Chapter 6

MRS. WESTERN. [_Calmly._] Where did you find it?

[_She takes the bracelet off the salver and lays it on the table._

MARTIN. [_With a great effort._] It had fallen into the pocket of the car--there was a hole in the pocket--it had worked its way right down into the body.

MRS. WESTERN. Very well. Thank you.

[MARTIN _goes; the other servants have already slunk off. There is a moment's silence._ MRS. WESTERN _suddenly flings the bracelet she has in her hand in_ MISS FARREN'S _direction._

MRS. WESTERN. [_Contemptuously._] Here. I return you your property. And now pack up your things and leave the house.

HARVEY. [_Who has stepped forward and picked up the bracelet, standing between_ MRS. WESTERN _and_ MISS FARREN.] No.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Staring at him._] What?

HARVEY. [_Violently._] I say, No!

MRS. WESTERN. I have told the girl to leave my house.

HARVEY. _My_ house--mine! And she shall stay in it! Or, at least, when she goes, it shall be without the slightest stain or suspicion--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Scornfully._] I am not accusing her of theft.

HARVEY. But you are insinuating--I declare solemnly before you all--

JUDGE. [_Interposing._] Harvey, one moment.... I am sure that Miss Farren would rather go to her room....

MISS FARREN. Yes.

HARVEY. By all means. Here, take your bracelet. [_He gives it to her._] But you don't leave this house--you understand that? _I_ am master here.

[MISS FARREN _goes quietly._

JUDGE. Now just listen to me, both of you. Be calm--all this excitement won't help. Harvey, you too. You and Alice will have your explanation--

MRS. WESTERN. If the girl doesn't go to-night--

HARVEY. I tell you again she shall not! And there's no need. I was a fool to give her that bracelet--she didn't want to take it--

MRS. BANKET. Why _did_ you?

HARVEY. I had given Alice one on her birthday.

MRS. WESTERN. Well?

HARVEY. And so I got _her_ one.

MRS. WESTERN. Why?

HARVEY. Because--[_He stops, very embarrassed._]

MRS. WESTERN. Well?

HARVEY. Because--oh, because--well, she admired it--and _she_ liked pretty things too....

MRS. WESTERN. I don't think you need say anything more.

MRS. BANKET. No. He needn't. It's clear enough!

HARVEY. [_Eagerly._] Look here, on my honour--I _am_ fond of her, of course, in a way--but I'm old enough to be her father--and I swear to you all--I've seen her about, of course, a good deal--and I gave her that thing--but beyond that, nothing, nothing!

MRS. WESTERN. [_Sitting, and with a shrug of the shoulder._] A ridiculous fairy tale!

JUDGE. My dear Alice, take my advice, and believe your husband.

MRS. WESTERN. You too!

MRS. BANKET. All alike, when there's a pretty face!

JUDGE. Let her find another situation, by all means.... But to turn a girl out, at a moment's notice! You couldn't.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Turning to the_ JUDGE.] You are really suggesting that I should sleep under the same roof with--

JUDGE. [_Almost sternly._] You are condemning, without the slightest evidence. And condemning, remember, an utterly defenceless creature. This girl has a claim on you: were your suspicions justified, she-would _still_ have a claim.

MRS. WESTERN. Indeed!

MRS. BANKET. The nonsense he talks! It's really too silly!

JUDGE. You are extraordinary, you women! You exact such rigid morality from the governess and the housemaid! You're full of excuses when it's one of yourselves!

MRS. BANKET. [_Indignantly._] Tom!

JUDGE. Well, that's true--we all know it! And here--I believe every word Harvey has said.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Scarcely believing her ears._] You do!

JUDGE. Because he is a man of honour, and men of honour have their code. Their children's governess ... is safe. You will do well to believe it, too. Now, Fanny, we'll go. Be sensible, Alice--I tell you again, Harvey's right; the girl must not be--summarily dismissed: it would be an act of cruel injustice. Good-bye. [_He offers to kiss her--she turns away._] As you like. Good-bye, Harvey, old man.

HARVEY. Good-bye, Tom. [_They shake hands._] And thank you.

MRS. BANKET. [_Kissing_ MRS. WESTERN.] My poor, dear Alice!

MRS. WESTERN. Good-bye, Fanny. I'm sorry that our party to-night--

MRS. BANKET. Oh, that doesn't matter! Poor thing! I promise you that Tom shall have a good talking to!

[_She is too angry with_ HARVEY _to say good-bye to him: she and the_ JUDGE _go. The moment the door closes,_ HARVEY _begins, feverishly and passionately._

HARVEY. Now just listen. I'm going to speak to you--I'm going to say things--things that have been in my heart, in my life, for years. I'm not going to spare you, I'm going to tell you the truth, and the truth, and the truth!

MRS. WESTERN. [_Calmly, looking ironically at him._] If it's the same kind of truth you've been giving us to-night--

HARVEY. We've been married ten years. Oh, I know, we were neither of us very young. But anyhow the last five have been nothing but misery for me. Misery--do you hear that? You sitting there, calm and collected--not caring one damn for me--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Quietly._] That's not true.

