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Title:Exiles

Author:JamesJoyce

ReleaseDate:November12,2017[EBook#55945]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKEXILES***

ProducedbyMennodeLeeuw

Exi l e s

APlayinThreeActs

ByJamesJoyce

Contents

FirstAct

SecondAct

ThirdAct

CharactersRICHARDROWAN,awriter.BERTHA.ARCHIE,theirson,agedeightyears.ROBERTHAND,journalist.BEATRICEJUSTICE,hiscousin,musicteacher.BRIGID,anoldservantoftheRowanfamily.AFISHWOMAN.

AtMerrionandRanelagh,suburbsofDublin.Summeroftheyear1912.

FirstAct

ThedrawingroominRichardRowan’shouseatMerrion,asuburbofDublin.Onthe right, forward, a fireplace, before which stands a low screen. Over themantelpiece a giltframed glass. Further back in the right wall, folding doorsleadingto theparlourandkitchen.In thewallat thebackto therightasmalldoorleadingtoastudy.Leftofthisasideboard.Onthewallabovethesideboarda framedcrayondrawingof a youngman.More to the left doubledoorswithglasspanelsleadingouttothegarden.Inthewallattheleftawindowlookingouton the road.Forward in the samewalladoor leading to thehall and theupperpartofthehouse.Betweenthewindowanddooralady’sdavenportstandsagainstthewall.Nearitawickerchair.Inthecentreoftheroomaroundtable.Chairs, upholstered in faded green plush, stand round the table. To the right,forward,asmallertablewithasmokingserviceonit.Nearitaneasychairandalounge.Cocoanutmatsliebeforethefireplace,besidetheloungeandbeforethedoors. The floor is of stained planking.The double doors at the back and thefolding doors at the right have lace curtains, which are drawn halfway. Thelower sash of the window is lifted and the window is hung with heavy green

plushcurtains.Theblindispulleddowntotheedgeoftheliftedlowersash.Itisa warm afternoon in June and the room is filled with soft sunlight which iswaning.

[BRIGIDandBEATRICEJUSTICEcomeinbythedoorontheleft.BRIGIDisanelderlywoman, lowsized,with irongreyhair.BEATRICE JUSTICE is a slenderdark youngwoman of 27 years. She wears a wellmade navyblue costume and an elegantsimplytrimmedblackstrawhat,andcarriesasmallportfolioshapedhandbag.]

BRIGID.ThemistressandMasterArchieisatthebath.Theyneverexpectedyou.Didyousendwordyouwereback,MissJustice?

BEATRICE.No.Iarrivedjustnow.

BRIGID.[Pointstotheeasychair.]SitdownandI’lltellthemasteryouarehere.Wereyoulonginthetrain?

BEATRICE.[Sittingdown.]Sincemorning.

BRIGID.MasterArchie got your postcardwith the views ofYoughal.You’re tired out,I’msure.

BEATRICE.O, no. [She coughs rather nervously.] Did he practise the piano while I wasaway?

BRIGID.[Laughsheartily.]Practice,howareyou!IsitMasterArchie?Heismadafterthemilkman’shorsenow.Hadyouniceweatherdownthere,MissJustice?

BEATRICE.Ratherwet,Ithink.

BRIGID.[Sympathetically.] Look at that now. And there is rain overhead too. [Movingtowardsthestudy.]I’lltellhimyouarehere.

BEATRICE.

IsMrRowanin?

BRIGID.[Points.]He is in his study.He iswearing himself out about something he iswriting.Uphalfthenighthedoesbe.[Going.]I’llcallhim.

BEATRICE.Don’t disturb him,Brigid. I canwait here till they come back if they are notlong.

BRIGID.AndIsawsomethingintheletterboxwhenIwaslettingyouin.[Shecrossestothestudydoor,opensitslightlyandcalls.]MasterRichard,MissJusticeishereforMasterArchie’slesson.

[RICHARD ROWAN comes in from the study and advances towards BEATRICE,holdingouthishand.Heisatallathleticyoungmanofaratherlazycarriage.Hehas lightbrownhairandamoustacheandwearsglasses.He isdressed inlooselightgreytweed.]

RICHARD.Welcome.

BEATRICE.[Risesand shakeshands, blushing slightly.]Good afternoon,MrRowan. I didnotwantBrigidtodisturbyou.

RICHARD.Disturbme?Mygoodness!

BRIGID.Thereissomethingintheletterbox,sir.

RICHARD.[Takesasmallbunchofkeysfromhispocketandhandsthemtoher.]Here.

[BRIGIDgoesoutbythedoorattheleftandisheardopeningandclosingthebox.Ashortpause.Sheenterswithtwonewspapersinherhands.]

RICHARD.Letters?

BRIGID.No,sir.OnlythemItaliannewspapers.

RICHARD.Leavethemonmydesk,willyou?

[BRIGIDhandshimbackthekeys,leavesthenewspapersinthestudy,comesoutagainandgoesoutbythefoldingdoorsontheright.]

RICHARD.Please,sitdown.Berthawillbebackinamoment.

[BEATRICEsitsdownagainintheeasychair.RICHARDsitsbesidethetable.]

RICHARD.Ihadbegun to thinkyouwouldnever comeback. It is twelvedays sinceyouwerehere.

BEATRICE.Ithoughtofthattoo.ButIhavecome.

RICHARD.HaveyouthoughtoverwhatItoldyouwhenyouwereherelast?

BEATRICE.Verymuch.

RICHARD.Youmusthaveknownitbefore.Didyou?[Shedoesnotanswer.]Doyoublameme?

BEATRICE.No.

RICHARD.DoyouthinkIhaveactedtowardsyou—badly?No?Ortowardsanyone?

BEATRICE.[Looksathimwithasadpuzzledexpression.]Ihaveaskedmyselfthatquestion.

RICHARD.Andtheanswer?

BEATRICE.Icouldnotanswerit.

RICHARD.IfIwereapainterandtoldyouIhadabookofsketchesofyouyouwouldnot

thinkitsostrange,wouldyou?

BEATRICE.Itisnotquitethesamecase,isit?

RICHARD.[Smilesslightly.]Notquite.ItoldyoualsothatIwouldnotshowyouwhatIhadwrittenunlessyouaskedtoseeit.Well?

BEATRICE.Iwillnotaskyou.

RICHARD.[Leans forward,restinghiselbowsonhisknees,hishands joined.]Wouldyouliketoseeit?

BEATRICE.Verymuch.

RICHARD.Becauseitisaboutyourself?

BEATRICE.Yes.Butnotonlythat.

RICHARD.Because it is written by me? Yes? Even if what you would find there issometimescruel?

BEATRICE.[Shyly.]Thatispartofyourmind,too.

RICHARD.Thenitismymindthatattractsyou?Isthatit?

BEATRICE.[Hesitating,glancesathimforaninstant.]WhydoyouthinkIcomehere?

RICHARD.Why?Many reasons. To giveArchie lessons.We have known one another somanyyears,fromchildhood,Robert,youandI—haven’twe?Youhavealwaysbeeninterestedinme,beforeIwentawayandwhileIwasaway.Thenourletterstoeachotheraboutmybook.Nowitispublished.Iamhereagain.Perhapsyoufeel that some new thing is gathering inmy brain; perhaps you feel that you

shouldknowit.Isthatthereason?

BEATRICE.No.

RICHARD.Why,then?

BEATRICE.OtherwiseIcouldnotseeyou.

[Shelooksathimforamomentandthenturnsasidequickly.]

RICHARD.[Afterapauserepeatsuncertainly.]Otherwiseyoucouldnotseeme?

BEATRICE.[Suddenlyconfused.] I had better go. They are not coming back. [Rising.]MrRowan,Imustgo.

RICHARD.[Extending his arms.] But you are running away. Remain. Tell mewhat yourwordsmean.Areyouafraidofme?

BEATRICE.[Sinksbackagain.]Afraid?No.

RICHARD.Haveyouconfidenceinme?Doyoufeelthatyouknowme?

BEATRICE.[Againshyly.]Itishardtoknowanyonebutoneself.

RICHARD.Hard toknowme? I sent you fromRome the chaptersofmybookas Iwrotethem;andlettersforninelongyears.Well,eightyears.

BEATRICE.Yes,itwasnearlyayearbeforeyourfirstlettercame.

RICHARD.Itwasansweredatoncebyyou.Andfromthatonyouhavewatchedmeinmystruggle. [Joins his hands earnestly.] Tell me, Miss Justice, did you feel thatwhatyoureadwaswrittenforyoureyes?Orthatyouinspiredme?

BEATRICE.[Shakesherhead.]Ineednotanswerthatquestion.

RICHARD.Whatthen?

BEATRICE.[Issilentforamoment.]Icannotsayit.Youyourselfmustaskme,MrRowan.

RICHARD.[Withsomevehemence.]ThenthatIexpressedinthosechaptersandletters,andinmycharacterandlifeaswell,somethinginyoursoulwhichyoucouldnot—prideorscorn?

BEATRICE.Couldnot?

RICHARD.[Leanstowardsher.]Couldnotbecauseyoudarednot.Isthatwhy?

BEATRICE.[Bendsherhead.]Yes.

RICHARD.Onaccountofothersorforwantofcourage—which?

BEATRICE.[Softly.]Courage.

RICHARD.[Slowly.]Andsoyouhavefollowedmewithprideandscornalsoinyourheart?

BEATRICE.Andloneliness.

[She leans her head on her hand, averting her face.RICHARD rises andwalksslowly to the window on the left. He looks out for some moments and thenreturnstowardsher,crossestotheloungeandsitsdownnearher.]

RICHARD.Doyoulovehimstill?

BEATRICE.Idonotevenknow.

RICHARD.Itwas that thatmademesoreservedwithyou—then—eventhoughI feltyourinterestinme,eventhoughIfeltthatItoowassomethinginyourlife.

BEATRICE.Youwere.

RICHARD.Yet that separatedme fromyou. Iwasa thirdperson, I felt.Yournameswerealways spoken together, Robert and Beatrice, as long as I can remember. Itseemedtome,toeveryone...

BEATRICE.Wearefirstcousins.Itisnotstrangethatwewereoftentogether.

RICHARD.Hetoldmeofyoursecretengagementwithhim.Hehadnosecretsfromme;Isupposeyouknowthat.

BEATRICE.[Uneasily.]Whathappened—betweenus—issolongago.Iwasachild.

RICHARD.[Smilesmaliciously.]Achild?Areyousure?Itwasinthegardenofhismother’shouse.No?[Hepointstowardsthegarden.]Overthere.Youplightedyourtroth,astheysay,withakiss.Andyougavehimyourgarter.Isitallowedtomentionthat?

BEATRICE.[Withsomereserve.]Ifyouthinkitworthyofmention.

RICHARD.I think you have not forgotten it. [Clasping his hands quietly.] I do notunderstand it. I thought, too, that after I had gone... Didmy goingmake yousuffer?

BEATRICE.Ialwaysknewyouwouldgosomeday.Ididnotsuffer;onlyIwaschanged.

RICHARD.Towardshim?

BEATRICE.

Everythingwaschanged.Hislife,hismind,even,seemedtochangeafterthat.

RICHARD.[Musing.]Yes.IsawthatyouhadchangedwhenIreceivedyourfirstletterafterayear;afteryourillness,too.Youevensaidsoinyourletter.

BEATRICE.Itbroughtmeneartodeath.Itmademeseethingsdifferently.

RICHARD.Andsoacoldnessbeganbetweenyou,littlebylittle.Isthatit?

BEATRICE.[Halfclosinghereyes.]No.Notatonce.Isawinhimapalereflectionofyou:thenthattoofaded.Ofwhatgoodisittotalknow?

RICHARD.[With a repressed energy.] But what is this that seems to hang over you? Itcannotbesotragic.

BEATRICE.[Calmly.]O,notintheleasttragic.Ishallbecomegraduallybetter,theytellme,as I growolder.As I didnot die then they tellme I shall probably live. I amgivenlifeandhealthagain—whenIcannotusethem.[Calmlyandbitterly.]Iamconvalescent.

RICHARD.[Gently.] Does nothing then in life give you peace? Surely it exists for yousomewhere.

BEATRICE.Iftherewereconventsinourreligionperhapsthere.Atleast,Ithinksoattimes.

RICHARD.[Shakeshishead.]No,MissJustice,noteventhere.Youcouldnotgiveyourselffreelyandwholly.

BEATRICE.[Lookingathim.]Iwouldtry.

RICHARD.Youwould try,yes.Youweredrawn tohimasyourmindwasdrawn towardsmine.Youheld back fromhim.Fromme, too, in a differentway.You cannot

giveyourselffreelyandwholly.

BEATRICE.[Joins her hands softly.] It is a terribly hard thing to do,MrRowan—to giveoneselffreelyandwholly—andbehappy.

RICHARD.Butdoyoufeelthathappinessisthebest,thehighestthatwecanknow?

BEATRICE.[Withfervour.]IwishIcouldfeelit.

RICHARD.[Leansback,hishandslockedtogetherbehindhishead.]O,ifyouknewhowIamsufferingatthismoment!Foryourcase,too.Butsufferingmostofallformyown.[Withbitter force.]AndhowIpray that Imaybegrantedagainmydeadmother’shardnessofheart!For somehelp,withinmeorwithout, Imust find.AndfinditIwill.

[BEATRICErises, looksathimintently,andwalksawaytowardthegardendoor.Sheturnswithindecision,looksagainathimand,comingback,leansovertheeasychair.]

BEATRICE.[Quietly.]Didshesendforyoubeforeshedied,MrRowan?

RICHARD.[Lostinthought.]Who?

BEATRICE.Yourmother.

RICHARD.[Recoveringhimself,lookskeenlyatherforamoment.]Sothat,too,wassaidofmeherebymyfriends—thatshesentformebeforeshediedandthatIdidnotgo?

BEATRICE.Yes.

RICHARD.[Coldly.]Shedidnot.Shediedalone,nothavingforgivenme,andfortifiedbytheritesofholychurch.

BEATRICE.MrRowan,whydidyouspeaktomeinsuchaway?

RICHARD.[Risesandwalksnervously toand fro.]Andwhat I suffer at thismomentyouwillsayismypunishment.

BEATRICE.Didshewritetoyou?Imeanbefore...

RICHARD.[Halting.] Yes. A letter of warning, bidding me break with the past, andrememberherlastwordstome.

BEATRICE.[Softly.]Anddoesdeathnotmoveyou,MrRowan?Itisanend.Everythingelseissouncertain.

RICHARD.Whileshelivedsheturnedasidefrommeandfrommine.Thatiscertain.

BEATRICE.Fromyouandfrom...?

RICHARD.FromBerthaandfrommeandfromourchild.AndsoIwaitedfortheendasyousay;anditcame.

BEATRICE.[Coversherfacewithherhands.]O,no.Surelyno.

RICHARD.[Fiercely.]Howcanmywordshurtherpoorbodythatrotsinthegrave?DoyouthinkIdonotpityhercoldblightedloveforme?Ifoughtagainstherspiritwhileshelivedtothebitterend.[Hepresseshishandtohisforehead.]Itfightsagainstmestill—inhere.

BEATRICE.[Asbefore.]O,donotspeaklikethat.

RICHARD.Shedrovemeaway.OnaccountofherIlivedyearsinexileandpovertytoo,ornear it. Ineveracceptedthedolesshesentmethroughthebank.Iwaited, too,

notforherdeathbutforsomeunderstandingofme,herownson,herownfleshandblood;thatnevercame.

BEATRICE.NotevenafterArchie...?

