably._] And Mrs. O’Farrell said, will you have a whisky and
soda, sir?
BARLOW.
But when is Mrs. O’Farrell coming in?
PEYTON.
I don’t know at all, sir.
BARLOW.
But she telegraphed to me this afternoon, asking me to come and see her
at once.
PEYTON.
Yes, sir; I took the telegram to the post office myself.
BARLOW.
It seems very extraordinary that she should have gone out. The matter
was of considerable importance.
PEYTON.
[_Politely._] Yes, sir.
BARLOW.
Very well, I’ll sit down and wait. But I can’t stay long. I’m dining at
... no matter.
PEYTON.
Very good, sir.
[PEYTON _goes out_. BARLOW _goes to a looking-glass, takes a little
brush out of his pocket, and brushes his moustache_. PEYTON _comes
in again with a small tray on which are a decanter, a syphon, and a
glass_.
BARLOW.
Oh, thank you. Did you say you had the _Morning Post_?
PEYTON.
Yes, sir. [_She hands it to him.
BARLOW.
Ah, thank you.
[PEYTON _goes out_. BARLOW _helps himself to a whisky and soda,
turns to the fashionable intelligence in the paper, and begins to
read it with a little smile of self-satisfaction_.
BARLOW.
[_Half to himself._] The Duchess of St. Erth returned to Wales
yesterday. The Marchioness of Mereston has arrived at 89 Grosvenor
Square. The Marchioness of Serlo and Lady Eleanor King leave for Paris
this morning.
[PEYTON _comes in, followed by_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY. MRS. GOLIGHTLY _is
an extremely stout, good-natured lady of middle age. She is very
active, but short of breath. She gives one a continual impression
of having just run up a steep hill. She is_ DAVENPORT BARLOW’S
_sister_.
PEYTON.
Mrs. Golightly.
BARLOW.
Isabel!
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Are you here, Davenport? Where’s Penelope?
BARLOW.
[_As if it were the most extraordinary thing in the world._] She’s out!
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Astonished._] Out?
[_She turns to_ PEYTON _with a look of inquiry_.
PEYTON.
Mrs. O’Farrell said, would you kindly sit down and make yourself
comfortable, ma’am? And I was to bring you the _Church Times_.
BARLOW.
But....
PEYTON.
[_Calmly._] And Mrs. O’Farrell said, will you have a strong cup of tea,
ma’am?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I’m surprised that Mrs. O’Farrell should have gone out, because she
expected me.
PEYTON.
[_Handing_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY _a paper_.] Yes, ma’am.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Taking it._] What is this?
PEYTON.
The _Church Times_, ma’am.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a look of exasperation at_ BARLOW.] Oh, thank you.... I think I
will have a cup of tea, please.
PEYTON.
Very good, ma’am.
[_Exit._
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I wonder why on earth Penelope should insist on my reading the _Church
Times_.
BARLOW.
I’ve just had a telegram from her.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
So have I, asking me to come at once. [_With a ray of light._] Perhaps
we shall find some explanation in the _Church Times_.
BARLOW.
Nonsense. What can the _Church Times_ have to do with the Archduchess
Anastasia?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
My dear Davenport, what are you talking about?
[PEYTON _enters to announce_ PROFESSOR GOLIGHTLY _and immediately
afterwards goes out_. GOLIGHTLY _is a tall, spare man with grey
hair, well groomed and alert. He is neatly dressed, quite tidy, and
might just as well be a lawyer or a doctor as a professor of
mathematics. He is clean-shaven._
PEYTON.
Professor Golightly.
GOLIGHTLY.
Hulloa, Davenport! [_To his wife._] My dear, you’re the last person I
expected to find here. I thought there was a meeting of the Missionary
Society at the Albert Hall.
[PEYTON _comes in with a tray on which are tea-things, a glass of
barley-water, and a copy of the “Athenæum_.”
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Oh, thank you.
PEYTON.
[_To_ GOLIGHTLY.] Mrs. O’Farrell said, will you have a glass of
barley-water, sir?
GOLIGHTLY.
Barley-water!
PEYTON.
And I was to bring you the _Athenæum_. We couldn’t get this week’s, sir,
but this is last week’s, and Mrs. O’Farrell hopes it will do as well.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a faint smile._] It’s very kind of you to have taken so much
trouble.
PEYTON.
Thank you, sir.
[_Exit._
GOLIGHTLY.
What on earth does Penelope want me to do with last week’s _Athenæum_
and a glass of barley-water?
BARLOW.
Well, presumably she wants you to drink the one and to read the other.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_To his wife._] My dear, I think it’s very hard that you should have
brought up our only child on the idea that my favourite form of
refreshment is barley-water.
BARLOW.
It looks as if Penelope expected you, too.
GOLIGHTLY.
I’ve just had a wire from her.
BARLOW.
Have you? I wonder why on earth she wired to you.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
It’s so extraordinary that she shouldn’t be here. It makes me feel very
nervous.
GOLIGHTLY.
Well, frankly, I couldn’t make head or tail of it, so I jumped into a
motor cab and came round from the club at once.
[PEYTON _comes in, followed by_ BEADSWORTH. _He is a middle-aged
solicitor, with a benign manner._
PEYTON.
Mr. Beadsworth.
GOLIGHTLY.
Well, I’m hanged.
BARLOW.
My dear Charles, I wish you wouldn’t be slangy. It’s gone out in our
set.
BEADSWORTH.
[_Shaking hands with_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY.] I’ve just had a telegram from
Penelope asking me to come at once. [_Turning to_ PEYTON.] Will you let
Mrs. O’Farrell know I’m here?
GOLIGHTLY.
She’s out.
PEYTON.
Mrs. O’Farrell said, would you make yourself comfortable, sir, and we’ve
got the _Law Times_ if you’d like to read it, and will you have a glass
of port, sir?
[BEADSWORTH _looks round at the others in bewilderment_.
GOLIGHTLY.
By all means have a glass of port, and I’ll swop it for my barley-water.
BEADSWORTH.
[_To_ PEYTON.] Thank you.
PEYTON.
[_Handing him the paper._] Very good, sir.
[_Exit._
BEADSWORTH.
What does she want me to do with the _Law Times_?
GOLIGHTLY.
I asked the same question when Peyton handed me last week’s _Athenæum_,
and Davenport, with the perspicacity that distinguishes him, answered:
read it.
BEADSWORTH.
Can you tell me what Penelope wants? Her telegram suggested that she
wished to see me not as an old friend, but in my official capacity as
the family solicitor.
GOLIGHTLY.
I haven’t an idea. I thought her telegram most mysterious.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I wish she’d come in. I’m beginning to be dreadfully uneasy.
BARLOW.
[_Rather pompously._] I think I can put your minds at rest. I am in a
position to explain the whole matter to you. The telegram she sent me
makes it perfectly clear. I daresay you know that the Archduchess
Anastasia is a patient of Dickie’s. And a very nice patient for him to
have. I’ve never met her, though I happen to know several members of her
family, and she’s a very cultivated, pleasant woman. I’ve always said to
Dickie that that is the sort of practice he ought to get. The middle
classes do a doctor no good.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear Davenport, do go on with your story.
BARLOW.
Well, it appears that the Archduchess Anastasia has signified her desire
to know Penelope. Very charming and graceful action on her part, and
just like her. Of course she’s extremely grateful to Dickie for all he’s
done. He’s worked a miraculous cure, and I daresay she’s heard that
Penelope is my niece. It’s a maxim you can always go on: royalty knows
everything. And the long and the short of it is that she’s coming to
lunch here. Of course Penelope knows nothing about these matters, and in
a state of great excitement she’s sent for me. It’s the best thing she
could do. I can tell her everything. I’ve lived in that set all my life.
It’s nothing to be particularly proud about--mere accident of birth--I
happen to be a gentleman. A certain family. Well, there it is, you see.
GOLIGHTLY.
But do you mean to say that Penelope wired all that to you? It must have
cost her a perfect fortune.
BARLOW.
She put it a little more briefly, of course, but that was the gist of
it.
BEADSWORTH.
I can’t imagine why she should send for me because a royalty is coming
to luncheon with her. It was very inconvenient to get away. I had a
dozen people waiting to see me, and I was obliged to slip out by the
back door in order to avoid them.
GOLIGHTLY.
But what are the exact words of the wire she sent you, Davenport?
BARLOW.
You can see it if you like. [_Taking it from his pocket and reading._]
“Come at once. Archduchess Anastasia. Penelope.”
GOLIGHTLY.
But d’you mean to say that you made up all that story out of those three
words?
BARLOW.
Penelope knew I had a certain amount of intelligence. She didn’t want to
waste her money, so she just put what was essential, and left me to
gather the rest.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
But my telegram says nothing about the Archduchess Anastasia.
BARLOW.
What did Penelope say to you?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Taking out the telegram._] “Come at once! Grave scandal! Central
African Mission. Penelope.”
BARLOW.
But that’s absurd. You know how stupid the Post Office is. They must
have made a mistake. I know that the Pomeranian Royal Family is very
odd, but there _are_ limits, and I can’t imagine the Archduchess
Anastasia being mixed up in a scandal with a Central African missionary.
BEADSWORTH.
Well, my wire merely said: “Come at once; six and eightpence. Penelope.”
BARLOW.
Six and eightpence! Why six and eightpence?
BEADSWORTH.
I don’t know. That is why I lost no time in coming.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a twinkle._] My impression is that the Archduchess Anastasia,
instead of paying Dickie’s bill for miraculously curing her, has eloped
with a missionary, and Penelope, by aid of the law [_with a gesture
towards_ BEADSWORTH], wants to recover the money.
BARLOW.
It’s nonsense! You’re so unpractical, Charles.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_To her husband._] But you had a telegram too, dear.
GOLIGHTLY.
“Come at once. Decimal 7035. Penelope.”
BARLOW.
How very odd.
[_The door is softly opened and_ PENELOPE _slips in; for a moment
the others do not see her, and she stands smiling at them_.
GOLIGHTLY _catches sight of her. All the others turn._]
GOLIGHTLY.
Penelope.
THE OTHERS.
Penelope.
PENELOPE.
[_Coming forward and kissing_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY.] Good evening, mamma!
BARLOW.
[_Eagerly._] Well?
PENELOPE.
Well, papa. [_She puts her face up for him to kiss._]
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Anxiously._] Now, Penelope.
PENELOPE.
Oh, Mr. Beadsworth, how nice of you to come. [_She shakes hands with
him._] Kiss me, Uncle Davenport. [_She calmly puts up her face. With
some irritation he kisses her._]
PENELOPE.
Thank you.... Was your whisky and soda quite right? [_Looking round._]
And the port? Father, you haven’t touched the barley-water. You
ungrateful old thing!
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Exasperated._] My dear, for goodness’ sake explain.
BARLOW.
Where have you been all this time?
PENELOPE.
I--I’ve been sitting in the consulting-room. [_With a roguish smile._] I
watched you all come in.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Rather injured._] Peyton said you were out.
BARLOW.
Really, Penelope, I think your behaviour is outrageous.
PENELOPE.
You see, I thought if I saw you one after the other as you came in, I
should have to make four scenes instead of one. It would have been very
exhausting and not nearly so effective.
GOLIGHTLY.
Are you going to make a scene?
PENELOPE.
[_With the greatest satisfaction._] I’m going to make a dreadful scene
in a minute.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Now, my dear, before you go any further, for goodness’ sake tell us what
you meant by your telegrams.
PENELOPE.
Well, you see, I wanted you all to come immediately, and I thought the
best thing was to trail your ruling passions under your noses.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Do you understand what she means, Charles?
PENELOPE.
My dear mother, it’s the simplest thing in the world. You spend your
life in converting the heathen--from a distance--and I knew if I
mentioned the Central African Mission you’d fly here on the wings of the
wind.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
In point of fact I came in an omnibus. But do you mean to tell me that
there has been no scandal in connection with the Central African
Mission?
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling._] I’m dreadfully sorry to disappoint you, mother.
GOLIGHTLY.
And what in heaven’s name made you wire decimal 7035 to me?
PENELOPE.
Oh, that’s our telephone number, and I just put decimal instead of
Gerrard.
GOLIGHTLY.
I thought the figures were strangely familiar.
PENELOPE.
And there you are, you see.
BARLOW.
[_Chuckling._] I think it’s a capital idea. And she just flung the words
six and eightpence at you, Beadsworth, and knew she’d fetch the lawyer.
PENELOPE.
[_To_ BEADSWORTH.] You’re not cross with me, are you?
[_He shakes his head, smiling._
BARLOW.
And now, my dear, that you’ve disposed of them, tell me all about the
Archduchess Anastasia.
PENELOPE.
[_Looking at him blankly._] The Archduchess Anastasia? But I invented
her.
BARLOW.
What d’you mean, you invented her? I know her well, I’ve known her for
years. I know her whole family.
PENELOPE.
[_Rather embarrassed, but trying not to laugh._] Well, you see--I wanted
you to come, too. And....
BARLOW.
I don’t understand what you mean at all, Penelope. You mention one of my
most intimate friends, and then you tell me you invented her.
PENELOPE.
I’m awfully sorry. I really didn’t know there was such a person, and I
thought I’d made her up out of my own head.... [_With a chuckle._] I
think it was rather clever of me to hit upon some one you know so well.
BARLOW.
I don’t know why you should think the mere mention of the Archduchess’s
name would make me come here.
PENELOPE.
Well, you see, I know that you go out a great deal, and you know such
crowds of people. I felt quite sure that if there were an Archduchess
Anastasia you’d know her, and [_with a wave of the hand_] well, there it
is you see.
[BARLOW _fumes silently, but does not answer_.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Now, Penelope, tell us what you really do want.
PENELOPE.
[_In matter-of-fact tones._] I want to divorce Dickie.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
What!
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear child.
BARLOW.
Good gracious!
[_These three speeches are said simultaneously._
PENELOPE.
[_Ruefully._] I intended to make such a scene, and now you’ve made me
blurt it all out in three words.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
But I don’t understand.
PENELOPE.
I’ll say it again, shall I? I want to divorce Dickie.
BEADSWORTH.
You don’t really mean it, do you?
PENELOPE.
[_Indignantly._] Of course I mean it. I’m never going to speak to him
again. That’s to say, I shall have a scene with him first. I’m quite
determined to have a scene with somebody.
GOLIGHTLY.
And where is Dickie now?
PENELOPE.
He’s on his way home with the usual story. [_With a sudden break in her
voice._] Oh, if you only knew how utterably miserable I am.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
My darling, is it really serious?
PENELOPE.
[_Desperately._] Oh, what can I do to make you all understand?
GOLIGHTLY.
The best way would be to begin at the beginning, and tell us all about
it coherently.
BARLOW.
[_Pompously._] My dear Charles, this is not the kind of matter in which
you can be of any use. You’re a mathematician, and you’re not expected
to know anything about practical affairs.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Faintly ironic._] I apologise profusely.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_To_ PENELOPE, _to ask her to speak_.] Darling?
PENELOPE.
Well, the first thing is that I simply dote upon Dickie. I’ve never
loved any one else, and I never shall.
BEADSWORTH.
That’s a very satisfactory confession after four years of matrimony.
PENELOPE.
Five years, three months, and two days. And every day I’ve loved Dickie
more.
BEADSWORTH.
I’ve never seen a more devoted couple.
PENELOPE.
We’ve never had a quarrel. We’ve never even been cross with one another.
It’s been a honeymoon that’s never come to an end.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Well?
PENELOPE.
And now I’ve discovered that he’s been lying to me for the last month.
He’s been coming home dreadfully late, and when I’ve asked him where
he’s been, he’s said that he had to see a patient who was very ill--such
an interesting case--and it worried him so much that he was obliged to
go to his club and have a rubber to settle his nerves. And the
interesting case and the rubber of bridge are Ada Fergusson.
BARLOW.
[_Pompously._] But who is Ada Fergusson? I’ve never heard of her.
PENELOPE.
Ada Fergusson’s a great friend of mine. And I hate her. I always knew
she was a cat. For the last four weeks Dickie’s been spending every
afternoon with her from four till seven.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Raising his eyebrows._] But do you always ask your husband where he’s
been when he comes in?
PENELOPE.
[_Impatiently._] My dear papa, what has that got to do with it? We all
know that you’re an old dear, and the greatest mathematician in the
world, but you know nothing about life at all.
GOLIGHTLY.
I apologise again.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Give him a sheet of paper and a pencil, Penelope, and he’ll amuse
himself by doing sums while we talk the matter out.
PENELOPE.
[_Pushing writing materials over to him._] There you are, papa.
BEADSWORTH.
But how did you find out?
PENELOPE.
[_Impatiently._] Oh, what does it matter how I found out! I’ve got all
sorts of proofs.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
You could knock me down with a feather.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a smile._] My dear!
BARLOW.
I am not in the least surprised.
PENELOPE.
Uncle Davenport!
BARLOW.
I have expected it all along. You will remember, Isabel, that I was
against the marriage from the beginning. I said, one doesn’t marry a
doctor. One sometimes meets them in society when they’ve had their
angles rubbed off a little and perhaps have been knighted, but one never
meets their wives. We suppose they do marry, but they don’t marry any
one we know. I may be old-fashioned, but I stick to my opinion that
there are only three possible professions for a gentleman, the law, the
army, and the church.
PENELOPE.
My dear Uncle Davenport, you’re talking nonsense.
BARLOW.
[_Huffily._] You ask me for my opinion, and I give it you. I regret that
you should think it nonsense.
BEADSWORTH.
And what are you proposing to do now?
PENELOPE.
[_With great determination._] I’m never going to live with Dickie again.
As soon as I’ve seen him I shall leave this house for ever.
BEADSWORTH.
You’re proposing to have a few words with him?
PENELOPE.
Several. I’m going to tell him that I despise him, and that I hate him;
I’m going to throw my wedding ring in his face, and then I shall sweep
out of the room.
BEADSWORTH.
Have you really made up your mind that you won’t forgive him?
PENELOPE.
Nothing would induce me ever to speak to him again if it weren’t that I
want to tell him exactly what I think of him.
BARLOW.
Besides, you’ve got your family to think of. Of course you must leave
him. You see, that is what I say, you’re not safe with people of no
birth. I look upon all this as a blessing in disguise.
BEADSWORTH.
Do you wish to bring an action for judicial separation?
PENELOPE.
My dear Mr. Beadsworth, what are you talking about! I’m going to divorce
him. I’m going to make an awful scandal.
BEADSWORTH.
Well, I suppose we could arrange that at a pinch with the help of the
newspapers. Has he ever been cruel to you?
PENELOPE.
Good heavens, no! That’s what makes me so angry. The last month he’s
been more perfectly charming and delightful than ever. Oh, I wish I
could do something really unpleasant to Ada Fergusson. Something with
boiling oil in it.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I am shocked, frankly shocked. I would never have thought that Dickie
could be so wicked.
BARLOW.
Family life in England is going to the dogs. That is the long and short
of it.
[_Suddenly_ PENELOPE _catches sight of what_ GOLIGHTLY _has been
diligently writing_. _She gives the paper a startled look and then
turns round._
PENELOPE.
Mother, a dreadful thing has happened. Papa has suddenly become a
drivelling lunatic.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, what are you saying?
