I
PLASTER SAINTS
BY ISRAEL ZANGWILL
PLASTER SAINTS
A HIGH COMEDY IN THREE MOVEMENTS
BY ISRAEL ZANGWILL
LONDON : WILLIAM HEINEMANN
1914
9
TO
MY FRIEND AND MANAGER
GASTON MAYER
IN RECOGNITION OF
HIS GALLANT FIGHT FOR ART
Copyright, London, by William Heinemann, and
Washington, U.S.A., by the Macmillan Company
THE CAST
[As first produced at the Comedy Theatre, Saturday, May 23, 1914.]
Rev. Dr. Rodney Vaughan Edward Sass
Sir John Archmundham, Bart. Clifton Alderson
John Archmundham, M.D., D.Sc,
M.A. Harold Chapin
Purvis H. K. Ayliff
Hannah Vaughan Grace Lane
Elsie Vaughan Ernita Lascelles
Amy Archmundham Gillian Scaife
Mrs. Morrow Inez Bensusan
The Hon. Mrs. Anon Gwt;ndoline Hay
The action passes in the Minister's study at Midstoke, between tea
and dinner in the beginning of October, 191 2.]
[The rights of performing or publishing this play in any country or
language are strictly reserved by the author, from whom the stage-text,
slightly curtailed towards the end of the second movement, together
with complete stage-directions, can be obtained by lessees.]
325171
First Movement
HANNAH VAUGHAN, a -provincial lady, with the beauty
of a benign middle age, and the eyes of a mystic,
is sitting in the study of her husband, the rev.
DR. RODNEY VAUGHAN, Sorting old letters and papers
at his writing-table and throwing some into the
waste-paper basket. It is a solid room in a solid
city, meant for solid work, comfortably done. Its
outstanding impressions, besides the book-lined walls,
are this large many-drawered writing-table along the
right of the back wall, getting its light from the
ceritral French window, which leads to the garden.
By the left wall is a small bureau sustaining a belly
two photographs of young women in standing frames,
and a plaster bust of Purity. At back a large gaily-
cushioned divan, strewn with large envelopes of
varying colours. Near the table an arm-chair, by
right wall library steps. The door near the steps
leads to hannah's room, the door in the left wall to a
passage. As hannah works with precise masterful
movements, she has that air of arranging other
peopWs lives natural to a female saint who is also
a clergyman's wife. The clamorous continuous
sound of a gong comes from the passage. She looks
up, as if surprised at the flight of time, then goes on
with her work. A moment later, purvis, an old
family factotum of somewhat dour aspect, side-
whiskered and wearing an old-fashioned morning
coat and black tie, enters, carrying a little tray with
tea and bread-and-butter.
PURVIS
Fve brought it In, mum. Dr. Vaughan and the lassie
isn't back from the garden-party.
HANNAH
I know. Then why all this gong-beating ?
PURVIS
Habit, mum. It overcomes us — like sin.
[He sets down the tray by her side.]
Eh, but they'll get a grander spread at the Lord
Mayor's.
[He begins to go, but finding she ignores the tea he
turns back.]
Dusty work, redding up th' measter's papers. M'appen
yo'U be glad o' yor tea.
HANNAH
Thank you.
[Ignoring it still.]
PURVIS [Choking and coughing]
Makes a man feel like th' serpent.
HANNAH [Absently]
What serpent ?
PURVIS [Amazed]
There's only one serpent, mum. Him that beguiled
th' woman and was doomed to eat dust a' the days of
his life. [Coughs again.]
z
HANNAH
Ah, yes — you'd better open the window.
[Drifiks the tea as purvis throws open the French
window, exhibiting a stretch of garden, and begins
to go.]
You can take it away. Crumble the bread for the
birds.
PURVIS [Feeding birds and then taking tray]
Thy there's no ravens here. I always feel we owe 'em
for feeding Elijah.
[Js he goes out through the door elsie vaughan,
the minister'' s daughter, dashes in through the window,
putting down her parasol. She is still in her teens,
with a strong face, both beautiful and intellectual,
and is tastefully but economically clad. Behind her
looms a young man, and behind him another girl^
ELSIE [Impetuous in speech as in movement]
Oh, mother, you ought to have come. Fancy
mugging indoors this divine day of Indian summer.
The whole Church Conference was there.
HANNAH
I had my stock-taking. You know I count my year
by the Conference.
[Becoming vaguely aware of the others]
Have you brought some of our clergy — ?
[amy archmundham, the girl at the back, laughs
as she lowers her parasol. She is older than elsie
and more richly dressed ; pretty but pale, with a
passionate and high-strung look.]
AMY
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Oh brother John ! Fancy you being
taken for a minister !
[jOHN ARCHMUNDHAM, M.D., D.SC, M.A., with d
warning "5/6 / " to his sister hastens to greet mrs.
VAUGHAN. He is a good,-looking youth of twenty-
five, superior afid condescending in manner, and
the mock-earnestness of his tone penetrates to
Elsie's ears, despite his obvious desire to stand well
with her mother.^
JOHN
Sorry I only represent Science, Mrs. Vaughan. How
do you do ?
HANNAH [Surprised']
Mr. Archmundham !
JOHN
Yes. We drove your daughter home, so dropped in
to see you.
HANNAH
That was doubly kind of you. How do you do, Miss
Archmundham ?
[Shakes her hand. Then turns to elsie]
But what have you done with father ?
ELSIE
I lost him in the squash.
JOHN
And our father has nobly driven back for him.
4
HANNAH
That was very kind of Sir John.
[To elsie]
Don't say squash.
[To the others']
Won't you sit down ?
JOHN [Suavely defending elsie's slang\
Well, Mrs. Vaughan, the garden-party did suffer from
jestion.
[Sits.]
AMY [Dropping on the divan]
But not of the brain. It was simply black with
shovel-hats.
JOHN [Placating mrs. vaughan]
Not so black as you paint it, Amy. Why, our own
father's hat was white.
ELSIE
And think of the Mayoress's picture-hat ! Giant as
the gourd that came up over Jonah.
AMY
Yes, and her Pompadour gown — quite the Scarlet
Woman !
HANNAH
You shouldn't jest children, with sacred things.
AMY
The Mayoress sacred !
5
JOHN [PFarningly]
Sh!
HANNAH
The Mayor and his wife have spent time and money
in honouring our Church Conference. They are
entitled to equal honour from us.
JOHN
A sentiment the more unimpeachable, Mrs. Vaughan,
inasmuch as you personally do not appear to favour
this mingling of gaiety and the Gospel.
ELSIE [Flashing a resentful glance at him]
Dad did thank them, mother.
HANNAH
I am very glad. And you ought to have kept close
to him.
AMY
She couldn't, Mrs Vaughan. Dr. Vaughan was
positively surrounded with palpitating parasols.
JOHN [Blandly soothing]
So many ladies took the opportunity of greeting the
President of the Conference.
[Diverting attention to the large envelopes on the divan]
I wonder you sort your letters in that old-fashioned
way. You want a proper file, such as I use for my
potato-experiments.
6
ELSIE [Rising and pulling amy up\
Yes, and we had better leave mother to her stock-
taking. Suppose we sit in the summer-house till
your carriage comes back.
HANNAH
But wouldn't they like some tea ?
AMY
Tea ! After strawberry ices ! Oh, Mrs. Vaughan,
you shouldn't jest with sacred things.
JOHN [Hastily^
Good-bye Mrs. Vaughan. Ices always go to Amy's
head-
[Hurries her out by the window, elsie is following.']
HANNAH [A large envelope in her hand]
One moment, Elsie.
ELSIE
Yes, mother ?
HANNAH
What is the matter with Miss Archmundham ?
ELSIE
So flippant you mean ?
HANNAH
So feverish. Her hand was burning. And her eyes
were too brilliant.
7
ELSIE
I have been feeling something's wrong. ... I
wonder ...
HANNAH
Poor Amy ! She shall have my prayers. Such a nice
girl, usually.
ELSIE
A perfect brick !
HANNAH [Rebuking the slang]
Elsie !
ELSIE
Well, when a girl's so beastly rich and yet so genuine —
HANNAH
I'm sure, dear, your slang sounds disrespectful to your
father's position.
ELSIE
Why, dad uses slang himself !
HANNAH
He catches it from you. That is why you should be
particularly careful — especially with London members
here, who may one day give him the longed-for call to
the capital. I sometimes think, daughter, you don't
quite appreciate that your father is one of the great
spiritual figures of our Communion.
8
ELSIE
Oh, yes I do, mother. But I don't see why one
shouldn't be spiritual and slangy, too.
HANNAH
Can you imagine the Fathers of the Church using
slang ?
ELSIE
But they weren't fathers at all, were they ? They
don't seem hum.an. And father is so very human.
That's the secret of his influence. I sometimes
think, mother, you don't quite appreciate that your
husband is one of the great human figures of our
Communion.
HANNAH [Wistfully]
I appreciate that you are making fun of me.
ELSIE
Dear old mother Superior !
\Jhey embrace tenderly, john re-affears at the
garden window. They move apart.]
JOHN
I'm so sorry to worry you, Mrs. Vaughan, but my
sister seems to have a bad headache. Perhaps you've
got something.
HANNAH
Certainly ! Poor girl ! Just what I feared. I'll
get my salts.
[Hurries to the door on the right, elsie is moving
towards the garden.]
9
JOHN [Coming in]
Best let her be, Miss Vaughan.
ELSIE
I thought something had upset her.
JOHN
Too many ices, I daresay.
ELSIE
Don't be so brotherly. . . . It's some mental trouble.
JOHN
Is it ?
ELSIE
Don't pretend. Perhaps I can help her.
JOHN
I can't give away Amy's secrets.
ELSIE [Dropping on divan]
Then we'll change the subject. . . . Did you know
Hubert Morrow is of! to Australia ?
JOHN [On arm of armchair]
You . . . diplomatist !
ELSIE [Smiling]
Then I've guessed it. There zvas something between
your sister and Hubert Morrow.
10
JOHN
There will be — the ocean.
ELSIE
They've quarrelled ?
JOHN
You really ought to have gone to the Bar.
[mrs. vaughan passes through with smelling- salts. '[
She's in the summer-house.
HANNAH
Clear the couch !
[Exit to garden]
[elsie and john collect the envelopes and heap
them on the armchair, while talking.]
ELSIE
They must have quarrelled if she lets him go to
Australia.
JOHN
How can she stop him ? They're not engaged.
ELSIE
Then why doesn't she propose ?
JOHN [Shocked, dropping the envelopes]
You'd consider that womanly ?
ELSIE
And if it's manly ! . . . Queen Victoria proposed.
II
And your sister is as rich as a queen compared with
Hubert Morrow.
JOHN [Sitting on table]
You're all at sea. Hubert proposed.
ELSIE
And your sister refused ?
JOHN
No— father refused. There ! You've got it out of me.
ELSIE
Your father rejected him ! But why ?
JOHN [Uneasily]
I'd rather not go into it.
ELSIE
But why don't they marry without his consent ?
JOHN
And what has Hubert Morrow got to marry on ?
Unpublished symphonies ?
ELSIE
He's got your sister's money to marry on.
JOHN
No — it's only hers at marriage if father consents.
Same with mine. That's where the old generation's
got us in its grip.
ELSIE
Well, I call it beastly — just because the man's poor,
he must be robbed of your sister, too.
JOHN
It's not because he's poor.
ELSIE [Hotly]
What other excuse can your father have ? Aren't
the Morrows a fine old family, finer even than yours ?
And the way Hubert Morrow gave up Germany and
music for an office-stool when his mother lost her
money !
JOHN
Was more virtuous than my giving up my medical
practice to wallow in theory — I know. But the fact
remains that my father is right ... for once.
ELSIE
Sir John is right ?
JOHN
Accidents will happen.
ELSIE
I call it wicked of him, not right. And you know it
is. You are only laughing at him.
JOHN
I assure you
13
ELSIE
As you laughed at my mother.
JOHN
I ? Why, I was as solemn as the Church Conference.
ELSIE
That's what I mean. You weren't real with her.
JOHN
Is she real ? I beg your pardon, but I mean, all her
generation. Did they ever see things with their
own eyes, feel things with their own nerves ? Can
one fancy them in love ? Or fighting for some live
ideal ? They seem merely . . . theological.
ELSIE
We can't all be bio\og\cd\. We can't all potter over
potatoes.
JOHN [^Rising indignantly']
That's your conception of my research work ! The
potatoes I breed tell me more of life and death than
all the theologies.
ELSIE
I don't mean to question the value of your experi-
ments. But you're so hard on the old people.
JOHN
Hard ? What are they ? Marble !
H
ELSIE
Dad isn't marble.
JOHN
No, he^s a bit plastic, perhaps. But my father and
your mother — what a blessing they didn't marr^. By-
all the laws of Mendel, they'd have had a family of
statues.
HANNAH [Outside]
Do, dear ! I'm sure you'd be better lying down.
ELSIE
That doesn't sound like marble.
{Enter UAnnAKfrom the garden, supporting amy.]
HANNAH
And Dr. Vaughan has the most comfortable couch
in the house.
[Places AMY on it.]
And it doesn't mind boots.
[Puts amy's feet up. elsie adjusts cushions and takes
amy's hat.]
AMY [Feebly]
You are very kind.
[hannah tenders salts, amy waves them back.]
No, not again, please — ^they're so strong. Haven'
you got some eau-de-cologne ?
HANNAH
I'm afraid we never have that !
15
ELSIE
Oh yes, mother, there's some In the bureau.
HANNAH
In father's bureau ?
ELSIE
When I was looking for sealing-wax yesterday, I came
upon a bottle — buried under old shorthand notes.
[Goes to bureau, layi?ig down amy's hat on it.]
HANNAH
Ah, of course. Felicia Morrow must have left it.
JOHN [Startled]
Felicia Morrow !
[Recovering himself with a smile]
Oh — in the days when she was Dr. Vaughan's secre-
tary.
HANNAH
Yes. She had headaches, poor girl — I remember her
once putting some on his forehead, too.
ELSIE [Triumphantly producing a small bottle]
There ! Just a wee drappie.
HANNAH [Taking it]
How providential !
[To amy]
Will you have it on your handkerchief ?
i6
AMY [Clutching at the bottle]
Thank you. / can do it.
[She fours some on her handkerchief and applies it
to her forehead.]
I feel much better.
[Surveys bottle lovingly]
Felicia Morrow's, did you say ? I daresay her brother
brought it back from Germany.
JOHN [Smiling]
Rather a far-fetched hypothesis, isn't it ?
HANNAH
I'm afraid Dr. Vaughan worked her too hard — and
himself too. Her shorthand made his brain act twice
as quickly, he said, but I'm sure it was the beginning
of his insomnia. He's never been the same man since
Felicia came.
ELSIE [Sitting with legs tucked under her]
It can't be the shorthand, mother, for he's slept worse
since Felicia left.
JOHN
Because now he feels short-handed.
ELSIE]
AMY J
Oh! Oh!
[amy pretends to throw the bottle at him. He
laughingly tries to take it from her but she clutches
it tightly.]
17 B
AMY
Let it be !
JOHN
But it's empty.
AMY [Blushing]
There's the picture of Cologne Cathedral— reminds
me of our one jaunt abroad.
HANNAH [Misreading the blush]
It's given her quite a colour again.
[Enter purvis.]
PURVIS
A lady for Dr. Vaughan, mum.
HANNAH
But he's not back yet. What name ?
PURVIS
Didna give a name. Said she'd met Dr. Vaughan at
th' garden-party and he asked her to call.
HANNAH [Who has dropped into an armchair]
H'm.
[To elsie]
Another secretary at last, I'm afraid.
[Sighs]
I wish shorthand wasn't so difficult.
PURVIS [Grimly]
Dunnot look a likely secretary.
i8
HANNAH
Eh ? What then does she look like ?
PURVIS
More like Lady Macbeth.
JOHN
What ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Then you did go to Mac-
heth ?
PURVIS {Flustered
A man canna help seeing th' posters !
JOHN \Laughingly\
Come now. Wasn't my father right ? You and our
coachman
PURVIS \_^ullenly\
The scandal folk will tell behind a man's back.
HANNAH
Never mind that now, Purvis. Is the lady old or
young ?
PURVIS
I have my doubts.
JOHN
Shall / go and report on her ?
HANNAH
Why should we trouble you ? Elsie can go. That'll
do, Purvis.
\Ex\t PURVIS, ELSIE starts going!\
19
JOHN
I think a joint report would be safer.
\_Starts to follow elsie.]
ELSIE [Discouraging hini]
I am not going to report. I shall either send her away
or let her wait in the drawing room.
[Exit.l
JOHN
But I'm sure Amy wants to be left with her kind nurse.
\_FolloZVS ELSIE.]
HANNAH
How thoughtful your brother is ! . . . Perhaps you'd
like me to go too, while you have a nap.
AMY
No, I can sit up now. There !
[Puts the cushion at her hack and sits up\
Do tell me more about Felicia Morrow.
HANNAH
About Felicia ? But you knew her before she went
to London.
AMY
Yes, of course. Sweetly pretty, wasn't she ?
HANNAH
And most useful. That packet in her writing
[Points to a large fink envelope on the armchair^
20
includes reports on chanty cases, accounts, abstracts
of serm ■
AMY [Impatiently]
Yes, yes, but did her brother ever come when she was
working here ?
HANNAH
Hubert ? He may have come once or twice in the
winter evenings to see her home. Why ?
AMY
And did he look tired after all that horrid ofhce-work ?
HANNAH
I'm afraid I didn't notice. Of course he was sad
at having had to give up his studies in Germany.
Though why music is German I never could make
out. You're crying again !
AMY
No, I'm not.
HANNAH
I wish you would let me help you, Miss Archmundham.
AMY
You have helped me.
HANNAH [Sitting down by her]
Only physically. After all a motherless girl like you
might talk to a woman old enough to be her mother.
21
AMY
How do you know I could have talked to my mother ?
HANNAH
What are you saying ?
AMY
Don't be alarmed ! I only mean there's a gulf between
my generation and yours. It's too wide to talk across.
One can only shout.
HANNAH
What gulf, my dear ? What gulf is there that love
cannot bridge ?
AMY [Jumping up fretfully]
Love ? Whose love ?
HANNAH
Your father's — to begin with
AMY
Father's ?
[Laughs hysterically]
Ha ! Ha 1 Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
HANNAH [Rising and going to her]
Now do control yourself, dear.
AMY
I told you we could only shout.
HANNAH
You surely don't doubt your father loves you ?
AMY
And his love blights my womanhood as his religion
blighted my childhood !
HANNAH [Frightened rather than shocked']
Do, do be calm.
AMY
How can I be calm when Hubert is sailing to Australia ?
HANNAH [Astounded]
Felicia's brother — and you !
[amy sobs]
Oh, my dear !
[Gathers her to her arms.]
AMY
Just because he's got no money, father
[Breaks down.]
HANNAH
But this is dreadful — putting money before everything.
And so unlike your father. Are you sure it's that ?
AMY
A Morrow is no match for my daughter — that's all
I can get out of him. And what else can he mean ?
Oh, do you think you could speak to him ?
23
HANNAH
I ?
{Shrinks hack, releasing amy]
What right should / have to interfere ?
AMY
You go round to the poor s^ck enough, telling them
their duty. Why should the rich never hear ?
[A burst of laughter from two men is heard from
the garden.^
HANNAH [Relieved]
There's Dr. Vaughan. Perhaps he'd have more
authority.
AMY
No, no, not a man . . .
[Hysterically]
Please tell John I've gone home.
[Abrupt exit to passage, still clinging to the eau-
de~ cologne bottle.]
HANNAH [Following her]
But Amy !
[amy disappears, her sobs are heard.]
Yes, yes, I will speak to your father. . . . My poor
Amy !
[Exit.]
[The genial stentorian laughing voice of the rev.
DR. RODNEY VAUGHAN is heard from the garden^
24
DR. VAUGHAN [From without]
Good-bye, Judson. Good-bye, O man of little
faith !
\l^he smilijig faces of dr. vaughan and sir john
ARCHMUNDHAM becomc vistble at the o-pen French
zvindozv. The minister, though of a narrow sect,
suggests a Broad Churchman, both -physically and
spiritually. His clerical costume and white tie only
accentuate the sunniness of a full-blooded personality,
whose magnetism is potent for men as well as women.
But underneath there are signs of strain ; at times
the eyes are haggard, he has almost a haunted look.
Evidently a man cast in a large mould, for good or
evil. SIR JOHN, the lay head of the congregation,
has also an imposing personality — the provincial
Puritan millionaire, hearty, portly, honest afid grey-
whiskered. His white top-hat makes a sharp
contrast with the clerical shovel hat.
SIR JOHN
Rather rough on Judson. Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
{fThey step in.]
DR. VAUGHAN
All treasurers are croakers, Sir John — especially when
one proposes to enlarge the work. 7'ou were the
only ideal treasurer we ever had.
SIR JOHN [Dropping into the chair by the bureau]
What's your definition of an ideal treasurer — a cheerful
spender ?
25
DR. VAUGHAN [Placing both their hats on table]
A cheerful giver, I'm afraid. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! The
ideal treasurer is the man who donates the fund which
he administers.
SIR JOHN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! But that's just why I resigned. A
wealthy treasurer makes everybody else so slack.
DR. VAUGHAN
That's true. And Judson's croakings do stiffen up
the stingy.