RICHARD.[Rudely.]Myson,youthink?Achildofsinandshame!Areyouserious?[Sheraisesherfaceandlooksathim.]Thereweretonguesherereadytotellherall,toembitterherwitheringmindstillmoreagainstmeandBerthaandourgodlessnamelesschild. [Holdingouthishands toher.]CanyounothearhermockingmewhileIspeak?Youmustknowthevoice,surely,thevoicethatcalledyoutheblackprotestant,thepervert’sdaughter.[Withsuddenselfcontrol.]Inanycasearemarkablewoman.

BEATRICE.[Weakly.]Atleastyouarefreenow.

RICHARD.[Nods.]Yes,shecouldnotalterthetermsofmyfather’swillnorliveforever.

BEATRICE.[Withjoinedhands.]Theyarebothgonenow,MrRowan.Theybothlovedyou,believeme.Theirlastthoughtswereofyou.

RICHARD.[Approaching, touches her lightly on the shoulder, and points to the crayondrawing on thewall.]Do you see him there, smiling and handsome?His lastthoughts!Irememberthenighthedied.[Hepausesforaninstantandthengoesoncalmly.] Iwas a boy of fourteen.He calledme to his bedside.He knew Iwanted to go to the theatre to hearCarmen.He toldmymother to giveme ashilling.Ikissedhimandwent.WhenIcamehomehewasdead.ThosewerehislastthoughtsasfarasIknow.

BEATRICE.Thehardnessofheartyouprayedfor...[Shebreaksoff.]

RICHARD.[Unheeding.]Thatismylastmemoryofhim.Istherenotsomethingsweetandnobleinit?

BEATRICE.

MrRowan,somethingisonyourmindtomakeyouspeaklikethis.Somethinghaschangedyousinceyoucamebackthreemonthsago.

RICHARD.[Gazingagainatthedrawing,calmly,almostgaily.]Hewillhelpme,perhaps,mysmilinghandsomefather.

[Aknockisheardatthehalldoorontheleft.]

RICHARD.[Suddenly.]No,no.Notthesmiler,MissJustice.Theoldmother.ItisherspiritIneed.Iamgoing.

BEATRICE.Someoneknocked.Theyhavecomeback.

RICHARD.No,Berthahasakey.Itishe.Atleast,Iamgoing,whoeveritis.

[Hegoesoutquicklyontheleftandcomesbackatoncewithhisstrawhatinhishand.]

BEATRICE.He?Who?

RICHARD.O,probablyRobert. Iamgoingout throughthegarden. Icannotseehimnow.SayIhavegonetothepost.Goodbye.

BEATRICE.[Withgrowingalarm.]ItisRobertyoudonotwishtosee?

RICHARD.[Quietly.]Forthemoment,yes.Thistalkhasupsetme.Askhimtowait.

BEATRICE.Youwillcomeback?

RICHARD.PleaseGod.

[Hegoesoutquicklythroughthegarden.BEATRICEmakesasiftofollowhimandthenstopsafterafewpaces.BRIGIDentersbythefoldingdoorsontherightandgoesoutontheleft.Thehalldoorisheardopening.AfewsecondsafterBRIGID

enters with ROBERT HAND. ROBERT HAND is a middlesized, rather stout man

betweenthirtyandforty.Heiscleanshaven,withmobilefeatures.Hishairandeyesaredarkandhiscomplexionsallow.Hisgaitandspeechareratherslow.Hewearsadarkbluemorningsuitandcarriesinhishandalargebunchofredroseswrappedintissuepaper.]

ROBERT.[Comingtowardsherwithoutstretchedhandwhichshetakes.]Mydearestcoz!Brigidtoldmeyouwerehere.Ihadnonotion.Didyousendmotheratelegram?

BEATRICE.[Gazingattheroses.]No.

ROBERT.[Followinghergaze.]Youareadmiringmyroses.Ibroughtthemtothemistressofthehouse.[Critically.]Iamafraidtheyarenotnice.

BRIGID.O,theyarelovely,sir.Themistresswillbedelightedwiththem.

ROBERT.[Laystherosescarelesslyonachairoutofsight.]Isnobodyin?

BRIGID.Yes,sir.Sitdown,sir.They’llbeherenowanymoment.Themasterwashere.

[Shelooksaboutherandwithahalfcurtseygoesoutontheright.]

ROBERT.[Afterashortsilence.]Howareyou,Beatty?AndhowarealldowninYoughal?Asdullasever?

BEATRICE.TheywerewellwhenIleft.

ROBERT.[Politely.]O,butI’msorryIdidnotknowyouwerecoming.Iwouldhavemetyou at the train.Why did you do it? You have some queer ways about you,Beatty,haven’tyou?

BEATRICE.[Inthesametone.]Thankyou,Robert.Iamquiteusedtogettingaboutalone.

ROBERT.Yes, but Imean to say...O,well, you have arrived in your own characteristic

way.

[Anoiseisheardatthewindowandaboy’svoiceisheardcalling,‘MrHand!’ROBERTturns.]

ByJove,Archie,too,isarrivinginacharacteristicway!

[ARCHIEscramblesintotheroomthroughtheopenwindowontheleftandthenrisestohisfeet,flushedandpanting.ARCHIEisaboyofeightyears,dressedinwhitebreeches, jerseyandcap.Hewears spectacles, hasa livelymannerandspeakswiththeslighttraceofaforeignaccent.]

BEATRICE.[Goingtowardshim.]Goodnessgracious,Archie!Whatisthematter?

ARCHIE.[Rising,outofbreath.]Eh!Iranalltheavenue.

ROBERT.[Smilesandholdsouthishand.]Goodevening,Archie.Whydidyourun?

ARCHIE.[Shakeshands.]Goodevening.Wesawyouonthetopofthetram,andIshoutedMrHand!Butyoudidnotseeme.Butwesawyou,mammaandI.Shewillbehereinaminute.Iran.

BEATRICE.[Holdingoutherhand.]Andpoorme!

ARCHIE.[Shakeshandssomewhatshyly.]Goodevening,MissJustice.

BEATRICE.WereyoudisappointedthatIdidnotcomelastFridayforthelesson?

ARCHIE.[Glancingather,smiles.]No.

BEATRICE.Glad?

ARCHIE.[Suddenly.]Buttodayitistoolate.

BEATRICE.

Averyshortlesson?

ARCHIE.[Pleased.]Yes.

BEATRICE.Butnowyoumuststudy,Archie.

ROBERT.Wereyouatthebath?

ARCHIE.Yes.

ROBERT.Areyouagoodswimmernow?

ARCHIE.[Leans against the davenport.]No.Mammawon’t letme into the deep place.Canyouswimwell,MrHand?

ROBERT.Splendidly.Likeastone.

ARCHIE.[Laughs.]Likeastone![Pointingdown.]Downthatway?

ROBERT.[Pointing.]Yes,down;straightdown.HowdoyousaythatoverinItaly?

ARCHIE.That?Giù.[Pointingdownandup.]That isgiùand this issù.Doyouwant tospeaktomypappie?

ROBERT.Yes.Icametoseehim.

ARCHIE.[Goingtowardsthestudy.]Iwilltellhim.Heisinthere,writing.

BEATRICE.[Calmly, looking atROBERT.]No; he is out.He is gone to the postwith someletters.

ROBERT.

[Lightly.]O,nevermind.Iwillwaitifheisonlygonetothepost.

ARCHIE.Butmammaiscoming.[Heglancestowardsthewindow.]Heresheis!

[ARCHIE runs out by the door on the left.BEATRICE walks slowly towards thedavenport.ROBERTremainsstanding.Ashortsilence.ARCHIEandBERTHAcomeinthroughthedoorontheleft.BERTHAisayoungwomanofgracefulbuild.Shehas dark grey eyes, patient in expression, and soft features. Her manner iscordial and selfpossessed. She wears a lavender dress and carries her creamglovesknottedroundthehandleofhersunshade.]

BERTHA.[Shakinghands.]Goodevening,MissJustice.WethoughtyouwerestilldowninYoughal.

BEATRICE.[Shakinghands.]Goodevening,MrsRowan.

BERTHA.[Bows.]Goodevening,MrHand.

ROBERT.[Bowing.]Good evening, signora! Just imagine, I didn’t know either shewasbacktillIfoundherhere.

BERTHA.[Toboth.]Didyounotcometogether?

BEATRICE.No. I came first.Mr Rowan was going out. He said you would be back anymoment.

BERTHA.I’msorry.Ifyouhadwrittenorsentoverwordbythegirlthismorning...

BEATRICE.[Laughsnervously.]Iarrivedonlyanhourandahalfago.Ithoughtofsendingatelegrambutitseemedtootragic.

BERTHA.Ah?Onlynowyouarrived?

ROBERT.

[Extending his arms, blandly.] I retire from public and private life. Her firstcousinandajournalist,Iknownothingofhermovements.

BEATRICE.[Notdirectlytohim.]Mymovementsarenotveryinteresting.

ROBERT.[Inthesametone.]Alady’smovementsarealwaysinteresting.

BERTHA.Butsitdown,won’tyou?Youmustbeverytired.

BEATRICE.[Quickly.]No,notatall.IjustcameforArchie’slesson.

BERTHA.Iwouldn’thearofsuchathing,MissJustice,afteryourlongjourney.

ARCHIE.[SuddenlytoBEATRICE.]And,besides,youdidn’tbringthemusic.

BEATRICE.[Alittleconfused.]ThatIforgot.Butwehavetheoldpiece.

ROBERT.[PinchingARCHIE’Sear.]Youlittlescamp.Youwanttogetoffthelesson.

BERTHA.O,nevermindthelesson.Youmustsitdownandhaveacupofteanow.[Goingtowardsthedoorontheright.]I’lltellBrigid.

ARCHIE.Iwill,mamma.[Hemakesamovementtogo.]

BEATRICE.No,pleaseMrsRowan.Archie!Iwouldreallyprefer...

ROBERT.[Quietly.]Isuggestacompromise.Letitbeahalf-lesson.

BERTHA.Butshemustbeexhausted.

BEATRICE.[Quickly.]Notintheleast.Iwasthinkingofthelessoninthetrain.

ROBERT.[ToBERTHA.]Youseewhatitistohaveaconscience,MrsRowan.

ARCHIE.Ofmylesson,MissJustice?

BEATRICE.[Simply.]ItistendayssinceIheardthesoundofapiano.

BERTHA.O,verywell.Ifthatisit...

ROBERT.[Nervously,gaily.]Letushavethepianobyallmeans.IknowwhatisinBeatty’searsatthismoment.[ToBEATRICE.]ShallItell?

BEATRICE.Ifyouknow.

ROBERT.Thebuzzoftheharmoniuminherfather’sparlour.[ToBEATRICE.]Confess.

BEATRICE.[Smiling.]Yes.Icanhearit.

ROBERT.[Grimly.]SocanI.Theasthmaticvoiceofprotestantism.

BERTHA.Didyounotenjoyyourselfdownthere,MissJustice?

ROBERT.[Intervenes.] She did not, Mrs Rowan. She goes there on retreat, when theprotestantstraininherprevails—gloom,seriousness,righteousness.

BEATRICE.Igotoseemyfather.

ROBERT.[Continuing.] But she comes back here to my mother, you see. The pianoinfluenceisfromoursideofthehouse.

BERTHA.[Hesitating.] Well, Miss Justice, if you would like to play something... Butpleasedon’tfatigueyourselfwithArchie.

ROBERT.[Suavely.]Do,Beatty.Thatiswhatyouwant.

BEATRICE.IfArchiewillcome?

ARCHIE.[Withashrug.]Tolisten.

BEATRICE.[Takeshishand.]Andalittlelesson,too.Veryshort.

BERTHA.Well,afterwardsyoumuststaytotea.

BEATRICE.[ToARCHIE.]Come.

[BEATRICE andARCHIE go out together by the door on the left. BERTHA goestowards the davenport, takes off her hat and lays itwith her sunshade on thedesk. Then taking a key from a little flowervase, she opens a drawer of thedavenport,takesoutaslipofpaperandclosesthedraweragain.ROBERTstandswatchingher.]

BERTHA.[Comingtowardshimwiththepaperinherhand.]Youputthisintomyhandlastnight.Whatdoesitmean?

ROBERT.Doyounotknow?

BERTHA.[Reads.]ThereisonewordwhichIhaveneverdaredtosaytoyou.Whatistheword?

ROBERT.ThatIhaveadeeplikingforyou.

[Ashortpause.Thepianoisheardfaintlyfromtheupperroom.]

ROBERT.[Takesthebunchofrosesfromthechair.]Ibroughttheseforyou.Willyoutakethemfromme?

BERTHA.

[Taking them.]Thank you. [She lays them on the table and unfolds the paperagain.]Whydidyounotdaretosayitlastnight?

ROBERT.Icouldnotspeaktoyouorfollowyou.Thereweretoomanypeopleonthelawn.IwantedyoutothinkoveritandsoIputitintoyourhandwhenyouweregoingaway.

BERTHA.Nowyouhavedaredtosayit.

ROBERT.[Moveshis hand slowlypast his eyes.]Youpassed.The avenuewasdimwithdusky light. I could see the dark green masses of the trees. And you passedbeyondthem.Youwerelikethemoon.

BERTHA.[Laughs.]Whylikethemoon?

ROBERT.Inthatdress,withyourslimbody,walkingwithlittleevensteps.Isawthemoonpassinginthedusktillyoupassedandleftmysight.

BERTHA.Didyouthinkofmelastnight?

ROBERT.[Comesnearer.]Ithinkofyoualways—assomethingbeautifulanddistant—themoonorsomedeepmusic.

BERTHA.[Smiling.]AndlastnightwhichwasI?

ROBERT.Iwasawakehalfthenight.Icouldhearyourvoice.Icouldseeyourfaceinthedark.Youreyes...Iwanttospeaktoyou.Willyoulistentome?MayIspeak?

BERTHA.[Sittingdown.]Youmay.

ROBERT.[Sittingbesideher.]Areyouannoyedwithme?

BERTHA.

No.

ROBERT.Ithoughtyouwere.Youputawaymypoorflowerssoquickly.

BERTHA.[Takes themfromthe tableandholds themclose toher face.] Is thiswhatyouwishmetodowiththem?

ROBERT.[Watching her.]Your face is a flower too—butmore beautiful. Awild flowerblowinginahedge.[Movinghischairclosertoher.]Whyareyousmiling?Atmywords?

BERTHA.[Layingtheflowersinherlap.]Iamwonderingifthatiswhatyousay—totheothers.

ROBERT.[Surprised.]Whatothers?

BERTHA.Theotherwomen.Ihearyouhavesomanyadmirers.

ROBERT.[Involuntarily.]Andthatiswhyyoutoo...?

BERTHA.Butyouhave,haven’tyou?

ROBERT.Friends,yes.

BERTHA.Doyouspeaktotheminthesameway?

ROBERT.[In an offended tone.] How can you ask me such a question? What kind ofpersondoyouthinkIam?Orwhydoyoulistentome?Didyounotlikemetospeaktoyouinthatway?

BERTHA.Whatyousaidwasverykind.[Shelooksathimforamoment.]Thankyouforsayingit—andthinkingit.

ROBERT.[Leaningforward.]Bertha!

BERTHA.Yes?

ROBERT.Ihavetherighttocallyoubyyourname.Fromoldtimes—nineyearsago.WewereBertha—andRobert—then.Canwenotbesonow,too?

BERTHA.[Readily.]Oyes.Whyshouldwenot?

ROBERT.Bertha, you knew. From the very night you landed on Kingstown pier. It allcamebacktomethen.Andyouknewit.Yousawit.

BERTHA.No.Notthatnight.

ROBERT.When?

BERTHA.ThenightwelandedIfeltverytiredanddirty.[Shakingherhead.]Ididnotseeitinyouthatnight.

