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NY PUBLIC LIBRARY THE BRANCH LIBRARIES
3 3333 08102 8843
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45185
(3
Q^lality Street
Copyrighted, for the stage, by Charles Frohman, in England and in America, 1901, and ptr/ormed by Miss Maude Adams as 'Phoebe Throssel1 500 times
PHOEBE
Sergeant, I am wishful to scold you, but
would you be so obliging as to stand on
tJiis paper while I do it?
ASTQR, LE"'JX AND TILDE
\
Illustrations in Colour
ACT I
The Blue and White Room
PHOEBE
Sergeant, I am wishful to scold you, but would you be so obliging as to stand on this paper- while I doit? Page 14 . . Frontispiece
Page
Now and again ladies pass in their pattens, a maid perhaps protecting them with an umbrella, for flakes of snow are falling discreetly. Page 3 . 3
iii
Qiiality Street
Page
Miss Fanny is reading aloud from a library
book while the others sew or knit. Page 4 6
MISS WILLOUGHBY
We are known everywhere now, Susan, you and /, as the old maids of Quality Street. Page 7 . . . . .10
MISS SUSAN / think I hear their voices in dispute. Page 12 14
PHOEBE
You know koiv gallantly he swings his cane.
Page 21. . . . .16
PHOEBE
He is absolutely fearless. Susan, he has smoked
his pipe in this room. Page 26 . . 24
PHOEBE
It was raining, and my face was wet. Page 31 32 iv
Quality Street
VALENTINE
Page
To see her on lier knees decorating the little legs of the couch with frills as if it were a child! Page 38 . . . .40
ACT II
The School
Miss Phoebe is giving a dancing lesson to half a dozen pupils, and is doing her very best. Page 49 . . . .48
PHOEBE
Unhappy boy — Are you ashamed of yourself ?
Page 53 . 56
ARTHUR
If any boy says you cant cane I will blood him,
Miss Phoebe. Page 56 . .64
Quality Street
Page
A soldier with a girl passes — yokel follows
angrily. Page 58 . . . .72
Patty ushers in the sisters Willoughby and Miss Henrietta. Miss Henrietta is wear- ing the new veil, which opens or closes like curtains when she pulls a string. Page 93 80
MISS WILLOUGHBY
We shall probably spend the evening here with
Miss Susan at the card table. Page 95 88
ACT III
The Ball
There is coming and going through this opening, and also through slits in the canvas. Page 103 . . .104
Ensign Blades appears, frowning, and Char- lotte ventures to touch his sleeve. Page 107 112 vi
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Page
They have suspected for a week. Page 1 16 . 120
PHOEBE
As soon as you see a lady with a pretty nose you cannot help saying that you adore her. Page 129 . . . . . .128
ACT IV
The Blue and White Room
VALENTINE
/ regret that they are out, Patty, but I will
await their return. Page 163 . . 160
Miss Henrietta and Miss Fanny, encouraged by his sympathy, draw nearer the door of the interesting bed-chamber. Page 176 . 168
VALENTINE
She will recover. Page 186 . . . 176
s
vil
CHARACTERS
VALENTINE BROWN
ENSIGN BLADES
LIEUTENANT SPICER
A RECRUITING SERGEANT
MASTER ARTHUR WELLESLEY TOMSON
ISABELLA
MISS SUSAN THROSSEL
MISS PHOEBE THROSSEL
MISS WILLOUGHBY
MISS FANNY WILLOUGHBY
MISS HENRIETTA TURNBULL
MISS CHARLOTTE PARRATT
PATTY
'
Now and again ladles pass in their pattens,
a maid perhaps protecting them with an
umbrella, for flakes of snow are falling
discreetly
Act I
THE BLUE AND WHITE ROOM
THE scene is the blue and white room in the house of the Misses Susan and Phoebe Throssel in Quality Street; and in this little country town there is a satisfaction about living in Quality Street which even religion cannot give. Through the bowed window at the back we have a glimpse of the street. It is pleasantly broad and grass-grown, and is linked to the outer world by one demure shop, whose door rings a bell every time it opens and shuts. Tims by merely peeping, every one in Quality Street can know at once who has been buying a Whimsy cake, and usually why. This bell is the most familiar sound of Quality Street. Now and again ladies pass in their pattens, a maid perhaps protecting them with an umbrella, for flakes of snow are falling discreetly. Gentlemen in the street are an event ; but, see, just as we raise the curtain, there goes the recruiting sergeant to remind us that we are in the period of the Napoleonic wars. If he were to look in at the window of the blue and white room all the ladies there assembled would draw themselves up ; they know him for a rude fellow vjho smiles at the approach of
3
Quality Street [ACT
maiden Lidies and continues to smile after they have passed. However, he lowers his head to-day so that they shall not see him, his present design being con- verse with the Misses ThrosseTs maid.
The room is one seldom profaned by the foot of man, and everything in it is white or bhte. Miss Phoebe is not present, but here are Miss Susan, Miss IVilloughby and her sister Miss Fanny, and Miss Henrietta Turnbnll. Miss Susan and Miss IVilloughby, alas, already wear caps ; but all the four are dear ladies, so refined that we ought not to be discussing them without a more formal introduction, and there seems no sufficient reason why -we should choose Miss Phoebe as our heroine rather than any one of the others, except, perhaps, that we like her name best. But we gave her the name, so we must support our choice and say that she is slightly the nicest, unless, indeed, Miss Susan is nicer.
Miss Fanny is rending aloud from a library book while the others sew or knit. They are making garments for otir brave soldiers now far away fighting the Corsica n Ogre.
MISS FANNY
'. . . And so the day passed and evening came, black, mysterious, and ghost-like. The wind moaned unceasingly like a shivering spirit, and the vegetation rustled uneasily as if something weird and terrifying were about 4
i.] Quality Street
to happen. Suddenly out of the darkness there emerged a Man.
(She says the last word tremulously but without looking up. The listeners knit more quickly.}
The unhappy Camilla was standing lost in reverie when, without pausing to advertise her of his intentions, he took both her hands in his.
(By this tune the knitting has stopped, and all are listening as if mes- merised.} Slowly he gathered her in his arms —
(MISS SUSAN gives an excited little cry.}
MISS FANNY
And rained hot, burning- Miss WILLOUGHBY Sister 1
MISS FANNY
(Greedily} ' On eyes, mouth, '
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Sternly] Stop.
Miss Susan, I am indeed surprised you
5
Quality Street [ACT
should bring such an amazing, indelicate tale from the library.
MISS SUSAN
(With a slight shudder) I deeply regret, Miss
Willoughby (Sees MISS FANNY reading
quickly to herself?) Oh, Fanny ! If you please, my dear. (Takes the book gently from her]
MISS WILLOUGHBY
I thank you. (She knits severely?)
MISS FANNY (a little rebel] Miss Susan is looking at the end. (MISS SUSAN closes the book guiltily]
MISS SUSAN
(Apologetically] Forgive my partiality for romance, Mary. I fear 'tis the mark of an old maid.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
Susan, that word.
MISS SUSAN
(Sweetly] Tis what I am. And you also, Mary, my dear. 6
i.] Quality Street
MISS FANNY
(Defending her sister) Miss Susan, I protest.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Sternly truthful} Nay, sister, 'tis true. We are known everywhere now, Susan, you and I, as the old maids of Quality Street. (General discomfort}
MISS SUSAN
I am happy Phoebe will not be an old maid.
MISS HENRIETTA
(Wistfully) Do you refer, Miss Susan, to V. B. ? (MISS SUSAN smiles happily to herself}
MISS SUSAN
Miss Phoebe of the ringlets as he has called her.
MISS FANNY
Other females besides Miss Phoebe have ringlets.
MISS SUSAN
But you and Miss Henrietta have to employ papers, my dear. (Proudly) Phoebe, never.
7
Quality Street [ACT
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(/// defence of Fanny] I do not approve of Miss Phoebe at all.
MISS SUSAN
(Flushing} Mary, had Phoebe been dying you would have called her an angel, but that is ever the way. Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse. (Her guests rise, hurt.} My love, I beg your pardon.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
With your permission, Miss Susan, I shall put on my pattens.
(MISS SUSAN gives permission almost haughtily, and the ladies retire to the bedroom, MISS FANNY remaining behind a moment to ask a question}
MISS FANNY
A bride? Miss Susan, do you mean that V. B. has declared ?
MISS SUSAN
Fanny, I expect it hourly. 8
i.] Quality Street
(MISS SUSAN, left alone, is agitated by the terrible scene with MISS WILLOUGHBY.)
Enter PHOEBE /;/ her bonnet, and we see at once tliat s/ie really is the nicest. S/ie is so flushed with delightful news tliat she a /most forgets to take off her pattens before crossing the blue and white room.
MISS SUSAN
You seem strangely excited, Phoebe.
PHOEBE Susan, I have met a certain individual.
MISS SUSAN
V. B. ? (PHOEBE nods several times, and her gleaming eyes tell MISS SUSAN as much as if they were a romance from the library.} My dear, you are trembling.
PHOEBE (Bravely) No — oh no.
MISS SUSAN
You put your hand to your heart.
B Q
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Did I?
MISS SUSAN
(In a whisper) My love, has he offered ?
PHOEBE
(Appalled] Oh, Susan. Enter MISS WILLOUGHBY, partly cloaked.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
How do you do, Miss Phoebe? (Porten- tously] Susan, I have no wish to alarm you, but I am of opinion that there is a man in the house. I suddenly felt it while putting on my pattens.
MISS SUSAN
You mean — a follower — in the kitchen? (She courageously rings the bell, but her voice falters] I am just a little afraid of Patty.
Enter PATTY, a buxom young woman, who loves her mistresses and smiles at them, and knows how to terrorise them. Patty, I hope we may not hurt your feelings,
but- 10
MlSS WlLLOUGHBY
We are known everywhere >ioiv, Susan, you (ind /, (is the old maids of duality Street
i.] Quality Street
PATTY
(Sternly!} Are you implicating, ma'am, that I have a follower ?
.MISS SUSAN Oh no, Patty.
PATTY
So be it.
MISS SUSAN
(Ashamed] Patty, come back. (Humbly] I told a falsehood just now ; I am ashamed of myself.
PATTY
(Severely] As well you might be, ma'am.
PHOEBE
(So roused that site would look heroic if she did not spoil the effect by wagging Jier finger at PATTY) How dare you. There is a man in the kitchen. To the door with him.
PATTY
A glorious soldier to be so treated !
PHOEBE The door.
PATTY
And if he refuses ? (They look perplexed]
1 1
Quality Street [ACTI.
MISS SUSAN
Oh dear !
PHOEBE
If he refuses send him here to me.
(Exit PATTY.
MISS SUSAN
Lion-hearted Phoebe.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
A soldier. (Nervously] I wish it may not be that impertinent recruiting sergeant. I passed him in the street to-day. He closed one of his eyes at me and then quickly opened it. I knew what he meant.
PHOEBE He does not come.
MISS SUSAN
I think I hear their voices in dispute.
(S/ie is listening through the floor. They all stoop or go on knees to listen, and when they are in this position the RECRUITING SERGEANT enters imob- served. He chuckles aloud. In a moment PHOEBE is alone with him.} 12
That impertinent recruiting sergeant
SERGEANT
an Irish accent} Your servant,
ma am.
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
(Advancing sternly on hint) Sir — (She is perplexed, as lie seems undismayed^ Ser- geant (She sees mud from his boots on the
carpet?) Oh ! oh ! (Brushes carpet.} Sergeant, I am wishful to scold you, but would you be so obliging as to stand on this paper while I do it?
SERGEANT
With all the pleasure in life, ma'am.
PHOEBE
(Forgetting to be angry] Sergeant, have you killed people?
SERGEANT
Dozens, ma'am, dozens.
PHOEBE
How terrible. Oh, sir, I pray every night that the Lord in His loving-kindness will root the enemy up. Is it true that the Corsican Ogre eats babies ?
SERGEANT
I have spoken with them as have seen him do it, ma'am.
JESJ81
Miss SUSAN / hear their voices in dispute
i.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
The Man of Sin. Have you ever seen a vivandiere, sir ? (Wistfully'] I have sometimes wished there were vivandieres in the British Army. (For a moment she sees herself as one,} Oh, Sergeant, a shudder goes through me when I see you in the streets enticing those poor young men.
SERGEANT
If you were one of them, ma'am, and death or glory was the call, you would take the shilling, ma'am.
PHOEBE Oh, not for that.
SERGEANT
For King and Country, ma'am?
PHOEBE (Grandly] Yes, yes, for that.
SERGEANT
(Candidly] Not that it is all fighting. The sack of captured towns — the loot.
15
Oitality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
(Proudly] An English soldier never sacks nor loots.
SERGEANT
No, ma'am. And then — the girls.
PHOEBE What girls ?
SERGEANT
In the towns that — that we don't sack.
PHOEBE
How they must hate the haughty conqueror.
SERGEANT
We are not so haughty as all that.
PHOEBE
(Sadly) I think I understand. I am afraid, Sergeant, you do not tell those poor young men the noble things I thought you told them.
SERGEANT
Ma'am, I must e'en tell them what they are wishful to hear. There ha' been five, ma'am, 16
!
HOEBE
Tun
•:;' giilliinth lie swings his cane
I
i.] O^lal^ty Street
all this week, listening to me and then showing me their heels, but by a grand stroke of luck I have them at last.
PHOEBE Luck?
(MISS SUSAN opens door slightly and listens?)
SERGEANT
The luck, ma'am, is that a gentleman of the town has enlisted. That gave them the push forward .
(MISS SUSAN is excited^]
PHOEBE
A gentleman of this town enlisted ? (Eagerly] Sergeant, who?
SERGEANT
Nay, ma'am, I think it be a secret as yet.
PHOEBE
But a gentleman ! Tis the most amazing, exciting thing. Sergeant, be so obliging.
SERGEANT
Nay, ma'am, I can't.
c 17
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
(At door, carried away by excitement} But you must, you must !
SERGEANT
(Turning to door) You see, ma'am (The
door is hurriedly closed^]
PHOEBE
(Ashamed] Sergeant, I have not been say- ing the things I meant to say to you. Will you please excuse my turning you out of the house somewhat violently.
SERGEANT
I am used to it, ma'am.
PHOEBE
I won't really hurt you.
SERGEANT
Thank you kindly, ma'am.
PHOEBE
(Observing the bedroom door opening a little, and speaking in a loud voice] I protest, sir ; 18
i.] Quality Street
we shall permit no followers in this house.
Should I discover you in my kitchen again I
shall pitch you out — neck and crop. Begone,
sir.
(The SERGEANT retires affably. All tlie ladies except MISS HENRIETTA come out, admiring PHOEBE. TJie WILLOUGHBYS are attired for their journey across the street?)
MISS WILLOUGHBY
Miss Phoebe, we could not but admire you. (PHOEBE, alas, knows tliat slie is not admirable?)
PHOEBE But the gentleman recruit ?
MISS SUSAN
Perhaps they will know who he is at the woollen-drapers.
MISS FANNY
Let us inquire.
(But before tJtey go MISS WILLOUGHBY has a duty to perform?)
19
Quality Street [ACT
MISS WILLOUGHBY
I wish to apologise. Miss Phoebe, you are a dear, good girl. If I have made remarks about her ringlets, Susan, it was jealousy. (PHOEBE and MISS SUSAN wish to embrace her, but site is not in the mood for it.} Come, sister.
MISS FANNY (the dear woman that sJie is] Phoebe, dear, I wish you very happy. (PHOEBE presses her hand.}
MISS HENRIETTA
(Entering, and not to be outdone} Miss Phoebe, I give you joy.
(The three ladies go, the two younger ones a little tearfully, and we see them pass the window?)
PHOEBE
(Pained} Susan, you have been talking to them about V. B.
