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Title: Reckoning Author: Josephine Tey (writing as Gordon Daviot) * A Project Gutenberg of Australia eBook * eBook No.: 1600281h.html Language: English Date first posted: March 2016 Most recent update: March 2016 This eBook was produced by Colin Choat and Roy Glashan Project Gutenberg of Australia eBooks are created from printed editions which are in the public domain in Australia, unless a copyright notice is included. We do NOT keep any eBooks in compliance with a particular paper edition. Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this file. This eBook is made available at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg Australia Licence which may be viewed online.
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CHARACTERS
NELL
AN URCHIN
MR HIBBERT
MR BIDDLE
MISS GEM
MAN WITH A MUFFLER
YOUTH WITH A MAUVE TIE
A YOUTH WITH PAPERS
FLUFF WILLIAMS
MR MOSTYN
MAN WITH A RAINCOAT
TED HANNA
MAN IN PLUS-FOURS
BURT
ACT I
The Scene is the interior of a small
tobacconist-newsagent-sweetseller's shop in a side-street somewhere in
the Camden Town district. In the back wall is the door (left as one
looks at the stage) and the window. The window is long and rather low,
with panes a foot square, and it exhibits the usual mixed stock of
tobacco, books, and sweets. The counter runs from the middle of the
window parallel to the right wall, and is covered with newspapers and
magazines. It ends on the down-side in a glass case containing boxes of
cigars and pipes. Against the right wall are (next the window) shelves
of glass bottles containing sweets, then a desk, open and much used,
then shelves bearing packets of cigarettes. In the remaining space is
the door into the living-room. The whole of the left wall is occupied by
shelves of books in cheap editions. Down stage is a table on which is
spread a collection of fashion papers, books on knitting, and similar
publications.
It is an evening in early Spring. The shop lights are lit, and the
pale-blue atmosphere outside is gradually growing deeper. Now and then
someone passes in the street, and the faint rumble of traffic in the
main street comes and goes. The shop at the moment is empty except for
NELL, and she is present only in body. She is leaning on her forearms
over the counter, absorbed in the book which she is reading. NELL is
to a large extent the reason why Biddle's is such a prosperous concern.
Customers like to exchange greetings with her, not because she is pretty
(which she certainly is), nor because she is arch with them (which she
certainly isn't), but because she has a quiet air of goodfellowship for
all the world, and a ready wit. She takes a kind of mocking interest in
life and finds it good.
A small URCHIN enters and advances to the counter.
NELL: (without looking up) Yes?
URCHIN: A tuppenny bottle of ink and fourpence change.
NELL: (looking up, her face softening) Hullo, Bill. Got it all off
pat, haven't you! No use trying to do you, eh?
URCHIN: (coldly) No. And me nime ain't Bill.
NELL: Oh? What is it, then?
URCHIN: Algernon Leonard Parker.
NELL: All that? (Smiles at him as she gives him the ink) Do you like
sweets, Algernon Leonard?
URCHIN: And how!
NELL: (taking a bottle of bull's-eyes from the shelf and scrabbling in
it with her hand to detach one or two from the mass) What did you say?
URCHIN: I said, And how!
NELL: Tut tut, Algernon. You bin going too often to the movies, haven't
you? You're one of the degenerate youth of England, you are. Given over
wholly to transatlantic whatsisnames. What you should say is 'Yes, thank
you'. See?
[Enter a MIDDLE-AGED MAN of the small-shopkeeping class; unnoticed
by NELL, who is leaning over the counter to the boy. He pauses
and watches the scene with an indulgent amusement.]
NELL: (putting down three bull's-eyes on the counter) Now, what d'you
say?
URCHIN: (grabbing the sweets) Thank you.
NELL: It doesn't sound so enthusiastic as these low expressions, I
admit. But you be a little English gentleman and don't show your
feelings, see? (Seeing the man) Good evening, Mr Hibbert.
HIBBERT: Good evening, Miss Nell. What's all this? Robbing your
employer? I'm surprised at you!
NELL: Oh, what's a couple of bull's-eyes?
HIBBERT: At the present rate of exchange about a penny, I should say.
And I thought I saw three, eh? That's a penny halfpenny you owe the
till.
NELL: You're a ready reckoner, aren't you? To say nothing of the
quickness of your eye. You should be going round after one of those
pea-and-nut shows. You'd put them out of business. (To the boy, who is
still waiting) What is it, Bill?
URCHIN: Fourpence change.
NELL: (giving him the change) You're all right, Bill. You don't need
any movies to educate you.
URCHIN: Me nime ain't Bill.
[Exit URCHIN.]
HIBBERT: (putting his money on the counter) The usual, please. You
know, your good heart will get you into trouble one of these days, Miss
Nell.
NELL: (weighing tobacco in the scales to her right) That's a polite
way of telling me that I'm soft, I suppose. Well, you're wrong. A couple
of sweets to a kid is one thing, but you try robbing the till, and
you'll see how soft I am!
HIBBERT: What would you do if I did?
NELL: I'd stun you with the scales and yell for the police.
HIBBERT: (laughing at the picture) Not you!
NELL: Indeed I would. What d'you think I'd do? Sit in a corner and
dither?
HIBBERT: No. You'd say 'Are you hard up? Poor man. There's two pound
notes at the back that you've missed.'
[Enter MR BIDDLE from the living-room. He is a little, elderly
man, clean-shaven, with an aquiline face and white hair. He has a
dry manner, a little pedantic, but kindly withal. More interested
in -ologies and -isms than in Navy Cut.]
BIDDLE: Good evening, Mr Hibbert.
HIBBERT: Good evening, Mr Biddle. A fine evening.
BIDDLE: Yes, very fine, very fine.
NELL: Mr Hibbert's just been telling me that I'm too good to live.
BIDDLE: As long as she isn't too good to be assistant to a shabby old
man, I shan't complain, Mr Hibbert.
HIBBERT: A valuable assistant, yes. She threatened to bash me over the
head with the scales because I talked of robbing the till.
BIDDLE: (not listening) I sometimes think if she had really been my
niece she couldn't stick to the business better.
HIBBERT: If she was really—? Why, I always thought—I mean—
NELL: Thought he was really my uncle?
HIBBERT: Yes.
NELL: Well, now, isn't that flattering for you, uncle! No, Mr Biddle
took me in here when I was thirteen, and he didn't know any more about
me than that I had never tasted a beefsteak. Eh, uncle?
HIBBERT: Well, well! Fancy that. She does credit to your good heart, Mr
Biddle. Or perhaps you've bin lucky. Not everyone's so well rewarded for
bein'—
NELL: Soft.
HIBBERT: Philanthropic, I was going to say.
BIDDLE: Yes, I've been recompensed beyond my desserts, Yes, beyond my
desserts. The evening papers haven't come yet, I see.
NELL: No, they'll be in any minute.
HIBBERT: Arsenal got it in the neck this afternoon, I hear.
BIDDLE: Yes? Did they? Yes.
HIBBERT: You don't take much interest in football, Mr Biddle.
BIDDLE: No. No, I'm afraid I don't. Cricket interests me so much, you
see, that I haven't got over thinking about it before the next season
begins. It would spoil it to take an interest in anything so—so
different as football.
HIBBERT: Like eating between meals.
BIDDLE: Well—something like that. Cricket, my dear sir, is an art.
HIBBERT: And what is football, may I ask?
BIDDLE: Er—artfulness, I think.
HIBBERT: You're a bit hard on football, aren't you, Mr Biddle? You come
with me some Saturday afternoon and see Spurs play the Arsenal. See if
you don't change your mind. There isn't anything in cricket—and, mind
you, I'm speaking with knowledge, because I like cricket myself; I go
quite a lot in the summer—there isn't anything in cricket that'll come
up to a real good attack by a first-rate forward line against a good lot
of backs. Mr Biddle, it's just suffocating. And it's always happening.
That's the beauty of it. You don't have to wait for an hour because
someone's got their bat in front of a wicket and won't take it away till
he's taken away on a stretcher.
BIDDLE: He may be taken away on a stretcher, but he isn't ordered off.
HIBBERT: Oh, but that doesn't happen very often. The papers talk far
too much about it when it happens, and then people shake their heads and
say football's rotten. You come with me and see a real good side play
another real good side. There isn't anything like it, Mr Biddle. There
really isn't. Take last week, just before half-time. (Demonstrating
with boxes of cigarettes) There was Jones and Evans and MacLean, see?
As this might be the goal. That's the three Everton forwards, see?
Outside right and inside left and centre. And here's the two backs and
the goalkeeper, see? Jones had the ball here, see, well inside the
circle. This back coming to tackle, and this one marking MacLean.
Everyone thought Jones'd shoot before the back could tackle, but not
him! 'E tipped the ball to Evans. That stopped the back for a tick, see?
Evans tips it back, and Jones shoots 'fore the back's got off his heels,
and catches the goalkeeper napping. Beautiful! Perhaps that wasn't a
very clear idea of it for you, and of course it doesn't sound very much,
just said like that, but believe me, Mr Biddle, it just stopped your
breath to see. You come with me some Saturday afternoon and see if you
don't enjoy it. What d'you say, now?
[Enter MISS GEM. She is lean and middle-aged, and her clothes are
a pathetic travesty of last year's fashions. But her gloves are
carefully mended, and she prides herself on the fact that she has
a ladylike appearance unusual in her occupation, which is a
'cleaner'.
[Without taking notice of the others she comes down to the side
table, props herself on her elbows, and begins to turn over the
pages of a fashion book.]
BIDDLE: Do I make my will first?
HIBBERT: No, and you'll not have to wait in a queue for tea, either.
You can come home and have it at your own fireside with Miss Nell.
BIDDLE: That certainly is an inducement, Mr Hibbert. I'll have to think
it over.
HIBBERT: (taking his departure) I'll hold you to it. I like cricket
myself. None better. But to live for cricket and nothing else—well,
it's a bit—
NELL: Soft.
HIBBERT: (grinning) Good night, Miss Nell.
[Exit HIBBERT, touching his hat.]
NELL: Good evening, Miss Gem.
MISS G.: (without looking up) Good evening, dearie.
[MR BIDDLE goes to the desk, climbs on to the stool, adjusts his
glasses, and becomes absorbed in calculation.]
NELL: What's the good news?
MISS G.: Ain't none. (Turns pages)
NELL: No?
MISS G.: Not since last Christmas. What d'you think of that new line to
the 'ips? Unbecoming, I say. Difficult, if you know what I mean. All
right on the right woman, but 'oo's the right woman? One in a thousand!
(Goes on turning pages)
NELL: There's an awfully nice frock in that red book at the end that
you might like to see.
MISS G.: (suspiciously) Has it panels?
NELL: No, it's gored, with a bit of a spring to it.
MISS G.: (hunting in the red book) I never was one for panels.
[A MAN WITH A MUFFLER appears in the doorway.]
MAN: 'Standard'?
NELL: Sorry. Not in yet.
[Exit MAN.]
BIDDLE: These papers are very late, aren't they?
NELL: Don't worry, uncle. They'll be in any minute. (To MISS GEM)
Found it?
MISS G.: Yes. I expect this is it. Bit on the youthful side for me, I'm
afraid.
NELL: Oh, I don't know. You're not just falling to pieces yet, you
know.
MISS G.: No? Well, it's a blooming miracle if I'm not. Life's a
business, ain't it?
NELL: Things been going wrong?
MISS G.: You might say so! There was me goin' to the Honourable Mary's
wedding this morning, and then they 'ad to send a boy round from the
office to say they wanted an extra job of work done. 'Avin' a Board
meetin' unexpected like. As if the kind of men who sit on Boards ever
notice what a floor's like! Why, they can't see over themselves to begin
with. It's a long time since some of them saw a floor near enough to
criticise. So there's me puttin' on my old togs and toddlin' off round
there instead of goin' to the wedding. I'd got a new 'at for it, too.
And I know a fine bit on the railin's, just at the corner, where you can
see lovely and it don't matter 'ow they shove they can't move yer. I was
there at the Sills-Aberdon wedding, and it was as good as 'avin' an
invite. 'Member that one? It was the one where they carried candles.
Electric lights, they were, of course, but made to look like candles.
Very chick and original.
NELL: They're getting divorced now, that couple, aren't they?
MISS G.: Yes. (Judicially) His fault, I should think. I thought he
looked a bit prim, at the time.
[A YOUTH WITH A MAUVE TIE appears in the doorway.]
YOUTH 'News'?
NELL: Sorry. Not come yet. We're just waiting for them.
YOUTH Know what won the Spring Cup?
NELL: Dark Marine.
[The YOUTH clicks his tongue with a backward jerk of his head, and
having thus expressed his views on the result and life in general
in unmistakable fashion, disappears.]
BIDDLE: What can be keeping those papers?
NELL: Don't worry, uncle. They'll come. As sure as Judgement.
MISS G.: She's a sweet girl, that Honourable Mary, ain't she?
NELL: Yes, awfully pretty. And I like the way she dresses. Tailormades.
MISS G.: You know the way she does her hair? With that little lick down
on the forehead? That's what makes her so fetching. Seen he gave her a
chinchilla coat? I thought chinchilla was out, but it seems to be coming
in again.
[A motor stops in the street outside; a BOY staggers in with a
pile of papers and slaps them on the counter.]
BIDDLE: What is the matter tonight? We thought you were never coming.
We'll be losing our customers if you can't deliver up to time.
BOY (amiably) Aw, put a sock in it, gov. You'll be ruining your own
trade if you keep on wanting the papers earlier and earlier. Morning and
evening papers'll meet, and then where'll you be?
[Exit BOY, and the motor drives away. NELL opens the top paper
idly.]
MISS G.: (without coming away from the far more fascinating fashion
papers) Anything new?
NELL: No. (Reading) Beaverbrook begins Crusade.
MISS G.: That ain't new. D'you think a coat looks better three-quarters
or full length?
NELL: (reading) Don't know. 'Pends.
MISS G.: Ain't there anything about the wedding?
NELL: I expect there must be. (Finds it) Yes, here it is. 'Mm. 'The
bride looked lovely in pink.'
MISS G.: Well, I may be old-fashioned, but I always think nothing beats
white for a bride. Virginal, you know. Not but what white would be a
kind of a joke on some of them Society girls. It's a long time since
some of them was virgins. But that Honourable Mary, she's a nice girl.
She'd have looked all right in white. I think it was a pity to 'ave the
pink. What did the bridesmaids 'ave?
NELL: Sunset yellow, it says.
MISS G.: Yellow! With a pink bride! They must 'ave looked like a
vanilla-and-strawberry ice. That's 'er mother's taste, bet you anything.
She was a Tarranter, you know. Nobodies. Tarranter's Dress Fasteners.
She wouldn't dare wear them now. Only hooks and eyes'd stand the strain.
NELL: The crowd broke the railings, it says.
MISS G.: (indignant) What! Not my bit of railin', I hope!
NELL: It says 'at the south corner'.
MISS G.: (mollified) Oh, no. I know where that is. Down where the
bobby stands. I expect 'e leaned against it 'imself. (Flipping the
pages disconsolately) I don't see one 'ere that I just fancy.
NELL: (putting down the paper) Is it a coat you're thinking of, Miss
Gem?
MISS G.: That's what. Something that'll do for everything. Meetings,
and weddings, and christenings, and going to Brighton on Bank 'Oliday,
and everyday, and goin' to the office in—eventual, that is.
NELL: (sympathetically) It's difficult when it's got to do for a lot
of things, isn't it?
MISS G.: Not arf! If I ever wanted anything in my life it was to 'ave
separate clothes for everything. But I never 'ad even the prospect of
it. And I never will. Not this side of shopliftin'. That's life, that
is! Well, I'll leave it for today, any'ow. There isn't anything I'm just
in love with, as you might say. Nothing else in the papers? Well, I'll
be off. You know that girl that lives two doors down from me? Well,
she's got one of the coats with the new line. You 'ave a look at it next
time you meet 'er, and tell me what you think of it. A bit long in the
waist, I think, but see what you think. Good night, Mr Biddle.
Toodle-oo, dearie.
[Exit MISS G. NELL folds up the paper neatly, and in the silence
MR BIDDLE peers over his glasses after MISS GEM in a puzzled
way.]
BIDDLE: Is the good lady continually engaged in the construction of
garments?
NELL: Her? Why she practically never makes anything.
BIDDLE: But she is continually here consulting the fashion papers.
