Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 119

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

THE SECOND ACT

AN INTERVAL OF ONE YEAR ELAPSES BETWEEN ACTS I. AND II.

_The drawing-room in Basil's house at Putney. In the wall facing the auditorium there is a door leading from the pa.s.sage. On the right two doors lead into bedrooms, and opposite these is a bay window. The same pictures and plates decorate the walls as in the preceding Scene; the writing-table is between the side doors._ JENNY'S _influence is noticeable in the cus.h.i.+ons in the wicker-work arm-chairs, in the window curtains and portieres of art serge, and in the huge chrysanthemums of the wall paper_.

[JENNY _is sewing while_ JAMES BUSH _is lounging in one of the arm chairs_.

JAMES.

Where's his lords.h.i.+p this afternoon?

JENNY.

He's gone out for a walk.

JAMES.

[_With a malevolent laugh._] That's what he tells you, my dear.

JENNY.

[_Looking up quickly._] Have you seen him anywhere?

JAMES.

No, I can't say I 'ave. And if I 'ad I wouldn't boast about it.

JENNY.

[_Insisting._] What did you mean then?

JAMES.

Well, whenever I come here he's out for a walk.... I say, old tart, could you oblige me with a couple of sovereigns till next Sat.u.r.day?

JENNY.

[_Pained to refuse._] Oh no, Jimmie, I can't manage it. Basil made me promise I wouldn't let you have any more.

JAMES.

What! He made you promise that?--Ugh, the mean skinflint.

JENNY.

We've lent you so much, Jimmie. And ma's had a lot, too.

JAMES.

Well, look here, you can manage a sovereign, can't you? You needn't say anything about it.

JENNY.

I can't really, Jimmie. I would if I could. But we've got a rare lot of debts worrying us, and the rent will be coming along next week.

JAMES.

[_Sulkily._] You can't lend it me because you won't. I should just like to know what Basil spends his money on.

JENNY.

He's had a bad year--it's not his fault. And I was so ill after the baby died, we had to pay the doctor nearly fifty pounds.

JAMES.

[_With a sneer._] Well, it was a wonderful fine thing you did when you married him, Jenny. And you thought you done precious well for yourself, too.

JENNY.

Jimmie, don't!

JAMES.

I can't stick 'im at any price, and I don't mind who knows it.

JENNY.

[_Impetuously._] I won't have you say anything against him.

JAMES.

All right--keep your s.h.i.+rt in. I'm blowed if I know what you've got to stick up for him about. He don't care much about you.

JENNY.

[_Hastily._] How d'you know?

JAMES.

Think I can't see!