ROBERT.[Smiling.]Tellmewhatdidyouseethatnight—yourveryfirstimpression.

BERTHA.[Knittingherbrows.]Youwerestandingwithyourbacktothegangway,talkingtotwoladies.

ROBERT.Totwoplainmiddleagedladies,yes.

BERTHA.Irecognizedyouatonce.AndIsawthatyouhadgotfat.

ROBERT.[Takesherhand.]AndthispoorfatRobert—doyoudislikehimthensomuch?Doyoudisbelieveallhesays?

BERTHA.

Ithinkmenspeaklikethattoallwomenwhomtheylikeoradmire.Whatdoyouwantmetobelieve?

ROBERT.Allmen,Bertha?

BERTHA.[Withsuddensadness.]Ithinkso.

ROBERT.Itoo?

BERTHA.Yes,Robert.Ithinkyoutoo.

ROBERT.Allthen—withoutexception?Orwithoneexception?[Inalowertone.]Orishetoo—Richardtoo—likeusall—inthatatleast?Ordifferent?

BERTHA.[Looksintohiseyes.]Different.

ROBERT.Areyouquitesure,Bertha?

BERTHA.[Alittleconfused,triestowithdrawherhand.]Ihaveansweredyou.

ROBERT.[Suddenly.]Bertha,mayIkissyourhand?Letme.MayI?

BERTHA.Ifyouwish.

[Heliftsherhandtohislipsslowly.Sherisessuddenlyandlistens.]

BERTHA.Didyouhearthegardengate?

ROBERT.[Risingalso.]No.

[Ashortpause.Thepianocanbeheardfaintlyfromtheupperroom.]

ROBERT.[Pleading.]Donotgoaway.Youmustnevergoawaynow.Yourlife ishere.I

camefor that too today—tospeak tohim—tourgehimtoaccept thisposition.Hemust.Andyoumustpersuadehimto.Youhaveagreatinfluenceoverhim.

BERTHA.Youwanthimtoremainhere.

ROBERT.Yes.

BERTHA.Why?

ROBERT.Foryoursakebecauseyouareunhappysofaraway.Forhissaketoobecauseheshouldthinkofhisfuture.

BERTHA.[Laughing.]Doyourememberwhathesaidwhenyouspoketohimlastnight?

ROBERT.About...?[Reflecting.]Yes.HequotedtheOurFatheraboutourdailybread.Hesaidthattotakecareforthefutureistodestroyhopeandloveintheworld.

BERTHA.Doyounotthinkheisstrange?

ROBERT.Inthat,yes.

BERTHA.Alittle—mad?

ROBERT.[Comescloser.]No.Heisnot.Perhapsweare.Why,doyou...?

BERTHA.[Laughs.]Iaskyoubecauseyouareintelligent.

ROBERT.Youmustnotgoaway.Iwillnotletyou.

BERTHA.[Looksfullathim.]You?

ROBERT.

Thoseeyesmustnotgoaway.[Hetakesherhands.]MayIkissyoureyes?

BERTHA.Doso.

[Hekisseshereyesandthenpasseshishandoverherhair.]

ROBERT.LittleBertha!

BERTHA.[Smiling.]ButIamnotsolittle.Whydoyoucallmelittle?

ROBERT.LittleBertha!Oneembrace?[Heputshisarmaroundher.]Look intomyeyesagain.

BERTHA.[Looks.]Icanseethelittlegoldspots.Somanyyouhave.

ROBERT.[Delighted.]Yourvoice!Givemeakiss,akisswithyourmouth.

BERTHA.Takeit.

ROBERT.Iamafraid.[Hekisseshermouthandpasseshishandmanytimesoverherhair.]AtlastIholdyouinmyarms!

BERTHA.Andareyousatisfied?

ROBERT.Letmefeelyourlipstouchmine.

BERTHA.Andthenyouwillbesatisfied?

ROBERT.[Murmurs.]Yourlips,Bertha!

BERTHA.[Closes her eyes and kisses him quickly.] There. [Puts her hands on hisshoulders.]Whydon’tyousay:thanks?

ROBERT.[Sighs.]Mylifeisfinished—over.

BERTHA.O,don’tspeaklikethatnow,Robert.

ROBERT.Over,over.Iwanttoenditandhavedonewithit.

BERTHA.[Concernedbutlightly.]Yousillyfellow!

ROBERT.[Presseshertohim.]Toenditall—death.Tofallfromagreathighcliff,down,rightdownintothesea.

BERTHA.Please,Robert...

ROBERT.Listening tomusic and in the arms of thewoman I love—the sea,music anddeath.

BERTHA.[Looksathimforamoment.]Thewomanyoulove?

ROBERT.[Hurriedly.]Iwanttospeaktoyou,Bertha—alone—nothere.Willyoucome?

BERTHA.[Withdowncasteyes.]Itoowanttospeaktoyou.

ROBERT.[Tenderly.]Yes,dear,Iknow.[Hekissesheragain.]Iwillspeaktoyou;tellyouall; then. Iwillkissyou, then, long longkisses—whenyoucometome—longlongsweetkisses.

BERTHA.Where?

ROBERT.[Inthetoneofpassion.]Youreyes.Yourlips.Allyourdivinebody.

BERTHA.[Repellinghisembrace,confused.]Imeantwheredoyouwishmetocome.

ROBERT.Tomyhouse.Notmymother’soverthere.Iwillwritetheaddressforyou.Willyoucome?

BERTHA.When?

ROBERT.Tonight.Betweeneightandnine.Come.Iwillwaitforyoutonight.Andeverynight.Youwill?

[He kisses herwith passion, holding her head between his hands.After a fewinstantsshebreaksfromhim.Hesitsdown.]

BERTHA.[Listening.]Thegateopened.

ROBERT.[Intensely.]Iwillwaitforyou.

[Hetakestheslipfromthetable.BERTHAmovesawayfromhimslowly.RICHARD

comesinfromthegarden.]

RICHARD.[Advancing,takesoffhishat.]Goodafternoon.

ROBERT.[Rises,withnervousfriendliness.]Goodafternoon,Richard.

BERTHA.[Atthetable,takingtheroses.]LookwhatlovelyrosesMrHandbroughtme.

ROBERT.Iamafraidtheyareoverblown.

RICHARD.[Suddenly.]Excusemeforamoment,willyou?

[Heturnsandgoesintohisstudyquickly.ROBERTtakesapencilfromhispocketandwritesafewwordsontheslip;thenhandsitquicklytoBERTHA.]

ROBERT.[Rapidly.]Theaddress.TakethetramatLansdowneRoadandasktobeletdownnearthere.

BERTHA.[Takesit.]Ipromisenothing.

ROBERT.Iwillwait.

[RICHARDcomesbackfromthestudy.]

BERTHA.[Going.]Imustputtheserosesinwater.

RICHARD.[Handingherhishat.]Yes,do.Andpleaseputmyhatontherack.

BERTHA.[Takesit.]SoIwillleaveyoutoyourselvesforyourtalk.[Lookinground.]Doyouwantanything?Cigarettes?

RICHARD.Thanks.Wehavethemhere.

BERTHA.ThenIcango?

[Shegoesouton the leftwithRICHARD’Shat,whichshe leaves in thehall,andreturnsatonce;shestopsforamomentatthedavenport,replacestheslipinthedrawer, locks it, and replaces the key, and, taking the roses, goes towards theright.ROBERTprecedeshertoopenthedoorforher.Shebowsandgoesout.]

RICHARD.[Pointstothechairnearthelittletableontheright.]Yourplaceofhonour.

ROBERT.[Sitsdown.]Thanks.[Passinghishandoverhisbrow.]GoodLord,howwarmitistoday!Theheatpainsmehereintheeye.Theglare.

RICHARD.Theroomisratherdark,Ithink,withtheblinddownbutifyouwish...

ROBERT.[Quickly.]Notatall.Iknowwhatitis—theresultofnightwork.

RICHARD.[Sitsonthelounge.]Mustyou?

ROBERT.[Sighs.]Eh,yes.Imustseepartofthepaperthrougheverynight.Andthenmyleadingarticles.Weareapproachingadifficultmoment.Andnotonlyhere.

RICHARD.[Afteraslightpause.]Haveyouanynews?

ROBERT.[Inadifferent voice.]Yes. Iwant to speak toyou seriously.Todaymaybe animportantdayforyou—orrather,tonight.Isawthevicechancellorthismorning.Hehasthehighestopinionofyou,Richard.Hehasreadyourbook,hesaid.

RICHARD.Didhebuyitorborrowit?

ROBERT.Boughtit,Ihope.

RICHARD.Ishallsmokeacigarette.ThirtysevencopieshavenowbeensoldinDublin.

[Hetakesacigarettefromtheboxonthetable,andlightsit.]

ROBERT.[Suavely,hopelessly.]Well, thematter isclosedfor thepresent.Youhaveyourironmaskontoday.

RICHARD.[Smoking.]Letmeheartherest.

ROBERT.[Again seriously.] Richard, you are too suspicious. It is a defect in you. Heassuredmehehasthehighestpossibleopinionofyou,aseveryonehas.Youarethemanforthepost,hesays.Infact,hetoldmethat,ifyournamegoesforward,hewillworkmightandmainforyouwiththesenateandI...willdomypart,ofcourse, in the press and privately. I regard it as a public duty. The chair ofromanceliteratureisyoursbyright,asascholar,asaliterarypersonality.

RICHARD.Theconditions?

ROBERT.Conditions?Youmeanaboutthefuture?

RICHARD.Imeanaboutthepast.

ROBERT.[Easily.]That episode in your past is forgotten.An act of impulse.We are allimpulsive.

RICHARD.[Looksfixedlyathim.]Youcalled itanactoffolly, then—nineyearsago.YoutoldmeIwashangingaweightaboutmyneck.

ROBERT.Iwaswrong.[Suavely.]Hereishowthematterstands,Richard.Everyoneknowsthat you ran away years agowith a young girl...How shall I put it?...with ayounggirlnotexactlyyourequal.[Kindly.]Excuseme,Richard,thatisnotmyopinion nor my language. I am simply using the language of people whoseopinionsIdon’tshare.

RICHARD.Writingoneofyourleadingarticles,infact.

ROBERT.Putitso.Well,itmadeagreatsensationatthetime.Amysteriousdisappearance.Mynamewasinvolvedtoo,asbestman,letussay,onthatfamousoccasion.Ofcourse, they thinkIactedfromamistakensenseoffriendship.Well,all that isknown.[Withsomehesitation.]Butwhathappenedafterwardsisnotknown.

RICHARD.No?

ROBERT.Ofcourse,itisyouraffair,Richard.However,youarenotsoyoungnowasyouwerethen.Theexpressionisquiteinthestyleofmyleadingarticles,isn’tit?

RICHARD.Doyou,ordoyounot,wantmetogivethelietomypastlife?

ROBERT.Iamthinkingofyourfuturelife—here.Iunderstandyourprideandyoursenseofliberty.Iunderstandtheirpointofviewalso.However,thereisawayout;itissimply this.Refrain fromcontradicting any rumoursyoumayhear concerningwhathappened...ordidnothappenafteryouwentaway.Leavetheresttome.

RICHARD.Youwillsettheserumoursafloat?

ROBERT.Iwill.Godhelpme.

RICHARD.[Observinghim.]Forthesakeofsocialconventions?

ROBERT.Forthesakeofsomethingelsetoo—ourfriendship,ourlifelongfriendship.

RICHARD.Thanks.

ROBERT.[Slightlywounded.]AndIwilltellyouthewholetruth.

RICHARD.[Smilesandbows.]Yes.Do,please.

ROBERT.Notonlyforyoursake.Alsoforthesakeof—yourpresentpartnerinlife.

RICHARD.Isee.

[Hecrusheshiscigarettesoftlyontheashtrayandthenleansforward,rubbinghishandsslowly.]

RICHARD.Whyforhersake?

ROBERT.[Alsoleansforward,quietly.]Richard,haveyoubeenquitefairtoher?Itwasherownfreechoice,youwillsay.Butwasshereallyfreetochoose?Shewasameregirl.Sheacceptedallthatyouproposed.

RICHARD.[Smiles.]ThatisyourwayofsayingthatsheproposedwhatIwouldnotaccept.

ROBERT.[Nods.] I remember.Andshewentawaywithyou.Butwas itofherownfreechoice?Answermefrankly.

RICHARD.[Turnstohim,calmly.]Iplayedforheragainstallthatyousayorcansay;andIwon.

ROBERT.[Noddingagain.]Yes,youwon.

RICHARD.[Rises.]Excusemeforforgetting.Willyouhavesomewhisky?

ROBERT.Allthingscometothosewhowait.

[RICHARD goes to the sideboardandbringsa small traywith thedecanterandglassestothetablewherehesetsitdown.]

RICHARD.[Sitsdownagain,leaningbackonthelounge.]Willyoupleasehelpyourself?

ROBERT.[Doesso.]Andyou?Steadfast?[RICHARDshakeshishead.]Lord,whenI thinkofourwildnightslongago—talksbythehour,plans,carouses,revelry...

RICHARD.Inourhouse.

ROBERT.Itisminenow.IhavekeptiteversincethoughIdon’tgothereoften.Wheneveryouliketocomeletmeknow.Youmustcomesomenight.Itwillbeoldtimesagain.[Heliftshisglassanddrinks.]Prosit!

RICHARD.Itwasnotonlyahouseofrevelry;itwastobethehearthofanewlife.[Musing.]Andinthatnamealloursinswerecommitted.

ROBERT.Sins! Drinking and blasphemy [he points] by me. And drinking and heresy,muchworse[hepointsagain]byyou—arethosethesinsyoumean?

RICHARD.Andsomeothers.

ROBERT.[Lightly, uneasily.] You mean the women. I have no remorse of conscience.

Maybeyouhave.Wehadtwokeysonthoseoccasions.[Maliciously.]Haveyou?

RICHARD.[Irritated.]Foryouitwasallquitenatural?

ROBERT.For me it is quite natural to kiss a woman whom I like. Why not? She isbeautifulforme.

RICHARD.[Toyingwith the lounge cushion.]Do you kiss everything that is beautiful foryou?

ROBERT.Everything—if it can be kissed. [He takes up a flat stone which lies on thetable.] This stone, for instance. It is so cool, so polished, so delicate, like awoman’stemple.Itissilent,itsuffersourpassion;anditisbeautiful.[Heplacesitagainsthislips.]AndsoIkissitbecauseitisbeautiful.Andwhatisawoman?Awork of nature, too, like a stone or a flower or a bird. A kiss is an act ofhomage.

RICHARD.Itisanactofunionbetweenmanandwoman.Evenifweareoftenledtodesirethroughthesenseofbeautycanyousaythatthebeautifuliswhatwedesire?

ROBERT.[Pressingthestonetohis forehead.]Youwillgivemeaheadacheifyoumakemethinktoday.Icannot thinktoday.Ifeel toonatural, toocommon.Afterall,whatismostattractiveineventhemostbeautifulwoman?

RICHARD.What?

ROBERT.Not those qualitieswhich she has andotherwomenhavenot but the qualitieswhichshehasincommonwiththem.Imean...thecommonest.[Turningoverthestone,hepressestheothersidetohisforehead.]Imeanhowherbodydevelopsheatwhenitispressed,themovementofherblood,howquicklyshechangesbydigestion what she eats into—what shall be nameless. [Laughing.] I am verycommontoday.Perhapsthatideaneverstruckyou?

RICHARD.

[Drily.]Manyideasstrikeamanwhohaslivednineyearswithawoman.