NELL: Yes, but that's just a kind of amusement for her, poor old dear.
She likes to make-believe she's going to have something new. You
wouldn't grudge her that.
BIDDLE: Oh, I don't. Certainly not. (He considers NELL kindly over
his glasses) I never see you hanging over that table, Nell. And yet
you're young, and I suppose ought to be interested in clothes.
NELL: But I am interested. Don't say I look as if I wasn't!
BIDDLE: I never notice how you look, except that you look washed. It
just occurred to me that it might be more natural if it was you that
looked at fashions, and not Miss—Miss—
NELL: Gem.
BIDDLE: —Miss Gem, because you're young.
NELL: But that's just why I don't. There are so many other things for
me, see? But there isn't for Miss Gem, poor old rag-and-bones.
[Enter a MAN. He is young and slight, quietly dressed and quiet of
manner, clean-shaven, with a fair, small-boned, well-modelled
face. He smiles at NELL and lifts his hat.]
NELL: (welcoming) 'Evening, Mr Williams.
WILLIAMS: 'Evening, Miss Biddle. 'Evening, Mr Biddle. Going to be a
fine week-end.
BIDDLE: (rather frigidly) Yes. (He turns back to his desk and
continues to work. NELL hands WILLIAMS a paper)
WILLIAMS: And a packet of State Express, please. How are you tonight,
Miss Nell?
NELL: All right, thanks.
WILLIAMS: I thought this was your day off.
NELL: It is usually, but I had it yesterday so that I could go to the
special matinée they had at the Palladium.
WILLIAMS: Oh, yes. Variety, wasn't it? Was it good?
NELL: Yes, the Queen was there, you know.
WILLIAMS: (smiling) Well, that's a guarantee.
NELL: Yes. I saw you, opposite Liberty's, but you were too much up in
the clouds to look at me, and I was late, so I couldn't stay to point
myself out.
WILLIAMS: Oh, I'm sorry. I was late for my show, too. I suppose that's
why I was star-gazing.
NELL: Better than looking round for birds. Where were you bound for? A
movie?
WILLIAMS: No, I was going to Queen's Hall.
NELL: Oh, yes. Ragatzy.
WILLIAMS: (surprised) You fond of music, then?
NELL: I like a fiddle playing alone, but I'm not very keen on
orchestras and choirs. It's just a mess of sound, to my mind. But Uncle
and I sometimes go to Queen's Hall. Did you like Ragatzy?
WILLIAMS: Well—I nearly burned my fiddle when I went home.
NELL: Oh, I forgot you played the fiddle. Do you play by ear?
WILLIAMS: Yes. I never had any lessons.
NELL: I like a fiddle, but my favourite instrument's a drum. Don't
laugh, will you? It makes me all curled up and tight inside so that I
want to get up to the top of a hill and yell. I expect that sounds mad
to you.
WILLIAMS: No, it doesn't. I don't feel like that, but I think I know
what you mean. Do you put up with the orchestras for the sake of the
drums, then?
NELL: Yes. I often wish they would all die all of a sudden, and leave
the drums playing alone.
WILLIAMS: Bloodthirsty, aren't you! That's what a drum does. I'd never
have said you had savage tastes, Miss Nell. You look like—well, I
nearly said 'carpet slippers of an evening', but perhaps you wouldn't
think that complimentary. Well, I must be getting on. What was the
Variety like? You had Betel Nut, I see.
NELL: Yes, but she did the same old things. Not that I minded very
much, but it made me sorry for her.
WILLIAMS: Yes. They say she lost a lot of money in that Macaulay
swindle. Tough luck having to go on if she doesn't want to, isn't it?
Well—(To MR BIDDLE, who has come down from his stool and is
evidently searching for something) This a quiet evening for you, Mr
Biddle. All your clients out of town for the week-end, 'm?
BIDDLE: (not smiling) Yes, we are not very busy tonight.
[WILLIAMS says good night and goes.]
NELL: (after a pause) You weren't very chatty to Mr Williams.
BIDDLE: (back at the desk, and not greatly interested) No.
NELL: Don't you like him?
BIDDLE: I don't know him. I don't like his associates, that's all.
NELL: How d'you mean?
BIDDLE: Well, he's a friend of Ted Hanna's.
NELL: (surprised) And what's wrong with Ted Hanna?
BIDDLE: Hanna is a crook, and I expect Williams is too.
NELL: Hanna! The Ted Hanna that comes in here? How, a crook?
BIDDLE: Just the ordinary sort. I think it was burglary he was in for.
NELL: In for? Where?
BIDDLE: In prison, of course.
NELL: (after a short pause) Has Ted Hanna been in prison?
BIDDLE: Yes. At least once to my knowledge. Probably oftener. That is
why he honours this district with his presence. I think Brixton was his
previous home. Or it may have been Camberwell. That is the fashion with
these people, I believe. They change their place of residence after each
sojourn—er—abroad. That is one comfort. We shall soon be rid of them.
That kind never stay out of prison for long at a time. Then when they
come out they'll go somewhere else.
NELL: How do you know all that? How do you know that it's true?
BIDDLE: My dear child, it's common knowledge in the district. You have
only to ask Sergeant Withers next time he is in. He'll tell you all
about them. It is most unfortunately true! And we used to be such a
respectable district.
NELL: But they're not a bit like that! Why, they're just as
respectable-looking as you or me.
BIDDLE: You don't expect the modern craftsman—I think he calls
himself—to go about in a muffler, do you? You read so many books, my
dear, that I thought your knowledge of the world would have been more
extensive.
NELL: (roughly) My knowledge of the world's all right. I could pass
an exam in it before I was ten. And not book-learning, either. But I
never met anyone like—like these before. Are you sure it's true, uncle?
BIDDLE: (arrested by the urgency in her voice) Why do you want it not
to be true?
NELL: (controlling herself) Me? I don't, not particularly. (Leading
him instinctively away from the thing that matters) But it seems a pity
that a nice quiet boy like Williams shouldn't be all right. Fluff, they
call him, you know. I think it's because of his hair—so light and fair.
And he's always so pleasant and nice to talk to. You couldn't imagine
him doing anything really bad—like beating a woman, or something like
that. That's what I call bad. It seems an awful pity that he should be
off the straight any other way.
BIDDLE: Oh, yes, he's pleasant enough. But pleasantness is cheap, my
dear. You wouldn't expect him to go about growling with a knife between
his teeth by day just because he breaks into houses at night.
NELL: But Williams gave old Rogers the money to pay for his room one
week when he was broke. Rogers told me himself.
BIDDLE: My dear, I never accused him of meanness.
NELL: Well, I think meanness is a lot worse than burglary. So there!
BIDDLE: Yes? Well, that may be true. An excessive love for one's own
property may be as degrading as an excessive love for the property of
others. But that doesn't make burglary a desirable proceeding, or
burglars admirable people. I hope you won't become too interested in Mr
Williams, my dear. (He smiles a little at her)
NELL: In Fluff Williams? Keep your hair on. Not me!
BIDDLE: I have heard that women find the modern criminal
extremely—extremely—Have you seen my red-ink pen anywhere?
NELL: (coming over to look for it) It's probably in the little
drawer. There you are.
BIDDLE: Oh, thank you. Is this account of Markinson's correct, do you
know?
NELL: Yes, I think so. They haven't put in the new lot of shilling
copies we got, but perhaps that's going on to the next quarter.
[Enter MR MOSTYN. He is a plump little man with a pointed beard, a
curious mixture of a naval petty officer and an East London Jew.
He has a buoyant, teasing manner, which covers a shrewd
understanding.]
MOSTYN: Now then, now then! Poring over figures and print when life is
short and the Sun keeps good beer! Shocking! Shocking! Miss Nell, you
shouldn't allow it. On a Saturday evening, too, when the awful abyss of
the Sabbath is already yawning. Shocking! Shocking!
NELL: Go along with you, Mr Mostyn. You're a riotous-liver, you are.
And that's what you'll have tomorrow morning, too, and serve you right.
MOSTYN: Ah, Miss Nell, if I could only have your good wit as well as
your uncle's company at the Sun what happy evenings they would be.
NELL: If Uncle weren't unspoilable you'd have made him as flighty as
yourself long ago.
MOSTYN: Flighty! Delicious word. God keep us all flighty in this most
weighty of worlds. Eh, Mr Biddle? My dear Miss Nell, you'll find if you
don't bounce the world up and down lightly that it falls on your chest
with an enormous thud. And stays there! (Leaning forward and stabbing
the counter with his forefinger at each word) And stays there!
NELL: (considering him) You wouldn't think that watching people
popping their spare pants all day long would give a person that nice
frivolous feeling.
MOSTYN: Ah, that's just what does it. That's just why!
NELL: Oh, well. I suppose it's human nature to feel superior about
other people's worries.
MOSTYN: (horrified) Miss Nell! You misunderstand me completely!
Completely!
NELL: Well, what? You don't want me to believe that you feel all nice
and noble because you lend someone sixpence on a waistcoat worth five
bob, do you?
MOSTYN: No, my dear young lady, you misunderstand me completely. I
don't imagine myself a Providence at all. I only wish I could be. It is
because I am continually dealing with people who haven't a sixpence that
I must look at the bright side of things. If I didn't I should be in an
asylum. Nothing bears looking at too closely in this world, my dear Miss
Nell. That way madness lies, eh, Mr Biddle? Look at things lightly, and
look away again. Take things lightly, and go lightly on. That's the only
way to be happy in this mistake of a world. Bounce it! Chuck it up in
the air and laugh at it. Otherwise you'll have it on your chest. Eh, Mr
Biddle?
BIDDLE: I think your method is more like cowardice than philosophy.
MOSTYN: Ah, Mr Biddle, it's only fools and saints that can see things
straight in this world and be philosophical about it. Now you put away
the ledgers and let's resume our argument about protection.
BIDDLE: (without conviction) I'm really very busy tonight, you know.
I had thought I would stay in tonight and finish these accounts.
NELL: Oh, go along, Uncle. You haven't been out of the shop today. And
since Mr Mostyn can't do you any harm it's quite on the cards that you
may reform him a little. You'll be putting your evening to good use
then, see?
BIDDLE: Sophistry! Sophistry!
NELL: I don't know what that is, but you go and get your hat, and I'll
look after things for a while. Go along now. I'm a very good manager,
though it's me that's saying it.
BIDDLE: I know it, my dear, I know it. But I really should stay and
straighten out these—
[Exit BIDDLE through the living-room door.]
MOSTYN: And how is life with you, Miss Nell?
NELL: I don't know, but judging by the feel it's on my chest.
MOSTYN: Bounce it, my dear, bounce it!
NELL: (curiously) What do you do when it doesn't bounce?
MOSTYN: (after a pause of consideration) I go down to the Sun, I
think.
NELL: That seems to be easy. Not much good for me, though.
MOSTYN: No. Well, if I were you I should go in for something. Take up
something. That is to say, if the feeling is chronic, so to speak. Take
up theosophy, or cross-country running, or something like that.
Something new and interesting.
NELL: I don't think running through puddles in drawers and a vest would
make life look any nicer.
MOSTYN: Well, get a crush on a movie-star. I know you have heaps of
boy-friends, so I don't suggest that. But girls nowadays seem to get
more emotion out of watching a chap kiss someone else.
NELL: That's a fool's game, isn't it? Besides, you don't imagine that
makes them happy, do you? Bless you! You know Miller the baker's
youngest girl—the one with the green beret? Well, she drank a bottle of
disinfectant when she discovered that John Gilbert had got married.
MOSTYN: No! Dear goodness me! What for? What happened? Was she very
ill?
NELL: No, it was cough-mixture in the bottle. But she didn't know that.
She did her damnedest. I expect she was quite glad afterwards about the
cough-mixture, though.
MOSTYN: Goodness gracious me! I must take back what I said about a
movie crush. It doesn't seem to provide a bright outlook on life.
NELL: No, it's only for people who haven't enough worries of their own.
MOSTYN: What's worrying you, Miss Nell? Too many admirers? I should
choose one and settle down, if I were you.
NELL: (moving abruptly) That's a nice prescription for a happy life!
MOSTYN: Do I hear a trace of cynicism in that remark? Surely not!
[Enter MR BIDDLE with his hat and coat on.]
BIDDLE: Well, my dear, I suppose you'll be all right without me for
just an hour?
NELL: Don't you worry. I'll be all right for even one of your hours.
BIDDLE: If you have time you might just look at the Brinkley account.
I've very nearly finished it, but you might just see what they mean
about six quires of Postal Bond credited, will you? That is, if you
aren't too worried by customers.
NELL: All right, I'll look at it. It's those faded ones we refused, I
expect. Have a good time. And remember, only one pint!
MOSTYN: Oh, come, Miss Nell! Beer makes the heart young.
NELL: Yes? And the arteries old.
MOSTYN: (shaking his head) I never get the better of you. I wish you
were coming to the Sun with us.
[He lifts his hat as he goes out with MR BIDDLE.
[NELL stands quite still staring after them, her thoughts free to
race about without the need for dissembling. She puts out her hand
and straightens the papers, lets her hand fall and stands gazing
unseeingly. Then the spell breaks. She seems to be possessed of
restlessness and suspense. She moves round the shop without
purpose, going here and there to stare at things for a moment in a
distracted fashion. While she is down by the table of fashion
books a MAN WITH A RAINCOAT comes in.]
MAN: 'Standard', please.
NELL: (jerking her head at the counter and not turning round) Take
it.
MAN: (taking the paper and looking at her curiously) What's biting
happy Nell tonight? Backed the wrong horse?
NELL: You know quite well I don't bet.
MAN: Oh, there's more horses than those with four legs. You just looked
like you'd backed a loser. Anything wrong?
NELL: Yes. Indigestion.
MAN: (going out) Well, that's almost worse than backing the fourth,
blamed if it isn't. 'Night!
[NELL moves back behind the counter. She tries to hum a little tune,
out of bravado, but gives it up because her voice breaks in spite
of herself. She turns with an abrupt gesture away from the
counter. A moment later she hears footsteps in the quiet street
outside. She turns back to the shop and stands waiting.
[A MAN swings in at the doorway, and comes to a halt halfway to
the counter, smiling at her. He is of middle height, dark, of a
slightly stocky build, and his most notable features are his
abnormally watchful, bright dark eyes. He wears his clothes with
an air, and carries himself well.]
HANNA: Hullo. All alone?
NELL: (staring at him) Yes.
HANNA: Where's the old boy? Down at the Sun?
NELL: Yes.
HANNA: (coming over to her and putting his hat on the counter) Chatty
little person, aren't you?
[She does not answer, but continues to stare at him.]
HANNA: What's the matter? Have I got a smut anywhere? (Runs his hand
over his excellently shaven chin) Or are you choosing the spot where
you'll kiss me?
NELL: (almost to herself) I shan't do that any more. Funny, isn't it?
HANNA: (amused) Who says so?
NELL: I do.
HANNA: Ah, but there's two sides to the kissing game. And I'm the other
one.
[He leans over and putting an arm round her neck draws her swiftly
to him and kisses her. She is roused in a moment from her
quietness to a blind fury. She pushes him away from her with a
blow across the face, which staggers HANNA, who has been
unprepared for any such demonstration.]
HANNA: (gripping his face and staring) What the hell? Nell! What's
the matter?
NELL: I said I'm through with kissing. And what I say goes, see?
HANNA: But what on earth's the matter with you? Flying out at a chap
without any warning like that. You seem to have changed your mind very
sudden. You liked my kisses last time I saw you, all right. What's
eating you now?
NELL: (quietly) Why didn't you tell me you had been in prison?
[HANNA looks slightly taken aback, but recovers himself.]
HANNA: (drawling slightly) Oh, that's it, is it?
NELL: Why didn't you tell me?
HANNA: Apropos of what, I'd like to know! Just as a nice little tit-bit
to keep the conversation going, eh? 'I was in Rome last month, and the
weather was simply unbearable.' 'I was in Wandsworth last year, and the
food was absolutely vile. Quite a scandal!' Don't be silly. Anyway,
there's no secret about it.
NELL: So it's true.
HANNA: (hugging his face) Strewth, you don't seem to've been in any
doubt about it.
NELL: (considering) No. Just at first I didn't believe it, but the
minute I got a bit used to it I knew it was true.
HANNA: Who's been doing the Dear Teacher business? Sergeant Withers?
NELL: No, Uncle told me.