HARVEY. It is, and you know it. The mother of my children! Satisfied with that. Never a word of kindness, or sympathy. And as for--affection!

MRS. WESTERN. We're not sweethearts--we're middle-aged people.

HARVEY. Well, I need something more. And, look here, I'll tell you. This girl has made life worth living. That's all. I'd come home at night dog-tired, all day in the City--sick of it, Stock Exchange, office, and the mud and the grime and the worry--there were you, with a nod, ah, Harvey, good evening--and you'd scarcely look up from your Committee Report or your Blue-book, or damned pamphlet or other--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Contemptuously._] You are one of the men who want their wife to be a mere sort of doll.

HARVEY. [_More and more vehemently._] I want my wife to care for me! I want her to smile when I come in, and be glad--I want her to love me! You don't! By the Lord, I've sneaked upstairs, gone in and had a peep at the children--well, they'd be asleep. I tell you I've been hungry, hungry, for a word, for a look! And there, in the schoolroom, was this girl. I've played it low down, I know--she's fond of me. But I couldn't help it--I was lonely--that's what it was. I've gone up there night after night. _You_ didn't know where I was--and you didn't care. In my study, you thought--the cold, chilly box that you call my study--glad to have me out of the way. Well, there I was, with this girl. It was something to look forward to, in the cab, coming home. It was something to catch hold of, when things went wrong, in that dreary grind of money-making. Her eyes lit up when they saw me. She'd ask me about things--if I coughed, she'd fuss me--she had pretty ways, and was pleased, oh, pleased beyond words, if I brought her home something--

MRS. WESTERN. So this isn't the first time!

HARVEY. [_With a snarl._] No, of course not! She admired that bracelet of yours--by Jove, I said to myself, I'll get her one like it! Whatever I brought home to _you_ you'd scarcely say thank you--and usually it went into the drawer--I'd such shocking bad taste! _She'd_ beam! Well, as ill-luck would have it, you took a fancy to this one. I told her she mustn't wear hers--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Calmly and cuttingly._] Conspiring behind my back.

HARVEY. [_Raging._] Oh, if you knew what has gone on behind your back! Not when I was with her--when I was alone! The things I've said about you--to myself! When I thought of this miserable life that had to be dragged on here, thought of your superior smile, your damnable cruelty--

MRS. WESTERN. [_Genuinely surprised._] Cruelty! Why?

HARVEY. What else? I'd go up to you timidly--bah, why talk of it? To you I've been the machine that made money--money to pay for the house, and the car, and the dressmakers' bills--a machine that had to be fed--and when you'd done that, you'd done all. Well, there was this girl--

MRS. WESTERN. You had your children.

HARVEY. A boy of seven and a girl of five--in bed when I came home--and _your_ children much more than mine--I'm a stranger to them! And anyhow, I wanted something more--something human, alive--that only a woman can give. And she gave it. Nothing between us, I swear--but just that. As Tom says, I've not been such a cur--and _you_ ought to know me well enough, after all these years!... But there is the truth--she's fond of me: she is, it's a fact. And I _needed_ that fondness--it has kept me going. And now--do you think I'll let her be thrust out into the street?

[_As he says these last words he drops into a chair, facing her, and looks fiercely and doggedly at her._

MRS. WESTERN. [_Calmly._] Stop now, and listen to me. I've let you rattle on. Will you hear me for one moment?

HARVEY. Go on.

MRS. WESTERN. All those things you've said about me--[_With a shrug._] Well, what's the use? I suppose we're like most married people when they come to our age. I've interests of my own, that don't appeal to you--

HARVEY. Blue-books and Committees!

MRS. WESTERN. I do useful work--oh yes, you may sneer--you always have sneered! If a woman tries to do something sensible with her life, instead of cuddling and kissing you all day, she's cold and cruel. We've drifted apart--well, your fault as much as mine. More, perhaps--but it's no good going into that--no good making reproaches. That's how things are--we must make the best of them. Wait, let me finish. About this girl. Granted that what you say is true--and I'm inclined to believe it--

HARVEY. [_Genuinely grateful._] At least thank you for that!

MRS. WESTERN. Or at any rate it's better policy to believe it, for every one's sake--

HARVEY. [_Bitterly._] That's right--that's more like you!

MRS. WESTERN. We gain nothing by abusing each other. And I didn't interrupt _you._ Let's look facts in the face. Here we are, we two--tied.

HARVEY. [_With a groan._] Yes.

MRS. WESTERN. With our two children. If it weren't for them.... Well, we've _got_ to remain together. Now there's this girl. It's quite evident, after what you've said, that she can't stop here--

HARVEY. [_Jumping to his feet._] She shall!

MRS. WESTERN. [_Fretfully._] Oh, do be a man, and drop this mawkish sentiment! You say she's fond of you--you've _made_ her fond of you. Was this a very pretty thing--for a man of your age to do?

HARVEY. [_Sullenly, as he drops back into his chair._] Never mind my age.