PENELOPE.
He’s been adding two and two together all over that piece of paper, and
he makes it five every time.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Charles!
[PENELOPE _hands the sheet to_ BARLOW.
PENELOPE.
Look.
BARLOW.
Two and two are five. Two and two are five.
[_He passes it on to_ BEADSWORTH.
BEADSWORTH.
Two and two are five. Two and two are five.
BARLOW.
I knew this would happen. I’ve been expecting it for years.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Charles, pull yourself together.
PENELOPE.
Papa, you don’t really think that two and two are five?
GOLIGHTLY.
On the contrary, I’m convinced that two and two are four.
PENELOPE.
Then why on earth have you made it five?
GOLIGHTLY.
Do you know why you buy Pears’ soap?
PENELOPE.
I expect you’ve been working too hard, father dear. Why don’t you go and
lie down for half an hour? And when Dickie comes in he’ll give you a
tonic.
GOLIGHTLY.
You buy Pears’ soap because you’re told on fifty thousand hoardings that
it’s matchless for the complexion.
PENELOPE.
That’s not funny, papa, that’s silly.
GOLIGHTLY.
You’ve only got to say a thing often enough, and all the world will
believe it. And when the world believes it, it’s very hard to say if
it’s true or not.
PENELOPE.
What has that got to do with two and two?
GOLIGHTLY.
I thought if I wrote “two and two are five” often enough I might come to
think it true.
PENELOPE.
But if you wrote it a million times it wouldn’t be any truer.
GOLIGHTLY.
That is the conclusion I’m regretfully forced to.
PENELOPE.
Well?
GOLIGHTLY.
The whole of life is merely a matter of adding two and two together and
getting the right answer.
BARLOW.
My dear Charles, if you’re going to discuss life I think there’s no need
for me to stay. I’ve told you for twenty years that you’re a scholar and
a recluse. I have lived in the world, and I’m a practical man. If
Penelope wants to consult me, I am at her service; if not....
PENELOPE.
Hold your tongue, Uncle Davenport.
BARLOW.
Really, Penelope.
GOLIGHTLY.
During the last five years I’ve seen you adding two and two together
and making them about seventy-nine.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Charles. Dickie’s behaviour is
abominable, and there are no excuses for him. It’s a mere matter of
common morality.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, I have no objection to you talking common morality if you’ll
let me talk common sense.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
My dear Charles, they’re the same thing.
PENELOPE.
If you think you can make me forgive Dickie by telling me that you were
a wicked old thing yourself in your youth, I may as well tell you at
once that it won’t wash.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Outraged._] What are you talking about, my dear?
PENELOPE.
Well, I’ve noticed that when a woman discovers that her husband has been
unfaithful, her male relations invariably try to console her by telling
her how shockingly they’ve treated their own wives.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, I was going to confess nothing of the sort. I never confess.
PENELOPE.
Of course, if it were the other way about, and mamma had kicked over the
traces a little....
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Darling, can you see me performing an acrobatic feat of that character?
PENELOPE.
Go on, papa.
GOLIGHTLY.
I think you’ve treated Dickie shamefully.
PENELOPE.
[_Astounded._] I?
GOLIGHTLY.
If your mother had behaved to me as you’ve behaved to Dickie, I should
certainly have taken to drink.
PENELOPE.
But I’ve been a perfect angel. I’ve simply worshipped the ground he
walked on. I’ve loved him as no man was ever loved before.
GOLIGHTLY.
No man could stand it.
PENELOPE.
Papa, what do you mean?
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, you’ve loved him morning, noon, and night. You’ve loved him
when he talked, and you’ve loved him when he was silent. You’ve loved
him walking, you’ve loved him eating, you’ve loved him sleeping. He’s
never been able to escape from your love.
PENELOPE.
But I couldn’t help it.
GOLIGHTLY.
You need not have shown it.
PENELOPE.
And do you mean to say that justifies him in philandering with Ada
Fergusson?
GOLIGHTLY.
It excuses him.
PENELOPE.
What beasts men must be!
GOLIGHTLY.
No; but strange as it may seem to you, they’re human beings. When you
were a child you doted on strawberry ices.
PENELOPE.
I dote on them still.
GOLIGHTLY.
Would you like to eat strawberry ice for breakfast, lunch, tea, and
dinner every day for a month?
PENELOPE.
Good heavens! the thought fills me with horror.
GOLIGHTLY.
Poor Dickie has lived on strawberry ice for five years. It’s been his
only means of sustenance.
PENELOPE.
[_With consternation._] Oh!
GOLIGHTLY.
You’ve never let him go out without coming into the hall to put on his
hat and kiss him good-bye; he’s never come into the house without you
running down to help him off with his coat and kiss him welcome. When he
sat down after breakfast in the morning to read his paper and smoke his
pipe, I’ve seen you sit down on the arm of his chair and put your arm
round his neck.
BARLOW.
[_Outraged._] Penelope!
PENELOPE.
Do you think it was very awful?
BARLOW.
My dear child!
PENELOPE.
[_To_ BEADSWORTH.] Did Mrs. Beadsworth never sit on the arm of your
chair when you were smoking your pipe?
BEADSWORTH.
I must confess I’m thankful my wife occupied those moments in attending
to her household duties.
PENELOPE.
You are a lot of horrid old things. I ask you to come here to sympathise
with me, and you’re perfectly brutal to me.
BARLOW.
My dear Penelope, there are limits.
PENELOPE.
Well, I don’t care; I’m going to divorce him.
GOLIGHTLY.
Let’s do another little simple addition, shall we? Perhaps two and two
will make four a second time.
PENELOPE.
I don’t know that I much like being a mathematician’s daughter.
GOLIGHTLY.
Don’t you think, instead of divorcing your husband, it would be better
to win back his affection?
PENELOPE.
I don’t want his affection.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Smiling._] Are you sure you wouldn’t if you could get it?
[PENELOPE _looks at her father for a moment, then goes up to him
quickly_.
PENELOPE.
[_With tears in her voice._] Papa, d’you think I ever could win back his
love? You say I’ve lost it through my own fault. Oh, I don’t know what
to do without him. I’ve been so wretched since I knew. I’ve tried to put
a cheerful face on it, but if you knew what I feel in my heart.... Oh,
the brutes, why didn’t they hide it from me?
BARLOW.
My dear Penelope, I expected you to have more spirit. He’s a person of
no family. I should have thought you were well rid of him.
PENELOPE.
Uncle Davenport, if you say a word against him, I will immediately have
an attack of hysterics.
BARLOW.
What you expect your father to be able to tell you I can’t imagine.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Smiling._] Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, Davenport....
BARLOW.
I shouldn’t have thought one could describe you as either. But, in any
case, I can stay no longer.
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, don’t go yet, Uncle Davenport.
BARLOW.
It appears that my advice is not wanted, and I promised to look in on
dear Lady Hollington before dinner.
PENELOPE.
Do telephone to her that you can’t come. You’ll find a telephone in my
sitting-room.
BARLOW.
[_Shrugging his shoulders._] I’m too indulgent. People don’t rate me at
my proper value.
[_He goes out._
PENELOPE.
Papa, say you’ll get Dickie back for me. I want him. I want him.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, it’s very simple. It merely requires a great deal of tact, a
great deal of courage, and a great deal of self-control.
PENELOPE.
[_Ironically._] Nothing else?
GOLIGHTLY.
A good deal. You must never let yourself out of hand; you must keep
guard on your tongue and your eyes and your smiles--and your temper.
PENELOPE.
I think you said it was very simple.
GOLIGHTLY.
Is Ada Fergusson pretty?
PENELOPE.
No, she’s perfectly hideous.
GOLIGHTLY.
Is she? That makes it more serious.
PENELOPE.
Why?
GOLIGHTLY.
If a man falls in love with a pretty woman, he falls out of it. But if
he falls in love with a plain one, he’ll be in love with her all his
life.
PENELOPE.
You take a load off my mind. Ada Fergusson’s extremely attractive.
GOLIGHTLY.
Then you’ll get him back.
PENELOPE.
Tell me exactly what to do, and I’ll do it.
GOLIGHTLY.
Give him his head.
PENELOPE.
Is that all?
GOLIGHTLY.
It means a good deal. When he comes in, don’t make a scene, but be
charming to him. For once, don’t ask him where he’s been. When he leaves
you, don’t ask him where he’s going, nor at what time he’ll be back.
Don’t let him know that you have the least suspicion that anything has
happened. On the contrary, take every opportunity of throwing him into
Ada Fergusson’s society.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Charles, you’re asking Penelope to connive at immorality.
GOLIGHTLY.
When every difficulty disappears, Dickie will find half the savour of
the intrigue gone. Half your battle is won. Leave the rest to time and
Ada Fergusson. Let Ada Fergusson sit on the arm of his chair when he
wants to read his paper. Let him account to Ada Fergusson for all his
movements. Under such circumstances a woman is always on tenterhooks,
and consequently she’s always exacting. Whenever there’s a pause in the
conversation, Ada Fergusson will say, Do you care for me as much as ever
you did? That speech is the rope around love’s throat. Whenever he wants
to go away, Ada Fergusson will implore him to stay five minutes longer.
Those five minutes that a man stays against his will are the nails in
love’s coffin. Each time he leaves her Ada Fergusson will say, At what
time will you be back? That question is the earth shovelled into love’s
grave.
[_All this while_ PENELOPE _has been staring at_ GOLIGHTLY _with
astonishment_.
PENELOPE.
Where did you learn all this, father?
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a deprecating shrug._] It’s a mere matter of adding two and two
together, my darling.
PENELOPE.
I had no idea that mathematics were so interesting--nor so immoral.
GOLIGHTLY.
What do you think of it?
PENELOPE.
But if Dickie falls out of love with Ada Fergusson there’s no reason why
he should fall in love again with me.
GOLIGHTLY.
You must make him.
PENELOPE.
I wish I knew how.
GOLIGHTLY.
It only requires a little more tact, a little more courage, and a little
more self-control.
PENELOPE.
But if I acquire so many virtues I shan’t be a woman, but a monster, and
how can he love me then?
BEADSWORTH.
[_From the window._] There’s a car stopping at the door.
PENELOPE.
Listen.... I can hear a key being turned. It must be Dickie.
BEADSWORTH.
What are you going to do?
PENELOPE.
[_Hesitating._] What do you think, mamma?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, I highly disapprove of your father’s idea, and I can’t imagine
how it ever came into his head, but I’m bound to say I think there’s
some sense in it.
PENELOPE.
[_Making up her mind._] I’ll try. Remember, no one knows anything that
has happened. You’ll back me up, mamma, won’t you?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
You’re not going to ask me to tell a pack of lies, darling?
PENELOPE.
Only white ones, mother. If there’s a whopper to tell, I’ll tell it
myself.
BEADSWORTH.
But what about Barlow?
GOLIGHTLY.
He’s a man of the world. He’s sure to put his foot in it.
PENELOPE.
I’ll settle him.
[BARLOW _comes in_.
PENELOPE.
Ah!
BARLOW.
I could not get on to her. I don’t know what’s the matter with those
telephone girls. Hussies!
PENELOPE.
Uncle Davenport, I find I’ve been entirely mistaken about Dickie. He’s
not to blame in any way.
BARLOW.
Good gracious me! And Ada Fergusson?
PENELOPE.
Is, I have no doubt, no worse than anybody else.
BARLOW.
This is a surprise. How on earth have you come to this conclusion?
PENELOPE.
By adding two and two together.
BARLOW.
Upon my word! I must say, it annoys me that I should have been forced to
break an important engagement for no reason. I should have thought....
PENELOPE.
[_Interrupting._] Uncle Davenport, it’s quite bad enough that I should
be done out of a scene, but if you’re going to make one it’s more than I
can stand.
BEADSWORTH.
Well, as I can’t be of any more use to you, I think I’ll get back to the
bosom of my family.
PENELOPE.
Of course, I look upon this as a professional visit.
BEADSWORTH.
Oh, nonsense!
PENELOPE.
I couldn’t dream of accepting your services for nothing. You must really
let me know what I owe you.
BEADSWORTH.
I really don’t know what to say.
PENELOPE.
Dickie charges a guinea when he goes to see anybody.
BEADSWORTH.
You only mentioned six and eightpence in your telegram.
PENELOPE.
Very well, I’ll owe you that. It would really make me feel more
comfortable.
BEADSWORTH.
You’re not going to hand it over in hard cash?
PENELOPE.
I wasn’t thinking of paying you. But I’d like to think I owed it you.
You see, then, I shan’t feel under any obligation.
BEADSWORTH.
In that case I surrender. Good-bye.
PENELOPE.
Good-bye.
BARLOW.
Good-bye, Beadsworth. You must come and dine with me at the club one of
these days.
BEADSWORTH.
I should like to. Good-bye.
[_Exit._
BARLOW.
Very nice fellow. Quite a gentleman. No one would think he was a
solicitor. I shall ask him to dinner with one or two people who don’t
matter.
PENELOPE.
There’s Dickie. D’you hear him whistling? He’s evidently in the best of
spirits.
[DICKIE _comes in. He is a good-looking, well-dressed, professional
man of five-and-thirty. He has boisterous spirits and high good
humour. He is seldom put out of countenance. He has a charm of
manner which explains_ PENELOPE’S _infatuation_.
DICKIE.
Hulloa! I couldn’t make out what had become of you, Pen.
PENELOPE.
Why?
DICKIE.
You generally come down to meet me when I get in.
[PENELOPE _gives a slight start and conceals a smile_.
PENELOPE.
My sainted mother is here.
DICKIE.
[_Gaily._] That’s no reason why you should neglect a devoted husband.
[_Shaking hands with_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY.] How is your sainted mother?
Hulloa, Uncle Davenport, what price duchesses to-day?
BARLOW.
I beg your pardon. I don’t know what you mean.
DICKIE.
[_Looking round at the decanters and glasses with which the room is
scattered._] I say, you’ve been doing yourselves rather proud, haven’t
you? Who’s been drinking port?
PENELOPE.
Nobody. It’s an empty glass.
DICKIE.
That’s how providence behaves to me. Deliberately puts temptation in my
way. It’s simply poison. Gout in my family, you know. My ancestors have
lived on colchicum for a hundred years. I feel a tingling in my toes at
the mere sight of a bottle of port. And yet I drink it.
[_He fills himself a glass and sips it with great content._
BARLOW.
It’s a great mistake, of course, to think that gout is a mark of good
family. The porter of my club is a martyr to it.
DICKIE.
Perhaps he’s the illegitimate son of an earl. You should ask him if he
has a strawberry mark on his left shoulder. What’s the matter, Pen?
PENELOPE.
[_Astonished._] With me?
DICKIE.
I thought you seemed a bit under the weather.
PENELOPE.
Why?
DICKIE.
I don’t know. You’re not quite up to your usual form, are you? You’ve
not asked me what I’ve been doing to-day. As a rule you’re so interested
in my movements.
PENELOPE.
[_With a glance at her father._] I thought you’d tell me if you wanted
to.
DICKIE.
I say, I do think that’s a bit thick. I go slaving my very soul out to
provide you with a motor and nice frocks and things, and you don’t take
the smallest interest in what I do.
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling._] Well, what have you been doing this afternoon?
DICKIE.
[_With a sigh of relief._] Oh, I’ve had the very deuce of a day. I’ve
got a very interesting case on just now. Taking up a lot of my time. Of
course, it worries me rather, but I suppose all these things come in the
day’s march. Well, I spent the best part of an hour there.
PENELOPE.
An hour?
DICKIE.
Yes, we had a consultation, you know.
PENELOPE.
But you had a consultation yesterday.
DICKIE.
Yesterday? Yes, she’s a fussy old thing. She’s always wanting
consultations.
PENELOPE.
That’s jolly, isn’t it?
DICKIE.
I don’t think it is. It looks as if she hadn’t really confidence in me.
PENELOPE.
On the other hand, you can charge double, can’t you?
DICKIE.
Yes, of course, it has that advantage.
PENELOPE.
I’ve been hankering after an ermine stole for a long time. I shall buy
it now.
DICKIE.
[_His face falling._] Oh, but I haven’t been paid yet.
PENELOPE.
They’ll be only too glad to wait. And it’s such a bargain.
DICKIE.
[_To change the conversation._] Well, after my consultation I was so
fagged that I had to go into the club to have a rubber of Bridge.
GOLIGHTLY.
By the way, what is the name of your patient?
DICKIE.
The name of my patient?
PENELOPE.
Oh, yes, I was telling papa that you’d got a new patient who was
bringing in pots of money. I couldn’t remember her name.
DICKIE.
[_Embarrassed._] Oh--er, Mrs. Mac....
PENELOPE.
Mrs. Mac what?
DICKIE.
Mrs. Macnothing.
BARLOW.
How d’you mean, Mrs. Macnothing? I’ve never heard of a family called
Macnothing.
DICKIE.
No, of course, her name isn’t Macnothing.
BARLOW.
But you distinctly said it was Mrs. Macnothing.
DICKIE.
Now, my dear Pen, did I say anything about Macnothing?
PENELOPE.
Well, what is her name then?
DICKIE.
I’ve been telling you for the last ten minutes. Her name’s Mrs. Mack.
BARLOW.
Why on earth didn’t you say so at once?
GOLIGHTLY.
How did you find such a profitable patient?
DICKIE.
Oh, it was a great piece of luck. She heard about me from that little
friend of yours, Pen. What is her name?
GOLIGHTLY.
You seem to have a very bad memory for names, Dickie. You should make a
knot in your handkerchief.
DICKIE.
It’s a friend of Pen’s. [_Pretending to try and remember._] Her
husband’s in the navy, stationed at Malta, isn’t he?
PENELOPE.
Ada Fergusson.
DICKIE.
That’s it, of course. Mrs. Fergusson.
BARLOW.
One of the Fergussons of Kingarth, I suppose?
DICKIE.
I don’t know at all. Quite a nice little thing, I thought. I must
confess that she didn’t interest me very much.
[PEYTON _comes in to announce_ MRS. FERGUSSON. MRS. FERGUSSON _is a
handsome, showy woman of about thirty_.
PEYTON.
Mrs. Fergusson.
[DICKIE _is filled with consternation_. PEYTON _goes out. There is
a very brief moment of embarrassment, but_ PENELOPE _quickly
recovers herself and goes up to the visitor effusively_.
PENELOPE.
How d’you do?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Is it a preposterous hour to pay a call?
PENELOPE.
Of course not. I’m always delighted to see you.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’ve been shopping the whole afternoon, and it suddenly occurred to me
that I hadn’t seen you for ages.
PENELOPE.
Do you know my sainted mother?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
How d’you do?
PENELOPE.
This is my noble father, and this is my uncle.
BARLOW.
How d’you do?
[_He is evidently much struck by_ MRS. FERGUSSON.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Turning blandly to_ DICKIE.] You haven’t forgotten me?
DICKIE.
Of course not.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
We haven’t met for ages, have we?
DICKIE.
Simply ages.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I passed you in Piccadilly the other day, and you cut me dead.
DICKIE.
I’m so sorry, I’m so short-sighted.
PENELOPE.
Dickie, you’re not at all short-sighted. How can you tell such fibs?
BARLOW.
[_With pompous gallantry._] Dickie feels that only a physical impediment
can excuse a man for not seeing a pretty woman.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, how very nice of you to say that.