HANNA: Oh! Keep away from that bad young man, or be cut off with a
shilling!
NELL: No, nothing like that. Uncle thought I had enough sense to know
what you were. I wasn't brought up in a glass case. It didn't occur to
him that I'd fall for a crook.
HANNA: Well, you fell for me when you didn't know I was one. What's the
difference? I'm still me, aren't I?
NELL: Yes. But I'm still me. You changed into a crook, but I'm not
changed into anything. I'm still me. That's why it's all off. That's why
I'm biting myself that it was ever on. When I think of all I thought of
you! And all you are is a jail-bird!
HANNA: (roused) Stop that! You don't have to be insulting, do you,
just because you happen to have made a mistake?
NELL: (quiet again) Why is it insulting to call a jail-bird a
jail-bird? What do you call yourself? A hero?
HANNA: No, but I'm no worse than most of the men who go to church every
Sunday. And a darn sight better than lots of them. I get found out now
and again. That's all.
NELL: Do you think that saying you're no worse than other rotters makes
you any better?
HANNA: Oh, see here, Nell. Why all the righteous indignation?
Everyone's a rotter some ways. And breaking into houses is as decent a
way of being rotten as I know.
NELL: You don't seem to have any shame about you.
HANNA: (genuinely surprised) Why should I be ashamed? We've just got
different ideas about things, that's all, see? If I was an M.P. you'd
probably throw your arms round my neck. Wouldn't you? Well, I wouldn't
shake hands with an M.P. You see!
NELL: You're just talking. And all the talking in the world won't make
what's wrong into what's right. (She pauses and leans forward,
pleading) I say, Ted, won't you give it up and go straight?
HANNA: (watching her earnest face in amusement) You're lovely when
you look all stained-glass like that. (With a change in his voice, and
a slight movement forward) Only your mouth isn't stained-glass, is it?
NELL: (disappointed) Ted!
HANNA: You don't know what you're talking about, kid. No one'd give me
a job to begin with. And even if they did I don't see myself being the
perfect little nine-till-six hero five days a week for the princely sum
of three quid. Forget it!
NELL: But Ted, where will it all end? What are you heading for? Are you
going on doing this all your life? You can't be! What is there in it?
HANNA: What is there in it? Money! And fun! What more do you want?
NELL: But there's more. There's prison.
HANNA: Only when you're unlucky. Better get it in the neck after a good
time than a poor one.
NELL: Oh, give it up, Ted! It's a mug's game.
HANNA: That's what the people who aren't in it say. I think it's a
mug's game to work for another man from nine till six for three pound a
week, see?
NELL: (pleading again) Wouldn't anything make you give it up?
HANNA: D'you know, Nell, you've got Garbo beaten the length of the
straight.
[NELL draws back in disappointment just as a MAN IN PLUS-FOURS
comes in.]
MAN: Navy cut, please. Nice evening.
NELL: (in her cheerful business voice) Yes, lovely. Going to be a
fine week-end?
MAN: Looks as if it might be for once. Hardly seems possible, does it?
Thank you. Good-night.
[Exit MAN.]
HANNA: Go on trying to reform me. You don't know how fetching you look
when you're on the repentance stunt. It's a mercy you never joined the
Salvation Army, or the C.I.D.'d be out of work.
NELL: Doesn't it matter a bit to you, Ted, that it's all over?
HANNA: What is?
NELL: You and me.
HANNA: (in mock dismay) What! Am I getting the push, then?
NELL: Yes. Unless you give up this sort of thing and go straight. I'm
not having anything to do with a crook.
HANNA: Well, Fluff Williams will be out of the running too. That's one
comfort. Poor Fluff thinks quite a lot of you. It was a race which of us
got to you first. If I'm disqualified so is Fluff. That's a comfort.
NELL: (marvelling) It's difficult to believe that Fluff isn't on the
level.
HANNA: Mother's blue-eyed baby boy! Fluff's a long sight better at the
business than I am. Fluff's a toff at breaking into houses.
NELL: Listen, Ted. This is your last chance. Mine too. Change your mind
and give it a trial. Just a trial. You don't know how easy it would be
if you just gave it a trial.
HANNA: I know too much about trials. You're wasting your sweet breath,
lovely.
NELL: All right then. You'd better go now. I was a fool, that's all.
I'm not blaming you. It was my own fault. I wasn't brought up in a
bandbox, and I should have known. Get out now, and don't come back.
HANNA: (taking his hat) Meet me outside the Empire at nine, and let's
go on arguing.
NELL: I'll never meet you anywhere again.
HANNA: No? Well, I'll be in tomorrow afternoon. You can think up some
more arguments and try them out on me. I'm going to get you used to
arguing with crooks.
NELL: You won't come back here tomorrow afternoon, or ever again if
you're wise. I'm going to tell Uncle whenever he comes in what a fool
I've been. There's not going to be any going back in this business, Ted
Hanna. This is the finish.
HANNA: (arrested) Nell! (Coming back) Don't be silly, Nell. You're
only feeling sore just now. Things'll look quite different in the
morning. Don't do anything foolish that you'll be sorry for afterwards.
NELL: No, I won't do that.
HANNA: Nell. Nell, I say, don't be so hard on a chap. Who are you to
sit on the bench and condemn?
NELL: I'm not condemning you. I'm only deciding what's right for
myself.
HANNA: Yes, but you are! I can't do without you, Nell. You don't
imagine I can do without you now, do you?
NELL: If you cared for me like that you'd go straight.
HANNA: But the two things aren't connected. You don't understand. I
couldn't go straight if I tried. But I'm crazy about you, Nell. Just
crazy. I'd do anything for you but that. Don't turn a chap down just
because his ways aren't your ways. (Puts a hand on hers, and she does
not withdraw it) Don't you think I can be just as good to you as a chap
that adds two and two all day for a living? I'd be awfully good to you,
Nell.
NELL: (withdrawing her hand with an effort) It's no use, Ted, it's no
use. You're only prolonging it.
HANNA: Listen, kid. Just listen. You want me, and I want you, and what
does anything else matter?
NELL: Lots of other things matter. Even if I could love a crook,
there's Uncle. It would break Uncle's heart if I had anything to do with
you, and I wouldn't hurt him for the world.
HANNA: He needn't know anything about it.
NELL: How d'you mean—needn't know?
HANNA: Let him think you've reformed me. He won't believe that anyone
wouldn't be reformed by you, Nell. If I wasn't such a hopeless case
you'd have actually done it. So why let him worry. Don't turn me down,
Nell. Think of not seeing each other any more. Think of living close to
each other every day and not seeing each other. You can't think of that
and turn me down deliberately. Can you? Nell!
[He puts his hand on her arm, and seeing the sudden indecision in
her eyes seizes his chance. He leans nearer and puts one hand
against her cheek, running it up so that it brushes her hair from
her ear. As she does not shrink from his touch, he leans forward
and buries his face in the hair he has disarranged, bringing his
other arm up to embrace her. Her face quivers like that of a child
who has failed in something it has tried greatly to achieve.]
NELL: (in a despairing cry) Oh, Ted, I love you! Isn't it awful? I
love you!
CURTAIN
ACT II
The living-room of a small flat fifteen months later. In the left wall
is the door to the tiny hall, and down from it the door to the kitchen,
at the back a tall window, and in the right wall the fireplace and down
from it the door to the bedroom. The furniture is of the kind that is
delivered in a plain van, but there are evidences of NELL'S taste in
the details. The shade of the electric lamp on the side table above the
fireplace matches the curtains and the cover of the divan below the
window. In the corner between the window and the hall door is a combined
bookcase and desk, and between the hall door and the kitchen door a
sideboard. There are three easy-chairs covered in synthetic leather. The
table, which occupies the middle of the floor, is circular and
gate-legged. At the moment a supper-party is in progress. NELL is
sitting to the left with her back to the kitchen door, to her left is
MR MOSTYN, to her right =Mr Biddle= and FLUFF WILLIAMS,
and opposite her HANNA.
There is a burst of laughter as the curtain rises, and a thumping of
hands on the table.
WILLIAMS: (as the laughter dies down) That's a good one, Mr Mostyn.
MOSTYN: You like that one? I made that one up myself. The jokes you
make up yourself are much better than the ones you read.
HANNA: Maybe, but you've got to have the gift. You'd have made a
fortune on the halls, Mr Mostyn. Why didn't you try it?
MOSTYN: For two reasons, my boy: (a) I don't like Sunday travelling,
(b) I inherited the family business. They say a family business is a
millstone, but I found it a cushion—and a very comfortable one at that.
Your turn to tell a good one now, Mr Biddle.
BIDDLE: I'm afraid that's not much in my line. (His tone is very dry,
and his remark is succeeded by a little silence. It is obvious that MR
BIDDLE is not being the shining light of the party)
WILLIAMS: (breaking into the awkwardness) Do you know the one
about—
[The electric bell shrills. There is an instant silence, and on the
part of WILLIAMS and HANNA a sudden immobility. After a swift
glance at each other they avoid each other's eyes.]
HANNA: (seeing NELL about to go) Don't you go, Nell, I'll see who
it is.
[Exit HANNA.]
MOSTYN: Someone else for your party?
NELL: More likely it's the wrong number. I'm not expecting anyone, but
we're always having wrong numbers. Tell us the story, Fluff.
WILLIAMS: I forget what it was now. Oh, yes, I know.
[He tells his story, and as the laughter dies HANNA comes back
leading in MISS GEM. MISS GEM is in her very best, and is
bearing with great care a bunch of yellow tulips.]
HANNA: Look who's here. (He casts a comical glance at FLUFF as the
others turn to MISS GEM)
MISS G.:M Oh, dearie, I didn't know you 'ad a party, or I wouldn't 'ave
butted in. I just came to wish you all the best and many happy returns.
NELL: Oh, isn't that lovely of you! Fancy you remembering the day. And
the flowers! Oh, Miss Gem, you shouldn't have. Such lovely flowers. (On
a sudden impulse she kisses MISS GEM, who looks considerably
startled) You know everyone here, don't you. Oh, no, perhaps you don't
know Fluff. Mr Williams, Miss Gem. Take off your coat and sit down.
You're just in time.
MISS G.:M Oh, but I didn't come to eat. No, no. I just looked in to
wish you all the best. I couldn't be at your wedding, but I can be at
your anniversary, dearie.
HANNA: (taking off MISS GEM'S coat) Come on, Miss Gem, sit down and
taste Nell's ice-cream.
NELL: She's going to have some of the turkey first. She can have the
ice-cream afterwards. You just wait. It's still hot.
[MISS GEM makes noises of protest, but NELL disappears into the
kitchen with the flowers and MISS GEM is given a seat beside
=Mr Mostyn=.]
BIDDLE: This is very nice of you, Miss Gem. Very nice indeed of you.
MISS G.:M It's not a case of being nice at all, Mr Biddle. I miss that
girl so you wouldn't believe it. She was always that pleasant and cheery
it was a treat just to see 'er now and again. I'm not saying anything
against that boy you got, but in comparison 'e gives me a pain in the
neck. (To HANNA) I 'ope you realise your luck, young man.
HANNA: You bet I do!
MISS G.:M Well, you'd no business to run away with 'er and prevent 'er
friends from bein' at 'er wedding. I bin at more weddings than I can
count. Weddings of people I didn't care tuppence about. And then when it
comes to someone I'm real fond of you do me out of it. To say nothing of
Mr Biddle there. Inconsiderate, I call it!
HANNA: Quite right, Miss Gem. It was a mistake. But we'll not do it
again.
MISS G.:M Oh, it's all very well to joke.
[Enter NELL, bearing in one hand the tulips in a bowl and in the
other a generously supplied plate of turkey. She sets the plate in
front of MISS GEM.]
MISS G.:M What! Am I supposed to eat all this?
NELL: Every bit of it.
MISS G.:M (looking round at the other plates) Oh, but dearie, I
couldn't, and everyone else at the pudding!
MOSTYN: Don't mind us, Miss Gem, we're still busy.
HANNA: And we'll leave lots of pudding for you, so don't be afraid.
MISS G.:M Cheeky!
NELL: Lovely flowers! It was lovely of you to think about it. Lovely!
(She is strangely rapturous over the incident. She puts the tulips on
the table in place of the roses which have been there)
MISS G.:M Oh, but dearie, the roses!
NELL: The roses are only Ted's. I can have them any day.
MOSTYN: That's you put in your place, Hanna.
HANNA: Would you like some bread, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M I would now you mention it.
[HANNA fetches bread from the sideboard and FLUFF pushes the salt
over to her.]
MISS G.:M Bread on the sideboard, and everything! You are getting
toney.
NELL: And how's everything with you, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M Oh, just the same as ever. Life's a business, ain't it!
Biddle's used to be the bright spot in the street for me, and now it's
as dull as all the rest. With all respect to Mr Biddle there.
BIDDLE: Oh, I agree with you, Miss Gem. I most heartily agree with you.
MISS G.:M It isn't that there's anything wrong with the shop, you know.
It's just that there isn't anyone to chat about things to any more. That
boy—well, 'e's just as much good as a slot-machine. My, this is fine
turkey, ain't it?
MOSTYN: You come along and have a chat with me now and again, Miss Gem,
and we'll comfort each other.
MISS G.:M I ain't got to that state yet, thanks all the same.
MOSTYN: Don't be cruel. Do you think I don't think of anything but
business? Nell there thinks I don't think enough of it.
MISS G.:M Oh, no. But what would the neighbours say if they saw me in
and out of yours? I don't look like one that would be looking for
curios, do I! No, nobody'd give me the benefit of the doubt if you and
me was to get thick, Mr Mostyn. They'd say inside a week that I 'adn't a
stick left in the 'ouse, and they'd all be coming round with excuses to
'ave a peep in. Don't I know them! You're a fine cook, dearie. Ain't
she, Mr Hanna?
HANNA: (smiling at NELL) Not bad!
BIDDLE: No one could cook a steak and onions like Nell.
NELL: Listen to Uncle getting sentimental over his stomach! You know,
these two call themselves philosophers, but if anyone cut off their beer
for one night they'd be bally Bolsheviks.
MISS G.:M Well, if I 'ad a little money I'd be a Bolshie myself.
NELL: Money! What for?
MISS G.:M To pay me fines and tip the police.
MOSTYN: You'd find tipping the police about as dangerous as being a
Bolshevist. The only time I tried to tip a bobby he threatened to charge
me.
WILLIAMS: I suppose it wouldn't be tactful to ask what you were tipping
him for?
MOSTYN: No, it wouldn't, young man. But he gave me to understand that
if I ever tried it again I'd be for it. My five bob threatened the
British Constitution, it seemed.
HANNA: Oh, well, you saved your five bob.
MOSTYN: Saved! Oh, dear, no. He had pocketed the five bob before he
gave me the lecture.
NELL: Well, I expect you got off lightly, if everything was known. Have
some more greens, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M No, dearie, I'm doing fine. I never thought when I came out
tonight I was going to get a Ritz dinner like this. Matter of fact, I
was sort of afraid to come in case you might be out. I thought to
meself, young couples nowadays don't stay in and 'old 'ands on their
anniversaries. I made sure you'd be out at a show, or something, and I
nearly turned back once or twice. You could 'ave knocked me over with a
feather when I found you were 'aving a family party. Girls don't think
of their families nowadays. But it's just like you, dearie. I might 'ave
known it, but I didn't give you the credit, more shame to me.
NELL: Oh, well, you see, we went to a show last night, Ted and me. We
went to The Purple Parasol, everyone said it was so good.
MISS G.:M Good! Well, I should say so. I walked round there last night
just to 'ave a look at the queues. All down the street and round the
corner, they were. It's a wonder you got in. Could you see?
HANNA: Oh, yes.
MISS G.:M Well, there may be a seat in that pit that 'asn't got a
pillar in front of it, but I've never been lucky enough to sit in it.
'Ow long did you queue for? Or perhaps you go to the upper circle,
nowadays!
HANNA: Yes, we booked this time.
MISS G.:M Well, the upper circle ain't much better. I been there too.
If you don't keep your toes tucked in you can't see the stage for them.
WILLIAMS: That's right. Gives you the jim-jams.
NELL: See anyone interesting in the queue, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M No, but I went round to see the nobs go in. Falling over
themselves, they were. 'Ave you noticed that 'air's getting longer
again? Most of them 'ad it curly at the back like the year before last.
Guess 'oo went in, though.
NELL: Don't know. Duchess of York?