MISS SUSAN
I could not help it. (Eagerly} Now, Phoebe, what is it you have to tell me? 20
Quality Street
PHOEBE
(/;/ a low voice] Dear, I think it is too holy to speak of.
MISS SUSAN
To your sister ?
PHOEBE
Susan, as you know, I was sitting with an unhappy woman whose husband has fallen in the war. When I came out of the cottage lie was passing.
MISS SUSAN Yes?
PHOEBE
He offered me his escort. At first he was very silent — as he has often been of late.
MISS SUSAN
We know why.
PHOEBE
Please not to say that I know why. Suddenly he stopped and swung his cane. You know how gallantly he swings his cane.
MISS SUSAN
Yes, indeed.
21
Tliey art interrupted by the entrance sf Patty with tea
ACT i.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
He said: ' I have something I am wishful to tell you, Miss Phoebe ; perhaps you can guess what it is.'
MISS SUSAN
Go on I
PHOEBE
To say I could guess, sister, would have been unladylike. I said : ' Please not to tell me in the public thoroughfare ' ; to which he instantly replied : 'Then I shall call and tell you this afternoon.'
MISS SUSAN Phoebe !
(They are interrupted by the entrance of PATTY luitJi tea. They see that site has brought three cups, and know that this is her impertinent way of implying that mistresses, as well as maids, may Jiave a 'follower' W 'hen she has gone they smile at the daring of the woman, and sit down to tea.}
PHOEBE
Susan, to think that it has all happened in a single year.
23
Quality Street [ACTI.
MISS SUSAN
Such a genteel competency as he can offer ; such a desirable establishment.
PHOEBE
I had no thought of that, dear. I was recalling our first meeting at Mrs. Fotherin- gay's quadrille party.
MISS SUSAN
We had quite forgotten that our respected local physician was growing elderly.
PHOEBE
Until he said : 'Allow me to present my new partner, Mr. Valentine Brown.'
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, do you remember how at the tea- table he facetiously passed the cake-basket with nothing in it !
PHOEBE
He was so amusing from the first. I am thankful, Susan, that I too have a sense of humour. I am exceedingly funny at times ; am I not, Susan ? 24
PHOEBE
He is absolutely fearless. SusiW, he /his smoked his pipe in this room
Our first meeting at Mrs. Fotheringay'i quadrille party MISS SUSAN
Yes, indeed. But he sees humour in the most unexpected things. I say something so ordinary about loving, for instance, to have everything either blue or white in this room, and I know not why he laughs, but it makes me feel quite witty.
PHOEBE
(A little anxiously] I hope he sees nothing odd or quaint about us.
D 25
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
My dear, I am sure he cannot.
PHOEBE Susan, the picnics.
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, the day when he first drank tea in this house.
PHOEBE
He invited himself.
MISS SUSAN
He merely laughed when I said it would cause such talk.
PHOEBE
He is absolutely fearless. Susan, he has smoked his pipe in this room. (They are both a little scared?)
MISS SUSAN
Smoking is indeed a dreadful habit.
PHOEBE
But there is something so dashing about it. 26
i.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
(IVith melancholy] And now I am to be left alone.
PHOEBE No.
MISS SUSAN
My dear, I could not leave this room. My lovely blue and white room. It is my husband.
PHOEBE
{IVho has become agitated] Susan, you must make my house your home. I have something distressing to tell you.
MISS SUSAN You alarm me.
PHOEBE
You know Mr. Brown advised us how to invest half of our money.
MISS SUSAN
I know it gives us eight per cent, though why it should do so I cannot understand, but very obliging, I am sure.
27
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Susan, all that money is lost ; I had the letter several days ago.
MISS SUSAN
Lost?
PHOEBE
Something burst, dear, and then they absconded.
MISS SUSAN
But Mr. Brown
PHOEBE
I have not advertised him of it yet, for he will think it was his fault. But I shall tell him to-day.
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, how much have we left ?
PHOEBE
Only sixty pounds a year, so you see you must live with us, dearest.
MISS SUSAN
But Mr. Brown — he
28
Quality Street
PHOEBE
(Grandly^] He is a man of means, and if he is not proud to have my Susan I shall say at once: ' Mr. Brown — the door.' (She presses her cheek to MISS SUSAN'S.)
MISS SUSAN
(Softly] Phoebe, I have a wedding gift for you.
PHOEBE Not yet ?
MISS SUSAN
It has been ready for a long time. I began it when you were not ten years old and I was a young woman. I meant it for myself, Phoebe. I had hoped that he — his name was William — but I think I must have been too unattractive, my love.
PHOEBE Sweetest — dearest -
MISS SUSAN
I always associate it with a sprigged poplin I was wearing that summer, with a
29
Quality Street [ACT
breadth of coloured silk in it, being a naval officer; but something happened, a Miss Cicely Pemberton, and they are quite big boys now. So long ago, Phoebe — he was very tall, with brown hair — it was most foolish of me, but I was always so fond of sewing — with long straight legs and such a pleasant expression.
PHOEBE Susan, what was it ?
MISS SUSAN
It was a wedding-gown, my dear. Even plain women, Phoebe, we can't help it ; when we are young we have romantic ideas just as if we were pretty. And so the wedding-gown was never used. Long before it was finished I knew he would not offer, but I finished it, and then I put it away. I have always hidden it from you, Phoebe, but of late I have brought it out again, and altered it. (SJie goes to ottoman and unlocks it.}
PHOEBE
Susan, I could not wear it. (MISS SUSAN brings the wedding-gown.} Oh I how sweet, how beautiful ! 30
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
You will wear it, my love, won't you ? And
the tears it was sewn with long ago will all
turn into smiles on my Phoebe's wedding day.
(They are tearfully happy when a knock
is heard on the street door.}
PHOEBE That knock.
MISS SUSAN
So dashing.
PHOEBE
So imperious. (She is suddenly panic- stricken.} Susan, I think he kissed me once.
MISS SUSAN (Startled} You think ?
PHOEBE
I know he did. That evening — a week ago, when he was squiring me home from the concert. It was raining, and my face was wet ; he said that was why he did it.
MISS SUSAN
Because your face was wet ?
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
It does not seem a sufficient excuse now.
MISS SUSAN
(Appalled] O Phoebe, before he had offered.
PHOEBE
(/// distress] I fear me it was most unlady- like.
(VALENTINE BROWN is shown in. He is a frank, genial young man of twenty- jive who honestly admires tJie ladies, though lie is amused by their quaint- ness. He is modestly aware that in the blue and white room alone is he esteemed a wit.]
BROWN
Miss Susan, how do you do, ma'am ? Nay, Miss Phoebe, though we have met to-day already I insist on shaking hands with you again.
MISS SUSAN Always so dashing.
(VALENTINE laugJis and the ladies ex- cJiange delighted smiles.}
32
PHOEBE // tvas raining, and my face was wet
\
i.] Quality Street
VALENTINE
(To MISS SUSAN) And my other friends, I hope I find them in health? The spinet, ma'am, seems quite herself to-day ; I trust the ottoman passed a good night ?
MISS SUSAN
(Beaming] We are all quite well, sir.
VALENTINE
May I sit on this chair, Miss Phoebe? I know Miss Susan likes me to break her chairs.
MISS SUSAN
Indeed, sir, I do not. Phoebe, how strange that he should think so.
PHOEBE
(Instantly] The remark was humorous, was it not ?
VALENTINE
How you see through me, Miss Phoebe.
(The sisters again exchange delighted smiles. VALENTINE is about to take a seat] E 33
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
(Thinking alottd] Oh dear, I feel sure he is going to roll the coverlet into a ball and then sit on it.
(VALENTINE, who has been on the point of doing so, abstains and sits guiltily?)
VALENTINE
So I am dashing, Miss Susan ? Am I dashing, Miss Phoebe?
PHOEBE A— little, I think.
VALENTINE
Well, but I have something to tell you to-day which I really think is rather dashing. (MISS SUSAN gathers her knitting, looks at PHOEBE, and is preparing to go.} You are not going, ma'am, before you know what it is?
MISS SUSAN
I — I — indeed — to be sure — I — I know, Mr. Brown.
PHOEBE
Susan ! 34
i.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
I mean I do not know. I mean I can guess
— I mean Phoebe, my love, explain. (She
goes out.}
VALENTINE
(Rather disappointed] The explanation be- ing, I suppose, that you both know, and I had flattered myself 'twas such a secret. Am I then to understand that you had foreseen it all, Miss Phoebe?
PHOEBE
Nay, sir, you must not ask that.
VALENTINE
I believe in any case 'twas you who first put it into my head.
PHOEBE
(Aghast] Oh, I hope not.
VALENTINE
Your demure eyes flashed so every time the war was mentioned ; the little Quaker sud- denly looked like a gallant boy in ringlets.
(A dread comes over PHOEBE, but it is in her heart alone ; it sJwws neither in face nor voice]
35
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Mr. Brown, what is it you have to tell us ?
VALENTINE
That I have enlisted, Miss Phoebe. Did you surmise it was something else?
PHOEBE
You are going to the wars? Mr. Brown, is it a jest ?
VALENTINE
It would be a sorry jest, ma'am. I thought you knew. I concluded that the recruiting sergeant had talked.
PHOEBE The recruiting sergeant ? I see.
VALENTINE
These stirring times, Miss Phoebe — he is but half a man who stays at home. I have chafed for months. I want to see whether I have any courage, and as to be an army surgeon does not appeal to me, it was enlist or remain behind. To-day I found that there were five waverers. I asked them would they take the shilling if I took it, and they assented. 36
i.] Quality Street
Miss Phoebe, it is not one man I give to the
King, but six.
PHOEBE
(Brightly] I think you have done bravely.
VALENTINE
We leave shortly for the Petersburgh barracks, and I go to London to-morrow ; so this is good-bye.
PHOEBE
I shall pray that you may be preserved in battle, Mr. Brown.
VALENTINE
And you and Miss Susan will write to me when occasion offers ?
PHOEBE If you wish it.
VALENTINE
(Smiling) With all the stirring news of
Quality Street.
PHOEBE .
It seems stirring to us ; it must have been merely laughable to you, who came here from a great city.
37
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
Dear Quality Street — that thought me dashing I But I made friends in it, Miss Phoebe, of two very sweet ladies.
PHOEBE
(Timidly] Mr. Brown, I wonder why you have been so kind to my sister and me?
VALENTINE
The kindness was yours. If at first Miss
Susan amused me (Chuckling] To see
her on her knees decorating the little legs of the couch with frills as if it were a child ! But it was her sterling qualities that impressed me presently.
PHOEBE
And did — did I amuse you also?
VALENTINE
Prodigiously, Miss Phoebe. Those other ladies, they were always scolding you, your youthfulness shocked them. I believe they thought you dashing. 38
Quality Street
PHOEBE
(Nervously] I have sometimes feared that I was perhaps too dashing.
VALENTINE
(Laughing at this) You delicious Miss Phoebe. You were too quiet. I felt sorry that one so sweet and young should live so grey a life. I wondered whether I could put any little pleasures into it.
PHOEBE The picnics ? It was very good of you.
VALENTINE
That was only how it began, for soon I knew that it was I who got the pleasures and you who gave them. You have been to me, Miss Phoebe, like a quiet, old-fashioned garden full of the flowers that Englishmen love best because they have known them longest : the daisy, that stands for innocence, and the hyacinth for constancy, and the modest violet and the rose. When I am far away, ma'am, I shall often think of Miss Phoebe's pretty
39
Quality Street [ACT
soul, which is her garden, and shut my eyes and walk in it.
(She is smiling gallantly tlirough her pain when MISS SUSAN returns.}
MISS SUSAN Have you — is it — you seem so calm, Phoebe.
PHOEBE
(Pressing Jier Jiand warningly and implor- ingly] Susan, what Mr. Brown is so obliging as to inform us of is not what we expected — not that at all. My dear, he is the gentleman who has enlisted, and he came to tell us that and to say good-bye.
MISS SUSAN
Going away ?
PHOEBE Yes, dear.
VALENTINE
Am I not the ideal recruit, ma'am : a man without a wife or a mother or a sweetheart ?
MISS SUSAN
No sweetheart ? 40
VALENTINE
To see her on her knees decorating the little
legs of the couch with frills as if it were
,/ child!
i.] Quality Street
VALENTINE
Have you one for me, Miss Susan?
PHOEBE
(Hastily, lest her sister's face should betray the truth] Susan, we shall have to tell him now. You dreadful man, you will laugh and say it is just like Quality Street. But indeed since I met you to-day and you told me you had something to communicate we have been puzzling what it could be, and we concluded that you were going to be married.
VALENTINE
Ha ! ha I ha ! Was that it.
PHOEBE
So like women, you know. We thought we perhaps knew her. (Glancing at tJie wedding- gown^) We were even discussing what we should wear at the wedding.
VALENTINE
Ha! ha! I shall often think of this. I wonder who would have me, Miss Susan. (Rising?) But I must be off; and God bless you both.
F 41
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
(Forlorn] You are going ?
VALENTINE
No more mud on your carpet, Miss Susan ; no more coverlets rolled into balls. A good riddance. Miss Phoebe, a last look at the garden. (Taking her hand and looking into her face.}
PHOEBE
We shall miss you very much, Mr. Brown.
VALENTINE
There is one little matter. That investment I advised you to make, I am happy it has turned out so well.
PHOEBE
(Checking MISS SUSAN, who is abottt to tell of the loss of the money] It was good of you to take all that trouble, sir. Accept our grateful thanks.
VALENTINE
Not at all, but I am glad that you are so comfortably left; I am your big brother. Good-
42
i.] Quality Street
bye again. (Looks round.} This little blue and white room and its dear inmates, may they be unchanged when I come back. Good-bye.
(He goes. MISS SUSAN looks forlornly at PHOEBE, who smiles pitifully.}
PHOEBE
A misunderstanding ; just a mistake. (She shudders, lifts the wedding-gown and puts it back in the ottoman. MISS SUSAN sinks sobbing into a chair} Don't, dear, don't — we can live it down.
MISS SUSAN (Fiercely) He is a fiend in human form.
PHOEBE
Nay, you hurt me, sister. He is a brave gentleman.
MISS SUSAN
The money ; why did you not let me tell him ?
PHOEBE
(Flushing} So that he might offer to me out of pity, Susan ?
43
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, how are we to live, with the quartern loaf at one and tenpence?
PHOEBE Brother James
MISS SUSAN
You know very well that brother James will do nothing for us.
PHOEBE
I think, Susan, we could keep a little school — for genteel children only, of course. I would do most of the teaching.
MISS SUSAN
You a schoolmistress — Phoebe of the ring- lets ; every one would laugh.
PHOEBE
I shall hide the ringlets away in a cap like yours, Susan, and people will soon forget them. And I shall try to look staid and to grow old quickly. It will not be so hard to me as you think, dear.
44
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
There were other gentlemen who were attracted by you, Phoebe, and you turned from them.
PHOEBE I did not want them.
MISS SUSAN
They will come again, and others.
PHOEBE
No, dear; never speak of that to me any more. (In woe) I let him kiss me.
MISS SUSAN You could not prevent him.
PHOEBE
Yes, I could. I know I could now. I wanted him to do it. Oh, never speak to me of others after that. Perhaps he saw I wanted it and did it to please me. But I meant — indeed I did — that I gave it to him with all
45
Quality Street [ACTI.
my love. Sister, I could bear all the rest ; but I have been unladylike. (MISS SUSAN tries to comfort her, but knows that it is true. The curtain falls, and we do not see the sisters again for ten years.}
End of Act I.
