The Thirteenth Chair | Page 3

going to be married: isn't it fine?
WALES. Oh!
(There is a long pause.)
WILLIAM. You don't congratulate us, Mr. Wales.
WALES. No, Will, I don't. I'm not sure that I can. (Down stage a step.)
CROSBY. Why, Ned?
WILLIAM. I'm afraid that calls for an explanation.
WALES. Yes, I expect that it does.
(There is a long pause.)
WILLIAM. Well?
WALES. I'm sorry, but I can't explain anything until to-morrow.
MRS. CROSBY. But really, Mr. Wales, don't you think--
WALES. I think my action is almost indefensible. I'm admitting that. But I have very good reasons for what I am doing. (He turns to CROSBY.) Roscoe, I've been your close friend for a great many years. You've trusted me and believed in me. I'm going to ask you to wait. After all, twenty-four hours can't make any difference, and it may save you all a great deal of unhappiness.
WILLIAM (coming to WALES a step). This is intolerable.
CROSBY. Ned, I can't understand--
WILLIAM. Father, this is my affair.
WALES. I'm sorry.
WILLIAM. Sorry? I should think you would be.
HELEN. Billy, I told you what would happen. Mr. Wales, I don't know what you have discovered. But it's nothing of which I am ashamed, nothing.
WILLIAM. Dear, you mustn't mind what he says.
HELEN (crossing in front of WILLIAM and moving a few steps towards WALES). Oh, but I do, I can't bear it. Why, my mother is the most wonderful woman in the world. I won't have her attacked. Do you know what she did? When I was ten years old she sent me away from her. I was the one thing she had in the world to love and she gave me up because she thought--because she thought it was the best thing she could do for me. I was sent to a fine school, then to college, and then when I was nineteen, quite by accident, I found out that she wasn't dead, as they'd always told me, and when I went to her all she said was, "Well, my dear, I wanted to make a lady of you."
(Turns to WILLIAM C. He takes her in his arms, then HELEN moves over to R. of him.)
MRS. CROSBY (in front of table R.). I think she succeeded, my dear.
WALES (L.C.). Miss O'Neill, I didn't even know that you had a mother.
WILLIAM (C.). Then you'd better tell us now whatever your objection is.
WALES. I can tell you nothing until to-morrow. (He turns to WILLIAM.) Billy, I'd rather be shot than do what I'm doing. If I'm wrong I'll come to you gladly and eat dirt. I'll beg this young lady's pardon, on my knees if she likes. (Voices and laughter heard off L.) Now that's all I'm going to say about it until then. (Moves up L.)
(The door L. opens. MARY EASTWOOD, HELEN TRENT, ELIZABETH ERSKINE, GRACE STANDISH, HOWARD STANDISH, PHILIP MASON and BRADDISH TRENT enter laughing and talking.)
MISS EASTWOOD (at L.C. To crowd in doorway). And he said whose wife?
(All laugh.)
WILLIAM (C. HELEN in front of table R.). Quiet, quiet, everybody. I've got a surprise for you.
(From the people at the door come laughter and buzz of conversation.)
Nellie and I are going to be married.
(Girls rush C. and congratulate HELEN. Men and WILLIAM L.C. Business ad lib., congratulating him.)
MISS EASTWOOD (coming to WILLIAM C.). If you hadn't been engaged to her, she could have you arrested for the way you made eyes at her at dinner, Billy. But of course, if people will marry--why--(She turns away R.) I hope you will be awfully happy. (Crosses to MR. and MRS. CROSBY down R.)
MISS ERSKINE (coming to WILLIAM). Isn't it beautiful? (Moves up to L. of chesterfield sofa.)
MRS. TRENT (crossing to WILLIAM and kissing him). I'm glad, Billy, glad.
(Moves over to STANDISH, who is down L. with TRENT. MISS STANDISH moves to front of table R.)
(WILLIAM and HELEN look around--see that no one is paying attention to them--WILLIAM sneaks up to door R.C., opens it and he and HELEN exit quickly. MRS. CROSBY, MR. CROSBY and MISS EASTWOOD are in front of the table R.C. TRENT, STANDISH, MRS. TRENT, MASON talking together over L. WALES up L. Conversation ad lib. until MISS EASTWOOD speaks.)
MISS EASTWOOD (to MRS. CROSBY). Marriage is such an awful gamble. I know a girl who tried it four times. Billy, I do hope you-- (Turning to C., where WILLIAM was standing.) Why, they are gone!
(Laughter and buzz of conversation ad lib.)
(Miss EASTWOOD runs up to door R.C., opens it--looks in dining-room--gives a scream--closes door quickly, comes to right end of chesterfield. TRENT goes to console table L. of chesterfield, gets cigarette, lights it, and crosses to C. back of chesterfield in front of fireplace. STANDISH and MRS. TRENT move to table L. of chesterfield. WALES and MISS ERSKINE sit on chesterfield facing audience up C. MRS. CROSBY is still at upper end of table