The Flutter of the Goldleaf; and Other Plays Part 24

_Rosie_

What is it?

_Everychild_

You'll see. Maybe you'll dance out of the window.

_Mary_

Are you going to take her away?

_Everychild_

Yes, I shall keep her with me until she is well. Then she will return to you.

(_Takes out of the bag the rosy lamp and waves it. Throws aside her cap and pulls off goggles, wig, and beard. The back wall moves away, revealing the first scene with the same strains of music and the dancing children in the orchard._ EVERYCHILD _leads_ ROSIE _out to join them._ BILLIE _and_ TOM _move after them calling: "Let us go with you! Take us with you!"_)

_Rosie_

Oh, please take Billie and Tom!

_Everychild_

Yes, I want them, too. Come along, boys!

(_They shout and run after_ ROSIE _and_ EVERYCHILD.)

_Mary_

Oh, Jim, is this a dream? Or am I awake at last?

_Jim_ (_putting his hand to his head, dazedly_)

Perhaps this is what it ought to be for all the children of the world.

(CURTAIN FALLS)

SCENE IV: _Interior of a coal-mine, lit only by lamps on the heads of three men and two boys, about twelve and fourteen years, the men busy at work getting the coal down with picks, the boys shovelling coal into a car. They work a few minutes. Distant m.u.f.fled sound of a steam-whistle. They immediately drop tools and go to corner and pick up each a can, paper bag, or small basket, and sit down to eat._

_One Man_

Lunch-time. It feels good to rest half an hour in this bloomin' hole.

(_Takes a drink from a bottle he brings from his pocket and hands to another._) Have a swig, Jack?

_Jack_

Don't care if I do. (_Takes a swallow._) I'll bring some next time, Joe.

_Joe_ (_pa.s.sing bottle to the other_)

Here, Bert, it helps. Take some and give a swallow to the boys.

_Bert_

I'll take some and thank you, but I guess the boys are better off without it.

_Jack_

How long you worked here, Bert?

_Bert_

Nigh on fifteen years, and a devil's job it is. I wanted to be a sailor, but I got into this, and it paid pretty good, and then I got tangled up with a family and just stayed on the job. But it's no place to spend a life. (_Coughs._)

_Joe_

I been here 'bout as long as you, Bert. I ran away from the big woods where my father was a lumberman. Thought I'd see the world, and just got stuck here and never could make up my mind to get away. See the world, eh! All I ever seed was de inside of it. If I had my way to do over again, I think I'd take to the tall timber up dere on top.

(_Meantime the two boys, while eating with one hand out of their cans, have been whispering and playing knuckle-bones with pieces of coal, a little way from and behind the men. Suddenly they stop, look around at each other and listen, for they hear the fairy dance music of the first scene, which is not heard by these older men, who go on talking._)

_First Boy_

Dey's havin' parade up dere.

_Second Boy_

Dat ain't band music, you mutt.

(FIRST BOY _begins to sway as if in time with the music._)

_Second Boy_

Wot's the matter?

_First Boy_ (_sheepish_)

Nuthin'. (_Tries to keep still. They both listen._) Did yer ever dance, Buck?

_Second Boy_

Naw. (_Listens._) But I bet I could!

_First Boy_

I had a dream onct. I dremp I's in an orchard, an' they's blooms floatin' round. I could smell 'em!