SIR JOHN
Poor old Judson ! You must admit that these
crusades you've preached us into will play the dickens
with his surplus.
DR. VAUGHAN
On the contrary, Sir John. Our campaigns against
the African atrocities and the White Slave Traffic
will touch every heart and every pocket.
SIR JOHN
Well, don't overwork, dear friend. I don't like your
not sleeping.
DR. VAUGHAN
So long as I keep my congregation awake ! Ha ! Ha !
Ha!
\T^urns to divan.]
26
Why, who has been lying on my bed ? said the big
bear.
SIR JOHN
I'm serious, Doctor. Remember you are Judson's
greatest asset.
DR. VAUGHAN
This won't be work. This'll be the joy of battle.
Great God ! to think of all that villainy !
[Clenches hisjist]
Every nerve in me tingles for the fight with these
fiends. If we can't bring God's kingdom on earth
yet awhile, at least we may destroy the Devil's kingdom.
SIR JOHN
God grant it ! [Rising] But I must collect my chicks.
Thank you for making me stretch my legs.
DR. VAUGHAN
Thank you for keeping my legs company. It's my
best chance of sleep. I'll get your children.
[Rings the bell on the bureau.]
SIR JOHN [Looking out with unconscious patronage]
Your garden's a tidy size.
DR. VAUGHAN [Joining him at windozv]
Yes, that's the advantage of moving a bit out.
27
SIR JOHN
You won't get such a garden in London.
DR. VAUGHAN [Eagerly]
In London ? Am I to be called to-
SIR JOHN [Evasively]
Who knows ? Some day, I suppose . . . after your
brilliant handling of the Conference. I remember
when this quarter was all garden. Old Cobb, the
Quaker, it was who first saw the town would grow
this way. Picked up three hundred acres for an old
song and built a meeting-house to attract his fellow
fanatics. How such a clever man could be a Quaker — !
DR. VAUGHAN
The spirit moved him, I presume.
SIR JOHN
The spirit of crankiness ! Every man his own minister
indeed ! The meeting-house still exists, I suppose ?
DR. VAUGHAN
As a cinematograph-hall.
SIR JOHN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Serve the cranks right.
[Enter purvis, carrying a set of pyjamas.]
28
PURVIS [Perceiving sir john, mutters]
Holy Moses !
[Retreats hastily and exit.]
SIR JOHN
What's the mountebank up to ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha! Ha! Ha!
[Ri?igs the bell again]
He was bringing in my pyjamas — I left them in the
bath room, I suppose — and he didn't want you to
know I sleep on this divan.
SIR JOHN
Do you ?
DR. VAUGHAN
When I can't sleep. But that's a bull. Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
I mean, not to disturb my wife. And there's the
books to browse on. Those cushions turn into snowy
pillows.
[Lifts up cover and reveals pillow-cases.]
SIR JOHN [Laughingly]
Whited sepulchres ! Who would think anything in
your house ever led a double life ?
DR. VAUGHAN [JVith sudden gravity]
Yes, who ?
[His face grows haggard, he turns away. Enter
PURVIS.]
29
SIR JOHN
Ah, there you are again, you old rapscallion — looking
as if butter wouldn't melt in your mouth. Mr. John
and Miss Amy are here, I suppose.
PURVIS
Ay, Sir John.
SIR JOHN
And my carriage ?
PURVIS
No, Sir John.
SIR JOHN
No ? When we have walked 1 Why what's the
rascal up to ?
DR. VAUGHAN \S>mmng[
We've walked too fast — we've upset his calculations.
SIR JOHN
Dropped in to a music-hall, eh Purvis ?
PURVIS
Impossible, Sir. First house dunnot begin till 6.45.
SIR JOHN
You seem very well up in it all. And yet you deny
the pair of you went to Macbeth I
30
PURVIS
Always raklngs-up here — dust and dust.
[Exit with dignity.']
DR. VAUGHAN [Smilingly]
Oh well, Sir John, it was only Shakespeare.
SIR JOHN
Only the devil ! Shakespeare's the thin end of the
wedge. I sometimes think Satan never did a better
day's work than when he wrote Shakespeare.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Not Bacon but Satan. Well, I'm
afraid you'll have to wait for your coachman. Won't
you browse a bit ?
[Indicates books]
Keep off that corner — William Satan !
SIR JOHN
You may laugh, but if we had weeded our Training
College Library of love-poetry, we might have escaped
that student scandal. I think I'll go across and buck
up Judson. His house is opposite, isn't it ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Three doors to the right.
SIR JOHN [Taking his hat from the table]
Good ! I'll see my carriage coming.
[Goes right and -puts his hand on the door.]
31
DR. VAUGHAN [Laughifigly']
Whoa ! I didn't say 07ie door to the right. That's
my wife's room.
SIR JOHN
I beg your pardon. My bump of locahty-
[Smilingly goes out by the other door.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha! Ha! Ha!
[As the door closes on sir john, his laughter ceases.
His eyes wander uneasily round the signs of clearing
up. Then he stoops to get his slippers under the
table. As he rises, he catches sight of the pink
envelope and reads the superscription.]
" From FeHcia Morrow ! "
[He drops the slippers in agitation and with every
symptom of nervous apprehension rufis hastily
through the cofite?its, his face relaxing as he nears
the end, till at last he heaves a great sigh of relief
as he stuffs them all back into their envelope.]
Thank God !
[As he is putting the envelope hack, he suddenly
alters his mind and tears the whole fiercely to pieces]
Let it all be blotted out !
\H.e throws the fragments into the waste-paper basket
and falls on his knees]
The peace of Thy forgiveness, Lord, the peace of Thy
forgiveness !
[fie remains on his knees, praying silently as in
bitter remorse. Enter hannah from the passage.
32
She looks at him. reverently and turns to go. But
he hears her and looks round with a guilty start and
is about to rise.]
HANNAH
Don't let me disturb you, dear. We have much to
thank God for.
DR. VAUGHAN [Rising]
I was just finished. How long have you been here ?
HANNAH
Only this instant. What have you done with Sir
John ? I must speak to him about his daughter.
DR. VAUGHAN
He went across to Judson's — he'll be back. Such a
pity, Hannah, you didn't come !
HANNAH
After this morning's revelations about white slaves
and black slaves, I didn't feel like garden-parties.
DR. VAUGHAN
So you said. But brooding over horrors won't mend
them. And we must seek God in joy as well as in
gloom.
[Mystically]
He smiles as well as scourges. I tell you, Hannah,
looking at all those happy groups in a sort of Paradise,
33 c
I had a sudden sense of the meaning of that verse
in Genesis : " The Lord God was walking in the
garden."
HANNAH
I daresay you are right, Rodney. But God has given
me joy enough all this godly week — pure, heavenly
J07.
DR. VAUGHAN [Lightly^
Even in that infernal debate over the Training College?
HANNAH
Weren't you presiding over it ? And to see you in
the Chair — Captain of the hosts of the Lord — wasn't
that my lifelong dream ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You haven't known me all your life.
LIANNAH
Don't tease. You know my girlish dream was to
marry a servant of God.
DR. VAUGHAN
Who should also be a master of men, eh old wench ?
[Strokes her cheek/\
HANNAH
A schoolmaster. The teaching priest ! Isn't that
the design on your betrothal ring ?
\Takes his handJ]
34
DR. VAUGHAN
Dear queer old ring.
[She kisses it J He draws his hand azuay.'\
I wish, Hannah, you wouldn't make me out such a
. . . plaster saint ! I grow so afraid
HANNAH
Of losing your humility ? Never !
DR. VAUGHAN
Afraid of hurting you — if ever I — you know, dear — •
even the saints were always being tempted of the
devil.
HANNAH
Yes, and your temptation is always to depreciate
yourself
[She smiles^
to hint at the seven deadly sins — for fear I should
get too proud of you, I suppose. Oh Rodney, what
have I done to deserve you ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Pained]
Don't, Hannah.
[Withdraws his hand and turfts away.]
You've certainly left nothing undone.
HANNAH [With sudden recollection]
Oh, haven't I ? Why, I've forgotten the lady !
DR. VAUGHAN
What lady ?
35
HANNAH
In the drawing-room. I do hope you're not thinking
of her for a secretary because according to Purvis — I
haven't had time to see for myself — she's a most
unsuitable person — very different from Felicia.
DR. VAUGHAN
No lady is suitable for a secretary — except you.
\_^akes her hand again.]
HANNAH
Dear Rodney ! You really are satisfied without
shorthand ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Haven't I got along all these months ? What I
gained in time I lost in style.
HANNAH
I'm so glad. Now I can confess that useful and
delightful as Felicia was, it wasn't pleasant to see her
take my place.
DR. VAUGHAN [Starting]
Take your place ?
HANNAH
Getting to know your books and sermons before I did.
DR. VAUGHAN
I assure you the poor girl was much too pre-occupied
36
with the shorthand to think of the sense. Besides,
it was you that originally suggested her.
HANNAH
Of course I wanted her to earn some money when her
poor mother
DR. VAUGHAN [Fidgeting towards the door]
I know, but this unsuitable person, hadn't I better
get rid of her ?
HANNAH
Just a moment, dear. She's got Elsie and young
Archmundham to entertain her. I want to tell you
about Amy Archmundham. It was she drove the
lady out of my head.
DR. VAUGHAN
What about Amy Archmundham ?
[A knock at the door.]
Come in !
\Enter john.]
JOHN
Ah, Doctor, you're back. I was sent to scout. Then
may I send you down a beautiful lady who insists on
seeing you ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Smiling]
If she insists !
37
HANNAH
Not with those slippers showing !
[Hides them.]
JOHN
But where's my father ? He did find you, I hope.
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh yes — he's only at Judson's, waiting for his carriage.
JOHN
Why,
where is the carriage ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Hasn't got here yet. You see, we walked. Ha ! Ha !
Ha!
JOHN
Then I'll send you the lady. Good-bye.
HANNAH
Not good-bye to me. I shall be joining you and Elsie
in the drawing-room.
JOHN [His face falling]
How delightful !
[E^:it.]
HANNAH
What a nice boy John is growing up !
38
DR. VAUGHAN
Is he ? Yes, I suppose he is an improvement on the
medical student we used to hear tales of.
HANNAH [Putting envelopes from chair on table]
I never did believe the tittle-tattle about his frequent-
ing playhouses.
DR. VAUGHAN [Dropping into arm-chair']
His potatoes seem certainly to have steadied him.
I shouldn't wonder now if he marries Lady Muriel as
Sir John would like.
HANNAH
And a very proper match — with the two estates join-
ing ! But I wish I could understand about these
potatoes. What does he do with them ?
DR. VAUGHAN
What we've just been talking about. He marries them.
A potato parson !
HANNAH
Don't jest, dear.
[^akes up books to replace tidily on shelves.]
DR. VAUGHAN
I'm not jesting — in fact it was a pious old priest that
began it, the Abbe Mendel. You study the laws of
heredity with pigs or fowls or strawberries — what-
ever you please. Mendel did it with peas. Our
young friend prefers potatoes. When two sorts are
39
blended, the type that triumphs in the issue is called
the dominant. You, for example, are the dominant.
HANNAH [Who has hee?i a hit shocked by all this]
Me dominant ? Oh Rodney !
DR. VAUGHAN
Why, only think of Elsie's good looks ! Ha ! Ha !
Ha!
[Enter purvis, announcing]
PURVIS
The lady, sir !
HANNAH
Oh, and I haven't told you about Amy !
[J lady, the flush of whose youth and beauty is
only accentuated by her heavy veil enters, parasol
in hatid. She is exquisitely gowned and of fashion-
able manners, but evidently -passing through an
emotional crisis. She bows, but looks constrained
at the sight of hannah, who returns her bow.]
HANNAH
Don't shut the door, Purvis.
[hannah goes, ?iot without having scrutinized the
visitor. PURVIS closes the door upon himself.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Who has risen]
Won't you sit down ?
40
LADY [Ignoring the chair ; throwing back her veil]
You don't remember me — at the garden party — you
said I might come.
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh, ah, yes. But I thought you meant next week.
LADY
Next week? Next week I shall be back in London.
Next week the impulse may be dead.
DR. VAUGHAN
You wish to consult me ?
LADY
If you will forget all I say.
DR. VAUGHAN
I will try. I have certainly forgotten your name.
LADY
I am so glad. I knew I could count on you. I knew
it the moment you stepped on the platform amid that
thunder of cheers. I knew then, that Providence, not
chance, had led me to your strange smoky town.
DR. VAUGHAN [S7niling]
Oh, we are proud of our town. Do sit down.
LADY
Thank you.
[She sits by the side oj his table, he at itJ]
41
You are the first man I ever felt could be a priest to
me.
[She struggles with her emotion.']
DR. VAUGHAN
Shall I get you a glass of water ?
LADY
You give me the living water. . . . But turn your
face away. . . . Thank you.
[She bows her head.]
There is a sin on my soul . . . the sin that in Christ's
day was punished with stoning. . . . But nobody knows
. . . least of all, my husband. . . so I go unpunished.
\She wrings her hands.]
DR. VAUGHAN [^urns back to her]
Unpunished ? WTien you sit like that ? To go un-
punished is, perhaps, the deepest punishment of all.
LADY
Is it ? My husband's love, my children's reverence,
the world's respect, wealth, station — all are mine.
For ironic cHmax I bear the title " Honourable."
Where is the punishment ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You are enduring it now.
LADY
But I was learning to forget. It was only your eyes,
your words, that pierced through.
42
DR. VAUGHAN
The episode is closed, then ?
LADY
Absolutely. ... A brief madness. . . . He pur-
sued me until I — Oh, how could I ? How could I ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Calm yourself.
LADY [Sobbing]
I had no excuse. My husband was always so good to
me.
DR. VAUGHAN
But suddenly — as under the spell of Satan — you
seemed to see a world of beauty you had missed in
the humdrum of duty and domesticity.
LADY
Yes, yes.
DR. VAUGHAN
And in that strange transfiguration, when all the world
grew golden, under the glamour of witchcraft, the
sin seemed not in the loving, but in letting the love
goby.
LADY
Ah, how you understand women !
43
DR. VAUGHAN
Because women are human. Because we are all
sinners.
LADY
Please, please, not these fly-blown phrases. I came
to you for real words.
DR. VAUGHAN [Resentfully]
And how could I give you real words unless I too
were a sinner ?
LADY [Turning to him apfealingly]
You shall not put me off with phrases. It is for your
sinlessness that I come to you — for the great white
light that shines out from you, showing up all my
evil.
DR. VAUGHAN [Who has risen agitatedly]
But surely you remember that no man dared cast
the first stone, that only our Lord was sinless.
LADY
You are a parrot like the others. I'm sorry I troubled
you. Good-bye.
[She goes angrily towards the door, then turns]
Oh, forgive me ! But don't you think I've read the
passage in St. John a hundred times ? And where is
the comfort of finding that some men are as bad as I ?
There are plenty of good men, too. Suppose our
Lord had bidden you cast the first stone ?
44
DR. VAUGHAN
But our Lord himself said, " Neither do / condemn
thee. Go and sin no more."
LADY
But did she tell her husband ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Tell her husband ?
LADY
Yes, unless she told her husband, she was surely un-
purged of her sin.
DR. VAUGHAN [Dropping back into his seat]
I see. You feel you ought to tell your husband.
LADY
How could I not feel it ? But I haven't the strength
to speak.
DR. VAUGHAN
Has he the strength to hear ?
LADY
It would shatter his hfe.
DR. VAUGHAN
He is wrapped up in you ?
45
LADY
To absolute blindness. To worship. I often sit and
look at him as he sits so secure
DR. VAUGHAN {Continuing eagerly]
In the peace of love, in the happiness of the quiet
evening, and you feel like a dynamiter w^ho with one
spark could bring the whole house tumbling down
with a hideous roar.
LADY [Excitedly returning to him and her seat]
Ah, you understand ! How you understand !
DR. VAUGHAN
And in those grim moments, although you know the
consequences, the ruin and the chaos, and although
you still love the companion of your home
LADY
With all the passion of remorse
DR. VAUGHAN
With all the passion of remorse — yet your conscience
pricks and urges you to speak the word that blasts
LADY
And you drop hints which are received with a worship-
ful smile
DR. VAUGHAN
Until you can hardly keep from shrieking it !
46
LADY
Until it tears at your lips like a beast in a trap !
DR. VAUGHAN
And in the night you dread lest it escape in your
slumber !
LADY
No — that was only at first. Not now. I told you
I was learning to forget.
DR. VAUGHAN [Rising]
Then you are fortunate. Complete your education.
LADY
What ! You tell me to forget !
DR. VAUGHAN [Striding about the room]
Is it a good conscience that tempts us to torture those
we love ? No, it is an evil conscience, I say. We
must trample on it.
LADY [Amazed, rising]
You, a man of God, say that !
DR. VAUGHAN [Turning on her]
Yes, I, a man of God, say that — to you, a woman of
God. Conscience was given us to keep us from sin,
to scourge us after sin, not to dynamite the innocent.
LADY
Then I am — not to confess — ?
47
DR. VAUGHAN
It would only be a second sin on top of
LADY
And you are a priest !
DR. VAUGHAN
Come ! Come ! You say no cant, and when I give
you real words
LADY
But is it not said, " If we confess our sins He will cleanse
us from all unrighteousness ? "
DR. VAUGHAN
Assuredly. If we confess to ourselves ! That is
what the Apostle is thinking of. For he goes on :
" If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us." Deceive ourselves^ you see.
That is where the real horror lies — in saying we have
no sin. But you and I
LADY \Pu'LzXed'\
You and I ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You and I might deceive others. But our conscience
could never deceive itself. And so the truth would
still be in us.
LADY \_mowly\
Then I have the truth in me ?
48
DR. VAUGHAN
I say again, " Go and sin no more."
[Hypnotised by his words she turns to go, then turns
fiercely upon him.]
LADY
No ! No ! No ! It's not true ! There is no
truth in me ! Every time my husband smiles at the
child of sin, he seems to brand " Liar" all over my
flesh.
DR. VAUGHAN [In a strange half -whisper]
There is a child ! !
LADY
You are shocked at last.
DR. VAUGHAN [Masterifig himself]
No, no, only startled. . . . Then your husband does
not suspect anything in the child ?
LADY
No — ^it has my colouring, my features
DR. VAUGHAN [Muttering]
Ah, the dominant.
LADY
What do you say ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Nothing . . . just thinking.
49
LADY
But the child — don't you see that that makes my life
a daily lie !
DR. VAUGHAN
And would you gain truth at the child's cost ? Brand
the innocent babe as a ?
LADY [Covering her eyes]
Don't !
DR. VAUGHAN
Rather be thankful that you can protect it — give it
the same home influence as your other children.
[In low tones as if staring at an unseen vision]
Think of a girl-mother condemned to secrecy in her
agony !
LADY
I should envy her — at least she'd have no husband to
betray.
DR. VAUGHAN
And no husband to make reparation to. You must
make yours the happier for your sin, not the more
miserable.
LADY
You change things so wonderfully, the monstrous
blackness seems lifting.
50
DR. VAUGHAN
And what's the use of living in a fog ? Either die or
be happy.
LADY
You give me fresh Hfe.
DR. VAUGHAN
Then use it more w^isely.
LADY
Ah, you beheve with Tennyson
" That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things ! "
DR. VAUGHAN
I do. The fire that does not destroy us purifies us.
Go then and purify others.
LADY
/ purify others ? But how ?
DR. VAUGHAN
In the atmosphere of your London circle there is
levity towards the deeper things of the race. Rebuke
it by the radiance of your purity.
LADY
My -purity ! Oh, I am re-born !
[Bursts into tears.]
51
DR. VAUGHAN
And re-baptized in your tears !
LADY
My deliverer ! I could kneel to you.
[Is sinking at his feet.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Perturbed]
No, no, -please. [Raising her] Who am I ?
LADY
One who speaks as no man has spoken before.
DR. VAUGHAN
Nonsense ! Read the eighteenth of Ezekiel : " When
the wicked turneth away from his wickedness he
shall save his soul alive." I only say what many
have said.
LADY
No — you speak as one at the heart of things.
DR. VAUGHAN
It is you that are at the heart of things. That is the
only profit of our sins — to touch reality.
[He rings, then opens the door.]
Good-bye.
[Holds out his hand.]
LADY [Seizing and kissing it]
Good-bye. . . . God bless you.
[Exit.]
52
DR. VAUGHAN
I need His blessing, indeed !
[H^ covers his eyes as in 'prayer and deep emotion.
Enter hannah.]
HANNAH
Well, and what did the creature — what's the matter
DR. VAUGHAN
That poor woman !
HANNAH
Why, she looked quite elated.
DR. VAUGHAN
Because I helped her, thank God for that !
HANNAH
Past helping she looked to me — a weak, neurotic —
ugh !
[She shudders.^
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't be such a Pharisee, dear. She's in great
distress.
HANNAH
There's distress nearer home.
DR. VAUGHAN [Alarmed]
Nearer home ?
53
HANNAH
Amy Archmundham — I've been trying to tell you —
she's at a nervous crisis.
DR. VAUGHAN
Miss Archmundham ? Why, at the garden-party
she looked brilliant.
HANNAH [Sinking into the armchair]
Men can never tell the difference betv^een the hectic
and the healthy — any more than between the vicious
and the deserving — she's really in a pitiful state.
