Part 2

I just glance through them. They are reports of foreign hospitals, and I want to see if there is anything on my subjects.

ADENE.

[_Handling one of the volumes._] No index?

VERA.

No such concession to weak human nature! Hardly any headings and no capital letters. It is only mechanical work, looking through them. I do it at night when I am tired.

ADENE.

What is your subject? [_Picking up several volumes._] I'll do these for you.

VERA.

You, Mr. Adene! Your time is ever so much too valuable!

ADENE.

I'm having holidays now, and this is just what I like. What is your subject?

VERA.

No, I can't let you know!

ADENE.

If you don't tell me, I shall make a table of contents all through.

VERA.

I never knew anything so kind. It will take days! [_Rises._

ADENE.

I've spent many happy weeks making indexes. What did you say the subject was?

VERA.

The relation of the brain and the optic nerve, but any brain thing may come in.

ADENE.

Diseases of the brain--very good. I'll have them all marked for you.

VERA.

Many, many thanks. [_He drops a book._] But you need not destroy the ophthalmoscope.

ADENE.

What is it?

VERA.

My favourite toy!

ADENE.

How do you play with it?

VERA.

I examine everybody's eyes. I've tried all the eyes in the house, nearly all in the village, and any others that would submit to be made victims of.

ADENE.

[_Rises._] Here are two, if you will condescend to them.

VERA.

[_Goes up to window to ring bell._] Not now, though I should like to look at you. You have read so much you ought to have something or other the matter with you. [_Laughing._] The village children are all as normal as ninepins. Now you must go and write.

ADENE.

[_Sitting in the chair by the curtain._] I must be paid beforehand for all these catalogues. Now!

VERA.

No, you're frivolous! Well, you've taken the right chair. I can't ever resist.

[_She arranges the curtain, &c., while he talks._

ADENE.

I begin to repent: it is so like a dentist's. Is it going to hurt? You must tell me when to grip the arms of the chair and keep myself violently still. Now what am I to do?

VERA.

Look at my finger and don't talk. [_Examines eyes. With sudden change of expression and voice._] Now down!

[ADENE _gets up as she puts the instrument down_.

ADENE.

Not the other too? I can bear it. Or wasn't I quiet enough? You seem disappointed in me.

[_Rises._

VERA.

[_With forced gaiety._] No, no! There's nothing at all to see. You're perfectly normal, ridiculously normal: not worth looking at!

ADENE.

[_Coming down to the table for books._] As bad as the children--and the ninepins?

_Enter_ SERVANT.

VERA.

Will you show Mr. Adene his room? [_Suddenly showing anxiety, and then repressing it._] Oh, you mustn't take those books! Yes, keep them if you like.

ADENE.

[_Taking the books over and laughing._] Would it be any improvement if I cultivated a squint?

[_Exeunt_ ADENE _and_ SERVANT R.

[VERA _stands for a moment by the table, then covers her face with her hands_.

VERA.

His eyes were like a child's eyes, and then that frightful thing! Heaven help me! What am I to do?

END OF THE FIRST ACT

THE SECOND ACT

_The lawn of_ CARLYON'S _house. Wall of house at left and back; steps in left back corner. A French window in the wall to the left. In front right centre garden-seat with bushes behind, concealing seat from main steps in the corner; to the right a garden with trees. Time. After lunch._

_Enter down the big steps_ CARLYON, ADENE _and_ RHEINHARDT.

CARLYON.

Yes, it would be a grand undertaking. But upon my word your recklessness is infectious. I give notice, "All recent remarks are against my better judgment."

ADENE.

I'm so grateful for your encouragement, I don't mind what has brought it about.

CARLYON.

I don't encourage you. The best I hope for is that they will only cut off your ears. Bear witness, Dr. Rheinhardt, have I encouraged him?

ADENE.

Yes, hasn't he?

RHEINHARDT.