\
Miss Phoebe is giving a dancing lesson to
half a dozen pupils, and is doing her
"very best
Act II
THE SCHOOL
TEN years later. It is the blue and white room still, but many of Miss Susan's beautiful things have gone, some of them never to return ; others are stored upstairs. Their place is taken by grim scholastic furniture: forms, a desk, a globe, a blackboard, heartless maps. It is here that Miss Phoebe keeps school. Miss Susan teaches in the room opening off it, once the innocent spare bedroom, where there is a smaller blackboard (for easier sums] but no globe, as she is easily alarmed. Here are the younger pupils unless they have grown defiant, when they are promoted to the blue and white room to be under Miss Phoebe's braver rule. They really frighten Miss Phoebe also, but she does not let her sister know this.
It is noon on a day in August, and through the window we can see that Quality Street is decorated with flags. We also hear at times martial music from another street. Miss Phoebe is giving a dancing lesson to half a dozen pupils, and is doing her very best ; now she is at the spinet while they dance, and again she is showing them the new step. We know it is Miss Phoebe because some of her pretty airs and graces still cling to her in a forlorn way, but she is much changed.
G 49
Quality Street
Her curls are out of sight under a cap, her manner is prim, the light has gone from her eyes and buoyancy from her figure ; she looks not ten years older but twenty, and not an easy twenty. When the ctiildren are not looking at her we know that she has tlie headache.
PHOEBE
( IVho is sometimes at spinet and sometimes dancing] Toes out. So. Chest out, Georgy. Point your toes, Miss Beveridge — so. So — keep in line ; and young ladies, remember your toes. (GEORGY in his desire to please has protruded the wrong part of his person. Site writes a C on his chest with chalk.} C stands for chest, Georgy. This is S.
(MISS SUSAN darts out of the other room. She is less worn than MISS PHOEBE.)
MISS SUSAN
(WJiispering so that the pupils may not hear] Phoebe, how many are fourteen and seventeen ?
PHOEBE (Almost instantly) Thirty-one.
MISS SUSAN
I thank you. (She darts off".} 50
She writes a C on his chest with chalk
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
That will do, ladies and gentlemen. You may go.
( They bow or curtsey, and retire to MISS SUSAN'S room, with the exception of
ARTHUR WELLESLEY TOMSON, who IS
standing in disgrace in a corner with the cap of shame on Jiis head, and ISABELLA, a forbidding-looking, learned little girl. ISABELLA holds up her hand for permission to speak.}
ISABELLA
Please, ma'am, father wishes me to acquire
algebra.
PHOEBE
(With a sinking) Algebra ! It — it is not a very ladylike study, Isabella.
ISABELLA
Father says, will you or won't you ?
PHOEBE
And you are thin. It will make you thinner, my dear.
ISABELLA
Father says I am thin but wiry. 52
Quality Street
PHOEBE
Yes, you are. (With feeling) You are very wiry, Isabella.
ISABELLA
Father says, either I acquire algebra or I go to Miss Prothero's establishment.
PHOEBE
Very well, I — I will do my best. You may go.
(ISABELLA goes, and PHOEBE sits wearily.}
ARTHUR
(Fingering his cap] Please, ma'am, may I take it off now ?
PHOEBE
Certainly not. Unhappy boy -- (ARTHUR grins.} Come here. Are you ashamed of yourself?
ARTHUR (Blithely) No, ma'am.
PHOEBE
(/;/ a terrible voice] Arthur Wellesley Tom- son, fetch me the implement. (ARTHUR goes
53
Quality Street [ACT
briskly for the cane, and she hits the desk with it.} Arthur, surely that terrifies you ?
ARTHUR No, ma'am.
PHOEBE
Arthur, why did you fight with that street boy?
ARTHUR
'Cos he said that when you caned you did not draw blood.
PHOEBE But I don't, do I ?
ARTHUR
No, ma'am.
PHOEBE
Then why fight him ? {Remembering how strange boys are] Was it for the honour of the school ?
ARTHUR
Yes, ma'am.
PHOEBE
Say you are sorry, Arthur, and I won't punish you. (He bursts into tears.}
54
Quality Street
ARTHUR
You promised to cane me, and now you are not going to do it.
PHOEBE (Incredulous) Do you wish to be caned ?
ARTHUR
(Holding out his hand eagerly] If you please, Miss Phoebe.
PHOEBE
Unnatural boy. (She canes him in a very unprofessional manner?) Poor dear boy. (She kisses the hand.}
ARTHUR
(Gloomily] Oh, ma'am, you will never be able to cane if you hold it like that. You should hold it like this, Miss Phoebe, and give it a wriggle like that. (She is too soft- hearted to follow his instructions?)
PHOEBE (Almost in tears) Go away.
ARTHUR
(Remembering that women are strange) Don't cry, ma'am ; I love you, Miss Phoebe. (She
55
Quality Street [ACT
seats him on her knee, and lie thinks of a way to please her.}
If any boy says you can't cane I will blood him, Miss Phoebe.
(PHOEBE shudders, and MISS SUSAN again darts in. She signs to PHOEBE to send ARTHUR away.}
MISS SUSAN
(As soon as ARTHUR has gone} Phoebe, if a herring and a half cost three ha'pence, how many for elevenpence ?
PHOEBE (Instantly} Eleven.
MISS SUSAN
William Smith says it is fifteen ; and he is such a big boy, do you think I ought to con- tradict him ? May I say there are differences of opinion about it? No one can be really
sure, Phoebe.
PHOEBE
It is eleven. I once worked it out with real
herrings. (Stoutly} Susan, we must never let
the big boys know that we are afraid of them.
To awe them, stamp with the foot, speak in a
56
PHOEBE
Unhappy boy — Are you ashamed of yourself?
ii.] Quality Street
ferocious voice, and look them unflinchingly in the face. (Then she pales?) Oh, Susan, Isabella's father insists on her acquiring algebra.
MISS SUSAN
"What is algebra exactly; is it those three
cornered things ?
PHOEBE
It is x minus y equals z plus y and things like that. And all the time you are saying they are equal, you feel in your heart, why should they be.
( The music of the band swells here, and both ladies put their hands to their ears?]
It is the band for to-night's ball. We must not grudge their rejoicings, Susan. It is not every year that there is a Waterloo to celebrate.
MISS SUSAN
I \vas not thinking of that. I was thinking that he is to be at the ball to-night ; and we have not seen him for ten years.
PHOEBE
(Calmly] Yes, ten years. We shall be glad to welcome our old friend back, Susan. I am H 57
Quality Street [ACT
going in to your room now to take the Latin class.
(A soldier with a girl passes — yokel follows angrily))
MISS SUSAN
Oh, that weary Latin, I wish I had the whipping of the man who invented it.
(She returns to her room, and the sound of the music dies away. MISS PHOEBE, who is not a very accomplished clas- sical scholar, is taking a Jinal peep at the declensions when MISS SUSAN reappears excitedly?)
PHOEBE What is it?
MISS SUSAN
(Tragically] William Smith ! Phoebe, I tried to look ferocious, indeed I did, but he saw I was afraid, and before the whole school he put out his tongue at me.
PHOEBE
Susan ! (Site is lion-hearted ; she remembers ARTHUR'S instructions, and practises with the cane.) 58
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
(Frightened] Phoebe, he is much too big. Let it pass.
PHOEBE
If I let it pass I am a stumbling-block in the way of true education.
MISS SUSAN
Sister.
PHOEBE
(Grandly] Susan, stand aside.
(Giving the cane ARTHUR'S most telling flick, she marches into tlie other room. Then, while MISS SUSAN is listening nervously, CAPTAIN VALEN- TINE BROWN is ushered in by PATTY. He is bronzed and soldierly. He wears the whiskers of the period, and is in uniform. He has lost his left hand, but this is not at first noticeable]
PATTY
Miss Susan, 'tis Captain Brown !
MISS SUSAN
/•
Captain Brown !
59
Quality Street
VALENTINE
(Greeting her warmly} Reports himself at
home again.
MISS SUSAN
(Gratified} You call this home ?
VALENTINE
When the other men talked of their homes, Miss Susan, I thought of this room. (Looking about him} Maps — desks — heigho ! But still it is the same dear room. I have often dreamt, Miss Susan, that I came back to it in muddy shoes. (Seeing her alarm} I have not, you know. Miss Susan, I rejoice to find no change in you ; and Miss Phoebe — Miss Phoebe of the ringlets — I hope there be as little change in her?
MISS SUSAN
(Painfully} Phoebe of the ringlets ! Ah, Captain Brown, you need not expect to see her.
VALENTINE
She is not here? I vow it spoils all my home-coming.
(At this moment the door of the other room is finng open and PHOEBE rushes out , followed by WILLIAM SMITH who 60
Phoebe rushes out, followed by William Smith who is brandishing the cane
Qualify Street [ACT
is brandishing the cane. VALENTINE takes in the situation, and without looking at PHOEBE seizes WILLIAM by the collar and marches him out of the school?)
MISS SUSAN Phoebe, did you see who it is ?
PHOEBE
I saw. (In a sudden tremor] Susan, I have lost all my looks.
(The pupils are crowding in from MISS SUSAN'S room and she orders them back and goes with them. VALENTINE returns, and speaks as he enters, not recognising PHOEBE, whose back is to him.}
VALENTINE
A young reprobate, madam, but I have deposited him on the causeway. I fear — (He stops, puzzled because the lady has covered her face with her hands?)
PHOEBE Captain Brown.
VALENTINE
Miss Phoebe, it is you ? 62
Quality Street
(He goes to licr, but he cannot help showing that her appearance is a shock to him.}
PHOEBE
(Without bitterness) Yes, I have changed very much, I have not worn well, Captain Brown.
VALENTINE
(Awkwardly) We — we are both older, Miss Phoebe.
(He holds out his hand warmly, with affected high spirits.}
PHOEBE
(Smiling reproachfully} It was both hands when you went away. (He has to show that his left hand is gone; she is overcome.} I did not know. (She presses the empty sleeve in remorse.} You never mentioned it in your letters.
VALENTINE
(Now grown rather stern} Miss Phoebe, what did you omit from your letters ? that you had such young blackguards as that to terrify you.
63
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
He is the only one. Most of them are dear children ; and this is the last day of the term.
VALENTINE
Ah, ma'am, if only you had invested all your money as you laid out part by my advice. What a monstrous pity you did not.
PHOEBE
We never thought of it.
VALENTINE
You look so tired.
PHOEBE
I have the headache to-day.
VALENTINE
You did not use to have the headache. Curse those dear children.
PHOEBE
(Bravely] Nay, do not distress yourself about me. Tell me of yourself. We are so proud of the way in which you won your commission. Will you leave the army now? 64
ARTHUR
// <in\ buy stiys you can V cane I will blood him, Miss Phoebe
Quality Street
VALENTINE
Yes ; and I have some intention of pursuing again the old life in Quality Street. (He is not a man. who has reflected much. He has come back thinking that all the adventures have been his, and that the old life in Quality Street has waited, as in a sleep, to be resumed on the day of his return?) I came here in such high spirits, Miss Phoebe.
PHOEBE
(IVith a wry smile) The change in me depresses you.
VALENTINE
I was in hopes that you and Miss Susan would be going to the ball. I had brought cards for you with me to make sure.
(She is pleased and means to accept. He sighs, and she understands that he thinks her too old.}
PHOEBE
But now you see that my dancing days are done.
VALENTINE
(Uncomfortably] Ah, no.
i 65
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
(Taking care he shall not see that he has hurt her) But you will find many charming partners. Some of them have been my pupils. There was even a pupil of mine who fought at Waterloo.
VALENTINE
Young Blades ; I have heard him on it. (She puts her hand wearily to her /lead.} Miss Phoebe — what a dull grey world it is!
(She turns away to hide her emotion,
and MISS SUSAN comes in.}
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, I have said that you will not take the Latin class to-day, and I am dismissing them.
VALENTINE
Latin ?
PHOEBE
(Rather defiantly'] I am proud to teach it. (Breaking down} Susan — his arm — have you seen ?
(MISS SUSAN also is overcome, but re- covers as the children crowd in} 66
ii.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Hats off, gentlemen salute, ladies curtsey — to the brave Captain Brown.
(CAPTAIN BROWN salutes them awk- wardly, and they cheer him, to his great discomfort, as they pass out.}
VALENTINE
(IVhen they have gone] A terrible ordeal, ma'am.
(The old friends look at each other, and there is a silence. VALENTINE feels that all the fine tales and merry jests he has brought back for the ladies have turned into dead things. He wants to go away and think.)
PHOEBE
I wish you very happy at the ball.
VALENTINE
(Sighing) Miss Susan, cannot we turn all these maps and horrors out till the vacation is over?
MISS SUSAN
Indeed, sir, we always do. By to-morrow
67
Quality Street [ACT
this will be my dear blue and white room again, and that my sweet spare bedroom.
PHOEBE
For five weeks !
VALENTINE
(Making vain belief} And then — the — the dashing Mr. Brown will drop in as of old, and, behold, Miss Susan on her knees once more putting tucks into my little friend the ottoman, and Miss Phoebe — Miss Phoebe —
PHOEBE
Phoebe of the ringlets ! (She goes out quietly}
VALENTINE
(Miserably] Miss Susan, what a shame it is.
MISS SUSAN (Hotly] Yes, it is a shame.
VALENTINE
(Suddenly become more of a man} The brave Captain Brown ! Good God, ma'am, how much more brave are the ladies who keep a school.
(PATTY shows in two visitors, MISS
CHARLOTTE PARRATT and ENSIGN 68
Quality Street
BLADES. CHARLOTTE 75 tl Pretty
minx who we are glad to say does not reside in Quality Street, and BLADES 75 a callow youth, inviting admiration.}
CHARLOTTE
(As they salute] But I did not know you had company, Miss Susan.
MISS SUSAN
Tis Captain Brown — Miss Charlotte Parratt.
CHARLOTTE
(Gushing} The heroic Brown ?
VALENTINE
Alas, no, ma'am, the other one.
CHARLOTTE
Miss Susan, do you see who accompanies me?
MISS SUSAN
I cannot quite recall—
BLADES
A few years ago, ma'am, there sat in this room a scrubby, inky little boy — I was that boy.
69
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
Can it be our old pupil — Ensign Blades? (She thinks him very fine, and he bonus, well pleased!}
BLADES
Once a little boy and now your most obedient, ma'am.
MISS SUSAN
You have come to recall old memories ?
BLADES
Not precisely ; I — Charlotte, explain.
CHARLOTTE
Ensign Blades wishes me to say that it must seem highly romantic to you to have had a pupil who has fought at Waterloo.
MISS SUSAN
Not exactly romantic. I trust, sir, that when you speak of having been our pupil you are also so obliging as to mention that it was during our first year. Otherwise it makes us seem so elderly.
(He bows again, in what he believes to
be a quizzical manner?) 70
Q^lal^ty Street
CHARLOTTE
Ensign Blades would be pleased to hear, Miss Susan, what you think of him as a whole.
MISS SUSAN
Indeed, sir, I think you are monstrous fine. (Innocently] It quite awes me to remember that we used to whip him.
VALENTINE
(Delighted} Whipped him, Miss Susan ! (In solemn burlesque of CHARLOTTE) Ensign Blades wishes to indicate that it was more than Buonaparte could do. We shall meet again, bright boy.
(He makes his adieux and goes.}
BLADES
Do you think he was quizzing me?
MISS SUSAN
(Simply) I cannot think so.
BLADES
He said 'bright boy,' ma'am.
MISS SUSAN
I am sure, sir, he did not mean it. (Plwebe returns}
Quality Street
PHOEBE
Charlotte, I am happy to see you. You look delicious, my dear — so young and fresh.
CHARLOTTE
Lai Do you think so, Miss Phoebe?
BLADES
Miss Phoebe, your obedient.
PHOEBE
It is Ensign Blades ! But how kind of you, sir, to revisit the old school. Please to sit down.
CHARLOTTE
Ensign Blades has a favour to ask of you, Miss Phoebe.
BLADES
I learn, ma'am, that Captain Brown has obtained a card for you for the ball, and I am here to solicit for the honour of standing up with you.