BARLOW.
Not at all, not at all.
PENELOPE.
I wanted to thank you for getting Dickie such a splendid patient.
DICKIE.
[_Hastily, seeing her look of astonishment._] I’ve just been telling my
wife about Mrs. Mack.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Not in the least understanding._] Oh, yes.
DICKIE.
It was really awfully good of you to tell her to send for me. I’ve been
to see her this afternoon.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Understanding._] Oh, yes. I like to do all I can for people. I hope
you’ll find her a nice patient.
PENELOPE.
She seems to require a lot of visits.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Yes, she was only telling me the other day how much she liked Dr.
O’Farrell. I’m afraid she’s very ill, poor dear.
DICKIE.
To tell you the truth, I’m extremely worried about her.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It’s a great comfort to all her friends to know that Dr. O’Farrell is
looking after her.
BARLOW.
I’ve been wondering if she’s one of the Staffordshire Macks or one of
the Somersetshire Macks.
DICKIE.
I don’t know at all.
BARLOW.
How d’you mean you don’t know at all? She must be one or the other.
DICKIE.
I don’t see that it matters either way.
PENELOPE.
What is she like?
DICKIE.
Oh, I don’t know. Like everybody else, I suppose.
PENELOPE.
Don’t be silly, Dickie. You must know if she’s fat or thin.
DICKIE.
[_Looking at_ MRS. FERGUSSON.] I should say fat, wouldn’t you?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Obese.
PENELOPE.
Yes?
DICKIE.
She has grey hair.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
All in little corkscrew curls.
DICKIE.
[_Laughing._] Yes. I wonder how she does them.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
She has very pretty blue eyes, hasn’t she?
DICKIE.
Yes, very pretty blue eyes.
PENELOPE.
What is her Christian name?
DICKIE.
Er--I don’t know at all.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Promptly._] Catherine.
PENELOPE.
Catherine Mack? Mother, it’s your old friend Catherine Mack. What an
extraordinary coincidence!
GOLIGHTLY.
Catherine Mack. Why, of course, I remember her perfectly. Little grey
corkscrew curls and very pretty blue eyes.
PENELOPE.
Wouldn’t she like mamma to go and see her?
DICKIE.
I’m afraid she can’t see any one just yet.
GOLIGHTLY.
You must tell her how sorry we are to hear she’s so ill.
DICKIE.
Oh, yes, I’ll give her any message you like.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Rather stiffly, getting up._] I think I ought to be going. Will you
come, Charles?
GOLIGHTLY.
Yes, my dear.
PENELOPE.
Good-bye, mother, darling.
[_They talk aside as_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY _is helped on with her cloak_.
DICKIE _is left practically alone with_ MRS. FERGUSSON.
DICKIE.
[_In an undertone._] I say, what the dickens have you come here for
now?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You didn’t tell me when I should see you to-morrow.
DICKIE.
Good heavens, you might have rung me up on the telephone.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, I never trust the telephone.
DICKIE.
How do you mean you never trust the telephone? Are you in the habit....
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Dickie!
DICKIE.
I beg your pardon, I didn’t mean that.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Why on earth did you invent that cock-and-bull story about Mrs. Mack?
DICKIE.
I didn’t. It invented itself. I was obliged to account for my movements.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
D’you mean to say your wife asks you where you’ve been and where you’re
going? How like a woman. [_Innocently._] By the way, what are you doing
this evening?
DICKIE.
[_With amusement._] Oh, Penelope and I are dining at the Carlton grill
room, and going to a music hall.
[BARLOW _comes up to them_.
BARLOW.
Good-bye, Mrs. Fergusson.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Effusively._] Good-bye.
BARLOW.
[_To_ PENELOPE, _as he shakes hands with her_.] Devilish fine woman.
PENELOPE.
[_Pretending to be outraged._] Uncle Davenport!
BARLOW.
Good-bye, dear. Quite a lady.
PENELOPE.
Good-bye.
[BARLOW _and_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY _go out_.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_As he is following._] Are you all right?
PENELOPE.
Yes, leave it to me. I’m beginning to feel my feet.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a smile._] I noticed it.
[GOLIGHTLY _goes out_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Charming man your uncle is, Penelope. So distinguished.
PENELOPE.
You’ve made a conquest of him. He told me you were a devilish fine
woman.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Not really? Men often tell me I’m a womanly woman.
PENELOPE.
I daresay it means the same thing.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
But I must fly too. I really had no idea it was so late.
PENELOPE.
Are you doing anything to-night?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, no! I live very quietly. There’s nothing that I enjoy more than an
evening all by myself, with a book.
PENELOPE.
You used to be so fond of going out.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I know that my husband prefers me to remain at home. And when I think of
him bravely serving his country in a foreign land I have no heart for
gaiety.
PENELOPE.
What a charming nature you have.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ DICKIE.] My husband’s in a man-of-war. He’s stationed at Malta,
you know. It’s so dreadful that my health forces me to remain in
England.
PENELOPE.
I wonder if you’d do me a great kindness.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
My dear, I’ll always do anything for an old friend.
PENELOPE.
The fact is, I’ve had a perfectly fiendish headache the whole afternoon.
DICKIE.
[_Triumphantly._] I knew there was something the matter with you the
moment I came in.
PENELOPE.
We’ve got a couple of stalls for a music hall to-night. It would be
awfully kind of you if you’d go with Dickie instead of me.
[_A look of intelligence passes between_ DICKIE _and_ MRS.
FERGUSSON.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I?
PENELOPE.
Dickie hates going out alone, and I simply can’t stir. You can have a
jolly little dinner together at a restaurant, and you can go on
afterwards.
DICKIE.
Are you really sure you can’t go, Pen?
_Penelope._
It’s absolutely out of the question.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Don’t you think Dr. O’Farrell ought to stay and look after you?
PENELOPE.
Oh, no! It’ll do him good to go out. He’s been working so dreadfully
hard. This afternoon he had a consultation that lasted nearly an hour.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ DICKIE.] Would you like me to come with you?
DICKIE.
I should love it, if it wouldn’t bore you.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Then I shall be delighted.
PENELOPE.
Thanks so much. But it’s getting very late. I think you ought to start
at once.
DICKIE.
You’re sure you don’t mind my leaving you, Penelope?
PENELOPE.
Positive.
DICKIE.
Well, just wait a moment, and I’ll make you up a dose of something.
PENELOPE.
[_Hastily._] Oh, no, I promise you I’m much better without medicine.
DICKIE.
Nonsense. Of course I must give you something.
[_He goes out._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
That’s the advantage of having a doctor in the family.
PENELOPE.
[_Crossly._] Yes, it’s a great advantage.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I do envy you, having your husband always at hand. When I think of mine
bravely serving his country--and you know, every doctor I go to tells me
it would be most dangerous for me to join him.
[DICKIE _comes in with a little medicine glass, filled with a milky
fluid_.
DICKIE.
Here it is.
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, Dickie, I’d much rather not.
DICKIE.
Don’t be silly, darling. This’ll pull you together like anything.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’m sure she ought to lie down.
PENELOPE.
No, I think I’d rather stand up if you don’t mind.
DICKIE.
How extraordinarily unreasonable you are! Now lie down on this sofa.
PENELOPE.
Of course, if I absolutely must.
[_She lies down on a sofa._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
We must make you comfortable before we go.
DICKIE.
Let’s put all the cushions behind her. Is that nice?
PENELOPE.
Yes, thank you.
DICKIE.
Poor little thing.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’m sure she ought to have something over her feet.
DICKIE.
Let’s put this rug over her feet. There. Now take this medicine....
There....
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, Dickie. I’ll take it after you’ve gone. I really will. I promise
you I’ll take it.
DICKIE.
Why on earth can’t you take it now?
PENELOPE.
Well, I hate making faces before you.
DICKIE.
But I’ve often seen you make faces.
PENELOPE.
Yes, at you. That’s quite a different thing.
DICKIE.
Now, take it like a good girl.
PENELOPE.
After you’ve gone.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With great determination._] I’m not going to stir from this room till
you’ve taken it.
PENELOPE.
[_Resigned._] Give it me. Hold my nose, Dickie.
[_She swallows it and makes a face._
Oh, I wish I’d never married you, Dickie.
DICKIE.
It’ll make you feel like one o’clock.
PENELOPE.
I don’t want to feel like one o’clock.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Good-bye. So sorry you’re feeling seedy.
DICKIE.
Good-bye, darling.
PENELOPE.
I hope you’ll have an awfully good time.
[DICKIE _and_ MRS. FERGUSSON _go out_. PENELOPE _springs up, throws
the cushions angrily aside, makes one or two quick steps towards
the door as though to call them back, then stops_.
PENELOPE.
No, I won’t. I won’t.
[_She comes slowly back, then sinks down and bursts into tears._
END OF THE FIRST ACT.
THE SECOND ACT
SCENE: DR. O’FARRELL’S _consulting-room. It is a comfortably
furnished room, with engravings on the walls, photographs in silver
frames, and flowers on the chimney-piece. There is a large desk on
one side, with papers on it, books, and a reading-lamp. There is a
revolving-chair for_ DICKIE _to sit in, and a chair on the other
side of the desk for the patient. On a side table are a microscope,
a stand for test tubes, one or two medicine bottles, a row of large
bottles containing chemicals, and an electric lamp. There is a sofa
without arms for patients to lie upon, and there are two or three
chairs besides. On the shelves are medical books. On a little table
is a pile of “Lancets.”_
DICKIE _is sitting at his desk, with his stethoscope still in his
ears. A patient is standing up, buttoning up his braces. He puts on
his waistcoat and coat as the conversation proceeds. He is a very
timid little man, with a bald head and gold spectacles. He has an
intensely nervous, apologetic manner._
DICKIE.
I’ll just write you out a prescription, shall I?
PATIENT.
Oh, it’s too good of you. I’m afraid I’m giving you so much trouble.
DICKIE.
Not at all. Now what would you like me to give you?
PATIENT.
[_Dreadfully embarrassed._] Oh, whatever you like, please. It’s too good
of you.
DICKIE.
You know, there’s not much the matter with you.
PATIENT.
Oh, I’m so sorry. I really, really....
DICKIE.
I should have thought you’d be rather pleased.
PATIENT.
[_Apologetically._] Yes, of course, I’m very much pleased. I didn’t mean
that. I’ve taken up so much of your time.
DICKIE.
It’s only out of the people who’ve got nothing the matter with them that
I make a living. The people who are ill either get well or die, and
that’s the end of them.
PATIENT.
Yes, I see. I never thought of that. Beautiful day it is, isn’t it?
DICKIE.
Won’t you sit down?
PATIENT.
Oh, it’s too good of you. Thank you, thank you. I’m afraid I’m taking up
so much of your time.
DICKIE.
I always make my patients sit on the other side of my desk since one of
them suddenly saw a snake on me, and flung himself at my throat in order
to save me from being bitten. He nearly throttled me in the process, and
when I knelt on his chest, he said I was an ungrateful devil, and he
wouldn’t interfere with the snakes next time they went for me.
PATIENT.
[_Extremely agitated._] Oh, but you don’t think there’s any danger of my
flying at your throat, do you?
DICKIE.
[_With a laugh._] No, of course not.
PATIENT.
I drink nothing for my luncheon, and only claret and water for my
dinner.
DICKIE.
I suppose you wouldn’t think you’d had your money’s worth if I gave you
no medicine?
PATIENT.
Oh, it’s too good of you, but I think, for my wife’s sake, I’d like to
take something.
DICKIE.
Well, look here, I’ve given you some strychnine to buck you up, and some
bismuth to quiet you down. Take it three times a day after meals.
PATIENT.
Oh, thank you so much. I’m sure it’s just what I want. And now--er. And
now--er....
[_He gets up, overcome with embarrassment._
DICKIE.
I think there’s nothing more I can do for you.
PATIENT.
No, er--thank you very much. I--er--it’s so good of you to have taken so
much trouble. Yes, er....
DICKIE.
[_Understanding._] Oh.... My fee is two guineas.
PATIENT.
[_Infinitely relieved._] Oh, thank you so much. That’s just what I
wanted to ask you. Shall I write you a cheque?
DICKIE.
We always prefer to have it in hard cash, you know, in case it’s a bogus
cheque.
PATIENT.
Oh, certainly. It’s too good of you. I thought you mightn’t like it.
DICKIE.
It’s extraordinary how nervous people are about giving a doctor money.
If you only knew how jolly glad he is to get it.
PATIENT.
Yes. Thank you very much.
[_The patient takes two guineas out of his pocket and puts them
nervously on the chimney-piece._
DICKIE.
Hang it all, man, not on the mantelpiece. There are limits.
PATIENT.
Oh, I beg your pardon. I’m so sorry.
DICKIE.
We always like it put on the desk.
PATIENT.
I don’t often come and consult doctors.
DICKIE.
I can see that. If you did you’d probably give me two pounds and say you
hadn’t got two shillings on you, especially if you were a woman.
PATIENT.
You don’t say so. Really it never occurred to me.
DICKIE.
Thank you. Well, good-bye.
PATIENT.
Good-bye, and thank you so much. Beautiful day, isn’t it? Good-bye.
[DICKIE _leads him to the door and shows him out. At the door he
sees_ GOLIGHTLY.
DICKIE.
Hulloa! Come in, won’t you? [_Calling upstairs._] Pen, here’s your noble
parent.
[GOLIGHTLY _comes in_.
GOLIGHTLY.
I was just going up to see Pen.
DICKIE.
Come and sit down here, and we’ll have a smoke.
GOLIGHTLY.
Aren’t you expecting patients?
DICKIE.
Oh, it’s just on five o’clock. I don’t suppose any one else will come.
We might have tea down here.
GOLIGHTLY.
How are things going?
DICKIE.
Rotten. Look here, a wretched two guineas. That’s all I’ve made this
afternoon.
[PENELOPE _comes in_.
PENELOPE.
Well, father?
GOLIGHTLY.
Kiss your noble parent, my child. You’ve got a new dress on.
PENELOPE.
I rather like it, don’t you?
DICKIE.
Is that another new frock, Pen?
PENELOPE.
Yes, darling. Why?
DICKIE.
Oh, nothing.
PENELOPE.
The wife of a fashionable physician has to spend a lot of money on her
clothes.
GOLIGHTLY.
Dickie was lamenting that times were very bad.
DICKIE.
What can you expect with this beastly weather! Fine, dry, cold day after
day. We haven’t had a fog this autumn. It doesn’t give one a chance. Of
course everybody keeps well. Times are getting worse and worse.
Everybody has decent drains now. An officious Government gives people
pure water. If it weren’t for patent medicines and the _malade
imaginaire_ half the doctors in London would starve.
PENELOPE.
Never mind, Dickie. There may be a motor accident just outside our front
door one of these days.
DICKIE.
It would be just like my luck if they were all killed outright. No, what
I want is a really good epidemic, a very complicated form of influenza
that’d keep people on their backs for about a month.
PENELOPE.
And supposing I got it?
DICKIE.
Well, if you got it that bounder on the other side of the street would
have to treat you. And he couldn’t charge you as you’re my wife, and
he’d simply grind his teeth at having to waste his time.
PENELOPE.
The bounder on the other side of the street is Dr. Rogers. I like him
much better than Dickie.
DICKIE.
Pompous ass.
PENELOPE.
He’s got such a pleasant bedside manner.
DICKIE.
You’ve never seen my bedside manner. [_Looking at his hands._] I say, I
must just go and wash my hands, they’re covered with Picric Acid.
[_Exit._
PENELOPE.
Where’s mother? Converting the heathen?
GOLIGHTLY.
From the safe distance of the Albert Hall.
PENELOPE.
[_With a change of manner._] I’m glad you came alone.
GOLIGHTLY.
Is anything the matter?
PENELOPE.
[_Breaking out._] I can’t go on with it any longer. I’ve come to the end
of my strength.
GOLIGHTLY.
Is Dickie still ...?
PENELOPE.
Yes. I can’t imagine what he sees in her. I sit and watch her sometimes
and wonder what she has that I haven’t got. You don’t think I’m plain,
do you?
GOLIGHTLY.
Certainly not. If you had been I should have exposed you at your birth,
like the ancient Spartans.
PENELOPE.
There are lots of men who are willing to tell me that I’m extremely
attractive.
GOLIGHTLY.
Why don’t you let them?
PENELOPE.
My dear father, you’re the most immoral parent I’ve ever come across.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a little deprecatory shrug._] It might be politic.
PENELOPE.
[_Shaking her head._] No, I don’t know whether I shall ever get Dickie
back again, but I don’t want to get him back by exciting his jealousy. I
don’t want his love if I can only have it by making him think other men
are in love with me.
GOLIGHTLY.
Remember that two and two never make five.
PENELOPE.
[_Impatiently._] It’s easy enough to give advice. You’ve only got to sit
still and watch. I’ve got to do things. And the worst of it is that
doing things means doing nothing.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear.
PENELOPE.
Now, father, don’t look as if you didn’t understand or I shall throw
something at your head. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could be up and
doing, but I just have to sit still and keep my temper. You don’t know
what I’ve suffered this month with a smiling face. I’ve laughed while my
heart ached. I’ve chaffed Dickie when I’ve known he was just going to
meet Ada Fergusson. I’ve arranged little parties so that they might be
together. I haven’t even dared to cry by myself in case Ada Fergusson
should see that my eyes were red and tell Dickie. He’s seen her every
day, every single day for the last month, and all the time I’ve been
cheerful and pleasant and amusing.
GOLIGHTLY.
But how does he manage to get the time?
PENELOPE.
Of course he’s been neglecting his practice. He’s sent his assistant to
people he ought to have seen himself. You remember Mrs. Mack, don’t you?
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Smiling._] The imaginary Mrs. Mack? Yes.
PENELOPE.
If you knew how I hated Mrs. Mack! She’s been having operations. She has
an operation about once a week, and Dickie goes off for the whole day in
his car.
GOLIGHTLY.
She must have the constitution of a boa-constrictor.
PENELOPE.
And the curious thing is that she always has an operation when there’s a
race meeting. She had an operation for the Duke of York’s Stakes at
Kempton; and she had another operation for the Cesarewitch, and a third
for Sandown.
GOLIGHTLY.
How very singular.
PENELOPE.
It is till you know that Ada Fergusson adores racing. And the thing that
makes me so furious is that I’m quite certain Dickie puts on her money
for her; and when her horse wins she pockets the profits, and when it
loses she doesn’t pay her stake.
GOLIGHTLY.
That sounds very nasty of her. What makes you think it?
PENELOPE.
I do it myself.... Poor Dickie, it’s going to cost him a lot of money
this month.
GOLIGHTLY.
Why?
PENELOPE.
Because whenever he goes out for the day I have to console myself by
buying something. I generally choose something rather dear.
GOLIGHTLY.
I don’t remember that I advised that in the treatment of a volatile
husband.
PENELOPE.
No, I added it of my own accord.
GOLIGHTLY.
But why did you send for me to-day?
PENELOPE.
Because the end has come. And I can’t stand it any longer. This morning
Dickie said that Mrs. Mack was well enough to be moved, and he was
going to take her over to Paris to put her in the Riviera train.
GOLIGHTLY.
Do you mean to say that....
