The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 15

GAUNT (_reading_). "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:...

PEW (_entering_). Kind Christian friends----(_listening, then dropping the whine_). Hey? nobody! Hey? A grog-shop not two cable-lengths from the Admiral's back-door, and the Adm...

PEW. So she is, Commander. But there's no woman understands a seaman; now you and me, being both bred to it, we splice by natur'. As for A. G., if argyment can win her, why, she...

AUSTIN. The county member? An old and good friend. But you need not go so far afield: I know your good house of Allonby Shaw since the days of the Black Knight. We are, in fact,...

AUSTIN. I find you in an hour of cruelty, I fear. Yet you have condescended to receive this poor offender; and, having done so much, you will not refuse to give him audience.

_To these, from the inn, L.U.E., DUMONT, CHARLES, the CURATE, the NOTARY jigging; from the inn, R.U.E., FIDDLERS playing and dancing; and through door, L.C., GORIOT, ERNESTINE,...

MARY. The dad and I must have a corner, must we not? So when my brother's friends are in the parlour he allows us to sit in his room. 'Tis a great favour, I can tell you; the pl...

HUNT (_looking after them ruefully_). And these were the very parties I was looking for! (Ah, Jerry, Jerry, if they knew this at the office!) Well, the market price of that 'ere...

MISS FOSTER (_entering_). Barbara! this is incredible: after all my lessons, to be leaning from the window, and calling (for unless my ears deceived me, you were positively call...

BRODIE. You see, Procurator, the news is as fresh to him as it was five years ago. He was struck down before he got the Deaconship, and lives his lost life in mine.

MISS FOSTER (_to BARBARA, with plate_). Thanks, child; now you may give me some tea. Dolly, I must insist on your eating a good breakfast: I cannot away with your pale cheeks an...

BRODIE (_same attitude_). I spoke of you as I have found you. (I told him you were a disreputable hound, and that Moore had crossed a fight.) I told him you were a drunken ass,...

FENWICK. Dorothy, I loved you as a boy. There is not a meadow on Edenside but is dear to me for your sake, not a cottage but recalls your goodness, not a rock nor a tree but bri...

PEW. Don't you take on about him, ducky; he ain't worth it. Cap'n Gaunt, I took him and I give him up. You was 'ard on me this morning, Cap'n: this is my way--Pew's way, this is...

PEW. Here's the facks, so help me. A lovely female in this house was Christian enough to pity the poor blind; and lo and be'old! who should she turn out to be but my old command...

KIT. I love her, and she loves me, sir. I've left the privateering. I've enough to set me up and buy a tidy sloop--Jack Lee's; you know the boat, Captain; clinker built, not fou...

SMITH. Where's my beloved? Deakin, my beauty, where are you? Come to the arms of George, and let him introduce you. Capting Starlight Rivers! Capting, the Deakin: Deakin, the Ca...

MARY. O no, Will, they're not all so happy, and they're not all Brodies. But I'll be a woman in one thing. For I've come to claim your promise, dear; and I'm going to be petted...

LAWSON. Ay, ay; a bit house on my land in Libberton's Wynd. Her man's awa, puir body; or they tell me sae; and I'm concerned for her (she's unco bonnie to be left her lane). But...

ARETHUSA. Who comes here? a seaman by his song, and father out! (_She tries the air._) "Time for us to go!" It sounds a wild kind of song. (_Tap-tap; PEW passes the window._) O,...

MARY. We did it for the best; it was I who did it ... I, your own sister. And O Will, my Willie, where have you been? You have not been in any harm, any danger?

ARETHUSA. Ten months and a week; you haven't counted the days as I have. Another day gone, and one day nearer to Kit: that has been my almanac. How brown you are! how handsome!

BRODIE. Luck! Don't talk of luck to a man like me! Why not say I've the devil's own judgment? Men of my stamp don't risk--they plan, Badger; they plan, and leave chance to such...

SMITH. There's our old particular the Deacon, now. Why is he ashamed of a lovely woman? That's not my idea of the Young Chevalier, Jean. If I had luck, we should be married, and...

MARY. Who is she? What does she want with _him_? And he ... where is he? Do you know that my father is dead, and the Deacon not here? Where has he gone? He may be dead, too. Fat...