(For the moment PHOEBE is flattered. Here, slie believes, is some one who does not think lier too old for the dance. Then she perceives a meaning smile pass between CHARLOTTE and the ENSIGN.) 72
// soldier ivith <? girl passes — yokel follows angrily
H
I
S/j* perceives a meaning smile pass between Charlotte and the Ensign
PHOEBE
(Paling] Is \\. that you desire to make sport of me?
K 73
Quality Street [ACT
BLADES
(Honestly distressed] Oh no, ma'am, I vow — but I — I am such a quiz, ma'am.
MISS SUSAN
Sister!
PHOEBE
I am sorry, sir, to have to deprive you of some entertainment, but I am not going to the ball.
MISS SUSAN
(Haughtily] Ensign Blades, I bid you my adieux.
BLADES
(Ashamed] If I have hurt Miss Phoebe's feelings I beg to apologise.
MISS SUSAN
If you have hurt them. Oh, sir, how is it possible for any one to be as silly as you seem to be?
BLADES
(Who cannot find the answer] Charlotte — explain.
(But CHARLOTTE considers tJiat their visit has not been sufficiently esteemed
74
ii.] Quality Street
and departs with a cold curfsey, tak- ing him with her.}
(MISS SUSAN turns sympathetically to PHOEBE, but PHOEBE, fighting with her pain, sits down at the spinet and plays at first excitedly a gay tune, then slowly, then conies to a stop with hey head bowed. Soon she jumps lip courageously, brushes away her dis- tress, gets an algebra book from the desk and sits down to stiidy it. MISS SUSAN is at the window, where ladies and gentlemen are now seen passing in ball attire?)
MISS SUSAN What book is it, Phoebe ?
PHOEBE It is an algebra.
MISS SUSAN
They are going by to the ball. (In anger] My Phoebe should be going to the ball too.
PHOEBE
You jest, Susan. (MISS SUSAN watches her read. PHOEBE has to wipe away a tear ; soon
75
Quality Street [ACT
she rises and gives way to the emotion she has been suppressing ever since the entrance of VALENTINE.) Susan, I hate him. Oh, Susan, I could hate him if it were not for his poor hand.
MISS SUSAN
My dear.
PHOEBE
He thought I was old, because I am weary, and he should not have forgotten. I am only thirty. Susan, why does thirty seem so much more than twenty-nine? (As //"VALENTINE were present?) Oh, sir, how dare you look so pityingly at me ? Because I have had to work so hard, — is it a crime when a woman works ? Because I have tried to be courageous — have I been courageous, Susan ?
MISS SUSAN
God knows you have.
PHOEBE
But it has given me the headache, it has tired my eyes. Alas, Miss Phoebe, all your charm has gone, for you have the headache, and your eyes are tired. He is dancing with Charlotte Parratt now, Susan. ' I vow, Miss 76
n.j Quality Street
Charlotte, you are selfish and silly, but you are sweet eighteen.' ' Oh la, Captain Brown, what a quiz you are.' That delights him, Susan ; see how he waggles his silly head.
MISS SUSAN Charlotte Parratt is a goose.
PHOEBE
Tis what gentlemen prefer. If there were a sufficient number of geese to go round, Susan, no woman of sense would ever get a husband. ' Charming Miss Charlotte, you are like a garden ; Miss Phoebe was like a garden once, but 'tis a faded garden now.'
MISS SUSAN If to be ladylike
PHOEBE
Susan, I am tired of being ladylike. I am a young woman still, and to be ladylike is not enough. I wish to be bright and thoughtless and merry. It is every woman's birthright to be petted and admired ; I wish to be petted and admired. Was I born to be confined within these four walls? Are they the world, Susan, or is there anything beyond them? I
77
Quality Street [ACT
want to know. My eyes are tired because for ten years they have seen nothing but maps and desks. Ten years 1 Ten years ago I went to bed a young girl and I woke with this cap on my head. It is not fair. This is not me, Susan, this is some other person, I want to be myself.
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, Phoebe, you who have always been
so patient !
PHOEBE
Oh no, not always. If you only knew how I have rebelled at times, you would turn from me in horror. Susan, I have a picture of my- self as I used to be ; I sometimes look at it. I sometimes kiss it, and say, ' Poor girl, they have all forgotten you. But I remember.'
MISS SUSAN I cannot recall it.
PHOEBE
I keep it locked away in my room. Would you like to see it ? I shall bring it down. My room I Oh, Susan, it is there that the Phoebe you think so patient has the hardest fight with herself, for there I have seemed to hear and 78
ii.] Quality Street
see the Phoebe of whom this (looking at her- self] is but an image in a distorted glass. I have heard her singing as if she thought she was still a girl. I have heard her weeping ; per- haps it was only I who was weeping ; but she seemed to cry to me, ' Let me out of this prison, give me back the years you have taken from me. Oh, where are my pretty curls ? ' she cried. ' Where is my youth, my youth.'
(She goes out, leaving uiss SUSAN woeful.
Presently SUSAN takes up tlie algebra
book, and reads.}
MISS SUSAN
'A stroke B multiplied by B stroke C equal AB stroke a little 2; stroke AC add BC. "Poor Phoebe ! " Multiply by C stroke A and we get -Poor Phoebe ! C a B stroke a little 2 stroke AC little 2 add BC. "Oh, I cannot believe it ! " Stroke a little 2 again, add AB little 2 add a little 2 C stroke a BC.' . . .
(PATTY conies in with the
PATTY
Hurting your poor eyes reading without a lamp. Think shame, Miss Susan.
79
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
(With spirit] Patty, I will not be dictated to. (PATTY looks out at window] Draw the cur- tains at once. I cannot allow you to stand gazing at the foolish creatures who crowd to a ball.
PATTY
(Closing curtains) I am not gazing at them, ma'am ; I am gazing at my sweetheart.
MISS SUSAN
Your sweetheart? (Softly) I did not know you had one.
PATTY
Nor have I, ma'am, as yet. But I looks out, and thinks I to myself, at any moment he may turn the corner. I ha' been looking out at windows waiting for him to oblige by turning the corner this fifteen years.
MISS SUSAN
Fifteen years, and still you are hopeful ?
PATTY
There is not a more hopeful woman in all the king's dominions. 80
V- — --. — \^z~s
\i=.\ '.=>. f=\ I—"! 1^=
Patty ushers in the sisters Wtlloughby and
Miss Henrietta. Miss Henrietta is wearing
the new veil, which opens or closes like
curtains when she pulls a string
ii.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
You who are so much older than Miss Phoebe.
PATTY
Yes, ma'am, I ha' the advantage of her by ten years.
MISS SUSAN
It would be idle to pretend that you are specially comely.
PATTY
That may be, but my face is my own, and the more I see it in the glass the more it pleases me. I never look at it but I say to myself, ' Who is to be the lucky man ? '
MISS SUSAN
Tis wonderful.
PATTY
This will be a great year for females, ma'am. Think how many of the men that marched away strutting to the wars have come back limping. Who is to take off their wooden legs of an evening, Miss Susan ? You, ma'am, or me ?
MISS SUSAN Patty !
L 81
Quality Street [ACT
PATTY
(Doggedly} Or Miss Phoebe? (With feeling) The pretty thing that she was, Miss Susan.
MISS SUSAN
Do you remember, Patty ? I think there is no other person who remembers unless it be the Misses Willoughby and Miss Henrietta.
PATTY
(Eagerly] Give her a chance, ma'am, and take her to the balls. There be three of them this week, and the last ball will be the best, for 'tis to be at the barracks, and you will need a carriage to take you there, and there will be the packing of you into it by gallant squires and the unpacking of you out, and other devilries.
MISS SUSAN Patty !
PATTY
If Miss Phoebe were to dress young again and put candles in her eyes that used to be so bright, and coax back her curls —
(PHOEBE returns, and a great change has come over her. She is young and 82
Quality Street
*-> ^
pretty again. She is wearing the wedding-gown of ACT i. , Jier ringlets are glorious, tier figure youth/id, Jier
face fin shed and animated. PATTY is the first to see her, and is astounded. PHOEBE signs to her to go.}
PHOEBE
(IVhen PATTY lias gone) Susan. (MISS SUSAN sees and is speechless^] Susan, this is the picture of my old self that I keep locked away in my room, and sometimes take out of its box to look at. This is the girl who kisses herself in the glass and sings and dances with glee until I put her away frightened lest you should hear her.
MISS SUSAN
How marvellous ! Oh, Phoebe.
PHOEBE
Perhaps I should not do it, but it is so easy. I have but to put on the old wedding-gown and tumble my curls out of the cap. (Passion- ately] Sister, am I as changed as he says I am?
83
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
You almost frighten me. (Tlie band is heard.}
PHOEBE
The music is calling to us. Susan, I will celebrate Waterloo in a little ball of my own. See, my curls have begun to dance, they are so anxious to dance. One dance, Susan, to Phoebe of the ringlets, and then I will put her away in her box and never look at her again. Ma'am, may I have the honour? Nay, then I shall dance alone. (She dances.} Oh, Susan, I almost wish I were a goose.
(Presently PATTY returns. She gazes at MISS PHOEBE dancing.}
PATTY
Miss Phoebe!
PHOEBE
(Still dancing) Not Miss Phoebe, Patty. I am not myself to-night, I am — let me see, I am my niece.
PATTY
(In a whisper to SUSAN) But Miss Susan, 'tis Captain Brown. 84
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Oh, stop, Phoebe, stop !
PATTY
Nay, let him see her !
(MISS SUSAN hurries scandalised into the other room as VALENTINE enters.}
VALENTINE
I ventured to come back because -- (PHOEBE turns to him — he stops abruptly, bewildered]. I beg your pardon, madam, I thought it was Miss Susan or Miss Phoebe.
(His mistake surprises Jier, but slie is in a wild mood and curtseys, then turns away and smiles. He stares as if half-convinced}
PATTY
(JVith an inspiration} 'Tis my mistresses' niece, sir; she is on a visit here.
(He is deceived. He bows gallantly, then remembers the object of his visit. He produces a bottle of medicine.}
VALENTINE
Patty, I obtained this at the apothecary's for
85
Quality Street [ACT
Miss Phoebe's headache. It should be taken at once.
PATTY
Miss Phoebe is lying down, sir.
VALENTINE
Is she asleep?
PATTY
(Demurely] No, sir, I think she be wide awake.
VALENTINE
It may soothe her.
PHOEBE Patty, take it to Aunt Phoebe at once.
(PATTY goes out sedately with the medi- cine.}
VALENTINE
(After a little awkwardness, which PHOEBE enjoys] Perhaps I may venture to introduce myself, Miss — Miss — ?
PHOEBE
Miss — Livvy, sir.
VALENTINE
I am Captain Brown, Miss Livvy, an old friend of both your aunts. 86
Quality Street
PHOEBE
(Curtseying) I have heard them speak of a dashing Mr. Brown. But I think it cannot be the same.
VALENTINE
(A little chagrined] Why not, ma'am ?
PHOEBE
I ask your pardon, sir.
VALENTINE
I was sure you must be related. Indeed, for a moment the likeness — even the voice —
PHOEBE
(Pouting) La, sir, you mean I am like Aunt Phoebe. Every one says so — and indeed 'tis no compliment.
VALENTINE
Tvvould have been a compliment once. You must be a daughter of the excellent Mr. James Throssel who used to reside at Great Buck- land.
PHOEBE He is still there.
87
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
A tedious twenty miles from here, as I remember.
PHOEBE
La ! I have found the journey a monstrous quick one, sir.
(The band is again heard. She runs to the window to peep between the curtains, and his eyes follow her admiringly^)
VALENTINE
(Eagerly] Miss Livvy, you go to the ball ?
PHOEBE
Alas, sir, I have no card.
VALENTINE
I have two cards for your aunts. As Miss Phoebe has the headache, your Aunt Susan must take you to the ball.
PHOEBE
Oh, oh ! (Her feet move to tJie imisic.} Sir, I cannot control my feet. 88
MlSS WlLLOUGHBY
We shall probably spend the evening here with Miss Susan at the card table
Quality Street
VALENTINE
They are already at the ball, ma'am ; you must follow them.
PHOEBE
(With all the pent-iip mischief of ten years) Oh, sir, do you think some pretty gentleman might be partial to me at the ball ?
VALENTINE
If that is your wish —
PHOEBE
I should love, sir, to inspire frenzy in the breast of the male. (IVith sudden collapse] I dare not go — I dare not.
VALENTINE
Miss Livvy, I vow—
(He turns eagerly to MISS SUSAN, who enters.}
I have ventured, Miss Susan, to introduce myself to your charming niece.
(MISS SUSAN would like to run away again, but the wicked MISS PHOEBE is determined to have her help.} M 89
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Aunt Susan, do not be angry with your Livvy — your Livvy, Aunt Susan. This gentleman says he is the dashing Mr. Brown, he has cards for us for the ball, Auntie. Of course we cannot go — we dare not go. Oh, Auntie, hasten into your bombazine.
MISS SUSAN
(Staggered] Phoebe—
PHOEBE
Aunt Phoebe wants me to go. If I say she does you know she does !
MISS SUSAN
But my dear, my dear.
PHOEBE
Oh, Auntie, why do you talk so much. Come, come.
VALENTINE
I shall see to it, Miss Susan, that your niece has a charming ball.
PHOEBE
He means he will find me sweet partners. 90
ii.] Quality Street
VALENTINE
Nay, ma'am, I mean / shall be your partner.
PHOEBE
(IVho is not an angel] Aunt Susan, he still dances !
VALENTINE
Still, ma'am ?
PHOEBE
Oh, sir, you are indeed dashing. Nay, sir, please not to scowl, I could not avoid noticing them.
VALENTINE
Noticing what, Miss Livvy ?
PHOEBE
The grey hairs, sir.
VALENTINE
I vow, ma'am, there is not one in my head.
PHOEBE He is such a quiz. I so love a quiz.
VALENTINE
Then, ma'am, I shall do nothing but quiz you at the ball. Miss Susan, I beg you
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
Oh, sir, dissuade her.
VALENTINE
Nay, I entreat.
PHOEBE
Auntie I
MISS SUSAN
Think, my dear, think, we dare not.
PHOEBE (Shuddering] No, we dare not, I cannot go.
VALENTINE
Indeed, ma'am
PHOEBE
Tis impossible.
(She really means it, and had not the music here taken an unfair advan- tage of her it is certain that MISS PHOEBE would never have gone to the ball. In after years she and MISS SUSAN would have talked together of the monstrous evening when she nearly lost her head, but regained it before it could fall off. But suddenly 92
Quality Street
the music swells so alluringly that it is a thoiisand fingers beckoning her to all tJie balls she lias missed, and in a transport she whirls MISS SUSAN from the blue and white room to tJie bedchamber wliere is the bomba- zine. VALENTINE awaits their return like a conqueror, until MISS LIVVY'S words about his hair return to trouble him. He is stooping, gazing intently into a small mirror, ex- tracting the grey hairs one by one, when PATTY usliers in the sisters
WILLOUGHBY and MISS HENRIETTA.
MISS HENRIETTA is wearing the new veil, which opens or closes like cur- tains when slie pulls a string. She opens it now to see what he is doing, and the slight sound brings him to his feet.}
MISS HENRIETTA
Tis but the new veil, sir; there is no cause for alarm.
(They Jiave already learned from PATTY, we may be sure, that he is in
93
Quality Street [ACT
tlie house, but tJiey express genteel stir prised]
MISS FANNY
Mary, surely we are addressing the gallant Captain Brown !
VALENTINE
It is the Misses Willoughby and Miss Henrietta. Tis indeed a gratification to renew acquaintance with such elegant and respectable females.
( Tlie greetings are elaborate?)
MISS WILLOUGHBY
You have seen Miss Phoebe, sir?
