One Day More Part 7

For heaven's sake don't.

Capt. H. Send him away this minute, or I will tell Harry. They know nothing of Harry in this crazy town. Harry's coming home to-morrow. Do you hear? One day more!

(_Silence_.)

Harry (_Mutters_). Well!--he _is_ a character.

Capt. H. (_Chuckles softly_). Never you fear! The boy shall marry you. (_Sudden anger_.) He'll have to. I'll make him. Or, if not--(_Furious_)--I'll cut him off with a s.h.i.+lling, and leave everything to you. Jackanapes! Let him starve!

(_Window rumbles down_.)

Harry (_Slowly_). So it's you--the girl. It's you! Now I begin to see.... By heavens, you have a heart as soft as your woman's voice.

Bessie (_Half averted, face in hands_). You see! Don't come near me.

Harry (_Makes a step towards her_). I must have another look at your pale face.

Bessie (_Turns unexpectedly and pushes him with both hands; Harry staggers back and stands still; Bessie, fiercely_). Go away.

Harry (_Watching her_). Directly. But women always had to get me out of my sc.r.a.pes. I am a beggar now, and you must help me out of my sc.r.a.pe.

Bessie (_Who at the word "beggar" had begun fumbling in the pocket of her dress, speaks wildly_). Here it is. Take it. Don't look at me. Don't speak to me!

Harry (_Swaggers up under the lamp; looks at coin in his palm_).

Half-a-quid. . .. My fare!

Bessie (_Hands clenched_). Why are you still here?

Harry. Well, you _are_ a fine figure of a girl. My word. I've a good mind to stop--for a week.

Bessie (_Pain and shame_). Oh!.... What are you waiting for? If I had more money I would give it all, all. I would give everything I have to make you go--to make you forget you had ever heard my voice and seen my face. (_Covers face with hands_.)

Harry (_Sombre, watches her_). No fear! I haven't forgotten a single one of you in the world. Some've given me more than money. No matter. You can't buy me in--and you can't buy yourself out. . .

(_Strides towards her. Seizes her arms. Short struggle. Bessie gives way.

Hair falls loose. H. kisses her forehead, cheeks, lips, then releases her. Bessie staggers against railings_.)

(Exit Harry; measured walk without haste)

Bessie (_Staring eyes, hair loose, back against railings; calls out_).

Harry! (_Gathers up her skirts and runs a little way_) Come back, Harry.

(_Staggers forward against lamp-post_) Harry! (_Much lower_) Harry! (_In a whisper_) Take me with you. (_Begins to laugh, at first faintly, then louder._)

(_Window rumbles up, and Capt. H.'s chuckle mingles with Bessie's laughter, which abruptly stops_.)

Capt. H. (_Goes on chuckling; speaks cautiously_). Is he gone yet, that information fellow? Do you see him anywhere, my dear?

Bessie (_Low and stammering_). N-no, no! (_Totters away from lamp-post_) I don't see him.

Capt. H. (_Anxious_). A grinning vagabond, my dear. Good girl. It's you who drove him away. Good girl.

(_Stage gradually darkens_)

Bessie. Go in; be quiet! You have done harm enough.

Capt. H. (_Alarmed_). Why. Do you hear him yet, my dear?

Bessie (_Sobs, drooping against the railings_). No! No! I don't. I don't hear him any more.

Capt. H. (_Triumphant_). Now we shall be all right, my dear, till our Harry comes home to-morrow. (_Affected gurgling laugh_.)

Bessie (_Distracted_). Be quiet. Shut yourself in. You will make me mad.

(_Losing control of herself, repeats with rising infection_) You make me mad.

(_With despair_) There is no to-morrow! (_Sinks to ground near middle railings. Low sobs_)

(_Stage darkens perceptibly_.)

Capt. H. (_Above, in a voice suddenly dismayed and shrill_).

What! What do you say, my dear? No to-morrow? (_Broken, very feebly_.) No--to-morrow?

(_Window runs down_)

Carvil (_Heard within, m.u.f.fled bellowing_). Bessie--Bessie--Bessie-- Bessie------ (_At the first call Bessie springs up and begins to stumble blindly towards the door. A faint fash of lightnings followed by a very low rumble of thunder_) You!--Bessie!

CURTAIN

HERE ENDS ONE DAY MORE A PLAY

in One Act by Joseph Conrad the Typography and

Binding arranged by Cyril William Beaumont

Printed on his Press in London and Published

by him at 75 Charing Cross Road in the

City of Westminster Completed

on the last day of January

MDCCCCXIX

The cover has been designed by Michel Sevier