ROBERT.Yes. I suppose they do.... This beautiful cool stone does me good. Is it apaperweightoracureforheadache?

RICHARD.Bertha brought it home one day from the strand. She, too, says that it isbeautiful.

ROBERT.[Laysdownthestonequietly.]Sheisright.

[Heraiseshisglassanddrinks.Apause.]

RICHARD.Isthatallyouwantedtosaytome?

ROBERT.[Quickly.]There is somethingelse.Thevicechancellor sendsyou, throughme,an invitation for tonight—to dinner at his house. You know where he lives?[RICHARDnods.]I thoughtyoumighthaveforgotten.Strictlyprivate,ofcourse.Hewantstomeetyouagainandsendsyouaverywarminvitation.

RICHARD.Forwhathour?

ROBERT.Eight.But,likeyourself,heisfreeandeasyabouttime.Now,Richard,youmustgothere.Thatisall.Ifeeltonightwillbetheturningpointinyourlife.Youwilllive here and work here and think here and be honoured here—among ourpeople.

RICHARD.[Smiling.] Icanalmostsee twoenvoysstarting for theUnitedStates tocollectfundsformystatueahundredyearshence.

ROBERT.[Agreeably.]Once Imadea littleepigramabout statues.All statuesareof twokinds.[Hefoldshisarmsacrosshischest.]Thestatuewhichsays:Howshall Igetdown? and theotherkind [he unfolds his arms and extends his right arm,avertinghishead]thestatuewhichsays:Inmytimethedunghillwassohigh.

RICHARD.Thesecondoneforme,please.

ROBERT.[Lazily.]Willyougivemeoneofthoselongcigarsofyours?

[RICHARDselectsaVirginiacigarfromtheboxonthetableandhandsittohimwiththestrawdrawnout.]

ROBERT.[Lightingit.]ThesecigarsEuropeanizeme.IfIrelandistobecomeanewIrelandshemust first become European. And that is what you are here for, Richard.Some day we shall have to choose between England and Europe. I am adescendantofthedarkforeigners:thatiswhyIliketobehere.Imaybechildish.But where else in Dublin can I get a bandit cigar like this or a cup of blackcoffee?ThemanwhodrinksblackcoffeeisgoingtoconquerIreland.AndnowIwilltakejustahalfmeasureofthatwhisky,Richard,toshowyouthereisnoillfeeling.

RICHARD.[Points.]Helpyourself.

ROBERT.[Doesso.]Thanks. [Hedrinks andgoesonas before.]Thenyouyourself, thewayyoulollonthatlounge:thenyourboy’svoiceandalso—Berthaherself.Doyouallowmetocallherthat,Richard?Imeanasanoldfriendofbothofyou.

RICHARD.Owhynot?

ROBERT.[Withanimation.]Youhavethat fierce indignationwhich lacerated theheartofSwift. You have fallen from a higher world, Richard, and you are filledwithfierce indignation,when you find that life is cowardly and ignoble.While I...shallItellyou?

RICHARD.Byallmeans.

ROBERT.[Archly.]IhavecomeupfromalowerworldandIamfilledwithastonishmentwhenIfindthatpeoplehaveanyredeemingvirtueatall.

RICHARD.[Sitsupsuddenlyandleanshiselbowsonthetable.]Youaremyfriend,then?

ROBERT.[Gravely.] I fought for you all the time youwere away. I fought to bring youback.Ifoughttokeepyourplaceforyouhere.IwillfightforyoustillbecauseIhave faith inyou, the faithof adisciple inhismaster. I cannot saymore thanthat.Itmayseemstrangetoyou...Givemeamatch.

RICHARD.[Lightsandoffershimamatch.]Thereisafaithstillstrangerthanthefaithofthediscipleinhismaster.

ROBERT.Andthatis?

RICHARD.Thefaithofamasterinthedisciplewhowillbetrayhim.

ROBERT.Thechurch lost a theologian inyou,Richard.But I thinkyou look toodeeplyintolife.[Herises,pressingRICHARD’Sarmslightly.]Begay.Lifeisnotworthit.

RICHARD.[Withoutrising.]Areyougoing?

ROBERT.Must. [He turnsand says ina friendly tone.]Then it is all arranged.Wemeettonightatthevicechancellor’s.Ishalllookinataboutten.Soyoucanhaveanhourorsotoyourselvesfirst.YouwillwaittillIcome?

RICHARD.Good.

ROBERT.OnemorematchandIamhappy.

[RICHARDstrikesanothermatch,handsittohimandrisesalso.ARCHIEcomesinbythedoorontheleft,followedbyBEATRICE.]

ROBERT.Congratulateme,Beatty.IhavewonoverRichard.

ARCHIE.

[Crossingtothedoorontheright,calls.]Mamma,MissJusticeisgoing.

BEATRICE.Onwhatareyoutobecongratulated?

ROBERT.On a victory, of course. [Laying his hand lightly onRICHARD’S shoulder.] ThedescendantofArchibaldHamiltonRowanhascomehome.

RICHARD.IamnotadescendantofHamiltonRowan.

ROBERT.Whatmatter?

[BERTHAcomesinfromtherightwithabowlofroses.]

BEATRICE.HasMrRowan...?

ROBERT.[Turning towardsBERTHA.] Richard is coming tonight to the vicechancellor’sdinner.Thefattedcalfwillbeeaten:roast,Ihope.Andnextsessionwillseethedescendantofanamesakeofetcetera,etcetera inachairof theuniversity. [Heoffershishand.]Goodafternoon,Richard.Weshallmeettonight.

RICHARD.[Toucheshishand.]AtPhilippi.

BEATRICE.[Shakeshandsalso.]Acceptmybestwishes,MrRowan.

RICHARD.Thanks.Butdonotbelievehim.

ROBERT.[Vivaciously.] Believe me, believe me. [To BERTHA.] Good afternoon, MrsRowan.

BERTHA.[Shakinghands,candidly.]Ithankyou,too.[ToBEATRICE.]Youwon’tstaytotea,MissJustice?

BEATRICE.No,thankyou.[Takesleaveofher.]Imustgo.Goodafternoon.Goodbye,Archie

[going].

ROBERT.Addio,Archibald.

ARCHIE.Addio.

ROBERT.Wait,Beatty.Ishallaccompanyyou.

BEATRICE.[GoingoutontherightwithBERTHA.]O,don’ttrouble.

ROBERT.[Followingher.]ButIinsist—asacousin.

[BERTHA,BEATRICE andROBERT go out by the door on the left.RICHARD standsirresolutely near the table. ARCHIE closes the door leading to the hall and,comingovertohim,pluckshimbythesleeve.]

ARCHIE.Isay,pappie!

RICHARD.[Absently.]Whatisit?

ARCHIE.Iwanttoaskyouathing.

RICHARD.[Sittingontheendofthelounge,staresinfrontofhim.]Whatisit?

ARCHIE.Willyouaskmammatoletmegooutinthemorningwiththemilkman?

RICHARD.Withthemilkman?

ARCHIE.Yes. In themilkcar.Hesayshewill letmedrivewhenwegeton to the roadswheretherearenopeople.Thehorseisaverygoodbeast.CanIgo?

RICHARD.Yes.

ARCHIE.AskmammanowcanIgo.Willyou?

RICHARD.[Glancestowardsthedoor.]Iwill.

ARCHIE.Hesaidhewillshowmethecowshehasinthefield.Doyouknowhowmanycowshehas?

RICHARD.Howmany?

ARCHIE.Eleven.Eightredandthreewhite.Butoneissicknow.No,notsick.Butitfell.

RICHARD.Cows?

ARCHIE.[Withagesture.]Eh!Notbulls.Becausebullsgivenomilk.Elevencows.Theymustgivealotofmilk.Whatmakesacowgivemilk?

RICHARD.[Takeshishand.]Whoknows?Doyouunderstandwhatitistogiveathing?

ARCHIE.Togive?Yes.

RICHARD.Whileyouhaveathingitcanbetakenfromyou.

ARCHIE.Byrobbers?No?

RICHARD.Butwhenyougive it,youhavegiven it.No robbercan take it fromyou. [Hebendshisheadandpresseshisson’shandagainsthischeek.]Itisyoursthenforeverwhenyouhavegivenit.Itwillbeyoursalways.Thatistogive.

ARCHIE.But,pappie?

RICHARD.Yes?

ARCHIE.Howcouldarobberrobacow?Everyonewouldseehim.Inthenight,perhaps.

RICHARD.Inthenight,yes.

ARCHIE.ArethererobbersherelikeinRome?

RICHARD.Therearepoorpeopleeverywhere.

ARCHIE.Havetheyrevolvers?

RICHARD.No.

ARCHIE.Knives?Havetheyknives?

RICHARD.[Sternly.]Yes,yes.Knivesandrevolvers.

ARCHIE.[Disengageshimself.]Askmammanow.Sheiscoming.

RICHARD.[Makesamovementtorise.]Iwill.

ARCHIE.No, sit there, pappie.Youwait and ask herwhen she comes back. Iwon’t behere.I’llbeinthegarden.

RICHARD.[Sinkingbackagain.]Yes.Go.

ARCHIE.[Kisseshimswiftly.]Thanks.

[He runs out quickly by the door at the back leading into the garden.BERTHA

enters by the door on the left. She approaches the table and stands beside it,fingeringthepetalsoftheroses,lookingatRICHARD.]

RICHARD.

[Watchingher.]Well?

BERTHA.[Absently.]Well.Hesayshelikesme.

RICHARD.[Leanshischininhishand.]Youshowedhimhisnote?

BERTHA.Yes.Iaskedhimwhatitmeant.

RICHARD.Whatdidhesayitmeant?

BERTHA.He said Imust know. I said I had an idea.Thenhe toldmehe likedmeverymuch.ThatIwasbeautiful—andallthat.

RICHARD.Sincewhen!

BERTHA.[Againabsently.]Sincewhen—what?

RICHARD.Sincewhendidhesayhelikedyou?

BERTHA.Always,hesaid.Butmoresincewecameback.HesaidIwaslikethemooninthislavenderdress.[Lookingathim.]Hadyouanywordswithhim—aboutme?

RICHARD.[Blandly.]Theusualthing.Notaboutyou.

BERTHA.Hewasverynervous.Yousawthat?

RICHARD.Yes.Isawit.Whatelsewenton?

BERTHA.Heaskedmetogivehimmyhand.

RICHARD.[Smiling.]Inmarriage?

BERTHA.[Smiling.]No,onlytohold.

RICHARD.Didyou?

BERTHA.Yes.[Tearingoffafewpetals.]ThenhecaressedmyhandandaskedwouldIlethimkissit.Ilethim.

RICHARD.Well?

BERTHA.Thenheaskedcouldheembraceme—evenonce?...Andthen...

RICHARD.Andthen?

BERTHA.Heputhisarmroundme.

RICHARD.[Staresatthefloorforamoment,thenlooksatheragain.]Andthen?

BERTHA.HesaidIhadbeautifuleyes.Andaskedcouldhekissthem.[Withagesture.] Isaid:Doso.

RICHARD.Andhedid?

BERTHA.Yes.Firstoneandthentheother.[Shebreaksoffsuddenly.]Tellme,Dick,doesall thisdisturbyou?BecauseI toldyouIdon’twant that. I thinkyouareonlypretendingyoudon’tmind.Idon’tmind.

RICHARD.[Quietly.]Iknow,dear.ButIwanttofindoutwhathemeansorfeelsjustasyoudo.

BERTHA.[Pointsathim.]Remember,youallowedmetogoon.Itoldyouthewholethingfromthebeginning.

RICHARD.[Asbefore.]Iknow,dear...Andthen?

BERTHA.Heaskedforakiss.Isaid:Takeit.

RICHARD.Andthen?

BERTHA.[Crumplingahandfulofpetals.]Hekissedme.

RICHARD.Yourmouth?

BERTHA.Onceortwice.

RICHARD.Longkisses?

BERTHA.Fairlylong.[Reflects.]Yes,thelasttime.

RICHARD.[Rubshishandsslowly;then.]Withhislips?Or...theotherway?

BERTHA.Yes,thelasttime.

RICHARD.Didheaskyoutokisshim?

BERTHA.Hedid.

RICHARD.Didyou?

BERTHA.[Hesitates,thenlookingstraightathim.]Idid.Ikissedhim.

RICHARD.Whatway?

BERTHA.[Withashrug.]Osimply.

RICHARD.Wereyouexcited?

BERTHA.Well,youcanimagine.[Frowningsuddenly.]Notmuch.Hehasnotnice lips...StillIwasexcited,ofcourse.Butnotlikewithyou,Dick.

RICHARD.Washe?

BERTHA.Excited?Yes,Ithinkhewas.Hesighed.Hewasdreadfullynervous.

RICHARD.[Restinghisforeheadonhishand.]Isee.

BERTHA.[Crossestowardstheloungeandstandsnearhim.]Areyoujealous?

RICHARD.[Asbefore.]No.

BERTHA.[Quietly.]Youare,Dick.

RICHARD.Iamnot.Jealousofwhat?

BERTHA.Becausehekissedme.

RICHARD.[Looksup.]Isthatall?

BERTHA.Yes,that’sall.ExceptthatheaskedmewouldImeethim.

RICHARD.Outsomewhere?

BERTHA.No.Inhishouse.

RICHARD.[Surprised.]Overtherewithhismother,isit?

BERTHA.No,ahousehehas.Hewrotetheaddressforme.

[Shegoestothedesk,takesthekeyfromtheflowervase,unlocksthedrawerandreturnstohimwiththeslipofpaper.]

RICHARD.[Halftohimself.]Ourcottage.

BERTHA.[Handshimtheslip.]Here.

RICHARD.

[Readsit.]Yes.Ourcottage.

BERTHA.Your...?

RICHARD.No,his.Icallitours.[Lookingather.]ThecottageItoldyouaboutsooften—thatwehadthetwokeysfor,heandI.Itishisnow.Whereweusedtoholdourwildnights,talking,drinking,planning—atthattime.Wildnights;yes.HeandItogether.[Hethrowsthesliponthecouchandrisessuddenly.]AndsometimesIalone.[Staresather.]Butnotquitealone.Itoldyou.Youremember?

BERTHA.[Shocked.]Thatplace?

RICHARD.[Walksawayfromhera fewpacesandstandsstill, thinking,holdinghischin.]Yes.

BERTHA.[Takinguptheslipagain.]Whereisit?

RICHARD.Doyounotknow?

BERTHA.He toldme to take the tramatLansdowneRoadand toask theman to letmedownthere.Isit...isitabadplace?

RICHARD.Ono,cottages.[Hereturnstotheloungeandsitsdown.]Whatanswerdidyougive?

BERTHA.Noanswer.Hesaidhewouldwait.

RICHARD.Tonight?

BERTHA.Everynight,hesaid.Betweeneightandnine.

RICHARD.AndsoIamtogotonighttointerview—theprofessor.AbouttheappointmentI

amtobegfor.[Lookingather.]Theinterviewisarrangedfortonightbyhim—betweeneightandnine.Curious,isn’tit?Thesamehour.

BERTHA.Very.

RICHARD.DidheaskyouhadIanysuspicion?

BERTHA.No.

RICHARD.Didhementionmyname?

BERTHA.No.

RICHARD.Notonce?

BERTHA.NotthatIremember.

RICHARD.[Boundingtohisfeet.]Oyes!Quiteclear!

BERTHA.What?

RICHARD.[Striding toand fro.]A liar, a thief, and a fool!Quite clear!Acommon thief!What else? [With a harsh laugh.] My great friend! A patriot too! A thief—nothingelse![Hehalts,thrustinghishandsintohispockets.]Butafoolalso!

