Five Little Plays Part 20

MISS FARREN. No--I'm sure of that. And I'd hardly got to my room when I heard the car come back.

MRS. WESTERN. Well, thank you, Miss Farren.

MISS FARREN. It's very annoying. You're sure it's not in the car?

JUDGE. My dear Miss Farren, it's not in the car, it's not anywhere, and I'm beginning to believe it never was at all. Come, Alice, let's go. We shan't see much of the play, but we can at least help the British drama by buying two programmes.

MISS FARREN. [_With a light laugh--then turning to_ MRS. WESTERN _again._]

Do you want me any more, Mrs. Western?

MRS. WESTERN. No, thanks. [MISS FARREN _turns to go_--MRS. WESTERN, _who has suddenly cast an eager glance at her, as though attracted by something, calls her back._] Oh, Miss Farren!

MISS FARREN. [_Turning._] Yes?

MRS. WESTERN. I wonder whether you'd be so good as to s.h.i.+ft this aigrette of mine--it's hurting me.

MISS FARREN. Certainly.

[_She comes back to_ MRS. WESTERN, _and stands by her side; as she raises her arm_ MRS. WESTERN _jumps up and seizes it by the wrist._

MRS. WESTERN. My bracelet!

[_Keeping a tight hold of_ MISS FARREN'S _wrist, she holds it at arm's length. There is a general cry of amazement--the_ JUDGE _and his wife start to their feet_--HARVEY _rushes eagerly towards her._

JUDGE. Alice!

MRS. BANKET. Oh!

HARVEY. No, no--

[_These three exclamations are simultaneous._

MRS. WESTERN. There it is! She took it!

JUDGE. Are you sure?

HARVEY. [_Breathless and urgent._] Alice--

MISS FARREN. [_Recovering from her shock and bewilderment._] Mrs. Western, it isn't--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Sternly, still holding the girl by the wrist._] You dare to pretend--

HARVEY. [_Who is now at the back of his wife's chair, looking closely at the bracelet._] Let me look, let me look.... I say, Alice, you're wrong.

It's not yours at all. The setting's different.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Angrily._] What do you mean, different? You think I don't know my own bracelet? Are you mad? I say it's mine--and it is!

JUDGE. [_Stepping forward._] Alice, be careful--

MRS. WESTERN. Careful! You're as bad as he! Of course the thing's mine--I've been wearing it for weeks--and you think I can make a mistake?

She found it, and took it.

MISS FARREN. [_Very distressed._] No, no, Mrs. Western, really! It isn't yours! I a.s.sure you!

HARVEY. Alice, I declare to you--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Roughly._] Be quiet and go away. This is no business of yours.

HARVEY. [_Eagerly._] But it is! It was I who bought the wretched thing--well, I am prepared to swear that this isn't the one!

MRS. WESTERN. [_A little shaken, looking at it again._] You're prepared to.... [_She lifts her head._] How can you talk such utter nonsense? There is not the least doubt--not the least!

JUDGE. [_Stopping_ HARVEY, _who is about to protest violently._] Alice, mind what you're saying. You'll get yourself into trouble. If Harvey says--

MRS. BANKET. [_Contemptuously._] He's saying it to s.h.i.+eld her, that's all.

HARVEY. [_Indignantly._] I'm not. It's not true. But you mustn't bring such an accusation. It's monstrous. And I won't allow--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Drawing herself up._] You--won't--allow! The girl takes my bracelet--and you won't allow!

Miss FARREN. [_Trying to free herself._] Mrs. Western, I haven't, I haven't!

JUDGE. [_Impressively._] Alice, will you listen to me?

MRS. WESTERN. No, I won't! This doesn't concern you, or any one, but me and this girl! Look at her--she knows!

MISS FARREN. Mrs. Western, you're hurting my arm....

MRS. WESTERN. Come now--confess! I won't be hard on you if you confess--

[_She wrenches off the bracelet, and releases the girl, who staggers back, nursing her wrist._

HARVEY. [_Almost beside himself, stamping his foot._] Alice, Alice, will you hear--

MISS FARREN. Oh, you _have_ hurt me! And you've no right--to say such things....

HARVEY. No, you haven't, you haven't!

MRS. WESTERN. Besides, a bracelet like that! [_She holds it up. To_ MISS FARREN.] You won't confess? Very well, then. I'll send for a policeman.

HARVEY. [_Doggedly._] The bracelet is hers.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Jeeringly._] Turquoise and emeralds! Hers! A coincidence, perhaps. Very likely. I'll give her in charge at once.

HARVEY. The bracelet is hers, I tell you.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Turning furiously on him._] You dare to say that?