MISS G.:M No, not quite as good as that, but very nearly. Give it up?
Lady Gollanfield! Ursula Boore, that was. And 'im with 'er!
NELL: No! But guess who sat next us! Gladys Cooper!
MISS G.:M (gaping) In the upper circle!
NELL: (after a dismayed pause) No. You see, we were in the stalls for
once.
MISS G.:M Stalls!
HANNA: Yes, it was a celebration, you know, Miss Gem. You only have a
first anniversary once, so we thought we'd do things in style.
MISS G.:M Well! You're some commercial traveller, to be able to take
your wife to stalls.
HANNA: (improvising) It was either that or a day at Brighton, and I
couldn't get away to Brighton, so we went to stalls instead.
MISS G.:M Well, well! You are getting on in the world, dearies.
[There is an awkward pause, and WILLIAMS breaks it by rising.]
WILLIAMS: I don't want to break up the happy party, but I'm afraid I've
got to go, Mrs Hanna. I got a date.
NELL: Oh, must you go, Fluff? It's early yet.
WILLIAMS: Yes, I know. But I've got to go, worse luck. Don't anyone
move. I'll slip out by myself, and nobody need be upset. I've enjoyed my
evening awfully, Mrs Hanna. Don't you bother to come out with me. I'll
find my own way. Good-night, everybody.
NELL: Good-night, Fluff. It's been nice to see you. And thanks again
for my lovely brooch.
WILLIAMS: Oh, that's nothing.
HANNA: I'll just see that he doesn't take the umbrellas.
[He takes WILLIAMS by the elbow, and they go out together. There
is a pause as the door shuts behind them.]
BIDDLE: I thought you didn't see Williams nowadays?
NELL: Neither we do. But he's an old friend of Ted's, and he came to
wish us luck just the way Miss Gem did. He didn't know anything about a
party.
BIDDLE: Then Hanna is still friendly with him?
NELL: Yes, of course. You don't change your friends because you change
your job, do you?
BIDDLE: It depends on the friend and the job, doesn't it?
MISS G.:M Oh, come on, Mr Biddle, don't you nag at 'er. She couldn't
'elp the man bein' 'ere if she didn't ask 'im, could she? Any more than
she could 'elp me bein' 'ere. And 'e may be a bad lot, but I must say 'e
looks as a nice young man as ever I see. Real polite, with 'is Mrs
Hanna, and all.
NELL: (reflectively) Yes, he always calls me that.
MISS G.:M Shy, is 'e?
NELL: (abruptly) A bit, perhaps. Have some more turkey now, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M Not me, dearie. Thank you all the same.
NELL: Just a little bit?
MISS G.:M No, dearie, that was a helping, that was.
NELL: Come, just an atom.
MISS G.:M Not an electron!
NELL: Well, I'll get you some ice-cream. You won't mind if Uncle and Mr
Mostyn smoke, will you?
MISS G.:M Not me! I'm sorry, I'm sure. I didn't notice they weren't
smoking. I bin kippered long ago, you see.
[Exit NELL.]
MOSTYN: Do you smoke yourself, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M No. I thought of starting when it got fashionable, you know.
But I decided it was silly to get to like something I'd never miss if I
didn't 'ave it. Throwing money away. I'd rather 'ave a 'at I could wear
than a lot of smoke to blow through my nose for no earthly reason.
MOSTYN: I wish I could get back to the point of making my choice again!
BIDDLE: Do you flatter yourself that you would be an abstainer?
MOSTYN: I do—and don't dash me; please not dash me. I like to think
I'd do everything differently if I had a second chance. And since no one
can put it to the proof, no one can contradict me. That's very
comforting.
BIDDLE: How can it be comforting when you know it's nonsense?
MOSTYN: But I don't know it's nonsense. At this moment I am quite sure
that if I could choose again I'd go on the halls, make a fortune and a
name for myself. Get married and have a family of four, two boys and two
girls, and a wife who'd stay at home and bring them up to be a credit to
me while I went round the world on farewell tours.
MISS G.:M Sheek!
BIDDLE: But you are necessarily presupposing that the knowledge—
[Enter HANNA.]
MISS G.:M 'Ere, Mr Hanna, come and save me. They've started physiology
or something. Make them stop.
HANNA: Arguing, are they? Well, let them. It's their idea of enjoyment.
I'd have thought you'd like a good argument yourself.
MISS G.:M Oh, none better. But you don't know what them two are like
when they're well away, or you wouldn't be encouraging them. They're so
learned, it makes me sweat to listen to them.
MOSTYN: I thought it was you who mentioned electrons a minute ago?
MISS G.:M You don't call that learned, do you?
MOSTYN: You can't know about electrons without reading, anyhow.
MISS G.:M Read! Not me! I got a crystal set.
[Enter NELL.]
NELL: Still going strong, is it? (She sets down a plate of ice-cream
before MISS GEM)
MISS G.:M I should say so. I just love to 'ear—Oh, dearie, what a
lovely ice!—I just love to 'ear—Such a colour! Peach, is it? I just
love to 'ear Big Ben. You know, I lived all my life in London, and I
never 'eard Big Ben till I got a wireless. Nice friendly sound it's got.
HANNA: But you don't pay ten shillings a year just to hear Big Ben?
MISS G.:M Don't imagine it! But that's the thing I like best. It's
always the same, and it doesn't try to be funny.
NELL: Don't you like the Variety, then? I'd have thought you'd like
that best. It's awfully good some nights.
MISS G.:M Oh, I like Variety all right. It isn't that kind of funniness
I mean. It's the gent 'oo tries to put a laugh into telling you 'ow
tadpoles legs come out, or why the kettle gets black. It's coves like
that that get my goat. Lettin' you down gentle. That's what they think
they're doin'. And only making fools of themselves.
NELL: But they're only trying to make dry subjects interesting.
MISS G.:M Why 'ave dry subjects?
MOSTYN: But some people like dry subjects.
MISS G.:M Then they're not dry! Ah, ha! That's just what I was sayin'.
If you want to find out why the kettle gets black you listens and
'ears about it, and you don't want to be patted on the back for
listenin', either. You don't expect the gas man to be funny about the
meter.
MR BIDDLE: I think you are rather ungrateful, Miss Gem. There are so
few jokes in the world that we should be grateful for anything that adds
to the gaiety of nations.
MISS G.:M I don't like bein' patted on the back. A good old laugh's a
different thing. I like Variety all right. But Big Ben's the pick of the
bunch. Big Ben and the Specials.
NELL: Specials?
MISS G.:M Yes. Would Mr So-and-so go to such and such a place, and gale
warnings, and people wanted by the police. That's life, that is.
(Becomes aware of a self-consciousness in the atmosphere) Perhaps I
shouldn't 'ave said that. There's two sides to everything, I suppose.
HANNA: It's all right, Miss Gem. I'm not wanted by the police any more.
BIDDLE: But you are still friendly with Fluff Williams.
HANNA: Yes, of course.
BIDDLE: It hardly seems consistent, does it?
HANNA: Consistent? How?
BIDDLE: Has Fluff Williams given up his old method of living?
HANNA: I don't know anything about that. It isn't my business.
BIDDLE: But if you are still friendly with him, you must know how he
makes his living.
HANNA: I don't, but even if I did what difference would it make?
BIDDLE: I should expect it to make a lot of difference if you are
determined to give up those ways yourself.
NELL: I say, Uncle, don't let's—
HANNA: Look here, Mr Biddle, Fluff's been my pal for six years, and
we've had some pretty thin times and pretty hot times in those six
years, and Fluff's never let me down once. You don't expect that I'm
going to stop being chummy with him just because I've turned
respectable?
MOSTYN: That's understandable, Mr Biddle. Hanna couldn't very well
ignore his friend, you know.
BIDDLE: No, but he needn't see so much of him, when he knows how that
friend makes his living.
HANNA: I tell you I don't know anything about it. What Fluff does is
none of my business.
BIDDLE: But it should be your business. It should be your business to
keep out of the company of practising crooks. You know perfectly well
that Williams is wanted by the police, but they haven't enough evidence
to arrest him.
HANNA: Oh, indeed? What do they want him for?
BIDDLE: For the Hill Street affair.
HANNA: Oh? You seem to know a lot! A lot more than Fluff, I'll be
bound.
BIDDLE: I make it my business to follow his career, you see. Since Nell
married you he's almost a connection, isn't he?
MOSTYN: Oh, come, Mr Biddle, I think you're being too hard on Hanna.
BIDDLE: I didn't expect to meet Fluff Williams when I came here
tonight, and I am dismayed, to say the least of it.
MISS G.:M Well, I don't see what you're making such a fuss about, Mr
Biddle, really I don't. Mr Williams may rob a bank now and then, but he
looks a nice young man for all that. So what's the odds! I should worry!
BIDDLE: I come to supper, meet a notorious crook here on friendly
terms, find that he has given my niece a valuable brooch, and you expect
me to be pleased about it!
NELL: Oh, Uncle! I told you, Fluff only came here because it was our
anniversary. He never comes here.
BIDDLE: But he brought you a diamond brooch, and you took it.
NELL: What was I to do with it if I didn't? Refuse it in front of
everybody? Who am I to hurt his feelings? You must feel awfully sure of
yourself, Uncle, to be so superior. Fluff's a good sort, whatever else
he is—Miss Gem's right about that—and I wouldn't hurt him for the
world. It isn't like you to want to hurt people. Being good seems to be
going to your head. Didn't you ever do anything you shouldn't have?
Didn't you ever steal jam when you were a kid?
BIDDLE: That seems to be beside the point. What shocks me is not
Williams' crimes but his friendly standing here.
HANNA: I thought I explained that. Fluff is my friend.
NELL: And I've told you that he never comes here, though he's my friend
too.
BIDDLE: What I'm trying to do is to convince you that it is
disgraceful—disgraceful and dangerous—to have him here as a friend.
HANNA: And all you are doing is spoiling Nell's party.
BIDDLE: (recollecting himself) Am I doing that? I'm sorry, Nell. I
didn't mean to do that.
MISS G.:M (in a sudden burst) Well, you are a one! What did you think
you was doin'? Just making things amusing? You oughter be ashamed of
yourself, so you ought, bullying your niece and you full of her turkey
and ice-cream. I'm surprised at you.
BIDDLE: Miss Gem!
MISS G.:M Don't Miss Gem me, old high-and-mighty! You oughter be
ashamed of yourself. You don't deserve to 'ave a niece like Nell to find
fault with just because she's nice to a crook! An 'ard 'eart is a deal
worse than—
MOSTYN: (laughing) Wo, Miss Gem, wo! Don't be so hard on him. It's
only his anxiety for Nell that makes him so fault-finding, you know.
Even Mr Hanna'll acknowledge that it was a bit upsetting for the good
uncle to come to see the heroine and find the villain in possession. Eh,
Mr Hanna?
HANNA: Oh, granted.
BIDDLE: (watching NELL'S face) I'm sorry, Nell. Williams being here
did upset me, but I shouldn't have let it worry me like that. I should
have trusted you more, I suppose.
MISS G.:M (tartly) Of course you should!
MOSTYN: And now that you've worried everyone into fits with your
fussing you're going to do penance by coming out to Streatham with me to
see old Joe.
BIDDLE: Oh, not tonight, Mr Mostyn, not tonight!
MOSTYN: Yes, tonight, and that's letting you off easy. If I was
dragging you all the way from Camden Town that would be what I call a
penance. But it's only ten minutes from here. And it'll be a godsend to
Joe. Not many penances are as much good to other people as this one'll
be. (To HANNA) D'you know old Joe Miggs? Used to be a crack across a
country.
HANNA: That the man who won the Sefton with his saddle under the horse?
MOSTYN: That's the man. They used to say the fences used to melt when
he came to them. His language, I suppose. Then he met one that didn't
melt, and he'd got so used to the melting that he met it about the
bottom. He's been on his back ever since. His hobby now is Theosophy,
though you mightn't credit it. It's Theosophy that we're going to talk
tonight. Come along, Mr Biddle.
BIDDLE: If I've been bullying you, my dear, my punishment is going to
be very appropriate.
MOSTYN: I suppose we can get a bus somewhere?
HANNA: Yes, the bus route's the second turning on the left. I'll go
down to the bus-stop with you, though, if you're really going. But won't
you stop and have a game of cards or something?
BIDDLE: I don't think it would be any good saying I would. I seem to be
going to talk Theosophy to old Joe. But anyhow, it will be late enough
before we are back in Camden Town. Good-night, Miss Gem.
MISS G.:M Good-night, Mr Biddle. No 'ard feelin', I 'ope?
BIDDLE: No, no, certainly not. (A little wistfully) We are both a
little mad on Nell, aren't we?
HANNA: It's a way folk have. (He goes out and comes back with
overcoats)
BIDDLE: And you'll come over and see us a little oftener, Nell? And
then we shan't be so anxious about you.
NELL: I'll be over very soon. Perhaps the beginning of the week.
[She takes her uncle's coat from HANNA and helps him to put it on,
while HANNA assists MOSTYN, and MISS GEM continues to lick
her ice-cream slowly and luxuriously from the spoon.]
NELL: Then I'll have another look at that boy that gets Miss Gem's goat
and see if he's as bad as she makes out. (Kissing him) Good-night,
Uncle. Take care of yourself. Good-night, Mr Mostyn.
MOSTYN: Good-night, my dear. You're a wonderful cook. Thank you for my
good dinner.
NELL: And thank you for my lovely bag.
MOSTYN: Good-night, Miss Gem. Look in and have a chat sometime.
MISS G.:M (waving her spoon airily) I may, Mr Mostyn, I may.
HANNA: When I come back I'll take Miss Gem to the Tube.
NELL: But Miss Gem's not going for ages yet.
HANNA: Isn't she?
MISS G.:M No, she's going to stay and help wash up.
HANNA: And what about her beauty-sleep?
MISS G.:M Go on with you!
HANNA: You be ready when I come back! Washing up is my job.
MOSTYN: Let the husband wash up if he wants to, Miss Gem. Washing-up
husbands are scarce.
[HANNA goes out with MOSTYN and BIDDLE.]
MISS G.:M Would you be very offended, dearie, if I licked my plate?
NELL: Don't you go licking any plates! There's heaps more in the
freezer.
MISS G.:M Yes, but any more in me might 'ave an awful effect.
NELL: (taking her plate and going into the kitchen) Risk it.
MISS G.:M It's a long time since I was so greedy and took such a pride
in it, so to speak.
NELL: (in the kitchen) Well, you have my blessing.
MISS G.:M I always knew you could cook, dearie, but where did you learn
all these frills?
NELL: (coming back) Oh, love, I suppose.
MISS G.:M Don't you believe it. Love's an accident, but cooking's a
gift. Oh, my, you do want me to be sick! Let me see your presents,
dearie, won't you. Where's the brooch that Mr Williams gave you?
[NELL takes a little box from the sideboard, opens it and shows it
to MISS GEM.]
MISS G.:M Oh, my! My! Ain't that stunning. Simple, but awful good, eh?
(She twists it to look at the back and moves it so as to catch the
light) Between you and me, dearie, where d'you think 'e got it?
NELL: He bought it, of course.
MISS G.:M Think so?
NELL: Certainly. You don't think he'd give me anything that he hadn't
come by honestly?
MISS G.:M (after consideration) Well, no. I shouldn't think so. 'E
'as a nice face. A lot nicer than your good 'usband's, if you'll excuse
me sayin' so. But I suppose beauty's only skin-deep—a snare and a
collusion. It's a pity, but there it is. And any'ow, that's the only
consolation us plain people 'ave in this world. (Indicating the
brooch) Ain't your 'usband jealous?
NELL: (a little sadly) No. He knows only too well he hasn't any need
to be.
MISS G.:M Don't you spoil 'im, dearie. You start the way you mean to go
on. I never 'ad a 'usband, but I 'ad a father. And 'e was all the
education in men that a woman could want. A university course, that man
was. And my mother spoiled 'im, of course. That was the days when a
woman 'ad to be married to be anything. And she was so thankful to 'ave
'im that she treated 'im like God Almighty for the first year or two,
and then spent the rest of 'er life complaining that 'e thought 'e was.
Don't you spoil 'im, dearie. You bring 'im up the way 'e should go now
while 'e's soft. (Wistfully) 'E's awfully keen on you, isn't 'e?
NELL: Yes, I suppose he is.
