The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 21

[_Drives them out. Famette slips into her hut. Chartrien joins the men and follows last with Coquriez. They stop left_]

_Coq._ Won't see the show?

_Cha._ I'll not go on.

_Coq._ Come then.

I'll lock you up. [_They turn back_]

We'll have an early march To-morrow, mate. Must hit the brush by dawn.

There's little sleep for me.

_Cha._ Shall I have more In that hot pen?

_Coq._ [_Laughs_] You'll make it up, I guess.

_Cha._ I understand. You'll murder me.

_Coq._ My soul!

Let's keep our manners, though we sit in h.e.l.l, My occupation's decent, nothing said.

The silent deed is clean, but mouth it once, The hands will smell. Pah!

[_Famette steps out of hut_]

Here's my kitten!

A kiss, my honey-pot!

_Fam._ I've better for you.

[_Gives him a bottle of wine_]

_Coq._ My ducky! From the master's cellar!

... How----

_Fam._ No matter. It is good.

_Coq._ Thief of my soul, A kiss!

[_As he attempts to embrace her she springs back, pointing left_]

_Fam._ Look, look! He's gone! The Gringo flies!

O, Coquriez, you'll be shot!

_Coq._ [_Stunned for a moment, springs off shouting_]

Help! Stop him! Help! [_Exit left, firing his pistol_]

The Gringo! Stop him!

[_Famette runs to gate right, where Chartrien is removing bar_]

_Cha._ Come! Fly with me! Now!

I can not leave you here!

_Fam._ Go! Do not stop, However weary, till you're safe in Quito.

The wounded hare, remember, takes no nap.

_Cha._ Come, come!

_Fam._ No, I am safe. And there's more work For me. They'll come back here to search. Nay, go!

Another moment and we both shall die!

_Cha._ [_Kissing her_] I'll wait in Quito,--then a husband's kiss!

[_Goes. Famette puts up bar, then returns to her hut and sinks at door_]

_Fam._ If I could pray! If I could pray! How far Seems that old G.o.d I knew! A playhouse G.o.d Who never saw the world! [_Leaps up_]

They're coming back!

[_Sits again, abjectly, her shawl over her head. Megario, Coquriez, and peons, enter_]

_Meg._ Where is the woman?

_Coq._ There she sits,--the witch!

_Meg._ Stand up! Take off that shawl!

[_Famette stands up. A man s.n.a.t.c.hes the shawl from her head_]

_Meg._ Famette! Not you?

_Fam._ [_Cowering_] I, master.

_Meg._ [_To men_] Search the yard. Turn every leaf And stone.

[_The men scatter_]

_Mas._ I'll give that gate a look. [_Crosses to gate right_]

_Meg._ This was Your drooping modesty! [_Turns on Coquriez_]

You fool!--to let The man escape! By Heaven, you might have burnt The hacienda down and not have made My blood so hot!

_Coq._ It was the woman, sir.

She jumped before me, smiling like a devil, And when I tried to pa.s.s she caught my knees And held this thing up, saying 'twas for me.

I kicked her off----

_Meg._ No doubt!

_Coq._ And when I turned The prisoner was gone.

_Meg._ [_To Famette_] You saw him go?

_Fam._ Yes, master. Through the gate, like wings. And then I gave the warning. Coquriez knows I did.

_Meg._ What did she say?