PENELOPE.
[_With an angry shrug of the shoulders._] Ada Fergusson wants a little
jaunt in Paris.
GOLIGHTLY.
What are you going to do?
PENELOPE.
I’m going to tell him he must choose between us. I’m going to do
everything I can to prevent him from going. And I mean to let him know
that if he goes it’s the end.
GOLIGHTLY.
Oh!
PENELOPE.
Don’t say oh! Say I’m quite right. Say it’s the only thing to do.
GOLIGHTLY.
But I think you’re quite wrong.
PENELOPE.
Wrong!
GOLIGHTLY.
You don’t suppose he wants to go to Paris. No man in his senses would
take the risk.
PENELOPE.
Then why is he going?
GOLIGHTLY.
Because she’s making him. And once a woman in these circumstances makes
a man do what he doesn’t want to, it’s the beginning of the end.
PENELOPE.
How d’you know?
GOLIGHTLY.
I don’t know. I guess it.
PENELOPE.
It seems to me that a lifetime spent in the study of mathematics has
resulted in some very various knowledge.
GOLIGHTLY.
Be a good girl, Pen, and let them go.
[_There is a pause while_ PENELOPE, _resting her face on her hands,
looks straight at her father. She thinks the matter out._
PENELOPE.
You were right when you said I should want a great deal of tact, and a
great deal of patience, and a great deal of self-control. My word!
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Smiling._] Well?
PENELOPE.
I’ll do nothing. I’ll hold my tongue, I’ll smile, I’ll make jokes,
but....
GOLIGHTLY.
Yes?
PENELOPE.
I want some hats badly. I’ll just go and ring up Françoise and tell her
to send me all she’s got in the shop.
[DICKIE _comes in_.
GOLIGHTLY.
I was just going.
DICKIE.
I’m sorry. Why so soon?
GOLIGHTLY.
I promised to fetch my wife.
PENELOPE.
You must come back. This is the first time I’ve been separated from
Dickie since our marriage, and I shall want to hide my head in the
maternal bosom while my noble father pats my hand.
DICKIE.
I wish you wouldn’t take it so calmly, Pen. You might be a bit cut up.
PENELOPE.
But, darling, I’m making every preparation to have fit after fit of
violent hysterics. I can’t do more.
DICKIE.
Rot me, that’s right.
PENELOPE.
[_With meaning._] After all, Dickie, I know you wouldn’t go if you could
help it. It’s only because you feel it’s your duty, isn’t it?
[DICKIE _is rather uncomfortable, but says nothing_. GOLIGHTLY
_breaks the momentary silence_.
GOLIGHTLY.
Why are you going by night?
DICKIE.
[_Relieved._] Oh, you see, there’s so much less of a crowd. It’s more
convenient when you’re carting an invalid about.
PENELOPE.
[_Gaily._] It’ll be great fun, because you’ll see all the gay young men
who are making a little excursion to Paris with the object of their
affections. I’m told they always go by night so that no one should see
them on the journey.
GOLIGHTLY.
Well, I must be getting on or I shall be late. _Au revoir._
PENELOPE.
Don’t be too long, father, in case my emotions get the better of me
before you come back.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Nodding._] I may see you later, Dickie.
[_He goes out._ PENELOPE _makes as if to follow him_.
PENELOPE.
I’m going upstairs to have tea.
DICKIE.
[_Rather stiffly._] I’d like to have a little talk with you, Pen.
PENELOPE.
Then come up into the drawing-room.
DICKIE.
I’d rather talk to you down here.
PENELOPE.
[_Sitting down._] Very well. Talk.
DICKIE.
You can send for the tea if you like.
PENELOPE.
No; I’ll let it stand and ruin my digestion.
DICKIE.
[_Taking papers out of his pocket and giving them to_ PENELOPE.] D’you
know what these are?
PENELOPE.
[_With a charming smile._] Bills, darling?
DICKIE.
I can see they’re bills, thank you!
PENELOPE.
[_Flourishing one of them._] This is for the frock I’ve got on. You
wouldn’t think it cost so much, would you? [_Looking down at it._] You
see, you have to pay for the cut.
DICKIE.
[_Trying to keep his temper._] And what do you expect me to do with
them?
PENELOPE.
[_Indifferently._] You can put them in the waste-paper basket if you
like, but it would be shorter to pay them.
DICKIE.
[_Flying into a passion._] Now, look here, Pen. It’s perfectly
preposterous. You know I’m not going to stand this sort of thing.
PENELOPE.
[_Apparently much astonished, quite good-humouredly._] Darling, you’re
not going to make a scene for a few little things I’ve bought myself. I
was positively in rags, and I thought you liked me to dress neatly.
DICKIE.
Hang it all, I’m a poor man, and you’ve spent more than a hundred and
fifty pounds in this one month.
PENELOPE.
[_Calmly._] Does it come to as much as that? It’s lucky you’ve got such
a good patient in Mrs. Mack, isn’t it?
[_He gives her a suspicious look, but to get away from_ MRS. MACK
_breaks out angrily_.
DICKIE.
Senseless extravagance I call it. Now look here, here’s thirty-five
pounds for a dress in blue cloth--absurd price to pay--on 9th of
October.
PENELOPE.
Duke of York’s Stakes at Kempton.
DICKIE.
How d’you mean, Duke of York’s Stakes at Kempton?
PENELOPE.
I just happen to remember they were on that day because Madame Claude
was so surprised to see me. It was only by the merest chance that she
hadn’t gone to the races herself.
DICKIE.
But what on earth put it into your head to go and buy a blue cloth
dress?
PENELOPE.
[_Sweetly._] Well, you see, darling, it was the day of the first
operation that was performed on Mrs. Mack. And you were away all day,
and I felt awfully depressed and lonely. And I knew how anxious you
were, and it made me anxious, so I just went and ordered a blue cloth to
cheer myself up a bit.
[DICKIE _looks at her for a moment, then looks down at the bill, is
about to speak, but says nothing_. PENELOPE _watches him_.
DICKIE.
[_Suddenly._] And look here, on the 13th of October there’s an ermine
stole and a muff.
PENELOPE.
Yes, that was the second operation on poor Mrs. Mack.
DICKIE.
I say, I think it’s a bit thick.
PENELOPE.
Well, I had to do something while you were away. And it made me feel so
miserable to see everybody driving off with race glasses to Liverpool
Street.
DICKIE.
I beg your pardon.
PENELOPE.
You see, the 13th of October was the Cesarewitch.
DICKIE.
And I suppose all the others are to be explained in the same way.
[_Looking at a bill._] October 22.
PENELOPE.
Sandown Races.
[DICKIE _looks through the bill crossly, but does not speak_.
[_Innocently._] I wonder why you always had your operations on the same
day as an important race meeting.
DICKIE.
I suppose you think it odd?
PENELOPE.
A little.
DICKIE.
Well, it isn’t odd at all. It’s one of old Peter Marsden’s cranky ways.
I told you it was Peter Marsden who did the operations, didn’t I?
[PENELOPE _nods_.] The fact is, he’s simply mad on racing. And he’s lost
such a pot of money that he always fixes an important operation for the
same day as a race meeting so that he absolutely won’t be able to go to
it.
PENELOPE.
Funny old thing.
[DICKIE _looks up suspiciously_.
[_With a laugh._] Peter Marsden, not you, darling.
DICKIE.
Now look here, Pen, we’ll say no more about these bills. I’ll pay them
this time....
PENELOPE.
I knew you would.
DICKIE.
But there must be no more of them.
PENELOPE.
I really don’t know why you should make such a fuss. After all, you’ve
been earning simply heaps and heaps of money with Mrs. Mack.
DICKIE.
We mustn’t count our chickens before they’re hatched. I haven’t had a
penny out of her yet.
PENELOPE.
But now that she’s going away you can send in your bill.
DICKIE.
Oh, I couldn’t possibly. It would kill her.
PENELOPE.
Don’t you think you might risk it?
DICKIE.
I think you’re awfully heartless, Pen. You forget that I’m very much
attached to the old lady. I look upon her as a friend as well as a
patient.
PENELOPE.
Perhaps she’ll leave you something in her will. We want a new electric
brougham, don’t we?
DICKIE.
Oh, I shouldn’t accept it. I have the strongest feeling against doctors
getting legacies from their patients.
PENELOPE.
Well, you’ll be able to charge at least a hundred and fifty pounds for
taking her to Paris.
DICKIE.
[_With a start._] Pen!
PENELOPE.
Oh, you made me jump.
DICKIE.
You’re not proposing to buy anything more?
PENELOPE.
Well, darling, I know that when I get up to-morrow morning and you’re
not here, I shall feel dreadfully lonely and depressed.
DICKIE.
[_Interrupting._] Have your sainted mother to stay with you.
PENELOPE.
And it’s struck me that I simply haven’t got a hat I can wear.
DICKIE.
[_Sternly._] Penelope.
PENELOPE.
[_Persuasively._] It’ll make my frocks last so much longer if I have
some nice hats. You see, you ring the changes, and people think you have
a new gown on.
DICKIE.
And may I venture to inquire how many hats you’ll want to overcome your
depression?
PENELOPE.
[_Decidedly._] Three.
DICKIE.
I never heard anything so preposterous.
PENELOPE.
Now look here, Dickie, I’m willing to meet you half way; I promise you
they shan’t cost more than five pounds each. You can afford that out of
the hundred and fifty.
DICKIE.
The fact is, Pen, that Mrs. Mack is more a friend than a patient, and
she’s not so well to do as I thought. I’m proposing to make no charge
for accompanying her to Paris.
PENELOPE.
[_Quite firmly._] Oh, no, Dickie, I won’t hear of it. You’ve got a wife
to think of--if you died to-morrow I should be totally unprovided for.
You have no right to be quixotic. It’s not fair to me.
[DICKIE _is just going to answer when_ PEYTON _comes in_.
PEYTON.
A lady wishes to see you, sir.
DICKIE.
[_Irritably._] At this hour?
PEYTON.
It’s Mrs. Watson, sir.
DICKIE.
Oh, yes, I know. Show her in.
[_Exit_ PEYTON.
DICKIE.
Thank heaven, there’s somebody. I’ll get a few guineas out of her at all
events. [_Looking at his case book._] Four visits. That’ll be five
guineas. By Jove, I want them.
PENELOPE.
What’s the matter with her?
DICKIE.
I don’t know, but I’m pretending I do. And she probably won’t find out.
PENELOPE.
I’ll leave you. I must just telephone to some one.
[_She goes out._ DICKIE _walks up and down irritably. When_ MRS.
WATSON _appears he at once puts on his professional manner, and is
very bland and affable_. MRS. WATSON _is a little, old lady in
black_.
DICKIE.
Well, Mrs. Watson?
MRS. WATSON.
You mustn’t mind my coming so late. I know you don’t see any one after
five, but I’m going away.
DICKIE.
I’m delighted to see you. I promise you that.
MRS. WATSON.
I’m starting for the Riviera with my daughter to-morrow, and I thought
I’d like to see you again before I went.
DICKIE.
Of course. And how have you been getting on?
MRS. WATSON.
[_With the keenest satisfaction._] Oh! I don’t get on. I never get
better.
DICKIE.
Have you been taking your medicine regularly?
MRS. WATSON.
[_Cheerfully._] Yes; but it doesn’t do me any good.
DICKIE.
Let’s try your knee jerks, shall we?
[MRS. WATSON _crosses one leg over the other, and_ DICKIE _taps
below the knee; the leg is slightly jerked up_.
DICKIE.
That seems right enough.
MRS. WATSON.
Sir Benjamin Broadstairs tried everything, and he couldn’t cure me; and
then I went to Sir William Wilson, and he told me not to do any of the
things that Sir Benjamin Broadstairs told me to do, and I got worse and
worse!
DICKIE.
You seem uncommonly cheerful about it.
MRS. WATSON.
I’ve been to every doctor in London, and they all say I’m a wonderful
case. I like being examined by doctors, and they take such an interest
in me. The hours and hours they’ve spent over me. I can never be
grateful enough for all the kindness I’ve had from them.
DICKIE.
It’s very nice of you to say so. I think I’ll try you on something else
to-day.
MRS. WATSON.
Oh! make it nice and strong; won’t you, doctor?
DICKIE.
You seem to like your medicine with some body in it.
MRS. WATSON.
Well, I like taking medicines. It’s something to do; and now my
daughter’s married I’m very much alone. I think I’ve taken every
medicine in the Pharmacopœia, and they’ve none of them done me any
good.
DICKIE.
[_Handing her a prescription._] Well, perhaps this will. You must take
it three times a day before meals.
MRS. WATSON.
[_Looking at it._] Oh! but I’ve had this before, Dr. O’Farrell. Sir
Arthur Thomas gave me this only a few months ago.
DICKIE.
Well, try it again. Perhaps you didn’t give it a fair chance.
MRS. WATSON.
I was reading in the _Lancet_ the other day that a German doctor had
discovered a new medicine which does nerve cases such a lot of good. I’m
sure it’s the very thing for me.
DICKIE.
What on earth were you reading the _Lancet_ for?
MRS. WATSON.
Oh, I always read the _Lancet_ and the _British Medical Journal_. You
see, my poor husband had to take them in for his practice.
DICKIE.
[_With a gasp._] You don’t mean to say your husband was a doctor?
MRS. WATSON.
Oh, I thought I told you that I was a doctor’s widow.
[DICKIE _tries to master his agitation while_ MRS. WATSON _prattles
on_.
MRS. WATSON.
I can never bear to hear doctors spoken badly of. They never do me any
good, but they’ve been kindness itself. I’ve only once been rudely
treated, and that--if you’ll believe it--was by a mere nobody. I told
him all my symptoms, and he said to me, Madam, can you eat? Yes, I said.
I have breakfast in the morning and a little soup at eleven o’clock; and
then I have lunch, and I always make a good tea, and I eat a little
dinner at half-past seven, and before I go to bed I have some bread and
milk. Then he said, Madam, can you sleep? Yes, I said, for an old woman
I sleep very well; I sleep eight or nine hours regularly. Then he said,
Madam, can you walk? Oh! yes, I said, I always make a point of walking
four miles a day. Then he said, My opinion is that you’ve got nothing
the matter with you at all. Good afternoon.
DICKIE.
Fancy.
MRS. WATSON.
Well, I just looked him up and down, and I said to him, Sir, your
opinion is not shared by Sir Benjamin Broadstairs, or Sir William
Wilson, or Sir Arthur Thomas. And I didn’t even offer him a fee, but I
just swept out of the room. [_Archly._] You won’t give me that new
medicine?
DICKIE.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s quite what you want.
MRS. WATSON.
Very well. I expect you know best. And now I mustn’t take up any more of
your time.
DICKIE.
[_Sarcastically._] Oh, it’s of no value, thank you.
MRS. WATSON.
[_Persuasively._] Will you tell me what I owe you?
DICKIE.
Oh, as a doctor’s widow, of course, I couldn’t dream of accepting a fee.
MRS. WATSON.
That is kind of you. But you must allow me to give you a little present.
DICKIE.
[_Rather feebly, but brightening up a little._] Oh, really, you know....
MRS. WATSON.
I’ve seen every doctor in London of any importance, and they’ve none of
them charged me a penny, but I always make them a little present. I know
that you doctors have to go out in all weathers, and you never wrap
yourselves up. So I give them a woollen comforter.
[_She takes out of her bag a large red woollen comforter._
DICKIE.
[_Blankly._] Oh, thank you very much.
MRS. WATSON.
I made it myself.
DICKIE.
Did you!
MRS. WATSON.
And Sir Benjamin promised to wear his every winter. You’ll find it so
warm.
DICKIE.
I’m very grateful to you.
MRS. WATSON.
And now, good-bye, and thank you so much.
DICKIE.
When you come back from the Riviera, you might do worse than consult Dr.
Rogers. He lives just at the other end of the street, you know. He’s
very good in cases like yours.
MRS. WATSON.
Thank you so much.
DICKIE.
Good-bye.
[_She goes out, and he shuts the door. He runs to the other and
calls out._
DICKIE.
Pen! Pen!
PENELOPE’S VOICE.
Yes.
[_There is a knock at the door._
DICKIE.
[_Irritably._] Come in.
[MRS. WATSON _enters_.
MRS. WATSON.
I knew there was something I wanted to ask you particularly, and I
nearly forgot it. Sir Benjamin Broadstairs said I ought never to eat
anything but toast, and Sir William Wilson said he didn’t think toast
was at all good for me, and I only ought to eat bread. Now, I wonder
what I had better do?
DICKIE.
[_Seriously, as if he were deliberating._] Well, if I were you, I’d eat
bread toasted only on one side.
MRS. WATSON.
Thank you so much. Good-bye. I hope you’ll like the comforter.
DICKIE.
I’m sure I shall. Good-bye.
[_She goes out again, and_ DICKIE _shuts the door_.
DICKIE.
Pen! Pen!
[PENELOPE _comes in by the other door_.
PENELOPE.
What is the matter?
[DICKIE _goes up to her furiously with the comforter in his hands_.
DICKIE.
Look! That’s my fee! That!
PENELOPE.
It’s a woollen comforter.
DICKIE.
Don’t be idiotic, Penelope. I can see it’s a woollen comforter.
PENELOPE.
But what’s the meaning of it?
DICKIE.
She’s a doctor’s widow. Of course I couldn’t charge her anything. She
kept it dark till to-day. I’ll tell you what, doctors’ widows oughtn’t
to be allowed to survive their husbands.
PENELOPE.
Oh!
DICKIE.
When you’re my widow, Pen, you go right up one side of Harley Street and
then right down the other and see them all.
PENELOPE.
But supposing I’m not ill?
DICKIE.
Hang it all, when you’ve lost me the least you can do is to enjoy
indifferent health.
[PEYTON _comes in_.
PEYTON.
If you please, sir, Mrs. Watson says, may she just see you for one
minute.
DICKIE.
[_Resigned._] Yes.
[_Exit_ PEYTON.
DICKIE.
What the dickens does she want now?
[PEYTON _shows_ MRS. WATSON _in_.
MRS. WATSON.
You’ll think you’ve never seen the last of me.
DICKIE.
[_Blandly._] Not at all. Not at all.
MRS. WATSON.
I’ve been thinking about what you said about toasting my bread on one
side.... On which side shall I put the butter?
DICKIE.
[_With his chin in his hand._] H’m. H’m. You must put the butter on the
toasted side.
MRS. WATSON.
Oh, thank you. Now just one more question, do you think a little jam
would hurt me?
DICKIE.
No, I don’t think a little jam would hurt you, but you mustn’t put it on
the same side as you put the butter.
MRS. WATSON.
Oh, thank you. Good afternoon. I’m so much obliged.
DICKIE.
Not at all. Not at all.
[MRS. WATSON _goes out_.
DICKIE.
[_Shaking his fist at the door._] Suttee.... That’s the word. Suttee.
PENELOPE.
Dickie, what are you talking about?
DICKIE.
I’ve been trying to think of it for ten minutes. That’s what doctors’
widows ought to do--Suttee. Like the Hindoos.
PENELOPE.
Burn themselves alive at their husbands’ death?
DICKIE.
You’ve hit it. Suttee. That’s the word.
PENELOPE.
But, darling, I should hate to grace your funeral by making a bonfire of
myself.