MISS G.:M I should say so! I bin watching 'im. You know, these last
years I got so as I was glad to 'ave a room of me own to go back to, and
the wireless, and not even a cat to bother me 'ead about. But tonight,
seein' the way your 'usband looked at you, I began to wish again I
'adn't been born plain. It's not so bad to be plain when you're oldish,
but it's awful to be born that way.
NELL: Don't, Miss Gem. What do looks matter!
MISS G.:M I know what you're goin' to say. 'It isn't the superficial
beauty that matters, it's the beauty of the soul.' That's what all the
women writers in the papers say in the articles they write between their
beauty treatments! Believe me, the beauty of your soul don't matter a
damn if you 'ave a face like a penny toy off a street barrow.
NELL: But you haven't! And you have a nice figure. And a figure's
awfully important.
MISS G.:M (slightly comforted) Oh, my figure's not so bad. Perhaps
it's just that I 'adn't IT. We didn't talk about IT when I was your age,
and, as I said, I'd got to be glad that I 'adn't. But seeing you and
your 'usband tonight—well, it made me wish I'd 'ad a bit of the movie
stuff when I was young.
NELL: You won't believe it, I know, Miss Gem, but you're the lucky one.
To be free of all that. Just to be happy your own way and not be torn
about inside with having to consider someone else. That's being really
happy! I'd give anything to be like that. You don't know your luck.
Being in love's not worth all the—all the—oh, I can't explain. There's
no peace in it. It isn't being happy at all. Being happy is what I was
when Uncle first took me to live with him and I was a kid of fifteen,
and there wasn't anything in life but food and clothes and pictures
twice a week and the shop and Uncle. That was being happy. Being in
love's not being happy. They used to torture people by tying them to
horses and making the horses pull different ways at the same time.
That's what being in love's like.
MISS G.:M You got it bad, dearie, 'aven't you?
NELL: Yes—I've got it bad.
MISS G.:M Well, don't you spoil 'im. It may be difficult not to when
you're like that about 'im and 'e's like that about you, but you'll be
layin' up trouble for yourself if you fetch and carry for 'im now. Let's
see the rest of your presents before 'e comes back.
NELL: (going to the sideboard) There aren't very many. Uncle gave me
a cheque.
MISS G.:M A cheque, indeed! I 'ope it's as good as it sounds.
NELL: Oh, yes, Uncle was always generous. Poor Uncle! I didn't treat
him very well after all he did for me. That's what love does. Makes
you a skunk. That's Mr Mostyn's bag. (Hands a bag to MISS GEM, who
opens it and examines it thoroughly inside and out) He's a dear, Mr
Mostyn.
MISS G.:M That's a bit of all right, ain't it? That never came out of
Mostyn's!
NELL: (smiling) You don't think he would lift something just as he
was coming away and bring it along, do you?
MISS G.:M Oh, well, you never know. Some are mean, and some are
forgetful, but there's not many aren't one or the other. What did your
'usband give you?
NELL: He took me to the theatre yesterday, you know.
MISS G.:M (dryly) Took 'imself, too, I suppose!
NELL: (smiling) Don't begin thinking Ted's mean, because that would
be almost funny. The difficulty with Ted is to make him save anything
for tomorrow morning.
MISS G.:M Yes, but what about tomorrow morning when 'e's got just
twopence? Does 'e give you a fair 'alf?
NELL: He gives me the whole of it, and says it's got to go as far as
sixpence. It's difficult to believe you haven't been married, Miss Gem!
MISS G.:M I told you, I 'ad a father. But didn't you get anything from
your 'usband, really?
NELL: Not yet. He's taking me up town tomorrow to choose what I want.
MISS G.:M (settling down to it) And what are you goin' to 'ave?
NELL: (in sudden weariness) I don't think I'm having anything.
MISS G.:M Are you sickening for something, dearie?
NELL: There isn't anything I want. Nothing like that, I mean.
MISS G.:M What do you want, then, I'd like to know?
NELL: I'd like to be a drop of dew and be sucked up by the sun till I
was just vapour. Light, and cool, and not caring.
MISS G.:M (setting down her spoon and looking at her in dismay) You
got some queer ideas, dearie. You're not—Are you—Is there anything
the matter with you?
[NELL, her thoughts far away, stares at her uncomprehending.]
MISS G.:M Women do 'ave funny ideas, you know, sometimes. Nothing to
worry about, but just—
NELL: (light breaking on her) Are you imagining I'm having a baby?
Don't worry yourself. There's nothing like that, thank God!
MISS G.:M Why, thank God? It's a bit early as things go nowadays, but
quite natural.
NELL: Yes, a lot too natural. There'll never be anything like that.
MISS G.:M Oh, dearie, don't say that. I just thought to meself as I was
coming up the stairs that the next time might be to a christening.
You've got to pass on these good looks; you know. And with a 'usband
doing so well it would be a shame—
NELL: Stop it. Stop it!
MISS G.:M (surprised and offended) Oh, well, dearie, I beg your
pardon, I'm sure. It isn't my business, I know, but I didn't mean any
offence.
NELL: Don't mind me, Miss Gem. Don't mind me. Uncle got me upset, about
Fluff, and I lost my rag, that's all. Don't mind me. (She brushes away
a tear with the flat of her palm)
MISS G.:M (rising and patting her shoulders) There, there, dearie. I
ain't offended. I know. It must make things a bit thick to 'ave a pack
of men squabbling over you like a lot of hyenas. I'd sooner be a
football referee. Thank God I ain't got no relations. There is something
to be said for a room of your own and a crystal set. But don't take on
about it. What does it matter as long as you and your 'usband's 'appy?
NELL: Yes, but if someone's happy, someone else isn't. You can't be
happy all at the same time, ever.
MISS G.:M Life's a business, ain't it! But don't you spoil them eyes
over it. Let's wash up before 'e comes back, shall we? (Begins to
collect the dishes on the table) You get a tray.
NELL: Oh, but you mustn't! You're a guest of honour, and it wouldn't do
to—
MISS G.:M Go on, dearie, buzz off and get the tray.
NELL: No, but, Miss Gem, listen. I—
MISS G.:M If you don't buzz off and get that tray I'll stay and do the
floors, ten o'clock or no ten o'clock.
[Exit NELL to the kitchen. MISS GEM continues to pile plates
together, pouring the dregs of beer into one glass and drinking it
at a gulp. There are sounds of HANNA'S return. The brooch is
still lying exposed on the table. She shuts the case, after a last
admiring glance, and replaces it on the sideboard. She is back at
the table when HANNA comes in.]
HANNA: Steady on! That's my job.
MISS G.:M Looks like you're going to lose it.
HANNA: Am I? Who says so?
MISS G.:M I do.
HANNA: What makes you think that?
MISS G.:M Possession is nine points of the law. That's what.
HANNA: You put on your coat right now, and I'll see you down to the
station.
MISS G.:M You're very anxious to see my back, aren't you? What makes
you so keen to dry a few dishes?
HANNA: Little hobby of mine.
MISS G.:M Hobby? Well, it's the passion of my life.
HANNA: (lowering his voice) See here, Miss Gem, joking apart, this is
the first time I've been alone with Nell today.
MISS G.:M Oh? Oh, that's it, is it? Well, why couldn't you say so
before? What did you do with my coat? (Calling) Dearie, Mr Hanna's
going to take me down to the Toob.
NELL: (at the door) That's sensible, now. But thank you for wanting
to clear up.
[TED comes back with coat and scarf.]
NELL: It won't take more than a few minutes, you know. Ted's a nib at
it. Aren't you, Ted?
HANNA: We'll get her over some day just to watch me. No account really
does me justice.
MISS G.:M (wistfully) I'd like to come back someday, dearie, but it's
a long way, and you mightn't be in, and—
NELL: Yes, I wouldn't like you to come all that way for nothing.
Suppose I write to you and make a date. That would be the best way,
wouldn't it?
MISS G.:M It's very kind of you, dearie. I 'ave enjoyed seein' you
again—like a breath of Spring, it is. And my evening and the supper and
everything. I'm sorry I butted in like that, but I 'ave enjoyed meself.
NELL: Well, d'you know what the nicest part of my evening was? The
flowers you brought. So there!
MISS G.:M Well, well. It's very kind of you to say so, dearie.
[They move into the lobby.]
HANNA: I'll be back in five minutes, Nell. As soon as I've seen Miss
Gem into her train.
NELL: Righto. I'll have the water boiling.
MISS G.:M As if the likes of me needed to be seen into trains! Why, I
could run the 'ole service. Good-night, dearie, and many 'appy returns!
NELL: (from the sitting-room door) Good-night.
[She comes back to the table, but before she has reached it the
outer door opens again and HANNA is heard saying 'Just a moment,
Miss Gem. I think I left them on the table.']
HANNA: (in a hurried undertone, as he takes his gloves from the
table) Three o'clock, probably. Don't wait up, beauty.
NELL: All right. But be careful, Ted. Promise!
HANNA: Don't you worry! (Gives her a long kiss without embracing her,
and goes out. NELL begins listlessly to put the dishes on the tray)
[The curtain is lowered to denote the passing of three hours.
[The curtain goes up on the sitting-room in darkness except for the
glow of the dying fire. A key is heard fumbling in the outer door,
and the door opens and shuts quickly. There is a pause, and the
living-room door opens very slowly and HANNA comes in. He shuts
the door and stands there for a moment. Almost as an afterthought
he switches on the light. He stands there staring a little, like
one slightly drunk. He is still wearing his overcoat, and is still
carrying his hat. His clothes are slightly but not noticeably
dishevelled.
[NELL comes in from the bedroom in a dressing-gown, a comb in her
hand.]
NELL: You're very early? Is anything wrong? (As she looks at him)
What's the matter, Ted? What is it?
HANNA: (indistinctly) ... made a mess of it.
NELL: (crossing to him) What is it? What's happened? Tell me, Ted.
For mercy's sake, tell me.
HANNA: I never meant to do it. I swear I didn't.
NELL: Do what? What is it?
HANNA: ... just an accident.
NELL: Oh, God! don't stand there like a talking doll! Tell me what's
wrong.
HANNA: Everything's wrong. Made a hash of it.
NELL: Did you run into the police? Do they know it was you? What is it?
HANNA: No, they don't know yet.
NELL: What is it, then? Did you leave your kit behind?
HANNA: Not my kit, but I—
NELL: What then? You did leave something, then?
HANNA: Yes, I left the revolver. I dropped it somewhere.
NELL: But Ted! I never knew you carried a revolver.
HANNA: I only bought it the other day.
NELL: Is that all you left?
HANNA: Yes. Quite enough. Quite enough.
[After a moment's pause NELL turns away and pours him out a drink
at the sideboard.]
NELL: (giving him the glass) Here! You're a lovely crook, losing your
nerve for a thing like that!
[HANNA tosses down the drink greedily. She takes his coat from him
and his hat and goes out to hang them in the hall. He stands
rubbing the backs of his hands slowly, as if cold, and as she
comes back he moves over to the fire and stretches out his hands
to it.]
HANNA: It's cold.
[She sits down in the chair by the hearth and pokes the fire into a
blaze.]
NELL: There you are! Now tell me about it. Let's hear the worst.
HANNA: (sinking down suddenly on the pouffe at her feet) Oh, Nell, be
nice to me. I'm scared to death. Be nice to me. Don't go back on me now,
Nell!
NELL: (amazed) But who's talking about going back on you? What's the
matter with you, Ted?
HANNA: I'm afraid, I tell you, I'm afraid. I've made an awful mess of
it. I'm afraid.
[He buries his head in her lap. Her face softens, and her hand plays
with his hair.]
NELL: Poor, little frightened crook! What went wrong, Ted?
HANNA: Well, I didn't know he was there till I turned round.
NELL: Didn't know who was there? A flatty?
HANNA: The owner.
NELL: You mean the man who owned the house?
HANNA: Yes. I thought he had a gun, you see. There wasn't time to
think. I never meant to do it. The thing just went off. I thought it
must have wakened everyone in the street it made such a row. And
then—
NELL: (seizing him by the shoulder and pushing him up so that she can
see his face) What are you talking about! What are you talking about!
HANNA: I tell you I didn't mean to do it! I thought he had a gun. I
hadn't time to think. I didn't know I'd done it till he fell. Don't look
at me like that, Nell. Don't look at me like that!
[He throws out his arms and hides his face in her lap again. She
does not move to repulse him, but draws the upper part of her body
away from him, her elbows supported on either arm of the chair. He
is sobbing now. She watches him for a moment without moving.]
NELL: (in a slow whisper) So that's what you've done!
HANNA: (looking up) I didn't mean to do it. I swear I didn't, Nell.
You've got to believe me.
NELL: (not listening) God!
HANNA: Nell! You believe me, don't you? (Shaking her a little to force
her attention)
NELL: Believe what?
HANNA: That I didn't mean it.
NELL: What's that got to do with it? You've killed someone, haven't
you?
HANNA: Yes, but I never meant to. He shouldn't have threatened me. I
wasn't out for any rough stuff. The bloody fool was asking for it. How
was I to know he was behind me! I just turned round, and there he was.
No warning or anything. What did he expect? I didn't know I'd shot him
till I'd done it. I'd never have done it if he'd given me time to think.
NELL: Are you blaming him for getting in the way of your gun?
HANNA: Nell, don't! I didn't have time to think, I tell you.
NELL: You shot him because you had the wind up?
HANNA: Nell, don't go back on me! Don't go back on me just because I've
made a fool of myself.
NELL: Is that what you call it?... What's going to happen now?
HANNA: Listen, Nell, if you say I was here all the time they can't do
anything to me. They can't touch me. You've only got to swear that and
I'm safe.
NELL: But you said you left the revolver there.
HANNA: Yes, I know. But I don't think they can trace it to me.
NELL: Who will they trace it to, then?
HANNA: I don't mean that. I mean it might be anybody's. It hasn't any
marks on it.
NELL: Then why did you mind that you'd left it?
HANNA: Oh, I was all rattled. I couldn't think straight. Even if they
suspected it was mine they couldn't get past your testimony, see? See?
The chap I bought it from wouldn't say anything. I'll be all right if
you say I wasn't out of here all night.
NELL: But what if other people saw you? Saw you go or come, I mean?
HANNA: There wasn't anyone, and it's foggy. They'd not be able to swear
to me. But you could, see? See? You'll do it, won't you?
NELL: But supposing ...
HANNA: Supposing what! Oh, Nell, don't go on swithering. You couldn't
not do it, could you?
NELL: It isn't much good swearing to something they can prove a lie, is
it? And what about the man you bought it from? How do we know he'll be
all right about it? What's to hinder him splitting?
HANNA: Because he won't want to have anything to do with the police. I
know him. He hadn't a licence for it himself. That bit's safe.
NELL: But is it all safe? It sounds too simple, Ted. There must be a
snag somewhere.
HANNA: (on his feet) I don't believe you want to save me. I believe
you're just making excuses. What is it? Are you tired of me? Do you want
to go to Williams? Is that it?
NELL: Ted! Ted, are you crazy?
HANNA: (beside himself) That's it, isn't it?
NELL: You know quite well that your little finger is more to me than
the whole of Fluff Williams. You know it far too well, Ted. What are you
making all this fuss about?
HANNA: If that's true, why are you going back on me? Why won't you
promise to swear I was here all night? What are you swithering and
torturing me for?
NELL: I'm only trying to make sure that if we're going to tell lies we
won't be telling them for nothing. Someone's got to do the thinking in
this business.
HANNA: But what's wrong? It's all plain sailing if you swear I was
here.
NELL: You're sure you haven't left anything but the gun behind? You're
sure of that, Ted? Stop and think.
HANNA: I don't need to think. I know.
NELL: And there's no name or anything on the gun?
HANNA: No, nothing. I swear.
NELL: And you're sure the man who sold it to you won't split?
HANNA: Absolutely certain.
[There are sounds outside of footsteps coming up the stairs. They
both pause, listening, with their eyes on the door.]
NELL: (whispering) It's the top floor. He often comes in late.
HANNA: Shut up, damn you! Listen!
[The footsteps mount to their floor, pause, and go on, dying away as
they ascend.]
NELL: There, I told you.
[HANNA sinks trembling to the pouffe again and buries his face in
his hands.]
HANNA: Give me another drink. That one was no use.
[NELL mixes another drink and brings it to him. She watches while he
drinks it and, taking the glass from him, replaces it on the
mantelpiece. She sits down slowly in the chair she has previously
occupied.]
