SCENE II.

_Fifteen years have elapsed._

SCENE: DR MERTON'S _rooms in Devonshire Street--a room with a deep bay window at back. Room empty as curtain goes up. Enter_ MERTON, _with hat on. He takes it off and throws it down, flings himself into a chair by table._

MERTON. Oh, dear, I'm tired! [_Sees a letter lying on table, opens it, smiles_] 'Next week'.... [_sits reflecting a moment, evidently with pleasure, hands behind his head, then takes up letter again and reads it. Begins writing as though answering the letter to which he refers, then rings handbell on table._]

[_Enter_ MRS PLANT]. [_She stands waiting_].

MERTON. Oh, Mrs Plant. I want to speak to you about one or two things.

MRS PLANT. Yes, sir? [_she waits_]. It wasn't about the soup being cold, sir? For it was, there's no denying it. But then you _did_ keep your dinner waiting to-night.

MERTON. Yes, the soup was cold as a matter of fact--and I did keep dinner waiting--but that's not what I have to say.

MRS PLANT. It does seem too much really for you to come in so late, sir, and then have to go out again after dinner. Your uncle, Dr. John, he never liked doing that.

MERTON. I don't like it either. But that's what a doctor's life is like--to be sent for at all sorts of hours. It would be worse, you know, if I were never sent for at all.

MRS PLANT. Yes, sir; but it would be less trouble for you, sir.

MERTON. And less money. I could hardly keep up this house if I had no patients.

MRS PLANT. No, sir. Oh, I quite see that you have to put up with them.

MERTON. I rang for you to say first that I shall be going into Surrey to-morrow for the day probably.

MRS PLANT. Yes, sir.

MERTON [_evidently hesitating_]. And next week I'm going to Scotland.

MRS PLANT. Are you, sir? You don't often go away so early in the year.

MERTON. I am going to stay at Castle Gairloch.

MRS PLANT [_impressed_]. Indeed, sir--with the Countess? Oh! _indeed_. You would see a letter that the Countess sent round by hand just after you went out.

MERTON. Yes, I've seen it. It's about the journey. It's rather a difficult place to get to, it seems.

MRS PLANT. Indeed, sir.

MERTON. And I also wanted to say to you that I am thinking of making a change in my arrangements--[_he hesitates_].

MRS PLANT. A change, sir?

MERTON [_hesitates_]. I was going to tell you--the fact is I am thinking of marrying.

MRS PLANT. Marrying, sir?

MERTON. Why not?

MRS PLANT. No reason at all, sir--on the contrary--but I thought perhaps you was too comfortable to marry, so to speak. Of course, Dr John, he always said he thought it better for doctors to marry, though he didn't carry it out himself, as it were.

MERTON [_rather impatiently_]. Well, it's my marrying I'm talking about--and I'll tell you when I come back from Scotland who it is.

MRS PLANT. Thank you, sir. The Countess's daughter is a very nice young lady, isn't she--Lady Betty?

MERTON [_looking at her with a smile_]. Very.

MRS PLANT. Of course, sir, her ladyship--I mean the lady you are going to marry--will want to make changes in the household?

MERTON. Of course. But we needn't discuss that now.

MRS PLANT. No, sir. To tell the truth, sir, I shouldn't be sorry to have another maid instead of Jane. Jane's so excitable at times--she's quite a trouble.

MERTON. Pray, Mrs Plant [_stopping her_] I cannot discuss that now.

MRS PLANT. Just as you like, sir. Dr John, he always liked to look forward, as it were.

[_A knock heard at outside door_].

MERTON. Was that a knock?

[_They listen_].

MRS PLANT. I hope it's not one of those poor people patients--they're the worst. At nearly ten o'clock at night, it's really a shame.

[_Knock heard again_].

MRS PLANT. Am I to let anyone in, sir?

MERTON [_hesitating_]. I'd rather not, unless it's someone who is really ill. Go and see who it is.

[MRS PLANT _goes out_ R. _to answer door_. MERTON _goes on writing his letter at the writing table. After a moment_ MRS PLANT _comes in and closes door_].

MRS PLANT. It's a person, sir. She wants to see you very particular.

MERTON. Is she ill?

MRS PLANT. No, sir, she says she isn't--but she looks very strange.

MERTON. Strange?

MRS PLANT. She says you know her, sir.

MERTON. She's some sort of impostor, I suppose. You shouldn't have let her in. Bring her in, then, and I'll send her away.

[_Enter_ KIRSTIN, _a knapsack or satchel slung round her. A smaller packet, a roll with oilskin round it, hangs by her side_].

MERTON. Now, my good woman, what do you want? It's rather late, you know, to consult a doctor.

[_She looks at him_].

KIRSTIN. I've not come to consult you, Mr Merton. [_He looks at her bewildered_]. Don't you know me again? [_She smiles_]. [_He looks at her trying to remember_]. Don't you remember me in Australia?

MERTON. Australia! You are Kirstin--Kirstin Thwaite!

KIRSTIN. Yes, I'm Kirstin.

MERTON. Kirstin!... [_he holds out his hand_] I'm--I'm--very glad to see you.

KIRSTIN. Do you remember you said 'Come to London, Kirstin.' You wrote it down, and where you lived.

MERTON. Yes--I did.

KIRSTIN. And I never thought I'd come. But now I have. I can hardly believe it.

MERTON. It is unbelievable.

KIRSTIN. My father died five years ago, and I was left alone and I've run the farm ever since. Then I thought I'd come.

MERTON. But how did you get here?