BRIGADIER. It is not the friend that comes; it is the Brigadier. Summon your guests; I must investigate their passports. I am in pursuit of a notorious malefactor, Robert Macaire.

LESLIE. Of course, I know. But you see, on the very day when our engagement is announced, even the best of men may be susceptible. You yourself seem not quite pleased.

MACAIRE. None: it spoils your clothes. Now, see: you have keys and you have experience: up that stair and pick me the lock of that man's door. Pick me the lock of that man's door.

MRS. DRAKE (_coming forward to meet him as he enters; PEW remains concealed by the settle, smoking, drinking, and listening_). Lord bless us and save us, if it ain't my boy! Giv...

ANTHONY. Now I wish you to understand: I'm the head of this family. It's my business to look after my sister's reputation, and my aunt's too, begad! That's what I'm here for: I'...

HUNT. Your obedient. The fact is, Mr. Deacon (we in the office see a good deal of the lives of private parties; and I needn't tell a gentleman of your experience it's part of ou...

DUMONT. I will not feel in my pockets. How could it be there? It's a patent key. This is more than any man can bear. First, Charles is one man's son, and then he's another's, an...

MACAIRE. This is a favoured spot, Bertrand: ten minutes from the frontier: ten minutes from escape. Blessings on that frontier line! The criminal hops across, and lo! the reputa...

MARCAIRE. Pardon me, my friend. The Marquis claims my boy. I will not seek to deny that he attempted to corrupt me, or that I spurned his gold. It was thirty thousand.

AUSTIN. I am charmed to have this opportunity, Mr. Musgrave. You belong to my old corps, I think? And how does my good friend, Sir Frederick? I had his line; but, like all my ol...

JEAN. I was wrong to come yestreen; I ken that fine. But the day it's different; I but to come the day, Deacon, though I ken fine it's the Sabbath, and I think shame to be seen...

KIT. O yes. I forgive you. I suppose you meant it kindly; but there are some kindnesses a man would rather die than take a gift of. When a man is accused, Arethusa, it is not th...

GAUNT. I find you here in my house at this untimely and unseemly hour; I find you there in company with one who, to my assured knowledge, should long since have swung in the win...

ALINE. No wedding, no wedding! \ | GORIOT. I told 'ee he can't, and 'ee can't. | | DUMONT. Dear, dear me! > _Together._ | ERNESTINE. They won't let us marry. | | CHARLES. No wif...

SMITH. Well, Deakin, since Fiscal Lawson's Nunkey Lawson, and it's all in the family way, I don't mind telling you that Nunkey Lawson's a customer of George's. We give Nunkey La...

MACAIRE. I was but thinking of the inequalities of life, my lord: that I, who, for all you know, may be the father of your son, should have nothing; and that you, who, for all I...

HUNT. That same, Mr. Procurator-Fiscal. The Captain's given me a hard hunt of it this time. I dropped on his marks at Huntingdon, but he was away North, and I had to up and afte...

GAUNT. I wish you had been spared this sight; but look at him, child, since you are here; look at God's image, so debased. And you, young man (_to KIT_), you have proved that I...

MOORE. That's all blazing fine, that is! But wot I ses is, wot about the chips? That's what I ses. I'm after that thundering old Excise Office, I am. That's my motto.

BRODIE. I might have spared him years ago; and you and my sister, and myself. I might ... would God I had! (_Weeping himself._) Don't weep, my good old friend; I was lost long s...

MARY. Dear uncle, I see you are vexed; but Will and I are perfectly agreed on the best course. Walter and I are young. O, we can wait; we can trust each other.

ANTHONY. It's a lie. You have disgraced the family. You went to John Fenwick: see what he has made of it. But I will have you righted: it shall be atoned in the man's blood.

MISS FOSTER (_entering; escorted by MENTEITH, and followed by BARBARA_). And so, Menteith, here you are once more. And vastly pleased I am to see you, my good fellow, not only f...

SMITH (_bowing them out_). Your humble and most devoted servant, George Smith, Esquire. And so this is the garding, is it? And this is the style of horticulture? Ha, it is! (_At...