NELL: All right, Ted. I'll say you were here all the time.
HANNA: Oh, bless you! Bless you! You promise, do you? No matter what
happens you'll say I was here. No matter what happens?
NELL: No matter what happens.
HANNA: Swear it, then. Swear it before God.
NELL: I don't believe in God. I'll give you my word. You'll have to
take it or leave it.
HANNA: All right, Nell, I'll take it. Between us we'll fool them yet,
won't we? They can't do anything to me now that you've given your word.
Oh, Nell! (He leans nearer as if to embrace her, but she shrinks)
NELL: No, don't.
HANNA: You don't hate me, do you?
NELL: Does it look as if I hated you!
HANNA: No. You're being a sport. I realise that. But we're safe, you
know, quite safe. I promise you that. You stick to your story, and
nothing can touch us.
NELL: You mean the law can't. But the thing's happened to us. Nothing
can alter that.... That man—was he married?
HANNA: I don't know.
NELL: It's awful, Ted. Awful.
HANNA: Nell! Don't keep reminding me! Don't you think he's in front of
my eyes enough without that?
NELL: Is he?... Poor Ted!
[He puts out his hand tentatively and lays it on her knee, and she
covers it with her own.]
HANNA: I never thought things would turn out like this.
NELL: No, it wasn't part of the programme, was it?
HANNA: But it's going to be all right, you'll see. And once this
business is over I'll give it all up and go straight. (She says
nothing) Aren't you glad?
NELL: I probably shall be when the time comes.
HANNA: Nell, don't be so hard.
NELL: What do you expect me to be? Sympathetic?
HANNA: You do hate me!
NELL: No, I love you, worse luck.
HANNA: Nell! (After a moment's glance into her face he puts his
forehead down on the hand that is covering his own) There's only you
between me and—You do think it's going to be all right, don't you? If
it isn't, it'll be the rope for me.
NELL: And a matter of—ten years, is it?—for me.
[He lifts his head as if that had occurred to him for the first
time. He drops it again.]
HANNA: Yes, but it's going to be all right. It'll be all right as long
as we stick together. You'll see!
NELL: Life's a business, isn't it! Do you know who says that? Miss Gem.
And this evening she was envying me! She was envying me!
[She begins to laugh to herself under her breath, bitterly, as
=The Curtain Comes Down=.]
ACT III
SCENE I
The scene is the same as in the second act. It is about three o'clock
in the afternoon, two days later. It is a bright day and the window is
open from the bottom so that the sparrows can be heard twittering.
Distant chimney-pots are shining in the sun. NELL is ironing garments
of lace and crêpe-de-chine on the gate-legged table which she has folded
and removed to between the window and the fireplace. The electric iron
is plugged in place of the reading-lamp. She irons without enthusiasm,
testing the heat of the iron as though she were testing theories instead
of fact.
As she irons footsteps are heard faintly, mounting the stairs. She
pauses and listens intently until they have passed her door and gone
upwards. She leans on the table for a moment as if the relief were
overwhelming, and then resumes her work.
Presently, without warning, the outer door bangs and HANNA comes into
the room quickly, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it.
NELL swings round startled, but is reassured by the sight of him.
NELL: Oh, it's only you! What a fright you gave me, Ted. I didn't hear
you come up. How were you so quiet? (Sees the fury on his face and
falters) What's the matter, Ted?
HANNA: (advancing slowly on her) You damned slut! You've told them.
NELL: Told them? What d'you mean.
HANNA: I mean what I say. You've been talking. That's what. You're no
better than the rest of the women. Loose-tongued little devil! D'you
know where I've been? D'you know where I've come from? The station!
NELL: What station?
HANNA: Don't be a damned fool. The police-station. 'Inspector Wilkins
presents his compliments and would Ted Hanna have a chat with him at the
station for a few minutes!' Yes! That's a nice thing to have sprung on a
man in the middle of the High Street, isn't it? Now, what did you tell
them? What did you say to them?
NELL: Say to who? What are you talking about, Ted?
HANNA: A little less of the innocence! To the police when they were
here.
NELL: There haven't been any police here. There's been no one here this
morning but the milkman.
HANNA: Don't tell me! They know I was out on Thursday night. Do you
hear me? They know I was out. If you didn't tell them, who did?
NELL: (as one considering a specimen) The trouble with you, Ted, is
that you've been running too long with people who tell lies on oath just
as a hobby. I've told you I would say you were here, and I can't do
more. You must take it or leave it.
HANNA: (holding her by the arm) Mean to say you didn't tell them?
Then who did?
NELL: Oh, take a pull on yourself, Ted! It's a mystery to me how you
ever had the nerve to take a penny from a kid's bank. About a hundred
strangers saw you on Thursday night, didn't they? What's to prevent
someone who knew you taking a look at you too?
HANNA: But it was foggy. No one could have recognised me in that fog.
NELL: Well, it was probably only a guess. Or perhaps the police are
just fishing. You seem to have risen, all right.
HANNA: Risen! Not me. They didn't get any change out of me.
NELL: You waited to take it out of me instead?
HANNA: Well, you'll admit it was a bit of a facer. Everything depends
on your word, see? Will you swear there was no one here today?
NELL: No, I won't. I told you before I didn't believe in swearing. And
anyhow, what's the good of swearing to you? You'd go back on an oath if
it suited your book. How are you to believe other people wouldn't?
HANNA: I'd believe it if you swore it.
NELL: And yet the first time there's a little snag you fly off the
handle and come and curse me.
HANNA: Well, I tell you, it was a facer for me. They're not just
fishing. I know their little ways well enough to know that. They've got
some kind of information. That's a facer. Where did they get it?
NELL: You're sure you didn't leave anything else behind that night?
HANNA: Oh, no, it isn't that. If it was that they'd have kept me on
suspicion. They hadn't enough on me to keep me. That's a consolation.
NELL: Not enough on you? But you said last night that they had no
evidence against that man they've got, and yet they've detained him.
HANNA: Oh, he's all right. They haven't got a thing on him. They've got
to do something to keep their reputation up. If they hadn't got him
handy they'd have kept me, just to keep the public quiet. Forget it!
NELL: But are you sure that—
HANNA: Oh, stop arguing! Having to deal with Wilkins' jaw is quite
enough for one day without having to—Did you darn the blue socks?
NELL: Yes.
HANNA: Where are they?
NELL: In your sock drawer.
[He goes into the bedroom and she turns slowly and resumes her
ironing. There is the sound of drawers being opened and shut
angrily in the bedroom, and the thud of boots dropping.]
HANNA: (in the bedroom) I can't find any handkerchiefs.
NELL: The fresh ones are on the top of the chest of drawers.
[After a pause HANNA comes in more slowly, shutting the door
behind him. He moves over to NELL and puts a tentative hand on
her shoulder. She takes no notice.]
HANNA: I'm sorry, Nell. I shouldn't have said that to you. Wilkins had
me all frazzled.
[She does not answer.]
HANNA: Don't be sore with me. I didn't mean any of it, you know. If I'd
stopped and thought—But I came straight here from Wilkins and Wilkins
had me all—
NELL: Oh, it doesn't matter. Have you had something to eat?
HANNA: Yes, I ate before I got Wilkins' message. Well, I shan't be
long. (Pausing on the way to the door) You know, Nell, that fog was a
great bit of luck. They haven't a thing on us as long as you keep your
head.
NELL: (turning to look at him with the iron in her hand) You're
awfully funny, Ted, if you only knew it.
HANNA: Funny, am I? Well, it's better than being the other way. So
long. Back in a jiff.
[He goes out, but as he reaches the outer door he is heard in
animated conversation. NELL puts down the iron in a frightened
way and turns to meet whatever may be coming. The living-room door
opens, and HANNA ushers in MISS GEM.]
HANNA: It's Miss Gem.
NELL: (relief adding to her welcome) Why, Miss Gem! Well, I never. I
am glad to see you.
MISS G.:M I know it ain't the done thing, dearie, to plant meself on
you so soon again. Specially after coming to a party I wasn't asked to,
and all. But I thought you might be feelin' blue with no one of your own
to talk to about—
HANNA: Shan't be long, Miss Gem. See you when I come back.
[Exit HANNA.]
NELL: Oh, but you needn't make excuses. You know quite well I'm glad to
see you any time. Take off your things.
MISS G.:M No, dearie, no, I ain't come to stay. I'll just loosen my
wrap. (Loosens the large scarf which is draped round her) 'Ot, isn't
it? You're looking very cheerful, I must say.
NELL: (lightly) Oh, yes, why not?
MISS G.:M Well, I don't know. I always thought you were one of the
soft-hearted kind that took other people's troubles on their shoulders
when they needn't. But I'm glad to see you so bright, anyway. Havin' an
ironing? My, that's a pretty camisole. Hand-made, too. Make it yourself?
NELL: No, Ted gave it to me. I saw it in a window in Brook Street, and
he went in and bought it.
MISS G.:M (examining it minutely) I thought it was West End! I like
that line of drawn-thread work. You always 'ad good taste, dearie.
'Member that brown frock with the pique collar you used to wear in the
shop? I always thought that the height of taste. Plain but not severe,
and with a cachett, as they call it. You could 'ave been a duchess,
dearie, if you 'adn't gone and married that Hanna man.
NELL: Now don't you be rude about Ted. And anyway, there isn't a Duke
available nowadays.
MISS G.:M Not in England, there isn't. Not till the next divorce, that
is. Did you 'ear that the Standenshires don't live together any more?
Bet you anything you like they'll be the next. But there's 'eaps of the
foreign kind. The kind you see in silk trousers and not much else in
pictures of the Lydo. Not that I could see you with that kind of
'usband, you know, but there wasn't anything to 'inder you 'avin' that
kind if you wanted. Nowadays anyone marries anyone. You don't even 'ave
to look a lady any more. There's that boy of Besselden's—the heir,
mind you—been and married the girl that 'ad the bathin'-machines at
Brightling. And 'er so fat she couldn't get into one of 'er own
machines. Me own idea is that she took away 'is trousers and forced 'is
'and. You 'ad only to play your cards right, dearie, and you might 'ave
bin living in a palace in Venice or somewhere instead of living in a
flat you couldn't swing a cat in.
NELL: I never want to swing a cat, and I've always heard that palaces
in Venice didn't have any baths.
MISS G.:M Or W.C.s. You could do without a wash at a pinch. But it
would be rather nice to 'ave people say 'Your Grace' and gondolas to go
about in, and all that.
NELL: And how was all this to come to me, selling papers in Friar
Street?
MISS G.:M Things don't come. You go out and get them. That's what I'm
saying. If you'd liked you could 'ave bin anything.
NELL: And now I'm nothing?
MISS G.:M Oh, now, dearie, don't make me out worse than I am. I may be
plain-speaking, but I'm not downright rude. Anyway you're 'appy, and
that's the main thing. I just wish you'd fallen in love with someone
more—more thrilling than Mr Hanna.
NELL: Ted's quite thrilling enough for me!
MISS G.:M Oh, I know. That's what love does. There was a woman in the
bus with three kids. All sprawling and all sticky, they were, and she
not able to find 'er purse, or sit quiet or 'old 'er 'ead up. And I just
said, 'There but for the grace of God!' Don't know 'oo said it
first—someone in history—but I'm well acquainted with the feelin'.
NELL: You'll get it in the neck on Judgement Day for being a Pharisee,
see if you don't!
MISS G.:M Pharisee? People 'oo can't appreciate pictures and what not?
NELL: No, people who think themselves better than other people.
MISS G.:M I never said better. I said luckier. An electric iron is a
treat, ain't it? That's one thing I don't 'ave in my room. Mine's the
kind that would go through the floor if I let it fall. I thought once of
savin' up for one of them methylated-spirit ones, but I spent the money
on something else. Just as well, perhaps. If I'd bought methylated,
regular, Friar Street would say I was drinkin' meself to death. There
isn't anything Friar Street wouldn't say. They put two and two together
and make twenty-five. And an 'alf. I expect they'll be gloatin' now over
poor Mr Williams and sayin', 'I told you so'.
NELL: Mr Williams? D'you mean Fluff?
MISS G.:M Yes, of course.
NELL: Why, what's wrong with Fluff?
MISS G.:M Wrong with 'im! (She pauses in dismay and continues in a
small voice) 'Aven't you seen a paper today?
NELL: Only the early-morning one. What is it?
MISS G.:M They've arrested 'im for that murder.
[There is a long pause while NELL stares at her.]
MISS G.:M (pointing to the iron which NELL is holding motionless on
the garment) Mind, dearie, you're burning it.
[NELL puts the iron on its stand.]
NELL: Fluff! What's he got to do with it?
MISS G.:M It said that the revolver they found was 'is.
NELL: What!
MISS G.:M You know they were looking for the man that owned that there
revolver. And it seems they've proved it was 'is. Here, dearie, come and
sit down. I didn't mean to bring bad news to you. I thought you'd know
all about it. That's why I came over. There, sit down there. By rights I
should be in the Temple this afternoon—it's Mr Thrale's day away from
the office, and 'e doesn't like cleaning when 'e's there—but I knew
you'd be upset at them taking Mr Williams, so I come over. I was sort of
surprised at you bein' so merry and bright, but it never crossed me mind
you wouldn't know.
NELL: What else did it say? Have you the paper?
MISS G.:M No, I didn't think you wouldn't 'ave seen it, see?
NELL: What else did it say?
MISS G.:M It didn't say much. Just that he was goin' to be brought up
this morning. If I'd 'ave known in time I'd 'ave gone to the court. I
don't believe 'e did it, do you? A mean murder, like that. He 'ad too
nice a face.
NELL: But what about the other man?
MISS G.:M What other man?
NELL: The man it said they had detained.
MISS G.:M There wasn't anyone else. It was 'im they 'ad all the time.
'The man the police have been detaining for the last two days is now
known to be'—that's what the paper said, see?
[NELL buries her face in her hands.]
MISS G.:M Don't take on, dearie. It'll all come right, you'll see. I'm
sure 'e didn't do it. And they don't 'ang innocent men, not in this
country they don't. Don't you worry about it. You be thankful your
'usband reformed in time. It might 'ave bin 'im in Williams' place. That
would 'ave been a pretty mess!
[The electric bell rings. NELL sits up startled.]
MISS G.:M Shall I see 'oo it is, dearie, and send them away?
NELL: No. No, I'll have to go.
[She goes to the front door.]
A VOICE (at the door) Is this where Ted Hanna lives?
NELL: Yes.
VOICE Could I see him for a minute?
NELL: He's not in. Will you leave a message?
VOICE Well, if it's all the same I'd like to wait for him.
NELL: Yes, certainly. Come in.
[She comes back leading a LARGE FAIR MAN who has plain-clothes
officer written all over him.]
NELL: This is Miss Gem.
BURT: Pleased to meet you. My name's Burt.
[MISS GEM glares at him. He spells his name.]
MISS G.:M (enlightened but not mollified) Pleased to meet you.
NELL: Won't you sit down?
BURT: I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs Hanna, but I'd like to see your
husband for half a minute.
MISS G.:M You an old friend of Mr Hanna's?
BURT: Well, not exactly, but I've known him for quite a while now.
NELL: (busy clearing away her ironing) This place is an awful mess,
but in a flat this size you do things where it happens to be handiest.
If you'll excuse me a minute, I'll put on the kettle and we can have
tea.
MISS G.:M Not for me, dearie. I didn't come to stay.
BURT: Please don't bother, Mrs Hanna.
NELL: Oh, but we might as well have tea. It isn't too early for you, is
it, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M Tea's never too early for me, but I said when I came that I
wasn't stayin', and I didn't come to eat, so no tea for me.
NELL: Oh, what nonsense. (She carries the linen and the iron into the
kitchen) I won't be a minute.
[MISS GEM stares in a hostile silence at BURT.]
BURT: (doing his best) Wonderful day, isn't it? Just like summer.
MISS G.:M Might be worse. (She stares at his boots until he moves them
uncomfortably) It's a mystery to me why they don't issue you with fancy
boots for this kind of work. These regulation number tens are as good as
an advert.
BURT: Number nines, Miss Jewel.
MISS G.:M The name's Gem. Well, let me tell you you're wasting your
time nosing round 'ere. Ted Hanna reformed ages ago.
BURT: Oh?