VALENTINE
I have had the honour. Miss Phoebe, I regret to say, is now lying down with the head- ache. (The ladies are too delicately minded to exchange glances before a man, but they are privately of opinion that this meeting after ten years with the dazzling BROWN has laid MISS PHOEBE low. They are in a twitter of sym- pathy witli her, and yearning to see MISS SUSAN alone, so tJiat tJiey may draw from her
94
ii.] Quality Street
an account of the exciting meeting.} You do not favour the ball to-night?
MISS FANNY
I confess balls are distasteful to me.
MISS HENRIETTA
Twill be a mixed assembly. I am credibly informed that the woollen draper's daughter has obtained a card.
VALENTINE
(Gravely'} Good God, ma'am, is it possible.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
We shall probably spend the evening here with Miss Susan at the card table.
VALENTINE
But Miss Susan goes with me to the ball, ma'am.
(This is scarcely less exciting to them than the overthrow of the Corsican.}
VALENTINE
Nay, I hope there be no impropriety. Miss Livvy will accompany her.
95
Quality Street [ACT
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Bewildered] Miss Livvy?
VALENTINE
Their charming niece.
(The ladies repeat the word in a daze.}
MISS FANNY
They had not apprised us that they have a visitor.
(They think this reticence unfriendly, and are wondering whether they ought not to retire hurt, when MISS SUSAN enters in her bombasine, wraps, and bonnet. She starts at sight of them, and has the bearing of a guilty Person.}
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Stiffly*} We have but now been advertised of your intention for this evening, Susan.
MISS HENRIETTA
We deeply regret our intrusion.
MISS SUSAN
{Wistfully) Please not to be piqued, Mary. 'Twas so — sudden. 96
Quality Street
MISS WILLOUGHBY
I cannot remember, Susan, that your estim- able brother had a daughter. I thought all the three were sons.
MISS SUSAN
(IVitli deplorable readiness) Three sons and a daughter. Surely you remember little Livvy, Mary?
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Bluntly] No, Susan, I do not.
MISS SUSAN
I — I must go. I hear Livvy calling.
MISS FANNY
(Tartly) I hear nothing but the band. We are not to see your niece ?
MISS SUSAN
Another time — to-morrow. Pray rest a little before you depart, Mary. I — I — Phoebe Livvy — the headache —
(But before sJie can go another lady enters gaily.}
VALENTINE
Ah, here is Miss Livvy.
(The true culprit is more cunning than N 97
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN, and before they can see her she quickly piills the strings of her bonnet, 'which is like MISS HEN- RIETTA'S, and it obscures her face.}
MISS SUSAN
This — this is my niece, Livvy — Miss Willoughby, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny Willoughby.
VALENTINE
Ladies, excuse my impatience, but —
MISS WILLOUGHBY
One moment, sir. May I ask, Miss Livvy, how many brothers you have.
PHOEBE Two.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
I thank you.
(She looks strangely at MISS SUSAN, and MISS PHOEBE knows that she has blundered.}
PHOEBE
(At a venture] Excluding the unhappy Thomas. 98
They are sivept away on the arms of the impatient Captain
MISS SUSAN
(Clever for f/ie only moment in Jier life} We never mention him.
(They are swept away on tlie arms of fhe impatient CAPTAIN.) •z\c\[r.
>1
Quality Street
MISS WILLOUGHBY, MISS HENRIETTA, AND MISS FANNY
What has Thomas done?
(They have no suspicion as yet 'of what MISS PHOEBE has done; but they believe there is a scandal in the TJirossel family, and they will not sleep happily until they know what it is.)
End of Act II.
Act III
THE BALL
A BALL, but not the one to which we have seen Miss Susan and Miss Phoebe rush forth upon their career of crime. This is the third of the series, the one of which Patty has foretold with horrid relish that it promises to be specially given over to devilries. The scene is a canvas pavilion, used as a retiring room and for card play, and through an opening in the back we have glimpses of gay uniforms and fair ladies inter- mingled in the bravery of the dance. There is coming and going through this opening, and also through slits in the canvas. The pavilion is fantastically decorated in various tastes, and is lit with lanterns. A good- natured moon, nevertheless, shines into it benignly. Some of the card tables are neglected, but at one a game of quadrille is in progress. There is much movement and hilarity, but none from one side of the tent, where sit several young ladies, all pretty, all appealing and all woeful, for no gallant comes to ask them if he may have the felicity. The nervous woman chaperoning them, and afraid to meet their gaze lest they scowl or weep in reply, is no other than Miss Susan, the most unhappy Miss Susan we have yet seen ; she sits there gripping her composure in both hands. Far less
103
Quality Street
susceptible to shame is the brazen Phoebe, who may be seen passing the opening on the arm of a cavalier, and flinging her trembling sister a mischievous kiss. The younger ladies note the incident; alas, they are probably meant to notice it, and they cower, as under a bloiv.
HARRIET
(A sad-eyed, large girl, who we Jwpe found a romance at her next ball] Are we so dis- agreeable that no one will dance with us? Miss Susan, 'tis infamous ; they have eyes for no one but your niece.
CHARLOTTE
Miss Livvy has taken Ensign Blades from me.
HARRIET
If Miss Phoebe were here, I am sure she would not allow her old pupils to be so neglected.
(T/ie only possible reply for MISS SUSAN is to make herself look as small as possible. A lieutenant conies to them, once a scorner of ii ?man, but now SPICER the bewitched. HARRIET has a moment's hope.} How do you do, sir? 104
May I stand beside you, Miss Susan ?
SPICER
(IVitJi dreadful indifference, though she is his dear cousiii] Nay, ma'am, how do you, do ? (Wistfully] May I stand beside you, Miss Susan ?
o 105
Quality Street [ACT
(He is a most melancholic young man, and lie fidgets her.}
MISS SUSAN
(With spirit] You have been standing be- side me, sir, nearly all the evening.
SPICER
(Humbly. It is strange to think that Jie had been favourably mentioned in dispatches] Indeed, I cannot but be cognisant of the sufferings I cause by attaching myself to you in this unseemly manner. Accept my assurances, ma'am, that you have my deepest sympathy.
MISS SUSAN Then why do you do it ?
SPICER
Because you are her aunt, ma'am. It is a scheme of mine by which I am in hopes to soften her heart. Her affection for you, ma'am, is beautiful to observe, and if she could be per- suaded that I seek her hand from a passionate desire to have you for my Aunt Susan — do 1 06
in.] Quality Street
you perceive anything hopeful in my scheme, ma'am ?
MISS SUSAN
No, sir, I do not.
(SPICER wanders away gloomily, takes too much to drink, and ultimately becomes a general. ENSIGN BLADES appears, frowning, and CHARLOTTE ventures to touch his sleeve.)
CHARLOTTE
Ensign Blades, I have not danced with you once this evening.
BLADES
(With the cold brutality of a lover to another she] Nor I with you, Charlotte. (To SUSAN) May I solicit of you, Miss Susan, is Captain Brown Miss Livvy's guardian ; is he affianced to her ?
MISS SUSAN No, sir.
BLADES
Then by what right, ma'am, does he inter-
107
Quality Street [ACT
fere? Your elegant niece had consented to accompany me to the shrubbery — to look at the moon. And now Captain Brown forbids it. Tis unendurable.
CHARLOTTE
But you may see the moon from here, sir.
BLADES
(Glancing at it contemptuously'] I believe not, ma'am. (The moon still shines on.}
MISS SUSAN
(Primly] I am happy Captain Brown forbade her.
BLADES
Miss Susan, 'twas but because he is to con- duct her to the shrubbery himself.
(He flings out pettishly, and MISS SUSAN looks pityingly at the -wall-flower -s.)
MISS SUSAN
My poor Charlotte ! May I take you to some very agreeable ladies ? 1 08
in.] Qualify Street
CHARLOTTE
(Tartly) No, you may not. I am going to the shrubbery to watch Miss Livvy.
MISS SUSAN Please not to do that.
CHARLOTTE
(Implying that MISS SUSAN will be respon- sible for her early death) My chest is weak. I shall sit among the dew.
MISS SUSAN
Charlotte, you terrify me. At least, please to put this cloak about your shoulders. Nay, my dear, allow me.
(Site puts a cloak around CHARLOTTE, who departs vindictively for the shrubbery. She will not find LIVVY there, however, for next moment MISS PHOEBE darts in from the back.}
PHOEBE
(In a gay whisper] Susan, another offer — Major Linkwater — rotund man, black whiskers,
109
Quality Street
fierce expression ; he has rushed away to destroy himself.
(M^e have been imable to find any record of the Major s tragic end.}
AN OLD SOLDIER
(Looking up fi'oin a card fable, whence he has heard the raging ^/"BLADES) Miss Livvy, ma'am, what is this about the moon ? (PHOEBE smiles roguishly.}
PHOEBE
(Looking about her} I want my cloak, Aunt Susan.
MISS SUSAN
I have just lent it to poor Charlotte Parratt.
PHOEBE Oh, auntie !
OLD SOLDIER
And now Miss Livvy cannot go into the shrubbery to see the moon ; and she is so fond of the moon I
(MISS PHOEBE screws her nose at liini merrily, and darts back to tJie dance, but she has left a defender behind her.} 1 10
He has rushed away to destroy himself
A GALLANT
(Whose name we have not succeeded in dis- covering] Am I to understand, sir, that you are intimating disparagement of the moon ? If a certain female has been graciously pleased to signify approval of that orb, any slight cast
i 1 1
Quality Street
upon the moon, sir, I shall regard as a personal affront.
OLD SOLDIER
Hoity-toity.
(But lie rises, and they face each other, as MISS SUSAN feels, for battle. She is about to rush between their undrawn swords when there is a commotion outside ; a crowd gathers and opens to allow some officers to assist a fainting woman into the tent. It is MISS PHOEBE, and MISS SUSAN with a cry goes on lier knees beside her. The tent has filled with the sym- pathetic and inquisitive, but CAPTAIN BROWN, as a physician, takes com- mand, and by his order they retire. He finds difficulty in bringing the sufferer to, and gets little help from MISS SUSAN, who can only call upon MISS PHOEBE by name.}
VALENTINE
Nay, Miss Susan, 'tis useless calling for Miss Phoebe. Tis my fault ; I should not have permitted Miss Livvy to dance so im- 1 12
Ensign Blades appears, frowning, and Char- lotte ventures to touch his sleeve
. •• ' '-' *J
•
-. - .- , -
Hoity-toity
moderately. Why do they delay with the cordial ?
(He goes to tJte back to close the open- ing, and while he is doing so the in- comprehensible MISS PHOEBE seises the opportunity to sit tip on her couch p 113
Qualify Street [ACT
of chairs, waggle Jier finger at MISS SUSAN, and sign darkly that she is about to make a genteel recovery?)
PHOEBE
Where am I ? Is that you, Aunt Susan ? What has happened ?
VALENTINE
(Returning] Nay, you must recline, Miss Livvy. You fainted. You have over-fatigued yourself.
PHOEBE I remember.
(BLADES enters with the cordial?)
VALENTINE
You will sip this cordial.
BLADES
By your leave, sir.
(He hands it to PHOEBE himself?)
VALENTINE
She is in restored looks already, Miss Susan. 114
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
I am quite recovered. Perhaps if you were to leave me now with my excellent aunt —
VALENTINE
Be off with you, apple cheeks.
BLADES
Sir, I will suffer no reference to my com- plexion ; and, if I mistake not, this charming lady was addressing you.
PHOEBE
If you please, both of you. (They retire together, and no sooner Jiave they gone tlian MISS PHOEBE leaps from tJic couch, Jier eyes sparkling. She presses the cordial on MISS SUSAN.) Nay, drink it, Susan. I left it for you on purpose. I have such awful informa- tion to impart. Drink. (MISS SUSAN drinks tremblingly, and then the bolt is fired.} Susan, Miss Henrietta and Miss Fanny are here !
MISS SUSAN Phoebe !
PHOEBE
Suddenly my eyes lighted on them. At once I slipped to the ground.
Qtiality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
You think they did not see you ?
PHOEBE
I am sure of it. They talked for a moment to Ensign Blades, and then turned and seemed to be going towards the shrubbery.
MISS SUSAN
He had heard that you were there with Captain Brown. He must have told them.
PHOEBE
I was not. But oh, sister, I am sure they suspect, else why should they be here ? They never frequent balls.
MISS SUSAN
They have suspected for a week, ever since they saw you in your veil, Phoebe, on the night of the first dance. How could they but suspect, when they have visited us every day since then and we have always pretended that Livvy was gone out.
PHOEBE
Should they see my face it will be idle to attempt to deceive them. 116
in.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Idle indeed ; Phoebe, the scandal ! You — a schoolmistress !
PHOEBE
That is it, sister. A little happiness has gone to my head like strong waters. (She is very restless
MISS SUSAN My dear, stand still, and think.
PHOEBE
I dare not, I cannot. Oh, Susan, if they see me we need not open school again.
MISS SUSAN
We shall starve.
PHOEBE
(Passionately) This horrid, forward, flirting, heartless, hateful, little toad of a Livvy.
MISS SUSAN Brother James's daughter, as we call her !
PHOEBE 'Tis'all James's fault.
117
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
Sister, when you know that James has no daughter I
PHOEBE
If he had really had one, think you I could have been so wicked as to personate her ? Susan, I know not what I am saying, but you know who it is that has turned me into this wild creature.
MISS SUSAN
Oh, Valentine Brown, how could you?
PHOEBE
To weary of Phoebe — patient, ladylike Phoebe — the Phoebe whom I have lost — to turn from her with a ' Bah, you make me old,' and become enamoured in a night of a thing like this !
MISS SUSAN
Yes, yes, indeed ; yet he has been kind to us also. He has been to visit us several
times.
PHOEBE
In the hope to see her. Was he not most silent and gloomy when we said she was gone out?
118
in.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
He is infatuate — (She hesitates] Sister, you are not partial to him still ?
PHOEBE
No, Susan, no. I did love him all those years, though I never spoke of it to you. I put hope aside at once, I folded it up and kissed it and put it away like a pretty garment I could never wear again, but I loved to think of him as a noble man. But he is not a noble man, and Livvy found it out in an hour. The gallant ! I flirted that I might enjoy his fury. Susan, there has been a declaration in his eyes all to-night, and when he cries 'Adorable Miss Livvy, be mine,' I mean to answer with an ' Oh, la, how ridiculous you are. You are much too old — I have been but quizzing you, sir.'
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, how can you be so cruel ?
PHOEBE
Because he has taken from me the one great glory that is in a woman's life. Not
119
Quality Street [ACT
a man's love — she can do without that — but her own dear sweet love for him. He is un- worthy of my love ; that is why I can be so cruel.
MISS SUSAN
Oh, dear.
PHOEBE
And now my triumph is to be denied me, for we must steal away home before Henrietta and Fanny see us.
MISS SUSAN
Yes, yes.
PHOEBE
(Dispirited] And to-morrow we must say that Livvy has gone back to her father, for I dare keep up this deception no longer. Susan, let us go.
(They are going dejectedly, but are arrested by the apparition of MISS HENRIETTA and MISS FANNY peeping into the tent. PHOEBE has just time to signify to her sister that she will confess all and beg for mercy, when the intruders speak.} 1 20
Miss SUSAN They have suspected for a week
in.] Quality Street
MISS HENRIETTA
(Not triumphant but astounded] You, Miss Phoebe ?
PHOEBE
(With bowed head] Yes.
MISS FANNY
How amazing ! You do not deny, ma'am, that you are Miss Phoebe?
PHOEBE
(Making confession] Yes, Fanny, I am Miss Phoebe.
(To her bewilderment HENRIETTA and FANNY exchange ashamed glances.]
MISS HENRIETTA
Miss Phoebe, we have done you a cruel wrong.
MISS FANNY
Phoebe, we apologise.