DICKIE.
Oh, you have no affection for me.
PENELOPE.
Lots, but that’s asking a great deal, isn’t it?
DICKIE.
No, you don’t care for me as much as you used to. You’re quite
different. I’ve noticed lots of things.
PENELOPE.
[_With a rapid glance at him, but keeping her chaffing manner._] Oh,
nonsense.
DICKIE.
You’ve changed lately. You never come down to see me off in the morning,
and you don’t ask me at what time I’m coming back. You always used to
sit on the arm of my chair after breakfast when I was smoking my pipe
and reading the paper.
PENELOPE.
You must have hated it, didn’t you?
DICKIE.
Of course I hated it, but it showed you were fond of me, and now that
you don’t do it any more I miss it.
[PEYTON _comes in, followed by_ MRS. FERGUSSON, _and withdraws_.
PEYTON.
Mrs. Fergusson.
[DICKIE _gives a slight start, and shows faint signs of annoyance.
He cannot make out what_ MRS. FERGUSSON _has come for_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
The maid told me you were here, so I asked her to show me straight in. I
hope you don’t mind.
PENELOPE.
Of course not. We’re delighted to see you anywhere. Won’t you have some
tea?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
No, thank you. The fact is, I’ve come to see Dr. O’Farrell
professionally.
PENELOPE.
You’re not ill?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’ve not been very well lately, and I thought I’d like to see a doctor.
[_To_ DICKIE.] Will you treat me?
DICKIE.
I’ll do anything I can for you.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
But it must be really a professional visit. You know, I want to pay.
PENELOPE.
Oh, nonsense, Dickie couldn’t dream of accepting money from one of my
friends.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
No, I’ve got the strictest principles on that point. I think it’s too
bad of people to want a doctor to treat them for nothing. I really
insist on paying the usual fee.
DICKIE.
Oh, well, we’ll discuss that later.
PENELOPE.
I’ll leave you alone, shall I?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Do you mind, dear? It makes me a little uncomfortable to discuss my
symptoms before a third party.
PENELOPE.
Of course.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
We shall only be five minutes.
PENELOPE.
I warn you that Dickie’s medicines are perfectly beastly.
[_She goes out._
DICKIE.
I’m sorry you’re seedy. You were all right yesterday.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Laughing._] I’ve never been better in my life, thank you.
[DICKIE _is rather taken aback_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
That’s the advantage of you being a doctor. When I want to see you alone
I can do it under your wife’s very nose. Don’t you think it was rather
ingenious?
DICKIE.
[_Dryly._] Very.
[_She gives a little laugh. She gets up and steps cautiously to the
door, and suddenly flings it open._
DICKIE.
What on earth are you doing?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I wanted to see if Penelope was listening.
DICKIE.
[_Rather sharply._] Of course she wasn’t listening. That’s about the
last thing she’d do.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, my dear, don’t get in a temper about it. Lots of women do listen,
you know.
DICKIE.
Do they? I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Fiddle.
DICKIE.
Then will you tell me in what way I can be of use to you?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Good-humouredly._] Certainly not, if you ask me as crossly as that.
You may kiss my hand. [_He does so._] That’s right. Still cross?
DICKIE.
No.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Do you love me as much as ever?
DICKIE.
Yes.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You wouldn’t say no if you didn’t, would you?
DICKIE.
No.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Brute!
DICKIE.
[_Rather impatiently._] I say, what on earth have you come for?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You _are_ nice to me to-day.
DICKIE.
Well, when I left you yesterday we fixed up everything. I gave you your
ticket, and I wrote down the time the train started.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Well, for one thing I wanted to see Penelope.
DICKIE.
Why?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It amuses me to see her simplicity. I get a lot of pleasure in looking
at her and thinking how little she suspects what is going on under her
very nose. She’s the most trusting person I ever met in my life.
DICKIE.
If you want to know anything, it makes me feel devilish uncomfortable.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
My poor, dear boy, what _are_ you talking about?
DICKIE.
It wouldn’t be so bad if we had to take any precautions. But she trusts
us absolutely. Why, she’s always throwing us together. It never enters
her head that there can be the least reason for suspicion. It’s like
knocking a man down who can’t defend himself.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I suppose that means that you no longer love me?
DICKIE.
Of course I love you. Good heavens, I’ve told you so till I’m blue in
the face.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, no, you no longer love me. Men only begin to have scruples when they
stop caring for you.
[DICKIE _gives a sigh of resignation. This is not the first scene
he has had to put up with._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’ve sacrificed everything for your sake. And now you insult me. And
when I think of my poor husband bravely serving his country in a foreign
land! Oh, it’s cruel, cruel!
DICKIE.
But I’ve only said it made me feel low down to treat Penelope badly.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You don’t think of my feelings. You don’t think how I feel. What about
my husband?
DICKIE.
Well, you see I don’t happen to know your husband, and I do know my
wife.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Don’t be so stupid. Of course you know your wife.
DICKIE.
That’s why I don’t like behaving like an utter cad.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
If you really loved me you would think of nothing but me, nothing,
nothing, nothing.
[_She puts her handkerchief to her eyes._
DICKIE.
Oh, I say, don’t cry.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I shall cry. I’ve never been treated like this before. If you don’t love
me any more, why don’t you say so?
DICKIE.
Yes, I do love you. But....
MRS. FERGUSSON.
But what?
DICKIE.
[_Nervously._] Well--er--I think it would be much better if we--put the
trip to Paris off for a bit.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Gasping with anger._] Oh! Oh! Oh!
DICKIE.
Penelope’s so blindly confident.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’ll never speak to you again. I wish I had never met you. Oh, how can
you insult me like this!
[_She begins to sob._
DICKIE.
Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! I say, don’t cry. I didn’t mean to be horrid. I’m
awfully sorry.
[_He tries to take away her hands from her face._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Don’t touch me. Don’t come near me.
DICKIE.
I’ll do anything you like if you won’t cry. I say, just think if
Penelope came in--I was only thinking of the risk to you. Of course,
there’s nothing I’d like so much as a jaunt over the Channel.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Is that true?
DICKIE.
Yes.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Do you really want me to come?
DICKIE.
Of course I do, if you don’t mind the risk.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With a smile._] Oh, I’ll make that all right.
DICKIE.
Why, what are you going to do?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Wait a minute or two and you’ll see.
[_She is perfectly composed again, and in high good-humour._
DICKIE.
We might tell Penelope that we’re ready.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Very well. [_As_ DICKIE _goes to the door_.] Oh, I quite forgot. I’ve
simply got a head like a sieve.
DICKIE.
What’s the matter?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Well, I almost forgot the very thing I came to see you about. And all
through you making a scene.
DICKIE.
Did I make a scene? I wasn’t aware of it.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I want to ask you something. You won’t be angry, will you?
DICKIE.
I shouldn’t think so.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Of course it’s nothing very important really, but it’s just a little
awkward to ask.
DICKIE.
Oh, nonsense. Of course I’ll do anything I can.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Well, a friend of mine on the Stock Exchange gave me a splendid tip,
and....
DICKIE.
It hasn’t come off. I know those splendid tips.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, but it’s bound to be all right, only there are some differences to
pay. I don’t quite understand what it all means, but Solly Abrahams....
DICKIE.
[_Interrupting._] Is that your friend on the Stock Exchange?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Yes, why?
DICKIE.
Oh, nothing. Good old Scotch name, that’s all.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Solly says I must send him a cheque for a hundred and eighty pounds.
[DICKIE _gives a slight start, and his face falls_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
And it’s just a little awkward for me to pay that just now. You see my
income is always paid me half-yearly, and I really haven’t got a hundred
and eighty pounds in the bank. I never borrow--it’s a thing I can’t
bear--and I felt the only person I could come to now was you.
DICKIE.
I’m sure that’s awfully nice of you, not to say flattering.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I knew you’d give it me at once, and, of course, I’ll pay you back out
of my profits.
DICKIE.
Oh, that’s very good of you. I’ll see what I can do.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Would it be too much trouble if I asked you to write out a cheque now?
It’ll be such a weight off my mind.
DICKIE.
Of course. I’ll be only too glad. By the way, what are the shares
called?
[_He sits down at his desk and writes a cheque._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, it’s a gold mine. It’s called the Johannesburg and New Jerusalem.
DICKIE.
The name inspires confidence.
[_He gives her the cheque._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Thanks, so much. It’s awfully good of you. Now just write out a little
prescription so as to have something to show Penelope.
DICKIE.
You forget nothing.
[_He writes._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
And I must give you a fee.
DICKIE.
Oh, I wouldn’t bother about that.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh yes, I insist. Besides, it makes it look so much more probable.
[_She looks in her purse._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, how stupid of me! I’ve only got a two-shilling bit in my purse. You
don’t happen to have a couple of sovereigns on you.
DICKIE.
Oh, yes, I think I have. The only money I’ve earned to-day.
[_He takes them out of his pocket and gives them to_ _Mrs.
Fergusson_. _She puts them on the desk with a two-shilling piece._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Thank you.... There. That looks a most imposing fee. You must leave it
on there for Penelope to see.
DICKIE.
Shall I call her?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I will. [_She goes to the door and calls._] Penelope, we’ve quite done.
DICKIE.
[_Hearing voices upstairs._] Hulloa, there’s our Uncle Davenport.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, I met him in the park the other day. He made himself so pleasant. He
asked me if I was a Fergusson of Glengary. I didn’t know what he meant,
but I said I was, and he seemed so pleased.
DICKIE.
You’d better not let him know you were a Miss Jones or he’ll have a fit.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, I shall tell him I’m a Jones of Llandudno. I think that sounds
rather smart.
DICKIE.
You have what one might politely describe as a remarkable power of
invention.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I don’t know about that, but I am a womanly woman, and that’s why men
like me.
[PENELOPE _and_ BARLOW _come in_.
BARLOW.
Ah, Mrs. Fergusson, this is a delightful surprise.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You wicked, wicked man, I am told you’re such a rake.
PENELOPE.
Uncle Davenport?
BARLOW.
[_Delighted._] Ah, ah. Tales out of school, Mrs. Fergusson.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
If I’d known what a reputation you had I wouldn’t have let you talk to
me for half an hour in the park.
BARLOW.
[_Bubbling over with delight._] Oh, you mustn’t listen to all you hear.
A man who goes out as much as I do is sure to get talked about. Our
world is so small and so censorious.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Dr. O’Farrell has been writing a prescription for me. I haven’t been
very well lately.
BARLOW.
Oh, I’m very sorry to hear that. You look the picture of health and
extremely handsome.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, you horrid cruel thing! I wanted you to sympathise with me and tell
me how ill I looked.
BARLOW.
If you will allow me to call on you I can promise to sympathise with
you, but I’m afraid I shall never be able to tell you that you look
anything but charming.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
That’s too nice of you. You must come and see me the moment I get back
from Paris.
[DICKIE _gives a start_.
PENELOPE.
Are you going to Paris?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I came on purpose to tell you. Really, I’ve got a head like a sieve.
Poor Mrs. Mack has asked me if I would go as far as Paris with her. A
most unfortunate thing has happened. Her maid’s mother has suddenly
died, and the poor thing naturally wants to go to the funeral. And
so....
PENELOPE.
Mrs. Mack has asked you to go in her maid’s place?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Only for two days, of course. Now, I want to know, dear, tell me
honestly, do you mind?
PENELOPE.
I?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Some women are so funny. I thought you mightn’t like the idea of my
going with Dr. O’Farrell as far as Paris, and, of course, we shall be
travelling back together.
PENELOPE.
What nonsense! Of course, I’m only too glad. It’ll be so nice for Dickie
to have some one to travel with.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Then that settles it. I like to do everything above board, you know.
BARLOW.
[_Seeing the guineas on the desk._] I see you’ve been raking in the
shekels, Dickie.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, that’s my fee. I insisted on paying a fee--I particularly want you
to know that, Penelope--I’m so scrupulous about that sort of thing.
PENELOPE.
Oh, but Dickie can’t accept it. [_To_ DICKIE.] You are a grasping old
thing!
DICKIE.
I’m sure I didn’t want the money.
PENELOPE.
You really must take it back, Ada.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Putting up a defensive hand._] No, I couldn’t really. It’s one of my
principles.
PENELOPE.
I know your principles are excellent, but I really shouldn’t like Dickie
to accept a fee for seeing my greatest friend.
[PENELOPE _takes up the money and gives it to_ MRS. FERGUSSON.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, well, of course, if you take it like that, I don’t know what to do.
PENELOPE.
Put it in your purse and say no more about it.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, it’s too good of you.
[_She puts it in her purse._ DICKIE’S _face falls as he sees his
own money disappearing_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
And now I must really fly. [_Holding out her hand to_ BARLOW.] Good-bye.
Don’t forget to come and see me, but, remember, I shall expect to hear
all about that little ballet-girl.
BARLOW.
[_Delighted to be thought so gay._] You mustn’t ask me to be indiscreet.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ PENELOPE.] Good-bye, dear.
PENELOPE.
I’ll come to the door with you.
[PENELOPE _and_ MRS. FERGUSSON _go out_.
DICKIE.
[_Going to the telephone._] I don’t believe you’ve ever known a
ballet-girl in your life.
BARLOW.
No, but it pleases women of our class to think one is hand and glove
with persons of that profession.
DICKIE.
Central 1234. If they only knew that nine ballet-girls out of ten go
home every night to their children and a husband in the suburbs! I just
want to ring up my broker. Is that you, Robertson? I say, d’you know
anything about a mine called the Johannesburg and New Jerusalem? Rotten?
I thought as much. That’s all, thank you. [_He puts on the receiver--to
himself, acidly._] A hundred and eighty pounds gone bang.
BARLOW.
Look here, Dickie, now that you have a moment to spare you might give me
a little professional advice. Of course, I shan’t pay you.
DICKIE.
Good Lord! I might as well be a hospital. I’m not even supported by
voluntary contributions.
BARLOW.
The fact is, I’ve noticed lately that I’m not so thin as I was.
DICKIE.
It can’t have required great perspicacity to notice that.
BARLOW.
I’m not asking you for repartee, Dickie, but advice.
DICKIE.
You don’t want to bother about a figure at your time of life.
BARLOW.
To tell you the truth, I have an inkling that I’ve made something of an
impression on a very charming lady....
DICKIE.
[_Interrupting._] Take my advice and marry her quickly before the
impression wears off.
BARLOW.
Strange as it may appear to you, she’s a married woman.
DICKIE.
Then don’t hesitate--do a bolt.
BARLOW.
What do you mean, Dickie?
DICKIE.
My dear Uncle Davenport, I’m young enough to be your son; philandering
with a married woman is the most exaggerated form of amusement that’s
ever been invented. Take care! That’s all I say. Take care!
BARLOW.
Why?
DICKIE.
She’ll bind you hand and foot, and put a halter round your neck and lead
you about by it. She’ll ask you ten times a day if you love her, and
each time you get up to go away she’ll make a scene to force you to stay
longer. Each time you put on your hat she’ll pin you down to the exact
hour of your next visit.
BARLOW.
But all women do that. It only shows that they like you.
DICKIE.
Yes, I suppose all women do that--except Pen. Pen never bothers. She
never asks you if you love her. She never keeps you when you want to
get away. She never insists on knowing all your movements. And when you
leave her she never asks that fatal, fiendish question, at what time
will you be back?
BARLOW.
Well, my boy, if my wife were as indifferent to me as that, I should ask
myself who the other feller was.
DICKIE.
What the dickens do you mean by that?
BARLOW.
My dear Dickie, it’s woman’s nature to be exacting. If she’s in love
with you she’s always a nuisance, and a very charming nuisance too, to
my mind. I like it.
DICKIE.
You are not suggesting that Penelope....
BARLOW.
Now, my dear boy, I didn’t come to talk to you about Penelope, but about
my own health.
DICKIE.
[_Impatiently._] Oh, you’ve got chronic adiposity. That’s all that’s the
matter with you.
BARLOW.
Good gracious me, that sounds very alarming. And what shall I do for
it?
DICKIE.
[_Savagely, very quickly._] Give up wines, spirits and liqueurs, bread,
butter, milk, cream, sugar, potatoes, carrots, cauliflowers, peas,
turnips, rice, sago, tapioca, macaroni, jam, honey, and marmalade.
BARLOW.
But that’s not treatment, that’s homicide!
DICKIE.
[_Taking no notice._] Put on a sweater and run round the park every
morning before breakfast. Let’s have a look at your liver.
BARLOW.
But, my dear Dickie....
DICKIE.
Lie down on that sofa. Now don’t make a fuss about it. I’m not going to
kill you. [BARLOW _lies down_.] Put your knees up.
BARLOW.
[_As_ DICKIE _feels his liver_.] She’s a fine, dashing woman. There’s no
doubt about that.
DICKIE.
Let yourself go quite loose. Who’s a fine, dashing woman?
BARLOW.
Mrs. Fergusson.
[DICKIE _starts. He gives_ BARLOW _a look, and then walks away,
open-mouthed_.
BARLOW.
Dickie, Dickie.
[_Much alarmed he gets off the sofa._
BARLOW.
Is my liver very wrong?
DICKIE.
[_Completely abstracted._] It’s in a beastly state. I thought it would
be.
BARLOW.
[_In tragic tones._] Richard, tell me the worst at once.
DICKIE.
[_Impatiently._] Don’t be such an old donkey. Your liver’s as right as
mine is. There’s nothing the matter with you except that you do yourself
too well, and don’t take enough exercise.
BARLOW.
[_With unction._] I suppose one has to pay for being the most popular
diner-out of one’s time.
DICKIE.
[_Looking at him sharply._] Is it on Mrs. Fergusson that you’ve made
something of an impression?
BARLOW.
[_With great self-satisfaction._] My dear fellow, I am the last man to
give a woman away.
DICKIE.
Ah!
BARLOW.
Between ourselves, Dickie, do you think Mrs. Fergusson would find it
peculiar if I asked her to lunch with me _tête-à-tête_ at the Carlton?
DICKIE.
Peculiar! She’d jump at it.
BARLOW.
Do you think her husband would mind?
DICKIE.
Oh, her husband’s all right. He keeps on bravely serving his country in
a foreign land.
BARLOW.
It shows that she has a nice nature, or she wouldn’t have come to ask
Penelope if she minded your going to Paris together.
DICKIE.
Yes, she has a charming nature.
BARLOW.
Lucky dog, I wish I were going to Paris with her.
DICKIE.
[_Fervently._] I wish you were.
BARLOW.
Ha, ha. Well, well, I must be running away. I’m dining out as usual.
These good duchesses, they will not leave me alone. Good-bye.
[_He goes out._ DICKIE _walks up and down the room thinking. In a
moment_ PENELOPE _puts her head in_.
PENELOPE.
I say, darling, oughtn’t you to be packing?
DICKIE.
Come in and let’s smoke a cigarette together.
PENELOPE.
All right.
[_She takes a cigarette, which he lights for her._
PENELOPE.
I hope you’ll have a splendid time in Paris.
[_She sits down._
DICKIE.
You never sit on the arm of my chair as you used to.
PENELOPE.
I’m horribly afraid I’m growing middle-aged. I’ve discovered how much
more comfortable it is to have a chair of my own.
DICKIE.