BERTHA.[Lookingathim.]Whatareyougoingtodo?

RICHARD.[Shortly.]Followhim.Findhim.Tellhim.[Calmly.]Afewwordswilldo.Thiefandfool.

BERTHA.[Flingsthesliponthecouch.]Iseeitall!

RICHARD.[Turning.]Eh!

BERTHA.[Hotly.]Theworkofadevil.

RICHARD.He?

BERTHA.[Turningonhim.]No,you!Theworkofadevil toturnhimagainstmeasyoutriedtoturnmyownchildagainstme.Onlyyoudidnotsucceed.

RICHARD.How?InGod’sname,how?

BERTHA.[Excitedly.]Yes,yes.What I say.Everyonesaw it.Whenever I tried tocorrecthimfortheleastthingyouwentonwithyourfolly,speakingtohimasifhewereagrownupman.Ruiningthepoorchild,ortryingto.Then,ofcourse,Iwasthecruelmotherandonlyyou lovedhim. [Withgrowingexcitement.]Butyoudidnot turn him againstme—against his ownmother.Becausewhy?Because thechildhastoomuchnatureinhim.

RICHARD.I never tried to do such a thing,Bertha.You know I cannot be severewith achild.

BERTHA.Because you never loved your ownmother.Amother is always amother, nomatterwhat.Ineverheardofanyhumanbeingthatdidnotlovethemotherthatbroughthimintotheworld,exceptyou.

RICHARD.[Approachingherquietly.]Bertha,donotsay thingsyouwillbesorryfor.Areyounotgladmysonisfondofme?

BERTHA.Whotaughthimtobe?Whotaughthimtoruntomeetyou?Whotoldhimyouwould bring him home toys when youwere out on your rambles in the rain,forgettingallabouthim—andme?Idid.Itaughthimtoloveyou.

RICHARD.

Yes,dear.Iknowitwasyou.

BERTHA.[Almostcrying.]Andthenyoutrytoturneveryoneagainstme.Allis tobeforyou.Iamtoappearfalseandcrueltoeveryoneexcepttoyou.Becauseyoutakeadvantageofmysimplicityasyoudid—thefirsttime.

RICHARD.[Violently.]Andyouhavethecouragetosaythattome?

BERTHA.[Facinghim.]Yes, Ihave!Both thenandnow.BecauseIamsimpleyou thinkyoucandowhatyou likewithme. [Gesticulating.]Followhimnow.Callhimnames.Makehimbehumblebeforeyouandmakehimdespiseme.Followhim!

RICHARD.[Controllinghimself.]YouforgetthatIhaveallowedyoucompleteliberty—andallowyouitstill.

BERTHA.[Scornfully.]Liberty!

RICHARD.Yes,complete.ButhemustknowthatIknow.[Morecalmly.]Iwillspeaktohimquietly. [Appealing.] Bertha, believe me, dear! It is not jealousy. You havecompletelibertytodoasyouwish—youandhe.Butnotinthisway.Hewillnotdespiseyou.Youdon’twish todeceivemeor topretend todeceiveme—withhim,doyou?

BERTHA.No,Idonot.[Lookingfullathim.]Whichofustwoisthedeceiver?

RICHARD.Ofus?Youandme?

BERTHA.[In a calm decided tone.] I know why you have allowed me what you callcompleteliberty.

RICHARD.Why?

BERTHA.

Tohavecompletelibertywith—thatgirl.

RICHARD.[Irritated.]But,goodGod,youknewaboutthatthislongtime.Ineverhidit.

BERTHA.Youdid.Ithoughtitwasakindoffriendshipbetweenyou—tillwecameback,andthenIsaw.

RICHARD.Soitis,Bertha.

BERTHA.[Shakes her head.] No, no. It is much more; and that is why you give mecompleteliberty.Allthosethingsyousitupatnighttowriteabout[pointingtothestudy]inthere—abouther.Youcallthatfriendship?

RICHARD.Believeme,Berthadear.BelievemeasIbelieveyou.

BERTHA.[Withanimpulsivegesture.]MyGod,Ifeelit!Iknowit!Whatelseisbetweenyoubutlove?

RICHARD.[Calmly.]YouaretryingtoputthatideaintomyheadbutIwarnyouthatIdon’ttakemyideasfromotherpeople.

BERTHA.[Hotly.]Itis,itis!Andthatiswhyyouallowhimtogoon.Ofcourse!Itdoesn’taffectyou.Youloveher.

RICHARD.Love! [Throws out his handswith a sigh andmoves away fromher.] I cannotarguewithyou.

BERTHA.Youcan’tbecauseIamright.[Followinghimafewsteps.]Whatwouldanyonesay?

RICHARD.[Turnstoher.]DoyouthinkIcare?

BERTHA.

ButIcare.Whatwouldhesayifheknew?You,whotalksomuchofthehighkind of feeling you have for me, expressing yourself in that way to anotherwoman. If he did it, or other men, I could understand because they are falsepretenders.Butyou,Dick!Whydoyounottellhimthen?

RICHARD.Youcanifyoulike.

BERTHA.Iwill.CertainlyIwill.

RICHARD.[Coolly.]Hewillexplainittoyou.

BERTHA.Hedoesn’tsayonethinganddoanother.Heishonestinhisownway.

RICHARD.[Plucksoneof the rosesand throws it at her feet.]He is, indeed!The soul ofhonour!

BERTHA.Youmaymakefunofhimasmuchasyoulike.Iunderstandmorethanyouthinkabout thatbusiness.Andsowillhe.Writingthose longletters toherforyears,andshetoyou.Foryears.ButsinceIcamebackIunderstandit—well.

RICHARD.Youdonot.Norwouldhe.

BERTHA.[Laughsscornfully.]Ofcourse.NeitherhenorIcanunderstandit.Onlyshecan.Becauseitissuchadeepthing!

RICHARD.[Angrily.]Neitherhenoryou—norsheeither!Notoneofyou!

BERTHA.[Withgreatbitterness.]Shewill!Shewillunderstandit!Thediseasedwoman!

[Sheturnsawayandwalksovertothelittletableontheright.RICHARDrestrainsasuddengesture.Ashortpause.]

RICHARD.[Gravely.]Bertha,takecareofutteringwordslikethat!

BERTHA.[Turning,excitedly.] I don’tmean any harm! I feel for hermore than you canbecauseIamawoman.Ido,sincerely.ButwhatIsayistrue.

RICHARD.Isitgenerous?Think.

BERTHA.[Pointing towards the garden.] It is shewho is not generous.Remember nowwhatIsay.

RICHARD.What?

BERTHA.[Comesnearer;inacalmertone.]Youhavegiventhatwomanverymuch,Dick.Andshemaybeworthyofit.Andshemayunderstanditall,too.Iknowsheisthatkind.

RICHARD.Doyoubelievethat?

BERTHA.Ido.ButIbelieveyouwillgetverylittlefromherinreturn—orfromanyofherclan.Remembermywords,Dick.Becausesheisnotgenerousandtheyarenotgenerous.IsitallwrongwhatIamsaying?Isit?

RICHARD.[Darkly.]No.Notall.

[Shestoopsand,pickinguptherosefromthefloor,placesit inthevaseagain.Hewatchesher.BRIGIDappearsatthefoldingdoorsontheright.]

BRIGID.Theteaisonthetable,ma’am.

BERTHA.Verywell.

BRIGID.IsMasterArchieinthegarden?

BERTHA.Yes.Callhimin.

[BRIGIDcrossestheroomandgoesoutintothegarden.BERTHAgoestowardsthedoorsontheright.Attheloungeshestopsandtakesuptheslip.]

BRIGID.[Inthegarden.]MasterArchie!Youaretocomeintoyourtea.

BERTHA.AmItogotothisplace?

RICHARD.Doyouwanttogo?

BERTHA.Iwanttofindoutwhathemeans.AmItogo?

RICHARD.Whydoyouaskme?Decideyourself.

BERTHA.Doyoutellmetogo?

RICHARD.No.

BERTHA.Doyouforbidmetogo?

RICHARD.No.

BRIGID.[Fromthegarden.]Comequickly,MasterArchie!Yourteaiswaitingonyou.

[BRIGIDcrossestheroomandgoesout throughthefoldingdoors.BERTHA foldstheslipintothewaistofherdressandgoesslowlytowardstheright.Nearthedoorsheturnsandhalts.]

BERTHA.TellmenottogoandIwillnot.

RICHARD.[Withoutlookingather.]Decideyourself.

BERTHA.Willyoublamemethen?

RICHARD.[Excitedly.]No,no!Iwillnotblameyou.Youarefree.Icannotblameyou.

[ARCHIEappearsatthegardendoor.]

BERTHA.Ididnotdeceiveyou.

[Shegoesoutthroughthefoldingdoors.RICHARDremainsstandingatthetable.ARCHIE,whenhismotherhasgone,runsdowntoRICHARD.]

ARCHIE.[Quickly.]Well,didyouaskher?

RICHARD.[Starting.]What?

ARCHIE.CanIgo?

RICHARD.Yes.

ARCHIE.Inthemorning?Shesaidyes?

RICHARD.Yes.Inthemorning.

[Heputshisarmroundhisson’sshouldersandlooksdownathimfondly.]

SecondActA room inRobertHand’s cottage atRanelagh.On the right, forward, a smallblackpiano,ontherestofwhichisanopenpieceofmusic.Fartherbackadoorleading to the street door. In thewall, at theback, foldingdoors, drapedwithdarkcurtains,leadingtoabedroom.Nearthepianoalargetable,onwhichisatalloil lampwithawideyellowshade.Chairs,upholstered,near this table.Asmallcardtablemoreforward.Againstthebackwallabookcase.Intheleftwall,back, awindow looking out into the garden, and, forward, a door and porch,

alsoleadingto thegarden.Easychairshereandthere.Plants in theporchandnear thedraped foldingdoors.On thewallsaremany framedblackandwhitedesigns.Intherightcorner,back,asideboard;andinthecentreoftheroom,leftofthetable,agroupconsistingofastandingTurkishpipe,alowoilstove,whichisnotlit,andarocking-chair.Itistheeveningofthesameday.

[ROBERTHAND, ineveningdress, isseatedat thepiano.Thecandlesarenot litbut the lamp on the table is lit. He plays softly in the bass the first bars ofWolfram’ssonginthelastactof‘Tannhäuser’.Thenhebreaksoffand,restinganelbowontheledgeofthekeyboard,meditates.Thenherisesand,pullingoutapumpfrombehindthepiano,walkshereandthereintheroomejectingfromitintotheairspraysofperfume.Heinhalestheairslowlyandthenputsthepumpbackbehind thepiano.Hesitsdownonachairnear the tableand,smoothinghishaircarefully,sighsonceortwice.Then,thrustinghishandsintohistrouserspockets,heleansback,stretchesouthislegs,andwaits.Aknockisheardatthestreetdoor.Herisesquickly.]

ROBERT.[Exclaims.]Bertha!

[Hehurriesoutbythedoorontheright.Thereisanoiseofconfusedgreeting.AfterafewmomentsROBERTenters,followedbyRICHARDROWAN,whoisingreytweeds as before but holds in one hand a dark felt hat and in the other anumbrella.]

ROBERT.Firstofallletmeputtheseoutside.

[Hetakesthehatandumbrella,leavestheminthehallandreturns.]

ROBERT.[Pullingroundachair.]Hereyouare.Youareluckytofindmein.Whydidn’tyou tell me today? You were always a devil for surprises. I suppose myevocationofthepastwastoomuchforyourwildblood.SeehowartisticIhavebecome.[Hepointstothewalls.]Thepianoisanadditionsinceyourtime.IwasjuststrummingoutWagnerwhenyoucame.Killingtime.YouseeIamreadyforthefray. [Laughs.] Iwas justwonderinghowyouand thevicechancellorweregettingontogether.[Withexaggeratedalarm.]Butareyougoinginthatsuit?Owell, itdoesn’tmakemuchodds,Isuppose.Buthowgoesthetime?[Hetakesouthiswatch.]Twentypasteightalready,Ideclare!

RICHARD.Haveyouanappointment?

ROBERT.[Laughsnervously.]Suspicioustothelast!

RICHARD.ThenImaysitdown?

ROBERT.Ofcourse,ofcourse.[Theybothsitdown.]Forafewminutes,anyhow.Thenwecanbothgoontogether.Wearenotboundfortime.Betweeneightandnine,hesaid,didn’the?Whattimeisit,Iwonder?[Isabouttolookagainathiswatch;thenstops.]Twentypasteight,yes.

RICHARD.[Wearily,sadly.]Yourappointmentalsowasforthesamehour.Here.

ROBERT.Whatappointment?

RICHARD.WithBertha.

ROBERT.[Staresathim.]Areyoumad?

RICHARD.Areyou?

ROBERT.[Afteralongpause.]Whotoldyou?

RICHARD.She.

[Ashortsilence.]

ROBERT.[Inalowvoice.]Yes.Imusthavebeenmad.[Rapidly.]Listentome,Richard.Itisagreatrelieftomethatyouhavecome—thegreatestrelief.Iassureyouthatever since this afternoon I have thought and thought how I could break it offwithoutseemingafool.Agreatrelief!Ievenintendedtosendword...aletter,afew lines. [Suddenly.] But then it was too late... [Passes his hand over his

forehead.]Letmespeakfranklywithyou;letmetellyoueverything.

RICHARD.Iknoweverything.Ihaveknownforsometime.

ROBERT.Sincewhen?

RICHARD.Sinceitbeganbetweenyouandher.

ROBERT.[Againrapidly.]Yes,Iwasmad.Butitwasmerelylightheadedness.Iadmitthattohaveaskedherhere thiseveningwasamistake. Icanexplaineverything toyou.AndIwill.Truly.

RICHARD.Explaintomewhatisthewordyoulongedandneverdaredtosaytoher.Ifyoucanorwill.

ROBERT.[Looks down, then raises his head.] Yes. I will. I admire very much thepersonalityofyour...of...yourwife.Thatistheword.Icansayit.Itisnosecret.

RICHARD.Thenwhydidyouwishtokeepsecretyourwooing?

ROBERT.Wooing?

RICHARD.Your advances to her, little by little, day after day, looks, whispers. [With anervousmovementofthehands.]Insomma,wooing.

ROBERT.[Bewildered.]Buthowdoyouknowallthis?

RICHARD.Shetoldme.

ROBERT.Thisafternoon?

RICHARD.No.Timeaftertime,asithappened.

ROBERT.Youknew?Fromher?[RICHARDnods.].Youwerewatchingusallthetime?

RICHARD.[Verycoldly.]Iwaswatchingyou.

ROBERT.[Quickly.]Imean,watchingme.Andyouneverspoke!Youhadonlytospeakaword—to saveme frommyself. Youwere tryingme. [Passes his hand againoverhisforehead.]Itwasaterribletrial:nowalso.[Desperately.]Well,itispast.Itwillbealessontomeforallmylife.YouhatemenowforwhatIhavedoneandfor...

RICHARD.[Quietly,lookingathim.]HaveIsaidthatIhateyou?

ROBERT.Doyounot?Youmust.

RICHARD.EvenifBerthahadnottoldmeIshouldhaveknown.DidyounotseethatwhenIcameinthisafternoonIwentintomystudysuddenlyforamoment?

ROBERT.Youdid.Iremember.

RICHARD.Togiveyoutimetorecoveryourself.Itmademesadtoseeyoureyes.Andtherosestoo.Icannotsaywhy.Agreatmassofoverblownroses.

ROBERT.IthoughtIhadtogivethem.Wasthatstrange?[LooksatRICHARDwithatorturedexpression.]Toomany,perhaps?Ortoooldorcommon?

