Comrades - George Baker 2 стр.

Mar. Yes. I met a true type of the fraternity half a mile below. He stopped my horse, and begged money. I always make short work of these fellows, so tossed him a quarter and rode on. He turned into that shanty set apart for the entertainment of man and beast, and no doubt will pour entertainment down his throat in beastly style. So look out, Manning. He may pay you a visit.

Roy. Twill be a short one, then; and Ill give him no quarter.

Mar. Well, how are you all, particularly my bonny Bess? (Shakes hands with her, L.)

Roy. Half a mile below. Did he look rough?

Mar. Rough, but good-natured. Dress ragged, face bloated, figure plump. These fellows thrive on their pickings these pests.

Roy. Dont say that, Marcus. The fellow may have been unfortunate.

Mar. Unfortunate? Bah! Whats misfortune but a roll in the dust?  jump up, shake yourself, and youre as good as new. Ive no patience with a man who wants vim something on the side of his face you know cheek!

Roy. Yes: a quality which tramps (aside) and drummers (aloud) possess in a wonderful degree. (Bess goes up to piano.)

Mar. For my part, I never allow myself to be staggered by the blows of fate. When they come, I take a long breath, and hit out straight from the shoulder.

May. When did you hear from your father, Mr. Graves?

Mar (confused). Eh,  my fa yes oh, yes! That is not lately.

May. He was well when you heard?

Mar. Oh, yes, beautiful that is hearty he wishes to be remembered to all my customers my friends, I mean.

Roy (coming to table). May, what are you doing?

May. Pinning him in a corner. You men are so afraid of each other. Womans curiosity knows no fear. Weve found out one thing: he has a father.

Roy. Yes, and one other: hes afraid of him. Did you notice his hesitation?

May. Yes. Theres some mystery about that father, which I mean to fathom.

Roy. But not now; give him time. You staggered him after his boast, too. He didnt strike out well. Come, lets go into the garden. The young people want to be left alone. (Goes up.)

May (rising). Yes. I want you to look at my heliotropes; theyre just splendid! (Goes up and places arm in Roys.)

Roy. All right. Good-by, Bess. Dont catch cold. Theres a smacking breeze coming.

Bess. And another going. Good-by.

Graves (slowly). Now what possessed Mrs. Manning to speak of my father? A subject to which I have never alluded. Can she mistrust me? Egad! she nearly took away my breath. My boasted boldness vanished like a flash. (Bess rises, takes a wisp of hay from mantel, and comes behind him.) And yet Ive nothing to be ashamed of,  only a mystery. Mystery! why should I have a mystery here? (Bess tickles his ear with the wisp. He brushes it off quickly.) Confound it! its hurting me. This girl loves me, and I love her. Ive only to speak and she is mine. (Bess tickles him. He brushes it off.) Hang it! Im tormented with doubts. But confession is a sure road to favor. Ill make a confidant of Bessie. If anybody else should tell her I should be (Bess tickles him again) stung with shame. Yes, Ill meet it (Bess puts her arms round his neck and brings her face round as he speaks this) face to face.

Bess. Dreaming, Marcus? (Sits on hassock at his feet, back to audience).

Mar. Why, Bess, what a brute Ive been! Yes, dreaming, Bess, of a happy future, I trust, in store for you and me. Do you ever dream of that time?

Bess. Not I. When the skies are bright above us, why should we seek to peep even in dreams beneath the horizon when we know not what storms may be gathering there to roll over the brightness of the present?

Mar. Yes; but the cautious mariner is ever alert for the faintest signs of the coming storm.

Bess. Well, I am not a mariner, and my umbrella is always at hand.

Mar. Bess, cant you be serious?

Bess. I dont know. Try me.

Mar. Bess, I love you.

Bess. A failure, Marcus. That pleases me.

Mar. And you are to be my wife?

Bess. Another, Marcus. That delights me.

Mar. Yes, Bess; I know my love is returned. For three years we have been all in all to each other; and now, Bess, I tell you I am unworthy of your love.

Bess. You, Marcus! Now, you surprise me!

Mar. You trust me fully? You would go with me to the altar hand in hand, beyond the altar to death itself

Bess. To death itself, Marcus!

Mar. And yet, on my part, there has been no confidence; into my past life you have had no glimpse. You took me, a stranger, to your heart,  never questioned me; and, beyond the interchange of affection, myself, my fortune, and my home are strangers still.

