The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts Part 19

Pauline Yes, papa. Dear mamma and I were in a gale of laughter.

Vernon (in a low voice to Pauline) That's a pretty big lie!

The General Didn't you hear us knocking?

Pauline We heard quite plainly, papa; but we didn't know it was you.

The General (in a low voice to Vernon) They seem to be leagued against me. (Aloud) But what was it all about?

Gertrude Dear husband, you always want to know everything! We were speaking for the moment about the tenants, about some acquaintance of ours. But let me go and ring for tea.

The General But tell me all about it?

Gertrude Why this is sheer tyranny! To tell the truth, we locked ourselves in so that no one would disturb us. Is that plain enough?

Vernon I should think it quite plain.

Gertrude (whispering to the General) I wished to worm her secrets out of your daughter, for it is evident that she has some secrets! And you come interrupting us, while I am working in your service--for Pauline is not my daughter; you arrive, as if you were charging a hostile squadron, and interrupt us, at the very moment I was going to learn something.

The General Madame the Countess of Grandchamp, ever since the arrival of G.o.dard--

Gertrude Ah! yes, G.o.dard. Well! he is still here.

The General Do not ridicule my words! Ever since yesterday nothing has gone as usual! By G.o.d! I'd like to know--

Gertrude Sir, this oath is the first I have ever heard from you. Felix, bring in the tea. (To the General) You are tired, it seems, of twelve years of happiness?

The General I am not, and never will be a tyrant. A little time ago I came unexpectedly upon you and Ferdinand engaged in conversation, and I felt I was in the way. Again, I come home and you are locked in with my daughter, and my appearance seemed to put you out. And to cap all, last night--

Vernon Come, General, you can quarrel with Madame as much as you like, but not before other people. (G.o.dard is heard approaching.) I hear G.o.dard.

(Whispers to the General) Is this keeping your promise to me? In treating with women--I am bound as a doctor to admit it--you must leave them to betray themselves; while at the same time you watch them carefully; otherwise your violence draws forth their tears, and when once the hydraulic machinery begins to play, they drown a man as if they had the strength of a triple Hercules!

SCENE NINTH

The same persons and G.o.dard.

G.o.dard Ladies, I came once before to present my compliments and respects to you, but I found the door closed. General, I wish you good-day. (The General takes up a newspaper and waves his hand in greeting.) Ah! Here is my adversary of yesterday's game. Have you come to take your revenge, doctor?

Vernon No, I came to take some tea.

G.o.dard Ah! I see you keep up the custom of the English, Russians and Chinese.

Pauline Would you prefer some coffee?

G.o.dard No, no; allow me to have some tea; I will, for once, deviate from my every-day custom. Moreover, you have your luncheon at noon, I see, and a cup of coffee with cream would take away my appet.i.te for that meal.

And then the English, the Russians and the Chinese are not entirely incorrect in taste.

Vernon Tea, sir, is an excellent thing.

G.o.dard Yes, when it is good.

Pauline This is caravan tea.

Gertrude Doctor, have you seen the papers? (To Pauline) Go and talk to M. de Rimonville, my daughter, I, myself, will make tea.

G.o.dard Perhaps Mlle. De Grandchamp likes my conversation no better than my person?

Pauline You are mistaken, sir.

The General G.o.dard--

Pauline Should you do me the favor of no longer seeking me in marriage, you would still possess in my eyes qualities of sufficient brilliancy to captivate the young ladies Boudeville, Clinville, Derville, etc.

G.o.dard That is enough, mademoiselle. Ah! How you do ridicule an unfortunate lover, in spite of his income of forty thousand francs! The longer I stay here, the more I regret it. What a lucky fellow M. Ferdinand de Charny is!

Pauline Lucky? Why is he lucky? Poor fellow! Does his good fortune consist in the fact that he is my father's clerk?

Gertrude M. de Rimonville--

The General G.o.dard--

Gertrude M. de Rimonville--

The General G.o.dard, my wife is speaking to you.

Gertrude Do you like much or little sugar?

G.o.dard A moderate quality.

Gertrude Not much cream, I suppose?

G.o.dard On the contrary, plenty of cream, countess. (To Pauline) Ah, M.

Ferdinand is not then, after all the man who--whom you have distinguished by your favor? I can at least a.s.sure you that he is very much to the taste of your stepmother.

Pauline (aside) How annoying these inquisitive provincials are!

G.o.dard (aside) It is fair that I should amuse myself a little at her expense before I take leave. I must get something out of this visit.

Gertrude M. de Rimonville, if you desire anything solid, there are sandwiches here.

G.o.dard Thank you, madame.

Gertrude (whispering to G.o.dard) Your cause is not wholly lost.