Dr. Jonathan | Page 4

Bert's out there--he ain't working today. Mr. Pindar sent for father, and we walked up here with him. Where is he?
GEORGE (nodding toward the study). In there. But what are you doing, back in Foxon Falls?
MINNIE. Oh, visiting the scenes of my childhood.
GEORGE (tearing open the tissue paper from the parcel). Did you make these for me? (He holds up a pair of grey woollen wristlets.)
MINNIE. Well, I wanted to do something for a soldier, and when I heard you was going to France I thought you might as well have 'em.
GEORGE. How did you hear I was going?
MINNIE. Bert told me when I came home yesterday. They say it's cold in the trenches, and nothing keeps the hands so warm as wristlets. I know, because I've had 'em on winter mornings, early, when I was going to work. Will you wear 'em, George?
GEORGE. Will I wear them! (He puts then on his wrists.) I'll never take them off till the war's over.
MINNIE (pleased). You always were a josher!
GEORGE. Tell me, Minnie, why did you run away from me two years ago?
MINNIE. Run away from you! I left because I couldn't stand this village any longer. It was too quiet for me.
GEORGE. You're a josher! You went off while I was away, without telling me you were going. And then, when I found out where you were and hustled over to Newcastle in my car, you turned me down hard.
MINNIE. You didn't have a mortgage on me. There were plenty of girls of your own kind at that house party you went to. I guess you made love to them, too.
GEORGE. They weren't in the same class with you. You've got the ginger.
MINNIE. I've still got the ginger, all right.
GEORGE. I thought you cared for me.
MINNIE. You always had the nerve, George.
GEORGE. You acted as if you did.
MINNIE. I'm a good actor. Say, what was there in it for me?--packing tools in the Pindar shops, and you the son of my boss? You didn't want nothing from me except what all men want, and you wouldn't have wanted that long.
GEORGE. I was crazy about you.
MINNIE (her eyes falling on the travelling pillow and the pincushion; picking theron: up in turn). I guess you told them that, too.
GEORGE (embarrassed). Oh, I'm popular enough when I'm going away. They don't care anything about me.
MINNIE (indicating the wristlets). You don't want them,--I'll give 'em to Bert.
GEORGE. No, you won't.
MINNIE. I was silly. But we had a good time while it lasted,--didn't we, George?
(She evades him deftly, and picks up the life-preserving suit.)
What's this?--a full dress uniform?
GEORGE. When a submarine gets you, all you've got to do is to jump overboard and blow this--
(He draws the siren from the pocket and starts to blow it, but she seizes his hand.)
--and float around until a destroyer picks you up.
(Takes from another pocket a metal lunch box.)
This is for pate de foie gras sandwiches, and there's room in here--
(Indicating another pocket.)
--for a bottle of fizz. Come along with me, Minnie, ship as a Red Cross nurse, and I'll buy you one. The Atlantic wouldn't be such a bad place, with you,--and we wouldn't be in a hurry to blow the siren. You'd look like a peach in a white costume, too.
MINNIE. Don't you like me in this?
GEORGE. Sure, but I'd like that better.
MINNIE. I'd make a good nurse, if I do say it myself. And I'd take good care of you, George,--as good as any of them.
(She nods toward the pillow and pincushion.)
GEORGE. Better!
(He seizes her hands and attempts to draw her toward him.)
You used to let me!
MINNIE. That ain't any reason.
GEORGE. Just once, Minnie,--I'm going away.
MINNIE. No. I didn't mean to come in here--I just wanted to see what you looked like in your uniform.
(She draws away from him, just as Dr. JONATHAN appears in the doorway, lower right.)
Goodbye, George.
(She goes out through the doorway, upper right.)
(DR. JONATHAN may be almost any age,--in reality about thirty five. His head is that of the thinker, high above the eyes. His face bears evidence in its lines of years of labour and service, as well as of a triumphant struggle against ill health. In his eyes is a thoughtful yet illuminating smile, now directed toward GEORGE who, when he perceives him, is taken aback,)
DR. JONATHAN. Hello! I was told to come in here,--I hope I'm not intruding.
GEORGE. Not at all. How--how long have you been here?
DR. JONATHAN. Just long enough to get my bearings. I came this morning.
GEORGE. Oh! Are you--are you Dr. Jonathan?
DR. JONATHAN. I'm Jonathan. And you're George, I suppose.
GEORGE. Yes. (He goes to him and shakes hands.) I'm sorry to be leaving just as you come.
DR. JONATHAN. I'll be here when you return.
GEORGE. I hope so (a pause). You won't find Foxon Falls a