DR. VAUGHAN
But what's the matter with her ?
HANNAH
I've persuaded her to lie down in the spare room.
DR. VAUGHAN [Sitting on the table]
But what's the crisis about ?
HANNAH
It's all through Hubert Morrow.
DR. VAUGHAN
Hubert Morrow ?
HANNAH
Yes, Felicia's brother. He and Amy are in love.
54
DR. VAUGHAN
Is it possible ?
HANNAH
It's all that's possible. That's why Hubert is going
to Australia. Sir John won't give his consent, and
Hubert, being as proud as he's poor, puts the globe
between himself and Amy.
DR. VAUGHAN
Poor things !
HANNAH
It's no use saying " poor things ! " We must do
something.
DR. VAUGHAN
But what can tve do ? We can't find Hubert money.
We haven't got enough of our own.
HANNAH
No, but we can make Sir John think less of money.
DR. VAUGHAN
I never found Sir John a Mammon-worshipper.
HANNAH
We never saw him tested. He can have nothing else
against young Morrow.
DR. VAUGHAN [Uneasily]
How can you be sure ? Many parents shy at musicians.
55
HANNAH
But Hubert hasn't had a thing published yet, not
even his setting of Elsie's verses. And everybody
knows how^ strictly Mrs. Morrow has brought him and
Felicia up. She may be a little unchristian with her
family pride but even that one forgives her, now the
poor thing has nothing else.
DR. VAUGHAN
Well, anyhow, it's not our business.
HANNAH
It's my business.
DR. VAUGHAN [Alarmed]
Yours ?
HANNAH
Amy begged me to-
\Enter purvis.]
PURVIS
Sir John Archmundham is in his carriage and wanting
his childer.
DR. VAUGHAN
You'll find them upstairs.
[puRVis turns to go.]
HANNAH
Ask Sir John to oblige me and come in for a moment.
56
PURVIS
Ay, mum.
[Exit PURVIS.]
DR. VAUGHAN
You don't really mean to
HANNAH
I must, dear. I promised Amy.
DR. VAUGHAN
Sir John will be very angry.
HANNAH
Do you think I have no tact ? I must tell him about
Amy's illness — that gives me an opening.
DR. VAUGHAN
Dearest Hannah, I seldom exercise my authority, but
I feel so sure that harm will come of your meddling
that
HANNAH
Please, please, don't make me break my promise. I
feel so sure I shall make these two young people happy
that I
[Enter purvis, announcing]
PURVIS
Sir John Archmundham.
[Enter sir john.]
57
SIR JOHN [Shaking hands with hannah]
Ah, Mrs. Vaughan, we missed you at the garden-
party.
HANNAH
It's a pity you took your daughter. She's quite ill.
SIR JOHN
111 ? Poor chick ! I thought she was off her feed.
Where is she ?
HANNAH
Lying down.
SIR JOHN
I'll 'phone to Dr. Terrltt.
HANNAH
It isn't a doctor she wants.
SIR JOHN
Not a doctor ? You haven't joined the faith-healers !
HANNAH [Annoyed']
Of course not. I mean you know quite well how to
cure her yourself.
SIR JOHN
Feed her up, d'you mean ? Roast-beef ?
HANNAH [Disgusted]
Roast-beef ! Don't pretend you
58
DR. VAUGHAN [Hurriedly]
Talking of roast-beef, how are John's potatoes ?
SIR JOHN [Incapable of the swift transition]
Eh?
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh, I hope it isn't still a sore subject.
SIR JOHN
John's potatoes ? Not at all. I've quite turned
round about John's potatoes.
HANNAH [Snatching at her opportunity]
Then perhaps you'll turn round too about
DR. VAUGHAN
Do let us get to the end of this, Hannah. Why have
you turned round about John's potatoes ?
SIR JOHN
Because they put such a stopper on all the silly new
sex-theories.
HANNAH
We are talking of your daughter
DR. VAUGHAN
My dear ! You are interrupting Sir John's explana-
tion. They put such a stopper on ?
59
SIR JOHN
All that newfangled nonsense about love being every-
thing. As if rotten tubers could yield prize potatoes I
Freethinkers and Freelovers may spout and scribble
but the grand old laws of God go on inexorably.
HANNAH
And one of those laws is
DR. VAUGHAN
I'm afraid my wife hardly follows science.
[Takes SIR john's arm and draws him doorzvard.]
Shall we go and collect your children ?
SIR JOHN
Yes, I've just robbed them of ten thousand pounds.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
DR. VAUGHAN
Doesn't sound a laughing matter.
[Gets to door.]
SIR JOHN
Promised it to Judson for our crusades. Half for
the African atrocities and half
[Is going out with dr. vaughan.]
HANNAH [Desperately]
Sir John, you are positively heartless 1
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah !
60
SIR JOHN [Frozcfi]
Eh?
HANNAH
Talk of African atrocities ? The way you let that poor
girl pine and fret when you're simply rolling in
money !
SIR JOHN [Coldly]
I beg your pardon.
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah ! For heaven's sake !
HANNAH
It is for heaven's sake. Is our Church Conference
nothing but a babble .? Is everything to be meted
with the measure of worldliness ?
SIR JOHN
I'm afraid I can't follow you.
HANNAH
Oh yes, you can. Better than I can follow science.
Why is your daughter ill ? Why is Hubert Mor-
row ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I forbid this. Come, Sir John, she's been upset by
your daughter's illness.
6i
HANNAH
You may stop my speaking openly to Sir John — you
won't prevent other people speaking behind his back.
SIR JOHN
And pray, ma'am, what will they be saying ?
HANNAH
That your Mammon-worship broke your daughter's
heart.
SIR JOHN
The devil they will ! Pardon me, Doctor, my one
oath.
DR. VAUGHAN
People will say nothing of the kind, Hannah. They
will believe in the righteousness of Sir John's motives.
SIR JOHN
Thank you, Dr. Vaughan. I wish, madam, you had
a little of your husband's Christian charity.
DR. VAUGHAN
Mammon-worship, forsooth ! \^TTLen Sir John has
just given !
HANNAH
Charity begins at home.
SIR JOHN
And Christian charity abroad !
62
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! A Roland for an Oliver.
[Links his arm in sir John's.]
Come along !
HANNAH
If Sir John has anything against Hubert Morrow's
character, I will beg his forgiveness — and God's !
SIR JOHN [Tur?iing to face her]
I have nothing against Hubert Morrow's character.
HANNAH
Well, then !
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah, we have not the right
HANNAH
The girl has no mother. Somebody must stand up
for her !
DR. VAUGHAN [Drawing sir john again doorzcard]
Not against a father so honoured and loved.
HANNAH
" As many as I love I rebuke." That's in Revelation.
SIR JOHN [Feerifig round and breaking away]
Revelations, ma'am. If it's revelations you want — ■ — !
63
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't be profane, Sir John.
SIR JOHN [Angrily]
I'm not profane. But deuce take it, revelations you
shall have.
DR. VAUGHAN [Again trying to take his arm]
We don't want them. Come, Sir John, take your
daughter home.
SIR JOHN
The fact is, Mrs. Vaughan, I'm as sorry for Hubert
Morrow as you are. It's his sister !
HANNAH [Startled]
Felicia !
DR. VAUGHAN [Dropping into burean-chair with a
murmur]
Miss Morrow 1
SIR JOHN
I couldn't tell Amy because I wanted to protect her
innocence, I couldn't tell Hubert because it's for his
mother to do that. And I couldn't tell my old friend
[Lays his hand on dr. vaughan 's shoulder]
because I hate spreading scandal — especially about
his former secretary.
HANNAH
Scandal ! Scandal against Felicia ! I'll not believe it.
64
SIR JOHN
At any rate let it go no further. You know that after
leaving your husband Felicia Morrow went to London.
DR. VAUGHAN
Pardon me. She was at another post in between.
SIR JOHN
What does that matter ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I merely recall that last Christmas she took a country
post — for the sake of her health.
SIR JOHN
But the point is that in June she went off to London,
away from all who knew her.
HANNAH
To take the secretaryship of a nursing home.
SIR JOHN
To take the services of a nursing home ! She went
to have a child.
HANNAH
Felicia ! O my God !
DR. VAUGHAN [With ashen Up]
It's not possible !
65 B
SIR JOHN
It was a bold stroke of concealment — a flash of genius
almost.
DR. VAUGHAN
That simple sweet girl !
SIR JOHN
Had an affair. Precisely. While she was still your
secretary !
HANNAH
An affair ! O Rodney, say you don't believe it !
DR. VAUGHAN [As from a dry throat]
I cannot find words. ... So that's why she left
me . . .
HANNAH [Her hand caresshigly on his shoulder']
But she was the flower of your flock. You knew her —
how gentle and God-fearing. No, no. Sir John, this
is some terrible mistake. How do you know ? Who
told you ?
SIR JOHN
John told me.
DR. VAUGHAN
John ?
HANNAH
And who told John ?
66
SIR JOHN
The doctor at the nursing home was his old fellow-
student. They still correspond. The doctor tells
him anything of interest bearing on birth-problems.
Eugenics, they call it. And this child had — er — some
Frenchman's finger.
HANNAH
Had what ?
SIR JOHN
A bend in his little finger called after the French
surgeon who first cured it, I suppose.
DR. VAUGHAN [Shuddering]
Loathsome !
SIR JOHN
Not at all. A mere contraction of the skin. Quite
a fine little chap, John said, though rather under
weight.
DR. VAUGHAN
I mean the callousness of this cold-blooded science !
HANNAH
And on this hearsay, Felicia's character is to be ruined,
your daughter's life spoilt ! How did John know it
was Felicia ?
SIR JOHN
Why, the brazen hussy gave her own name !
67
HANNAH
Precisely. A brazen hussy who had stolen Felicia's
name.
SIR JOHN ISarcastically]
And who when they mistakenly thought she was dying
stole Felicia's mother.
HANNAH
You mean, they wired here for Mrs. Morrow ?
SIR JOHN [hnitating her]
Precisely.
HANNAH
And Mrs. Morrow went ?
SIR JOHN
So it seems.
HANNAH
Now I know it is false. How could Mrs. Morrow
hold up her head if it was true ? Why, she was at
the Conference. She spoke against the new crusades —
only this morning — don't you remember ? She feared
they would divert us from our mission work. No,
no, it is all some ridiculous blunder.
DR. VAUGHAN
And even if it were true, aren't you visiting the sins
of the sister on the brother ?
68
SIR JOHN
I knew you were drifting to this modern sentimen-
tality— you with your Shakespeare ! I've felt it in
your sermons this last twelvemonth ! But I stick
to my Old Testament. The sinner shall be cut off
root and branch. Even John's potatoes preach that.
DR. VAUGHAN
Never mind John's potatoes. Mendelism is not yet
proved, and if it were, there's no proof that — that
what cropped out in Miss Morrow will crop out in
her brother.
SIR JOHN
It may in his progeny. John tells me that traits
may skip a generation and re-appear in the next — Hkc
this finger possibly.
DR. VAUGHAN
Come ! Come ! You're not really thinking of here-
dity— ^you're afraid of a scandal in your family.
SIR JOHN
And what if I am ! Our record is clean, thank God.
Why should Amy marry a man who brings nothing
to the cupboard except a family skeleton ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Risingl
Ah, my wife is not so wrong — you are thinking of his
poverty.
69
SIR JOHN
No, by God I'm not — forgive me, but you
DR. VAUGHAN
But if the skeleton is safely buried !
SIR JOHN
If it were buried as deep as the seducer's wickedness,
I'd rather see Amy die than marry into diseased stock.
HANNAH [Sinking on the divan]
Oh, it is all a nightmare !
DR. VAUGHAN
But one may recover from disease — even the disease
of sin. God forgives.
SIR JOHN
But He cannot forget. Consequences are conse-
quences. That's what you preachers ought to insist
on most to-day when the air reeks with romantic
pestilence. All these little poets v^th their soul-
struggles and love-lyrics that end in hospitals or
lunatic asylums. And these hysterical boys and girls
with their problem-plays.
DR. VAUGHAN
What do you know of problem-plays ? You won't
eren read Shakespeare.
SIR JOHN
One can't escape the newspapers. Problem-plays
70
indeed ! Silly refusals to look life in the face — plays
about marriage with the first cause for which matrimony
was ordained left out !
DR. VAUGHAN
You mean the child !
SIR JOHN
Of course I mean what the marriage-service means.
There are delicate fools who'd have even that touch
of reality cut out. But the Almighty has given me
a brave ancestry and with His blessing my grand-
children shall carry no tainted blood. Good-bye,
old friend.
[Claps DR. vaughan's shoulder]
I didn't mean to preach to you but the day England
forgets her Puritanism she'll go down like a rotten ship.
DR. VAUGHAN
I quite agree.
SIR JOHN
I knew you'd come round. Good-bye, Mrs. Vaughan.
Sorry I had to quote my Revelation.
HANNAH
I don't believe your Revelation.
SIR JOHN
That doesn't make it less gospel. I'll go up and get
Amy, if I may.
[mrs. VAUGHAN makes a move as if to rise]
71
No, don't trouble. Thank you for being so kind
to her.
HANNAH
She's welcome to stay on.
SIR JOHN
I'll see how she is. Thank you again.
[Exit. Door closes.]
DR. VAUGHAN
I told you not to interfere !
HANNAH [Rising aiid moving to bureau]
It cannot be true.
[She rings.]
DR. VAUGHAN
What are you going to do ?
HANNAH
I cannot accept such a ridiculous story without
evidence.
DR. VAUGHAN
You will meddle again ? Rake up more dust, as
Purvis says ?
HANNAH
I shall lay this dust. Frenchman's finger^ forsooth !
I'm not going to stand by and see all these lives ruined
— FeHcia, Amy, Hubert, Mrs. Morrow
72
DR. VAUGHAN
Take care you don't ruin more.
HANNAH
How can I ruin ?
[Enter purvis]
Ring up Mrs. Morrow, and if you get her, let me know.
PURVIS
Yes, mum.
[Exit.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Walking up and down]
But this is more mischievous than ever ! To stir up
a mother's agony.
HANNAH
There's no agony, I tell you. It's all a mare's nest.
We'll save her the agony of parting with Hubert.
DR. VAUGHAN
You're not going to discuss it by telephone !
HANNAH
Of course not. I shall ask her to come about the
mission-work.
DR. VAUGHAN
And if she refuses ?
HANNAH
I shall go to her.
73
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah — ^let it alone — for God's sake.
HANNAH
I cannot, dearest. I can't rest till I know the truth.
DR. VAUGHAN
You seem to me driven along by some demon.
HANNAH
And I feel it is the guidance of God.
[Enter purvis]
PURVIS
Mrs. Morrow is holding the line.
HANNAH
Thank you.
\She follows PURVIS. The door closes^ dr. vaughan
collapses on the divan.~\
DR. VAUGHAN [In an awed whisper']
The guidance of God !
[The Action Pauses.]
74
Second Movement
Presently purvis enters^ hearing the -pyjamas afresh^ hut
seeing dr. vaughan is sunk upon the divan, his
head huried i?i his hands, he remains in comic
perplexity. He turns to go as if baffled again, then,
with a sudden resolution, he steals cautiously forward,
lifts the covering and slips the pyjamas noiselessly
beside the pillow-cases. Then, his harassed face
relaxing, he ventures to cough, dr. vaughan
looks up.'\
DR. VAUGHAN
What is it ?
PURVIS [With bowed head of contrition']
Now you're alone, doctor, I'd like to tell you about
Macbeth.
DR. VAUGHAN
About Macbeth ?
PURVIS
Yes, sir. You see, Sir John's coachman
DR. VAUGHAN
Not now, please. Another time.
[purvis, with a sigh, turns to close the French
window]
No, no, it's so hot.
[As PURVIS is going out silently, with still-bowed
head, hannah re-enters]
Well ?
75
HANNAH
Mrs. Morrow can't come to- night — it's her last night
but one with her boy.
DR. VAUGHAN [Relieved]
Ah!
HANNAH
But he's out this afternoon — so she'll come as soon as
all the boarders have had their tea.
DR. VAUGHAN [Perturbed]
Oh, indeed !
[Takes his hat and goes towards garden.]
HANNAH
Where are you going ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I can't stand another of your scenes.
HANNAH
You needn't be present, dear — I'll see her in the
drawing-room.
DR. VAUGHAN
With the Archmundhams about ? You see you drive
me out of my own house !
HANNAH
But, dearest, Felicia's good name !
[Exit DR. VAUGHAN into the garden, hannah
76
sighs, then sits at his table, and gets his pass-hook
and cheque-book from a drawer, -pulls out the paid
cheques and sets to work, checking the entries. After
a moment elsie C07nes in.]
ELSIE
Will it disturb you if I look at the rhyming dictionary ?
HANNAH
No, dear. But why not keep it in. your loom. ? You're
the only poet in the house.
ELSIE [Smiling as she motmts the library-steps']
Am I ? Are you sure you know all father's secret
sins ? WTiere is he, by the way ?
HANNAH
Gone for a stroll. Have you left the Archmundhams
alone ?
ELSIE
Amy's got up now. I thought three was family and
four society.
[Consults book from her perch on top of steps.]
HANNAH
You were quite right, dear — there is a ... a domestic
difhculty.
ELSIE
I know.
[Reading]
Haven, craven, shaven
77
HANNAH
You know ?
ELSIE
About Amy ? Of course — Raven, graven — father
trying to spoil her life. The old story.
HANNAH [Wincing]
You're not quite fair to Sir John.
ELSIE
That's what his son says — haven and graven, splendid !
[Shuts book and replaces it on shelf]
But if it's not a money question, what other objection
can the old growler have ?
HANNAH
Never mind — I've got a money-question of my own.
Trying to check father's pass-book. . . . Perhaps we
can dispose of Sir John's objection.
ELSIE [Coming towards table]
Oh, wouldn't that be ripping — ^jolly, I mean ! But
how ?
HANNAH
Wait a bit. . . . Come here, you know father's
writing — ^read me this counterfoil.
ELSIE [Looking over her shoulder]
Binks, Forty Pounds . . .
78
HANNAH
But who is Binks ?
ELSIE
Haven't an idea. Wlaere's the cheque ? June 20.
HANNAH
Here it is. But that's pay " Self " and he's endorsed
it. Look !
ELSIE [Studying counterfoil, carries it to window-light']
Perhaps it's Barks — or Borks. No, Books ! That's
what it is — two o's.
HANNAH [Taking it from her as she returns to table]
Ah, of course ! That forty pounds he spent on books
when I wanted money so badly for your clothes !
ELSIE [Smooths her frock]
But you see we managed all right, mother — my little
verses, and your embroidery work
HANNAH
Yes, but because I asked him to state on the counter-
foil what the cheque was for, whenever he drew on
"Self," he states what it's for but forgets " Self."
ELSIE [Smiling]
But isn't that what he preaches — to forget Self ?
79
HANNAH
If vou had to clear up his muddles, you wouldn't find
them so laughable. Here's a counterfoil not filled up
at all !
ELSIE
Only one ?
HANNAH [Taki?ig it over to bureau]
Go on laughing at me.
ELSIE
I'm laughing at him. If you would marry a genius —
Don't look so tragic over trifles.
HANNAH
It's not about the cheques — it's because you make me
afraid. Oh Elsie !
[Embraces her with sudden passion]
You don't feel there is a gulf between us ?
ELSIE
Between you and father ?
HANNAH
Between you and me ! A great gulf fixed — as between
Lazarus and the rich man ?
ELSIE
What do you mean, mother ?
80
HANNAH
A gulf you have to shout across ?
ELSIE
What an idea !
HANNAH
But that's what Amy Archmundham said — and it's
been weighing upon me. You do love me ?
ELSIE
Darling mother !
[Kisses her as she sinks on the divan.]
HANNAH
And I could die for you ! . . . I wish God had let me
die for your sisters. But His wisdom knew best.
[Breaks down.]
ELSIE [Kneeling on divan to embrace her]
Don't cry, darling. They died, doing their duty.
Look at their faces !
[Points to -photographs on bureau]
One would say, they were smiling with pride.
HANNAH
I could bear Mary's death in the Red Cross Army,
and Ruth's among her slum-people. But to lose a
living daughter !
ELSIE [Rising and holding both her hands]
Please don't talk so dreadfully.
8l F
HANNAH
Ah, daughter, perhaps you'll realise it yourself some
day. It seems so strange to remember you that tiny
— so frail and helpless — sleeping at my breast — and
to see you growing up tall and superior and aloof
ELSIE [Sinking against her knees to embrace her]
Oh never, mother, never ! I never did feel like Amy
Archmundham. Besides, she has no mother.
HANNAH
And you do love me ? And you'll never feel I want
to spoil your life ? And you'll always come to me,
even if I don't always understand your little poems ?
ELSIE [Smiling as they both rise]
Always, mother.
HANNAH
Always, you said, remember. Even when you are
gone from me !
ELSIE
Oh, mother, you know I shall never leave you !
[They embrace more closely. There is a sound, at
the door, they stand apart. It opens, revealing
JOHN.]
HANNAH
Ah, you are going !
[She advances, holding out her hand.]
82
JOHN
Not yet, please. Amy's bad again.
HANNAH
Oh dear !
JOHN
Yes, father poured oil on the troubled flames — ^he told
her he'd proved to you he's in the right.