RICHARD.ThatwaswhyIdidnothateyou.Thewholethingmademesadallatonce.

ROBERT.[Tohimself.]Andthisisreal.Itishappening—tous.

[He stares before him for somemoments in silence, as if dazed; then,withoutturninghishead,continues.]

ROBERT.

Andshe,too,wastryingme;makinganexperimentwithmeforyoursake!

RICHARD.YouknowwomenbetterthanIdo.Shesaysshefeltpityforyou.

ROBERT.[Brooding.]Pitiedme,becauseIamnolonger...an ideal lover.Likemyroses.Common,old.

RICHARD.Likeallmenyouhaveafoolishwanderingheart.

ROBERT.[Slowly.]Well,youspokeatlast.Youchosetherightmoment.

RICHARD.[Leans forward.] Robert, not like this. For us two, no.Years, awhole life, offriendship.Thinkamoment.Sincechildhood,boyhood...No,no.Notinsuchaway—like thieves—at night. [Glancing about him.] And in such a place. No,Robert,thatisnotforpeoplelikeus.

ROBERT.Whatalesson!Richard,Icannottellyouwhatareliefitistomethatyouhavespoken—that thedanger ispassed.Yes,yes. [Somewhatdiffidently.] Because...therewassomedangerforyou,too,ifyouthink.Wastherenot?

RICHARD.Whatdanger?

ROBERT.[In the same tone.] I don’t know. I mean if you had not spoken. If you hadwatchedandwaitedonuntil...

RICHARD.Until?

ROBERT.[Bravely.]UntilIhadcometolikehermoreandmore(becauseIcanassureyouitisonlyalightheadedideaofmine),tolikeherdeeply,toloveher.Wouldyouhavespokentomethenasyouhavejustnow?[RICHARD issilent.ROBERTgoesonmoreboldly.] Itwouldhavebeendifferent,would it not?For then itmighthavebeen too latewhile it isnot too latenow.WhatcouldIhavesaid then?Icouldhavesaidonly:Youaremyfriend,mydeargoodfriend.Iamverysorry

butIloveher.[Withasuddenferventgesture.]IloveherandIwilltakeherfromyou,howeverIcan,becauseIloveher.

[Theylookateachotherforsomemomentsinsilence.]

RICHARD.[Calmly.]ThatisthelanguageIhaveheardoftenandneverbelievedin.Doyoumeanby stealth or byviolence?Steal you couldnot inmyhousebecause thedoorswereopen;nortakebyviolenceiftherewerenoresistance.

ROBERT.You forget that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence: and the kingdom ofheavenislikeawoman.

RICHARD.[Smiling.]Goon.

ROBERT.[Diffidently, but bravely.] Do you think you have rights over her—over herheart?

RICHARD.None.

ROBERT.Forwhatyouhavedoneforher?Somuch!Youclaimnothing?

RICHARD.Nothing.

ROBERT.[Afterapausestrikeshisforeheadwithhishand.]WhatamIsaying?OrwhatamI thinking? Iwishyouwouldupbraidme,curseme,hatemeas Ideserve.Youlovethiswoman.Irememberallyoutoldmelongago.Sheisyours,yourwork. [Suddenly.]And that iswhy I, too,wasdrawn toher.Youare so strongthatyouattractmeeventhroughher.

RICHARD.Iamweak.

ROBERT.[Withenthusiasm.]You,Richard!Youaretheincarnationofstrength.

RICHARD.

[Holdsouthishands.]Feelthosehands.

ROBERT.[Takinghishands.]Yes.Minearestronger.ButImeantstrengthofanotherkind.

RICHARD.[Gloomily.]Ithinkyouwouldtrytotakeherbyviolence.

[Hewithdrawshishandsslowly.]

ROBERT.[Rapidly.]Thosearemomentsofsheermadnesswhenwefeelanintensepassionforawoman.Weseenothing.Wethinkofnothing.Onlytopossessher.Callitbrutal,bestial,whatyouwill.

RICHARD.[Alittletimidly.]Iamafraidthatthatlongingtopossessawomanisnotlove.

ROBERT.[Impatiently.]Nomaneveryetlivedonthisearthwhodidnotlongtopossess—Imeantopossessintheflesh—thewomanwhomheloves.Itisnature’slaw.

RICHARD.[Contemptuously.]Whatisthattome?DidIvoteit?

ROBERT.Butifyoulove...Whatelseisit?

RICHARD.[Hesitatingly.]Towishherwell.

ROBERT.[Warmly.]Butthepassionwhichburnsusnightanddaytopossessher.YoufeelitasIdo.Anditisnotwhatyousaidnow.

RICHARD.Haveyou...? [He stops for an instance.]Haveyou the luminous certitude thatyoursisthebrainincontactwithwhichshemustthinkandunderstandandthatyours is the body in contact with which her body must feel? Have you thiscertitudeinyourself?

ROBERT.Haveyou?

RICHARD.

[Moved.] Once I had it, Robert: a certitude as luminous as that of my ownexistence—oranillusionasluminous.

ROBERT.[Cautiously.]Andnow?

RICHARD.IfyouhaditandIcouldfeelthatyouhadit—evennow...

ROBERT.Whatwouldyoudo?

RICHARD.[Quietly.]Goaway.You,andnot I,wouldbenecessary toher.Aloneas IwasbeforeImether.

ROBERT.[Rubshishandsnervously.]Anicelittleloadonmyconscience!

RICHARD.[Abstractedly.]Youmetmysonwhenyoucametomyhousethisafternoon.Hetoldme.Whatdidyoufeel?

ROBERT.[Promptly.]Pleasure.

RICHARD.Nothingelse?

ROBERT.Nothingelse.UnlessIthoughtoftwothingsatthesametime.Iamlikethat.Ifmy best friend lay in his coffin and his face had a comic expression I shouldsmile. [Witha littlegestureofdespair.] I am like that.But I should suffer too,deeply.

RICHARD.Youspokeofconscience...Didheseemtoyouachildonly—oranangel?

ROBERT.[Shakeshishead.]No.NeitheranangelnoranAnglo-Saxon.Twothings,bytheway,forwhichIhaveverylittlesympathy.

RICHARD.Neverthen?Nevereven...withher?Tellme.Iwishtoknow.

ROBERT.I feel inmyheart somethingdifferent. Ibelieve thaton the lastday (if it evercomes),whenweareallassembledtogether,thattheAlmightywillspeaktouslikethis.Wewillsaythatwelivedchastelywithoneothercreature...

RICHARD.[Bitterly.]LietoHim?

ROBERT.Orthatwetriedto.AndHewillsaytous:Fools!Whotoldyouthatyouweretogiveyourselvestoonebeingonly?Youweremadetogiveyourselvestomanyfreely.IwrotethatlawwithMyfingeronyourhearts.

RICHARD.Onwoman’sheart,too?

ROBERT.Yes.Canwecloseourheartagainstanaffectionwhichwefeeldeeply?Shouldwecloseit?Shouldshe?

RICHARD.Wearespeakingofbodilyunion.

ROBERT.Affectionbetweenmanandwomanmustcometothat.Wethinktoomuchofitbecauseourmindsarewarped.Forustodayit isofnomoreconsequencethananyotherformofcontact—thanakiss.

RICHARD.Ifitisofnoconsequencewhyareyoudissatisfiedtillyoureachthatend?Whywereyouwaitingheretonight?

ROBERT.Passiontendstogoasfarasitcan;but,youmaybelievemeornot,Ihadnotthatinmymind—toreachthatend.

RICHARD.Reachitifyoucan.Iwillusenoarmagainstyouthattheworldputsinmyhand.IfthelawwhichGod’sfingerhaswrittenonourheartsisthelawyousayItooamGod’screature.

[Herisesandpacestoandfrosomemomentsinsilence.Thenhegoestowardstheporchandleansagainstthejamb.ROBERTwatcheshim.]

ROBERT.Ialwaysfeltit.Inmyselfandinothers.

RICHARD.[Absently.]Yes?

ROBERT.[Withavaguegesture.]Forall.Thatawoman,too,hastherighttotrywithmanymenuntil she finds love.An immoral idea, is itnot? Iwanted towriteabookaboutit.Ibeganit...

RICHARD.[Asbefore.]Yes?

ROBERT.BecauseIknewawomanwhoseemedtometobedoingthat—carryingoutthatideainherownlife.Sheinterestedmeverymuch.

RICHARD.Whenwasthis?

ROBERT.O,notlately.Whenyouwereaway.

[RICHARDleaveshisplaceratherabruptlyandagainpacestoandfro.]

ROBERT.Yousee,Iammorehonestthanyouthought.

RICHARD.Iwishyouhadnotthoughtofhernow—whoevershewas,oris.

ROBERT.[Easily.]Shewasandisthewifeofastockbroker.

RICHARD.[Turning.]Youknowhim?

ROBERT.Intimately.

[RICHARDsitsdownagaininthesameplaceandleansforward,hisheadonhishands.]

ROBERT.

[Movinghischairalittlecloser.]MayIaskyouaquestion?

RICHARD.Youmay.

ROBERT.[With some hesitation.] Has it never happened to you in these years—Imeanwhen you were away from her, perhaps, or travelling—to... betray her withanother. Betray her, I mean, not in love. Carnally, I mean... Has that neverhappened?

RICHARD.Ithas.

ROBERT.Andwhatdidyoudo?

RICHARD.[Asbefore.]Irememberthefirsttime.Icamehome.Itwasnight.Myhousewassilent.Mylittlesonwassleepinginhiscot.She,too,wasasleep.Iwakenedherfromsleepandtoldher.Icriedbesideherbed;andIpiercedherheart.

ROBERT.O,Richard,whydidyoudothat?

RICHARD.Betrayher?

ROBERT.No.Buttellher,wakenherfromsleeptotellher.Itwaspiercingherheart.

RICHARD.ShemustknowmeasIam.

ROBERT.Butthatisnotyouasyouare.Amomentofweakness.

RICHARD.[Lostinthought.]AndIwasfeedingtheflameofherinnocencewithmyguilt.

ROBERT.[Brusquely.]O,don’ttalkofguiltandinnocence.Youhavemadeherallthatsheis.Astrangeandwonderfulpersonality—inmyeyes,atleast.

RICHARD.

[Darkly.]OrIhavekilledher.

ROBERT.Killedher?

RICHARD.Thevirginityofhersoul.

ROBERT.[Impatiently.]Welllost!Whatwouldshebewithoutyou?

RICHARD.Itriedtogiveheranewlife.

ROBERT.Andyouhave.Anewandrichlife.

RICHARD.Is itworthwhat I have taken fromher—hergirlhood, her laughter, her youngbeauty,thehopesinheryoungheart?

ROBERT.[Firmly.]Yes.Wellworthit.[HelooksatRICHARDforsomemomentsinsilence.]Ifyouhadneglectedher,livedwildly,broughtherawaysofaronlytomakehersuffer...

[Hestops.RICHARDraiseshisheadandlooksathim.]

RICHARD.IfIhad?

ROBERT.[Slightlyconfused.]Youknow therewere rumourshereofyour lifeabroad—awild life. Somepersonswho knewyou ormet you or heard of you inRome.Lyingrumours.

RICHARD.[Coldly.]Continue.

ROBERT.[Laughsalittleharshly.]EvenIattimesthoughtofherasavictim.[Smoothly.]Andofcourse,Richard,Ifeltandknewallthetimethatyouwereamanofgreattalent—ofsomethingmorethantalent.Andthatwasyourexcuse—avalidoneinmyeyes.

RICHARD.Haveyouthoughtthatitisperhapsnow—atthismoment—thatIamneglectingher?[HeclaspshishandsnervouslyandleansacrosstowardROBERT.]Imaybesilentstill.Andshemayyieldtoyouatlast—whollyandmanytimes.

ROBERT.[Drawsbackatonce.]MydearRichard,mydearfriend,IsweartoyouIcouldnotmakeyousuffer.

RICHARD.[Continuing.]Youmay then know in soul and body, in a hundred forms, andeverrestlessly,whatsomeoldtheologian,DunsScotus,Ithink,calledadeathofthespirit.

ROBERT.[Eagerly.]Adeath.No;itsaffirmation!Adeath!Thesupremeinstantoflifefromwhichallcominglifeproceeds,theeternallawofnatureherself.

RICHARD.And thatother lawofnature, asyoucall it: change.Howwill it bewhenyouturnagainstherandagainstme;whenherbeauty,orwhatseemssotoyounow,weariesyouandmyaffectionforyouseemsfalseandodious?

ROBERT.Thatwillneverbe.Never.

RICHARD.Andyouturnevenagainstyourselfforhavingknownmeor traffickedwithusboth?

ROBERT.[Gravely.]Itwillneverbelikethat,Richard.Besureofthat.

RICHARD.[Contemptuously.] I care very little whether it is or not because there issomethingIfearmuchmore.

ROBERT.[Shakes his head.] You fear? I disbelieve you, Richard. Since we were boystogetherIhavefollowedyourmind.Youdonotknowwhatmoralfearis.

RICHARD.[Layshishandonhisarm.]Listen.Sheisdead.Sheliesonmybed.Ilookather

bodywhichIbetrayed—grosslyandmanytimes.Andloved,too,andweptover.And Iknow thatherbodywas alwaysmy loyal slave.Tome, tomeonly shegave...[Hebreaksoffandturnsaside,unabletospeak.]

ROBERT.[Softly.]Donotsuffer,Richard.Thereisnoneed.Sheisloyaltoyou,bodyandsoul.Whydoyoufear?

RICHARD.[Turns towards him, almost fiercely.] Not that fear. But that I will reproachmyselfthenforhavingtakenallformyselfbecauseIwouldnotsufferhertogivetoanotherwhatwashersandnotminetogive,becauseIacceptedfromherherloyaltyandmadeherlifepoorerinlove.Thatismyfear.ThatIstandbetweenherandanymomentsoflifethatshouldbehers,betweenherandyou,betweenherandanyone,betweenherandanything.Iwillnotdoit. IcannotandIwillnot.Idarenot.

[He leansback inhischairbreathless,withshiningeyes.ROBERT risesquietly,andstandsbehindhischair.]

ROBERT.Lookhere,Richard.Wehavesaidallthereistobesaid.Letthepastbepast.

RICHARD.[Quicklyandharshly.]Wait.Onethingmore.Foryou,too,mustknowmeasIam—now.

ROBERT.More?Istheremore?

RICHARD.ItoldyouthatwhenIsawyoureyesthisafternoonIfeltsad.Yourhumilityandconfusion,Ifelt,unitedyoutomeinbrotherhood.[Heturnshalfroundtowardshim.]At thatmomentIfeltourwholelife together in thepast,andI longedtoputmyarmaroundyourneck.

ROBERT.[Deeplyandsuddenly touched.] It isnobleofyou,Richard, to forgiveme likethis.

RICHARD.[Strugglingwithhimself.]I toldyouthatIwishedyounot todoanythingfalse

andsecretagainstme—againstourfriendship,againsther;nottostealherfrommecraftily,secretly,meanly—inthedark,inthenight—you,Robert,myfriend.

ROBERT.Iknow.Anditwasnobleofyou.

RICHARD.[Looksupathimwithasteadygaze.]No.Notnoble.Ignoble.

ROBERT.[Makesaninvoluntarygesture.]How?Why?

RICHARD.[Looksawayagain:inalowervoice.]ThatiswhatImusttellyoutoo.BecauseintheverycoreofmyignobleheartIlongedtobebetrayedbyyouandbyher—inthedark,inthenight—secretly,meanly,craftily.Byyou,mybestfriend,andbyher.Ilongedforthatpassionatelyandignobly,tobedishonouredforeverinloveandinlust,tobe...