BRODIE (_behind the table_). One moment, officer: I have a word to say before witnesses ere I go. In all this there is but one man guilty; and that man is I. None else has sinne...

_GAUNT and ARETHUSA go out L., carrying the candles. Stage dark. A distant clock chimes the quarters, and strikes one. Then the tap-tapping of Pew's stick is heard without; the...

MACAIRE. Ay, boy, and what besides? my diploma of respectability, my patent of fatherhood. I prigged it--in the ardour of the dance I prigged it; I change it beyond recognition,...

MARY. O Willie, I am glad you did not go with them. I have something to tell you. If you knew how happy I am, you would clap your hands, Will. But come, sit you down there, and...

ANTHONY. Yes, ma'am, I like my regiment: we are all gentlemen, from old Fred downwards, and all of a good family. Indeed, so are all my friends, except one tailor sort of fellow...

SMITH. All right, Humptious! (_To AINSLIE._) You're a nice old sort for a rag-and-bone man: can't hold a bag open! (_Taking out tools._) Here they was. Here are the bunchums, on...

GAUNT. Death and blood! (_KIT, helping ARETHUSA, has let fall the cutlass. GAUNT picks it up and runs on PEW._) Damned mutineer, I'll have your heart out! (_He stops, stands sta...

PEW. (_coming out and waving his pipe_). Commander, shake! Hooray for old England! If there's anything in the world that goes to old Pew's 'art, it's argyment. Commander, you ha...

BRIGADIER. Stand to the door. A man up there. (_A GENDARME hurries up staircase into Number Thirteen, CHARLES following him. Enter on both sides of gallery the remaining charact...

GAUNT. Waiting, waiting and wearying. The years, they go so heavily, my Hester still waiting! (_He goes R. to chest, which he opens._) That is your chain; it's of Guinea gold; I...

CHARLES. Why, sir, we have quite an alert. Information has been received from Lyons that the notorious malefactor, Robert Macaire, has broken prison, and the Brigadier is now sc...

DOROTHY. How she tortures me, poor aunt, my poor blind aunt; and I--I could break her heart with a word. That she should see nothing, know nothing--there's where it kills. O, it...

JEAN. I dinna ken your name, sir, nor yet whae ye are; but this is a very poor employ for ony gentleman--it sets ill wi' ony gentleman to cast my shame in my teeth.

LESLIE. What does it mean? What does it mean? My God! Were you here before? Is this the second time? Are you a thief, man? are you a thief? Speak, speak, or I'll kill you.

HUNT (_solus_). Two hundred pounds reward. Curious thing. One burglary after another, and these Scots blockheads without a man to show for it. Jock runs east, and Sawney cuts we...

AUSTIN. Madam, if he has been praising your niece he has been well inspired. If he was speaking, as I spoke an hour ago myself, I wish, Miss Foster, that he had held his tongue....

PEW (_sotto voce_). All snug. (_Coming down._) So that was you, my young friend Christopher, as shot by me on the road; and so you was hot foot after old Pew? Christopher, my yo...

ANTHONY. Jack Fenwick, is that you? Come here, my boy. Jack, you've given me many a thrashing, and I deserved 'em; and I'll not see you made a fool of now. George Austin is a da...

MARQUIS (_to DUMONT_). I come, as you perceive, unfollowed; my errand, therefore, is discreet. I come (_producing notes from breast-pocket_) equipped with thirty thousand francs...

_BRODIE has fallen into a chair, with his face upon the table. Enter MARY, by the side door, pushing her father's chair. She is supposed to have advanced far enough for stage pu...

AUSTIN (_recovering his composure_). Your Royal Highness, suffer me to excuse the disrespect of this young gentleman. He has so much apology, and I have, I hope, so good a credi...

AUSTIN. Mr. Fenwick, I have played and lost. That noble lady, justly incensed at my misconduct, has condemned me. Under the burden of such a loss, may I console myself with the...

KIT. What? are you looking for your consort? Whistle, I'm your dog; I'll come to you. I've been toasting you fathom deep, my beauty; and with every glass I love you dearer.

MACAIRE. I will give you a little course of science. Everything, Bertrand (much as it may surprise you), has three states: a vapour, a liquid, a solid. These are fortune in the...