HANNAH
That remains to be seen. Oh, do you think I could
be of any use ?
JOHN
You are the one person who could
[Makes way as for her exit.^
HANNAH
Your poor sister !
[Exit. JOHN closes the door.]
JOHN [Hastening towards elsie]
At last we can go on with our talk !
ELSIE
How can you think of yourself — with Amy In that
state ?
JOHN
Perhaps I'm in that state too.
83
ELSIE
What's the matter with you ? Potatoes diseased
again ?
JOHN
Don't be so heartless.
ELSIE
Heartless ? When I pity your potatoes more than
you pity your sister !
JOHN
Who said I didn't pity Amy ?
ELSIE
You aren't half as concerned as that time your potatoes
went bad.
JOHN
It wasn't their going bad— it was their having the
wrong disease.
ELSIE
Are there right diseases, then ?
JOHN
Naturally — the ones I infect them with. If only
they develop them properly — that is the real anxiety.
ELSIE
It must be very wearing for you.
84
JOHN
All right, scoff away. But science is above sneers.
ELSIE
I'm not sneering. It quite touches me to think of
you watching tenderly over your sick tubers.
JOHN
Go on !
[Folds his arms]
This, I suppose, is payment in kind for my unreal
remarks to your mother.
ELSIE
My remarks are real. Your superiority to humanity
overawes me. But to think of you at a sick bed — if
it's only a potato bed !
JOHN [Jpproaching her]
You know I'm only too human
[Re-enter hannah.]
HANNAH
She won't even have me in the room. Elsie, you are
of her own generation. Perhaps
ELSIE
I'll try, mother.
[Exit through open door, closing it.]
HANNAH [Turning on john]
I'm afraid this is all your fault.
85
JOHN
Mine ?
HANNAH
If you hadn't told your father that ridiculous story
about the Frenchman's finger !
JOHN
Dupuytren's finger ? But the child did have it —
my friend actuaUy operated for it, which Dupuytren
himself couldn't have done at that age. Yes, and I
only wish my friend could have settled the point
whether it's hereditary or not. But though he took
a scientific squint at the father's hand
HANNAH
The father's hand ?
JOHN
A burly clean-shaven man who came to see Miss
Morrow the day after.
HANNAH
And how did he know it was the father ?
JOHN
Oh well — ^he naturally assumed
HANNAH
Assumed ! Just as you assumed it was FeUcia. And
what foreigner's finger did the father have ?
86
JOHN
Oh, there was nothing abnormal about his hand —
except a queer signet-ring. But of course its heredi-
tariness being dubious, that doesn't prove !
HANNAH
I should think not indeed ! And on this basis of
hearsay and guess-work your father — oh I have no
patience with either of you !
JOHN
Would you marry your daughter into a disgraced
family, with a nameless brat hanging around ? I
wouldn't — at least
\Smiling\
I wouldn't marry my father^ s daughter into it. No,
nor his son, either.
HANNAH
I dare say not. But you beg the question. It's your
friend I consider disgraced. I always thought doctors
had a code of honour — not to tell professional secrets.
JOHN
My friend only told me professionally — as a student
of eugenics. And of course father and I won't blab,
if you don't.
HANNAH
How can I blab as you call it, when I don't believe
there's one iota ?
^ [sir JOHN opens the door, leading amy.]
87
SIR JOHN
May the little penitent come to apologise ?
HANNAH
What for ?
AMY
For turning you out of your own room. I forgot
I wasn't at home.
[Goes towards her]
Do forgive me ! And thank you for trying
HANNAH [Looking defiantly at the meni
I haven't given up
AMY [Eagerly]
Then father didnH convert you ?
HANNAH
Wait ! Trust in God !
[Kisses her and leads her to the window]
See what a sunset He has sent us.
AMY [Vaguely comforted}^
And what a fairy moon !
[Becomes absorbed in skyscape. Telephone rings
without.]
SIR JOHN
Never mind the moon, Amy — get on your things.
John'll take you home.
88
JOHN
Aren't you coming ?
SIR JOHN
You know I have to be back here at seven — don't look
so horrified, Mrs. Vaughan, you shouldn't have such
a popular husband. Now I've been kept so late, I'll
ask Judson for a game of chess rather than drive to
and fro.
HANNAH
Is it a committee meeting here ?
SIR JOHN [Emharrassed]^
A sort of committee meeting.
HANNAH
My husband never mentioned it.
SIR JOHN [Smilingi
He didn't know.
JOHN [Smiling from his -perch on the table]
And there are people who call him a prophet !
HANNAH
But suppose he's not back.
SIR JOHN
Has he gone out ? My gracious ! And our Lon-
doners must catch the dining-train !
HANNAH
He must be back for his own dinner.
SIR JOHN
That's what we reckoned on. Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
JOHN
You might let Mrs. Vaughan into the secret.
SIR JOHN
Well, if she'll keep it from her husband
HANNAH
Oh, I can't do that. Rodney and I have never had
a secret from each other.
SIR JOHN
Well, anyhow, you mustn't tell him that we
\Enter purvis.]
PURVIS
Please, mum, Mr. Hubert Morrow has telephoned
[amy turns sharply at the name\
to say he was sorry he was out when Dr. Vaughan
called just now
HANNAH \pa7Le^
When Dr. Vaughan called just now ?
PURVIS
Ay, mum, I wrote it down — like a text.
\Reads jrom a pafer^
90
" And he begs to thank Dr. Vaughan for his kindness
in coming to say good-bye."
AMY
Good-bye ?
[Sways at window.']
SIR JOHN [Catching her]
Steady, old girl.
HANNAH [Recovering composure]
Thank you, Purvis.
[puRVis goes again to shut window.]
AMY
Don't shut out the sunset ! . . ,
[Turns to hannah]
I beg your pardon, I'm always forgetting I'm not at
home.
HANNAH
Leave it, Purvis.
[puRVis goes out silently.]
If you'd rather wait here, Sir John, I'll have the fire
lit in the drawing-room.
SIR JOHN
Oh, I couldn't trouble you
HANNAH
No trouble — it's laid.
[Enter elsie with a newspaper]
91
And here comes the " Evening Sentinel."
l^^akes it from elsie and hands it to sir john.]
SIR JOHN
Thank you ! Amy, put on your things.
JOHN
I don't think Amy is fit to drive home yet.
AMY
What nonsense !
JOHN {Fitfjily']
Well, I won't take the responsibiHty — all alone. I'd
rather v^ait with you, father.
HANNAH
It might be better for Amy — put a light to the drawing-
room fire, Elsie.
[elsie goes to the door.^
JOHN
Here's matches !
[Produces a box and hastens after elsie. Exeunt.'\
HANNAH [fo SIR john]
And you won't want to keep your coachman an hour
on the box.
SIR JOHN
No, of course not. Judson has stables — he'll let us
put up. I'll go and tell my rascal.
92
HANNAH
Please, leave it to me. I want to give him some tea —
he must be quite faint.
[Goes to door.]
SIR JOHN [Sinking on divan and unfolding news-
-paper]
Don't worry too much over that scallawag. . . .
Bless my soul ! here's an account of the garden-party
already !
AMY [In a hollow voice from the zvindozv]
Written yesterday !
HANNAH [Jt door]
You can't read by that light !
[Turns up electric lights.]
SIR JOHN
You brighten up everything !
[Exit HANNAH. SIR JOHN redds aloud]
" Under the genial auspices of Sol and the Lord Mayor
and his charming consort, all the beauty and fashion
of Midstoke with all that is most distinguished in " —
won't you catch cold ?
AMY
I hope so.
[sir JOHN throws down paper, jumps up and draws
her within.]
93
SIR 'JOHN
Why, now I see you In the light, you look like a ghost.
AMY
I am a. ghost.
SIR JOHN
Then I'll lay it.
[Puts her on divan]
There, dear ! You'll soon get over this, I tell you . . .
\She turns her head from him]
Look here, lassie — you shall have your dream. I'U
take you to Italy — if you won't expect me to do the
Popish churches with you — I don't know which is
worse, the Papists with too many priests and cere-
monies or the Quakers with none at all. To Italy,
do you hear ?
AMY
I don't want to go to Italy.
SIR JOHN [Taken aback]
Not to Italy ? Well, wherever you like !
AMY
Then I'll go to Australia.
SIR JOHN
I meant this side of the globe.
AMY
This side is empty to me.
94
SIR JOHN
It will fill up again. Nature abhors a vacuum. You
are so young.
AMY
Young ? I'm a hundred !
SIR JOHN
Older than her dad, eh ? The little puss !
AMY
Don't talk baby-talk to me !
SIR JOHN
Oh well, if you really are a centenarian, that's all
right. It's the young man who'll cry ojff. He's only
a quarter of a century.
AMY
Hubert will never cry off.
SIR JOHN
Then why doesn't he take you to the Antipodes ? I
can't stop you.
AMY
I wanted to go.
SIR JOHN
So you just intimated. But he has more sense, eh ?
95
AMY
He wouldn't drag me down to poverty.
SIR JOHN
That's decent of him.
AMY
Decent ? He's a Bayard and a genius. And if you
had let me have my money, he could have stayed here,
writing his symphonies without sordid cares.
SIR JOHN [Per flexed, sits beside her]
You must trust me, my child. You must trust my love.
AMY
I cannot trust you. You are cruel — cruel
[She sobs"}
[dr. vaughan comes in through the zoindow-l
DR. VAUGHAN [Drawing back]
Oh, I beg your pardon.
SIR JOHN
No, no, we mustn't drive you out of your own den.
So glad you're back. Come, Amy !
[He tries to lift her Jrom the divan, but she sobs on]
Perhaps you can help me to soothe this wild young
thing.
DR. VAUGHAN
WTiat could / do ?
96
SIR JOHN
We know your influence over the lambs of your flock.
DR. VAUGHAN
Miss Archmundhara — Amy
AMY
I don't want your soothing syrup.
SIR JOHN
Don't be rude ! You think I'm cruel. Do you think
Dr. Vaughan is ?
AMY
He is a human being.
SIR JOHN {With a grimace]
Oh, indeed ! Very well, then ! If Dr. Vaughan
assures you that my objection is not a mere abuse of
paternal power, will you give me back your trust ?
AMY
Dr. Vaughan will say what pleases you.
SIR JOHN
Will he, by George ! I only wish he made a practice
of it. Come, Amy ! Don't wriggle out of it.
AMY
Then on his honour as a human being
97 G
SIR JOHN
Dr. Vaughan ! You know the reason that compels me
to reject Hubert Morrow.
DR. VAUGHAN
I know what you told me.
SIR JOHN
Quite so. And is this reason weighty ? Or capri-
cious ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Certainly not capricious.
SIR JOHN
There !
AMY
But would you act like that in papa's place ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Hesitates]
I_I
AMY
On your honour !
DR. VAUGHAN
No!
AMY
Oh, you human being !
[Springs up and hugs him.]
SIR JOHN
Why, Doctor, you told me not twenty minutes ago
that you agreed with me.
DR. VAUGHAN
You misunderstood — you were saying that without
Puritanism England would go down like a rotten ship.
That's what I agreed with.
AMY
So that's it ! Hubert isn't Puritan enough ! Because
he's musical ! Because God has given him the gift
of melody ! Because
SIR JOHN
Don't be silly, Amy. Who was more musical than
Milton ? Don't I take you to Oratorios ?
AMY
But Hubert writes love-music — that's what's the
matter ! Love-music, and you all hate everything
but your gloomy conventicle ! I wonder you don't
pull that moon down out of heaven and turn it into
a church lamp. But you shall hear Hubert's music —
I'll give it you now !
[Runs out through the door]
SIR JOHN
Gloomy conventicle, indeed !
[Follows her.]
That girl will die a Papist.
99
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't stop her singing or strumming — it'll work off
the hysteria.
SIR JOHN
Deuce take it all ! I wish the fellow had never come
back from Germany !
[Exit.']
DR. VAUGHAN
O God, when will this coil of consequence end ?
[He picks up the newspaper and looks at it dis-
tractedly. Enter hannah.]
HANNAH
Sir John told me you were back.
DR. VAUGHAN
Has Mrs. Morrow been ?
HANNAH
Not yet. She can't afford taxis like you.
DR. VAUGHAN [Flushing']
What do you mean ?
HANNAH
You must have taken a taxi straight to her.
DR. VAUGHAN
Eh ? What makes you think that ?
100
HANNAH
You didn't go to her ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Why should I go to her ?
HANNAH [Horrified']
Rodney ! I know you went to her.
DR. VAUGHAN
I went to Hubert — to say good-bye.
HANNAH
Forgive me ! Yes, that's what he said. . . . He
'phoned to thank you.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ah!
HANNAH [Rememberittg]
But I told you he was out — why did you go ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I hoped he'd be back. And you see he was — almost
immediately.
HANNAH
You didn't really rush there to stop Mrs. Morrow
coming here ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Slowly]
I don't say if I'd found Mrs. Morrow in I shouldn't
lOI
have tried to stop her — indeed, the more I think of it,
the more dreadful it seems to me to let you hurt her
feelings as you hurt Sir John's.
HANNAH
I know I lost my temper with Sir John. I haven't got
much Christian patience, have I, dear ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I'm afraid not, darhng. Nor pagan tact, either.
[Enter purvis.]
PURVIS
Mrs. Morrow for you, mum. Where shall I show
her ?
DR. VAUGHAN
In here.
HANNAH
But I don't want to turn you out — there's the dining-
room.
DR. VAUGHAN
Show her in here, Purvis.
PURVIS
Yes, sir.
[Slow exit. As the door closes on him, dr. vaughan
turns swiftly and masterfully to hannah and takes
her smilingly by the shoulders.^
lot
DR. VAUGHAN
It's you that must be turned out, dear.
HANNAH
But surely she and I — two women —
DR. VAUGHAN
You forget that as her pastor I shall seem less intrusive.
HANNAH
Perhaps you are right.
DR. VAUGHAN [Forcing her smilingly towards the
garden']
Of course I'm right — one folly a day is all I can allow
you.
HANNAH
Poor Rodney — I do bring troubles on you.
[Kisses him and is pushed through the window as
PURVIS ushers in mrs. morrow, and closes the door.
MRS. morrow, a lady still with the traces of beauty
and prosperity in her sorrowful face and shabby^
well-cut clothes, enters with a proud bearing.]
DR. VAUGHAN [With his massive cordiality]
How do you do, Mrs. Morrow ? Didn't see you at
the garden-party.
MRS. MORROW
No.
103
DR. VAUGHAN
You'll find that most comfortable.
[Indicates chair.]
MRS. MORROW
Thank you.
[Sits.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Fetching chair and sitting beside
her]
And what's the news of your dear daughter ? Still
in London ?
MRS. MORROW
Still in London.
DR. VAUGHAN
And getting on well in her post, I hope — let me see,
a hospital, wasn't it ?
MRS. MORROW
No, not exactly.
[Uneasily]
Isn't Mrs. Vaughan in ?
DR. VAUGHAN
She thought /'d best discuss the matter with you.
MRS. MORROW
But it isn't only the mission-work — I want to ask her
something.
104
DR. VAUGHAN
Can't you ask me ?
MRS. MORROW \}Vith a faint smile']
It's hardly your department.
DR. VAUGHAN [With a broader smile]
Well, she intrudes enough on mine.
MRS. MORROW
It's about Felicia.
DR. VAUGHAN \_Eis smile checked]
About your daughter ?
MRS. MORROW
Yes — she is coming to-morrow.
DR. VAUGHAN [Startled]
Really ? Any particular reason ?
MRS. MORROW
To say good-bye to Hubert.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ah yes. But doesn't he sail from London ?
MRS. MORROW
No, from Plymouth . . . it's a cheaper line. Besides,
/ get a glimpse of Felicia, too.
105
DR. VAUGHAN
That's true. Quite a while since you've seen her, I
suppose ?
MRS. MORROW
Well, you know when she left here — ^last Christmas.
DR. VAUGHAN
Dear me, how time flies ! And she's feeling better,
I hope. . . . Let me see, didn't she go to some little
country place for her headaches ?
MRS. MORROW
Yes, Pinfold something — I never can remember.
DR. VAUGHAN
And you didn't go and see her there ?
MRS. MORROW [Curtly]
I told you I haven't seen her since Christmas.
DR. VAUGHAN [Relieved]
So you did . . .
[More cheerfully]
And so she's coming back.
MRS. MORROW
Only for the night. She goes with Hubert as far as
Plymouth — thence straight back to her London work.
But
[Embarrassed]
the fact is, now I've had to take boarders, there's
io6
scarcely room for her to-morrow night. So, coming
along, it occurred to me that perhaps you
DR. VAUGHAN [Startled again]
MRS. MORROW
You and Mrs. Vaughan — you see Hubert's cab passes
here on the way to the station — and with all you
dear people it would be homelier for her than at an
hotel
DR. VAUGHAN [Perturbed]
I'm afraid that is Mrs. Vaughan's department.
[He goes to the door and opens it and calls]
Purvis !
[amy's voice is heard from above in Hubert's
setting of " I arise from dreams of thee "]
Purvis ! Ah, there you are. Ask Mrs. Vaughan to
come in.
AMY [Heard singing from the drawing-room]
And a spirit in my feet
Hath led me — who knows how ?
To thy chamber window, sweet !
[dr. vaughan stands listening as if hypnotised, till
HANNAH comes in and closes the door.]
HANNAH
So good of you to come, Mrs. Morrow.
[Shakes ha?ids.]
107
DR. VAUGHAN
Mrs. Morrow asks if her daughter may sleep here to-
morrow night.
HANNAH [Startled]
FeHcia ?
MRS. MORROW
You see we've let her room, and I thought she'd be
less unhappy here than at
HANNAH [Suspiciously]
Less unhappy ?
MRS. MORROW
About Hubert's going to Australia.
HANNAH
Ah yes — and it must be a great wrench for you.
MRS. MORROW
He was all I had left — I mean at home. But God does
all things for the best.
HANNAH [Impulsively]
But we mustn't always let Him, Mrs. Morrow.
MRS. MORROW [Shocked]
What do you say ?
io8
DR. VAUGHAN [With a forced smile]
My wife expresses herself badly. She means, you
ought to make an effort to keep your boy at home.
HANNAH
Yes, indeed ! I'm so glad you've mentioned Felicia
because — but perhaps, Rodney, you have already
disposed of that.
DR. VAUGHAN
No. Under the new circumstances I left it for you.
MRS. MORROW [Rising uneasily']
What is it about Felicia ?
HANNAH
Her staying here will be just splendid !
MRS. MORROW
Oh, thank you.
[She sits down in relief.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Perturbed]
But, Mrs. Morrow, have you asked your daughter if
she'd like to stay here ?
MRS. MORROW
I took it for granted. . . . She
[Flushing]
. . . she doesn't know I've had to let her room.
109
HANNAH
You have been keeping the boarders from her ?
MRS. MORROW
It would only have added to her ... I mean, she's
so proud . . . And sometimes they . . . they ring
for me ! Oh, do you think I've done wrong ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Certainly not, Mrs. Morrow. Why make unnecessary
pain ?
HANNAH
Well, it's got to come out now. Even white lies turn
black by keeping. . . . But, anyhow, her staying here
will be a splendid answer to Sir John !
MRS. MORROW [Half-rising]
Why, what has Sir John ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Waving her down]
Dear Mrs. Morrow, do try to be patient. Nobody
knows better than I the blameless reputation of your
family.
HANNAH
But there's a miserable scandal afoot
MRS. MORROW [Jumping up indignantly]
A scandal against Felicia ?
no
HANNAH
Of course we none of us believe it.
MRS. MORROW
I have no patience even to hear it.
HANNAH
Then it isn't true ?
MRS. MORROW
It's an abominable lie.
HANNAH
What did I tell you ?
[She rings. '[
DR. VAUGHAN
What are you ringing for ?
HANNAH
Sir John shall hear this denial.
DR. VAUGHAN
Why, you haven't even told Mrs. Morrow what she's
to deny !
MRS. MORROW
I don't care what it is — there is nothing against
Felicia !
Ill
DR. VAUGHAN
Nevertheless, before you face Sir John, you had
better be prepared for what he may say. The accu-
sation
MRS. MORROW
Accusation ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Ridiculous, perhaps, but there it is. Tell her, Hannah !
[Retires to divan-seat.^
HANNAH
They say she has had a child.
MRS. MORROW [5/^^^m]
0 my God ! And who dares ?
[Enter purvis. amy's -passionate music swells out.]
HANNAH
Ask Sir John Archmundham to step down.
PURVIS
Ay, mum.
[Exit PURVIS, shutting out the music]
MRS. MORROW
1 will not meet Sir John.
[Goes towards garden.] .
112
HANNAH
But, my dear Mrs. Morrow, you must !
MRS. MORROW
Why must I ? What have I to do with Sir John ?
HANNAH
Don't you love Hubert ? Don't you want him to
be happy ?
MRS. MORROW
What has that to do with it ?
HANNAH
That is why Sir John objects to the match.
MRS. MORROW
What match ?
HANNAH
You don't know Hubert is leaving England because
he's not allowed to marry Amy Archmundham ?
MRS. MORROW [Dazed]
No — I know nothing — my children are always so
reticent. O my poor Hubert. So that's it ! My
poor martyred boy !
HANNAH
But don't you see he needn't be martyred ? You've
only got to show Sir John the story is false.