MISS G.:M Yes, 'e married the nicest little girl in London, twelve
months ago, and stopped associating with the police. 'E's got a business
of 'is own now. 'E's reformed, I tell you.
[NELL comes back, crosses to the sideboard and begins to prepare a
tea-tray.]
MISS G.:M Mr Burt says it's time they reformed the way they number the
'ouses round 'ere.
NELL: Yes, it is a silly way, but this part used to have fields and
things between the houses, and when they built new ones they were rather
up the gum-tree about the numbers, see?
BURT: Awful how every place is getting built over, isn't it? You been
long in this district, Mrs Hanna?
NELL: (choking and recovering) Twelve months.
BURT: Nice district. Nice shops, and all that. Some of them'll beat the
West End for bargains. At least so I've heard the wife say.
MISS G.:M You married, Mr Burt?
BURT: I am, Miss Gem.
MISS G.:M (nastily) Fancy!
BURT: When people haven't to pay big rents they haven't to charge about
twice what the stuff is worth. I expect you've found that, Mrs Hanna?
NELL: I don't buy anything but food down here, I'm afraid. It isn't
only rent you pay for in the West End, you know. It's cut and finish.
MISS G.:M Of course it is, but you wouldn't expect a—(She is going
to say 'bobby', but stops herself in time) man to see that.
BURT: Oh, I expect most women'd like West End clothes if they could
afford them. But not many husbands can afford Bond Street prices, eh,
Mrs Hanna?
NELL: There are such things as sales.
BURT: Oh, I know. Where you ruin the clothes you have on trying to get
something that won't go on when you get it. Ha, ha!
NELL: Oh, come, Mr Burt! You don't call Oxford Street the West End, do
you?
BURT: (punctured) Not the West End? What is it, then?
NELL: (shrugging) The waste end, I should say.
BURT: Ha, ha! You're a wit, Mrs Hanna, you are. And what do you call
the West End, if I may be so bold?
NELL: I don't know if you'll recognise it, but it's the kind of place
with a piece of tweed and a string of beads in the window, and 'nothing
at that price, modom' inside.
BURT: Well, you seem to know, Mrs Hanna, you seem to know. Do you go up
often?
NELL: Once a week, perhaps. But I don't buy clothes every time.
BURT: I suppose you go up to theatres. That's one thing you miss down
here.
NELL: Oh, I don't know. There's always the cinemas.
BURT: Yes, it's a good district for that. You could almost go to a
different one every day of the week. And fine houses, too, most of them.
They had a big star—forget his name—appearing in person at the
Playhouse one day last week. Thursday, I think it was. You didn't happen
to be there?
NELL: Thursday? No we had a party here on Thursday. It was the
anniversary of the day Ted and I (she looks defiantly at BURT) got
married.
BURT: Oh? A party?
MISS G.:M Yes, and what's more, I was there.
BURT: Oh?
MISS G.:M Six of us was there.
BURT: Quite a celebration. Was it a gay night, Miss Gem?
MISS G.:M If you mean were we tiddly, then the answer is no.
BURT: Oh, I didn't mean that. You misunderstand me. I only meant did
you keep it up late?
MISS G.:M Oh, late enough to be satisfactory and not late enough to be
awkward.
BURT: Awkward?
MISS G.:M Last Toob, you know. My Rolls is bein' over-hauled.
BURT: I see. Tubes were very handy that night, too. Nothing like a Tube
in a fog.
NELL: Yes, it was pretty bad. I was quite anxious till Ted came back
from seeing Miss Gem to the station.
BURT: Oh? Did he take long?
NELL: Not very. It was striking eleven as we locked up, I remember.
BURT: Oh? Glad to drop into bed, I suppose.
NELL: Well, we washed up first. I never can bear to see dirty dishes in
front of me in the morning. But we were in bed by half-past, I should
say.
BURT: Very respectable. It's about time they found some way of stopping
these fogs. They say there is a way, but they haven't found it out yet.
So I suppose we live in hopes. They're worse this side of the river than
the other, too. That's about the only bad thing that can be said about
this district. When there's a fog it is foggy. But bar that, it's the
nicest suburb in London. I've always had a soft spot for South London
myself. Smells of the sea more than up Hampstead way, and the sea was
one of my ambitions. I did want to be a jockey once, but I grew a bit
too much. Then I wanted to go to sea, till they took me for a row at
Margate. But I still like to see the masts and funnels over the roofs
when I'm crossing the river. Quite worth living on the south side for,
that is. You don't have anything like that up Hampstead way. That was a
nasty affair Hampstead way last week.
NELL: Yes.
BURT: Awful to be done in like that, without any warning, just because
someone lost his nerve. Nice chap, he was, too.
NELL: Yes. Dreadful.
BURT: The kind that feeds birds in the parks, that's what he was.
Wouldn't harm a fly. The kind that puts spiders out the window. Well,
that Williams chap is for it, that's one comfort.
NELL: Fluff didn't do it!
BURT: No? Why d'you think that?
NELL: It isn't—it isn't his line of business, for one thing.
BURT: That's true. More your husband's preserve, eh? Isn't he jealous?
NELL: Ted's out of that now. But he wouldn't believe that Fluff did it,
either.
BURT: No? Well, I'm a little surprised at Williams, myself. I never
knew Fluff lose his nerve before. But they've got him with the goods on
him this time. Unless a miracle happens he'll be taking a short walk one
of these days.
NELL: But he didn't do it, I tell you! No one who knew Fluff could
believe he did it. What have they got against him?
BURT: They've got about ten finger-prints on the revolver, and he
admits it was his.
NELL: But that doesn't prove anything!
BURT: Not alone, it doesn't. But he has no alibi for Thursday night. He
was 'walking', if you please! Walking, in that fog!
NELL: But that is just like Fluff! I tell you, if you knew him—Fluff
liked mooning round by himself.
BURT: Yes? Well, it's going to prove an expensive hobby for him, I'm
afraid.
NELL: Oh, how can everyone be so stupid! Fluff wouldn't do a thing like
that.
BURT: You'd be surprised at the things people'll do. You seem to know
Williams pretty well?
NELL: Yes, he used to come to my uncle's shop for tobacco. And—he used
to be a friend of my husband's.
BURT: Used to be? Aren't they friends any more, then?
MISS G.:M Of course they're not! Mr Hanna has a respectable business of
his own now.
BURT: Yes? Then you haven't seen Williams for a long time?
NELL: (after a pause) I hadn't till last week.
BURT: Last week, eh?
NELL: He happened to look in to wish us many happy returns when we had
that party last Thursday. Just for old sake's sake.
BURT: I see. Pity you finished the party so early. If you hadn't locked
up so early you might have given him an alibi. That's to say, if he
didn't do it. Sure you locked up at eleven?
NELL: (after a pause) Yes, quite. Surely Fluff has some kind of
defence!
BURT: Oh, he says he sold the gun to a man he met in a teashop a week
ago. Doesn't know the man, or anything about him. That's a fine defence
for a murder charge!
NELL: But they haven't charged him yet, have they?
BURT: (looking at his watch) They have, by now. I expect by this time
he's committed for trial. I say, it's later than I thought. I think I'll
change my mind and not wait for your husband, Mrs Hanna. (Stands up)
If you tell him that—
[The outer door opens and shuts, and HANNA comes briskly into the
room. He stops abruptly on seeing BURT, but recovers himself.]
HANNA: (smiling) Well, if it isn't Burt! Looking for me?
BURT: Not exactly. Inspector Wilkins would like to have a talk with you
first time you're passing the station.
HANNA: What! another one! He's getting quite gossipy, isn't he?
BURT: Oh, have you seen him already?
HANNA: Yes, we had a jaw about an hour ago.
BURT: Oh, in that case it's all right. Someone got in before me with
the message. Sorry to have bothered you, Mrs Hanna. Thank you for the
interesting conversation. Good-bye, Miss Gem.
[MISS GEM bows coldly.]
BURT: Pleased to have met you. You've got a very nice little place
here, Hanna. Well dug in, aren't you?—every way. How's the commercial
stunt doing?
HANNA: Oh, enough to keep the—wolf from the door.
[They go out. NELL moves over to the window and stands staring
out.]
MISS G.:M Good riddance! (She looks uneasily at the back of the
silent NELL, and begins to gather her scarf round her) I'm goin' too,
dearie, as soon as that's off the doorstep. I wouldn't be seen dead on
the same flight of steps with it. I suppose they've got to 'ave them,
but it's a pity. Ever notice what a lot of necessary things are nasty?
Castor-oil and ants and things. I didn't know about ants bein' any good
till I listened on the wireless, but it seems they are. I can't remember
what they do, exactly. Not go about asking silly questions, anyhow.
Fancy getting paid for asking questions! Easy money, I call it. And all
that about Mr Williams bein' for it! All swank, that is, dearie. I
should worry! Something'll come to light in a day or two, and then
they'll get the skunk that done it, and Mr Williams'll be out, as free
as a bird. I shouldn't wonder if this didn't make 'im reform. It's an
ill wind, you know.
[Enter HANNA. MISS GEM stands up.]
MISS G.:M Well, I'll be goin'. I only looked in to cheer up your wife
there about Mr Williams. All nonsense them taking 'im up, I says. But
nothing to worry about. They'll 'ave the right man in a day or two and
then 'e'll be out, and no great 'arm done.
NELL: (who has turned round during MISS GEM'S speech and is
watching HANNA, who is avoiding her eye) Oh, but Miss Gem, you were
going to stay for a cup of tea.
MISS G.:M Excuse me contradicting you flat, but I was nothing of the
sort. I said distinctly I wasn't goin' to 'ave a meal in this 'ouse this
day. I 'aven't got to the stage of coming for me food yet. You and me'll
'ave a date, one day, dearie, and I'll come and call. You know! Cake
in the saucer.
NELL: (half-heartedly) Oh, but the kettle's boiling.
MISS G.:M Don't you shake me. I'm not 'avin' tea 'ere today. Any'ow, I
think there's still time to do a little in the Temple. It'll only be a
lick and a promise for more, but I don't expect Mr Thrale'll see any
different. Gentlemen are like that. If you see a man that goes trailing
his fingers to see if the mantelpiece 'as been dusted, you can bet your
bottom dollar 'e ain't no class. The real kind never notices. Not that I
don't do my work proper. I give them all a fair deal. Soap and water and
plenty elbow-grease, that's me. A gentleman once said that I'd take a
hose to the pearly gates. I never knew rightly whether 'e meant it nice
or nasty, but I gave 'im the benefit. It sounds a bit blasphemous to me
mind, though. Well, good-bye, dearie, don't you spoil them looks with
worryin'. Good-bye, Mr Hanna. (She goes out with NELL) You'll find
it's as I said—(The door shuts)
[HANNA walks restlessly round the room listening to the murmur of
MISS GEM'S departure. When NELL comes back she shuts the door
and leans against it, and he turns slowly to face her. There is a
moment's silence.]
NELL: So it was Fluff's gun? (He does not answer) Why didn't you tell
me it was Fluff's gun?
HANNA: What did it matter whose gun it was?
NELL: No, but you were afraid if I knew whose it was I wouldn't
promise.
HANNA: What difference did it make whose gun it was?
NELL: Oh, Ted, you're like water—running through my fingers every time
I try to—to feel you. How long have you known it was Fluff they had?
HANNA: Only today. (But it is obvious that he is lying)
NELL: How did you find out?
HANNA: At the station.
NELL: You knew when you came in after dinner?
HANNA: Yes.
NELL: And you didn't tell me.
HANNA: I was far too upset about things to tell you. Don't you think it
was a knock-out for me? Fluff's my pal. Don't you think it was a facer
for me to find out that they had him.
NELL: Yes.... I expect it was.... It's awful, Ted.... You didn't
mention finger-prints when you wanted me to promise on Thursday night.
HANNA: It wasn't because I wanted you to promise! Don't be trying to
make me out a rotter. You'd think you were doing your best to put wrong
motives to everything I do. How was I to think of Fluff's finger-prints
being there? I'd had the gun nearly three weeks. How did I know it was
going to be traced back to him?
NELL: No, but I wish you'd told me it was Fluff's. What's the good of
any kind of promises if we don't trust each other? And how am I to trust
you, Ted? You keep me in the dark, keep back things that matter a lot,
and then expect me to stand by you. I've done a lot of things for you
since I began to be crazy about you, and most of it's been telling lies.
About your reforming, and letting Uncle think we were married, and all
that. And now I'm willing to tell lies on oath for you, but you don't
trust me enough to tell me the truth.
HANNA: But I did tell you the truth! I told you everything except whose
gun it was, and I didn't tell you that because it wasn't of any
importance. It never entered my head to tell you. Why should it? The gun
was mine. If it wasn't traced to me I didn't expect it was going to be
traced to someone else. It's just a bit of bloody bad luck, that's all.
NELL: Yes, it's bad luck, all right.... What are we going to do now?
HANNA: Do? How, do?
NELL: About Fluff. What can we do to get him out?
HANNA: There isn't anything we can do at the moment. But don't you
worry. They'll never convict him on the evidence they have. No jury'd
stand for it.
NELL: But you're not going to let him be tried for it, are you?
HANNA: That's the best thing. How can we stop it? They won't convict
him, I promise you.
NELL: Ted! Do you know what you're saying? You're not going to let
Fluff go through all that and not lift a finger to stop it, are you?
Why, even if they didn't convict him he'd never be able to hold up his
head again. A murder trial! Think of it. When he didn't do it!
HANNA: My dear girl, I'd move all ten fingers willingly if you show me
how that would help him.
NELL: There must be a way—perhaps more than one way—if we think
properly, both of us. (With a sudden access of bitterness) I suppose a
crook can use his brains for other people instead of for himself for
once in a way?
HANNA: Well, suppose you lead the way, since you're so sure of
yourself. You suggest!
NELL: Well—suppose we went abroad, and you write a confession from
there. There are places in the world where they can't send you back
from. We could live there, and they couldn't touch us, could they?
HANNA: (laughing) You don't know much about the ways of the English
police, do you? Why, the taxi wouldn't be at the door for your luggage
before half the C.I.D. would be inquiring where we were going and why,
and suggesting reasons why we shouldn't go. They wouldn't give us a
passport to begin with.
NELL: Well, there's such things as forged passports. You're getting
very squeamish, all of a sudden.
HANNA: What would be the good of a forged passport if you were never
given a chance to use it? I tell you, we wouldn't be able to move a step
before they'd be down on us. It would be giving the show away. As soon
as they'd stopped us they'd begin delving to find out why we were
beating it at such a bat. And there's no saying what they might unearth.
They couldn't get me for that affair on Thursday, but they could get me
for other things. The money that got your last set of crêpe-de-chine,
for instance.
NELL: Oh, yes, I'm as bad as you are. You didn't need to rub it in.
HANNA: Well, be sensible, kid. We can't afford to do anything that
would get us in bad, and not be a scrap of good to Fluff.
NELL: Be sensible! Be sensible! Be selfish, you mean. D'you think Fluff
is being sensible? Sitting there and saying nothing, though he knows you
did it. What kind of a pal do you think you are? Isn't he expecting you
to get him out of it? What are you going to do about it?
HANNA: Oh, don't be silly. There's only one thing I can do. Go and give
myself up. D'you want me to do that?
[There is a moment's silence.]
NELL: (in a quiet, curiously surprised voice) D'you know, I've just
discovered how surprised I would be if you did. You're a poor thing,
aren't you, Ted? I used to think you so dashing. (She gives a short
scornful laugh) I used to think you were a fine man wasted because you
were a crook. Why, you're not even a good crook! But you're not low
enough to let another man take your medicine for you, are you, Ted? I
won't believe that of you. You're not going to stand by and do nothing
while they try Fluff—on the off chance of him getting off in the end?
HANNA: But I tell you, it's a cinch. He knows it. (With a too obvious
grasping at inspiration) That's why he's saying nothing. They know
they've got the wrong man too.
NELL: How do they know it?
HANNA: It isn't Fluff's line of business, or his way of working, or
anything. They're not fools.
NELL: No. 'More your husband's preserve.' That's what that man said. He
said he'd never known Fluff lose his nerve before, (HANNA winces) Yes,
you don't like that, do you? You coward!
HANNA: Shut up, will you! It's enough to be worried to death with
things happening like this, without you nagging me into fits and
throwing names at me.
NELL: Worried, are you? Oh, God, Ted, how funny you are! (She sinks
into a chair crying and feeling for her handkerchief) How funny you
are!
