Plays Part 22

HATTIE: (with greed for gossip) Did you see any of them when they came downstairs last night?

ANTHONY: I was attending to my own affairs.

HATTIE: They was all excited. Mr Edgeworth-he went away. He was gone all night, I guess. I saw him coming back just as the milkman woke me up. Now he's packing his things. He wanted to get to Mrs Archer too-just a little while ago. But she won't open her door for none of them. I can't even get in to do her room.

ANTHONY: Then do some other room-and leave me alone in this room.

HATTIE: (a little afraid of what she is asking) Is she sick, Anthony-or what? (vindicating herself, as he gives her a look) The doctor, he stayed here late. But she'd locked herself in. I heard Mr Archer-

ANTHONY: You heard too much! (he starts for the door, to make her leave, but d.i.c.k rushes in. Looks around wildly, goes to the trap-door, finds it locked)

ANTHONY: What are you doing here?

d.i.c.k: Trying not to be shot-if you must know. This is the only place I can think of-till he comes to his senses and I can get away. Open that, will you? Rather-ignominious-but better be absurd than be dead.

HATTIE: Has he got the revolver?

d.i.c.k: Gone for it. Thought I wouldn't sit there till he got back, (to ANTHONY) Look here-don't you get the idea? Get me some place where he can't come.

ANTHONY: It is not what this place is for.

d.i.c.k: Any place is for saving a man's life.

HATTIE: Sure, Anthony. Mrs Archer wouldn't want Mr Demming shot.

d.i.c.k: That's right, Anthony. Miss Claire will be angry at you if you get me shot. (he makes for the door of the inner room)

ANTHONY: You can't go in there. It's locked. (HARRY rushes in from outside.)

HARRY: I thought so! (he has the revolver. HATTIE screams)

ANTHONY: Now, Mr Archer, if you'll just stop and think, you'll know Miss Claire wouldn't want Mr Demming shot.

HARRY: You think that can stop me? You think you can stop me? (raising the revolver) A dog that-

ANTHONY: (keeping squarely between HARRY and d.i.c.k) Well, you can't shoot him in here. It is not good for the plants. (HARRY is arrested by this reason) And especially not today. Why, Mr Archer, Breath of Life may flower today. It's years Miss Claire's been working for this day.

HARRY: I never thought to see this day!

ANTHONY: No, did you? Oh, it will be a wonderful day. And how she has worked for it. She has an eye that sees what isn't right in what looks right. Many's the time I've thought-Here the form is set-and then she'd say, 'We'll try this one', and it had-what I hadn't known was there. She's like that.

HARRY: I've always been pleased, Anthony, at the way you've worked with Miss Claire. This is hardly the time to stand there eulogizing her. And she's (can hardly say it) things you don't know she is.

ANTHONY: (proudly) Oh, I know that! You think I could work with her and not know she's more than I know she is?

HARRY: Well, if you love her you've got to let me shoot the dirty dog that drags her down!

ANTHONY: Not in here. Not today. More than like you'd break the gla.s.s. And Breath of Life's in there.

HARRY: Anthony, this is pretty clever of you-but-

ANTHONY: I'm not clever. But I know how easy it is to turn life back. No, I'm not clever at all (CLAIRE has appeared and is looking in from outside), but I do know-there are things you mustn't hurt, (he sees her) Yes, here's Miss Claire.

(She comes in. She is looking immaculate.)

CLAIRE: From the gutter I rise again, refreshed. One does, you know. Nothing is fixed-not even the gutter, (smilingly to HARRY and refusing to notice revolver or agitation) How did you like the way I entertained the nerve specialist?

HARRY: Claire! You can joke about it?

CLAIRE: (taking the revolver from the hand she has shocked to limpness) Whom are you trying to make hear?

HARRY: I'm trying to make the world hear that (pointing) there stands a dirty dog who-

CLAIRE: Listen, Harry, (turning to HATTIE, who is over by the tall plants at right, not wanting to be shot but not wanting to miss the conversation) You can do my room now, Hattie. (HATTIE goes) If you're thinking of shooting d.i.c.k, you can't shoot him while he's backed up against that door.

ANTHONY: Just what I told them, Miss Claire. Just what I told them.

CLAIRE: And for that matter, it's quite dull of you to have any idea of shooting him.

HARRY: I may be dull-I know you think I am-but I'll show you that I've enough of the man in me to-

CLAIRE: To make yourself ridiculous? If I ran out and hid my head in the mud, would you think you had to shoot the mud?

d.i.c.k: (stung out of fear) That's pretty cruel!

CLAIRE: Well, would you rather be shot?

HARRY: So you just said it to protect him!

CLAIRE: I change it to gra.s.s, (nodding to d.i.c.k) Gra.s.s. If I hid my face in the gra.s.s, would you have to burn the gra.s.s?

HARRY: Oh, Claire, how can you? When you know how I love you-and how I'm suffering?

CLAIRE: (with interest) Are you suffering?

HARRY: Haven't you eyes?

CLAIRE: I should think it would-do something to you.

HARRY: G.o.d! Have you no heart? (the door opens. TOM comes in)

CLAIRE: (scarcely saying it) Yes, I have a heart.

TOM: (after a pause) I came to say good-bye.

CLAIRE: G.o.d! Have you no heart? Can't you at least wait till d.i.c.k is shot?

TOM: Claire! (now sees the revolver in her hand that is turned from him. Going to her) Claire!