I comprehend this way his position. Primo, you cannot get into Bhojâl; secundo, you can never come again out; tertio, there is nothing to be learned there; conclusion, you had better try it!

CARLYON.

I admit the premises.

ADENE.

And I claim the conclusion! Were you going down the garden?

CARLYON.

I must just get my hat.

ADENE.

Let me fetch it for you.

CARLYON.

Nonsense, I am not reduced to that.

[_Exit_ CARLYON _up big steps_ L.

RHEINHARDT.

Gott im Himmel! why do you offer to fetch that man's hat?

ADENE.

Fetch his hat? Oh, I'd do more than that for him! I think him a really great man, you know.

RHEINHARDT.

There it comes. Gott im Himmel, there it comes. Your great men! Sit down and do not excite yourself. You are much too excitable.

ADENE.

[_Sitting down._] Don't you feel something in his manner yourself? He is so strong, and seems so confident that he is right in all he does; that his word----

RHEINHARDT.

Do I feel something in his manner? Yes, I feel great solid block rudeness in his manner. He is confident he is right? Yes, when he is very likely wrong!

ADENE.

But seriously, don't you feel that he is a big man, and a man who can do whatever he means to do, however difficult?

RHEINHARDT.

Bah! and however bad. I do not like your great men; I am not a world conqueror. I am just like other people, and I expect other people to be just like me. I do not overcrush my fellow creatures. A fool contradicts me, and I submit to the argumentation of that fool! [ADENE _tries to speak, but_ RHEINHARDT _checks him with a gesture_.] A cow charges upon me, and I run myself away from that cow; I do not say, "I, Rheinhardt, am Almighty!" You say this Sir Carlyon is a great man; you will say Steinmetz is a great man----

ADENE.

No, I won't, I'll believe anything you like to tell me about Steinmetz.

RHEINHARDT.

You contradict me flatly when I speak! I tell you Steinmetz is an arrogant man, a rash man, an ingenious man, a clumsy man. You show me what you call his road-making experimentations! I tell you that I behold so many miserable assassinates! If he is a great man, I am a great man myself!

_Re-enter_ CARLYON _with_ VERA, _her arm round his waist_, L.

ADENE.

I am sure you are.

RHEINHARDT.

Sir, you insult me!

CARLYON.

Here I am! Will you come too, Rheinhardt?

RHEINHARDT.

No, I will not! I will talk to my pupil. Go!

[_Exeunt_ CARLYON _and_ ADENE _down garden right_. ELIZABETH _appears on the steps, looking after_ CARLYON, _then withdraws again_.

RHEINHARDT.

So you see I have come. I started so soon as I got your letter.

VERA.

I am very, very grateful to you. I do so hope I may be wrong.

RHEINHARDT.

He does not show much sign of it.

VERA.

He has such self-command.

RHEINHARDT.

Not at all! He is irritable and contradicts me much.

VERA.

I had not noticed him irritable. He is sometimes depressed.

RHEINHARDT.

I tell you he is irritable. You must be careful not to excite him, not to contradict him; bah, let little things pass! [_With a sweep of the hand._

VERA.

Then you think from what I have told you that it really is so?

RHEINHARDT.

How can I say? The evidences are much too small. Have you examined him again?

VERA.

I managed it again yesterday. I think it's even clearer; of course I can't be sure.

RHEINHARDT.

You have watched him in daily life? Yes?

VERA.

Of course. I have a good many notes for you to see.

RHEINHARDT.

He does not suspect anything?

VERA.

Nothing. He says he is overworked; but you would never know from himself that he was at all ill.

RHEINHARDT.

That is right, of course he must not be told.

VERA.

It has no effect on a glioma, has it? For the patient to know?

RHEINHARDT.

What do _you_ know about gliomas? What do you know about any tumour on the brain at all?

VERA.

I only asked.

RHEINHARDT.