MISS HENRIETTA
To think how excitedly we have been following her about in the shrubbery.
o 121
Quality Street [ACT
MISS FANNY
She is wearing your cloak.
MISS HENRIETTA
Ensign Blades told us she was gone to the shrubbery.
MISS FANNY
And we were convinced there was no such person.
MISS HENRIETTA
So of course we thought it must be you.
MISS FANNY
(IV ho has looked out] I can discern her in the shrubbery still. She is decidedly taller than Phoebe.
MISS HENRIETTA
I thought she looked taller, I meant to say so. Phoebe, 'twas the cloak deceived us. We could not see her face.
PHOEBE
(Beginning to understand] Cloak ? You mean, Henrietta — you mean, Fanny- Miss FANNY
'Twas wicked of us, my dear, but we — we 122
in.] Quality Street
thought that you and Miss Livvy were the same person. (They have evidently been stalking CHARLOTTE in MISS PHOEBE'S cloak. MISS SUSAN shudders, but MISS PHOEBE utters a cry of reproach, and it is some time before they can persuade her to forgive them. It is of course also some time before we can forgive MISS PHOEBE.) Phoebe, you look so pretty. Are they paying you no attentions, my dear?
(PHOEBE is unable to resist these de- lightful openings. The imploring looks MISS SUSAN gives her but add to her enjoyment. It is as if the sense of fun she had caged a moment ago were broke loose again.}
PHOEBE
Alas, they think of none but Livvy. They come to me merely to say that they adore her.
MISS HENRIETTA
Surely not Captain Brown ?
PHOEBE
He is infatuate about her.
123
Quality Street [ACT
MISS FANNY
Poor Phoebe !
( They make much of her, and she purrs naughtily to their stroking, with lightning peeps at MISS SUSAN. Affronted Providence seeks to pay lier out by sending ENSIGN BLADES into tJie tent. Then the close ob- server may see MISS PHOEBE'S heart sink like a bucket in a well. MISS SUSAN steals from the tent.}
MISS HENRIETTA
Mr. Blades, I have been saying that if I were a gentleman I would pay my addresses to Miss Phoebe much rather than to her niece.
BLADES
Ma'am, excuse me.
MISS HENRIETTA
(Indignant that MISS PHOEBE should be slighted so publicly) Sir, you are a most un- gallant and deficient young man.
BLADES
Really, ma'am, I assure you — 124
in.] Quality Street
MISS HENRIETTA
Not another word, sir.
PHOEBE
(/;/ her most old-inaidisJi manner} Miss Fanny, Miss Henrietta, it is time I spoke plainly to this gentleman. Please leave him to me. Surely 'twill come best from me.
MISS HENRIETTA
Indeed, yes, if it be not too painful to you.
PHOEBE I must do my duty.
MISS FANNY
(Wistfully] If we could remain —
PHOEBE
Would it be seemly, Miss Fanny ?
MISS HENRIETTA
Come, Fanny. (To BLADES) Sir, you bring your punishment upon yourself.
(They press PHOEBE'S hand, and go. Her heart returns to its usual abode}
125
Quality Street [ACT
BLADES
(Bewildered] Are you angry with me, Miss Livvy ?
PHOEBE
•Oh, no.
BLADES
Miss Livvy, I have something to say to you of supreme importance to me. With regard to my complexion, I am aware, Miss Livvy, that it has retained a too youthful bloom. My brother officers comment on it with a certain lack of generosity. (Anxiously] Might I inquire, ma'am, whether you regard my complexion as a subject for light talk.
PHOEBE No indeed, sir, I only wish I had it.
BLADES
(U^Jw lias Jiad no intention of offering, but is suddenly carried off Jiis feet by the excellence of the opportunity, which is no doubt re- sponsible for many proposals] Miss Livvy, ma'am, you may have it.
(She has a great and humorous long- ing that she could turn before his affrighted eyes into the schoolmistress 126
in.] Quality Street
she really is. She would endure much to be able at this moment to say, ' I have listened to you, ENSIGN BLADES, with attention, but I am really MISS PHOEBE, and I tnust now request you to fetch me the implement! Under the shock, would he have surrendered liis palm for punishment ? It can never be known, for as she looks at him longingly, LIEUTENANT SPICER enters, and he mistakes the meaning of that longing look.}
SPICER
'Tis my dance, ma'am — 'tis not Ensign Blades'.
BLADES
Leave us, sir. We have matter of moment
to discuss.
SPICER
(Fearing the worst] His affection, Miss Livvy, is not so deep as mine. He is a light and shallow nature.
PHOEBE
Pooh ! You are both light and shallow natures.
127
Quality Street [ACT
BLADES
Both, ma'am ? (But lie is not sure tliat he has not had a miraculous escape?)
PHOEBE
\
(Severely] 'Tis such as you, with your foolish flirting ways, that confuse the minds of women and make us try to be as silly as yourselves.
SPICER (Crushed] Ma'am.
PHOEBE
I did not mean to hurt you. (She takes a hand of each and tries to advise them as if her curls were once more hidden under a cap.] You are so like little boys in a school. Do be good. Sit here beside me. I know you are
very brave —
BLADES Ha!
PHOEBE
And when you come back from the wars it must be so delightful to you to flirt with the
ladies again.
SPICER Oh, ma'am.
128
:
PHOEBE
As soon as you see a lady with a pretty nose you cannot help saying that you adore her
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
As soon as you see a lady with a pretty nose you cannot help saying that you adore her.
BLADES (In an ecstasy] Nay, I swear.
PHOEBE
And you offer to her, not from love, but because you are so deficient in conversation.
SPICER Charming, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
(IVith sudden irritation} Oh, sir, go away ; go away, both of you, and read improving books.
( They are cast down. She has not been quite fair to these gallants, for it is not really of them she has grown weary so mncJi as of tJie lady they temporarily adore. If MISS PHOEBE were to analyse her feelings she would find that licr remark is addressed to LIVVY, and that it means, '/ have enjoyed for a little pretending to be you, but I am not R 129
Quality Street [ACT
you and I do not wish to be you. Your glitter and the airs of you and the racket of yoit tire me, I want to be done with you, and to be back in quiet Quality Street, of which I am a part ; it is really pleasant to me to know that I shall wake up to- morrow slightly middle-aged.'1 With the entrance of CAPTAIN BROWN, however, she is at once a frivol again. He frowns at sight of her cavaliers^}
VALENTINE
Gentlemen, I instructed this lady to rest, and I am surprised to find you in attendance. Miss Livvy, you must be weary of their fatuities, and I have taken the liberty to order
your chaise.
PHOEBE
It is indeed a liberty.
BLADES
An outrage.
PHOEBE
I prefer to remain.
VALENTINE
Nay. 130
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
I promised this dance to Ensign Blades.
SPICER To me, ma'am.
PHOEBE
And the following one to Lieutenant Spicer. Mr. Blades, your arm.
VALENTINE
I forbid any further dancing.
PHOEBE Forbid. La !
BLADES
Sir, by what right —
VALENTINE
By a right which I hope to make clear to Miss Livvy as soon as you gentlemen have retired. (PHOEBE sees that tJie declaration is coming. She steels herself.}
PHOEBE
I am curious to know what Captain Brown can have to say to me. In a few minutes, Mr. Blades, Lieutenant Spicer, I shall be at your service.
Quality Street [ACT m.
VALENTINE
I trust not.
PHOEBE
I give them my word.
(The young gentlemen retire, treading air once more. BROWN surveys her rather grimly '.)
VALENTINE
You are an amazing pretty girl, ma'am, but you are a shocking flirt.
PHOEBE La!
VALENTINE
It has somewhat diverted me to watch them go down before you. But I know you have a kind heart, and that if there be a rapier in your one hand there is a handkerchief in the other ready to staunch their wounds.
PHOEBE
I have not observed that they bled much.
VALENTINE
The Blades and the like, no. But one may, perhaps. 132
You are a shocking flirt
PHOEBE
(Obviously the reference is to himself} Per- haps I may wish to see him bleed.
VALENTINE
(Grown stern} For shame, Miss Livvy.
133
Quality Street [ACT
(Anger rises in her, but she wishes him to Proceed.} I speak, ma'am, in the interests of the man to whom I hope to see you affianced. (No, she does not wish him to proceed. She had esteemed him for so long, she cannot have him debase himself before her now.}
PHOEBE
Shall we — I have changed my mind, I con- sent to go home. Please to say nothing.
VALENTINE
Nay —
PHOEBE
I beg you.
VALENTINE
No. We must have it out.
PHOEBE
Then if you must go on, do so. But re- member I begged you to desist. Who is this happy man ?
(His next words are a great shock to her.}
VALENTINE
As to who he is, ma'am, of course I have no notion. Nor, I am sure, have you, else you
134
in.] Quality Street
would be more guarded in your conduct. But some day, Miss Livvy, the right man will come. Not to be able to tell him all, would it not be hard ? And how could you acquaint him with this poor sport? His face would change, ma'am, as you told him of it, and yours would be a false face until it was told. This is what I have been so desirous to say to you — by the right of a friend.
PHOEBE (In a low voice but bravely) I see.
VALENTINE
(Afraid tJiat lie has liurt her) It has been hard to say and I have done it bunglingly. Ah, but believe me, Miss Livvy, it is not the flaunting flower men love ; it is the modest
violet.
PHOEBE
The modest violet ! You dare to say that.
VALENTINE
Yes, indeed, and when you are acquaint with what love really is —
PHOEBE Love ! What do you know of love ?
135
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
(A little complacently] Why, ma'am, I know all about it. I am in love, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
(With a disdainful inclination of tlie head] I wish you happy.
VALENTINE
With a lady who was once very like you, ma'am.
(At first PHOEBE does not understand, tJien a suspicion of his meaning comes
to her.}
PHOEBE
Not — not — oh no.
VALENTINE
I had not meant to speak of it, but why should not I ? It will be a fine lesson to you, Miss Livvy. Ma'am, it is your Aunt Phoebe whom I love.
PHOEBE
(Rigid] You do not mean that.
VALENTINE
Most ardently. 136
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
It is not true ; how dare you make sport of her.
VALENTINE
Is it sport to wish she may be my wife ?
PHOEBE Your wife !
VALENTINE
If I could win her.
PHOEBE
(Bewildered] May I solicit, sir, for how long you have been attached to Miss Phoebe?
VALENTINE
For nine years, I think.
PHOEBE You think !
VALENTINE
I want to be honest. Never in all that time had I thought myself in love. Your aunts were my dear friends, and while I was at the wars we sometimes wrote to each other, but they were only friendly letters. I presume the affection was too placid to be love.
PHOEBE
I think that would be Aunt Phoebe's opinion, s 137
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
Yet I remember, before we went into action for the first time — I suppose the fear of death was upon me — some of them were making their wills — I have no near relative — I left everything to these two ladies.
PHOEBE (Softly) Did you ?
(IVhat is it that MISS PHOEBE begins to see as she sits there so quietly, with her hands pressed together as if itpon some treasttre ? It is PHOEBE of the ringlets with the stain taken out of her.}
VALENTINE
And when I returned a week ago and saw Miss Phoebe, grown so tired-looking and so
poor —
PHOEBE
The shock made you feel old, I know.
VALENTINE
No, Miss Livvy, but it filled me with a sudden passionate regret that I had not gone down in that first engagement. They would have been very comfortably left. 138
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
Oh, sir !
VALENTINE
I am not calling it love.
PHOEBE
It was sweet and kind, but it was not love.
VALENTINE
It is love now.
PHOEBE No, it is only pity.
VALENTINE
It is love.
PHOEBE
(She smiles tremulously) You really mean Phoebe — tired, unattractive Phoebe, that woman whose girlhood is gone. Nay, impossible.
VALENTINE
(Stoutly) Phoebe of the fascinating playful ways, whose ringlets were once as pretty as yours, ma'am. I have visited her in her home several times this week — you were always out -I thank you for that ! I was alone with her, and with fragrant memories of her.
139
Qualify Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Memories ! Yes, that is the Phoebe you love, the bright girl of the past — not the school- mistress in her old-maid's cap.
VALENTINE
There you wrong me, for I have discovered for myself that the schoolmistress in her old- maid's cap is the noblest Miss Phoebe of them all. (If only he would go away, and let MISS PHOEBE cry.} When I enlisted, I remember I compared her to a garden. I have often thought of that.
PHOEBE 'Tis an old garden now.
VALENTINE
The paths, ma'am, are better shaded.
PHOEBE The flowers have grown old-fashioned.
VALENTINE
They smell the sweeter. Miss Livvy, do you think there is any hope for me ? 140
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
There was a man whom Miss Phoebe loved — long ago. He did not love her.
VALENTINE
Now here was a fool !
PHOEBE
He kissed her once.
VALENTINE
If Miss Phoebe suffered him to do that she thought he loved her.
PHOEBE
Yes, yes. (She has to ask him the ten years old question} Do you opinion that this makes her action in allowing it less reprehensible? It has been such a pain to her ever since.
VALENTINE
How like Miss Phoebe ! (Sternly] But that man \vas a knave.
PHOEBE
No, he was a good man — only a little — inconsiderate. She knows now that he has
141
Quality Street [ACT
even forgotten that he did it. I suppose men are like that ?
VALENTINE
No, Miss Livvy, men are not like that. I am a very average man, but I thank God I am not like that.
PHOEBE
It was you.
VALENTINE
(After a pause) Did Miss Phoebe say that?
PHOEBE Yes.
VALENTINE
Then it is true.
(He is very grave and quiet.}
PHOEBE
It was raining and her face was wet. You said you did it because her face was wet.
VALENTINE
I had quite forgotten.
PHOEBE
But she remembers, and how often do you think the shameful memory has made her face wet since ? The face you love, Captain Brown, 142
in.] Quality Street
you were the first to give it pain. The tired eyes — how much less tired they might be if they had never known you. You who are torturing me with every word, what have you done to Miss Phoebe? You who think you can bring back the bloom to that faded garden, and all the pretty airs and graces that fluttered round it once like little birds before the nest is torn down — bring them back to her if you can, sir ; it was you who took them away.
VALENTINE
I vow I shall do my best to bring them back. (MISS PHOEBE shakes her head.} Miss Livvy, with your help
PHOEBE
My help ! I have not helped. I tried to spoil it all.
VALENTINE
(Smiling] To spoil it ? You mean that you sought to flirt even with me. Ah, I knew you did. But that is nothing.
PHOEBE Oh, sir, if you could overlook it.
143
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
I do.
PHOEBE
And forget these hateful balls.
VALENTINE
Hateful ! Nay, I shall never call them that. They have done me too great a service. It was at the balls that I fell in love with Miss Phoebe.
PHOEBE
What can you mean ?
VALENTINE
She who was never at a ball ! (Checking himself Jin moron sly?) But I must not tell you, it might hurt you.
PHOEBE Tell me.
VALENTINE
(Gaily) Then on your own head be the blame. It is you who have made me love her, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
Sir? 144
in.] Quality Street
VALENTINE
Yes, it is odd, and yet very simple. You who so resembled her as she was ! for an hour, ma'am, you bewitched me ; yes, I confess it, but 'twas only for an hour. How like, I cried at first, but soon it was, how unlike. There was almost nothing she would have said that you said ; you did so much that she would have scorned to do. But I must not say these things to you !
PHOEBE I ask it of you, Captain Brown.
VALENTINE
Well ! Miss Phoebe's ' lady-likeness,' on which she set such store that I used to make merry of the word — I gradually perceived that it is a woman's most beautiful garment, and the casket which contains all the adorable qualities that go to the making of a perfect female. When Miss Livvy rolled her eyes — ah I (He stops apologetically^
PHOEBE Proceed, sir.
