Stephen Archer, and Other Tales Part 47

_Mrs. C._ Have you got Constance with you there?

_Wat_. I've no such good fortune.

_Mrs. C._ Where is she, then?

_Wat_. At home, I presume.

_Mrs. C._ Indeed she is not. I must speak to Arthur.

_Wat_. He's not here.

_Mrs. C._ Where's my--his man, then?

_Wat_. Taken himself off to the public-house, I suppose. There's n.o.body about. Odd--ain't it?

_Mrs. C._ I'll go and see. _Exit into the house_.

_Wat_. What can be the row! there is some row. _Exit into the room_.

_Enter_ GER., _supported by_ COL. G.

_Col. G._ Thank G.o.d! Thank G.o.d!

_Ger._ But where is she? I shall go mad if you've told me a lie.

_Col. G._ I saw her, and sent a messenger after her. We shall have news of her presently. Do have a little patience, sir.

_Get._ How can I have patience? I'm a brute--a mean, selfish devil! If that fellow Waterfield was to horse-whip me--I should let him.

_Tho._ (_coming forward_). Theer wur that yung chap yere a while agoo, and he said aw wur to say to Maister William--what wur it aw're to say?--Yigh--it wur--"Bill's been. O'reet."

_Col. G._ There, sir! I told you so. Do sit down. I'll go after her.

_Ger._ I will. I will. Only make haste. (_Stands staring at the Psyche_.)

_Tho._ Th' boy said he'd be yere direckly.

_Col. G._ You sit down. I'll be with you presently.

_Tho._ (_retiring behind the Psyche_). Aw're noan likely to goo, maister.

_Enter_ MRS. C. _Crosses to room door. Enter_ WATERFIELD. _They talk_.

_Ger._ William! I don't want them. (_Retreats towards the Psyche_.)

_Col. G._ Sit here one moment, sir. (_Leads him to the dais. Advances to_ MRS. C.)

_Mrs. C._ (_trying to pa.s.s him_). Arthur, what can--?

_Col. G._ (_intercepting her_). Let him rest a bit, ma'am, if you please. He's been out for the first time.

_Mrs. C._ At night! and in a fog! A pretty nurse you are! Poor boy!

_Col. G._ Mr. Waterfield, sir, would you mind stepping into the room again for a moment? (_Exit_ WAT.) Mrs. Clifford, ma'am, would you please get a gla.s.s of wine for master? _Exit_ MRS. C. _into the house_.

_Ger._ William! William!

_Col. G._ Yes, sir.

_Ger._ Send him away. Don't let him stop there. I have nothing to say to him.

_Col. G._ He shan't trouble you, sir. I'll take care of that. (_Goes behind the Psyche to_ THOMAS, _but keeps watching the door of the room_.)--Did you see the man that went in there just now?

_Tho._ (_with anxiety_). He winnot joomp eawt ov th' window, dosto thenk, lad?

_Re-enter_ MRS. C. _with wine_. GER. _drinks_.

_Col. G._ Why should he do that? Do you know anything about him?

_Tho._ Aw do.

_Col. G._ Has he seen you here?

_Tho._ No. Aw're afeard he'd roon away, and aw keepet snoog.

_Col. G._ I needn't ask who it is, then?

_Tho._ Yo needn't, lad.

_Enter_ WATERFIELD.

_Tho._ Mo conscience! he'll pike eawt afoor aw geet howd on him!

(_Rushes out and seizes_ WAT.)

_Enter_ MATTIE _and_ BILL.

_Tho._ Thae'rt a domned villain! Wheer's mo Mattie?

WATERFIELD _knocks_ THOMAS _down_.

_Bill._ O Lord! the swell's murdered old daddy!

_All but_ GER. _rush together_. COLONEL GERVAISE _seizes_ WATERFIELD. MATTIE _throws herself on her knees beside_ THOMAS _and lifts his head_.

_Mat_. Father! father! Look at me! It's Mattie!--your own wicked Mattie! Look at her once, father dear! (_Lays down his head in despair, and rises_.) Who struck the good old man?

_Bill._ He did--the swell as give me the gold sov.