"3 H
MRS. MORROW
I will not meet Sir John. If my family is not good
enough
[puRvis o-pens the door for sir john who comes
through and bows coldly to mrs. morrow. She^
with a stiff return bow, tries to pass him and escape.'\
HANNAH [Firmly closing the door]
Dear Mrs. Morrow, surely you wish to keep your boy —
to make him happy — —
SIR JOHN
I see, Mrs. Vaughan you still doubt my revelation.
HANNAH
Not if she is silent. Mrs. Morrow, don't torture me
like this !
MRS. MORROW [Fiercely]
What torture is it of yours ?
HANNAH
What torture ? To think of Felicia sunk to that !
Look at my husband — don't you see it is torturing
him, too ? Come, Mrs. Morrow . . .
[mrs. morrow looks round with the hopeless eyes
of a trapped animal]
Why don't you speak ?
MRS. MORROW
O my God, why am I scourged thus ?
[She breaks down in hysteric sobs.]
114
DR. VAUGHAN [Risitig and pressing her into chairl
My poor Mrs. Morrow ! Calm yourself.
SIR JOHN
My poor Amy !
[He goes out sorrowfully.]
MRS. MORROW
Oh, you don't know what it has been ! She never
said a word. When — to hide from you and me what
must have happened here, she took that post at Pinfold
— thirty miles away
[Breaks down, choked with emotion.]
HANNAH
Pinfold ? — I thought my husband said Craddock.
MRS. MORROW [Struggling for composure]
Craddock — yes, that's the part I can never remember.
DR. VAUGHAN [With forced lightness]
Just as I can never remember the Pinfold part.
HANNAH
But if it's Pinfold Craddock, you went there this
Spring !
DR. VAUGHAN [After an appreciable pause]
So I did ! To take a funeral for old Rogers when he
had the flue. A fearful cross-country journey !
"5
MRS. MORROW
Yes, she always said she had no time or money to come
and see me — and then she wrote she had a new post
in London — at a private nursing home — and then —
end of June — a wire — she was dying ! So at least
they thought.
HANNAH [Stonily]
And she wanted you to look after the child of sin.
MRS. MORROW
Don't look at me so pitilessly. I had to lie.
HANNAH
Nobody has to lie.
MRS. MORROW
I had a husband, money, children— now there is
nothing.
HANNAH
There is always God.
DR. VAUGHAN [Eagerly]
But the little boy
[Correcting himself]
the child — has it lived ? Is it well ?
MRS. MORROW
It was rather small and had a bent finger, but other-
wise
[She falls fainting on her chair.]
ii6
DR. VAUGHAN
You are too cruel to her.
HANNAH
I'll get my salts.
[She rushes into her room. In the silence amy's
renewed love- song faintly penetrates.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Murmuring]
Love ! Love ! The great romantic cheat ! — O God !
Must I go on lying or must I break Hannah's heart ?
[Re-enter hannah.]
HANNAH
I must have left the bottle in here. She's not come to ?
DR. VAUGHAN
No. But w^hen she does, pray remember it is for
such crises wq are Christians.
HANNAH [Finding the bottle on the divan]
Ah, here it is ! I know I was harsh, dear,
[She applies the salts to mrs. morrow]
But you spoil me for people of this sort.
DR. VAUGHAN [Turning away in bitter shame]
We are all God's creatures.
HANNAH
I know, dear, but it's not so easy to copy your loving-
kindness to liars and sinners.
117
MRS. MORROW [Opening her eyes]
I will not meet Sir John !
HANNAH
No, he is gone. Dear Mrs. Morrow,
[Raising the -patienfs head^
you are all right again.
MRS. MORROW
Oh my poor children !
HANNAH [To her husband]
Sir John's carriage must take her home.
MRS. MORROW
No, no — nothing of Sir John's I
[She staggers to her feet]
I can walk.
DR. VAUGHAN
That's nonsense — I'll get you a cab.
MRS. MORROW
You know I cannot take cabs.
DR. VAUGHAN [Recovering his bluff geniality]
You can take one from me !
MRS. MORROW
I can quite well walk.
[Moves proudly]
There !
ii8
DR. VAUGHAN
How unkind you are to me !
MRS. MORROW
You shall give the fare to the mission-fund — in my
name.
[Turns toward door. dr. vaughan precedes hereto
open it.^
HANNAH
One moment, Mrs. Morrow. You may rely on our
spreading the sad story no further. But
MRS. MORROW
But you can't have Felicia sleeping here — I know.
Forgive me for trying to protect her.
HANNAH
It's my duty to forgive you. And perhaps it's my
duty to have her here — more than ever. I will think.
I will let you know. But that's not what I was going
to say.
DR. VAUGHAN [In renewed torture]
Need any more be said ? Mrs. Morrow is so tired.
[Puts his hand on the door-knob.]
HANNAH
Still, before we dismiss the subject for ever, oughtn't
we to ask Mrs. Morrow the name of the man ?
119
MRS. MORROW
But I don't know the name of the man.
DR. VAUGHAN
And what good would revenge do ?
HANNAH
Who's thinking of revenge ? Reparation.
DR. VAUGHAN
Reparation ?
HANNAH
Marriage ! Why should he not marry her ?
MRS. MORROW [Clasping her hands']
Oh, if I could live to see it !
HANNAH [Eagerly]
And then, perhaps. Sir John would relent !
DR. VAUGHAN
But — but the man may be married.
HANNAH
Then he can be divorced.
DR. VAUGHAN
I thought you were against divorce.
12:}
HANNAH
I never realized that it might be the smaller of two
evils. And the fifth of Matthew permits it !
DR. VAUGHAN
But there's his present wife to consider
HANNAH
If there is a wife, she couldn't possibly live with him
any longer. He belongs to Felicia — and Felicia's
child.
MRS. MORROW
You will never get Felicia to give his name. Not if
you cut her to pieces.
HANNAH
But surely you have some idea ? Nor you, Rodney ?
DR. VAUGFIAN [Desperately defensive]
Who was the man she worked for at Pinfold, what-is-
it ?
HANNAH
Pinfold Craddock.
MRS. MORROW
It wasn't a man — it was an old lady, all but blind.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha ! Blind ! The easier then
121
HANNAH [To her husband]
But how do you know it zvas an old lady — ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Mrs. Morrow says so.
HANNAH
Blind, yourself, dear. Don't you see Mrs. Morrow
had only Felicia's letters to go by ?
DR. VAUGHAN
That's true. Talk of the wisdom of the serpent !
HANNAH
And when you saw Felicia in the nursing home, Mrs.
Morrow, wasn't there any clue to the man ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You really mustn't exhaust Mrs, Morrow
HANNAH
No picture ? No keepsake ?
MRS. MORROW
Nothing !
DR. VAUGHAN
There ! She's quite worn out. Purvis must get a
cab.
HANNAH
No letter came while you were with her ?
122
DR. VAUGHAN
Really, Hannah ! Why should you try to ferret out
Felicia's secret ?
HANNAH
For Felicia's salvation. He must marry her.
MRS. MORROW
I did take an opportunity, when she was under a drug,
of opening her locket.
HANNAH [Tensely]
Well ?
MRS. MORROW
There was nothing.
DR. VAUGHAN [Relieved]
Ah!
MRS. MORROW
Only the pictures of her mother and her pastor.
HANNAH
Of my husband ?
MRS. MORROW [With a faint smile]
Felicia was always a hero-worshipper.
[Tragic again]
If she had only listened to your teachings instead !
123
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes. I hope the other young ladies who carry me
about do better.
HANNAH
But how could she get a miniature ? I thought /
was the only person who had one.
DR. VAUGHAN
I suppose she got my photograph reduced. And, by
the way, Lovell the bookseller has been telling me what
a run there's been on it during the Conference. Like
an actor's, he said — and then he begged pardon, poor
man. Ha! Ha! Ha!
HANNAH
Rodney, when you went to Pinfold Craddock, did you
call on Felicia ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Slozvly]
Did I call on Felicia ?
HANNAH
No — I forgot — you didn't even know it was an old
lady she was with. But I should have thought you'd
have taken the opportunity of seeing how she was
getting on.
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes, but — but, you see, I met her — by chance-
post-office.
HANNAH
And didn't you notice anything ?
124
-at the
DR. VAUGHAN
I noticed she was looking pretty.
HANNAH
Is that all ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Didn't you say we men can never tell the difference
between anything and anything ?
HANNAH
And you saw no clue to the man ? Nobody was with
her ?
DR. VAUGHAN [With a ghastly smile]
I was with her — and a venerable gaffer drawing his
old-age pension.
MRS. MORROW
But when exactly did you see her ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Smiling]
I never was good at dates.
HANNAH
The day you went to take the funeral was Mayday.
I remember it because of the contrast of death and
the Spring.
DR. VAUGHAN
That thought struck me — the world In bridal white
and the tragedy lurking
125
MRS. MORROW
But by that date, Dr. Vaughan, you could surely see —
Why anybody but the blind woman must have seen
HANNAH [Paling with a now irresistible suspicion]
My husband is right. This is fatiguing you inexcusably.
Do let me get you a cab.
MRS. MORROW
Thank you, no.
[dr. vaughan hurriedly throws open the door.]
HANNAH
Why not ? You were ready to let me entertain
Felicia.
MRS. MORROW
I have entertained Elsie. Good-night.
{Exit.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Good-night.
[Follows her out in optimistic relief]
Things will brighten — never lose hold of the goodness
of God !
[hannah looks round wildly, her hands tremble.
Mastering herself with a great effort, she sits down
again to the pass-book. After an instant of quiet
work she clutches suddenly at the salts, smells them
then resumes work. Re-enter dr. vaughan.]
126
DR. VAUGHAN
Well, dear
[Touches her hair. She shudders and shakes off his
hand.]
HANNAH
Don't — I want to finish your pass-book.
DR. VAUGHAN [Smilingly at ease again]
So the old wench is afraid of being scolded, eh ? But
there ! I won't say I told you so.
HANNAH [Passionately]
Yes, yes, scold me — I've had evil thoughts — silly,
shameful thoughts. . . . You were right — I should
have minded my own business.
DR. VAUGHAN
Never mind, dear — go on minding mine. Have I
been making great muddles ?
[Befids over pass-book.]
HANNAH [Smiling]
Well, you forgot to fill in the . . . a — a — a — ^li !
[Screams suddenly.]
DR. VAUGHAN
You frighten me ! What is it ?
HANNAH
Those forty pounds — those mysterious forty pounds !
127
DR. VAUGHAN [Looking over her shoulder in re-
newed torment]
That's filled in all right. Books !
HANNAH
But where are the books ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh, all about. ,
HANNAH
I don't see any new books.
DR. VAUGHAN
I never said new. It's the old editions that cost the
money. You see, not having got anybody to replace
Miss Morrow, I thought I could afford
HANNAH
But coming just at that time !
DR. VAUGHAN
What time ?
HANNAH
Felicia's time.
[Points distractedly to the cheque."]
DR. VAUGHAN
I don't understand you.
128
HANNAH
And you went to London that June morning — I
remember now.
DR. VAUGHAN
To buy the books.
HANNAH
And you would go in mufti.
DR. VAUGHAN
It was too hot for black.
HANNAH
And the time I found you all smelling of eau-de-
cologne ! You said Felicia had given it you for your
headache.
DR. VAUGHAN
And what else would she give it me for ?
HANNAH
And the burly, clean-shaven man ! God, how it all
flies together !
DR. VAUGHAN
[With a desperate effort at self-comman<r\
I think, Hannah, you are losing your wits.
HANNAH
I shall lose them — O Father in heaven ! And Elsie
129
wanting clothes so badly. And the mission fund
so
DR. VAUGHAN
Hush!
[He doses the window.^
HANNAH
And you never told me you had met her in Pinfold
Craddock !
DR. VAUGHAN
Why on earth should I ?
HANNAH
And you wouldn't let me see Mrs. Morrow, till you
had made sure she didn't know.
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah ! It comes on me suddenly what you mean.
You surely can't think that I — that Miss Morrow
HANNAH
No — no — Mrs. Morrow has upset my nerves. . . .
I had such faith in Felicia that now I feel anybody. . . .
But no — not you ! That is impossible.
[Struggling with herself she resumes her study of
the -pass-book]
But I do really wish you would fill in your counter-
foils.
130
DR. VAUGHAN
There are always the cheques to guide you.
HANNAH
Yes — but it's a worry.
DR. VAUGHAN
I'm sorry. I do worry you, dear heart, don't I ?
[Puts his face to hers'\
But I'll turn over a new leaf, I really will.
HANNAH [S?nili7ig'\
Of the cheque-book ?
DR. VAUGHAN [With a forced explosive laugh']
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! I must send that to Punch,
HANNAH [Smilimg on]
It's all very well to laugh. But really, unless you re-
form, I shall have to take away your cheque-book.
DR. VAUGHAN [Gaily]
And my latch-key, and stand me in the corner vnih a
fool's cap.
HANNAH
Yes, and a sermon written on it.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha! Ha! Ha!
131
HANNAH
Look at this now — ^Thursday and no other date.
DR. VAUGHAN
But it's between cheques for May 2 and May 7, so
it's easy to find out. There you are — on the calendar !
[Points to it'\
Thursday, May 4.
HANNAH
Then May the first was Monday.
DR. VAUGHAN [With ghastly facetiousness]
" Which there's no deniging of it, Betsy ! "
HANNAH
But then — they don't pay Old Age Pensions on
Monday.
DR. VAUGHAN
And who said they did ?
HANNAH
Tou said — ^when you met Felicia in the post office
at Pinfold Craddock on Mayday — a gaffer was drawing
his Old Age Pension. But Friday is the day for that !
DR. VAUGHAN
Well, it may have been his arrears —
HANNAH
That's true.
132
DR. VAUGHAN
Or his savings. Only he looked so old I thought of
the Pensions. And what a great thing they are for
those little villages, Hannah, circulating the money
and bringing grandparents back into respect.
HANNAH
Yes, I wish there could be State pensions for people
like poor Mrs. Morrow.
DR. VAUGHAN [Stroking her hair]
I'm glad you're feeling kindlier to her, dear.
HANNAH
I do try, darling.
\She takes his hand and rubs it against her cheek.
Suddenly she utters a great agonised cry\
Ah!
[She seizes the hand that caressed her, and stares
at the ring that has rubbed her cheek.]
DR. VAUGHAN
What's up now ?
HANNAH
The strange ring ! !
DR. VAUGHAN
But it's your own ring — my engagement ring with the
device of the Teaching Priest.
133
HANNAH
Yes, that is the horror of it !
DR. VAUGHAN [Paling]
Hannah !
HANNAH
The man in the nursing home had a strange ring !
DR. VAUGHAN
Your ring does not exhaust the oddities of annulation.
HANNAH
Don't give me arguments — I know each thing in itself
is foohsh — but it's all the rings — they make a chain —
a chain that is choking me. O God help us, God
help us !
[Driven to bay, he looks at her for a moment as she
twists her ha?ids, then he sighs wearily.]
DR. VAUGHAN [In a matter-oj-jact voice]
Ah well, I see I must confess.
HANNAH [Huskily]
Confess !
\^he stares at him.]
DR. VAUGHAN
When I met her at the post ofhce in Pinfold Craddock
I did find out what was the matter. In fact, Miss
Morrow, overwhelmed with emotion at the sight
of me, made me her priest, throwing herself on my
134
pastoral protection. What could I do ? I took up
the burden. I found her the nursing home. I
spent the forty pounds on her.
HANNAH [Rising and coming to him]
And the man — she told you his name ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Even his name I know. But I can't very well tell,
can I ?
HANNAH
But you can make him marry her !
DR. VAUGHAN [Mystically]
That man is dead — it was he I buried at Pinfold
Craddock.
HANNAH
Poor Felicia ! . . . But you only met her at the post
ofhce, you said.
Dr. VAUGHAN
She could hardly be at his funeral. . . . That was part
of her burden . .. ,
HANNAH
Poor soul. . . . But you told me a lie about the books !
DR. VAUGHAN
That was part of my burden. I couldn't give away
her secret, could I ? And it was books I bought in a
135
sense — a little cheque-book for her, a little pass-
book
\_Jlirily waves at his ozvfi]
And with the remains of the money she was able to
set up a little typing office, and keep herself and her
child.
HANNAH [Moved]
My kind husband !
DR. VAUGHAN [Turning uneasily from her]
I wanted to be kind, believe me, Hannah — I always
want to be kind. But it's been an awful strain. As
you just said, even white lies turn black with time. I
shall never have another secret from you, Hannah !
HANNAH
My dear, my dear ! What were your white lies to
my black accusations ? Oh, I could tear my tongue
out ! See, I am so wretchedly repentant — and yet so
terribly, terribly happy ! Oh ! Rodney !
[Sinks to her knees, and clings to him, sobbing
hysterically.]
DR. VAUGHAN
No, by God ! I can't stand this. Get up, get up,
I tell you. It is all true — all true.
HANNAH [Dazed— checking sobs]
True ? What is true ?
136
DR. VAUGHAN
You must get up. You must bear it. I tried to spare
you. But you don't spare me. You kneel to me,
and that's a worse hell for me than even the lies I've
had to tell.
HANNAH
You've lied to me ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Lied till I felt my very tongue turning black. But I can't
sink too low. I must keep some shred of self-respect.
HANNAH
Then it is true ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes.
{Wipes the sweat from his forehead]
I see now what a relief to the criminal to be caught !
HANNAH
It is true ? You have broken God's commandment !
. . . You !
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes.
\JBozvs his head.'l
HANNAH
You have lied and deceived and committed adultery
and ruined a girl
137
DR. VAUGHAN
And shamed her child and borne false witness, and stolen
the household money, and had other gods beside God,
and taken His name in vain — everything, everything.
Nigh the whole Decalogue stands by me desecrated.
HANNAH
And you can stand there ? And you do not sink into
the earth ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Not so loud ! Nobody must hear.
HANNAH [Rising in amaze]
I am to shield you ?
DR. VAUGHAN [His head bowed lower]
To try and forgive my great sin against you.
HANNAH
What does it matter about me ? I feel degraded,
sickened, crushed, but what do / count, compared
with the degradation of your sacred ofhce ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Never mind my ofhce — I cry to you as human being
to human being.
HANNAH
I can only think of your congregation.
138
DR. VAUGHAN
They have only cause for rejoicing !
HANNAH [Dazed]
Oh, my poor Rodney ! All this over-work
DR. VAUGHAN
And shall they not share the joy in heaven over the
sinner that repenteth ? I give you the commonplaces
of Christianity and you stare at me as if I were mad.
HANNAH
It is my last hope.
DR. VAUGHAN
Dismiss it. I am very sane. My sin was madness,
maybe. But now — I am perhaps the sanest man in
this city. Because, what is sanity ? To know things
as they are. Man as he is. God as he is ! I know
now how man can fall — I know now how God can
chastise and redeem.
HANNAH [Sinking tragically into a chair]
Then it is true ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't babble that again !
[Recovering his gentleness]
Pull yourself together, dearest, and let us face facts.
HANNAH [Moaning]
O God ! O God ! . . . You ! !
139
DR. VAUGHAN
Pull yourself together — it's not so terrible as it looks
now.
HANNAH
My husband !
DR. VAUGHAN
And must it always be some other woman's ? Sin
lieth at the door, you read in Genesis — shall it never
come in ? Are the battles of the soul to be always
elsewhere — like our British wars always on some far
frontier ?
HANNAH
The husband I worshipped — next to God !
DR. VAUGHAN
And who will always worship you !
{Touches her affectionately. 1
HANNAH
Don't put your hand on me — it is horrible, horrible.
The sun gone out of heaven !
DR. VAUGHAN
The sun never goes out of heaven, Hannah. It is we
who turn away from the sun.
HANNAH [Hall to herself]
When I saw you in the pulpit, I felt like Joshua when
140
he saw the angel with the drawn sword — and knew the
hosts of the Lord must win
DR. VAUGHAN
My sword is still unsheathed !
\_She sobs tearlessly]
Listen to me, dear wife.
HANNAH
I can't listen. I am your wife no longer. I must
go away.
DR. VAUGHAN
You would divorce me ?
HANNAH [Rising]
I must save your soul. The child must have a father !
DR. VAUGHAN
And you — and Elsie ?
HANNAH
We must suffer for your sin.
DR. VAUGHAN
And the congregation ? And the community ? And
the scandal to the Church ?
HANNAH
You should have thought of that before.
141
DR. VAUGHAN
And shall I not think of it now ? And the ribaldry
of the masses ? And the gloating of the organs of
Free-thought ? And the loss of faith among my flock ?
And the
HANNAH
Don't ! Don't !
DR. VAUGHAN
The drunkards and drabs who love me and whom I
love, and whom only my hand can drag up from the
gutter — where you would now cast me !
HANNAH
Don't, I tell you.
DR. VAUGHAN
And God's work undone — the work I am thrilling to
do!
HANNAH
You do God's work ! It is a sacrilege.
DR. VAUGHAN
An atonement ! I never so longed to save sinners.
HANNAH
Cease your blasphemies. You are unfit to mount the
pulpit.
142
DR. VAUGHAN
Unfit ? Unfit, Hannah ? I never was so fitted to
preach God's word.
HANNAH
You ! Oh, if I could only laugh ! You — a minister
of God !
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes — now at last fitted to be His instrument-
" Iron dug from central gloom,
And heated hot wath burning fears.
