Fanny and the Servant Problem | Page 8

be a hard life for a
woman.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Especially for anyone not brought
up to it.
FANNY. You see, I had a good voice and what I suppose you might
call a natural talent for acting. It seemed the easiest thing.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I suppose your family were
very much opposed to it? [Vernon rises. He stands with his back to the
fire.]
FANNY. My family? Hadn't any!
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. No family?
Bennet enters. Vernon and Fanny left the door open. He halts, framed
by the doorway.
FANNY. No. You see, I was an only child. My father and mother both
died before I was fourteen.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. But your uncle?
FANNY. Oh, him! It was to get away from him and all that crew that I
went on the stage.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. It is so sad when relations don't get
on together.
FANNY. Sadder still when they think they've got a right to trample on

you, just because you happen to be an orphan and--I don't want to talk
about my relations. I want to forget them. I stood them for nearly six
months. I don't want to be reminded of them. I want to forget that they
ever existed. I want to forget -
Bennet has come down very quietly. Fanny, from where he stands, is
the only one who sees him. He stands looking at her, his features, as
ever, immovable. At sight of him her eyes and mouth open wider and
wider. The words die away from her tongue. Vernon has turned away
to put a log on the fire, and so has not seen her expression-- only hears
her sudden silence. He looks up and sees Bennet.
VERNON. Ah, Bennet! [He advances, holding out his hand.] You quite
well?
BENNET [shaking hands with him]. Quite well.
VERNON. Good! And all the family?
BENNET. Nothing to complain of. Charles has had a touch of
influenza.
VERNON. Ah, sorry to hear that.
BENNET. And your lordship?
VERNON. Fit as a fiddle--your new mistress.
Fanny has risen. Bennet turns to her. For a moment his back is towards
the other three. Fanny alone sees his face.
BENNET. We shall endeavour to do our duty to her ladyship. [He turns
to Vernon.] I had arranged for a more fitting reception -
VERNON. To tell the honest truth, Bennet, the very thing we were
afraid of--why we walked from the station, and slipped in by the side
door. [Laughing.] Has the luggage come?
BENNET. It has just arrived. It was about that I came to ask. I could
not understand -
The Misses Wetherell have also risen. Fanny's speechless amazement is
attributed by them and Vernon to natural astonishment at discovery of
his rank.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. You will be wanting a quiet
talk together. We shall see you at dinner.
VERNON. What time is dinner?
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. Half past seven.
[To Fanny] But don't you hurry, dear. I will tell cook to delay it a little.
[She kisses her.]

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. You will want some time to
arrange that pretty hair of yours. [She also kisses the passive,
speechless Fanny. They go out hand in hand.]
BENNET. I will see, while I am here, that your lordship's room is in
order.
VERNON. Why, where's Robert, then?
BENNET. He has gone into town to do some shopping. We did not
expect your lordship much before nine. There may be one or two things
to see to. [He goes into his lordship's apartments, closing the door
behind him.]
FANNY. Vernon, where am I?
VERNON. At home, dear.
FANNY. Yes, but where?
VERNON. At Bantock Hall, Rutlandshire. [Fanny sits down on the
settee--drops down rather.] You're not angry with me? You know how
the world always talks in these cases. I wanted to be able to prove to
them all that you married me for myself. Not because I was Lord
Bantock. Can you forgive me?
FANNY [she still seems in a dream]. Yes--of course. You didn't--you
wouldn't--[She suddenly springs up.] Vernon, you do love me? [She
flings her arms round his neck.]
VERNON. Dear!
FANNY. You will never be ashamed of me?
VERNON. Dearest!
FANNY. I was only a music-hall singer. There's no getting over it, you
know.
VERNON. I should have loved you had you been a beggar-maid.
FANNY [she still clings to him]. With an uncle a costermonger, and an
aunt who sold matches. It wouldn't have made any difference to you,
would it? You didn't marry me for my family, did you? You didn't, did
you?
VERNON. Darling! I married you because you are the most fascinating,
the most lovable, the most wonderful little woman in the world. [Fanny
gives a sob.] As for