The Second Series Plays | Page 4

rise? From precisely this
sort of thing of young Dunning's.
KEITH. From human nature, I should have thought, John. I admit that I
don't like a fellow's leavin' a girl in the lurch; but I don't see the use in
drawin' hard and fast rules. You only have to break 'em. Sir William
and you would just tie Dunning and the girl up together, willy-nilly, to
save appearances, and ten to one but there'll be the deuce to pay in a
year's time. You can take a horse to the water, you can't make him
drink.
LATTER. I entirely and absolutely disagree with you.
HAROLD. Good old John!

LATTER. At all events we know where your principles take you.
KEITH. [Rather dangerously] Where, please? [HAROLD turns up his
eyes, and points downwards] Dry up, Harold!
LATTER. Did you ever hear the story of Faust?
KEITH. Now look here, John; with all due respect to your cloth, and all
the politeness in the world, you may go to-blazes.
LATTER. Well, I must say, Ronny--of all the rude boors----[He turns
towards the billiard-room.]
KEITH. Sorry I smashed the glass, old chap.
LATTER passes out. There comes a mingled sound through the opened
door, of female voices, laughter, and the click of billiard balls, dipped
of by the sudden closing of the door.
KEITH. [Impersonally] Deuced odd, the way a parson puts one's back
up! Because you know I agree with him really; young Dunning ought
to play the game; and I hope Sir William'll make him.
The butler JACKSON has entered from the door under the stairs
followed by the keeper STUDDENHAM, a man between fifty and sixty,
in a full-skirted coat with big pockets, cord breeches, and gaiters; he
has a steady self respecting weathered face, with blue eyes and a short
grey beard, which has obviously once been red.
KEITH. Hullo! Studdenham!
STUDDENHAM. [Touching his forehead] Evenin', Captain Keith.
JACKSON. Sir William still in the dining-room with Mr. Bill, sir?
HAROLD. [With a grimace] He is, Jackson.
JACKSON goes out to the dining-room.
KEITH. You've shot no pheasants yet, Studdenham?
STUDDENHAM. No, Sir. Only birds. We'll be doin' the spinneys and
the home covert while you're down.
KEITH. I say, talkin' of spinneys----
He breaks off sharply, and goes out with HAROLD into the
billiard-room. SIR WILLIAM enters from the dining-room, applying a
gold toothpick to his front teeth.
SIR WILLIAM. Ah! Studdenham. Bad business this, about young
Dunning!
STUDDENHAM. Yes, Sir William.
SIR WILLIAM. He definitely refuses to marry her?
STUDDENHAM. He does that.

SIR WILLIAM. That won't do, you know. What reason does he give?
STUDDENHAM. Won't say other than that he don't want no more to
do with her.
SIR WILLIAM. God bless me! That's not a reason. I can't have a
keeper of mine playing fast and loose in the village like this. [Turning
to LADY CHESHIRE, who has come in from the billiard-room] That
affair of young Dunning's, my dear.
LADY CHESHIRE. Oh! Yes! I'm so sorry, Studdenham. The poor girl!
STUDDENHAM. [Respectfully] Fancy he's got a feeling she's not his
equal, now, my lady.
LADY CHESHIRE. [To herself] Yes, I suppose he has made her his
superior.
SIR WILLIAM. What? Eh! Quite! Quite! I was just telling
Studdenham the fellow must set the matter straight. We can't have open
scandals in the village. If he wants to keep his place he must marry her
at once.
LADY CHESHIRE. [To her husband in a low voice] Is it right to force
them? Do you know what the girl wishes, Studdenham?
STUDDENHAM. Shows a spirit, my lady--says she'll have him--willin'
or not.
LADY CHESHIRE. A spirit? I see. If they marry like that they're sure
to be miserable.
SIR WILLIAM. What! Doesn't follow at all. Besides, my dear, you
ought to know by this time, there's an unwritten law in these matters.
They're perfectly well aware that when there are consequences, they
have to take them.
STUDDENHAM. Some o' these young people, my lady, they don't put
two and two together no more than an old cock pheasant.
SIR WILLIAM. I'll give him till to-morrow. If he remains obstinate,
he'll have to go; he'll get no character, Studdenham. Let him know what
I've said. I like the fellow, he's a good keeper. I don't want to lose him.
But this sort of thing I won't have. He must toe the mark or take himself
off. Is he up here to-night?
STUDDENHAM. Hangin' partridges, Sir William. Will you have him
in?
SIR WILLIAM. [Hesitating] Yes--yes. I'll see him.
STUDDENHAM. Good-night to you, my lady.

LADY CHESHIRE. Freda's not looking well, Studdenham.
STUDDENHAM. She's a bit pernickitty with her food, that's where it
is.
LADY CHESHIRE. I must try and make her eat.
SIR WILLIAM. Oh! Studdenham. We'll shoot the home