And dipt in baths of hissing tears "
HANNAH
Don't quote poetry now. This is real.
DR. VAUGHAN
Then I assure you in prose, that when I look at my
old sermons, I blush at the impudence and ignorance
with which I, an innocent at home, dared to speak of
sin to my superiors in sinfulness.
HANNAH
This jocosity is dreadful. A priest must be perfect.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ah, there's the jocosity that's dreadful. Perfect !
Beardless boys stuck up a ladder to preach to life-
battered men and women !
H3
HANNAH
Didn't you dismiss those young men at the Training
College on the mere breath of a scandal ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I did, God forgive me. I didn't know they might be
qualifying better through sin than through the whole
college curriculum.
HANNAH [Putting her hands over her ears]
A — a — a — h ! Satan has you indeed !
DR. VAUGHAN
It is because I've known sin at first hand — known for
myself all the dazzle of temptation and all the anguish
of contrition — that I was able to comfort that poor
woman.
HANNAH
Drowse her, I warrant, not comfort her, drug the
remains of her conscience. Evil you call good and
good evil.
DR. VAUGHAN
On the contrary. Now I know the difference between
good and evil. It was through sin that Adam and Eve
learnt it. Has that profound allegory no teaching
for us ? O this fantastic hypothesis of perfection !
A sea captain who has never made a voyage — the per-
fection of ignorance — and you trust him with the ship.
You take a youth — the fool of the family for choice —
144
keep him in cotton-wool under a glass case, cram him
with Greek and Latin, constrict his neck with a white
choker, clap a shovel hat on his sconce, and lo ! he is
God's minister ! But it is written, " He maketh His
ministers flames of fire."
HANNAH
Then would you build a training college for sinners,
a graduation college in iniquity ? Oh !
[Covers her eyes.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't caricature me. The seaman does not seek the
storm, but he puts out to sea. The fledgling priest
must face temptation, ay, and fight it to the bitter
end.
HANNAH
Not such a very bitter end — for you and Felicia.
DR. VAUGHAN
If only that had been the end ! If there had been
no after to the glamour of our romance
HANNAH [Collapses on chair,murmuring]
Romance ! O God !
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes, I won't deny the uplift, the exultation, the stirring
of dry bones — that's the bedazzlement and bedevil-
I ment I've learnt to guard my flock against — but, oh
my dear ! how it was all poisoned by the deceit we
145 K
had to practise on you ! But as we sow, we reap, and
out of our suffering we must make our education.
HANNAH
I see Felicia's suffering — not yours.
DR. VAUGHAN
And her suffering and yours and Amy's and Hubert's
and Mrs. Morrow's — do I not suffer them all over
again ?
HANNAH \^^neerin^
Second-hand suffering !
DR. VAUGHAN
And the scourge of sleeplessness ?
HANNAH
Fear of being found out. WTien it comes to facing
exposure and losing your pride of place and your lust
of power
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah !
HANNAH
Satan finds for you all these sophistries.
DR. VAUGHAN \Passionately\
They are not sophistries. Every fibre in me longs to
do God's work. Does He choose only perfect vessels
to be His instruments ? He took Moses, the murderer
146
of the Egyptian, and used him to establish His people ;
He took David, the beguiler of Bathsheba, and used
him to estabhsh His Kingdom ; He took Paul, the
stoner of Stephen, and used him to establish His
Church. And shall I, tainted though I am, and worm
though I am, compared with these, be utterly thrown
away ? Wasted — when so much is crying out to
be done ! Think of it — the sin and shame of the
world !
HANNAH
To which you have added. Oh, you sicken me vdth
your hypocrisy.
DR. VAUGHAN
I am not thinking of private sins, but of public sins —
our commercial greeds, our organized injustices, our
squalors and brutalities — our ghastly wars, all the
sores of our civiHzation, all that goads us to our crusades.
I tell you, Hannah, the sins we do as a people so out-
weigh the sins we do as individuals, that I could almost
cry : Each man as he pleases ! so long as the nation
do right !
HANNAH
Let each man do right and the whole nation is
righteous.
DR. VAUGHAN
Not so. One unrighteous war may wreak more
misery than a myriad private crimes. Are there so
H7
many champions of national righteousness that you
would paralyse this hand ?
HANNAH
How can I paralyse it ? I must do what is right.
But you can always explain you are a skilled sea captain
— A I at Lloyds, is that the phrase ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You know you would paralyse it. Even that sinful
lady demanded sinlessness of me. It is one of the
delusions of the modern world.
HANNAH
Then what an opportunity to correct it !
DR. VAUGHAN
You know it can only be corrected by teachers not
compromised.
HANNAH
Ah, sinlessness is necessary in a teacher !
[She sits at the table^ takes up her pen and writes.]
DR. VAUGHAN
What are you writing ?
HANNAH
What St. Paul wrote to Timothy : " That the man
of God may be perfect."
148
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't mock me. What are you writing ?
HANNAH
A letter to a lawyer, of course.
DR. VAUGHAN [Snatching azaay her pen]
You shall not kill my work !
HANNAH
You are killing your soul — you must atone to Felicia.
DR. VAUGHAN
It is you who would kill my soul by stifling its activities.
Felicia asks no atonement. It was all I could do to
make her take the few pounds to see her through.
She's a free proud spirit. She demands her equal
share of the blame, and would die rather than injure
me. She saw how the double life was breaking me
up. And she knew how I longed for the call to
London — the real centre of energy. She knew my
life-work was at stake, and it was she that said as
Abram said to Lot, " Separate thyself, I pray thee,
from me." •
HANNAH
And don't I say the same ? And yet you snatch my
pen !
DR. VAUGHAN
Spare me your mockery, I tell you. Listen ! Sir
John hinted just before that the call to London was
149
imminent. Think of the activities you propose to
kill. But you shan't. Take your pen.
[Gives it back.~\
HANNAH
WTiat will you do ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Go again through the hell of falsehood.
HANNAH
Lie, do you mean ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Terribly.
HANNAH
With your black tongue ?
DR. VAUGHAN
With my white purpose. I have these crusades to
lead — shall the slave traffickers rejoice over my broken
sword ? Is it not enough that I admit to you and to
my own, soul that I have done evil ?
HANNAH
Admit it to the world ! All else is hypocrisy.
DR. VAUGHAN [Smiting the table']
No ! If I teach my flock to hate sin, do I not feel
and believe it down to the bleeding depths of my
heart ? And suppose I did tear open my breast to
150
them, show them my spots and sores, would they
understand ? No more than you understand. The
Salvation Army understands. They raise the sinner
from the dust. But your respectable classes — one
stumble, and every foot, every hoof is trampling on him.
But they sha'n't ! By heaven, they sha'n't ! I will
lie — as Mrs. Morrow lied to protect Felicia. I have
to protect you and my home and my daughter and
my life-work.
HANNAH
You will fail as she failed.
DR. VAUGHAN
And you will succeed only in stirring up a foul puddle
— at which every filthy beast will rush to drink. Why,
you can't even get a divorce, I suddenly remember.
HANNAH
Can't get a divorce ?
DR. VAUGHAN
No, there's no cruelty.
HANNAH
This is not cruelty ? O God !
DR. VAUGHAN
No, nor desertion either. And even if you tried to
get a judicial separation, what proofs have you that
a judge and a jury wouldn't laugh at ? Was I at the
nursing-home ? It was as the priest who held her secret.
151
Felicia will clear me, Felicia with her divine constancy
of self-sacrifice. She, not you, is the Christian.
HANNAH
You would go into the witness-box and deny it ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Unflinchingly.
HANNAH
And add perjury to your other sins ?
DR. VAUGHAN
And add perjury to the sins I should understand. I
should leave the court a plaster saint, a shining
example of priestly perfection. All that is best in
our church would rally round me, and you, my poor
Hannah, would be branded as a morbid woman,
crazed with jealousy.
HANNAH
I saw you as an angel — and you are a fiend.
[Bursts into sobs.^
DR. VAUGHAN
I am neither — merely a man.
[Sobbings HANNAH goes into her room, and the key
is heard turning in the lock. dr. vaughan wipes
his brow again, and throwing open the window
draws a long breath of cool evening air. Then he
turns out the lights and throws himself upon the
divan in the moonlit darkness.^
[The Action Pauses.]
152
Third Movement
Presently elsie opens the door and comes in.
ELSIE
Nobody here ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Wearily']
I'm here, Baby. Don't turn up the light.
ELSIE
Poor daddy ! Did I disturb your nap ?
DR. VAUGHAN
You know I don't nap so easily. But it rests me to lie
in the moonlight.
ELSIE
Dear romantic old daddy ! And what a delicious
smell from the garden !
DR. VAUGHAN
But why aren't you in bed ?
ELSIE
Before dinner ! !
DR. VAUGHAN
What am I thinking of ?
ELSIE
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! You must have napped after all.
153
DR. VAUGHAN
And night-mared ! The Archmundhams are gone, I
suppose ?
ELSIE
Not yet. They're all in the drawing-room.
DR. VAUGHAN
What are they hanging about for ?
ELSIE
I can't turn them out. And it looks so odd you and
mother avoiding them. You might come up and
pretend nothing was the matter.
DR. VAUGHAN
Pretend ? Oh, about Amy's tantrums.
ELSIE
Yes, come along. We want livening up ! You shall
give us one of your rattling songs.
DR. VAUGHAN
Sing ?
ELSIE
Now, it's not a great tenor, so it needn't put on airs.
And it hasn't got a cold.
DR. VAUGHAN
I can't, Elsie.
154
ELSIE
Not even " The Death of Nelson ? "
DR. VAUGHAN
No!
ELSIE
Yes, you will. — Or else I shall !
[Sings]
'Twas in Trafalgar Bay
We saw the Frenchman lay
Awful grammar, I know. But come along ! Amy'll
play the accompaniment.
[Trying to raise hint]
What a sluggish parent it is ! Let us hear your rich
manly voice troll it out.
[Sings']
England expects that every man
This day will do his duty,
This day will do
[A burst of hysteric sobbing comes from Hannah's
room]
What's that ?
DR. VAUGHAN
It sounded like Amy Archmnndham.
ELSIE
But it came from mother's room.
DR. VAUGHAN
One can't tell in the dark.
[elsie moves towards room door]
155
No, don't go in. Mother's resting.
[elsie knocks.']
HANNAH [Within]
You can't come in.
ELSIE
But it's me — Elsie.
HANNAH
I can't see you now.
DR. VAUGHAN
I told you so. Run upstairs.
ELSIE
But why does mother sound so cross ?
DR. VAUGHAN
She's upset over Miss Archmundham. And Mrs.
Morrow has been bothering, too. Cut along, Baby,
and try to get rid of the Archmundhams.
ELSIE
They'd go quicker if you sang.
DR. VAUGHAN [Springing up in mock anger, itself
simulated]
You malicious minx ! Why not try one of your
poems ?
156
ELSIE
Now, father ! You promised me never to mention
them.
DR. VAUGHAN
Be off then — or I'll recite one.
[Strikes a drazai?ig-room reciter'' s attitude]
" Dawn over the Factories," by George Rodney !
ELSIE [In mock terror]
For heaven's sake !
[Rushes out]
Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[Js the door closes behind elsie, his laughter dies
abruptly. He turns towards hannah's door]
God ! how she suffers !
[He goes to her door and knocks. There is no answer]
Hannah ! I must speak to you !
HANNAH [Withi7i]
I'm too busy packing.
DR. VAUGHAN
For God's sake !
[Rattling the handle]
Hannah !
[The key is heard turning, the door is slightly ofened,
the light from hannah's room streams through.
Her white face af pears in the illuminated patch.]
^S7
HANNAH
What do you want ? Why are you in the dark ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Can I be in the Hght ?
HANNAH
No, indeed ! But that is what you must face.^
[She enters and turns it on. It shows him broken
in body and spirit.^
DR. VAUGHAN
I know I must — ^if you insist on a judicial separation.
Of course I couldn't fight against you or descend to
perjury — forget my wild words. But you surely won't
go away like this — without even a night for reflection !
HANNAH
My duty needs no reflection. I must set you free.
DR. VAUGHAN
But you can't, I tell you — unless we played a comedy.
HANNAH
Played a comedy ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Unless I refused you conjugal rights, for example.
HANNAH [Outraged]
What ! !
158
DR. VAUGHAN
You see, dear, even for a righteous end you would have
to go a Httle crookedly.
HANNAH [Passionately]
I don't care. If that is man's law I can't take it
seriously. You must be free to marry Felicia.
DR. VAUGHAN
And bury the Rev. Rodney Vaughan ! And will that
make yow any happier — I mean, my marrying Felicia ?
HANNAH
It will make you less sinful.
DR. VAUGHAN
You madden me with your perfection — forgive me !
it's my own imperfection that maddens me. But what
I want now is for you to consider yourself.
HANNAH
I am considering myself. How can I stay here ?
Every room is profaned. To think that in this very
sanctum — oh, I can't bear to look at it !
[Covers her eyes.]
DR. VAUGHAN
You would turn up the light.
HANNAH
I should see it all the more in the dark. Elsie and I
must make a little home for ourselves.
159
DR. VAUGHN [Overzv helmed]
Elsie, too ?
HANNAH
Do you think Felicia would want her about ? Oh,
her sisters were lucky to die ! They shall not stay
here !
[She seizes the photograph frames.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Let them be ! They are inscribed " To Dad ! "
HANNAH
Felicia won't want my children, too.
[She takes the photographs out of the frames.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Give me my photographs !
[He takes hold of them.]
HANNAH
No!
[He tries to wrest them from her. The door opens.
She relaxes her hold., leaving them in his possession.
Enter purvis, with a tray heaped high with letters
and papers. He brings it to dr. vaughan, who
motions him impatiently to place them on his writing-
table. Exit PURVIS. DR. VAUGHAN penitently hands
back the photographs to hannah.]
160
DR. VAUGHAN
You are right ! I have forfeited even the dead.
[He drops miserably into his chair at the writing-
table^ while she places the photographs in her
bosom.]
But I love you, Hannah, despite everything.
HANNAH
Don't begin your lies again. Please !
DR. VAUGHAN
It's not lies. We men can love in more ways than
one.
HANNAH
Then you still love her !
DR. VAUGHAN \With a passionate sweep oj the hand
that scatters the pile oj letters all over his table]
WofiH you understand .? A hurricane whirled me
from my moorings — no, you women saints will never
understand that — but haven't I fought my way back
in the teeth of the gale ?
HANNAH
For your career's sake — not for mine.
DR. VAUGHAN
For yours, too. Isn't every thought bound up with
our joint life ? Can I sit at this table without remem-
bering that we bought it together ? Can I walk in
the garden and not feel who planted the irises ? Can
l6l L
I look at those frames, even thougli you have emptied
them, and not think of the children we have loved and
lost ? . . . You talk of divorce ! Can I shake off all
our years together and begin a new life with a com-
parative stranger ?
HANNAH [Softened — moving towards him]
You did begin it.
DR. VAUGHAN
And end it. Since that day at the nursing home we
have not exchanged a word, a look, a line !
HANNAH
Are you sure — are you very sure ?
[Approaches the writing-table.]
DR. VAUGHAN
I had a circular announcing her little type-writing
estabhshment. That was the absolute last.
HANNAH
You dare tell me that when a letter from I
[Points to one of the scattered letters.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Agitated]
A letter from Felicia !
HANNAH
Can't you smell the reek of her eau- de-cologne ?
[dr. VAUGHAN extends his hand to take it, then draws
back.]
162
DR. VAUGHAN
Open it !
HANNAH
I ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes ! Read it !
[hannah's hand goes slowly and doubtfully towards
the letter. She picks it up.]
HANNAH [Handing it to him]
Ton take it ! I can't bear the scent.
DR. VAUGHAN
Read it !
[hannah's trembling fingers fumble vainly at the
envelope.']
You see — you tell me to marry her — and your hand
trembles with jealousy.
HANNAH
It's not jealousy. It's the sense of a quicksand under
my feet ; no solid foothold anywhere. Nothing I
can believe.
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't deny all flesh and blood ! Isn't the gulf
between us wide enouph ?
163
HANNAH
If I am jealous, all the more reason I should give her
up to you. Take her letter !
DR. VAUGHAN
No!
[Puts his hands behind his back.]
HANNAH [Opening the letter fumblingly, and reading]
" Dear Pastor — As we may chance to meet to-morrow,
when I must come up to say good-bye to Hubert, I
had better — warn — " no, that's scratched out — " tell
— better tell you I shall be accompanied by my
husband."
DR. VAUGHAN
What ! !
[He turns agitatedly, and takes the letter from
her and reads on]
" I have married a rising young author, whose novel
I had been typing. He is very good to me and fond
of little Davie —
[Pauses in emotion]
— ^who ih gaining weight fast. Always in grateful
goodwill — Felicia Venables."
[He lets the letter flutter to the ground and stands
miserable.]
HANNAH [In mingled relief and horror]
And she marries him without telling him-
164
DR. VAUGHAN
She has obviously told him everything — except my
name.
HANNAH
And men will marry Hke that !
DR. VAUGHAN
We are not so hard as you, you see.
HANNAH
And the child — he will pretend it is his ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Gloomily]
It will pass as his — naturally.
HANNAH
Horrible !
DR. VAUGHAN
Society has the shams it deserves.
HANNAH
How deserves ?
DR. VAUGHAN
If it will recognize only two classes of persons — the
perfect and the imprisoned.
HANNAH
It makes me feel Hke on a rocking ship.
165
DR. VAUGHAN
Because you have never known the deeps of Hfe —
you're only used to the harbour. One must get one's
sea-legs.
HANNAH
Tou seem rather white.
DR. VAUGHAN [With sudden fierceness]
And isn't it ghastly to think of Felicia tied to a man
she doesn't love ?
HANNAH
How do you know she doesn't love him }
DR. VAUGHAN
Don't say anything against Felicia. She couldn't
change like that !
HANNAH
Poor mother ! Then it's for the child she sacrificed
herself.
DR. VAUGHAN
It's for me she has sacrificed herself ! God ! see
where my scoundrelism has driven her ! She feared
I wouldn't be strong enough — that I should be drawn
back to her — her and my boy. So she puts an im-
passable barrier between us. . . . She's a great
creature, I tell you. . . . And perhaps she knew me
better than I knew myself. . . . Anyhow, here's an
end to your revelations and reparations.
1 66
HANNAH
How an endj?
DR. VAUGHAN [In amazed alarm]
You don't want to divorce me all the same ? Publicly,
at least. That's not your duty now.
HANNAH
It's your duty I'm thinking of. You can't go into
your pulpit while your congregation remains ignorant
that
DR. VAUGHAN
Good God ! You expect me to confess ? Now ?
And ruin Felicia's position ! I tell you not a hair of
her head
HANNAH
You needn't mention her name any more than she
mentioned yours.
DR. VAUGHAN
You ask me to shatter everything Felicia sacrificed
herself to save !
HANNAH
You can't go on preaching while you yourself are a
whited sepulchre. You must make your peace with
God.
167
DR. VAUGHAN
Peace ! What a beautiful word ! Yes — the strength
to fight seems snapped. Peace !
HANNAH [Eagerly]
Then you will confess ?
DR. VAUGHAN
And do you think I have strength for claptrap con-
fessions ? I am tired, I tell you — suddenly tired.
HANNAH
But there is only one road to peace and rest.
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes — only one road.
[elsie throws ofen the door and runs in excitedly,
Jiourishifig a newspaper.]
ELSIE
Oh, father ! The Courier has such a lovely picture
of the President of the !
Dr! VAUGHAN
I wish you wouldn't rush so.
ELSIE
But it's so splendiferous !
\He motions her impatiently to leave it\
And you've dropped a letter.
[Picks up Felicia's letter and puts it on his table]
What an awful post ! Lucky it's the last.
i68
DR. VAUGHAN [Broodingly]
Yes, the last post.
ELSIE
Can't I help you ?
DR. VAUGHAN
No, Baby, you can't help me.
ELSIE [Passing by the bureau]
Why, who has taken away Ruth and Mary ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Do leave me in peace.
{i.'LSi'E. files out]
And you, too, Hannah.
HANNAH
If it is in peace with God !
DR. VAUGHAN
God understands the faults of His creature. He knows
that my sin came out of the very glory of His world.
If I could fall asleep in His arms !
[His head sinks on his breast in utter weariness.
There is a double rat-tat at the house-door. He
does not move.']
HANNAH [Vaguely terrified]
You are drugged. Sin has drugged you. Come !
Face your sin. Be yourself.
169
DR. VAUGHAN
This is myself.
HANNAH.
Then yourself is a man I have never known.
DR. VAUGHAN
And whose acquaintance I am still making.
[Enter purvis with a telegram, dr. vaughan still
does not move.]
HANNAH [Controlling her voice]
Is that for me ?
PURVIS [Sternly]
No, mum, for Vaughan. Reply prepaid.
[Gives it to her husband.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Reading it and crumpling it up
angrily]
Those pestering papers !
[Throws it into the waste-paper basket, purvis
lifigers.]
No answer !
HANNAH
But you needn't waste the reply form.
[She picks up the crumpled mass, and reads the wire
aloud]
"Kindly inform Herald^ s readers how propose start
Crusades." Thirty-six words prepaid.
[She sits at table and takes a pen.]
170
DR. VAUGHAN [To purvis]
I told you no answer.