HANNA: Oh, Lord! Oh, shut up! You'll be having hysterics in a minute
and running out into the street with the story. Shut up and pull
yourself together.
[NELL cries for a moment into her handkerchief, wipes her eyes
resolutely, and puts it away.]
NELL: Don't worry, I'm not having hysterics. And if anyone's got to
pull themselves together it's you. You've got to think of a way out,
Ted. You've got to think of something that will clear Fluff and save him
having to go through all that.
HANNA: Look here, kid, you're getting yourself all worked up because
you're imagining things worse than they are. You'd hate to have to go
through it, so you think Fluff will. Well, you're dead wrong. If
anything, Fluff'll enjoy it. Lot's of chaps would give something to be
in his place if they were as sure of getting off. Believe me, I know
what I'm talking about.
NELL: You think you do. But I know Fluff, see? I think he'd rather die
now, on the quiet, than have to go through what he'll have to go
through.
HANNA: D'you think you know him better than me, who's been his pal for
six years?
NELL: Some pal! Oh, Ted, you can't be going to leave him in the lurch
like this. You can't be!
HANNA: You show me what I can do, and I'll do it.
NELL: But why should I have to show you! You should be thinking,
planning, half-crazy to find a way. But you're not. You're taking it all
for granted. And he's in there keeping his mouth shut and waiting for
you to move.
HANNA: I tell you, he's only keeping quiet because he knows he's safe.
They can't prove it.
NELL: But that man said they could. They wouldn't charge him if they
hadn't a good case. You know that, Ted. You know how careful they are.
HANNA: Yes! And I know how they feel when the papers are making a song
and dance and they've got nobody! They're only too glad to have anything
that looks like a case so as to stop the racket. Be sensible!
NELL: Sensible! You said that before. (Going over to him and holding
the lapels of his coat) Oh, Teddy, don't be like this! It's like seeing
something lovely come to pieces. I can't bear it. I can't bear it. Fluff
in there saying nothing, and you coming to pieces here.
HANNA: I told you you were getting hysterical.
NELL: And I tell you I'm not. Ted, let's beat it out of the country
now, tonight. There must be some kind of fishing-boat or something that
would take us for money. If we go now, before they're wise to us, we
could manage it. I feel sure of it. I'll go and do all the arranging,
and they'll never suspect me. With all that smuggling on the South Coast
there must be a way of getting to the Continent without being stopped.
Then you could—
HANNA: Oh, for goodness' sake! You are a one-idead little idiot. I tell
you that way's no use.
NELL: You mean you don't want to try it.
HANNA: I don't want to try it, because it's a fool's game.
NELL: That is something you should be good at!
HANNA: Look here! I've had about enough of it. (Reaches for his hat)
I'll have tea where the company's brighter.
NELL: Listen, Ted. If you don't agree to do something in the next two
days, I'll go and tell them all I know.
HANNA: Oh, no, you won't.
NELL: Why not?
HANNA: Because you're in love with me.
NELL: I think I hate you.
HANNA: You think you do just now, but tonight you won't.
NELL: There won't be any tonight if you don't do something.
HANNA: Besides, you're a sensible little person at bottom. You know
quite well that the minute you'd told the dicks that story you'd be
damned sorry. You couldn't bear the thought of me being hanged, you
know. And there wouldn't be any doubt about my being hanged. Don't
forget that. In five weeks from now Fluff'll be coming round to tea. But
in five weeks from now I'd be buried.
NELL: (coaxing again) Listen, Ted. If you were to confess to
something small and say that Fluff was with you when you did it, and
that that was why he—
HANNA: Oh, give it a rest!
NELL: (flaring) I won't give it a rest! Why should you be allowed to
rest? I'm going to go on suggesting things till we find one we can try.
HANNA: Oh, you are, are you? Thanks for the warning. I'm not beating it
out of the country, but I am beating it out of here. (Takes a wad of
notes from his pocket-book and counts it) Here you are, beauty! You can
go on suggesting things to these until you're tired of it. When you're
tired of it put an ad to that effect in the agony of the Daily Mail,
and we'll set up house again.
NELL: Ted, don't be foolish. (Lifting the notes and trying to return
them) Please, Ted, don't be foolish.
HANNA: Coming to pieces, am I? Well, you're growing into a shrew, and I
never liked the wordy kind.
NELL: Listen, Ted, don't go where I can't reach you. Don't go away. I
must talk to you—persuade you—or I'll go mad.
HANNA: Yes? Well, then there'd be two of us mad. And I'm not ending my
days in an asylum if I know it. When you stop fussing, I'll come back.
NELL: Ted, I will tell them, if you don't do something.
HANNA: Yes? And tell your Uncle that you've been living with a crook
for twelve months, and telling lies as if you were born to it? Besides,
you wouldn't do it anyhow, because—(He grips her suddenly so as to
pinion her arms, and with his other hand presses her head back so that
he can kiss her. After the first instant she struggles violently, and he
releases her) So long, beauty. I'll be back when you're feeling better.
NELL: All right, go, then! But it isn't me you're running away from.
HANNA: No?
NELL: No, it's from yourself. And you can't do that. You'll come to
your senses and see what you're doing, and then you'll have to face it.
You can't go on running away.
HANNA: Oh, you talk like a bloody revivalist. You should be wearing a
bonnet. When you're tired of the tambourine let me know!
[He goes out, banging the door.]
CURTAIN
SCENE 2
The scene is the same as the previous one. It is nearly midnight, about
six weeks later. The room is in darkness except for the moonlight, which
illuminates the chimney-pots beyond the uncurtained window but does not
shine into the room. After a pause there is the sound of a key in the
lock of the outer door. The outer door opens and shuts, not noisily, but
with no attempt at concealment. As the inner door opens the lamp by the
fireplace is switched on, illuminating HANNA in the act of reaching
for the switch by the door, and NELL in bed on the divan which she has
drawn from the window to the lamp, so that it now protrudes at
right-angles from the right wall. She is lying curled up on her left
side. After a brief pause she lowers the hand which has switched on the
light, and continues to look at him, wordless and motionless. He desists
from his intention of switching on the main light, so that the scene is
played in the light of the lamp.
HANNA: Hullo, kid. Still here? Didn't know whether I'd find you here or
not. Thought you might be so sore with me that you might have chucked
it. Or perhaps got tired waiting. But you waited after all!
NELL: Yes, I waited.
HANNA: Well, that's very comforting for a chap, not to say flattering.
How did the pony I left spin out? All right? I was short enough myself,
I can tell you. I nearly came back, once, for some of that wad, but I
didn't know how the sight of me might take you. Sort of hysterical ideas
you had, eh? You're not still feeling sore with me, are you? You
wouldn't have liked me in the 'Only Way' part, you know. I'm not cut out
for it. And Fluff was born to it. Seen reason, now, though?
NELL: Yes. I've seen reason.
HANNA: You've no idea the time I had down in that hole of a place.
Nothing to do but listen to their hell of a band and watch the waves
break. Not a bean, and afraid to go out and get some in the normal way,
because the dicks were too interested in me. And wondering all the time
when you were going to blow the gaff on me. Why didn't you? You're a
loyal pal, if ever there was one. I'll hand you that. Not that I didn't
believe in your promise, but I was afraid of your conscience. Either
that or that you'd have influenza or something and spill the beans when
you had a temperature. Believe me, I spent sleepless nights over your
having a temperature, and there were you in the best of health all the
time.... Well, kid, got nothing to say to me after all those weeks? Glad
to see me back, even if I'm not a hero? You're looking a bit tucked up,
aren't you? Why've you taken to dossing in here? (He goes over to her)
Find the bed too lonely for one, is that it? (Makes as if to sit down
on the divan)
NELL: (sharply) Don't sit there! Keep away.
HANNA: (arrested) What's the matter? Have you still got a grouch at
me? Or are you ill? You haven't got anything infectious, have you?
NELL: No, I'm not ill. You're quite safe that way.
HANNA: Quite safe every way. We're sitting pretty now, my girl. And
believe me, I'm going to be good to you, beauty. I never thought you'd
stick to me the way you did. You're one in a million, Nell. Ask for the
moon, and it's yours. I was thinking, coming up in the train, we might
beat it out of England now, like you suggested, and give the Continent
the once-over. You'd look good in Paris, and I suppose Paris would look
good to you, eh? I'll have to collect some money first, but that won't
be awfully difficult. I'll have a hundred by the end of the week, and
that'll do us to start on.... You're not exactly chatty, are you? Didn't
you expect me to come back? You'd think you weren't glad to see me.
NELL: Yes, I hoped you'd come sooner or later.
HANNA: Well, that's good hearing, but you might brace up a little. No
one's smiled at me for so long. The girls down at that place have faces
cut out of the native rock. The kind of thing you take away as souvenir
and hate the sight of ever after but can't throw away. And the only
alternative was a couple of dicks who never let me out of their sight
except when I was in bed. And even then I used to feel exposed. The Yard
are a one-idead crew! Were they shadowing you?
NELL: I don't know.
HANNA: How, don't know?
NELL: I never went out.
HANNA: Not go out! Oh, moping, is that it? Not much wonder you're
looking tucked up. You'll have to change that, or I won't take you to
Paris with me. I want you to be a credit to me. We're going to have some
good times, you and me. I'm dead sick of staring at the dam' sea and
eating hash and having the Yard look sideways at me. I want a bit of
life to take the taste out of my mouth. Besides, the farther away from
the Yard we are the better we'll feel, eh? I don't think the Yard are
awfully pleased with their work just lately, and when they get mad
there's no saying where they'll end. Not that they can put anything on
us—we're safe now—but I played pool with one of those dicks one night,
and he said some very nasty things. All wrapped up and polite, but
insinuating. You know. Wilkins took them off when the business was
finished, of course. They can't do anything to us now. But we'd be more
popular in France. And you've never seen Paris. Just give me a week to
get the dibs. Got anything to eat in the house? I could put away six
courses.
NELL: In the kitchen cupboard.
[He takes off his coat, flings it over the back of a chair, combs
his hair with his fingers in front of the mirror over the
fireplace, and goes into the kitchen. She raises herself to a
sitting position on the divan, moving with the deliberation and
lack of unnecessary movement that a sleep-walker uses. She sits
there unmoving until his return. He comes back with cold sausage
on a plate, half a loaf, butter, a bottle of beer, and a glass.]
HANNA: I don't think much of your larder. But you always were one of
the bun-and-milk brigade. It's good I'm too hungry to look even a
sausage in the mouth. (He cuts a slice of bread and butters it,
produces a corkscrew and opens the bottle of beer and pours the beer
into the glass) I couldn't find any mustard. Isn't there any?
NELL: No.
HANNA: Another of your queer tastes. (Watches critically as the beer
flows into the glass. Looking at her over the bottle and glass) Have
some?
[It is then that he sees the automatic which is lying in her loosely
curved right hand. He pauses with the bottle and glass held at
right-angles in the air while one might count five.]
HANNA: For God's sake, put that thing away! Where did you get it? (He
puts the glass and bottle down)
NELL: Stay where you are, I want to talk to you.
HANNA: Nell, don't be foolish. Put that thing down. It isn't the kind
of thing to play around with. You should know that by this time.
NELL: Yes, I know it very well.
HANNA: Well, give it to me and don't let me see you—
NELL: (as he is moving across to her) Stay where you are. I want to
talk to you.
HANNA: But look here—What d'you mean? I'm not going to hurt you!
What are you afraid of?
NELL: I'm not afraid of anything.
HANNA: Then why that thing? What's the idea? Have you gone dippy? What
do you want with—?
NELL: Be quiet, and get on with your supper. I want to talk to you.
I've been thinking. Thinking more than I ever thought in my life before.
I hadn't anything else to do all those days. My mind was in a dreadful
mess trying to get things straight. A man who's done what you've done
isn't fit to live. I didn't think there were men as low as you anywhere.
Not English, I mean. I couldn't begin to tell you what I think of you.
And yet I love you far too much to be able to live without you. Sounds
dam' silly, doesn't it? But it's true. There'd be no point in living at
all with you not there. That's why I'm going along too. I couldn't—
HANNA: Stop that nonsense, will you, and give me that—
NELL: Stay still, or I'll shoot you before I'm ready. And get on with
the food. They always have a meal first, don't they? There's some salad.
Would you like some salad? You're allowed to choose what you like within
bounds. That's what the paper said. And there was a big photo of Fluff.
I suppose you saw it. Fluff was a real man. It's a pity I didn't fall in
love with Fluff instead of you. Then I wouldn't be going west tonight.
HANNA: Look here, kid—
NELL: Don't interrupt. I want to talk to you. I've got it all straight
in my mind now. Simple, and clear, and easy. I've been waiting for you
to come back so that I could finish it. This is the finish. Funny, isn't
it? when you think of it, that this is what came out of your buying a
packet of Gold Flake that day. If only I could have seen you then as I
see you now—before you got me! You've still got me, Ted. I should have
been free of you when you did that to Fluff. There must be something
rotten in me to let me go on caring for you after that. But I'm still
silly about you. The way you turn your head and move your hands and—all
that bunk. That's love! That's what people write poems and things to!
Love! You're not getting on very fast with your supper.
HANNA: Look here, kid, a little less of the theatrical business and a
little more honesty. You've worked up this to spring on me when I came
back. Well, I'm back, but I'm not having any. You were sweet enough on
me to let another man hang for me. I guess you're not going to shoot me
now. That's logic. So a little less of the high falutin'.
NELL: I didn't let Fluff die because I was sweet on you. You flatter
yourself. I'd given you my word. It was my word I'd given. I couldn't go
back on that. I was nearly crazy trying to think of a way out. I
couldn't find a way to save Fluff. Poor Fluff. He was joking when they
killed him. I suppose you read that too? I wish I could have loved
Fluff. He was worth while. He kept his mouth shut because of me, not
because of you. I expect perhaps it made it easy in the end to think he
was doing it for me. But I wish I could have thought of a way to get him
off. I'm a poor reason for a man to sacrifice his life. Me! The person
who's still silly about the man who let him do it! God, what a rotter
you are, Ted. I never imagined anyone like you. But you're not getting
away with it. Did you think you were? Did you think you could do that
and go on living and enjoying yourself, eating and drinking and making
love, without there being a reckoning? Well, you can't. This is the
reckoning. There isn't any God, or Fluff wouldn't have been allowed to
die. But I'm God now. All the God that's necessary. You can't do what
you did and go on living. I can't live without you. So we go together.
That's logic. You're keen on logic, aren't you? So get on with your
supper. If I'd known you were coming tonight I'd have made it a nice
one. Anything within reason, they said.
HANNA: I say, Nell, for God's sake drop it. You've been thinking about
things till you've got them all wrong.
NELL: Yes, I've been thinking, but I've got things straight. Clear and
straight and easy. Go on with your supper. There's some salad if you
want some. I wanted to tell you what I thought of you so that—
HANNA: I say, kid, you're not well, or you'd—
NELL: Don't interrupt. I'm doing the talking. I'm not mad, if that's
what you're thinking. I've never been so sane in my life. Nothing to be
afraid of any more. Nothing to torment me. Everything straight and
clear.
HANNA: Look here, kid, I'll call your bluff. That gun isn't loaded.
Even if it was, and you had the nerve to shoot me, you'd never have the
nerve to shoot yourself. Don't imagine it.
NELL: I don't imagine it. I don't like the idea of shooting myself at
all. I'm not going to. I'd hate to be a mess, even when I'm dead. I
always hated messy things. I'm going by the gas oven. Quite a pleasant
journey. Reserved compartment, and no change. (She laughs a little, and
he is reassured) Stay still! (As he begins to advance) I'll give you
ten minutes to—keep away, Ted. Keep away! All right, then!
[She pulls the trigger, holding the automatic at full stretch of her
arm, amateurishly. HANNA hesitates in his stride at the impact
of the bullet, and comes on stumblingly.]
HANNA: (in surprised fury) You bitch! It was loaded. You bitch!
[He collapses across the end of the divan. After a pause NELL puts
the revolver gently on the table at her side. She gets slowly out
of bed, holding the right elbow where the kick of the revolver has
hurt it. She moves to HANNA and looks down at him almost
curiously. A sort of compassion comes into her face. She puts out
her hand and touches his hair.]
NELL: Poor Teddy! Poor Teddy!
[She goes out slowly through the kitchen door.]
CURTAIN
[The end of Reckoning by Gordon Daviot]
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