T 145
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
It but made me the more complacent that never in her life had Miss Phoebe been guilty of the slightest deviation from the strictest propriety. (She shudders.} I was always con- ceiving her in your place. Oh, it was mon- strous unfair to you. I stood looking at you, Miss Livvy, and seeing in my mind her and the pretty things she did, and you did not do ; why, ma'am, that is how I fell in love with Miss Phoebe at the balls.
PHOEBE I thank you.
VALENTINE
Ma'am, tell me, do you think there is any hope for me ?
PHOEBE
Hope!
VALENTINE
I shall go to her. ' Miss Phoebe,' I will say — oh, ma'am, so reverently — ' Miss Phoebe, my beautiful, most estimable of women, let me take care of you for ever more/
(MISS PHOEBE presses the words to her
heart and then drops 146
in.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
Beautiful. La, Aunt Phoebe !
VALENTINE
Ah, ma'am, you may laugh at a rough soldier so much enamoured, but 'tis true. ' Marry me, Miss Phoebe,' I will say, ' and I will take you back through those years of hardships that have made your sweet eyes too patient. In- stead of growing older you shall grow younger. We will travel back together to pick up the many little joys and pleasures you had to pass by when you trod that thorny path alone.'
PHOEBE Can't be — can't be.
VALENTINE
Nay, Miss Phoebe has loved me. Tis you
have said it.
PHOEBE
I did not mean to tell you.
VALENTINE
She will be my wife yet.
PHOEBE
Never.
147
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
You are severe, Miss Livvy. But it is because you are partial to her, and I am happy of that.
PHOEBE
(/// growing IwYYor of herself] I partial to her! I am laughing at both of you. Miss Phoebe. La, that old thing.
VALENTINE
(Sternly) Silence !
PHOEBE
I hate her and despise her. If you knew
what she is
(He stops her with a gesture?)
VALENTINE
I know what you are.
PHOEBE
That paragon who has never been guilty of the slightest deviation from the strictest propriety.
VALENTINE
Never.
PHOEBE
That garden — 148
Quality Street
VALENTINE
Miss Livvy, for shame.
PHOEBE
Your garden has been destroyed, sir ; the weeds have entered it, and all the flowers are choked.
VALENTINE
You false woman, what do you mean ?
PHOEBE
I will tell you. (But his confidence awes her.} What faith you have in her.
VALENTINE
As in my God. Speak.
PHOEBE
I cannot tell you.
VALENTINE
No, you cannot.
PHOEBE
It is too horrible.
VALENTINE
You are too horrible. Is not that it ?
149
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
Yes, that is it.
(MISS SUSAN has entered and caught the last words.}
MISS SUSAN
(Shrinking as from a coming blow) What is too horrible ?
VALENTINE
Ma'am, I leave the telling of it to her, if she dare. And I devoutly hope those are the last words I shall ever address to this lady.
(He bows and goes out in dudgeon. MISS SUSAN believes all is discovered and tliat MISS PHOEBE is for ever shamed?)
MISS SUSAN
(Taking PHOEBE in her arms] My love, my dear, what terrible thing has he said to you ?
PHOEBE
(Forgetting everything but that site is loved] Not terrible — glorious ! Susan, 'tis Phoebe 150
in.] Quality Street
he loves, 'tis me, not Livvy ! He loves me, he loves me ! Me — Phoebe !
(MISS SUSAN'S bosom swells. It is her great hour as much as PHOEBE'S.)
End of Act III.
Set A-.
U
Act IV
THE BLUE AND WHITE ROOM
IF we could shut our eyes to the two sisters sitting' here in zuoe, this would be, to the male eye at least, the identi- cal blue and white room of ten years ago ; the same sun shining into it and playing familiarly with Miss Susans treasures. But the ladies are changed. It is not merely that Miss Phoebe has again donned her schoolmistress's gown and hidden her curls under the cap. To see her thus once more, her real self, after the escapade of the ball, is not unpleasant, and the cap and gown do not ill become the quiet room. But she now turns guiltily from the sun that used to be her intimate, her face is drawn, her form condensed into the smallest space, and her hands lie trembling in her lap. It is disquieting to note that any life there is in the room comes not from her but from Miss Susan. If the house were to go on fire now it would be she who would have to carry out Miss Phoebe.
Whatever of import has happened since the ball, Patty knows it, and is enjoying it. We see this as she ushers in Miss Willonghby. Note also, with concern, that at mention of the visitor s name the eyes of the sisters turn affrightedly, not to the door by which their old friend enters, but to the closed door of the spare bed-chamber. Patty also gives it a meaning glance ; then the three look at each other, and two of them blanch.
155
Qualify Street [ACT
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(The fourth to look at the door) I am just run across, Susan, to inquire how Miss Livvy does now.
MISS SUSAN
She is still very poorly, Mary.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
I am so unhappy of that. I conceive it to be a nervous disorder ?
MISS SUSAN
(Almost too glibly] Accompanied by trem- bling, flutterings, and spasms.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
The excitements of the ball. You have summoned the apothecary at last, I trust, Phoebe ?
(MISS PHOEBE, once so ready of defence, can say nothing^
MISS SUSAN
(To tlie rescue] It is Livvy's own wish that he should not be consulted.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Looking longingly at the door] May I go in to see her? 156
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
I fear not, Mary. She is almost asleep, and it is best not to disturb her. (Peeping into tlie bedroom] Lie quite still, Livvy, my love, quite still.
(Somehow this makes PATTY smile so broadly that she finds it advisable to retire. MISS WILLOUGHBY sighs, and produces a small bowl from the folds of Jiev cloak.}
MISS WILLOUGHBY
This is a little arrowroot, of which I hope Miss Livvy will be so obliging as to partake.
MISS SUSAN
(Taking the bowl] I thank you, Mary.
PHOEBE (Ashamed] Susan, we ought not --
MISS SUSAN
(Shameless] I will take it to her while it is still warm.
(She goes into the bedroom. MISS
WILLOUGHBY gazes at MISS PHOEBE,
who certainly shrinks. It has not
157
Quality Street [ACT
escaped the notice of the visitor that MISS PHOEBE has become the more timid of the sisters, and she has evolved an explanation^]
MISS WILLOUGHBY
Phoebe, has Captain Brown been apprised of Miss Livvy's illness?
PHOEBE
(Uncomfortably^ I think not, Miss Wil- loughby.
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Sorry for PHOEBE, and speaking very kindly] Is this right, Phoebe ? You informed Fanny and Henrietta at the ball of his partiality for Livvy. My dear, it is hard for you, but have you any right to keep them apart ?
PHOEBE
(Discovering only now what are the sns- picioiis of her friends] Is that what you think I am doing, Miss Willoughby?
MISS WILLOUGHBY
Such a mysterious illness. (Sweetly) Long
ago, Phoebe, I once caused much unhappiness
through foolish jealousy. That is why I venture
to hope that you will not be as I was, my dear.
158
Quality Street
PHOEBE
I jealous of Livvy !
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(lyith a sigh] I thought as little of the lady I refer to, but he thought otherwise.
PHOEBE
Indeed, Miss Willoughby, you wrong me. (But MISS WILLOUGHBY does not entirely believe her, and there is a pause, so long a pause that unfortunately MISS SUSAN thinks she Jias left the housed)
MISS SUSAN (Peeping in] Is she gone?
MISS WILLOUGHBY
(Hurf) No, Susan, but I am going.
MISS SUSAN
(Distressed] Mary !
(She follows her out, but MISS WIL- LOUGHBY will not be comforted, and there is a coldness between them for the rest of the day. MISS SUSAN is not so abashed as she ought to be. She returns, and partakes with avidity of the arrowroot.}
159
mm ^m
They are always ivatching
VALENTINE
/ regret that they are out, Patty, but I will await their return
,
ACT iv.] Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, I am well aware that this is wrong of me, but Mary's arrowroot is so delicious. The ladies'-fingers and petticoat-tails those officers sent to Livvy, I ate them also ! (Once on a time this would have amused MISS PHOEBE, but Jier sense of humour has gone. Slie is cry- ing?) Phoebe, if you have such remorse you will weep yourself to death.
PHOEBE
Oh, sister, were it not for you, how gladly would I go into a decline.
MISS SUSAN
(After she has soothed PHOEBE a little] My dear, what is to be done about her ? We cannot have her supposed to be here for ever.
PHOEBE
We had to pretend that she was ill to keep her out of sight ; and now we cannot say she has gone away, for the Miss Willoughby's windows command our door, and they are always watching.
x 161
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
(Peeping from the window} I see Fanny watching now. I feel, Phoebe, as if Livvy
really existed.
PHOEBE
(Mournfully] We shall never be able to esteem ourselves again.
MISS SUSAN
(Who lias in her the makings of a desperate criminal} Phoebe, why not marry him? If only we could make him think that Livvy had gone home. Then he need never know.
PHOEBE
Susan, you pain me. She who marries with- out telling all — hers must ever be a false face. They are his own words.
(PATTY enters importantly}
PATTY Captain Brown.
PHOEBE
(Starting up} I wrote to him, begging him not to come. 162
Street
MISS SUSAN
(Quickly] Patty, I am sorry we are out.
(But VALENTINE lias entered in time to hear lier words?)
VALENTINE
(Not iinmindful tJiat this is the room in winch he is esteemed a wif) I regret that they are out, Patty, but I will await their return. (TJie astonishing man sits on the ottoman beside MISS SUSAN, but politely ignores Jier presence.") It is not my wish to detain you, Patty.
(PATTY goes reluctantly, and the sisters
think how like him, and how delight-
ful it would be if they were still the
patterns of propriety he considers
them.}
PHOEBE (Bravely) Captain Brown.
VALENTINE
(Rising] You, Miss Phoebe. I hear Miss Livvy is indisposed?
163
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
She is — very poorly.
VALENTINE
But it is not that unpleasant girl I have come to see, it is you.
MISS SUSAN
(Meekly'] How do you do ?
VALENTINE
(Ignoring her] And I am happy, Miss Phoebe, to find you alone.
MISS SUSAN
(Appealingly] How do you do, sir?
PHOEBE
You know quite well, sir, that Susan is here.
VALENTINE
Nay, ma'am, excuse me. I heard Miss Susan say she was gone out. Miss Susan is incapable of prevarication. 164
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
(Rising— helpless] What am I to do ?
PHOEBE
Don't go, Susan — 'tis what he wants.
VALENTINE
I have her word that she is not present.
MISS SUSAN
Oh dear.
VALENTINE
My faith in Miss Susan is absolute. (At this she retires into the bedroom, and im- mediately his manner cJianges. He takes MISS PHOEBE'S hands into his own kind ones] You coward, Miss Phoebe, to be afraid of Valentine Brown.
PHOEBE
I wrote and begged you not to come.
VALENTINE
You implied as a lover, Miss Phoebe, but surely always as a friend.
PHOEBE Oh yes, yes.
165
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
You told Miss Livvy that you loved me once. How carefully you hid it from me I
PHOEBE
(More firmly] A woman must never tell. You went away to the great battles. I was left to fight in a little one. Women have a flag to fly, Mr. Brown, as well as men, and old maids have a flag as well as women. I tried to keep mine flying.
VALENTINE
But you ceased to care for me. (^Tenderly) I dare ask your love no more, but I still ask you to put yourself into my keeping. Miss Phoebe, let me take care of you.
PHOEBE It cannot be.
VALENTINE
This weary teaching! Let me close your school.
PHOEBE
Please, sir.
VALENTINE
If not for your own sake, I ask you, Miss Phoebe, to do it for mine. In memory of the 1 66
Quality Street
thoughtless recruit who went off laughing to the wars. They say ladies cannot quite forget the man who has used them ill ; Miss Phoebe, do it for me because I used you ill.
PHOEBE I beg you — no more.
VALENTINE
(Manfully) There, it is all ended. Miss Phoebe, here is my hand on it.
PHOEBE What will you do now?
VALENTINE
I also must work. I will become a physician again, with some drab old housekeeper to neglect me and the house. Do you foresee the cobwebs gathering and gathering, Miss Phoebe ?
PHOEBE
Oh, sir!
VALENTINE
You shall yet see me in Quality Street, wear- ing my stock all awry.
PHOEBE Oh, oh !
167
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
And with snuff upon my sleeve.
PHOEBE
Sir, sir !
VALENTINE
No skulker, ma'am, I hope, but gradually turning into a grumpy, crusty, bottle-nosed
old bachelor.
PHOEBE Oh, Mr. Brown !
VALENTINE
And all because you will not walk across the
street with me.
PHOEBE
Indeed, sir, you must marry — and I hope it may be some one who is really like a garden.
VALENTINE
I know but one. That reminds me, Miss Phoebe, of something I had forgot. (He pro- duces a paper from his pocket?) Tis a trifle I have wrote about you. But I fear to trouble you. (PHOEBE'S hands go out longingly for it.}
PHOEBE
(Reading) ' Lines to a Certain Lady, who is 1 68
Miss Hetiriettti and Miss Fanny, encouraged by his sympathy, draw nearer the door of tin- interest ing bed-chamber
iv.] Ona/itv Street
t*~> ^
Modestly unaware of her Resemblance to a Garden. Wrote by her servant, V. B.'
(T/ie beauty of this makes her falter. She looks up.)
VALENTINE
(With a poefs pride) There is more of it, ma'am.
PHOEBE (Reading)
The lilies are her pretty thoughts,
Her shoulders are the may, Her smiles are all forget-me-nots,
The path 's her gracious way, The roses that do line it are
Her fancies walking round, 'Tis sweetly smelling lavender
In which my lady's gowned.
(MISS PHOEBE has thought herself strong, but sJie is not able to read such exquisite lines without betraying JierseJf to a lover s gaze)
VALENTINE
{Excitedly) Miss Phoebe, when did you cease to care for me ?
Y 169
Quality Street [ACT
PHOEBE
(Retreating from Jiim but clinging to her poeni) You promised not to ask.
VALENTINE
I know not why you should, Miss Phoebe, but I believe you love me still !
(MISS PHOEBE has the terrified appear- ance of a detected felon .)
(MISS SUSAN returns?)
MISS SUSAN
You are talking so loudly.
VALENTINE
Miss Susan, does she care for me still?
MISS SUSAN
(Forgetting her pride of sex) Oh, sir, how could she help it.
VALENTINE
Then by Gad, Miss Phoebe, you shall marry me though I have to carry you in my arms to the church.
PHOEBE
Sir, how can you ! 170
Quality Street
(But MISS SUSAN gives her a look which means tliat it must be done if only to avoid such a scandal. It is at this inopportune moment t/iat MISS HENRIETTA and MISS FANNY are announced]
MISS HENRIETTA
I think Miss Willoughby has already popped in.
PHOEBE (With a little spirit] Yes, indeed.
MISS SUSAN
(A mistress of sarcasm] How is Mary, Fanny? She has not been to see us for several minutes.
MISS FANNY
(Somewhat daunted] Mary is so partial to you, Susan.
VALENTINE
Your servant, Miss Henrietta, Miss Fanny.
MISS FANNY
How do you do, sir?
171
Quality Street [ACT
MISS HENRIETTA
(Wistfully) And how do you find Miss Livvy, sir?
VALENTINE
I have not seen her, Miss Henrietta.
MISS HENRIETTA
Indeed I
MISS FANNY
Not even you ?
VALENTINE
You seem surprised ?
MISS FANNY
Nay, sir, you must not say so ; but really, Phoebe !
PHOEBE
Fanny, you presume !
VALENTINE
(Puzzled] If one of you ladies would deign to enlighten me. To begin with, what is Miss Livvy's malady?
MISS HENRIETTA
He does not, know? Oh, Phoebe. 172
iv.] Qualify Street
VALENTINE
Ladies, have pity on a dull man, and explain.
MISS FANNY
(Timidly] Please not to ask us to explain. I fear we have already said more than was proper. Phoebe, forgive.