Bess. Blind, Marcus! Blind, are you? My womans curiosity sought in the beginning to know you; my hearts instinct probed you, to know if you were worthy. I found you polite, chivalrous, charitable, with a heart open to every cry of distress, a hand ever ready to proffer assistance. Oh, I tried you deeply, as your purse can show! I found you true, noble, sincere. I had no right to question further.

Mar. But you must know me, Bess.

Bess. When you please, Marcus.

Mar. Then patiently hear me; for on your judgment rest my hopes of future happiness.

Bess. Indeed! Now, Marcus, I am serious.

Mar. Bess!

Sim. Beg your pardon! Dont rise I may be right. I may be mistaken Dont rise. Is this the abode of Miss Nancy Nipper?

Bess (rises quickly.Besssits still). Yes. Nancy is in the kitchen.

Sim. Oh, made a mistake! Yes, yes. Can you point out the position of the culinary department of your dwelling?

Bess. I will call her in. Take a seat.

Sim. Ah, thank you. (Bess exit R. I. E.) Heres my card. Gone! gone without it, and I went to the expense of getting up that card for the express purpose of having it placed in the hands of Miss Nancy Nipper. Says I, Simon, dont be shabby. Go, like a gentleman. Spare no expense. and its useless. (Comes down R., turns, and sees Marcus in chair.) Halloa, Mark!  Mark, the perfect man.

Mar (rises). Si, old fellow where in the world did you drop from? (Gives hand.)

Simon (takes hand and shakes it). Well, in truth, Mark But stop. I interrupted a tete-a-tete. There was a young lady sitting on that hassock. O Mark, this is too bad! Im in the way. Good-by (starts for door).

Mar (detaining him). Stop, stop, Si! its all right. But why are you here?

Simon. I why well Look here, Mark, I know Im in the way. Ill come again (starts for door).

Mar (detaining him). No, no; its all right, Si. I see youre in love with our Nancy.

Simon. Our Nancy! Our Good gracious, Mark! You dont mean to say that you are aspiring to the affection of that damsel?

Mar. Ha, ha, Si! You need not fear. When I said our Nancy, I meant our girl help, you understand.

Simon. Oh! Ah! Then you are one of the family.

Mar (confused). Well, no. Not exactly.

Simon. Oh, I see. Dont blush, but Im sure I must be in the way. Ill come again (starts for door).

Mar (detaining him). Simon, stop. If you leave this room we are enemies.

Simon. But, Mark, I might blast your prospects, were it known that you and I

Mar. Were friends, dear friends; that you were the only one who reached out a helping hand to me a destitute stranger, when I entered yonder city, five years ago.

Simon. None of that, Mark. Dont be shabby; helping hand, indeed, to a loft in the sixth story, a bed on a heap of rags, and dry bread washed down with water.

Mar. Divided your substance with me. Sim, when I forget your kindness, may I be as hungry as I was then.

Simon. Yes; but, Mark

Mar. Hush. Here comes Miss Bess.

Simon. Then Ill just step outside (going).

Mar (detaining him). Not a step.

Bess. Nancy will be here in a minute. Mr.

Mar (coming down L., leading Simon, the right hands clasped). Bess, Miss Bradley, allow me to present a very dear friend,  Mr. Simon Stone, my chum.

Bess. Indeed (offering her hand). Mr. Stone, you are very welcome here.

Simon (takes hand). Ah yes; thank you. Thank you very kind (goes L.). Chums. Chums,  before her, too. Theres nothing shabby about that.

Mar. Well leave you, Simon, to your friend; but dont go until Ive seen you again.

Bess. Oh, no. You must stop to dinner.

Simon. Yes, thank you, much obliged. Well, now, thats hearty; pretty as a picture, and he, theres nothing shabby about him. Now, for Nancy. Wont her eyes glisten when she sees me in this stunning get-up. I never did care for dress, but when I made up my mind to look after Nancy again, I said to myself, Simon, dont be shabby; do the thing in style; and here I am, bran new from top to toe, from shampoo to shining leather, but with the same old heart inside of me, advancing double-shuffle to the tune of Nancy is my darling.

Nancy. Now, Id like to know who Good gracious! its Simon Stone.

Simon. Nancy, it is. Simon, your Simon. How dye do (offers hand).

Nancy. Well, I declare! rigged out like a dancing-jack. You extravagant dog!

Simon (turning round). Gay, aint it. Cut to order by an artist, (turns round); look at the elegance of expression in the back of that coat, and the tout ensemble