BUILDER'S study. At the table, MAUD has just put a sheet of paper
into a typewriter. She sits facing the audience, with her hands
stretched over the keys.
Her face assumes a furtive, listening look. Then she gets up,
whisks to the mirror over the fireplace, scrutinises the expression
in it, and going back to the table, sits down again with hands
outstretched above the keys, and an accentuation of the expression.
The door up Left is opened, and TOPPING appears. He looks at MAUD,
who just turns her eyes.
TOPPING
Lunch has been ready some time, Miss Maud.
TOPPING
Miss Athene was out. I gave the message to a young party. She
looked a bit green, Miss. I hope nothing'll go wrong with the works.
Shall I keep lunch back?
MAUD
If something's gone wrong, they won't have any appetite, Topping.
TOPPING
If you think I might risk it, Miss, I'd like to slip round to
my dentist. [He lays a finger on his cheek].
MAUD [Smiling] Oh! What race is being run this afternoon, then,
Topping?
TOPPING [Twinkling, and shifting his finger to the side of his nose]
Well, I don't suppose you've 'eard of it, Miss; but as a matter of fact
it's the Cesarwitch.
MAUD
I say, Topping, do you know anything about the film?
TOPPING [Nodding] Rather a specialty of mine, Miss.
MAUD
Well, just stand there, and give me your opinion of this.
TOPPING moves down Left. She crouches over the typewriter, lets her
hands play on the keys; stops; assumes that listening, furtive look;
listens again, and lets her head go slowly round, preceded by her
eyes; breaks it off, and says:
MAUD
Should I naturally put my hand on them; or would there be a
reaction quick enough to stop me? You see, I'm alone--and the point is
whether the fear of being seen would stop me although I knew I couldn't
be seen. It's rather subtle.
MAUD
So do I. To touch them [She clasps her chest] is a bit obvious,
isn't it?
TOPPING
If the haudience knows you've got 'em there.
MAUD
Oh! yes, it's seen me put them. Look here, I'll show you that
too.
She opens an imaginary drawer, takes out some bits of sealing-wax,
and with every circumstance of stealth in face and hands, conceals
them in her bosom.
MAUD
But that's just the point. Shouldn't I naturally think: Safer in
my bag; then I can pretend somebody put them there. You see, nobody
could put them on me.
TOPPING
Well, I should say that depends on your character. Of course I
don't know what your character is.
MAUD
No; that's the beastly part of it--the author doesn't, either.
It's all left to me.
TOPPING
In that case, I should please myself, Miss. To put 'em in
'ere's warmer.
TOPPING
Well, in my belief, we all have a vice about us somewhere. But
if I were you, Miss, I wouldn't touch bettin', not with this other on
you. You might get to feel a bit crowded.
MAUD
Well, then, only put the ten bob on if you're sure he's going to
win. You can post the money on after me. I'll send you an address,
Topping, because I shan't be here.
TOPPING [Disturbed] What! You're not going, too, Miss Maud?
TOPPING
Oh! Hang it all, Miss, think of what you'll leave behind.
Miss Athene's leavin' home has made it pretty steep, but this'll touch
bottom--this will.
MAUD
Yes; I expect you'll find it rather difficult for a bit when I'm
gone. Miss Baldini, you know. I've been studying with her. She's got
me this chance with the movie people. I'm going on trial as the guilty
typist in "The Heartache of Miranda."
TOPPING [Surprised out of politeness] Well, I never! That does sound
like 'em! Are you goin' to tell the guv'nor, Miss?
MAUD nods. In that case, I think I'll be gettin' off to my dentist
before the band plays.
MAUD
All right, Topping; hope you won't lose a tooth.
TOPPING [With a grin] It's on the knees of the gods, Miss, as they say
in the headlines.
As she turns he looks swiftly at her, sweeping her up and down. She
turns her head and catches his glance, which is swiftly dropped.
Will Monsieur not 'ave anything to eat?
BUILDER [Shaking his head-abruptly] No. Bring the coffee!
CAMILLE [Sweetening her eyes] A cutlet soubise? No?
BUILDER [With a faint response in his eyes, instantly subdued] Nothing!
nothing!