(To CAPTAIN BROWN this but adds to tJie mystery, and lie looks to PHOEBE for enlightenment^
PHOEBE
(Desperate) I understand, sir, there is a belief that I keep Livvy in confinement because of your passion for her.
VALENTINE
My passion for Miss Livvy? Why, Miss Fanny, I cannot abide her — nor she me. (Looking manfully at MISS PHOEBE.) Further- more, I am proud to tell you that this is the lady whom I adore.
MISS FANNY
Phoebe?
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
Yes, ma'am.
(The ladies are for a moment bereft of speech, and the uplifted PHOEBE cannot refrain from a movement which, if completed, would be a curtsey. Her punishment follows promptly.}
MISS HENRIETTA
(From tier heart] Phoebe, I am so happy 'tis you.
MISS FANNY
Dear Phoebe, I give you joy. And you also, sir. (MISS PHOEBE sends her sister a glance of unutterable woe, and escapes from the room. It is most ill-bred of her] Miss Susan, I do not understand !
MISS HENRIETTA
Is it that Miss Livvy is an obstacle?
MISS SUSAN
(Who knows that there is no hope for her but in flight] I think I hear Phoebe calling me — a sudden indisposition. Pray excuse me, Henrietta. (She goes.]
'74
Qitality Street
MISS HENRIETTA
We know not, sir, whether to offer you our felicitations ?
VALENTINE
(Cogitating] May I ask, ma'am, what you mean by an obstacle? Is there some mystery about Miss Livvy ?
MISS HENRIETTA
So much so, sir, that we at one time thought she and Miss Phoebe were the same person.
VALENTINE
Pshaw 1
MISS FANNY
Why will they admit no physician into her presence ?
MISS HENRIETTA
The blinds of her room are kept most art- fully drawn.
MISS FANNY
(Plaintively) We have never seen her, sir. Neither Miss Susan nor Miss Phoebe will present her to us.
VALENTINE
(Impressed] Indeed.
175
Quality Street [ACT
(MISS HENRIETTA and MISS FANNY, €11-
couragcd by his sympathy, draw nearer f/ic door of the interesting bed- chamber. They falter. Any one who thinks, however, that they would so far forget themselves as to open the door and peep in, has no understanding of t/ic ladies of Quality Street. They are, nevertheless, not perfect ', for 'Miss HENRIETTA knocks on the door]
MISS HENRIETTA
How do you find yourself, dear Miss Livvy ?
(T/iere is no answer. It is our pride to
record that they come away without
even tonclting the handle. They look
appealing at CAPTAIN BROWN, whose
face has grown grave?)
VALENTINE
I think, ladies, as a physician —
(He walks into the bedroom. They feel an ignoble drawing to follow him, but do not yield to it. JVhen he returns /i is face is inscrutable.} 176
VALENTINE She -will recover
Quality Street
MISS HENRIETTA
Is she very poorly, sir?
VALENTINE
Ha.
MISS FANNY
We did not hear you address her.
VALENTINE
She is not awake, ma'am.
MISS HENRIETTA
It is provoking.
MISS FANNY
(Stenily just) They informed Mary that she was nigh asleep.
VALENTINE
It is not a serious illness I think, ma'am. With the permission of Miss Phoebe and Miss Susan I will make myself more acquaint with her disorder presently. (He is desiiwis to be alone) But we must not talk lest we disturb her.
MISS FANNY
You suggest our retiring, sir?
z 177
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
Nay, Miss Fanny- Miss FANNY
You are very obliging ; but I think, Henri- etta- Miss HENRIETTA
(Rising) Yes, Fanny.
(No doubt they are the more ready to depart that they wish to inform MISS WILLOUGHBY at once of these st range doings. As they go, MISS SUSAN and MISS PHOEBE return, and the adieux are less elaborate than tisual. Neither visitors nor hostesses quite know what to say. MISS SUSAN is merely relieved to see them leave, but MISS PHOEBE lias read something in their manner that makes her uneasy?)
PHOEBE
Why have they departed so hurriedly, sir ? They — -they did not go in to see Livvy?
VALENTINE
No. (She reads danger in his face] 178
Quality Street
PHOEBE
Why do you look at me so strangely ?
VALENTINE
(Somewhat stern] Miss Phoebe, I desire to see Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
Impossible.
VALENTINE
Why impossible? They tell me strange stories about no one's seeing her. Miss Phoebe, I will not leave this house until I have seen her.
PHOEBE
You cannot. (But he is very determined, and she is afraid of him.} Will you excuse me, sir, while I talk with Susan behind the door?
(The sisters go guiltily into the bedroom, and CAPTAIN BROWN after some hesita- tion rings for PATTY.)
VALENTINE
Patty, come here. Why is this trick being played upon me?
179
Quality Street [ACT
PATTY
all her wits about her] Trick, sir! Who would dare ?
VALENTINE
I know, Patty, that Miss Phoebe has been Miss Livvy all the time.
PATTY I give in !
VALENTINE
Why has she done this ?
PATTY
(Beseechingly] Are you laughing, sir?
VALENTINE
I am very far from laughing.
PATTY
(Turning on him] 'Twas you that began it, all by not knowing her in the white gown.
VALENTINE
Why has this deception been kept up so long?
PATTY
Because you would not see through it. Oh, 1 80
iv.] Quality Street
the wicked denseness. She thought you were infatuate with Miss Livvy because she was young and silly.
VALENTINE
It is infamous.
PATTY
I will not have you call her names. 'Twas all playful innocence at first, and now she is so feared of you she is weeping her soul to death, and all I do I cannot rouse her. ' I ha' a follower in the kitchen, ma'am,' says I, to infuriate her. ' Give him a glass of cowslip wine,' says she, like a gentle lamb. And ill she can afford it, you having lost their money for them.
VALENTINE
What is that? On the contrary, all the money they have, Patty, they owe to my having invested it for them.
PATTY That is the money they lost.
VALENTINE
You are sure of that ?
181
Quality Street [ACT
PATTY
I can swear to it.
VALENTINE
Deceived me about that also. Good God ; but why ?
PATTY
I think she was feared you would offer to her out of pity. She said something to Miss Susan about keeping a flag flying. What she meant I know not. (But lie knows, and he turns away Ins face.} Are you laughing, sir?
VALENTINE
No, Patty, I am not laughing. Why do they not say Miss Livvy has gone home? It would save them a world of trouble.
PATTY
The Misses Willoughby and Miss Henrietta — they watch the house all day. They would say she cannot be gone, for we did not see her
g°-
VALENTINE
(Enlightened at last] I see 1 182
Quality Street
PATTY
And Miss Phoebe and Miss Susan wring their hands, for they are feared Miss Livvy is bedridden here for all time. (Now his sense of /tumour asserts itself?) Thank the Lord, you're laughing!
(At tliis he laugJis the more, and it is a gay CAPTAIN BROWN on whom MISS SUSAN opens the bedroom door. This desperate woman is too full of plot to note the change in him.)
MISS SUSAN
I am happy to inform you, sir, that Livvy finds herself much improved.
VALENTINE
(Bowing) It is joy to me to hear it.
MISS SUSAN
She is coming in to see you.
PATTY
(Aghast} Oh, ma'am !
VALENTINE
(Frowning on PATTY) I shall be happy to see the poor invalid.
183
Quality Street [ACT iv.
PATTY
Ma'am — !
(But MISS SUSAN, believing that so far all is well, lias returned to the bed- chamber, CAPTAIN BROWN bestows a quizzical glance upon the maid.}
VALENTINE
Go away, Patty. Anon I may claim a service of you, but for the present, go.
PATTY
But— but—
VALENTINE
Retire, woman.
(She has to go, and he prepares his face for the reception of the invalid. PHOEBE comes in without her cap, the ringlets showing again. She wears a dressing jacket and is sup- ported by MISS SUSAN.)
VALENTINE
(Gravely] Your servant, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
(Weakly] How do you do? 184
Patty has to go
VALENTINE
Allow me, Miss Susan.
(He fakes MISS SUSAN'S place ; but after an exqtdsite moment MISS PHOEBE breaks away from hint, feeling tJiat sJie is not worthy of such bliss.}
PHOEBE
No, no, I — I can walk alone — see. (She reclines upon the conch.} 2 A 185
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
How do you think she is looking?
(He makes a professional examination of t/ie patient, and they are 'very ashamed to deceive him, but not so ashamed that they must confess.}
What do you think?
VALENTINE
(Solemnly] She will recover. May I say, ma'am, it surprises me that any one should see much resemblance between you and your Aunt Phoebe. Miss Phoebe is decidedly shorter and more thick-set.
PHOEBE (Sitting up] No, I am not.
VALENTINE
I said Miss Phoebe, ma'am. (She reclines) But tell me, is not Miss Phoebe to join us ?
PHOEBE
She hopes you will excuse her, sir. 1 86
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
(Vaguely) Taking the opportunity of airing the room.
VALENTINE
Ah, of course.
MISS SUSAN
(Opening bedroom door and calling men- daciously] Captain Brown will excuse you, Phoebe.
VALENTINE
Certainly, Miss Susan. Well, ma'am, I think I could cure Miss Livvy if she is put unreservedly into my hands.
MISS SUSAN
a sigl?) I am sure you could.
VALENTINE
Then you are my patient, Miss Livvy.
PHOEBE
(Nervously) Twas but a passing indisposi tion, I am almost quite recovered.
187
Quality Street [ACT
VALENTINE
Nay, you still require attention. Do you propose making a long stay in Quality Street, ma'am ?
PHOEBE
I — I — I hope not. It — it depends.
MISS SUSAN
(Forgetting herself] Mary is the worst.
VALENTINE
I ask your pardon ?
PHOEBE
Aunt Susan, you are excited.
VALENTINE
But you are quite right, Miss Livvy ; home is the place for you.
PHOEBE
Would that I could go !
VALENTINE
You are going.
PHOEBE
Yes — soon. 1 88
Quality Street
VALENTINE
Indeed, I have a delightful surprise for you, Miss Livvy, you are going to-day.
PHOEBE To-day ?
VALENTINE
Not merely to-day, but now. As it happens, my carriage is standing idle at your door, and I am to take you in it to your home — some twenty miles if I remember.
PHOEBE You are to take me ?
VALENTINE
Nay, 'tis no trouble at all, and as your physician my mind is made up. Some wraps for her, Miss Susan.
MISS SUSAN
But— but-
PHOEBE
(In a panic] Sir, I decline to go.
VALENTINE
Come, Miss Livvy, you are in my hands.
189
Qualify Street
ACT
PHOEBE
I decline. I am most determined.
VALENTINE
You admit yourself that you are recovered.
PHOEBE I do not feel so well now. Aunt Susan I
MISS SUSAN
Sir
VALENTINE
If you wish to consult Miss Phoebe
MISS SUSAN
Oh, no.
VALENTINE
Then the wraps, Miss Susan.
PHOEBE
Auntie, don't leave me.
VALENTINE
What a refractory patient it is. But reason with her, Miss Susan, and I shall ask Miss Phoebe for some wraps. 190
iv.] Quality Street
PHOEBE
Sir!
( To their consternation lie goes cliecrily into the bedroom. MISS PHOEBE saves herself by instant fliglit, and nothing but mesmeric influence keeps MISS SUSAN rooted to the bine and white room. I'Vhen lie returns lie is loaded with wraps, and still cheerfully ani- mated, as if lie liad found nothing untoward in LIVVY'S bed-chamber]
VALENTINE
I think these will do admirably, Miss Susan.
MISS SUSAN But Phoebe
VALENTINE
If I swathe Miss Livvy in these
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe
VALENTINE
She is still busy airing the room. (77te extraordinary ?nan goes to the couch as if unable to perceive that its late occupant has
191
Quality Street [ACT
gone, and MISS SUSAN watches him, fascinated!) Come, Miss Livvy, put these over you. Allow me — this one over your shoulders, so. Be so obliging as to lean on me. Be brave, ma'am, you cannot fall — my arm is round you ; gently, gently, Miss Livvy ; ah, that is better ; we are doing famously; come, come. Good-bye, Miss Susan, I will take every care of her.
(He lias gone, with the bundle on his arm, but MISS SUSAN does not wake up. Even tlie banging of the outer door is unable to rouse her. It is heard, however, by MISS PHOEBE, who steals back into the room, Jier cap upon her head to give her courage.}
PHOEBE
He is gone ! (MISS SUSAN'S wrapt face alarms her.} Oh, Susan, was he as dreadful as that ?
MISS SUSAN (In tones unnatural to her} Phoebe, he
knows all.
PHOEBE
Yes, of course he knows all now. Sister, did his face change? Oh, Susan, what did he
say?
192
Qualify Street
MISS SUSAN
He said ' Good-bye, Miss Susan.' That was almost all he said.
PHOEBE Did his eyes flash fire ?
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, it was what he did. He — he took Livvy with him.
PHOEBE
Susan, dear, don't say that. You are not distraught, are you ?
MISS SUSAN
(Clinging to facts] He did ; he wrapped her up in a shawl.
PHOEBE
Susan ! You are Susan Throssel, my love. You remember me, don't you ? Phoebe, your sister. I was Livvy also, you know, Livvy.
MISS SUSAN
He took Livvy with him.
PHOEBE
(In woe) Oh, oh I sister, who am I ? 2B 193
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
You are Phoebe.
PHOEBE
And who was Livvy ?
MISS SUSAN
You were.
PHOEBE
Thank heaven.
MISS SUSAN
But he took her away in the carriage.
PHOEBE
Oh, dear ! (Site has quite forgotten her own troubles now.} Susan, you will soon be well again. Dear, let us occupy our minds. Shall we draw up the advertisement for the re- opening of the school ?
MISS SUSAN
I do so hate the school.
PHOEBE
Come, dear, come, sit down. Write, Susan. (Dictating) ' The Misses Throssel have the
pleasure to announce '
194
Quality Street
MISS SUSAN
Pleasure! Oh, Phoebe.
PHOEBE
' That they will resume school on the 5th of next month. Music, embroidery, the back- board, and all the elegancies of the mind. Latin — shall we say algebra ? '
MISS SUSAN
I refuse to write algebra.
PHOEBE — for beginners.
MISS SUSAN
I refuse. There is only one thing I can write ; it writes itself in my head all day. ' Miss Susan Throssel presents her compliments to the Misses Willoughby and Miss Henrietta Turnbull, and requests the honour of their presence at the nuptials of her sister Phoebe and Captain Valentine Brown.'
PHOEBE Susan !
195
Quality Street [ACT
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe I (A door is Jieard banging?) He has returned I
PHOEBE
Oh cruel, cruel. Susan, I am so alarmed.
MISS SUSAN
I will face him.
PHOEBE Nay, if it must be, I will.
(But when he enters he is not very terrible.}
VALENTINE
Miss Phoebe, it is not raining, but your face is wet. I wish always to kiss you when your face is wet.
PHOEBE
Susan !
VALENTINE
Miss Livvy will never trouble you any more, Miss Susan. I have sent her home.
MISS SUSAN
Oh, sir, how can you invent such a story for us. 196
Quality Street
VALENTINE
I did not. I invented it for the Misses Willoughby and Miss Henrietta, who from their windows watched me put her into my carriage. Patty accompanies her, and in a few hours Patty will return alone.
MISS SUSAN
Phoebe, he has got rid of Livvy !
PHOEBE
Susan, his face hasn't changed !
VALENTINE
Dear Phoebe Throssel, will you be Phoebe Brown ?
PHOEBE
{Quivering) You know everything ? And that I am not a garden ?
VALENTINE
I know everything, ma'am — except that.
PHOEBE
(So very glad to be prim at the end] Sir, the
197
Quality Street [ACTIV.
dictates of my heart enjoin me to accept your too flattering offer. (He puts Jier cap in his pocket. He kisses her. MISS SUSAN is about to steal away.} Oh, sir, Susan also. (He kisses MISS SUSAN also ; and here we bid them good-bye?)
The End.
Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press