KIRSTIN. It _was_ a business. I rode sixty miles from Banooga to the railroad, and then I got into the train and went to Brisbane and then on to a ship to London. Oh, we was such a long time on the sea. And then after I got off the ship in the river I asked the way here and I walked.

MERTON. Walked!

KIRSTIN. Yes, it took me a good bit of time. I believe I've been wandering round and round. There's so many people and things everywhere that I was sort of mazed. At home I'd know my way by the stars [_she smiles_] but here they don't seem no use to me.

MERTON. And you had those things to carry.

KIRSTIN. Oh, that's nothing. I'm strong, you know.

MERTON. Well, now you must sit down. You must be very tired. [_She is going to sit on a small chair_]. No. [_He motions her to an armchair_]. That's more comfortable. [_He draws forward the armchair_].

KIRSTIN. Oh, I don't mind for that--I'm used to a wooden settle at home, you remember.

MERTON. Yes, I remember. [_With a sudden thought_]. When did you have anything to eat?

KIRSTIN. Just before I left the ship, about two o'clock.

MERTON. Good heavens, you must be starving. [_Puts out his hand to the bell, then pauses_].

KIRSTIN [_smiling_]. Not as bad as that. I'm used to being out for long stretches.

MERTON. You shall have something at once.

KIRSTIN. Thank you. I won't say no. Oh, I'm so glad I've got here! I thought I never should.

[MERTON _puts out his hand to the bell again--then hesitates_].

MERTON. Kirstin, where are you ... [_stops_--_hesitates_]. What are you going to do next?

KIRSTIN [_surprised_]. To do next?

MERTON [_nervously_]. I mean--What were you thinking of doing?

KIRSTIN. I thought I'd live here with you.

MERTON. Oh--yes....

KIRSTIN. You see, I have no one to please but myself now that father's gone. He died five years ago, and I worked hard ever since and made money, and saved up. I sold my sheep, and when you was with us you told me you weren't rich, and wanted more money, so I thought I'd come to London and bring you some.

MERTON [_staggered_]. Bring _me_--some?

KIRSTIN. Yes, I've brought you £10,000.

MERTON. £10,000!

KIRSTIN. Yes, it's in here [_lifting bundle from round her neck and putting it on table_]--all in £10 notes. I tied them up in bundles myself. And I've never left it off me till this minute, night or day. A rough fellow nearly got it away from me on the road to the railway, but I soon sent him about his business. [_Taps her pocket and shows end of revolver_].

MERTON [_gasps_--_tries to recover himself_]. It's very good of you, Kirstin, to bring it to me, but--but--I can't take that money, you know. I really can't.

KIRSTIN. You can't take it! But you must--it's for you--that's why I worked for it all the time--for you to have it and be rich. I've got plenty for myself. _I_ don't want it--I've got a lot sewn into my belt.

MERTON. But it's impossible! Don't you understand?

KIRSTIN. Impossible? Why?

MERTON. Things are different here.

KIRSTIN. But people like having money, don't they?

MERTON. Of course they do--but I can't take _that_. But I'll explain it to you in the morning. Now [_passing his hand over his forehead_] I'm--you're--too tired. I'll tell my housekeeper to take you up to a bedroom and give you something to eat. [_Rings_].

KIRSTIN [_after he has rung_]. Can't you explain now? I'm not tired really. I'm never tired, and nothing matters now that I've got here. Oh, I was so afraid I shouldn't!

[_Enter_ MRS PLANT].

MERTON [_nervously_]. Mrs Plant, will you get the spare room ready, please.

MRS PLANT. The spare room, sir? to-night?

MERTON. Yes, for Miss Thwaite, whom I knew in Australia. She ... has come to visit me.

MRS PLANT. The spare room's ready, all but the sheets. [_Coldly_].

MERTON. And bring her something to eat.

MRS PLANT. To eat? What would you like brought, sir?

KIRSTIN. Oh, I don't mind what it is.

MRS PLANT [_still addressing_ MERTON]. I could bring some tea and bread and butter, if that would do.

MERTON [_to_ KIRSTIN]. Wouldn't you like something more solid?

KIRSTIN. Oh, no, thank you. That will do quite well.

[_A pause_].

MERTON. Perhaps, Kirstin, you'd like to go now with Mrs Plant, and she will show you your room and take you some tea there.

KIRSTIN [_surprised and embarrassed_]. Yes--if you'd like me to go now. [_She stretches out her hand towards the bundle_].

MERTON. It's rather a risk to leave that about. Hadn't Mrs Plant better lock it up in the safe? [_He is about to hand it to_ MRS PLANT].

KIRSTIN [_snatching it hastily_]. No, no--I'll keep it for the night, thank you.

MRS PLANT [_stiffly_]. Just as you like.

KIRSTIN [_to_ MERTON]. I shall see you in the morning, shan't I?

MERTON. Yes, of course. [MRS PLANT _is standing at the door, waiting for_ KIRSTIN _to go out_]. Good-night then, dear Kirstin. Mrs Plant will see that you have everything that you want.

KIRSTIN. Thank you. [MRS PLANT _is entirely unresponsive_]. [_Then to_ MERTON _as she goes out_] I can't hardly believe that I'm here.

MERTON [_trying to be cordial_]. It _is_ wonderful, isn't it?

KIRSTIN. Good-night.

MRS PLANT [_coldly_]. This way, please.

[_She goes out, followed by_ KIRSTIN. MERTON _alone walks up and down_].

MERTON. Good God!

[_He sits down in the chair, covers his face with his hands. He takes up_ LADY GAIRLOCH'S _letter and looks at it--then takes up his pen to go on with his letter--throws it down_].

CURTAIN.