PURVIS
Yes, sir. But can't I tell you now about Macbeth ?
DR. VAUGHAN
What is this nonsense about Macbeth ?
[purvis looks disconcerted^
Fire away, then !
PURVIS
I did go to th' play-house with Sir John's coachman —
we've had a searching of hearts over it just now — it's
been weighing on us both.
DR. VAUGHAN \With a faint smile]
Macbeth hath murdered sleep, eh ?
PURVIS
I wouldna go so far as to say that.
DR. VAUGHAN
And is that all that's on your conscience ?
PURVIS
Yes, sir.
DR. VAUGHAN
And you could now look Sir John in the face ?
PURVIS
Like a man.
171
DR. VAUGHAN
Even when carrying in my pyjamas ?
PURVIS
They werna very clean, sir.
DR. VAUGHAN [Smiling]
I see. So now you are perfect.
PURVIS
Oh no, Dr. Vaughan. No man was ever perfect —
except Noah.
DR. VAUGHAN
And he got drunk !
PURVIS
That was after the flood, sir. M'appen he got tired
of water.
DR. VAUGHAN
Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
HANNAH [Counting what she has written']
Thirty-five, thirty-six ! Here's the answer !
[Risings she gives it to purvis who starts to go. dr.
VAUGHAN is taken aback but recovers himself.]
DR. VAUGHAN
One moment !
[He takes it from purvis and scans it questioningly]
Wants a word or two altered. You needn't wait.
[purvis goes out. He tears the telegram in two]
You expect me to tell the paper that I propose to
start the Crusades against iniquity by proclaiming my
own sin from the pulpit !
HANNAH
And how else can you preach your new gospel ?
DR. VAUGHAN [Puzzled]
My new gospel ?
HANNAH
That repentant sinners make the best ministers.
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh that !
[Throws pieces in wastepaper basket]
Isn't that all a web of sophistry — spun just as you
said — to cover up my sin ?
HANNAH
Not if you tear away the covering ! Not if you purge
yourself by public confession ! That may be a re-
baptising — so as by fire.
DR. VAUGHAN [Kindled]
Ha!
HANNAH
And then God might deign to use you again as His
instrument.
DR. VAUGHAN [Exalted hy her fervour]
Then you believe in my idea ?
173
HANNAH
It is for you to prove it to me. Show the world the
triumph of conscience.
DR. VAUGHAN
And if it proves our ruin ?
[elsieJ?zVj" in.^
ELSIE
You're v^^anted at the 'phone, mother — Oh, I'm sorry,
father, I rushed so — but it's most urgent, she says.
DR. VAUGHAN
Who says ?
ELSIE
Mrs. Morrow.
HANNAH [Surprised]
Mrs. Morrow ?
[Goes towards door. With -parting admonition to
her husband]
Send that telegram !
[Exit.]
ELSIE
Shall / take it ?
DR. VAUGHAN
No, no, it's not ready.
J74
ELSIE
And you haven't looked at your picture in the Courier I
[Picks it up reproachfully.]
DR. VAUGHAN
Not now, Baby.
[He goes out to the garden^ elsie is following]
Please ! I want to be alone.
[Exit.]
ELSIE
Poor overworked Dad ! But I suppose you must pay
for your pictures.
[She stands at the open window^ gloating over the
biography. With a little knock, unheeded by her,
JOHN comes in, pausing at the door ; then, seeing
she is rapt, he steals up behind her.]
JOHN
Another of your poems ?
ELSIE [Startled]
Oh ! . . . What poems ? I'm reading about father !
[Shows the picture of him]
Why have you come down ?
JOHN
I was bored without you. Shall we go into the
garden ?
ELSIE
What for ? We don't grow potatoes.
175
JOHN
Don't tease. Do let us go.
ELSIE
No.
JOHN
Not with such a heavenly moon ?
\He stands at the garden-zvindozv.]
ELSIE
Heavenly ? What else can the moon be ?
JOHN
Come along !
ELSIE [Shaking her head]
Father is there !
JOHN [Eagerly]
Oh, you want us to be alone.
ELSIE
No, I want father to be alone.
JOHN
Always pulling me down from heaven.
ELSIE [Lookifig up]
Ursa Minor seems still there.
176
JOHN [BitUrly]
That's your idea of me — the Little Bear !
ELSIE [Roguishly]
Well, you don't consider yourself the Great Bear ?
That's your father.
JOHN
I should like to give you a great hug.
ELSIE [Retreating a little]
Don't be such a savage bear. Doesn't all this starry
peacefulness soothe you ?
JOHN
No, it fires me — like your poem.
ELSIE
My poem ?
JOHN
In Saturday's Courier.
ELSIE [Blushing, murmurs^ embarrassed]
How do you know ?
JOHN
Well, it's signed " George Rodney," and in literature
George is always a lady. And Rodney wasn't very
difficult to place, was it, George ?
^77 M-
ELSIE
Mr. Archmundham, you mustn't
JOHN
Mustn't call you by somebody else's Christian name ?
ELSIE
We must be going back to your people.
JOHN
Besides, I didn't need that clue — I saw your tender
soul in every line.
ELSIE
What do y(9M know of tenderness ?
JOHN
Ah, you think me a bear because I can't take the old
people seriously — this deity of theirs with his big
beard and his eye on everything ! But between your
poetry and my science there is no hostility. Truth
and love — that's all we have for the certainties of our
elders. Can't we make them enough ?
ELSIE [Smilingly]
Poetry and potatoes ?
JOHN
Isn't that all that really matters ?
ELSIE
But need we despise our elders ?
178
JOHN
You shall teach me toleration. Only love me, Elsie
love me, as I love you. . . .
[She turns away\
Ah, I know you can't yet, but in time — perhaps —
ELSIE
But I do love you.
JOHN
Elsie !
ELSIE
Why else did I detest you ? I have loved you — oh, a
dreadful time, ever since you took those brilliant
degrees. But you seemed so far away — so abominably
clever — so disgustingly rich
JOHN
And you detested me for that ?
ELSIE
No, not for that — you couldn't help that. But you
seemed so cruel, so cynical — I had to fight against
myself.
JOHN
But now ?
ELSIE
Now I see you are good — good !
[She falls into his armsJ]
179
JOHN
Oh, Elsie, I shall never be as good as you.
ELSIE
Oh, John, it has been terrible — this strange cruel
aching towards you — this feeling that it could not be.
Even now I feel this is only a dream.
JOHN
So long as we never wake !
[Their lips meet. Enter hannah.]
HANNAH [Dazed']
Elsie !
ELSIE [Scarcely moving]
Oh, mother, I am so happy.
JOHN
And I, too, mother.
HANNAH
You have got engaged ?
JOHN
Wasn't it clever of us ?
HANNAH [Half to herself]
My God ! Who could have foreseen this ?
[Staggers, siftks into chair.]
180
ELSIE [Catching her]
Mother !
HANNAH
It is impossible — impossible.
[Pushes ELSIE azvay.]
JOHN
You refuse your consent ?
HANNAH
Elsie is no fit match for you — we are only plain
people
JOHN
Elsie plain ? Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
HANNAH
You are so rich !
JOHN
I am, indeed.
[Clasps ELSIE.]
HANNAH
One day you will be titled.
JOHN
Don't rub it in. It may happen to you yet — with a
husband like yours. ... So now we are through
with the objections.
i8i
HANNAH
No ! This marriage cannot take place.
ELSIE [Tragically]
What do you mean, mother ?
HANNAH [Rising]
It is impossible. It's a saving of pain to tell you so
at once.
JOHN
But how impossible ? Here am I and here is Elsie.
HANNAH
And here was Amy and here was Hubert.
JOHN
I see ! You mean to pay us out for rejecting Hubert.
HANNAH
As if I would hurt Elsie for that !
ELSIE [Passionately]
And why else would you hurt me ?
HANNAH [To john]
Please go !
JOHN
Are you not going to give me a reason ?
182
HANNAH
Your father will give you a reason — when he knows.
JOHN
Oh, that's what you think, is it ? Excuse me a
moment, Elsie.
\He runs out, hannah goes distractedly towards
the garden.]
ELSIE
Where are you going ?
HANNAH
To tell father — I suppose he's out here.
ELSIE
But I want you to listen to me ! You must listen !
HANNAH [Dazed now throughout']
Yes — yes — ^what do you want to say ?
ELSIE
I love John. Do you understand ?
HANNAH
Yes, I understand.
ELSIE
And if you take John from me, I shall not carry on like
Amy — but there will be a great gulf fixed between
you and me. Do you understand ?
183
HANNAH
Yes, yes.
ELSIE
And I shall just break my heart — do you understand ?
HANNAH
I understand.
ELSIE
You don't look as if you did ! You are not attending
to me at all.
HANNAH
Wait ! Wait — don't be so impatient with me. Yes,
it is all coming to me. If I take John away from you,
you will go away from me — on the other side of a
gulf-
[She screams]
No, no, Elsie ! Not you, too !
[Throws her arms round her, bursting into tears.]
ELSIE
Yes, I too. I have always stood up for the old genera-
tion. But now I see how they crush the young, how
they sacrifice us to their incomprehensible
[sir JOHN opens the door, john behind him.]
SIR JOHN [Radiant]
May / have a look in ?
[h ANN AH tries to sup-press her sobs]
No, don't mind me, Mrs. Vaughan, I'm a bit choky
184
myself. But when you've done with my daughter,
/'d like a hug at her.
JOHN [Beaming]
The Great Bear ! What did I tell you ?
HANNAH
Sir John, believe me, if I had dreamed of this
SIR JOHN
You'd have dreamed true. Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[Embraces elsie, who becomes as radiant as he.]
HANNAH [Imperiously interrupting this dalliance]
Sir John ! I must tell you. Ten minutes ago Mrs.
Morrow rang me up. She is coming here to see you.
SIR JOHN [Throwing up his hands]
Not again to-night !
HANNAH
I'm afraid I advised her to. She's got important
news which she begged me to carry to you — but I
persuaded her to jump into a taxi for once and tell
you herself.
SIR JOHN
Bother ! Just when I thought we'd have a bit of a
jollification !
JOHN [Shocked]
Jollification !
185
SIR JOHN
Yes, you potato ! The night / got engaged there was
a party and we all sang.
JOHN
Hymns ?
ELSIE [Shaking her finger laughingly]
John !
SIR JOHN
Hymns are jollier than your drawing-room ballads.
Think what Amy has been squalling. And now on
top of her comes Mrs. Morrow.
ELSIE \_Still laughing]
She isn't going to sing ?
SIR JOHN
Worse! . . . John, would you mind taking Elsie away ?
JOHN
At such a moment, father, I can refuse you nothing.
[Facetious exit with elsie.]
SIR JOHN [burning sternly on hannah)
I do hope Mrs. Morrow hasn't been working on your
feminine weakness. Facts are facts.
HANNAH
And there is a new one.
186
SIR JOHN
There is indeed — that I take a daughter from your
hallowed home. You and I must combine now to
guard our family honour.
HANNAH [Huskily]
Yes. . . . But suppose . . .
SIR JOHN
And your husband must help too. What's become of
him ?
HANNAH
He was here just before.
[Calling at garden-windozv\
Rodney ! . . . Rodney ! . . . He must have walked
into the street.
[Summons up all her strength)]
But you mustn't speak, Sir John, as if this marriage
was all settled.
SIR JOHN
Your husband may feel slighted, you mean ?
HANNAH [Resolutely]
I mean — if my husband opens his heart to you —
[Her whole being seems agitated with a mental
struggle. She ends weakly]
objections may be revealed.
SIR JOHN
Fudge ! What objections can be revealed ? He'll be
as delighted as I am.
187
HANNAH [Wavering]
You really are delighted ?
SIR JOHN
Can you ask ? The offspring of such parents !
HANNAH [With a last flicker oj resistance]
But surely John ought to do better — Lady Muriel
Travers, for example.
SIR JOHN
I don't deny Lady Muriel would have brought more
land ! But not more looks ! Eh ? And John has
got quite enough land for his potatoes. What ? Ha !
Ha ! Ha ! I'm so glad the Dower House is just
empty for them. And what an opportunity to work
off my carriages on them as wedding-presents and get
motors. Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[Enter purvis.]
PURVIS
Mrs. Morrow for Sir John Archmundham.
HANNAH
Show her in here.
[puRVis goes through door, hannah towards garden^
SIR JOHN
Don't go — I want your moral support. The family
must stick together.
[hannah, obviously still distressed by her conscience,
turns back, purvis ushers in mrs. morrow and
exit. MRS. MORROW stands in stately -pride.]
HANNAH [Apologetically]
Sir John asks me to remain. Won't you sit down I
MRS. MORROW
Thank you.
\Ig?iores chair]
Sir John, I did not think I could ever face you again,
but for my boy's sake — and your girl's
SIR JOHN
Please come to the new fact.
MRS. MORROW
Felicia is married !
[Holds out a letter]
She's just written.
SIR JOHN
Eh ? The scoundrel has married her ?
MRS. MORROW
So it seems.
SIR JOHN
And who was he ?
MRS. MORROW
He's a young author. So you see
SIR JOHN
I shall see his works don't get into the pubHc Hbrary.
189
HANNAH [Agitated]
But that would be unjust. ... I mean, the books
mightn't be evil.
SIR JOHN
I know those books. I thought you were here to give
me your moral support. . . . Well, Mrs. Morrow,
I'm glad the thing's put right so far, and it's better
for their child. But I don't see how it removes my
objection.
HANNAH
But surely, Sir John !
SIR JOHN
Tainted stock is tainted stock.
HANNAH [Hotly]
One flaw doesn't —
MRS. MORROW [Proudly]
Please, Mrs. Vaughan ! Good-bye, Sir John !
[Sweeps to the door. Turns]
If you could see Hubert's condition you would under-
stand how I could humble myself. But you and I will
not meet again !
AMY [Appearing suddenly outside windozv]
Oh yes, you will, mother !
190
HANNAH
Miss Archmundham !
SIR JOHN
Amy !
MRS. MORROW
Miss Archmundham !
together.
AMY [Entering]
You two are going to be great friends.
SIR JOHN
Eavesdropping !
AMY
And who has the right to decide my hfe behind my
back ? Was I to let the old Doge hold another
Council of Three ? Elsie told me Mrs. Morrow was
coming to it, and as she and John didn't seem anxious
for my society, I thought I'd make a fourth.
SIR JOHN
The old Doge wished to spare your delicacy.
AMY
Then he should never have let me do district visiting.
Felicia has only followed the local custom. Don't
look so shocked ! You know our masses only marry
afterwards. The torture you've put me to, guessing at
Hubert's iniquities. And all the while he's a mar-
tyred saint ! You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
191
SIR JOHN
Tou ought to be ashamed to go by the masses. We
Archmundhams have to set a standard.
AMY
Yes, of justice. Even Mrs. Vaughan, who's Hke the
angel of judgment, was shocked at you.
SIR JOHN [Contemptuously]
Angelof judgment ! You women are all ahke. Three
of you, and not one standing up for law and civiliza-
tion.
AMY
Hurrah ! Votes for women !
SIR JOHN
But John is on my side.
AMY [Scornfully]
John ! He thinks people are like potatoes.
SIR JOHN
So they are !
AMY
Well, you can't boil us in our skins. That's a comfort.
SIR JOHN
But we can throw you into the dust-bin. I mean the
bad ones. Women with pasts should be eliminated.
J 92
AMY
Women have to marry men with, pasts.
HANNAH
Or futures.
SIR JOHN
Two wrongs don't make a right.
[amy goes to the door]
Where are you off to ?
AMY
To telephone to the shipping company.
SIR JOHN
What for ?
AMY
To cancel Hubert's passage.
SIR JOHN
Eh ?
MRS. MORROW
But the office will be closed, dear.
AMY
Bother ! Then I'll tell Hubert he's engaged.
SIR JOHN
What !
AMY [Going to him]
The dear old Doge has withdrawn the embargo.
193
SIR JOHN
No, I haven't
[She kisses him cajolingly]
at least, not till Dr. Vaughan does — I wish he'd come
in.
AMY
Why Dr. Vaughan ?
SIR JOHN
John and Elsie told you they^ve. engaged, didn't they ?
Well, then ! It all affects Dr. Vaughan's honour now
— don't you see ? — and as we never consulted him
about Elsie, we must leave somet\i\iig to him !
AMY [Shaking her head at him]
Oh you men ! You must save your faces. Well,
anyhow
[Links her arm in mrs. morrow's]
we can go and help Hubert unpack !
MRS. MORROW
This relief is too much !
[She droops half-fainting on amy's arm.']
SIR JOHN [With a courtly bow]
Mrs. Morrow \n\\ do me the honour of using my
carriage.
AMY
I told you you two would be great friends ! Good-
night, Mrs. Vaughan. You've been so kind.
194
MRS. MORROW
Good-night, Sir John, thank you for your carriage.
AMY
A rivederci, Doge !
MRS. MORROW
Good-night, Mrs. Vaughan.
[Exit with AMY.]
HANNAH
Good-night !
[She stands like a statue,^
SIR JOHN
You see how they desert me — both my chicks.
HANNAH [Dully']
Yes — there's a gulf whatever one does.
SIR JOHN
Never mind — they get us the grandchicks. Cheer up,
mother — don't look as if 'twas a funeral.
[amy fops in a laughing head.]
AMY
Doge !
SIR JOHN
Yes, darling.
195
AMY
TouWe a pretty Grand Signor ! You offer Mrs.
Morrow your carriage and it isn't there !
SIR JOHN [Roaring]
Why, what has the rascal ?
HANNAH
You sent it to Judson's.
SIR JOHN
So I did.
AMY
Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[h ANN AH is moving to the door.]
SIR JOHN
No, don't trouble. I'll see to it all. All these young
people with their love-affairs send one's wits wool-
gathering.
[Exit. HANNAH moves like a sleep-walker to the
table. She catches sight of Felicia's letter.]
HANNAH [Startled into terror]
Her letter !
[Tearing it into -pieces]
How careless of Rodney !
[She throws the pieces into the waste-paper basket.
Then she takes out the photographs from her bosom.,
and carefully replaces them in their frames. Enter
DR. vaughan by the garden window. She utters a
cry of relief .]
Rodney ! Where have you been ?
196
DR. VAUGHAN [Who looks exalted]
Up to the stars, I think. Your words hftcd me.
HANNAH [Dazed]
My words ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes. Not sleep, struggle. Not hypocrisy, truth. I
shall fight.
HANNAH
Fight ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Sweep away this modern cant of the plaster priest !
All the saints and prophets of the world were sown
in sin — as lilies are reared in peat. St. Augustine,
St. Francis, Tolstoy — there isn't a church in the
world, to-day, would have given any of 'em a post !
Well, let them take away mine !
HANNAH [Trembling]
You are going to tell them ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes, dear. Without Felicia's name, of course. And
if they cast stones at me, I will take those stones and
of them I will build a new church — the church of
reality. By God ! they shall not paralyse this hand !
... Is Sir John gone ?
197
HANNAH
Yes — no — getting his carriage.
DR. VAUGHAN
Good. Then let him cast the first stone !
[Goi?ig towards the door.l
HANNAH
No, no — not now — not to-night.
DR. VAUGHAN
But I must — now, while I hold the vision beautiful !
To-morrow it may have faded.
HANNAH
The sooner it fades the better ! Oh, God help us !
DR. VAUGHAN
Hannah ! What has come over you ?
HANNAH
Elsie — Elsie is engaged to John Archmundham !
DR. VAUGHAN [Oz;erwhelmed]
Elsie — my little Elsie ! Why, she's a baby !
HANNAH
A woman with a will of iron, but a heart you can crush
like a bird's. And don't you see that if Sir John
knows that Elsie's father — oh, Rodney !
[Covers her eyes.]
Even John himself was against Amy's marriage.
198
DR. VAUGHAN
Wait ! Let me grasp this transformation ! Do you
mean that Sir John has consented ?
HANNAH
Yes.
DR. VAUGHAN
But he wanted John to marry Lady Muriel !
HANNAH
He's dehghted John shall marry our Elsie.
DR. VAUGHAN [Slowly]
Then — I am not to confess ? Not to fight ?
HANNAH
It would break Elsie's heart — as Amy's was nigh
broken. . . . Oh, I don't wonder you look at me hke
that. To think that I dared to preach to you, to
madden you with my perfection — I, a Pharisee,
yes, you were right — a Pharisee who had never been
tempted — ^who at the first temptation threw over
everything.
[Breaks down.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Soothingly]
But for Elsie's sake not your own.
HANNAH
Don't try to comfort me. It was sheer maternal
199
weakness. It's not even as if I was thinking purely of
Elsie's broken heart. Satan kept whispering, too, of
the carriages she would drive in, the title she would
one day bear. And how she would hate me if I kept
her from everything. And all the mud and filth if
you confessed and fought. And all the horrible
burden and anxiety of the fight, which might end in
our all starving, and which at heart I didn't even
believe we had a right to win.
[dr. vaughan makes a gesture of protest.~\
Oh, I know I talked fine about your new gospel, but I
was so harrowed by the state you got into I daresay
I'd have subscribed to any absurdity. And wasn't
there a voice underneath all along, crying, what does
anything matter but to make him happy again, but to
have his arms around you again some day ?
[Covers her face in shame]
You said you were still making your own acquaintance.
