The Squire | Page 9

Kate goes to Eric R. C.--to Eric) Do you know this Morris?
{Eric.} Yes.
{Kate.} What kind of man is he?
{Fel.} (at door L.) Christie!
{Eric.} The biggest scoundrel in the regiment. (Christiana appears at door L.)
{Chris.} (to Fel.) Who are you?
{Fel.} I'm Gunnion's daughter.
{Chris.} (frowning) Who told you to call "Christie"?
{Eric.} (to Kate) Poor little woman--do her a good turn, (strolls off R., 1, E.)
(Kate sits on stone R., C.)
{Kate.} Felicity! (Fel. comes to her--Kate passes across in front of her to R., Felicity kneels, Chris. watches them with a dark look from door L., Gun. and Dor. look on from up stage) Would you like to be my little maid, and brush my hair, and lace my dresses for me?
(Fel. kneels beside Kate on her R.) And sing to me when I'm lonely?
{Fel.} Oh, Squire! And I can darn, and mend, and mark, and I can read, and, Squire--
{Kate.} Well?
{Fel.} Will you let me tell you all about Tom Morris?
{Kate.} Perhaps. Christie! (gives her a key from chatelaine. Chris, L., C.) Felicity Gunnion is coming to live with us, and to be my little maid. Take her up stairs, and give her the small room above mine.
(Felicity rises and goes R., C.)
{Chris.} I beg your pardon, Squire, but I have been good enough to wait on you since you were that high. What's wrong with me now?
{Kate.} Wrong, Christie? Only that you're an industrious, hard-working girl, and deserve a help-mate.
{Chris.} (tugging at her apron impetuously) I don't want a helpmate. I want all you, Squire. We were children together, you and me, mistress and maid. Don't halve your heart now, Squire. I can't bear it.
{Kate.} (rises) My heart's large enough, Christie, for all folks.
{Chris.} (biting her lips) I can't help what I'm saying. I won't bear it.
{Kate.} Hush, hush! Take the child upstairs and don't be silly, (goes up to Gun. and Dor.)
{Chris.} (crosses to Fel. C.--in an undertone to Fel.) You're the girl that they say is in love with a soldier, aren't you?
{Fel.} Yes, miss.
{Chris.} A soldier! That's why the Squire has gushed over you, isn't it?
{Fel.} No, miss.
{Chris.} (contemptuously) "No, miss!" (shaking her finger at Fel.) Now listen to one word from me. You get wed to your common soldier as soon as you can hook him, do you hear?
{Fel.} Why?
{Chris.} Because as long as you're in this house, there's mischief and bad blood in it, upon my soul there is! Come along and see your bedroom. (She seizes Fel. by the arm, and takes her up the steps into the house, pushing her in front of her --Gun. and Kate come down.)
{Gun.} (L. C.) Well, I'm mightily obliged to you, Squire. I'll bring the brat's box down to-night, that I will.
{Kate.} (R. C.) Do, Gunnion. Are you thirsty?
{Gun.} Thirsty! I'm perishing for a drop o' drink.
{Kate.} Get it for yourself. (Gun. crosses to L. door) And, Gunnion, (Gun. turns) Milk!
{Gun.} Milk?
{Kate.} No ale till to-morrow night.
{Gun.} I'm the father of thirteen, I am. I ain't got a tooth to my yead. Did I understand you, Squire, to say milk?
{Kate.} Yes, milk, (joins Dormer in archway)
(Eric saunters on from R., 1 e., sits on seat R., looks at Kate's book for a moment.)
{Gun.} (downcast) Milk! Oh!
(He goes off door L.)
{Dormer.} (up stage with Kate) Will you walk towards Market-Sinfield, Mr. Thorndyke?
{Eric.}. (on seat r.) Not yet, parson, thanks.
{Dormer.} (turning away) Pah!
{Kate.} (stopping him) You will come to the Harvest Supper, Parson Dormer, won't you?
{Dormer.} (looking at Eric) No.
{Kate.} And smoke your clay pipe like father used to?
{Dormer.} (looking at Kate) Perhaps, (he goes off through archway, to L.)
(Kate watches him through archway till he has disappeared, then she comes softly to door L., listens for a moment and sees that it is closed. She then crosses to R., C., gives a glance at the house, and runs to Eric's side. Eric puts his arms round her, and kisses her fondly. Music ceases.)
{Kate.} Dear old Eric! (kneeling)
{Eric.} My darling wife!
{Kate.} Hush! you noisy fellow. Whisper it, there's a good boy, now. (she bends her head, he whispers)
{Eric.} (softly) Wife!
{Kate.} (takes her wedding ring from her purse, and gives it to him) Place my ring upon my finger, Eric, for a moment. (He slips the ring on her finger and kisses her hand. Pressing the ring to her lips) I have so much in my heart to tell you. Oh, husband, storm-clouds, storm-clouds!
{Eric.} Let them break, Kate. Love is a good substantial umbrella.
{Kate.} A gingham, dear, a gingham. They are talking in Market-Sinfield about me.
{Eric.} I envy them their topic.
{Kate.} I can't bear it, Eric. What shall I do?
{Eric.} The yokels mustn't see me here so frequently, that's all.
{Kate.} (rises) To stop their tongues and break my heart. Eric, turn your back to me, I've something to say to you.