第17章

[They begin walking together up and down.]

WELLWYN.Beastly when your head goes under?

MRS.MEGAN.Yes.It frightened me.I thought I wouldn't come up again.

WELLWYN.I know--sort of world without end, wasn't it? What did you think of, um?

MRS.MEGAN.I wished I 'adn't jumped--an' I thought of my baby--that died--and--[in a rather surprised voice] and I thought of d-dancin'.

[Her mouth quivers, her face puckers, she gives a choke and a little sob.

WELLWYN.[Stopping and stroking her.] There, there--there!

[For a moment her face is buried in his sleeve, then she recovers herself.

MRS.MEGAN.Then 'e got hold o' me, an' pulled me out.

WELLWYN.Ah! what a comfort--um?

MRS.MEGAN.Yes.The water got into me mouth.

[They walk again.] I wouldn't have gone to do it but for him.

[She looks towards FERRAND.] His talk made me feel all funny, as if people wanted me to.

WELLWYN.My dear child! Don't think such things! As if anyone would--!

MRS.MEGAN.[Stolidly.] I thought they did.They used to look at me so sometimes, where I was before I ran away--I couldn't stop there, you know.

WELLWYN.Too cooped-up?

MRS.MEGAN.Yes.No life at all, it wasn't--not after sellin'

flowers, I'd rather be doin' what I am.

WELLWYN.Ah! Well-it's all over, now! How d'you feel--eh?

Better?

MRS.MEGAN.Yes.I feels all right now.

[She sits up again on the little stool before the fire.]

WELLWYN.No shivers, and no aches; quite comfy?

MRS.MEGAN.Yes.

WELLWYN.That's a blessing.All well, now, Constable--thank you!

CONSTABLE.[Who has remained discreetly apart at the door-cordially.] First rate, sir! That's capital! [He approaches and scrutinises MRS.MEGAN.] Right as rain, eh, my girl?

MRS.MEGAN.[Shrinking a little.] Yes.

CONSTABLE.That's fine.Then I think perhaps, for 'er sake, sir, the sooner we move on and get her a change o' clothin', the better.

WELLWYN.Oh! don't bother about that--I'll send round for my daughter--we'll manage for her here.

CONSTABLE.Very kind of you, I'm sure, sir.But [with embarrassment] she seems all right.She'll get every attention at the station.

WELLWYN.But I assure you, we don't mind at all; we'll take the greatest care of her.

CONSTABLE.[Still more embarrassed.] Well, sir, of course, I'm thinkin' of--I'm afraid I can't depart from the usual course.

WELLWYN.[Sharply.] What! But-oh! No! No! That'll be all right, Constable! That'll be all right! I assure you.

CONSTABLE.[With more decision.] I'll have to charge her, sir.

WELLWYN.Good God! You don't mean to say the poor little thing has got to be--CONSTABLE.[Consulting with him.] Well, sir, we can't get over the facts, can we? There it is! You know what sooicide amounts to--it's an awkward job.

WELLWYN.[Calming himself with an effort.] But look here, Constable, as a reasonable man-- This poor wretched little girl--you know what that life means better than anyone! Why! It's to her credit to try and jump out of it!

[The CONSTABLE shakes his head.]

WELLWYN.You said yourself her best friends couldn't wish her better! [Dropping his voice still more.] Everybody feels it! The Vicar was here a few minutes ago saying the very same thing--the Vicar, Constable! [The CONSTABLE shakes his head.] Ah! now, look here, I know something of her.Nothing can be done with her.We all admit it.Don't you see? Well, then hang it--you needn't go and make fools of us all by--FERRAND.Monsieur, it is the first of April.

CONSTABLE.[With a sharp glance at him.] Can't neglect me duty, sir; that's impossible.

WELLWYN.Look here! She--slipped.She's been telling me.Come, Constable, there's a good fellow.May be the making of her, this.

CONSTABLE.I quite appreciate your good 'eart, sir, an' you make it very 'ard for me--but, come now! I put it to you as a gentleman, would you go back on yer duty if you was me?

[WELLWYN raises his hat, and plunges his fingers through and through his hair.]

WELLWYN.Well! God in heaven! Of all the d--d topsy--turvy--!

Not a soul in the world wants her alive--and now she's to be prosecuted for trying to be where everyone wishes her.

CONSTABLE.Come, sir, come! Be a man!

[Throughout all this MRS.MEGAN has sat stolidly before the fire, but as FERRAND suddenly steps forward she looks up at him.]

FERRAND.Do not grieve, Monsieur! This will give her courage.