Harlequinade | Page 8

the World picks it up and--"May he keep such a trifle?" "By all means" nods Gelsomino, wondering. And Columbine, there with the dish in her hands, sees it, and--there's very nearly no macaroni for lunch.
But some one else sees it, too--sees it and sees all. This is Harlequin, who has sprung somehow from behind the trees.
There's Harlequin ... with his wand and his mask. He's watching. Now you watch.
UNCLE EDWARD. What are you laughing at? The many times you've seen this!
ALICE. I never can help it. This is where Clown tries to steal the breakfast, and he never remembers that Harlequin's close behind.
[And, indeed, while the others most ostentatiously don't see, Clown and Pantaloon do steal bread and sausages and beer--and into the basket they all go. Not the beer; that goes down the neck of Clown. Then Columbine calls them to breakfast. Harlequin is presented to the company. Gelsomino has greeted him even more coldly.
He is weary of her relations.
[But, behold, they discover there is no breakfast. Clown discovers it, and is more amazed and innocent than any. Columbine is in desp But Harlequin rises and waves his wand and strikes on the table, and breakfast appears. Clown, in a panic, turns to his basket. But, behold, that is empty now.
Then they have breakfast. And Clown gets a lot and Pantaloon very little. Gelsomino hasn't come to the table at all, so Columbine goes to fetch him. But he isn't hungry, he won't come. And, turning, disappointed, she sees the Man of the World lifting, not his glass to toast her, but the rose. Harlequin sees, too. And he rises to wave his wand again. Gelsomino starts to move away.
He's getting so cross. And he says ... "Do, for Heaven's sake, let me read in peace." You know!
[But, with a flash of his wand, Harlequin strikes the book.
There! He has magicked the book all empty.
[And, sure enough, we see Gelsomino turn the empty pages in despair. It is the simplest of tricks. Then Harlequin points to where the Man of the World woos Columbine with those eyes of his, those greedy eyes. But Gelsomino will not see.
He's out of temper now, so he pretends he doesn't care.
[Harlequin points to the rose that Gelsomino so lightly let fall. The Man of the World is pressing it to his lips.
He points to the rose because that's a--that's a...! Oh, what's the word, Uncle?
UNCLE EDWARD. Symbol.
ALICE. Thank you ... Symbol of Columbine's true wifely love for him. And what the pointing says is: Are you going to throw that away, too? Don't be a silly fool!
[The Man of the World is taking his leave. The rose is at her lips now.
And what he says is To-night ... just like that. Only I can't say it. Which means he'll come back to-night and carry her off and love her ever so. And he might, what's more, if it wasn't for...! But you'll see.
[Suddenly Gelsomino goes to Columbine and demands the rose, imperiously, with a gesture not to be denied.
That means he says he's her husband, and can't he have it if he likes? And she won't give it him now. And she's quite right. I wouldn't either. Nor would any woman. Look!
[And Columbine has torn the rose in pieces and flung them on the ground, and flung herself off. And then Gelsomino flings himself down in self-reproachful despair. But all this flinging shows a lover's quarrel, and there's life and hope in that. But Alice is young and stern.
Serve him right! And if it wasn't for Harlequin ....
UNCLE EDWARD. Hush!
[Harlequin has called to Clown and Pantaloon. And, like conspirators, they stand there and most elaborately they weave a plot. It's a most difficult plot to follow. It involves a dark night and tiptoes and a signal given. It involves, too, a cloak and a skirt and a bonnet for Clown; and this attracts him so much he can attend to little else.
ALICE. Do you guess what's going to happen? Uncle, they've forgotten the lights. Oh, this is the bit I love.
UNCLE EDWARD. [In a hoarse whisper.] St! George!
[Suddenly on the little stage day becomes night. What had George to do with it?
[In a hoarse whisper still.] Bring 'em round a bit ... the number two steels.
[And the moon, obediently turning, floods the little stage. Indeed it is pretty. Uncle Edward can't contain himself. And he has given it away anyhow.
Romantic, isn't it? And just the colour moonlight ought to be.
[The music tells us this is real romance. Dark figures are flitting among the trees. Who are they? Gelsomino, Harlequin, Pantaloon. The Man of the World, wrapped dramatically in a great black cloak, arrives. "Arrives" is poor. He approaches. Pantaloon totters down to him. "Wait, and your love will come." He waits and his