Of course he must not know!---- You say his knowledge does not make the glioma worse. No, but it makes the effects worse! It strikes the man down; it is a moral paralysis, when he knows he has a mortal disease. You say it does not bring death nearer? What do you call it if a man has no spirit left in him, no courage, no interest in life? You say it is not important----

VERA.

Please, I never said so.

RHEINHARDT.

You contradict me flatly when I speak! I tell you it robs a man of all that is living in him. It makes him at once half dead.

VERA.

Would even a very strong-minded man?----

RHEINHARDT.

Hut! You have been reading Steinmetz. Is a strong-minded man immortal? Will a strong-minded man stand up when I knock him with a sledging-hammer down? There is no such person as Steinmetz's strong-minded man. Take me in. [_Going to the door._] Show me your notes! Most likely you were wrong from the beginning.

[_During this speech re-enter_ CARLYON _and_ ADENE _from back_. VERA _and_ RHEINHARDT _are by the steps_ L.

ADENE.

[_To_ CARLYON.] Well, I shall be in the library, and am ready whenever you are.

[_Goes off by the steps at the back._

CARLYON.

What, doctor, is she upholding your vanquished opponents? Be severe with her. She would be merciless to us for half such a crime!

VERA.

I'll be back in a moment, father.

[_Exeunt_ VERA _and_, RHEINHARDT, RHEINHARDT _making impatient gestures without answering_. VERA _kisses her hand to_ CARLYON. CARLYON _sits down_ R., _but gets up again as_ ELIZABETH _comes in from the French window_ L.

CARLYON.

Well, out with it! [ELIZABETH _looks surprised._] You've been following me about for two days now, so I suppose there's some mystery coming.

ELIZABETH.

You sometimes speak as if I were no help to you at all!

CARLYON.

Do I? Well, I think I know what you are going to say this time.

ELIZABETH.

What?

CARLYON.

First that I was reckless the other day to talk as I did, and quote that tiger song.

ELIZABETH.

Yes.

CARLYON.

Well, I wasn't. I knew what I was doing.

ELIZABETH.

That was not the chief thing.

CARLYON.

Next, that Adene, of all men in the world, must not be sent researching in Bhojâl.

ELIZABETH.

Yes.

CARLYON.

And, thirdly, that there is a way of stopping him.

ELIZABETH.

You mean that he cares for Vera? [CARLYON _nods_.] That is just it! Do not put too much on her. She is more than half in love with him, too.

CARLYON.

[_Rather irritably._] Oh, that's nonsense.

ELIZABETH.

Haven't you seen how she is always watching him? Her face clouds at once if you speak of him suddenly; she has grown quite pensive.

CARLYON.

Why, she'd sooner buckle my shoes than have him at her feet!

ELIZABETH.

Oh, of course. I didn't mean as much as that. But I do wish you would find some safer way.

CARLYON.

[_Ironically._] Explain matters to the present Rajpoor Government, eh? H'm, well, now it's off your mind, Elizabeth. You must feel better?

ELIZABETH.

You _will_ be careful about her?

CARLYON.

I will tell her as much as ever she can bear! However, you have been of some use this time.

[_Rises; nods kindly to her. Enter_ VERA _by the steps_; ELIZABETH _moves off towards the French window_.

VERA.

Where are you going, Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH.

Just to look at my birds. [_Exit_ ELIZABETH.

CARLYON.

Vera, I am going to confide in you. Will you help me?

VERA.

Oh, father, if you will only let me try! I have longed for you to try me; but you never seemed to have any difficulties.

CARLYON.

As a soldier, you know! Absolute obedience!

VERA.

How could I ever disobey you?

CARLYON.

It is not really that. Only I have never felt sure that you were strong enough. You have grown up in such seclusion, such entire ignorance of the world.

VERA.

I have done men's work at the University.

CARLYON.

Students' work! A student is as ignorant as a woman. I doubt still if the rude facts of life will not be too great a shock for you to face.

VERA.

Not with you, father.

CARLYON.