MRS. WESTERN. Very well then--for a married man?

HARVEY. An unhappy man.

MRS. WESTERN. Even granting that--though if you're unhappy it's your own fault--I've always been urging you to go on the County Council--What's to become of the girl, if she stops here?

HARVEY. [_Desperately._] I don't know--but I can't let her go--I tell you I can't!

MRS. WESTERN. [_Scarcely able to conceal her disgust._] Oh, if you knew how painful it is to hear you whining like this! It's pitiable, really! In the girl's own interest--how can she stop?

HARVEY. She must. I can't let her be turned out. It would break her heart.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Turning right round, and staring at him._] What?

HARVEY. [_Doggedly._] Yes--it would. She's very fond of me, that's the truth. I know that I've been to blame--but it's too late for that now. She's romantic, of course--what you'd call sentimental. I dare say I've played on her feelings--she saw I was lonely. She has a side that you've never suspected--a tender, sensitive side--she has ideals.... Well, do you realise what it would mean, with a girl like that? No one knows her as I do. I'm quite startled sometimes, to find how fond she is of me. Oh, have some sympathy! It's difficult, I know--it's terribly difficult. But she loves me--that's the truth--and a young girl's love--why, she might throw herself into the river! Oh yes, you smile--but she might! What do _you_ know of life, with your Blue-books? Anyhow, I daren't risk it. By-and-by--there's no hurry, is there? And I put it to you--be merciful! You're not the ordinary woman--you have a brain--you're not conventional. Don't act like the others. Don't drive this girl out of the house. It would end in tragedy. Believe it!

MRS. WESTERN. You can't really expect me to keep a girl here, as governess to my children, who, as you say, is in love with you.

HARVEY. [_Pleading._] I expect you--I'm asking you--to help her--and me.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Shaking her head._] That's too much. We won't turn her out to-night--I'll give her a reference, and all that--

HARVEY. [_Springing to his feet again._] Alice, I can't let her go!

MRS. WESTERN. [_Conciliatorily._] Ask Tom, ask any one--

HARVEY. [_More and more passionately._] I tell you, I can't let her go!

MRS. WESTERN. Be sensible, Harvey--you must realise yourself there's no alternative--

HARVEY. [_With a violent and uncontrollable outburst._] I vow and declare to you--if she goes, I go too! And the consequences will be on your head!

[MRS. WESTERN _has also risen--they stand face to face, looking at each other--and for a moment there is silence. The door opens, and_ MISS FARREN _comes in, dressed as before. She walks straight to_ MRS. WESTERN.

MISS FARREN. Mrs. Western, my things are packed, and on the cab--

HARVEY. [_Wildly._] My poor child, you're _not_ to go--I told you.

MISS FARREN. [_With a demure glance at him, stopping him as he is moving towards her._] Of course I must--I can't stay here--that's not possible. My sister will take me in for to-night.

MRS. WESTERN. Miss Farren, my husband has explained to me--I withdraw all--

MISS FARREN. [_Carelessly._] Oh, that's all right--though thank you all the same. And it really doesn't matter much. I was going to give notice to-morrow anyway--

HARVEY. [_Starting violently._] What!

MISS FARREN. Well, I put it off as long as I could, Mr. Western, because ... But the fact is I'm going on the stage--musical comedy--

HARVEY. [_Breathless, staggering back._] You--are--going--

MISS FARREN. I've accepted an engagement--oh, I'm only to be a show-girl at first--but they believe I'll do well. They've been wanting me some time. And my _fiancé_ has persuaded me.

HARVEY. [_Collapsing utterly, dropping into the chair by the fire._] Your--

MISS FARREN. [_Gravely._] My _fiancé_--yes. He's one of the comic men there.

MRS. WESTERN. [_Who has been watching them both with an unmoved face._] I'll write a cheque for your salary, Miss Farren.

[_She goes to the desk at back._

MISS FARREN. [_Coquettishly, to_ HARVEY.] I ought to have told you, I know, Mr. Western. But it _was_ so dull here--and you've been most awfully good to me. I can never be sufficiently grateful.

HARVEY. [_With difficulty, his face turned away._] Don't mention it. And I hope you'll be happy.

MISS FARREN. [_Lightly._] Thank you. I mean to try!

[MRS. WESTERN _returns with a cheque which she hands to_ MISS FARREN.

MRS. WESTERN. Here, Miss Farren.

MISS FARREN. [_Putting it into her bag._] Thank you so much. Good-bye.

MRS. WESTERN. If you should ever need a reference, don't be afraid to--

MISS FARREN. Oh, thanks, no more governessing for me. Good-bye!

[_She trips out, without another glance at_ HARVEY, _who sits huddled by the fire._ MRS. WESTERN _moves slowly to the door. At the threshold she pauses, turns, and looks at_ HARVEY.

MRS. WESTERN. I'll take care that the next governess--shall be quite as pretty as this one, Harvey.

[_She opens the door and goes._ HARVEY _doesn't stir._

THE CURTAIN FALLS