The Third Series Plays

The Third Series Plays, Complete

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Title: The Third Series Plays, Complete
Author: John Galsworthy
Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5057] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 11,
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Edition: 10
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THIRD
SERIES PLAYS BY GALSWORTHY ***
This eBook was produced by David Widger

THE THIRD SERIES PLAYS, Complete
By John Galsworthy
Contents: The Fugitive The Pigeon The Mob

THE FUGITIVE
A Play in Four Acts
By John Galsworthy

PERSONS OF THE PLAY
GEORGE DEDMOND, a civilian CLARE, his wife GENERAL SIR
CHARLES DEDMOND, K.C.B., his father. LADY DEDMOND, his
mother REGINALD HUNTINGDON, Clare's brother EDWARD
FULLARTON, her friend DOROTHY FULLARTON, her friend
PAYNTER, a manservant BURNEY, a maid TWISDEN, a solicitor
HAYWOOD, a tobacconist MALISE, a writer MRS. MILER, his
caretaker THE PORTER at his lodgings A BOY messenger ARNAUD,
a waiter at "The Gascony" MR. VARLEY, manager of "The Gascony"
TWO LADIES WITH LARGE HATS, A LADY AND GENTLEMAN,
A LANGUID LORD, HIS COMPANION, A YOUNG MAN, A
BLOND GENTLEMAN, A DARK GENTLEMAN.

ACT I. George Dedmond's Flat. Evening.
ACT II. The rooms of Malise. Morning.
ACT III. SCENE I. The rooms of Malice. Late afternoon.
SCENE II. The rooms of Malise. Early Afternoon.
ACT IV. A small supper room at "The Gascony."

Between Acts I and II three nights elapse.

Between Acts II and Act III, Scene I, three months.
Between Act III, Scene I, and Act III, Scene II, three months.
Between Act III, Scene II, and Act IV, six months.

"With a hey-ho chivy Hark forrard, hark forrard, tantivy!"

ACT I
The SCENE is the pretty drawing-room of a flat. There are two doors,
one open into the hall, the other shut and curtained. Through a large
bay window, the curtains of which are not yet drawn, the towers of
Westminster can be seen darkening in a summer sunset; a grand piano
stands across one corner. The man-servant PAYNTER, clean-shaven
and discreet, is arranging two tables for Bridge.
BURNEY, the maid, a girl with one of those flowery Botticellian faces
only met with in England, comes in through the curtained door, which
she leaves open, disclosing the glimpse of a white wall. PAYNTER
looks up at her; she shakes her head, with an expression of concern.
PAYNTER. Where's she gone?
BURNEY. Just walks about, I fancy.
PAYNTER. She and the Governor don't hit it! One of these days she'll
flit--you'll see. I like her--she's a lady; but these thoroughbred 'uns--it's
their skin and their mouths. They'll go till they drop if they like the job,
and if they don't, it's nothing but jib--jib--jib. How was it down there
before she married him?
BURNEY. Oh! Quiet, of course.
PAYNTER. Country homes--I know 'em. What's her father, the old
Rector, like?
BURNEY. Oh! very steady old man. The mother dead long before I
took the place.
PAYNTER. Not a penny, I suppose?
BURNEY. [Shaking her head] No; and seven of them.
PAYNTER. [At sound of the hall door] The Governor!
BURNEY withdraws through the curtained door.
GEORGE DEDMOND enters from the hall. He is in evening dress,
opera hat, and overcoat; his face is broad, comely, glossily shaved, but
with neat moustaches. His eyes, clear, small, and blue-grey, have little
speculation. His hair is well brushed.

GEORGE. [Handing PAYNTER his coat and hat] Look here, Paynter!
When I send up from the Club for my dress things, always put in a
black waistcoat as well.
PAYNTER. I asked the mistress, sir.
GEORGE. In future--see?
PAYNTER. Yes, sir. [Signing towards the window] Shall I leave the
sunset, sir?
But GEORGE has crossed to the curtained door; he opens it and says:
"Clare!" Receiving no answer, he goes in.