CAMILLE
And Madame nothing too--Tt! Tt! With her hand on the door she
looks back, again catches his eyes in an engagement instantly broken off,
and goes out.
BUILDER [Stock-still, and staring at the door] That girl's a continual
irritation to me! She's dangerous! What a life! I believe that girl--
BUILDER
There's some coffee coming; do your head good. Look here,
Julia. I'm sorry I beat on that door. I apologize. I was in a towering
passion. I wish I didn't get into these rages. But--dash it all--! I
couldn't walk away and leave you there.
BUILDER
When you think of how she's been brought up. You would have
thought that religion alone--
MRS BUILDER
The girls haven't wanted to go to church for years.
They've always said they didn't see why they should go to keep up your
position. I don't know if you remember that you once caned them for
running off on a Sunday morning.
BUILDER
You know I didn't mean that. I might just as well have said
I'd done with you! Apply your wits, Julia! At any moment this thing may
come out. In a little town like this you can keep nothing dark. How can
I take this nomination for Mayor?
BUILDER
Topping's got toothache, poor chap! [Pouring out the coffee]
Can't you suggest any way of making Athene see reason? Think of the
example! Maud will be kicking over next. I shan't be able to hold my
head up here.
MRS BUILDER
We have lived together twenty-three years, John. No talk
will change such things.
BUILDER
Is it a question of money? You can always have more. You know
that. [MRS BUILDER smiles] Oh! don't smile like that; it makes me feel
quite sick!
CAMILLE enters with a decanter and little glasses, from the dining-
room.
CAMILLE
The brandy, sir. Monsieur Ralph Builder has just come.
She goes through the doorway into the hall. MRS BUILDER, following
towards the door, meets RALPH BUILDER, a man rather older than
BUILDER and of opposite build and manner. He has a pleasant,
whimsical face and grizzled hair.
RALPH
Exactly. And she does it. I don't and she doesn't.
BUILDER [With a short laugh] Good Lord! I suppose you'd have me eat
humble pie and tell Athene she can go on living in sin and offending
society, and have my blessing to round it off.
RALPH
I think if you did she'd probably marry him.
BUILDER
You've never tested your theory, I'll bet.
She comes forward, holds out a cup for BUILDER to pour into, takes
it and goes out. BUILDER'S glass remains suspended. He drinks the
brandy off as she shuts the door.
MAUD
No one. I've been meaning to, ever so long. I'm twenty-one, you
know.
BUILDER
A film face! Good God! Now, look here! I will not have a
daughter of mine mixed up with the stage. I've spent goodness knows what
on your education--both of you.
MAUD
I don't want to be ungrateful; but I--I can't go on living at
home.
BUILDER
You can't--! Why? You've every indulgence.
MAUD [Clearly and coldly] I can remember occasions when your
indulgence hurt, father. [She wriggles her shoulders and back] We never
forgot or forgave that.
BUILDER
Don't twist my tail, Maud. I had the most painful scene with
Athene this morning. Now come! Give up this silly notion! It's really
too childish!
MAUD [Looking at him curiously] I've heard you say ever so many times
that no man was any good who couldn't make his own way, father. Well,
women are the same as men, now. It's the law of the country. I only
want to make my own way.
BUILDER [Trying to subdue his anger] Now, Maud, don't be foolish.
Consider my position here--a Town Councillor, a Magistrate, and Mayor
next year. With one daughter living with a man she isn't married to--
MAUD [With lively interest] Oh! So you did catch them out?
MAUD
There's only one thing wrong with Christians--they aren't!
BUILDER seizes her by the shoulders and shakes her vigorously. When he
drops her shoulders, she gets up, gives him a vicious look, and suddenly
stamps her foot on his toe with all her might.
MAUD
I certainly never wanted to be. I've always disliked you, father,
ever since I was so high. I've seen through you. Do you remember when
you used to come into the nursery because Jenny was pretty? You think we
didn't notice that, but we did. And in the schoolroom--Miss Tipton. And
d'you remember knocking our heads together? No, you don't; but we do.
And--
BUILDER
You disrespectful monkey! Will you be quiet?
MAUD
No; you've got to hear things. You don't really love anybody but
yourself, father. What's good for you has to be good for everybody.