You know, Vera, a man's conscience and a woman's conscience are different things. A man has greater difficulties to face, and must risk doing greater wrongs, just as he is called upon to make greater sacrifices for his duty--things that a woman knows nothing of.

[_Takes_ VERA _to the seat_ L., _and brings a chair near her_.

VERA.

Don't say a woman, say a child! I know this, and I am ready for the bigger life. It is the lesson you have always taught me.

CARLYON.

Have you learned it?

VERA.

I learned it when I learned to honour you. I always thought of you---- may I say what I thought?

CARLYON.

Go on?

VERA.

Just what I always felt about the sea. It is so deep, so great, so far beyond everything else, that though all the waste things of the world are cast upon it, it takes no stain from them, it is always pure and strong. I thought you were like that.

CARLYON.

You think in poetry, child. But I believe you know me. What I have to say is this: You must prevent young Adene from going to Bhojâl.

VERA.

But I was glad he was going! And I thought he had convinced you he would succeed.

CARLYON.

That is why he must not go. I have done things there which will never be forgotten in Bhojâl, and which must never be known in England.

VERA.

I don't understand. You can't have done anything bad?

CARLYON.

Nothing that causes me remorse. Nothing that I would not do again. But you know how these things are judged.

VERA.

I know the public might misunderstand; but Mr. Adene, he has travelled so much----

CARLYON.

Adene has the conscience of a child.

VERA.

[_As if involuntarily, with pain._] His eyes are just like a child's eyes.

CARLYON.

[_Rises, walks away, and then turns._] I will not have Adene in his study and the public in their arm chairs judging the desperate things I did when I was face to face with death!

VERA.

Yes, I can see that. But tell me what it was.

CARLYON.

You know how I stand. I have already more influence in India than any living man. And here--well, I am not free to speak of it yet; but if I accept what is offered me, my power here will be very great. If this is once known, good-bye to everything, here or there.

VERA.

It can be nothing that would bring you dishonour.

CARLYON.

Dishonour? Public infamy!

VERA.

I _know_ that what you did was not dishonourable.

CARLYON.

I will tell you the worst at once.

[_He places the chair nearer her._

VERA.

[_Forcing a smile._] I am not afraid.

CARLYON.

I believe you have enough knowledge of me, and enough courage, to see that what I did was right.

VERA.

Thank you for trusting me, father.

CARLYON.

It was when I was in Koreb's town, almost alone, just before the war. The place was full of his men; they came streaming in every day.

VERA.

It was in time of peace, was it?

CARLYON.

It was called peace, but we all knew what was coming. War would have been better. A frank declaration of war was the one thing wanted; but--[_watching her keenly_]--of course it was my duty to avoid war as long as possible.

VERA.

[_Simply._] Of course.

[CARLYON _seems about to speak angrily, but changes his mind_.

CARLYON.

I sent to Government for advice and Government advised--our waiting patiently to have our throats cut.

VERA.

[_Shuddering._] Poor father, what did you do?

CARLYON.

[_Darkly._] You remember the little hospital I had there?

VERA.

Yes.

CARLYON.

I utilised my infectious cases.

VERA.

[_After a moment's pause._] What do you mean?

CARLYON.

You know the natives have no idea about infection and that sort of thing.

VERA.

Of course. You used to have such trouble to get even the infected clothes burnt.

CARLYON.

Exactly, in ordinary times. Well, at this time I didn't take so much trouble, I took a little trouble the other way.

VERA.

But--What do you mean? What did you want?

CARLYON.

[_Harshly._] I wanted the tribes who were crowding round us to disperse. And I knew that cholera would disperse them.

VERA.

Do you mean that you deliberately----?

CARLYON.

Don't trouble about the details. My servant Selim did most of it. There was always a case or two of cholera in Bhojâl, and it's not hard to make such things spread if you want to.

VERA.

I don't understand. What did you do?

CARLYON.

I poisoned the well. It only took ten days and the tribes began to disperse. It was a regular panic. So we took our opportunity and cut our way back to Rajpoor. I only lost two men; and Selim for a third. [_Rising, with a sigh of relief._] Then the war broke out.