MACAIRE. More than willing, my dear soul: pressed, I may say, for time; for though it had quite escaped my memory, I have an appointment in Turin with a lady of title.

PEW (_picking himself up_). Ah, she's a bouncer, she is! Where's my stick? That's the sort of female for David Pew. Didn't she fight? and didn't she struggle? and shouldn't I li...

JEAN. I maun see him, bonnie leddie. I'm a puir body, and no' fit to be seen speakin' wi' the likes o' you. But O lass, ye are the Deacon's sister, and ye hae the Deacon's een,...

AUSTIN. In your aunt's house, young gentleman, I shall be careful to refrain from criticism. I am come upon a visit to a lady: that visit I shall pay; when you desire (if it be...

_ALINE and MAIDS; to whom, FIDDLERS; afterwards DUMONT and CHARLES. As the curtain rises, the sound of the violins is heard approaching. ALINE and the inn servants, who are disc...

BRODIE. Trust me. No man forgets his vice, you dogs, or forgives it either. It must be done: Leslie's to-night and the Excise to-morrow. It shall be done. This settles it. They...

LESLIE (_calling_). In good time, never fear! (_He carefully bolts and chains the door._) The old gentleman seems upset. What for, I wonder? Has he had a masked visitor? Why not...

BRODIE. Sore hearing, does he say? My hand's wet. But it's victory. Shall it be go? or stay? (I should show them all I can, or they may pry closer than they ought.) Shall I have...

LAWSON. Hoots! this is my trade. That's a bit o' "Wanderin' Willie." I've had it before me in precognitions; that same stave has been used for a signal by some o' the very warst...

BRODIE. Now for one of the Deacon's headaches! Rogues all, rogues all! (_Goes to clothes-press and proceeds to change his coat._) On with the new coat and into the new life! Dow...

BRODIE. You came here to do as I tell you. (_MOORE goes up slowly._) Second bunch, George. I know the lock. Steady with the glim. (_At work._) No good. Give me the centre-bit.

HUNT (_entering_). Bring 'em along, lads! (_Looking at prisoners with lantern._) Pleased to see you again, Badger. And you too, George. But I'd rather have seen your principal....

BRODIE. Saved! And the _alibi_! Man, but you've been near it this time--near the rope, near the rope. Ah, boy, it was your neck, your neck you fought for. They were closing hell...

AUSTIN. I am rejoiced to hear it. I wish I could say I was as pleased with my journey, Menteith. This is the first time I ever came to the Wells in another person's carriage; Du...

AUSTIN. You mean I wasn't always? Old boy, you are in the right. This shall be a good change for both you and me. We have lived too long like a brace of truants: now is the time...

HUNT. No, to be sure there ain't; and why clap on the blinkers, my dear? You that has a face like a rose, and with a cove like Jerry Hunt, that might be your born father? (But a...

(_Second cravat a failure. Re-enter MENTEITH with card._) Fenwick? of Allonby Shaw? A good family, Menteith, but I don't know the gentleman. (_Lays down card, and takes up third...

ALINE. Guess again, and you'll guess wrong. (_Enter the other servants with wine baskets._) Here, set the wine down. No, that is the old Burgundy for the wedding party. These ge...

ANTHONY. Upon my word, I think Aunt Evelina one of the most uncivil old women in the world. Nine weeks ago I came of age; and they still treat me like a boy. I'm a recognised Co...

MACAIRE. Bertrand, don't crush me. A pound: a fortune! With a pound to start upon--two pounds, for I'd have borrowed yours--three months from now I might have been driving in my...

The Scene is laid in Edinburgh. The Time is towards the close of the Eighteenth Century. The Action, some fifty hours long, begins at eight p.m. on Saturday and ends before midn...

MOORE. That's right enough; but I ain't a-going to stand here all day for him. I'm for a drop of something short, I am. You tell him I showed you that (_showing his doubled fist...

AINSLIE. Ca' ye that mainners? Ye're grand gentry by your way o't! Eh sirs, my hench! Ay, that was the Badger. Man, but ye'll look bonnie hangin'! (_A faint whistle._) Lord's sa...