ROBERT.[Bendingdown,placeshishandsoverRICHARD’Smouth.]Enough.Enough.[Hetakeshishandsaway.]Butno.Goon.

RICHARD.Tobeforeverashamefulcreatureandtobuildupmysoulagainoutoftheruinsofitsshame.

ROBERT.Andthatiswhyyouwishedthatshe...

RICHARD.[Withcalm.]Shehasspokenalwaysofherinnocence,asIhavespokenalwaysofmyguilt,humblingme.

ROBERT.Frompride,then?

RICHARD.Fromprideandfromignoblelonging.Andfromamotivedeeperstill.

ROBERT.[Withdecision.]Iunderstandyou.

[Hereturnstohisplaceandbeginstospeakatonce,drawinghischaircloser.]

ROBERT.Mayitnotbethatwearehereandnowinthepresenceofamomentwhichwillfreeusboth—measwellasyou—fromthelastbondsofwhatiscalledmorality.Myfriendshipforyouhaslaidbondsonme.

RICHARD.Lightbonds,apparently.

ROBERT.I acted in the dark, secretly. Iwill do so no longer.Have you the courage toallowmetoactfreely?

RICHARD.Aduel—betweenus?

ROBERT.[With growing excitement.] A battle of both our souls, different as they are,againstallthatisfalseinthemandintheworld.Abattleofyoursoulagainstthespectre of fidelity, of mine against the spectre of friendship. All life is aconquest, thevictoryofhumanpassionover thecommandmentsofcowardice.Will you, Richard? Have you the courage? Even if it shatters to atoms thefriendshipbetweenus,evenifitbreaksupforeverthelastillusioninyourownlife?Therewasaneternitybeforewewereborn:anotherwillcomeafterwearedead. The blinding instant of passion alone—passion, free, unashamed,irresistible—that is the only gate bywhichwe can escape from themisery ofwhatslavescalllife.IsnotthisthelanguageofyourownyouththatIheardsooftenfromyouinthisveryplacewherewearesittingnow?Haveyouchanged?

RICHARD.[Passeshishandacrosshisbrow.]Yes.Itisthelanguageofmyyouth.

ROBERT.[Eagerly, intensely.] Richard, you have drivenme up to this point. She and Ihaveonlyobeyedyourwill.Youyourselfhaverousedthesewordsinmybrain.Yourownwords.Shallwe?Freely?Together?

RICHARD.[Masteringhisemotion.]Togetherno.Fightyourpartalone.Iwillnotfreeyou.Leavemetofightmine.

ROBERT.[Rises,decided.]Youallowme,then?

RICHARD.[Risesalso,calmly.]Freeyourself.

[Aknockisheardatthehalldoor.]

ROBERT.[Inalarm.]Whatdoesthismean?

RICHARD.[Calmly.]Bertha,evidently.Didyounotaskhertocome?

ROBERT.Yes,but...[Lookingabouthim.]ThenIamgoing,Richard.

RICHARD.No.Iamgoing.

ROBERT.[Desperately.]Richard,Iappealtoyou.Letmego.Itisover.Sheisyours.Keepherandforgiveme,bothofyou.

RICHARD.Becauseyouaregenerousenoughtoallowme?

ROBERT.[Hotly.]Richard,youwillmakemeangrywithyouifyousaythat.

RICHARD.Angryornot,Iwillnotliveonyourgenerosity.Youhaveaskedhertomeetyouheretonightandalone.Solvethequestionbetweenyou.

ROBERT.[Promptly.] Open the door. I shall wait in the garden. [He goes towards theporch.]Explaintoher,Richard,asbestyoucan.Icannotseehernow.

RICHARD.Ishallgo.Itellyou.Waitoutthereifyouwish.

[Hegoesoutbythedoorontheright.ROBERTgoesouthastilythroughtheporchbutcomesbackthesameinstant.]

ROBERT.Anumbrella![Withasuddengesture.]O!

[Hegoesoutagainthroughtheporch.Thehalldoorisheardtoopenandclose.

RICHARDenters,followedbyBERTHA,whoisdressedinadarkbrowncostumeandwearsasmalldarkredhat.Shehasneitherumbrellanorwaterproof.]

RICHARD.[Gaily.]WelcomebacktooldIreland!

BERTHA.[Nervously,seriously.]Isthistheplace?

RICHARD.Yes,itis.Howdidyoufindit?

BERTHA.I told thecabman. Ididn’t like toaskmyway. [Lookingabouther curiously.]Washenotwaiting?Hashegoneaway?

RICHARD.[Points towards thegarden.]He iswaiting.Out there.Hewaswaitingwhen Icame.

BERTHA.[Selfpossessedagain.]Yousee,youcameafterall.

RICHARD.DidyouthinkIwouldnot?

BERTHA.Iknewyoucouldnotremainaway.Yousee,afterallyouarelikeallothermen.Youhadtocome.Youarejealousliketheothers.

RICHARD.Youseemannoyedtofindmehere.

BERTHA.Whathappenedbetweenyou?

RICHARD.ItoldhimIkneweverything,thatIhadknownforalongtime.Heaskedhow.Isaidfromyou.

BERTHA.Doeshehateme?

RICHARD.Icannotreadinhisheart.

BERTHA.[Sits downhelplessly.]Yes.He hatesme.Hebelieves Imade a fool of him—betrayedhim.Iknewhewould.

RICHARD.Itoldhimyouweresincerewithhim.

BERTHA.Hedoesnotbelieveit.Nobodywouldbelieveit.Ishouldhavetoldhimfirst—notyou.

RICHARD.Ithoughthewasacommonrobber,preparedtouseevenviolenceagainstyou.Ihadtoprotectyoufromthat.

BERTHA.ThatIcouldhavedonemyself.

RICHARD.Areyousure?

BERTHA.Itwouldhavebeenenoughtohave toldhimthatyouknewIwashere.NowIcan find out nothing.He hatesme.He is right to hateme. I have treated himbadly,shamefully.

RICHARD.[Takesherhand.]Bertha,lookatme.

BERTHA.[Turnstohim.]Well?

RICHARD.[Gazes into her eyes and then lets her hand fall.] I cannot read in your hearteither.

BERTHA.[Stilllookingathim.]Youcouldnotremainaway.Doyounottrustme?YoucanseeIamquitecalm.Icouldhavehiddenitallfromyou.

RICHARD.Idoubtthat.

BERTHA.

[Withaslighttossofherhead.]O,easilyifIhadwantedto.

RICHARD.[Darkly.]Perhapsyouaresorrynowthatyoudidnot.

BERTHA.PerhapsIam.

RICHARD.[Unpleasantly.]Whatafoolyouweretotellme!Itwouldhavebeensoniceifyouhadkeptitsecret.

BERTHA.Asyoudo,no?

RICHARD.AsIdo,yes.[Heturnstogo.]Goodbyeforawhile.

BERTHA.[Alarmed,rises.]Areyougoing?

RICHARD.Naturally.Mypartisendedhere.

BERTHA.Toher,Isuppose?

RICHARD.[Astonished.]Who?

BERTHA.Her ladyship. I suppose it is all planned so that you may have a goodopportunity.Tomeetherandhaveanintellectualconversation!

RICHARD.[Withanoutburstofrudeanger.]Tomeetthedevil’sfather!

BERTHA.[Unpinsherhatandsitsdown.]Verywell.Youcango.NowIknowwhattodo.

RICHARD.[Returns,approachesher.]Youdon’tbelieveawordofwhatyousay.

BERTHA.[Calmly.]Youcango.Whydon’tyou?

RICHARD.Thenyouhavecomehereandledhimoninthiswayonaccountofme.Isthathowitis?

BERTHA.Thereisonepersoninallthiswhoisnotafool.Andthatisyou.Iamthough.Andheis.

RICHARD.[Continuing.]Ifsoyouhaveindeedtreatedhimbadlyandshamefully.

BERTHA.[Pointsathim.]Yes.Butitwasyourfault.AndIwillenditnow.Iamsimplyatool foryou.Youhaveno respect forme.Youneverhadbecause Ididwhat Idid.

RICHARD.Andhasherespect?

BERTHA.Hehas.OfallthepersonsImetsinceIcamebackheistheonlyonewhohas.Andheknowswhattheyonlysuspect.AndthatiswhyIlikedhimfromthefirstandlikehimstill.Greatrespectformeshehas!Whydidyounotaskhertocomeawaywithyounineyearsago?

RICHARD.Youknowwhy,Bertha.Askyourself.

BERTHA.Yes,Iknowwhy.Youknewtheansweryouwouldget.Thatiswhy.

RICHARD.Thatisnotwhy.Ididnotevenaskyou.

BERTHA.Yes.YouknewIwouldgo,askedornot.Idothings.ButifIdoonethingIcandotwothings.AsIhavethenameIcanhavethegains.

RICHARD.[Withincreasingexcitement.]Bertha,Iacceptwhatistobe.Ihavetrustedyou.Iwilltrustyoustill.

BERTHA.

Tohavethatagainstme.Toleavemethen.[Almostpassionately.]Whydoyounotdefendmethenagainsthim?Whydoyougoawayfrommenowwithoutaword?Dick,myGod,tellmewhatyouwishmetodo?

RICHARD.Icannot,dear.[Strugglingwithhimself.]Yourownheartwilltellyou.[Heseizesbothherhands.]Ihaveawilddelightinmysoul,Bertha,asIlookatyou.Iseeyouasyouareyourself.ThatIcamefirstinyourlifeorbeforehimthen—thatmaybenothingtoyou.Youmaybehismorethanmine.

BERTHA.Iamnot.OnlyIfeelforhim,too.

RICHARD.AndIdotoo.Youmaybehisandmine.Iwilltrustyou,Bertha,andhimtoo.Imust.Icannothatehimsincehisarmshavebeenaroundyou.Youhavedrawnusneartogether.Thereissomethingwiserthanwisdominyourheart.WhoamIthatIshouldcallmyselfmasterofyourheartorofanywoman’s?Bertha,lovehim,behis,giveyourselftohimifyoudesire—orifyoucan.

BERTHA.[Dreamily.]Iwillremain.

RICHARD.Goodbye.

[Heletsherhandfallandgoesoutrapidlyontheright.BERTHAremainssitting.Thensherisesandgoestimidlytowardstheporch.Shestopsnearitand,afteralittlehesitation,callsintothegarden.]

BERTHA.Isanyoneoutthere?

[At the same time she retreats towards themiddleof the room.Then she callsagaininthesameway.]

BERTHA.Isanyonethere?

[ROBERTappearsintheopendoorwaythatleadsinfromthegarden.Hiscoatisbuttoned and the collar is turned up. He holds the doorposts with his handslightlyandwaitsforBERTHAtoseehim.]

BERTHA.[Catchingsightofhim,startsback:then,quickly.]Robert!

ROBERT.Areyoualone?

BERTHA.Yes.

ROBERT.[Lookingtowardsthedoorontheright.]Whereishe?

BERTHA.Gone.[Nervously.]Youstartledme.Wheredidyoucomefrom?

ROBERT.[Withamovementofhishead.]Outthere.DidhenottellyouIwasoutthere—waiting?

BERTHA.[Quickly.] Yes, he told me. But I was afraid here alone.With the door open,waiting.[Shecomestothetableandrestsherhandonthecorner.]Whydoyoustandlikethatinthedoorway?

ROBERT.Why?Iamafraidtoo.

BERTHA.Ofwhat?

ROBERT.Ofyou.

BERTHA.[Looksdown.]Doyouhatemenow?

ROBERT.Ifearyou.[Claspinghishandsathisback,quietlybutalittledefiantly.]Ifearanewtorture—anewtrap.

BERTHA.[Asbefore.]Forwhatdoyoublameme?

ROBERT.[Comesforwardafewsteps,halts:thenimpulsively:]Whydidyouleadmeon?

Dayafterday,moreandmore.Whydidyounotstopme?Youcouldhave—withaword.Butnotevenaword!I forgotmyselfandhim.Yousawit.ThatIwasruiningmyselfinhiseyes,losinghisfriendship.Didyouwantmeto?

BERTHA.[Lookingup.]Youneveraskedme.

ROBERT.Askedyouwhat?

BERTHA.Ifhesuspected—orknew.

ROBERT.Andwouldyouhavetoldme?

BERTHA.Yes.

ROBERT.[Hesitatingly.]Didyoutellhim—everything?

BERTHA.Idid.

ROBERT.Imean—details.

BERTHA.Everything.

ROBERT.[Witha forced smile.] I see.Youweremakinganexperiment forhis sake.Onme.Well,whynot?ItseemsIwasagoodsubject.Still, itwasa littlecruelofyou.

BERTHA.Trytounderstandme,Robert.Youmusttry.

ROBERT.[Withapolitegesture.]Well,Iwilltry.

BERTHA.Whydoyoustandlikethatnearthedoor?Itmakesmenervoustolookatyou.

ROBERT.Iamtryingtounderstand.AndthenIamafraid.

BERTHA.[Holdsoutherhand.]Youneednotbeafraid.

[ROBERTcomestowardsherquicklyandtakesherhand.]

ROBERT.[Diffidently.]Usedyoutolaughoverme—together?[Drawinghishandaway.]ButnowImustbegoodoryoumaylaughovermeagain—tonight.

BERTHA.[Distressed,laysherhandonhisarm.]Pleaselistentome,Robert...Butyouareallwet,drenched![Shepassesherhandsoverhiscoat.]O,youpoorfellow!Outthereintherainallthattime!Iforgotthat.

ROBERT.[Laughs.]Yes,youforgottheclimate.

BERTHA.Butyouarereallydrenched.Youmustchangeyourcoat.

ROBERT.[Takesherhands.]Tellme,itispitythenthatyoufeelforme,ashe—asRichard—says?

BERTHA.Pleasechangeyourcoat,Robert,whenIaskyou.Youmightgetaverybadcoldfromthat.Do,please.

ROBERT.Whatwoulditmatternow?

BERTHA.[Lookingroundher.]Wheredoyoukeepyourclotheshere?

ROBERT.[Points to the door at the back.] In there. I fancy I have a jacket here.[Maliciously.]Inmybedroom.

BERTHA.Well,goinandtakethatoff.

ROBERT.

Andyou?

BERTHA.Iwillwaithereforyou.

ROBERT.Doyoucommandmeto?

BERTHA.[Laughing.]Yes,Icommandyou.

ROBERT.[Promptly.]ThenIwill.[Hegoesquicklytowardsthebedroomdoor;thenturnsround.]Youwon’tgoaway?

BERTHA.No,Iwillwait.Butdon’tbelong.

ROBERT.Onlyamoment.

[Hegoesintothebedroom,leavingthedooropen.BERTHAlookscuriouslyaboutherandthenglancesinindecisiontowardsthedoorattheback.]

ROBERT.[Fromthebedroom.]Youhavenotgone?

BERTHA.No.

ROBERT.Iaminthedarkhere.Imustlightthelamp.

[Heisheardstrikingamatch,andputtingaglassshadeonalamp.Apinklightcomesinthroughthedoorway.BERTHAglancesatherwatchatherwristletandthensitsatthetable.]

ROBERT.[Asbefore.]Doyouliketheeffectofthelight?

BERTHA.O,yes.

ROBERT.Canyouadmireitfromwhereyouare?

BERTHA.Yes,quitewell.

ROBERT.Itwasforyou.

BERTHA.[Confused.]Iamnotworthyevenofthat.

ROBERT.[Clearly,harshly.]Love’slabourlost.

BERTHA.[Risingnervously.]Robert!

ROBERT.Yes?

BERTHA.Comehere,quickly!Quickly,Isay!

ROBERT.Iamready.

