第5章

Before noon a few days later.The open windows of the dining-room let in the sunlight.On the table a number of newspapers are littered.HELEN is sitting there, staring straight before her.A newspaper boy runs by outside calling out his wares.At the sound she gets up anti goes out on to the terrace.HUBERTenters from the hall.He goes at once to the terrace, and draws HELEN into the room.

HELEN.Is it true--what they're shouting?

HUBERT.Yes.Worse than we thought.They got our men all crumpled up in the Pass--guns helpless.Ghastly beginning.

HELEN.Oh, Hubert!

HUBERT.My dearest girl!

HELEN puts her face up to his.He kisses her.Then she turns quickly into the bay window.The door from the hall has been opened, and the footman, HENRY, comes in, preceding WREFORD and his sweetheart.

HENRY.Just wait here, will you, while I let Mrs.More know.

[Catching sight of HUBERT] Beg pardon, sir!

HUBERT.All right, Henry.[Off-hand] Ah! Wreford! [The FOOTMANwithdraws] So you've brought her round.That's good! My sister'll look after her--don't you worry! Got everything packed? Three o'clock sharp.

WREFORD.[A broad faced soldier, dressed in khaki with a certain look of dry humour, now dimmed-speaking with a West Country burr]

That's right, zurr; all's ready.

HELEN has come out of the window, and is quietly looking at WREFORD and the girl standing there so awkwardly.

HELEN.[Quietly] Take care of him, Wreford.

HUBERT.We'll take care of each other, won't we, Wreford?

HELEN.How long have you been engaged?

THE GIRL.[A pretty, indeterminate young woman] Six months.[She sobs suddenly.]

HELEN.Ah! He'll soon be safe back.

WREFORD.I'll owe 'em for this.[In a lacy voice to her] Don't 'ee now! Don't 'ee!

HELEN.No! Don't cry, please!

She stands struggling with her own lips, then goes out on to the terrace, HUBERT following.WREFORD and his girl remain where they were, strange and awkward, she muffling her sobs.

WREFORD.Don't 'ee go on like that, Nance; I'll 'ave to take you 'ome.That's silly, now we've a-come.I might be dead and buried by the fuss you're makin'.You've a-drove the lady away.See!

She regains control of herself as the door is opened and KATHERINE appears, accompanied by OLIVE, who regards WREFORDwith awe and curiosity, and by NURSE, whose eyes are red, but whose manner is composed.

KATHERINE.My brother told me; so glad you've brought her.

WREFORD.Ye--as, M'.She feels me goin', a bit.

KATHERINE.Yes, yes! Still, it's for the country, isn't it?

THE GIRL.That's what Wreford keeps tellin' me.He've got to go--so it's no use upsettin' 'im.And of course I keep tellin' him I shall be all right.

NURSE.[Whose eyes never leave her son's face] And so you will.

THE GIRL.Wreford thought it'd comfort him to know you were interested in me.'E's so 'ot-headed I'm sure somethin'll come to 'im.

KATHERINE.We've all got some one going.Are you coming to the docks?We must send them off in good spirits, you know.

OLIVE.Perhaps he'll get a medal.

KATHERINE.Olive!

NURSE.You wouldn't like for him to be hanging back, one of them anti-patriot, stop-the-war ones.

KATHERINE.[Quickly] Let me see--I have your address.[Holding out her hand to WREFORD] We'll look after her.

OLIVE.[In a loud whisper] Shall I lend him my toffee?

KATHERINE.If you like, dear.[To WREFORD] Now take care of my brother and yourself, and we'll take care of her.

WREFORD.Ye--as, M'.

He then looks rather wretchedly at his girl, as if the interview had not done so much for him as he had hoped.She drops a little curtsey.WREFORD salutes.

OLIVE.[Who has taken from the bureau a packet, places it in his hand] It's very nourishing!

WREFORD.Thank you, miss.

Then, nudging each other, and entangled in their feelings and the conventions, they pass out, shepherded by NURSE.

KATHERINE.Poor things!

OLIVE.What is an anti-patriot, stop-the-war one, Mummy?

KATHERINE.[Taking up a newspaper] Just a stupid name, dear--don't chatter!

OLIVE.But tell me just one weeny thing!

KATHERINE.Well?

OLIVE.Is Daddy one?

KATHERINE.Olive! How much do you know about this war?

OLIVE.They won't obey us properly.So we have to beat them, and take away their country.We shall, shan't we?

KATHERINE.Yes.But Daddy doesn't want us to; he doesn't think it fair, and he's been saying so.People are very angry with him.

OLIVE.Why isn't it fair? I suppose we're littler than them.

KATHERINE.No.

OLIVE.Oh! in history we always are.And we always win.That's why I like history.Which are you for, Mummy--us or them?

KATHERINE.Us.

OLIVE.Then I shall have to be.It's a pity we're not on the same side as Daddy.[KATHERINE shudders] Will they hurt him for not taking our side?

KATHERINE.I expect they will, Olive.

OLIVE.Then we shall have to be extra nice to him.

KATHERINE.If we can.

OLIVE.I can; I feel like it.

HELEN and HUBERT have returned along the terrace.Seeing KATHERINE and the child, HELEN passes on, but HUBERT comes in at the French window.

OLIVE.[Catching sight of him-softly] Is Uncle Hubert going to the front to-day? [KATHERINE nods] But not grandfather?

KATHERINE.No, dear.

OLIVE.That's lucky for them, isn't it?

HUBERT comes in.The presence of the child give him self-control.

HUBERT.Well, old girl, it's good-bye.[To OLIVE] What shall Ibring you back, chick?

OLIVE.Are there shops at the front? I thought it was dangerous.

HUBERT.Not a bit.

OLIVE.[Disillusioned] Oh!

KATHERINE.Now, darling, give Uncle a good hug.

[Under cover of OLIVE's hug, KATHERINE repairs her courage.]

KATHERINE.The Dad and I'll be with you all in spirit.Good-bye, old boy!

They do not dare to kiss, and HUBERT goes out very stiff and straight, in the doorway passing STEEL, of whom he takes no notice.STEEL hesitates, and would go away.

KATHERINE.Come in, Mr.Steel.

STEEL.The deputation from Toulmin ought to be here, Mrs.More.

It's twelve.

OLIVE.[Having made a little ball of newspaper-slyly] Mr.Steel, catch!

[She throws, and STEEL catches it in silence.]

KATHERINE.Go upstairs, won't you, darling?