VERA.

[_Shuddering uneasily._] Of course you were right! But there was always cholera there. It may not have come from anything you did.

CARLYON.

I don't know about that. [_Grimly._] I think Selim understood his business.

VERA.

[_Shuddering again._] How horrible! But of course you were right. All the women and children, too?

CARLYON.

Naturally; I couldn't isolate the non-combatants. There weren't very many. I saved my own men. [_He pauses, takes a step or two_ L. _and breaks out_.] I deceived the Government, disobeyed the Government, and saved the whole of Rajpoor! I shut the war up in the Bhojâli country, conquered Bhojâl, annexed half of it, and drove the rebellious element beyond the frontier.

VERA.

[_Shuddering and cowed._] It was very horrible!

CARLYON.

Horrible! And what if Koreb had been let loose upon Rajpoor? If you had ever seen the sacked villages and the torture stakes----

VERA.

Oh I know, I know. I didn't mean anything _you_ did was horrible.

CARLYON.

[_With emotion._] If some chance, some supernatural stroke had done what I did, there would be no horror at the sacrifice, there would be nothing but hymns and thanksgivings. They all prayed to God that this might come to pass! Who dares to blame me because I did the thing they prayed for?

VERA.

[_Rising, after a moment's silence._] But how will _his_ going do any harm? Surely it is known already; the others knew it?

CARLYON.

No one but old Selim and I. [_With a curious smile._] And afterwards the chief--Koreb.

VERA.

Koreb? How did he know?

CARLYON.

There must have been a rumour among his people, but somehow he knew more.

VERA.

Didn't Koreb speak when he was taken prisoner?

CARLYON.

[_Looking at her._] Don't you remember what happened to him? He didn't know how to write.

VERA.

Oh, they cut his tongue out--his own people! I remember. [_She shudders._

CARLYON.

[_Pacing the room._] There are many nasty things to rake up in the past if we let Adene go. [VERA _silent_.] Can you stop him?

VERA.

I?

CARLYON.

You!

VERA.

I don't know. I don't see how I can. [_With horror._] Why, yes, I could! But it would be--Oh, no, it would be too wicked!

CARLYON.

[_Coming to her._] What is it? Wouldn't he stay if you asked him?

VERA.

No, not unless----

CARLYON.

Unless you promised to marry him! If that too much?

VERA.

Oh, no, no, no! That never entered my head. I could do that. I could do anything myself, but----

CARLYON.

Am I not first, after all?

VERA.

[_Not noticing what he says._] I tell you _I_ can do anything; but I cannot sacrifice _him_!

CARLYON.

If you care for him so much----

VERA.

[_Turning quickly._] I care nothing for him, nothing! Of course you are first. I will do anything in the world for you---- only this is so terrible! I can't tell him.

CARLYON.

Tell him! Of course you can't!

VERA.

Oh, not that! I did not mean that!

CARLYON.

Then what can't you tell him?

VERA.

I can't tell him that he's a dying man--that he has a mortal disease of the brain.

CARLYON.

[_After a moment of silence._] There was never any one who could really stand against me! How long do you give him? [_He sits down with an air of relief._

VERA.

It may be a long time. I can't say.

CARLYON.

I must have some idea; say what you think. Afterwards we can find some one who knows.

VERA.

I think probably he will be blind in a year, and paralysed in two years, and then----

CARLYON.

Blind in a year, paralysed in two!

VERA.

But I may be utterly wrong; I know so little and I have only had a few stolen opportunities of observing him.

CARLYON.

Have you told Rheinhardt?

VERA.

Yes, that is why I asked him here----

CARLYON.

[_Observing that she is hurt._] A dying man can be as dangerous as another. How can you stop him?

VERA.

By telling him.

CARLYON.

And he'll spend the rest of his life in getting doctored; yes. At any rate he isn't likely to go travelling in Bhojâl. I should think he was a brave man too.

