One Day More | Page 9

No contradicting; is that it? You seem to know my dad
pretty well. And so do I. He's dead nuts on having his own way--and
I've been used to have my own too long. It's the deuce of a fix.
Bessie. How could it hurt you not to contradict him for a while--and
perhaps in time you would get used. ..
Harry (Interrupts sulkily). I ain't accustomed to knuckle under. There's
a pair of us. Hagberd's both. I ought to be thinking of my train.
Bessie (Earnestly). Why? There's no need. Let us get away up the road
a little.
Harry (Through his teeth). And no money for the fare. (Looks up.)
Sky's come overcast. Black, too. It'll be a wild, windy night... to walk
the high road on. But I and wild nights are old friends wherever the free
wind blows.
Bessie (Entreating). No need. No need. (_Looks apprehensively at
Hagberd's cottage. Takes a couple of steps up as if to draw Harry
further off. Harry follows. Both stop_.)
Harry (After waiting). What about this tomorrow whim?
Bessie. Leave that to me. Of course all his fancies are not mad. They
aren't. (Pause.) Most people in this town would think what he had set
his mind on quite sensible. If he ever talks to you of it, don't contradict
him. It would--it would be dangerous.

Harry (Surprised). What would he do?
Bessie. He would--I don't know--something rash.
Harry (Startled). To himself?
Bessie. No. It'd be against you--I fear.
Harry (Sullen). Let him.
Bessie. Never. Don't quarrel. But perhaps he won't even try to talk to
you of it. (Thinking aloud.) Who knows what I can do with him in a
week! I can, I can, I can--I must.
Harry. Come--what's this sensible notion of his that I mustn't quarrel
about?
Bessie (Turns to Harry, calm, forcible). If I make him once see that
you've come back, he will be as sane as you or I. All his mad notions
will be gone. But that other is quite sensible. And you mustn't quarrel
over it.
(_Moves up to back of stage. Harry follows a little behind, away from
audience_.)
Harry's Voice (Calm). Let's hear what it is.
(_Voices cease. Action visible as before. Harry steps back and walks
hastily down. Bessie at his elbow, follows with her hands clasped?_)
(Loud burst of voice.)
Harry (Raving to and fro). No! Expects me--a home. Who wants his
home?... What I want is hard work, or an all-fired racket, or more room
than there is in the whole of England. Expects me! A man like me--for
his rotten money--there ain't enough money in the world to turn me into
a blamed tame rabbit in a hutch. (_He stops suddenly before Bessie,
arms crossed on breast. Violently_.) Don't you see it?

Bessie (Terrified, stammering faintly). Yes. Yes. Don't look at me like
this. (Sudden scream.) Don't quarrel with him. He's mad!
Harry (Headlong utterance). Mad! Not he. He likes his own way. Tie
me up by the neck here. Here! Ha! Ha! Ha! (Louder.) And the whole
world is not a bit too big for me to spread my elbows in, I can tell
you--what's your name--Bessie. (Rising scorn). Marry! Wants me to
marry and settle.... (Scathingly.) And as likely as not he has looked out
the girl too--dash my soul. Talked to you about it--did he? And do you
happen to know the Judy--may I ask?
(Window in Hagberd's cottage runs up. They start and stand still.)
Capt. H. (Above, begins slowly). A grinning information fellow from a
crazy town. (Voice changes.) Bessie, I see you. . . .
Bessie (Shrill). Captain Hagberd! Say nothing. You don't understand.
For heaven's sake don't.
Capt. H. Send him away this minute, or I will tell Harry. They know
nothing of Harry in this crazy town. Harry's coming home to-morrow.
Do you hear? One day more!
(Silence.)
Harry (Mutters). Well!--he is a character.
Capt. H. (Chuckles softly). Never you fear! The boy shall marry you.
(Sudden anger.) He'll have to. I'll make him. Or, if not--(Furious)--I'll
cut him off with a shilling, and leave everything to you. Jackanapes!
Let him starve!
(Window rumbles down.)
Harry (Slowly). So it's you--the girl. It's you! Now I begin to see.... By
heavens, you have a heart as soft as your woman's voice.
Bessie (Half averted, face in hands). You see! Don't come near me.

Harry (Makes a step towards her). I must have another look at your
pale face.
Bessie (_Turns unexpectedly and pushes him with both hands; Harry
staggers back and stands still; Bessie, fiercely_). Go away.
Harry (Watching her). Directly. But women always had to get me out
of my scrapes. I am a beggar now, and you must help me out of my
scrape.
Bessie (_Who at the word