[_Trying to hide a slight embarrassment._] Weren’t you rather surprised
when Mrs. Fergusson told you she was going to Paris to-night?
PENELOPE.
Surprised?
[PENELOPE _gives a little gurgle, tries to stifle it but cannot,
then, giving way, bursts into peal upon peal of laughter_. DICKIE
_watches her with increasing astonishment_.
DICKIE.
What on earth are you laughing at?
PENELOPE.
[_Bubbling over._] Darling, you must think me an old silly. Of course, I
knew you were going together.
DICKIE.
[_Thoroughly startled._] I don’t know what you’re talking about.
PENELOPE.
I have tried not to see anything, but you do make it so difficult.
DICKIE.
[_Making up his mind to be very haughty._] Will you have the goodness to
explain yourself?
PENELOPE.
My dear, of course I know all about it.
DICKIE.
I entirely fail to gather your meaning. What do you know all about?
PENELOPE.
About you and Ada, silly.
DICKIE.
[_Very haughtily._] Penelope, do you mean to say you suspect me of ...?
PENELOPE.
[_With an affectionate smile._] Darling!
DICKIE.
[_Suddenly alarmed._] What d’you know?
PENELOPE.
Everything.
[_He gives a gasp and looks at_ PENELOPE _anxiously_.
PENELOPE.
I’ve been so amused to watch you during the last two months.
DICKIE.
Amused?
PENELOPE.
Upon my word, it’s been as good as a play.
DICKIE.
[_Quite at a loss._] Have you known all along?
PENELOPE.
My dear, didn’t you see that I did everything in the world to throw you
together?
DICKIE.
But I assure you there’s not a word of truth in it.
PENELOPE.
[_Good-humouredly._] Come, come, Dickie!
DICKIE.
But why haven’t you said anything?
PENELOPE.
I thought it would only embarrass you. I didn’t mean to say anything
to-day, but I couldn’t help laughing when you asked me if I was
surprised.
DICKIE.
Aren’t you angry?
PENELOPE.
Angry? What about?
DICKIE.
Aren’t you jealous?
PENELOPE.
Jealous? You must think me a little donkey.
DICKIE.
You took it as a matter of course? It amused you? It was as good as a
play?
PENELOPE.
Darling, we’ve been married for five years. It’s absurd to think there
could be anything between us after all that time.
DICKIE.
Oh, is it? I wasn’t aware of that fact.
PENELOPE.
The whole thing seemed to me of no importance. I was pleased to think
you were happy.
DICKIE.
[_Flying into a passion._] Well, I think it’s positively disgraceful,
Penelope.
PENELOPE.
Oh, my dear, don’t exaggerate. It was a harmless peccadillo.
DICKIE.
I’m not talking of my behaviour, but of yours.
PENELOPE.
Mine?
DICKIE.
Yes, scandalous I call it.
PENELOPE.
[_Quite disappointed._] And I thought it was so tactful.
DICKIE.
Tactful be blowed. You must be entirely devoid of any sense of decency.
PENELOPE.
My dear, _I_ haven’t done anything.
DICKIE.
That’s just it. You ought to have done something. You ought to have
kicked up a row; you ought to have made scenes; you ought to have
divorced me. But just to sit there and let it go on as if it were
nothing at all! It’s too monstrous.
PENELOPE.
I’m awfully sorry. If I’d known you wanted me to make a scene of course
I would have, but really it didn’t seem worth making a fuss about.
DICKIE.
I’ve never heard anything so callous, anything so cold-blooded, anything
so cynical.
PENELOPE.
You are difficult to please.
DICKIE.
But don’t you realise that I’ve treated you abominably.
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, you’ve always been the best and most discreet of husbands.
DICKIE.
No, I’ve been a bad husband. I’m man enough to acknowledge it. And I
mean to turn over a new leaf, Penelope; I will give Ada up. I promise
you never to see her again.
PENELOPE.
Darling, why should you cause her needless pain? After all, she’s an old
friend of mine. I think the least I can expect is that you should treat
her nicely.
DICKIE.
D’you mean to say you want it to go on?
PENELOPE.
It’s an arrangement that suits us all three. It amuses you, Ada has some
one to take her about, and I get a lot of new frocks.
DICKIE.
Frocks?
PENELOPE.
Yes, you see, I’ve been consoling my aching heart by replenishing my
wardrobe.
DICKIE.
So you’re willing to sacrifice our whole happiness to your frocks. Oh,
I’ve cherished a viper in my bosom. I may have acted like a perfect
beast, but, hang it all, I do know what’s right and wrong. I have a
moral sense.
PENELOPE.
It seems to have displaced your sense of humour.
DICKIE.
Do you know that all these weeks I’ve been tortured with remorse? I’ve
told myself every day that I was treating you shamefully, I’ve not had a
moment’s happiness. I’ve lived on a perfect rack.
PENELOPE.
It doesn’t seem to have had any serious effect on your health.
DICKIE.
And here have you been laughing up your sleeve all the time. It can’t go
on.
PENELOPE.
Upon my word, I don’t see why not?
DICKIE.
We’ve been mistaken in one another. I’m not the man to stand such a
position with indifference. And I’ve been mistaken in you, Penelope. I
thought you cared for me.
PENELOPE.
I dote upon you.
DICKIE.
That’s a jolly nice way of showing it.
PENELOPE.
That’s just what I thought it was.
DICKIE.
You’ve outraged all my better nature.
PENELOPE.
Then what do you propose to do?
DICKIE.
I’m going to do the only possible thing. Separate.
PENELOPE.
[_Hearing voices in the hall._] Here are papa and mamma. They said they
were coming back.
DICKIE.
I hope they’ll never find out what a wicked, cruel woman you are. It
would send down their grey hairs in sorrow to the grave.
PENELOPE.
But, my dear, they know all about it.
DICKIE.
What! Is there any one who doesn’t know?
PENELOPE.
We didn’t tell Uncle Davenport. He’s such a man of the world, he has no
sense of humour.
[PEYTON _comes in to announce the_ GOLIGHTLYS, _then goes out_.
PEYTON.
Professor and Mrs. Golightly.
[_The_ GOLIGHTLYS _come in_.
PENELOPE.
[_Kissing_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY.] Well, mother ... Papa, Dickie wants to
separate from me because I won’t divorce him.
GOLIGHTLY.
That doesn’t sound very logical.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
What has happened?
PENELOPE.
Nothing’s happened. I can’t make out why Dickie’s so cross.
DICKIE.
[_Indignantly._] Nothing!
PENELOPE.
I didn’t mean to say anything about it, but Dickie found out that we
knew all about his little love affair.
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, how tactless of you! A man likes to keep those things from his
wife.
DICKIE.
And d’you know the attitude Penelope takes up?
GOLIGHTLY.
She hasn’t been making a scene?
DICKIE.
That’s just it. Any woman of feeling would make a scene. There must be
something radically wrong about her, or she would have wept and stamped
and torn her hair.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Mildly._] Oh, my dear boy, don’t you exaggerate the enormity of your
offence?
DICKIE.
There are no excuses for me.
GOLIGHTLY.
It was a mere trifle. It would show a lamentable want of humour in
Penelope if she took it seriously.
DICKIE.
D’you mean to say you agree with her?
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear fellow, we’re in the twentieth century.
DICKIE.
Oh! Mrs. Golightly, you spend your time in converting the heathen. Don’t
you think your own family needs some of your attention?
[PENELOPE, _unseen by_ DICKIE, _makes a face at_ MRS. GOLIGHTLY
_to induce her to keep up the scene_.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
A long acquaintance with savage races has led me to the conclusion that
man is naturally a polygamous animal.
DICKIE.
My brain reels.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I confess I was relieved to hear it was a married woman. It seems to
make it so much more respectable.
DICKIE.
It appears to me I’m the only moral man here.
PENELOPE.
Dickie, darling, _I_ haven’t been having an affair with the policeman.
DICKIE.
I wish you had. I wouldn’t have treated you like this.
PENELOPE.
I thought of it, but I didn’t like the colour of his moustache.
DICKIE.
I know I’m to blame. I’ve behaved like a perfect brute.
PENELOPE.
Oh, nonsense.
DICKIE.
Don’t contradict, Penelope. I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself.
GOLIGHTLY.
Come, come!
DICKIE.
I repeat, there are no excuses for me.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Poor fellow, he seems quite cut up.
DICKIE.
I haven’t a leg to stand on, but, by Jove, I’ve got a moral sense, and I
tell you all that I’m simply outraged. You’re overthrowing the
foundations of society. Whatever I’ve done, I’ve got more respect for
the sanctity of the home and the decencies of family life than all of
you put together.
[_He flings towards the door, stops, and turns round to shake his
fist at them._
DICKIE.
A moral sense. That’s what I’ve got.
[_He goes out, slamming the door behind him._
PENELOPE.
[_With a laugh._] Poor darling.
GOLIGHTLY.
What on earth made you blurt it all out?
PENELOPE.
She came here to-day, and I saw that he was sick to death of her....
Mamma, you behaved like a heroine of romance.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I shall never forgive myself for the dreadful things you’ve made me say.
PENELOPE.
Oh, yes, you will, mother. Fast an extra day all through next Lent.
It’ll be equally good for your soul and for your figure.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Penelope!
PENELOPE.
[_To_ GOLIGHTLY.] I suddenly felt the moment had come.
GOLIGHTLY.
Take care.
[DICKIE _bursts violently into the room_.
DICKIE.
I say, what are these two confounded women doing in the hall?
PENELOPE.
What women? Oh, I know.... [_She goes to the door._] Please come in.
They’re from Françoise. The Modiste.
[_The girls come in, laden with hat boxes._
PENELOPE.
You told me I might get a hat or two to console myself for your trip to
Paris.
GOLIGHTLY.
Very nice of you, Dickie. That shows you haven’t a selfish nature.
[PENELOPE _makes another face at her mother_.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
You’ve never given me a free hand to buy hats, Charles.
GOLIGHTLY.
On the other hand, I’ve never taken little jaunts to Paris without you,
my dear.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Some women are so lucky in their husbands.
[_Meanwhile the girls have been taking hats out, and_ PENELOPE
_puts one on. She is perfectly delighted._
PENELOPE.
Oh, isn’t this a dream? [_Looking at the other._] Oh! oh! Did you ever
see anything so lovely? Dickie, you are a dear. I’m so glad you’re going
to Paris.
DICKIE.
[_Furiously._] I’m not going to Paris.
PENELOPE.
What!
DICKIE.
Take all these hats away.
PENELOPE.
But Mrs. Mack?
DICKIE.
Mrs. Mack can go to the devil.
[_He seizes the telephone._
DICKIE.
Hulloa, hulloa. Gerrard 1234. Tell Mrs. Fergusson that Mrs. Mack has had
a relapse, and will not be able to go to Paris to-night.
END OF THE SECOND ACT.
THE THIRD ACT
SCENE: PENELOPE’S _boudoir. It is an attractive room, furnished
with bright-coloured chintzes, and gay with autumn flowers and
great bunches of leaves. There is a large looking-glass. It is a
room to live in, and there are books and magazines scattered about.
Photographs of_ DICKIE _in every imaginable attitude_.
PEN, _in a ravishing costume, is alone, standing in the middle of
the room. She looks at herself in the glass and turns right round,
smiling with satisfaction. She preens herself. Suddenly she sees
something she does not quite like; she frowns a little, then she
makes a face at herself, solemnly and elaborately curtsies, and
gaily throws herself a kiss._
PEYTON _comes in, followed by the_ GOLIGHTLYS.
PEYTON.
Professor and Mrs. Golightly.
PENELOPE.
[_Stretching out her arms._] Oh, my sainted mother!
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Out of breath._] I’ve never climbed up so many stairs in my life.
PENELOPE.
I told Peyton to bring you up here so that no one should come and bother
us. [_With a dramatic gesture._] My noble father!
GOLIGHTLY.
My chiyld!
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Don’t be ridiculous, Pen.
PENELOPE.
Sit down, mamma, and get your breath back, because I’m just going to
take it away again.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
It sounds hardly worth while.
PENELOPE.
Dickie adores me.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Is that all?
PENELOPE.
But it’s the most surprising, exquisite, wonderful thing in the world,
and I’m in the seventh heaven of delight.
GOLIGHTLY.
But has he told you so?
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, we’re not on speaking terms at present.
GOLIGHTLY.
Ah, I suppose you express your mutual affection in dumb show.
PENELOPE.
He went out immediately after you left last night, and didn’t come home
till past twelve. I heard him stop at my door, so I huddled myself under
the bed-clothes and pretended to be fast asleep, but I just let my hand
drop carelessly over one side of the bed. Then he gave a tiny little
knock, and as I didn’t answer he came in, and he crept up on tip-toe,
and he looked at me as if--as if he’d like to eat me up.
GOLIGHTLY.
Penelope, you’re romancing. How on earth could you know that?
PENELOPE.
[_Putting her finger at the back of her head._] I saw him through the
back of my head--there. And then he bent down and just touched my hand
with his lips. [_Showing her hand to_ GOLIGHTLY.] Look, that’s where he
kissed it--just on the knuckle.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Gravely looking at her hand._] It seems to have left no mark.
PENELOPE.
Don’t be silly. And then he crept softly out again, and I had the first
really good sleep I’ve had for a month. And this morning I had my
breakfast in bed, and when I got up he’d gone out.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
You haven’t seen him to-day at all?
PENELOPE.
No, he didn’t come in to luncheon.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Well, Charles, I’m grateful that you never showed your passion for me by
keeping systematically out of my way.
PENELOPE.
But, my dear, it’s so simple. Of course, he’s in a dreadful temper. I’ve
made him feel a perfect fool, and he hates it. But, good heavens! after
five years I know how to deal with him when I’ve hurt his pride. I’ll
just give him a chance of saving his face, and then we’ll fall into one
another’s arms and be happy ever afterwards.
[GOLIGHTLY, _who has been sitting near a table, draws a sheet of
paper towards him and begins, meditatively, to write_.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
But, darling, don’t waste the precious hours, do it at once.
PENELOPE.
No, I’m wiser than that. I’m not going to do anything till Ada Fergusson
is quite disposed of.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Has anything been seen of her?
PENELOPE.
No, but I expect her here every minute.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a gasp._] Here?
PENELOPE.
She rang up last night and spoke [_imitating a man’s tones_] in a deep
voice, like this, so that I shouldn’t recognise her. She asked if Dickie
was at home, and I said he wasn’t. [_Imitating the man’s voice again._]
Will you ask him to ring up Mrs. Mack as soon as he comes back? Oh! I
said, I think he’s been at Mrs. Mack’s all the evening, and I rang off
quickly. And this morning I just took the receiver off, and I think by
now Ada must be in a pretty temper.
[_She catches sight of_ GOLIGHTLY _and goes up to look at what he
is writing_.
PENELOPE.
[_Tapping the table sharply with her open hand._] Two and two don’t make
five, father.
GOLIGHTLY.
I never said they did, darling.
PENELOPE.
Then why are you writing it down?
GOLIGHTLY.
You seem to think they do, my dear; and I have the highest respect for
your intelligence.
PENELOPE.
Mamma, if you thought it absolutely necessary to provide a father for
your offspring, I wish you had chosen one who wasn’t quite so
irritating.
[GOLIGHTLY _does not answer, but quietly adds two and two
together_. PENELOPE _watches him for a moment_.
PENELOPE.
D’you think I’m a perfect fool, father?
GOLIGHTLY.
Yes, my dear.
PENELOPE.
Why?
GOLIGHTLY.
You’re preparing for Dickie once more an uninterrupted diet of
strawberry ices.
[PENELOPE _goes up to her father and sits down opposite to him. She
takes the pencil out of his hand._
PENELOPE.
Put that down, father, and tell me what you’re talking about.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Joining his hands and leaning back in his chair._] How are you going
to keep your husband’s love now you have got it back?
PENELOPE.
[_With a nod and a smile._] I’m never going to bore him with
demonstrations of affection. I’m never going to ask him if he loves me.
And when he goes out I’m never going to inquire at what time he’ll be
back.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Calmly._] And what will you do when the next pretty little grass-widow
throws herself at his head?
PENELOPE.
[_Rather outraged at the mere thought._] I hope he’ll duck and dodge
her.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a deprecating shrug of the shoulders._] Your mother, from her
unrivalled knowledge of heathen races, has told you that man is
naturally a polygamous animal.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
I shall never forgive myself.
PENELOPE.
Do you mean to say I’m to expect Dickie to have flirtations with half a
dozen different women?
GOLIGHTLY.
I only see one way to avoid it.
PENELOPE.
And what is that?
GOLIGHTLY.
Be half a dozen different women yourself.
PENELOPE.
It sounds dreadfully exhausting.
GOLIGHTLY.
Remember that man is by nature a hunter. But how the dickens can he
pursue if you’re always flinging yourself in his arms? Even the barndoor
hen gives her lawful mate a run for his money.
[PENELOPE _looks from her father to her mother. She gives a little
sigh._
PENELOPE.
It was so easy for me to love, honour, and obey him, and so delightful.
It never struck me that I ought to keep watch over my feelings.
GOLIGHTLY.
We all strive for happiness, but what would happiness be if it clung to
us like a poor relation?
PENELOPE.
[_Nodding her head._] Strawberry ice for breakfast, strawberry ice for
luncheon, and strawberry ice for tea.
GOLIGHTLY.
Put a Rembrandt on your walls, and in a week you’ll pass it without a
glance.
PENELOPE.
[_Pulling out deprecating hands._] Papa, don’t batter me with metaphors.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a smile._] Well, you made your love too cheap, my dear. You
should have let your husband beg for it, and you made it a drug in the
market. Dole out your riches. Make yourself a fortress that must be
freshly stormed each day. Let him never know that he has all your heart.
He must think always that at the bottom of your soul there is a jewel of
great price that is beyond his reach.
PENELOPE.
Do you mean to say that I must be always on my guard?
GOLIGHTLY.
A wise woman never lets her husband be quite, quite sure of her. The
moment he is--[_with a shrug of the shoulders_]--Cupid puts on a top-hat
and becomes a churchwarden.
PENELOPE.
[_Huskily._] D’you think it’s worth all that?
GOLIGHTLY.
That is a question only you can answer.
PENELOPE.
I suppose you mean it depends on how much I love Dickie. [_A pause.
Tremulously._] I love him with all my heart, and if I can keep his love
everything is worth while. [_She rests her face on her hands, and looks
straight in front of her. Her voice is filled with tears._] But, oh,
father, why can’t we go back to the beginning when we loved one another
without a thought of wisdom or prudence? That was the real love. Why
couldn’t it last?
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Tenderly._] Because you and Dickie are man and woman, my dear.
PENELOPE.
[_With a flash of her old spirit._] But my friends have husbands, and
they don’t philander with every pretty woman they meet.
GOLIGHTLY.
Scylla and Charybdis. The price they pay is satiety. Would you rather
have the placid indifference of nine couples out of ten, or at the cost
of a little trouble and a little common sense keep Dickie loving you
passionately to the end of his days?
PENELOPE.
[_With a roguish twinkle._] You and mamma show no signs of being bored
to death with one another.
GOLIGHTLY.
Your sainted mother has been systematically unfaithful to me for twenty
years.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Charles!
GOLIGHTLY.