VERA.

He won't be brave any more! Dr. Rheinhardt has told me all about it--it crushes a man, breaks his nerve, takes away all his spirit.

CARLYON.

[_Who has not been listening to her--pacing the room again._] Yes, that is evidently the plan. It is as simple as daylight. Poor fellow, he had the makings of a fine man.

VERA.

Oh, don't pity him. I can't do it if you pity him.

CARLYON.

You're not going to give him his disease!

VERA.

No, but to tell him----

CARLYON.

You'll have to tell your patients things.

VERA.

If there was any hope of curing him----

CARLYON.

So there is! There _must_ be--_some_ hope, unless you send him off to Bhojâl in ignorance. Then I agree there is none. [VERA _looks at him with suspicion_.] It happens to be dangerous to me, certainly, but that doesn't make it prudent for him.

VERA.

Father, don't try to make little of it. I will do what you ask; but I must do it by breaking his spirit. I shall tell him suddenly, brutally--so as to crush him once for all. Oh, how I shall loathe myself! [_After a pause._] Only the last few months of his life!

CARLYON.

[_Coming up to her._] There speaks my brave girl again! What could he do with that crippled life? And think of the long years that lie before me--and you with me.

[_He turns and walks a little way up the garden._

VERA.

If it were any one but you!

_Re-enter_ RHEINHARDT _down the steps; he sees_ VERA _but not_ CARLYON.

RHEINHARDT.

You were quite right, quite right! You have seen at a glance what it would take weeks and weeks--Of course it was just a piece of luck; it was not any skill--you have none. [_To_ CARLYON.] Ah, I did not see you! I was talking of your daughter's work.

CARLYON.

[_Coming down to_ RHEINHARDT.] Ah, Dr. Rheinhardt, I know the sad piece of work you are referring to. Is there no hope?

RHEINHARDT.

[_To_ VERA.] Did you speak hereof to another person?

VERA.

Only my father, Dr. Rheinhardt.

RHEINHARDT.

"Only"! "Only"! And you wish to be a doctor!

CARLYON.

Come, Doctor, you mustn't be hard upon her. I extorted the facts.

RHEINHARDT.

A professional secret cannot be extorted! Miss Carlyon has only one apology: she is not yet even in name a physician, and has time to reflect before she attempts it to become.

CARLYON.

Well, I will leave her to be scolded alone. It is worse before witnesses! Unless you would care to say anything to me?

RHEINHARDT.

That is not my affair.

[_Exit_ CARLYON, _with a sort of stern, humorous defiance_, L.]

So it was an extortion, eh? A compulsion?

VERA.

Yes.

RHEINHARDT.

And now you are sorry for what you have done? eh? and you pray forgiveness, and you will never do it again?

VERA.

No, I had to. I would always do the same.

RHEINHARDT.

Gott im Himmel! Then I blame you no more! If you can show courage to Rheinhardt!--You may have had reasons. Well, well, I trust you.

VERA.

Don't do that.

RHEINHARDT.

I will put you to a test. Your conclusions are right, if your observations are right. That is what I must see.

VERA.

Are _you_ going to tell him?

RHEINHARDT.

Tell him? Am I mad? And what is more, he must not know that you have watched him. You understand?

VERA.

Oh, yes! [_She sits down, dispiritedly._

RHEINHARDT.

This diagnosis, you are proud of it, eh? Well, we shall say nothing about it. [VERA _nods_.] I will speak of his headaches; he will let me treat them. Then I will watch! I will watch!

VERA.

You don't think--there couldn't be any chance of an operation?

RHEINHARDT.

Not the faintest! Not the ghost! Operation? Bah! it would be criminal, it would be an assassinate! [_With a climax of contempt._] Ugh! it is what Steinmetz would do!

VERA.

[_Rising._] Would Steinmetz try it? He is coming over here for the Medical Congress.

RHEINHARDT.