I've only begun to make mine. Oh, how ugly every-
thing is ! I
[Breaks down.]
DR. VAUGHAN
And how beautiful ! Don't you see, dear, that all
this brings us a little nearer again ? That it bridges,
if only by a span, the gulf between us ?
HANNAH
Is there any gulf between us ? I shall have to stand
by and connive at your career, as I had to stand by
and hear Felicia's young husband slandered as her
seducer.
200
DR. VAUGHAN [Eagerly-]
They know she's married ?
HANNAH
Mrs. Morrow came back with the new fact. She
hoped it would soften Sir John.
DR. VAUGHAN
And did it ?
HANNAH
Hubert and Amy are practically engaged.
DR. VAUGHAN
Thank God ! That's one burden ofT my conscience.
I know, dear, I've been a great disillusion to you, but
in time — when you see how I use my pulpit to teach
what my sin has taught me, you will not find it so
degrading to . . . connive at my career.
HANNAH
Oh, I didn't mean to wound you — but I was so looking
forward to your call to London. And now — I can
never be proud of you again.
DR. VAUGHAN
But you can learn to despise me less,
20 1
HANNAH
I haven't the right to despise you — ^weren't you ready
to do the great thing ? It's myself I despise for
stopping you.
DR. VAUGHAN
No, no. You sacrificed your ideal to Elsie, I sacrificed
mine to myself.
HANNAH [Wailing]
Don't try to comfort me.
[EnUr SIR JOHN. Half retreats apologetically.]
SIR JOHN [Murmuring]
Oh, I'm sorry.
HANNAH [Deaf to his entry]
Don't try to comfort me.
SIR JOHN [Coming forward]
But mother ! Elsie'll only be two miles off !
DR. VAUGHAN
Ah, Sir John !
[Shakes his hand]
We're both really very glad about Elsie and your boy.
And still gladder about Amy and Hubert.
SIR JOHN
Oh, you sentimentalists ! Well, after all, of course,
it isn't as if Hubert's father had disgraced himself,
202
eh, Mrs. Vaughan ! A sister is rather a side issue.
What ?
[Vigorous rat- tatting and ringing at the street
door]
Ah, there theyjjare !
DR. VAUGHAN
There who are ?
SIR JOHN [Smiling]
Prepare to receive cavalry.
HANNAH
A deputation ?
DR. VAUGHAN
At this hour ? I won't see them.
SIR JOHN
Oh, but my dear Doctor
DR. VAUGHAN
I'm tired out. I haven't even seen Elsie since she got
engaged, and I
[Enter purvis. Js the door opens a motley buzz
of conversation and laughter is heard from the
passage.]
PURVIS
The Elders !
203
DR. VAUGHAN
Ask them to come in the morning, Purvis, I'm too
tired.
[puRvis hesitates.]
HANNAH
Ask them into the drawing-room — 77/ see them.
[puRVis closes the door behind him : the babble
dwindles.]
SIR JOHN
But, Mrs. Vaughan, it's a testimonial. To the Presi-
dent of the Conference !
DR. VAUGHAN
I don't care.
SIR JOHN
Don't be absurd.
DR. VAUGHAN
I don't feel Hke taking testimonials.
SIR JOHN
Because you're tired ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Because I'm unworthy.
204
SIR JOHN
Tut ! Tut ! That's what they all say. But they
take 'em ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[Claps DR. VAUGHAN oTt the shoulder]
Come along.
[puRvis re-apfears at the door, bearing a large and
handsome silver salver.^
PURVIS
Does th' tray go upstairs, too ?
SIR JOHN
Yes — but bring it over here. Let the Doctor see it !
DR. VAUGHAN [Waving it back]
I don't want to see it.
SIR JOHN
Show it to Mrs. Vaughan.
DR. VAUGPIAN
Ah, trying to tempt Eve.
HANNAH [Waving it back]
But if my husband feels unworthy
SIR JOHN [Getting exasperated]
Stuff and nonsense ! Just hear the inscription. Read
it, Purvis.
PURVIS
Ay, that will I.
[Reads with unction]
205
" To the Rev. Dr. Rodney Vaughan, who combines
the sainthness of the minister with the abihty of the
statesman, this unworthy memento "
DR. VAUGHAN
Ugh ! Take it away !
PURVIS
Ay, ay, blessed are the meek.
DR. VAUGHAN
And say I don't feel able to see them or to take it.
HANNAH
But that the Doctor will acknowledge their kindness
from the pulpit.
PURVIS
I understand, mum.
[Exit, carrying salver, his lips still unctuously
murmuring]
" Who combines the sainthness of the minister with
the ability "
[Exit.]
SIR JOHN [To DR. VAUGHAN]
You really mean to insult them — and lose London ?
HANNAH
Lose London ? Has Dr. Edgeworth resigned ?
206
SIR JOHN
I oughtn't to have said anything. But this presenta-
tion is merely a prelude to our highest post — a thousand
a year, remember. And work after your own heart for
the glory of God ! Come !
[But DR. VAUGHAN ts looktug at the bureau with a
strange intentness.']
DR. VAUGHAN
You've put back the photographs !
HANNAH
.Yes, dear.
{Their eyes meetJ]
SIR JOHN
Don't go wool-gathering, man. Pull yourself to-
gether. The Lord calls you.
DR. VAUGHAN
The Lord ! You and Judson and a pair of London
tradesmen. No, no.
[Mystically]
I hear the call of the Lord — to sacrifice to Him. I
shall give up even this post.
SIR JOHN
What!
DR. VAUGHAN
I shall retire from the ministry.
207
HANNAH
Thank God !
SIR JOHN [Turning on her]
Eh ? Is this your idea ?
HANNAH
No, God be praised — it's his own. I never thought
of it — I never dreamed he'd give up his work.
SIR JOHN
But how will you live ?■
DR. VAUGHAN
Oh, don't be afraid ! I sha'n't sponge on Elsie's
father-in-law.
SIR JOHN [With dignity']
I never hoped you would, Rodney.
DR. VAUGHAN
I beg your pardon, Sir John.
SIR JOHN
I beg yours. I only meant what will you do ?
DR. VAUGHAN
I only know what I won't do — make a profession of
holiness.
SIR JOHN
Why, what's come over you, man ?
208
DR. VAUGHAN
What ought to come over every man — a change of
heart.
SIR JOHN
A change of air — that's what you want. The Con-
ference has been too much for you. I quite under-
stand, Mrs. Vaughan, your reHef at the idea of his
pulling up. But —
\Noisy voices of the descending deputation without^
There ! I told you they'd be angry. You won't
send them away like this — you'll sleep over it.
DR. VAUGHAN [With a wan smiled
Not very likely.
SIR JOHN [Gently]
Ah, I know, dear Rodney, it's your insomnia that's
behind all this.
DR. VAUGHAN
Then won't you leave me in peace, dear friend ?
SIR JOHN
I'm sorry.
[Going. Turns']
But what are we to do with the testimonial ?
HANNAH [Smiling wanly]
Judson won't ask that.
209 o
DR. VAUGHAN [Laughingly]
No, indeed ! Melt it down for our Crusades.
SIR JOHN
For our Crusades ? Then you will work with us ?
DR. VAUGHAN
Yes,
[Clasps SIR John's hand]
with the abihty of the statesman, if God has given it
me.
[Drops his hand]
But not with the saintliness of the priest.
SIR JOHN
I don't quite follow.
DR. VAUGHAN
I am no monster of sanctity. I will work as a man
among men.
SIR JOHN
Fiddlesticks 1 And where are we to find a saintlier
successor ?
DR. VAUGHAN
What do you want with successors ? Aren't we all
children of God ? Didn't you preach to me this
afternoon — and jolly sound doctrine ! And aren't we
all sinners ? Why dress one up in black and stick him
on a pedestal of perfection ?
210
SIR JOHN
You'd abolish the clergy i
DR. VAUGHAN
As a profession.
SIR JOHN
And who would marry John and Elsie ?
DR. VAUGHAN
They would marry themselves.
SIR JOHN
You've turned Quaker ! This is sheer Quakery !
DR. VAUGHAN
And everything else is sheer quackery.
SIR JOHN
You are overwrought. I'll come in the morning,
.Get a good night's rest.
[He goes out into the passage crying cheerily .•]
Ah, Judson ! The fact is, gentlemen, the strain of
the
[The door closes.']
HANNAH [Opening her arms]
Husband !
[He goes to her embrace. After an instant she
raises her wet j ace]
But you needn't have talked so much rubbish ! You
know the clergy are a necessity.
211
DR. VAUGHAN
Eut not a collection of plaster saints.
[elsie appears radiant at the door — a bouquet in her
hand. He utters a glad cry\
Elsie !
\She runs to his embrace.^
ELSIE [Laughingly"]
Don't crush the flowers.
[Holds them out of danger.]
DR. VAUGHAN [Quizzingly]
From John already ?
ELSIE [Happily]
Yes, but for mother.
HANNAH
Eor me ? How kind of him !
[elsie crosses to give the bouquet to hannah who
takes it and folds her in a passionate embrace.]
ELSIE
Oh mother, isn't life wonderful !
Curtain.
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ISRAEL ZANGWILL
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p
BLIND CHILDREN
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ISRAEL ZANGWILL
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The Spectator says :
"There is so much poetry in Mr. Zangwill's prose, that we might
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assured ease of a master, and though at times a harsh note or a jarring
phrase impairs the pleasure of the reader, there is such force, passion, and
poignancy in the expression of his varying moods that one cannot choose
but hear. At his best, and that is in his simplicity and irony, he reminds
one irresistibly of the greatest modern singer of his race — Heine."
The Daily News says :
"This is the work of a sincere spirit, a true poet, and a great Jew.
Mr. Zangwill loves his race, and in him that race has found its greatest
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The Academy says :
" Our own feeling is that Mr. Zangwill, by perfectly natural means,
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The Evening Standard and St. James's Gazette says :
"It is impossible to read these pages without feeling strong thought
and due mental grasp in every line of them. There is nothing sham or
vapid. And in many cases the execution is also delightful, and the verses
have the breath and magical completeness of a true poem.''
The Bookman says :
" Mr. Zangwill is not all poet, but an exceptionally full-minded
writer of prose and verse, and taking the two together his contributions to
the literature of this generation have been considerable. The insensibility
of the ordinary man is not his, nor the pathetic morbidity of poets
whose senses have played them false, so his place is with none of these,
but with the constituents of that aristocracy to which the greatest of writers
belong."
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NOVELS BY ISRAEL
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"A veritable human document, in which the characters do exactly as they
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WITHOUT PREJUDICE [Essays]
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THE MELTING POT
A Play in Four Acts
BY
ISRAEL ZANGWILL
SECOND EDITION
Fortnightly Review. — " A wonderful play."
Dailv Telegraph. — "The vignettes of a Jewish household in New York are
delightful pieces of genre painting, rich in observation and knowledge of human
nature, abounding in happy strokes of humour, and mellow with sympathy."
T.P.'s Weekly. — " No one could be other than deeply moved by the splendid
vision behind the play. ' The Melting Pot ' is one of those rare plays which spring
not from idle desire, love of gain or fame, but from the deeper deeps of human
consciousness. It is a prophetic play in the spirit of prophecy. This wonderful
play stands in bold and splendid relief on our stage, and gives to Mr. Zangwill the
same great place on the stage which he has held for so many years in the world of
the novelist."
Pall Mall Gazette. — " Alt the characters are built up with countless touches of
tenderness, humour and truth."
Truth. — " He is amongst our great, speaking with the voice of sincerity,
informed by experience and inspired by understanding. ' The Melting Pot ' has
impressed me until eternity."
Daily Graphic. — "Mr. Israel Zangwill is far too great an artist to be a
propagandist, and his sense of humour is keen. . . . The contrast of race and
temperament has been drawn with infinite subtlety."
Evening Standard. — "Big thoughts and strong utterances. . . . Jew and
Gentile are given an equally just hearing."
Westminster Gazette. — " Great material. . . . Mr. Zangwill is a man of genius.
He has put his heart and its longings into this play and made it a song of the
suffering and the hope of his race."
G. K. Chesterton (Illustrated London News) —"Mr. Zangwill is a great artist."
Sir Harry Johnston {The Daily Chronicle).— On& of the few really fine things
that I had ever seen on the stage, and — one of the most educational. . . . Precious,
indeed, is Mr. Zangwill's sense of humour, as precious as that of Dickens, and no
one of his plays has been more deliciously infused with the realisation of the
humorous aspect of all human emotions and doings than ' The Melting Pot '."
H. W. Nevinson ( The Nation). — " Here is a new and vast idea presented with
all the power of art, irony, tragedy, and dramatic situation. . , . To me the play
is one of the greatest dramatic productions of our age ... a grand theme, treated
with almost prophetic seriousness, and illustrated by all the clash and movement
of human passion such as the noblest drama has always demanded."
HoLBROOK Jackson (The Bookman). — "Not since Walt Whitman wrote
' Leaves of Grass ' have we had so inspiring a picture of America."
AthencBum. — " Mr. Zangwill is called an idealist, but the word ' prophet ' more
fittingly describes the aspect in which he appears as the author of ' The Melting
Pot'."
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. — ' ' A great subject most greatly treated.
Not merely enthralling as a play but will take its place in literature."
WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 BBDFORD ST., LONDON. W.C.
THE NEXT RELIGION
A Play in Three Acts
BY
ISRAEL ZANGWILL
Small Demy 8vo, 2S 6d net
SECOND EDITION
Methodist Times : " There is a mighty sermon in it. The close of the
last act is tremendous, and I feel that the Lord Chamberlain has done a
wrong to religion by forbidding this play."
George Bernard Shaw (T^f Nation): "Mr. Zangwill, regarding
literature as before all things a spiritual force, writes a powerful and
interesting play."
William Archer {Morning Leader): "And now, to complete the
evidence that the intellect of the country is setting towards the theatre,
we have Mr. Zangwill's great play, ' The Next Religion.' It is a
splendidly vivid epitome, one may almost say,'of the spiritual struggles
of the age. It is noble as thought, it is powerful as drama — and of
course it is mown down by the Censorship."
W. L. Courtney {Daily Telegraph): "Mr. Zangwill has followed
his very remarkable play, ' The War God,' by a drama very nearly as
remarkable. It is of extreme significance, as showing how the modern
dramatist claims the whole sphere of human ambition and faith as the
material for his fearless art."
Sir Harry Johnston {Daily Chronicle) : "One of the most remark-
able dramas which have ever been put on the stage. The play was
followed with a rapt attention, flattering alike to actors and author. I
accorded the play a most careful and unwavering hearing, a feat ren-
dered possible, not to say easy, by its unflagging interest and its vivid
and natural dialogue. There is absolutely nothing said or done by the
players in this remarkable piecewhich merits the playbeingpronounced
by the Censor as unsuited for representation. I sincerely hope that
some adjustment may take place which, without in any way marring the
full force of The Next Religion,' may permit of its being acted every-
where, inside and outside the Censor's sphere of influence."
H. W. Massingham {The Nation) : " In the line of drama Mr.
Zangwill is trying to do what Matthew Arnold, or Dr. Martineau, or
WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD ST., LONDON, W.C.
THE NEXT RELIGION
OPINIONS— coji tin iied
Tolstoy, or Professor Harnack have tried to do in the line of literature.
The Censorship grows daily a more palpably wicked institution."
W. T. Stead {Review of Reviezvs) : "'A daring attempt to represent
in dramatic form the confused conflict that is going on in the modern
world on the subject of religion. Mr. Zangwillhas a gift of clear and
almost scorching expression, and his latest play makes one furiously
to think."
A Fellow of the Royal Society {Glasgow Herald) : " I for one
think better of the value of the stage after observing how the audience
appreciated and how deeply it was moved by Mr. Zangwill's noble
drama,"
Standard: " Mr. Zangwill will probably be acclaimed as one of the
few men who have succeeded in portraying woman without grotesque
exaggeration of her failings or her virtues. Mary Trame is a picture
drawn with the most subtle strokes of humour and understanding."
Manchester Guardian : "The play was so sincerely, logically, and
clearly thought out and so vigorously expressed that it made an
afternoon of a most stimulating kind."
Athenaum : " More deeply religious than most sermons. A sincere
and highly honourable piece of work. The wife is handled with
poignancy, insight, and rare sympathy. The force of the play lies really
in the dialogue of the first two acts — always trenchant, ironic, master-
ful, and at times broadening into lofty and full-mouthed harmonies."
H. W. Nevinson : " It was a great play and a great performance
that the New Players' Society witnessed at the Pavilion for two after-
noons last week. Mr. Zangwill, one of the wittiest of living writers, is
one of the most sincere. Like Mr. Bernard Shaw, he has proved that
laughter and irony can go side by side with intense earnestness of
purpose. The reformer is not necessarily a stuft'y and solemn person.
But in all Mr. Zangwill's best work and speeches there is a deep and
prophetic note, seldom heard even in the greatest of his English-
speaking contemporaries. It comes nearest to Tolstoy among the
moderns ; but one may trace it, I think, to the inherited influence of
a race greater in prophecy than any European race has been."
WILLIAM HEINEMANN. 21 BEDFORD ST., LONDON, W.C.
'Of the original plays presented in London in 191 1 the finest was
Mr. Israel Zangwill's ' The War God'."— Pall Mall Gazette.
THE WAR GOD
A Tragedy in Five Acts
BY
ISRAEL ZANGWILL
Small Demy 8vo, 2S 6(| net
SOME OPINIONS
KfR. H. W. Massingham in the Nation : " I am very glad to see Mr, Zangwill's
powerful play ' The War God,' published by Mr. Heinemann, for its production
is by far the most important event of the dramatic season of 1911. . . . While we
have been trying to pick the lock of the door which shuts out the English theatre
from Ufe, Mr. Zangwill has blown the whole structure into the air."
Mr. John Masefield : " It seems to me the only play of our time which makes
modern life significant. I think it is splendid, altogether a fine and noble thing,
with all the beauty and depth which one has wanted so much for so long. It is
much the biggest thing done here for many years."
Mrs. Alice Meynell : "A very great tragedy — full of genius. Its language
moves in blank verse as the appropriate ritual of this momentous theme."
Mr. James Douglas : " Mr. Zangwill is a man of genius. He has put on the
stage a play which grapples with reality in its grimmest form. . . . The play is
big with the fate of nations. . . . No play of our time cuts deeper into the flesh of
reality."
Mr. W. T. Stead : " I admire the courage which led Mr. Zangwill to essay this
task of high emprise. ... It is a play which the large audience followed with
intense interest and discussed with great earnestness between the acts."
Mr. William Archer : " An admirable, even a noble, specimen of art. . .
A very fine piece of symbolic drama."
Miss Beatrice Harraden : " I go about thinking of nothing else. It stirs
and holds one's brain, one's soul, one's imagination. We have indeed reason to be
grateful for such a noble work."
Mrs. Despard : "A wonderful play, which, in its strength of purpose and its
courage verging on audacity, ready to meet all issues so that truth may be
revealed, forces upon us the conviction that the drama has, in its hand, a great
power."
WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD ST., LONDON, W.C.
THE WAR GOD
SOME OPINIONS— continued
Mr. YoshiO Marking in the Westminster Gazette: "I have found out that
every sort of human brain (that you can get at present moment) is condensed into
three hours' play ! It is the real sketch of this world, and we are all living in it.
. . . No better psychology have I ever seen."
English Review. "Mr. Zangwill's play 'The War God' ... Is without
question a thing of note and real intellectual distinction. ... It holds the
audience from beginning to end. . . . The language is lofty, distinguished, at-
times ringing with the true poetic note of tragedy, but always polished, fluent,
graceful."
Atheneeum ; " Can be warmly commended. It handles a great subject manfully ;
it breathes a lofty idealism and faces opposing facts and arguments."
Times : "The whole play was applauded and evidently kept the crowded house
interested throughout."
Daily Chronicle: "... does honour to our stage, honour to Mr. Zangwill,
especial honour to Sir Herbert Tree. Here is the first serious, strenuous political
play that has been produced for years and years, a play grappling with big
problems in a big way."
Globe: "We welcome the drama of war and peace among the works that
have counted in 191 1."
Daily Telegraph: "An extremely vigorous piece of work, full alike of thought
and dramatic power."
Morning Leader: "A wonderful piece of drama."
Era: " A subject of infinite imagination and extent, a work of real genius."
Church Times : "A vast audience heard the blank verse with breathless
attention, and followed with pointed applause the sentiments which one might
think were least likely to be applauded."
Catholic Times: "The interest which has been aroused in Mr. Zangwill's
remarkable play is fully justified. ... If the pens of the dramatic critics had been
tempered by the true Catholic spirit, it would have been hailed as a memorable
drama and one of a character never more necessary than in the present age of
unrest. Its production should have an edifying influence upon the theatrical
world."
Methodist Times : " We are often told of the potentialities of the stage as a great
moral teacher. If many plays were of the quality of ' The War God,' we might
begin to believe in those potentialities."
Pall Mall Gazette : " A work conceived and executed on the grand scale, and
yet supremely successful as drama, for it roused every audience that saw it to
unwonted heights of enthusiasm. It is a very big thing and will provoke an
immense amount of discussion."
Evening Times : "'The War God' is full of unforgettable lines. There are
passages which haunt the memory and make us wonder whether Mr. Zangwill's
mitier is really prose or verse."
WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 BEDFORD ST., LONDON, W.C.
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