She has had an affair with the Additional Curates’ Society, and an
intrigue with the English Church Mission. She has flirted with Christian
Science, made eyes at Homœopathy, and her relations with
vegetarianism have left a distinct mark on her figure. How could I help
adoring a woman so depraved?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Good-humouredly._] It’s monstrous of you to reproach me, Charles, when
you have conducted for years a harem of algebraical symbols.
PENELOPE.
[_Lifting up her hands in mock horror._] And to think that I never knew
how immoral my parents were!
GOLIGHTLY.
[_Patting his wife’s hand._] I think we must be the lucky ones, dear.
We’ve been married for twenty years....
PENELOPE.
[_Interrupting._] Make it a quarter of a century, father. I really can’t
pass for less than twenty-four.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_To his wife._] And we seem to have got on pretty well, don’t we?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Affectionately._] You’ve been very good to me, Charles, dear.
GOLIGHTLY.
We’ve clomb the hill together....
PENELOPE.
Sh! sh! sh! I cannot allow my parents to flirt in my presence. I never
heard of such a thing.
GOLIGHTLY.
We tender our apologies.
PENELOPE.
[_Hearing a sound._] Listen. There’s Dickie. Father, quickly--what must
I do to make him love me always?
GOLIGHTLY.
In two words, lead him a devil of a life.
PENELOPE.
[_Ruefully._] If you only knew how I want to fly into his arms and
forget the wretched past!
GOLIGHTLY.
Don’t, but tell him you’re going for a motor trip.
PENELOPE.
[_Her face falling._] Supposing he lets me go?
GOLIGHTLY.
My dear, a merciful providence has given you roguish eyes and a sharp
tongue. Make use of them.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Charles, I shall be thankful when you return to your mathematics. The
morals of that hussy X are already so bad that you can’t make _them_
much worse.
PENELOPE.
The fact is, papa, that as a guide for the young you have rather
advanced views.
GOLIGHTLY.
[_With a grotesque, dramatic flourish._] Ungrateful child! And I, like
the pelican, have offered you my very heart to dine on.
[DICKIE _comes in. He is a little embarrassed and uncomfortable._
DICKIE.
May I come in?
PENELOPE.
Yes, do!
DICKIE.
[_Nodding to the_ GOLIGHTLYS.] How d’you do?
GOLIGHTLY.
[_To his wife._] Are you ready?
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
[_Getting up._] Yes.
DICKIE.
I hope I’m not driving you away.
GOLIGHTLY.
Oh no, we only came in for ten minutes to say good-bye to Penelope.
[DICKIE, _rather puzzled at this, gives_ PENELOPE _a quick look_.
DICKIE.
Are you ...? [_He stops._]
GOLIGHTLY.
I hope you’ll enjoy yourself, dear.
PENELOPE.
Oh, I’m sure I shall.
MRS. GOLIGHTLY.
Good-bye, darling.
PENELOPE.
[_Kissing her mother._] Good-bye.
[_She goes to the bell and rings it._
GOLIGHTLY.
We can find our way out. Don’t bother about Peyton.
PENELOPE.
I want to speak to her.
GOLIGHTLY.
Oh, I see. [_Nodding to_ DICKIE.] Good-bye.
[_The_ GOLIGHTLYS _go out_. PENELOPE, _with a slight smile, lies
down on the sofa and takes up a magazine. She pays no attention to_
DICKIE. _He gives her a sidelong glance and arranges his tie in the
glass._ PEYTON _comes in_.
PENELOPE.
[_Looking up from her magazine._] Oh, Peyton, you might pack up some
things for me in that little flat portmanteau of the doctor’s. Put my
green charmeuse in.
PEYTON.
Very well, ma’am.
PENELOPE.
You can call a cab in half an hour.
PEYTON.
Very well, ma’am.
[_Exit._
DICKIE.
Are you going away?
PENELOPE.
Oh, yes, didn’t I tell you?
DICKIE.
[_Stiffly._] No.
PENELOPE.
How stupid of me! You see, I was expecting you to spend two or three
days in Paris with Ada, and I arranged to motor down to Cornwall with
the Hendersons.
DICKIE.
But I gave up the trip to Paris so as not to annoy you.
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling._] It wouldn’t have annoyed me a bit, darling.
DICKIE.
It ought to have annoyed you.
PENELOPE.
In any case I’m afraid I can’t throw the Hendersons over. They’ve made
up a little _partie carrée_ so that we can play bridge in the evenings.
[DICKIE _goes up to_ PEN _and sits on the sofa beside her_.
DICKIE.
Look here, Pen, let’s make it up.
PENELOPE.
[_Quite pleasantly._] But we haven’t quarrelled, have we?
DICKIE.
[_With a smile._] I don’t know whether I want to shake you or hug you.
PENELOPE.
Well, if I were you, I’d do neither.
DICKIE.
[_Taking her hands._] Pen, I want to talk seriously to you.
PENELOPE.
[_Releasing them, with a look at the clock._] Have you time?
DICKIE.
What on earth d’you mean?
PENELOPE.
You generally start off for Mrs. Mack’s about now.
[DICKIE _gets up and walks up and down the room_.
DICKIE.
[_Resolutely._] Mrs. Mack’s dead.
PENELOPE.
[_Jumping off the sofa._] Dead! When’s the funeral?
DICKIE.
The date hasn’t been settled yet.
PENELOPE.
Well, now you’ll be able to send in your bill.
DICKIE.
[_Nervously._] Pen, Mrs. Mack never existed.
PENELOPE.
[_With a smile._] I never thought she did, darling.
DICKIE.
What!
[PENELOPE _giggles_.
DICKIE.
D’you mean to say you knew all the time that I’d invented her?
PENELOPE.
I thought it was very nice of you to make up a plausible excuse for
being away so much.
DICKIE.
Then, when you bought all those things because I was making such a pot
of money, you were just pulling my leg.
PENELOPE.
[_With a smile._] Well....
[DICKIE _suddenly bursts into a shout of laughter_.
DICKIE.
[_When he recovers._] I say, you have scored us off. Upon my soul, you
are a wonderful little woman. I can’t think how I ever saw anything in
Ada Fergusson.
PENELOPE.
Oh, but I think she’s charming.
DICKIE.
What nonsense! You know you don’t. If you only knew the life she led me!
PENELOPE.
I suppose she often asked you if you really loved her?
DICKIE.
Ten times a day.
PENELOPE.
And when you left her, did she want to know exactly at what time you’d
come back?
DICKIE.
How did you know?
PENELOPE.
I guessed it.
DICKIE.
[_Going towards her as if to take her in his arms._] Oh, Pen, let’s
forget and forgive.
PENELOPE.
[_Getting out of his way._] There’s nothing to forgive, darling.
DICKIE.
[_Making a step towards her._] I suppose you want me to eat the
dust.... I have behaved like a perfect brute. I’m awfully sorry, and
I’ll never do it again.
PENELOPE.
[_Eluding him as though by accident._] I daresay the game isn’t worth
the candle.
DICKIE.
[_Trying to intercept her._] Don’t speak of it.
PENELOPE.
[_Keeping out of his reach._] And I was under the impression you were
having such a good time.
DICKIE.
I was feeling awfully conscience-stricken.
PENELOPE.
That’s where women have such an advantage over men. Their conscience
never strikes them till they’ve lost their figure and their complexion.
DICKIE.
[_Stopping._] I say, what are you running round the room for in that
ridiculous fashion?
PENELOPE.
I thought we were playing touch-last.
DICKIE.
Don’t be a little beast, Pen. You know you love me, and I simply dote
upon you.... I can’t do more than I have done.
PENELOPE.
What d’you want me to do?
DICKIE.
I want you to kiss and make friends.
PENELOPE.
[_Quite good-naturedly._] I think you’re a little previous, aren’t you?
DICKIE.
I suppose you’re thinking of Ada Fergusson.
PENELOPE.
I confess she hadn’t entirely slipped my mind.
DICKIE.
Hang Ada Fergusson!
PENELOPE.
I think that’s rather drastic punishment. After all, she did nothing but
succumb to your fatal fascination.
DICKIE.
That’s right, put all the blame on me. As if it were men who made the
running on these occasions! I never want to see her again.
PENELOPE.
How changeable you are.
DICKIE.
[_Going towards her eagerly._] I’m never going to change again. I’ve had
my lesson, and I’m going to be good in future.
PENELOPE.
[_Getting a chair between herself and him._] Anyhow, don’t you think
you’d better be off with the old love before you get on with the new?
DICKIE.
Yes, but you might help me.
PENELOPE.
You don’t want me by any chance to tell Ada Fergusson that you don’t
care for her any more?
DICKIE.
It’s a devilish awkward thing to say oneself.
PENELOPE.
I can imagine that the best-tempered woman would take it a little
amiss.
DICKIE.
I say, can’t you suggest something to help me out?
PENELOPE.
[_With a shrug of the shoulders._] My dear, since the days of Ariadne
there’s only been one satisfactory way of consoling a deserted maiden.
DICKIE.
[_With a jump._] Uncle Davenport!
PENELOPE.
What about Uncle Davenport?
DICKIE.
He told me yesterday he thought she was a devilish fine woman.
PENELOPE.
Oh, no, Dickie, I’m not going to allow you to sacrifice my only uncle.
DICKIE.
I’ll just ring him up and tell him she’s not gone to Paris.
PENELOPE.
No, Dickie. No, Dickie. No, Dickie!
DICKIE.
[_At the telephone._] Mayfair 7521. I promise you he shall come to no
harm. Before it gets serious we’ll tell him that she’s not a Jones of
Llandudno, but a Jones of Notting Hill Gate.
PENELOPE.
[_With a giggle._] I don’t think it’s quite nice what you’re doing.
DICKIE.
I think it’s horrid. I shall blame myself very much afterwards.
PENELOPE.
With your moral sense too.
DICKIE.
Hulloa, can I speak to Mr. Barlow? Hulloa, is that you, Uncle Davenport?
No, I didn’t go to Paris after all. [_With a wink at_ PENELOPE.] Mrs.
Mack had a sudden relapse, and couldn’t be moved. No, Mrs. Fergusson
hasn’t gone either.
[PEYTON _comes in_.
PEYTON.
Mrs. Fergusson is in the drawing-room, ma’am.
DICKIE.
[_Speaking down the telephone._] What! Half a minute. Hold on.
PENELOPE.
I’ve been expecting her all the afternoon. Ask her if she wouldn’t mind
coming up here.
PEYTON.
Very well, ma’am.
[_Exit._
DICKIE.
I say, there’s no getting out of it. [_At the telephone._] Hulloa. Why
don’t you come round? Mrs. Fergusson is calling on Pen, and you can
arrange about your luncheon party then.... All right. Good-bye.... I
say, I’m going to bolt.
PENELOPE.
You coward!
DICKIE.
[_Pretending to be very dignified._] I’m not a coward, Penelope. I shall
be back in two minutes. But I’m thirsty, and I’m going to have a brandy
and soda.
[_He bends down to kiss her, but she moves away._
DICKIE.
I say, hang it all, you needn’t grudge me one kiss.
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling._] Wait till you’re off with the old love, my friend.
DICKIE.
I think it’s a bit thick that a man shouldn’t be allowed to embrace the
wife of his bosom.
PENELOPE.
You shall afterwards, if you’re good.
DICKIE.
I say, she’s just coming. What a blessing this room has two doors!
[_He goes out._ PENELOPE _gets up, looks at herself in the glass,
arranges a stray lock of hair, and powders her nose_. ADA FERGUSSON
_comes in_.
PENELOPE.
[_Kissing her effusively._] Dearest ... I hope you don’t mind being
dragged up here.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Of course not. I like this room. I always think it’s just the place for
a heart-to-heart talk.
PENELOPE.
How nice you’re looking!
MRS. FERGUSSON.
D’you like my frock?
PENELOPE.
I always think it suits you so well.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Acidly._] It is the first time I have put it on.
PENELOPE.
Oh, then I suppose I’ve seen one just like it on other people.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You’ll think I’m coming here a great deal, dearest.
PENELOPE.
You know that Dickie and I are always glad to see you.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Is Dr. O’Farrell at home? I wanted to ask him something about the
medicine he prescribed for me yesterday.
PENELOPE.
Now don’t say you’ve come to see Dickie. I was hoping you’d come to see
me.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
PENELOPE.
That is a feat of marksmanship which always gives one satisfaction.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I forget if you said that Dr. O’Farrell was at home.
PENELOPE.
You know, I think you must be the only person who’s known him ten
minutes without calling him Dickie.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I should have no confidence in him as a doctor if I did.
PENELOPE.
I never employ him myself. I always go to Dr. Rogers.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You look as if you had robust health, dearest.
PENELOPE.
Oh, I just manage to trip along above ground to save funeral expenses.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Is Dr. O’Farrell quite well?
PENELOPE.
Tired.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Wondering why._] Oh?
[_A slight pause._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I suppose you haven’t the least idea when he’ll be home?
PENELOPE.
I didn’t know he was out.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought you said he was out.
PENELOPE.
No.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I must have misunderstood you.
PENELOPE.
I think he’s lying down. You see he was with poor Mrs. Mack till twelve
o’clock last night.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With a slight start._] Was he?
PENELOPE.
It’s so bad that she should have had a relapse when she seemed to be
going on so well.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Puzzled, but trying not to show it._] I was more distressed than I can
say.
PENELOPE.
And it must have been so inconvenient for you after you’d made all your
arrangements for going to Paris.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, of course, I didn’t think of my convenience at all.
PENELOPE.
Dickie says the way you’ve nursed her is beyond all praise.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I think in this life we ought to do what we can for one another. I only
did my duty.
PENELOPE.
So few of us do that.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
When I think of my husband bravely serving his country in a foreign
land, I feel that I ought to do anything I can to help others.
[PENELOPE _meditatively winks to herself_.
PENELOPE.
Were you there at the end?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Astounded._] What end?
PENELOPE.
You don’t mean to say you don’t know?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Penelope, I haven’t an idea what you’re talking about.
PENELOPE.
But Dickie was with Mrs. Mack all this morning.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
That’s absurd.
PENELOPE.
I wonder you weren’t sent for.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
But....
[_She is speechless with anger and amazement._
PENELOPE.
Then you really don’t know?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Desperately._] I know nothing.
PENELOPE.
My poor, dear Ada. I’m distracted that I should have to give you this
bitter, bitter blow. Mrs. Mack is--dead.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Dead!
PENELOPE.
She died in Dickie’s arms, thanking him for all he’d done for her.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Impossible!
PENELOPE.
I don’t wonder you say that. She was quite frisky a day or two ago....
Sit down, dear. You’re quite upset. You were very fond of her, weren’t
you?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Dead!
PENELOPE.
Why don’t you have a good cry? Can’t you find your handkerchief? Take
this. It’s very sad, isn’t it? And after all you’d done for her?
[MRS. FERGUSSON _dabs her eyes with the handkerchief_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Forcing herself to be natural._] It’s a great blow.
PENELOPE.
Oh, I know. I feel for you, dear. Dickie was devoted to her. He said
he’d never had such a patient. [_Putting her handkerchief to her own
eyes._] She died, with a smile on her lips, mentioning her dead
husband’s name. Dickie was so moved, he couldn’t eat any lunch, poor
boy; and we’re going to have a new landaulette.
[DICKIE _comes in and stops at the door for a moment as he sees the
two women apparently in tears_.
DICKIE.
I say, what’s up?
PENELOPE.
[_With a sob._] I’ve just broken the news to poor Ada.
DICKIE.
What news?
PENELOPE.
She didn’t know that Mrs. Mack was--no more.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Trying to conceal her rage and mystification._] I certainly didn’t!
PENELOPE.
You ought to have let her know, Dickie. She would have liked to be--in
at the death.
DICKIE.
I wanted to spare you.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It’s too kind of you.
PENELOPE.
I knew that was it. Dickie has such a kind heart.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With restrained anger._] I have already noticed it.
PENELOPE.
[_To her husband._] And you were so fond of her, weren’t you?
DICKIE.
I looked upon her as a real friend.
PENELOPE.
I’ve told Ada that she expired in your arms, darling.
DICKIE.
With a smile on her lips.
PENELOPE.
That’s just what I said. Murmuring the name of her husband, who’d been
dead for forty years. What did you say the name was, Dickie?
DICKIE.
Walker, darling.
PENELOPE.
Tell Ada more. She wants to hear the details.
DICKIE.
She asked to be remembered to you. She sent her love to your husband.
PENELOPE.
She seems to have thought of everything. You must go to the funeral,
Dickie.
DICKIE.
Yes; I should like to show her that sign of respect.
PENELOPE.
[_To_ MRS. FERGUSSON.] Wouldn’t you like a glass of sherry, dearest? I
can see you’re quite upset.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
The--news has taken me by surprise.
PENELOPE.
To tell you the truth, I expected it last night. But I quite understand
your emotion.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’m so much obliged for your sympathy.
PENELOPE.
I’m going to get you some sherry myself.
DICKIE.
Oh, let me.
PENELOPE.
No, stay with Ada, darling. You have such a way with you when one’s in
trouble.
DICKIE.
[_Edging off._] On an occasion like this a woman wants another woman
with her.
PENELOPE.
[_Preventing him from moving._] No, you know just the right thing to
say. I shall never forget how charming you were when our last cook gave
notice.
[_She goes out._ MRS. FERGUSSON _springs to her feet_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Now!
DICKIE.
Good heavens! You made me positively jump.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
What does all this mean?
DICKIE.
It means that Mrs. Mack, like the rest of us, is mortal. The funeral
takes place the day after to-morrow at Kensal Green. Friends kindly
accept this the only intimation.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
How can Mrs. Mack be dead? You know just as well as I do that she never
existed.
DICKIE.
Upon my word, I’m beginning to be not quite certain. I’ve talked about
her so much that she seems much more real than--than my bank balance,
for instance. And I could write a beautiful article for the _Lancet_ on
the case.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Furiously._] Oh!
DICKIE.
After all, she did have a rotten time of it, poor old lady. Operation
after operation. Life wasn’t worth living. She was bound to die. And I
call it a jolly happy release.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Where were you last night?
DICKIE.
I was at Mrs. Mack’s--no, of course, I wasn’t. I’m so used to saying
that that it slips out quite naturally. I’m awfully sorry.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
How can you tell me such lies?
DICKIE.
I don’t know. I suppose it’s growing into a habit.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I recommend you to keep them for Penelope.
DICKIE.
I suppose you think, then, they don’t matter?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, she’s your wife. That’s quite another story.
DICKIE.
I see.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
What d’you mean by saying, I see?
DICKIE.
It was the only reply I could think of at the moment.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’m sure you meant something by it.
[PEYTON _comes in with a tray on which are two wine glasses and a
decanter. They keep silence till she has gone out._
DICKIE.
Have a glass of sherry, will you?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
No.
DICKIE.
Well, I think I will if you don’t mind. [_He pours himself out a
glass._] I have an idea that sherry’s coming into fashion again.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Have you?
DICKIE.
I always think I have a knack of making myself pleasant under
difficulties.
[_He drinks a glass of sherry to give himself courage._
DICKIE.