DUMONT. Gentlemen, you come here upon a most auspicious day, a red-letter day for me and my poor house, when all are welcome. Suffer me, with all delicacy, to inquire if you are...

BRODIE (_solus_). My head! my head! It's the sickness of the grave. And those bells go on!... go on ... inexorable as death and judgment. (There they go; the trumpets of respect...

GAUNT (_laying down Bible, and rising_). Do you call me cruel? You speak after the flesh. I have done you this day a service that you will live to bless me for upon your knees.

BRODIE (_to MARY_). I know you forgive me now; I ask no more. That is a good man. (_To LESLIE._) Will you take her from my hands? (_LESLIE takes MARY._) Jean, are ye here to see...

ARETHUSA. I thought the time dragged long and weary when I knew that Kit was homeward bound, all the white sails a-blowing out towards England, and my Kit's face turned this way...

_To these, the ROYAL DUKE, C.; then, immediately, ANTHONY, L. FENWICK crosses to MISS FOSTER, R. AUSTIN accosts the DUKE, C., in dumb show; the muted strings take up a new air,...

ARETHUSA. Ten months and a week to-day! Now for a new mark. Since the last, the sun has set and risen over the fields and the pleasant trees at home, and on Kit's lone ship and...

MISS FOSTER. Nothing, child, that I know. You spoke of Mr. Austin, our dear friend, like a groom; and she, like any lady of taste, took arms in his defence.

_The Stage represents the outside of the Excise Office in Chessel's Court. At the back, L.C., an archway opening on the High Street. The door of the Excise in wing, R.; the oppo...

HUNT. Ah! that's it, is it? "My fancy man's my 'ole delight," as we say in Bow Street. But which _is_ the fancy man? George the Dook, or William the Deacon? One or both? (_He wi...

LAWSON. A bairn's an excuse; I ken that fine, Mistress Watt. But bairn or nane, my woman, ye should be at the kirk. Awa' wi' ye! Hear to the bells; they're ringing in. (_JEAN cu...

AUSTIN. Upon my word, I think the world is getting better. We were none of us young men like that--in my time--to quote my future brother. (_He sits down before the mirror._) We...

_The Stage represents a room in Admiral Guinea's house: fireplace, arm-chair, and table with Bible, L., towards the front; door C., with window on each side, the window on the R...

_The Stage represents a room in the Deacon's house, furnished partly as a sitting-, partly as a bedroom, in the style of an easy burgess of about 1780. C., a door; L.C., second...

_The Stage represents the parlour of the "Admiral Benbow" inn. Fireplace, R., with high-backed settles on each side; in front of these, and facing the audience, R., a small tabl...

_The Stage represents the courtyard of the "Auberge des Adrets." It is surrounded by the buildings of the inn, with a gallery on the first story, approached, C., by a straight f...

HUNT. Half a tick, Badger. You're a man of parts, you are; you're solid, you're a true-born Englishman; you ain't a Jerry-go-Nimble like him. Do you know what your pal the Deaco...

_The Stage represents the Pantiles: the alleys fronting the spectators in parallel lines. At the back, a stand of musicians, from which the "Gavotte" is repeated on muted string...

_The Stage represents the Admiral's house, as in Acts I. and III. A chair, L., in front. As the curtain rises, the Stage is dark. Enter ARETHUSA, L., with candle; she lights ano...

_The Stage represents George Austin's dressing-room. Elaborate toilet-table, R., with chair; a cheval-glass so arranged as to correspond with glass on table. Breakfast-table, L....

_Of this SWANSTON EDITION in Twenty-five Volumes of the Works of ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Two Thousand and Sixty Copies have been printed, of which only Two Thousand Copies are fo...

_The Stage represents the Deacon's workshop; benches, shavings, tools, boards, and so forth. Doors, C., on the street, and L., into the house. Without, church bells; not a chime...

_The Stage represents the Deacon's room, as in Tableau I. Firelight. Stage dark. A pause. Then knocking at the door, C. Cries without of "WILLIE!" "MR. BRODIE!" The door is burs...

_When the curtain rises, the night has come. A hanging cluster of lighted lamps over each table, R. and L. MACAIRE, R., smoking a cigarette; BERTRAND, L., with a churchwarden: e...