I've often heard you talk about independence, but it's a limited company
and you've got all the shares.
BUILDER
Rot; only people who can support themselves have a right to
independence.
MAUD
That's why you don't want me to support myself.
BUILDER
You can't! Film, indeed! You'd be in the gutter in a year.
Athene's got her pittance, but you--you've got nothing.
BUILDER [Almost pathetically] Well, I'm damned! Look here, Maud--
all this has been temper. You got my monkey up. I'm sorry I shook you;
you've had your revenge on my toes. Now, come! Don't make things worse
for me than they are. You've all the liberty you can reasonably want
till you marry.
She pours it out, and he drinks it, hands her the glass and sits
down suddenly in an armchair. CAMILLE puts the glass on a tray, and
looks for a box of matches from the mantelshelf.
She suddenly kisses him, and he returns the kiss. While they are
engaged in this entrancing occupation, MRS BUILDER opens the door
from the hall, watches unseen for a few seconds, and quietly goes
out again.
BUILDER [Pushing her back from him, whether at the sound of the door or
of a still small voice] What am I doing?
BUILDER
The girl fell on my knees. Julia, she did. She's--she's a
little devil. I--I resisted her. I give you my word there's been
nothing beyond a kiss, under great provocation. I--I apologise.
MRS BUILDER [Bows her head] Thank you! I quite understand. But you
must forgive my feeling it impossible to remain a wet blanket any longer.
BUILDER
What! Because of a little thing like that--all over in two
minutes, and I doing my utmost.
MRS BUILDER
My dear John, the fact that you had to do your utmost is
quite enough. I feel continually humiliated in your house, and I want to
leave it--quite quietly, without fuss of any kind.
BUILDER
But--my God! Julia, this is awful--it's absurd! How can you?
I'm your husband. Really--your saying you don't mind what I do--it's not
right; it's immoral!
MRS BUILDER
I'm afraid you don't see what goes on in those who live
with you. So, I'll just go. Don't bother!
BUILDER
Now, look here, Julia, you can't mean this seriously. You
can't! Think of my position! You've never set yourself up against me
before.
BUILDER [After staring at her] I've given you no real reason. I'll
send the girl away. You ought to thank me for resisting a temptation
that most men would have yielded to. After twenty-three years of married
life, to kick up like this--you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
BUILDER [Almost pathetically] Don't rile me Julia! I've had an awful
day. First Athene--then Maud--then that girl--and now you! All at once
like this! Like a swarm of bees about one's head. [Pleading] Come,
now, Julia, don't be so--so im practicable! You'll make us the laughing-
stock of the whole town. A man in my position, and can't keep his own
family; it's preposterous!
MRS BUILDER
Your own family have lives and thoughts and feelings of
their own.
BUILDER
Oh! This damned Woman's business! I knew how it would be when
we gave you the vote. You and I are married, and our daughters are our
daughters. Come, Julia. Where's your commonsense? After twenty-three
years! You know I can't do without you!
MRS BUILDER
You could--quite easily. You can tell people what you
like.
BUILDER
My God! I never heard anything so immoral in all my life from
the mother of two grownup girls. No wonder they've turned out as they
have! What is it you want, for goodness sake?
MRS BUILDER
We just want to be away from you, that's all. I assure you
it's best. When you've shown some consideration for our feelings and
some real sign that we exist apart from you--we could be friends again--
perhaps--I don't know.
BUILDER
Friends! Good heavens! With one's own wife and daughters!
[With great earnestness] Now, look here, Julia, you haven't lived with
me all this time without knowing that I'm a man of strong passions; I've
been a faithful husband to you--yes, I have. And that means resisting
all sorts of temptations you know nothing of. If you withdraw from my
society I won't answer for the consequences. In fact, I can't have you
withdrawing. I'm not going to see myself going to the devil and losing
the good opinion of everybody round me. A bargain's a bargain. And
until I've broken my side of it, and I tell you I haven't--you've no
business to break yours. That's flat. So now, put all that out of your
head.
BUILDER
And how do you propose to live? I shan't give you a penny.
Come, Julia, don't be such an idiot! Fancy letting a kiss which no man
could have helped, upset you like this!