Look here, I’ve got something to tell you that I’m afraid you won’t very
much like. I daresay you’ll think me an awful brute, but I’m bound to
say it. [MRS. FERGUSSON _does not answer, and after a moment’s pause he
goes on_.] The fact is, I’m not built the proper way for intrigue. All
these lies make me awfully uncomfortable. I don’t like to think I’m
treating Penelope badly. [_Another pause._] I may as well tell you the
whole truth bang out. I’ve discovered that I’m desperately in love with
Penelope.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Calmly._] And?
DICKIE.
[_Rather surprised._] And that’s all.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
And how do you imagine that interests me?
DICKIE.
[_Quite embarrassed._] I thought--er....
[MRS. FERGUSSON _goes into a peal of laughter_. DICKIE, _quite
taken aback, looks at her with astonishment_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You haven’t been under the impression that I ever cared for you?
DICKIE.
[_Trying to make it out._] No, no. Of course a man’s a conceited ass who
thinks a woman’s in love with him.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You amused me when I first met you, but you’ve long ceased to do that.
DICKIE.
It’s kind of you to say so.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It was convenient to have some one to do things for me. I’m a womanly
woman and....
DICKIE.
You don’t know your way about.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
For the last month you’ve bored me to extinction. I’ve done everything
in my power to show you except say it right out.
DICKIE.
I’m afraid I’ve been very dense.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Dreadfully dense.
DICKIE.
But it was good of you to spare my feelings.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With an amiable smile._] D’you think it would be rude if I described
you in your own words as a conceited ass?
DICKIE.
It might make our future acquaintance rather formal.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
There will be no future acquaintance.
DICKIE.
Then there’s nothing more to be said.
[MRS. FERGUSSON _sweeps to the door. She stops._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Does Penelope adore you as blindly as when first I met you?
DICKIE.
I venture to think she’s as much in love with me as I am with her.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
What have you done with the letters I wrote to you?
DICKIE.
I did as we agreed. I burnt them at once.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I didn’t. I kept yours.
DICKIE.
I shouldn’t have thought they were interesting enough.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I have an idea that Penelope would find them positively absorbing.
DICKIE.
Why don’t you send them to her?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
If you have no objection, I think I will.
DICKIE.
They will tell her nothing that she doesn’t know already.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Coming back, startled._] You don’t mean to say you’ve told her?
DICKIE.
Of course not.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Well?
DICKIE.
She’s known it all along.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Known what?
DICKIE.
Everything. From the beginning.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Terrified._] How did she find out?
DICKIE.
Heaven only knows.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It’s a trap! I might have known she wasn’t such a fool as she seemed.
She wants to divorce you, and she’s used me. My husband will never stand
that.
DICKIE.
I can imagine that even the most affectionate husband would draw the
line there.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, don’t try and be funny now.
DICKIE.
I wasn’t. The funny part is yet to come.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
What?
DICKIE.
Well, you needn’t get into a state about it. Penelope’s not going to do
anything.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
But then, why ...?
DICKIE.
[_With a shrug of the shoulders._] She doesn’t care a hang.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I don’t understand.
DICKIE.
Don’t you? It’s very simple. It’s a matter of no importance. She’s glad
that I’ve been amused. If she only knew how much amusement I’ve got out
of it! She looks upon it in the light of a--of a change of air.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Furiously._] Oh! Oh! Oh! A fortnight’s golf at the seaside, I suppose.
DICKIE.
Something like that.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I’d sooner she divorced you.
DICKIE.
Thanks, I wouldn’t.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Oh, what a humiliation! I’ve been just a convenience because she had
other fish to fry. How sordid it makes the whole thing! And I was
yearning for romance. I would never have looked at you if I hadn’t
thought she doted on you.
DICKIE.
I have an idea that affairs of this sort are only romantic when they
happen to other people. When they happen to yourself--well, sordid’s
just the word.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Suddenly remembering._] And Mrs. Mack?
DICKIE.
She’s known all about that too.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
D’you mean that to-day when we ...?
DICKIE.
Mingled your tears? I think hers were about as real as yours.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
And she led me on to say one thing after another.
DICKIE.
I think she’s been pulling both our legs successfully.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
How on earth am I going to meet her now?
DICKIE.
She’ll be all right. She’ll be just as charming as ever.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You fool! Don’t you see that if she’s charming to me it’s because she
thinks she’s prettier than I am, and cleverer than I am, and more
fascinating than I am? She doesn’t even despise me, she’s indifferent to
me.
[_She goes to the glass and looks at herself._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_Furiously._] A change of air.
[_The door opens slowly, and_ PENELOPE _comes in. She has changed
into motoring things._ MRS. FERGUSSON _gives a sudden gasp as she
sees her and turns her face away. For a moment_ PENELOPE _stands
still, looking at them reflectively_. DICKIE _aimlessly arranges
things on a table_.
PENELOPE.
[_With a faint smile._] I’m not disturbing you, am I?
DICKIE.
Er....
PENELOPE.
Yes?
DICKIE.
Nothing.
[_Suddenly, with a sob_, MRS. FERGUSSON _sinks into a chair, and
hiding her face bursts into tears_. PENELOPE _gives her a look of
surprise and goes swiftly up to her. She leans over her, with her
hand on_ MRS. FERGUSSON’S _shoulder_.
PENELOPE.
[_Almost tenderly._] What? Real tears?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_In a broken voice._] I feel so ridiculous.
PENELOPE.
[_With a little smile, as if she were talking to a child._] Don’t. Don’t
cry.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I look such a perfect fool.
PENELOPE.
It’s so tiresome of our little sins to look foolish when they’re found
out, instead of wicked.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I shall never respect myself again.
PENELOPE.
Dry your tears, dear. Uncle Davenport has just come, and he wants to
know if it’s respectable to ask you to lunch with him alone.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_With a suspicion of her old manner._] He’s so sympathetic. I’d like to
have a heart-to-heart talk with him.
PENELOPE.
You’ll find the Carlton a most suitable place.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Are my eyes red?
PENELOPE.
Not a bit. I’ll get you some powder.
[_She takes the powder-box off a table, and_ MRS. FERGUSSON
_meditatively powders her nose_.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
I like him. He talks of all the duchesses by their Christian names.
[PEYTON _announces_ BARLOW _and goes out_.
PEYTON.
Mr. Davenport Barlow.
[_As he comes in_, MRS. FERGUSSON _finally and entirely regains her
usual manner_.
PENELOPE.
[_Kissing her uncle._] How d’you do?
BARLOW.
[_Advancing gallantly to_ MRS. FERGUSSON.] This is a pleasing surprise.
I was under the impression you were in Paris.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
No, poor Mrs. Mack was suddenly taken much worse.
BARLOW.
It is my gain.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
It’s too nice of you to say so, but I’m leaving London at once all the
same.
BARLOW.
But this is very sudden. What shall we do without you?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
You must blame Dr. O’Farrell.
DICKIE.
[_Astonished._] Me?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
He tells me that now I’m quite strong enough for a foreign climate,
and, of course, nothing will induce me to remain an hour away from my
husband if I’m not obliged to.
BARLOW.
But I thought he was bravely fighting for his country.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Well, you see, there doesn’t happen to be any fighting for him to do
just now, and he’s taken a very nice house at Malta. And I shall start
to-morrow.
BARLOW.
This is more distressing than I can say. And are you going straight
through?
MRS. FERGUSSON.
No, I shall stop a day or two in Paris on my way.
BARLOW.
How very singular! I had made all arrangements to go to Paris to-morrow
myself.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
Then would you mind looking after me on the journey? You see, I’m a
womanly woman, and I’m quite helpless in the train by myself.
BARLOW.
I should look upon it as a privilege. And perhaps we might go to one or
two plays while you’re there.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
If you’ll promise not to take me to anything risky.
BARLOW.
Ha, ha, ha.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ PENELOPE.] Well, dear, I must say good-bye to you. I’m afraid we
shan’t meet again for some time.
PENELOPE.
Good-bye.
[_They kiss one another affectionately._
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ DICKIE.] Good-bye. If you hear of anything good on the Stock
Exchange, you might let me know. I think I shall cut my loss on
Johannesburg and New Jerusalems.
DICKIE.
I would.
MRS. FERGUSSON.
[_To_ BARLOW.] I have a cab downstairs. Can I give you a lift anywhere?
BARLOW.
It would be very kind of you.
[_With a nod to_ DICKIE _she goes out_.
BARLOW.
[_Shaking hands with_ PENELOPE.] Charming creature. So dashing and a
thorough gentlewoman.
PENELOPE.
Now, mind, Uncle Davenport, no pranks.
BARLOW.
My dear, I’m not only the soul of honour, but fifty-two.
[_Exit._
PENELOPE.
[_As he goes out._] I suppose that does induce a platonic state of mind.
DICKIE.
[_With a sigh of relief._] Ouf!
[PENELOPE _turns to a glass to arrange her hat_. DICKIE _watches
her with a smile_.
Well?
PENELOPE.
[_Pretending to be surprised._] I beg your pardon?
DICKIE.
You promised to kiss me.
PENELOPE.
I didn’t. I promised to allow myself to be kissed.
DICKIE.
[_Taking her in his arms and kissing her._] You little beast.
PENELOPE.
Finished?
DICKIE.
Not nearly.
PENELOPE.
Then I’m afraid you must go on another time. I’ve got a taxi at the
door, and it’s costing twopence a minute.
DICKIE.
[_Stepping back._] What d’you want a taxi for?
PENELOPE.
[_With a laugh._] I thought that would chill your ardour.
DICKIE.
You’re not going on that beastly motor trip now?
PENELOPE.
Why on earth not?
DICKIE.
[_Half injured, half surprised._] Pen!
PENELOPE.
[_Looking at the watch on her wrist._] Good gracious, I’m keeping them
waiting.
DICKIE.
[_Taking both her hands._] Now don’t tease me. Go and take those horrid
motor things off, and let’s have a comfortable little tea together. And
tell Peyton you’re not at home.
PENELOPE.
I’m dreadfully sorry to disappoint you, but I’m afraid I can’t break an
engagement.
DICKIE.
You’re not serious?
PENELOPE.
Abnormally.
DICKIE.
But, Pen dear, everything’s different now. Don’t you know that I love
you?
PENELOPE.
It’s very nice of you to say so.
DICKIE.
Doesn’t it mean anything to you?
PENELOPE.
Not much.
DICKIE.
[_Beginning to be rather perplexed._] But, Pen dear, pull yourself
together. I love you just as much as you love me.
PENELOPE.
[_With a little smile._] But what makes you think I love you?
DICKIE.
[_Aghast._] You--you don’t mean to say that you don’t care for me any
more?
PENELOPE.
[_Judicially._] I--no longer feel that the world is coming to an end
when you go out of the room.
DICKIE.
What!... Why don’t you say straight out that you can’t bear the sight of
me?
PENELOPE.
Because it wouldn’t be quite true. I like you very well.
DICKIE.
Like me! I don’t want you to like me. I want you to love me.
PENELOPE.
I wish I could. It would save a lot of bother.
DICKIE.
I don’t understand. This is the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever heard
in my life. I always thought you adored me.
PENELOPE.
Why?
DICKIE.
Because I adore you.
PENELOPE.
Since when?
DICKIE.
Always, always, always.
PENELOPE.
Fancy.
DICKIE.
Oh, I know I made a fool of myself. I shall never cease to regret it.
D’you think I was happy? D’you think I had a jolly time? Not much.... I
suppose it’s that. You can’t forgive me?
PENELOPE.
Nonsense. Of course I forgive you. It doesn’t matter a bit.
DICKIE.
[_With a gesture of desperation._] The whole thing’s Greek to me. I
loved you always, Pen. I never ceased for a moment to love you.
PENELOPE.
My dear, you need not protest so much. It doesn’t very much interest me
either way.
DICKIE.
What a fool I was! I ought to have known that if you took it so calmly
it could only be because you didn’t care. If a woman doesn’t make scenes
it can only mean that she doesn’t love you.... You used to love me?
PENELOPE.
Yes.
DICKIE.
How can you be so fickle? I never thought you’d treat me like this.
[PENELOPE _looks about as if she’d lost something_.
DICKIE.
What are you looking for?
PENELOPE.
I fancied you’d lost your sense of humour. I was just seeing if I could
find it.
DICKIE.
How can I have a sense of humour when I’m suffering?
PENELOPE.
[_Starting at the word._] Suffering?
DICKIE.
The tortures of the damned. I want you. I want your love.
[_He does not see_ PENELOPE’S _face. An expression of remorse comes
into it at the pain she is causing him. She outlines a gesture
towards him, but quickly restrains herself._
PENELOPE.
[_With a mocking laugh._] Poor darling.
DICKIE.
[_Furiously._] Don’t laugh at me.
PENELOPE.
I wasn’t. I was quite sorry for you.
DICKIE.
D’you think I want your pity?
PENELOPE.
I’m very unfortunate. I seem quite unable to please you. I think it’s
just as well that I’m going away for a week.
DICKIE.
[_Starting up._] No, you’re not going away.
PENELOPE.
[_Raising her eyebrows._] What makes you think that?
DICKIE.
Because I forbid you to.
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling._] And are you under the delusion that at your command I shall
fall flat on my face?
DICKIE.
I’m the master of this house, and I mean to make myself respected.
PENELOPE.
My dear, since you pay the rent and the taxes it’s quite right that you
should rule this house with a rod of iron if you wish it. Personally, at
the moment I only want to get out of it.
DICKIE.
You’re not going out of it.
PENELOPE.
Do you propose to keep me here against my will?
DICKIE.
Certainly, if needful.
PENELOPE.
H’m.
[_She gets up and goes to the door. He intercepts her, locks the
door, and puts the key in his pocket._
PENELOPE.
Brute force.
DICKIE.
I think it’s about time I showed you I’m not going to be made a perfect
fool of.
[PENELOPE _shrugs her shoulders and sits down. Suddenly she
chuckles._
DICKIE.
I don’t see anything to laugh at.
PENELOPE.
I do. It’s so mediæval. And are you going to feed me on bread and water?
DICKIE.
[_Angrily._] Ugh. [_He looks at her._] Now, look here, Pen, be
reasonable about it. Why the deuce d’you want to go for this stupid
trip?
PENELOPE.
I refuse to discuss the matter till you’ve opened the door.
DICKIE.
It’s not the time of year for a motor trip. [_Pause._ PENELOPE _looks
straight in front of her, taking no notice of what he says_.] It’ll rain
cats and dogs, and you’ll catch a beastly cold. You’ll probably get
pneumonia. [_Pause._] I’m feeling awfully run down, and I shouldn’t
wonder if I were sickening for something myself. [PENELOPE _smothers a
giggle and continues to stare into vacancy_. DICKIE _breaks out
passionately_.] But don’t you see that if I’m preventing you from going,
it’s because I can’t bear to let you out of my sight? I want you. I want
you always by me. I want you to love me.... Oh, if you only knew how
much I love you, you wouldn’t be so heartless.
PENELOPE.
[_Turning to him and speaking quite calmly._] But surely, if you cared
for me, you wouldn’t try to deprive me of a little enjoyment. You’d be
willing to sacrifice yourself sometimes. You’d have a certain regard for
my wishes. You wouldn’t put every absurd obstacle in the way when the
chance offers for me to have some amusement.
[DICKIE _looks at her for a moment then turns away and walks up and
down, with downcast head. He takes the key out of his pocket and
silently puts it on the table beside her._
PENELOPE.
What does that mean?
DICKIE.
[_In a broken voice._] You’re quite right. I’ve simply been beastly
selfish. I was only thinking of myself. I dare say I bore you. Perhaps
you’ll like me better when you’ve been away for a few days.
[PENELOPE _is so moved that she can hardly keep up her acting any
longer. She struggles with herself, and in a moment masters the
desire to throw herself in his arms._
PENELOPE.
Since you locked the door, perhaps you’ll be good enough to unlock it.
[_Without a word he takes the key and goes to the door. He unlocks
it._
PENELOPE.
Am I to understand that you offer no objection to my trip?
DICKIE.
If it’ll give you pleasure to go, I shall be pleased to think you’re
happy. I only want you to be happy.
PENELOPE.
Would you rather I stayed?
DICKIE.
No.
[PENELOPE _gives a slight start. This is not at all what she
wants._
PENELOPE.
Oh!
DICKIE.
I don’t know what I shall do without you. I feel as if I were only now
getting to know you. It’s as though--oh, I don’t know how to express it.
PENELOPE.
But you’ve just said you would rather I went.
DICKIE.
I don’t want to think of myself any more. I want to think only of you.
It makes me so happy to think of you, Pen. I want to sacrifice myself.
PENELOPE.
[_Relieved._] Will you go to my room and see if my bag has been taken
down?
[_He goes out for a moment. She remains with an ecstatic look on
her face. He comes back._
DICKIE.
Yes. Peyton’s taken it.
PENELOPE.
Then--[_she gives him a look from beneath her eye-lashes_]--ring and
tell her to bring it up again.
DICKIE.
[_Hardly able to believe his good fortune._] Pen!
PENELOPE.
Are you pleased?
DICKIE.
Oh, you’re much too good to me. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Oh,
Pen, if you only knew how much I adore you!
[_He falls on his knees and passionately kisses her hands. She can
hardly restrain herself from lifting him up and flinging her arms
round his neck._
DICKIE.
Is there any chance for me at all? D’you think you’ll ever love me as
you used to?
PENELOPE.
How can I tell?
DICKIE.
Oh, why can’t we go back to the beginning? D’you remember how we loved
one another then? You used to come down with me every day when I went
out, and when I came back you always ran down to kiss me. And d’you
remember how you used to sit on my chair in the morning while I smoked
my pipe and we read the paper together?
PENELOPE.
[_Concealing a smile._] How you must have hated it!
DICKIE.
Hate it? I’ve never been so happy in my life.
PENELOPE.
At all events I hope we shall always continue to be good friends.
DICKIE.
[_Starting up._] Friends! What’s the good of offering me your friendship
when I’m starving for your love? How can you make me so unhappy?
PENELOPE.
[_Smiling indulgently._] But I’m not going to make you unhappy. I hope I
shall always be very pleasant and agreeable.
DICKIE.
What d’you think I care for that? Pen, promise that you’ll try to love
me?
PENELOPE.
[_With a smile._] Yes, I’ll try if you like.
DICKIE.
I’ll make you love me. I’ll never rest till I’m sure of your love.
PENELOPE.
And when you are sure of it I suppose you won’t care twopence for me any
more?
DICKIE.
Try me! Try me!
[_He kisses her hands again. He does not see her face. She smiles
and shakes her head._
DICKIE.
I never knew that you were so adorable. It fills me with rapture merely
to kiss your hands.
[PENELOPE _gives a little laugh and releases herself_.
PENELOPE.
Now I must just go to the Hendersons and tell them I can’t come
motoring.
DICKIE.
Can’t you telephone? I don’t want to let you out of my sight.
PENELOPE.
They’re not on the telephone. It’ll be more convenient for me to go.
DICKIE.
Very well. If you must, I suppose you must.
[_She smiles and goes to the door. When she reaches it he stops
her._
DICKIE.
Oh, Pen!
PENELOPE.
Yes.
DICKIE.
At what time will you be back?
[_Recognising the phrase, she gives a gesture of amusement, quickly
kisses her hand to him, and slips out of the door._
THE END.
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