[He appears in the doorway, wearing a darkgreen velvet jacket. Seeing heragitation,hecomesquicklytowardsher.]

ROBERT.Whatisit,Bertha?

BERTHA.[Trembling.]Iwasafraid.

ROBERT.Ofbeingalone?

BERTHA.[Catcheshishands.]YouknowwhatImean.Mynervesareallupset.

ROBERT.ThatI...?

BERTHA.Promiseme,Robert,nottothinkofsuchathing.Never.Ifyoulikemeatall.Ithoughtthatmoment...

ROBERT.Whatanidea?

BERTHA.Butpromisemeifyoulikeme.

ROBERT.IfIlikeyou,Bertha!Ipromise.Ofcourse,Ipromise.Youaretremblingallover.

BERTHA.Letmesitdownsomewhere.Itwillpassinamoment.

ROBERT.MypoorBertha!Sitdown.Come.

[Heleadsher towardsachairnear the table.Shesitsdown.Hestandsbesideher.]

ROBERT.[Afterashortpause.]Hasitpassed?

BERTHA.Yes.Itwasonlyforamoment.Iwasverysilly.Iwasafraidthat...Iwantedtoseeyounearme.

ROBERT.That...thatyoumademepromisenottothinkof?

BERTHA.Yes.

ROBERT.[Keenly.]Orsomethingelse?

BERTHA.[Helplessly.]Robert,Ifearedsomething.Iamnotsurewhat.

ROBERT.Andnow?

BERTHA.Nowyouarehere.Icanseeyou.Nowithaspassed.

ROBERT.[Withresignation.]Passed.Yes.Love’slabourlost.

BERTHA.[Looksupathim.]Listen,Robert.Iwanttoexplaintoyouaboutthat.IcouldnotdeceiveDick.Never.Innothing.I toldhimeverything—fromthefirst.Thenitwentonandon;andstillyouneverspokeoraskedme.Iwantedyouto.

ROBERT.Isthatthetruth,Bertha?

BERTHA.Yes, because it annoyed me that you could think I was like... like the otherwomenIsupposeyouknewthatway.IthinkthatDickisrighttoo.Whyshouldtherebesecrets?

ROBERT.[Softly.]Still,secretscanbeverysweet.Cantheynot?

BERTHA.[Smiles.]Yes,Iknowtheycan.But,yousee,IcouldnotkeepthingssecretfromDick. Besides, what is the good? They always come out in the end. Is it notbetterforpeopletoknow?

ROBERT.[Softlyandalittleshyly.]Howcouldyou,Bertha,tellhimeverything?Didyou?Everysinglethingthatpassedbetweenus?

BERTHA.Yes.Everythingheaskedme.

ROBERT.Didheaskyou—much?

BERTHA.Youknowthekindheis.Heasksabouteverything.Theinsandouts.

ROBERT.Aboutourkissing,too?

BERTHA.Ofcourse.Itoldhimall.

ROBERT.[Shakeshisheadslowly.]Extraordinarylittleperson!Wereyounotashamed?

BERTHA.

No.

ROBERT.Notabit?

BERTHA.No.Why?Isthatterrible?

ROBERT.Andhowdidhetakeit?Tellme.Iwanttoknoweverything,too.

BERTHA.[Laughs.]Itexcitedhim.Morethanusual.

ROBERT.Why?Isheexcitable—still?

BERTHA.[Archly.]Yes,very.Whenheisnotlostinhisphilosophy.

ROBERT.MorethanI?

BERTHA.Morethanyou?[Reflecting.]HowcouldIanswerthat?Youbothare,Isuppose?

[ROBERTturnsasideandgazestowardstheporch,passinghishandonceortwicethoughtfullyoverhishair.]

BERTHA.[Gently.]Areyouangrywithmeagain?

ROBERT.[Moodily.]Youarewithme.

BERTHA.No,Robert.WhyshouldIbe?

ROBERT.Because I asked you to come to this place. I tried to prepare it for you. [Hepointsvaguelyhereandthere.]Asenseofquietness.

BERTHA.[Touchinghisjacketwithherfingers.]Andthis,too.Yournicevelvetcoat.

ROBERT.

Also.Iwillkeepnosecretsfromyou.

BERTHA.Youremindmeofsomeoneinapicture.Ilikeyouinit...Butyouarenotangry,areyou?

ROBERT.[Darkly.]Yes.Thatwasmymistake.Toaskyou tocomehere. I felt itwhenIlooked at you from the garden and saw you—you, Bertha—standing here.[Hopelessly.]ButwhatelsecouldIhavedone?

BERTHA.[Quietly.]Youmeanbecauseothershavebeenhere?

ROBERT.Yes.

[Hewalks away fromher a fewpaces.A gust ofwindmakes the lampon thetableflicker.Helowersthewickslightly.]

BERTHA.[Followinghimwithhereyes.]But Iknew thatbefore I came. I amnot angrywithyouforit.

ROBERT.[Shrugshisshoulders.]Whyshouldyoubeangrywithmeafterall?Youarenotevenangrywithhim—forthesamething—orworse.

BERTHA.Didhetellyouthatabouthimself?

ROBERT.Yes.Hetoldme.Weallconfesstooneanotherhere.Turnabout.

BERTHA.Itrytoforgetit.

ROBERT.Itdoesnottroubleyou?

BERTHA.Notnow.OnlyIdisliketothinkofit.

ROBERT.Itismerelysomethingbrutal,youthink?Oflittleimportance?

BERTHA.Itdoesnottroubleme—now.

ROBERT.[Lookingatheroverhisshoulder.]Butthereissomethingthatwouldtroubleyouverymuchandthatyouwouldnottrytoforget?

BERTHA.What?

ROBERT.[Turning towardsher.] If itwerenotonlysomethingbrutalwith thispersonorthat—for a few moments. If it were something fine and spiritual—with oneperson only—with one woman. [Smiles.] And perhaps brutal too. It usuallycomestothatsoonerorlater.Wouldyoutrytoforgetandforgivethat?

BERTHA.[Toyingwithherwristlet.]Inwhom?

ROBERT.Inanyone.Inme.

BERTHA.[Calmly.]YoumeaninDick.

ROBERT.Isaidinmyself.Butwouldyou?

BERTHA.YouthinkIwouldrevengemyself?IsDicknottobefreetoo?

ROBERT.[Pointsather.]Thatisnotfromyourheart,Bertha.

BERTHA.[Proudly.]Yes,itis;lethimbefreetoo.Heleavesmefreealso.

ROBERT.[Insistently.]Andyouknowwhy?Andunderstand?Andyou like it?Andyouwanttobe?Anditmakesyouhappy?Andhasmadeyouhappy?Always?Thisgiftoffreedomwhichhegaveyou—nineyearsago?

BERTHA.[Gazing at him with wide open eyes.] But why do you ask me such a lot of

questions,Robert?

ROBERT.[Stretchesoutbothhandstoher.]BecauseIhadanothergifttoofferyouthen—acommonsimplegift—likemyself.IfyouwanttoknowitIwilltellyou.

BERTHA.[Lookingatherwatch.]Pastispast,Robert.AndIthinkIoughttogonow.Itisninealmost.

ROBERT.[Impetuously.]No,no.Notyet.There isoneconfessionmoreandwehave therighttospeak.

[Hecrossesbeforethetablerapidlyandsitsdownbesideher.]

BERTHA.[Turningtowardshim,placesherlefthandonhisshoulder.]Yes,Robert.Iknowthatyoulikeme.Youneednottellme.[Kindly.]Youneednotconfessanymoretonight.

[Agust ofwind enters through theporch,with a soundofmoving leaves.Thelampflickersquickly.]

BERTHA.[Pointingoverhisshoulder.]Look!Itistoohigh.

[Withoutrising,hebendstowardsthetable,andturnsdownthewickmore.Theroomishalfdark.Thelightcomesinmorestronglythroughthedoorwayofthebedroom.]

ROBERT.Thewindisrising.Iwillclosethatdoor.

BERTHA.[Listening.]No,itisrainingstill.Itwasonlyagustofwind.

ROBERT.[Toucheshershoulder.]Tellmeiftheairistoocoldforyou.[Halfrising.]Iwillcloseit.

BERTHA.[Detaininghim.]No.Iamnotcold.Besides,Iamgoingnow,Robert.Imust.

ROBERT.[Firmly.]No,no.Thereisnomustnow.Wewerelefthereforthis.Andyouarewrong,Bertha.Thepastisnotpast.Itispresentherenow.Myfeelingforyouisthesamenowasitwasthen,becausethen—youslightedit.

BERTHA.No,Robert.Ididnot.

ROBERT.[Continuing.]Youdid.AndIhavefeltitalltheseyearswithoutknowingit—tillnow.EvenwhileIlived—thekindoflifeyouknowanddisliketothinkof—thekindoflifetowhichyoucondemnedme.

BERTHA.I?

ROBERT.Yes,whenyouslightedthecommonsimplegiftIhadtoofferyou—andtookhisgiftinstead.

BERTHA.[Lookingathim.]Butyounever...

ROBERT.No.Becauseyouhadchosenhim.Isawthat.Isawitonthefirstnightwemet,wethreetogether.Whydidyouchoosehim?

BERTHA.[Bendsherhead.]Isthatnotlove?

ROBERT.[Continuing.]Andeverynightwhenwetwo—heandI—cametothatcornertomeetyouIsawitandfeltit.Yourememberthecorner,Bertha?

BERTHA.[Asbefore.]Yes.

ROBERT.AndwhenyouandhewentawayforyourwalkandIwentalongthestreetaloneIfeltit.Andwhenhespoketomeaboutyouandtoldmehewasgoingaway—thenmostofall.

BERTHA.Whythenmostofall?

ROBERT.BecauseitwasthenthatIwasguiltyofmyfirsttreasontowardshim.

BERTHA.Robert,whatareyousaying?YourfirsttreasonagainstDick?

ROBERT.[Nods.]Andnotmylast.Hespokeofyouandhimself.Ofhowyourlifewouldbetogether—freeandallthat.Free,yes!Hewouldnotevenaskyoutogowithhim.[Bitterly.]Hedidnot.Andyouwentallthesame.

BERTHA.Iwantedtobewithhim.Youknow...[Raisingherheadandlookingathim.]Youknowhowwewerethen—DickandI.

ROBERT.[Unheeding.]Iadvisedhimtogoalone—nottotakeyouwithhim—tolivealoneinordertoseeifwhathefeltforyouwasapassingthingwhichmightruinyourhappinessandhiscareer.

BERTHA.Well,Robert.Itwasunkindofyoutowardsme.ButIforgiveyoubecauseyouwerethinkingofhishappinessandmine.

ROBERT.

[Bendingclosertoher.]No,Bertha.Iwasnot.Andthatwasmytreason.Iwasthinking ofmyself—that youmight turn from himwhen he had gone and hefromyou.ThenIwouldhaveofferedyoumygift.Youknowwhatitwasnow.Thesimplecommongiftthatmenoffertowomen.Notthebestperhaps.Bestorworst—itwouldhavebeenyours.

BERTHA.[Turningawayfromhim.]Hedidnottakeyouradvice.

ROBERT.[Asbefore.]No.Andthenightyouranawaytogether—O,howhappyIwas!

BERTHA.[Pressinghishands.]Keepcalm,Robert.Iknowyoulikedmealways.Whydidyounotforgetme?

ROBERT.[Smilesbitterly.]HowhappyIfeltasIcamebackalongthequaysandsawinthedistance theboat litupgoingdowntheblackriver, takingyouawayfromme![Inacalmertone.]Butwhydidyouchoosehim?Didyounotlikemeatall?

BERTHA.Yes.Ilikedyoubecauseyouwerehisfriend.Weoftenspokeaboutyou.Oftenandoften.EverytimeyouwroteorsentpapersorbookstoDick.AndIlikeyoustill,Robert.[Lookingintohiseyes.]Ineverforgotyou.

ROBERT.NorIyou.IknewIwouldseeyouagain.Iknewitthenightyouwentaway—thatyouwould comeback.And thatwaswhy Iwrote andworked to seeyouagain—here.

BERTHA.AndhereIam.Youwereright.

ROBERT.[Slowly.]Nineyears.Ninetimesmorebeautiful!

BERTHA.[Smiling.]ButamI?Whatdoyouseeinme?

ROBERT.[Gazingather.]Astrangeandbeautifullady.

BERTHA.[Almostdisgusted.]O,pleasedon’tcallmesuchathing!

ROBERT.[Earnestly.]Youaremore.Ayoungandbeautifulqueen.

BERTHA.[Withasuddenlaugh.]O,Robert!

ROBERT.[Loweringhisvoiceandbendingnearertoher.]Butdoyounotknowthatyouareabeautifulhumanbeing?Doyounotknowthatyouhaveabeautifulbody?Beautifulandyoung?

BERTHA.[Gravely.]SomedayIwillbeold.

ROBERT.[Shakes his head.] I cannot imagine it. Tonight you are young and beautiful.Tonightyouhave comeback tome. [Withpassion.]Who knowswhatwill betomorrow?ImayneverseeyouagainorneverseeyouasIdonow.

BERTHA.Wouldyousuffer?

ROBERT.[Looksroundtheroom,withoutanswering.]Thisroomandthishourweremadeforyourcoming.Whenyouhavegone—allisgone.

BERTHA.[Anxiously.]Butyouwillseemeagain,Robert...asbefore.

ROBERT.[Looksfullather.]Tomakehim—Richard—suffer.

BERTHA.Hedoesnotsuffer.

ROBERT.[Bowinghishead.]Yes,yes.Hedoes.

BERTHA.Heknowswelikeeachother.Isthereanyharm,then?

ROBERT.

[Raisinghishead.]Nothereisnoharm.Whyshouldwenot?HedoesnotknowyetwhatIfeel.Hehasleftusalonehereatnight,atthishour,becausehelongstoknowit—helongstobedelivered.

BERTHA.Fromwhat?

ROBERT.[Movesclosertoherandpressesherarmashespeaks.]Fromeverylaw,Bertha,fromeverybond.Allhislifehehassoughttodeliverhimself.Everychainbutonehehasbrokenandthatonewearetobreak.Bertha—youandI.

BERTHA.[Almostinaudibly.]Areyousure?

ROBERT.[Stillmorewarmly.] I am sure that no lawmade byman is sacred before theimpulseofpassion.[Almostfiercely.]Whomadeus foroneonly?It isacrimeagainstourownbeingifweareso.Thereisnolawbeforeimpulse.Lawsareforslaves.Bertha,saymyname!Letmehearyourvoicesayit.Softly!

BERTHA.[Softly.]Robert!

ROBERT.[Putshisarmabouthershoulder.]Onlytheimpulsetowardsyouthandbeautydoesnotdie.[Hepointstowardstheporch.]Listen!

BERTHA.[Inalarm.]What?

ROBERT.Therainfalling.Summerrainontheearth.Nightrain.Thedarknessandwarmthand flood of passion. Tonight the earth is loved—loved and possessed. Herlover’sarmsaroundher;andsheissilent.Speak,dearest!

BERTHA.[Suddenlyleansforwardandlistensintently.]Hush!

ROBERT.[Listening,smiles.]Nothing.Nobody.Wearealone.

[Agustofwindblowsinthroughtheporch,withasoundofshakenleaves.The

flameofthelampleaps.]

BERTHA.[Pointingtothelamp.]Look!

ROBERT.Onlythewind.Wehavelightenoughfromtheotherroom.

[Hestretcheshishandacrossthetableandputsoutthelamp.Thelightfromthedoorway of the bedroom crosses the place where they sit. The room is quitedark.]

ROBERT.Areyouhappy?Tellme.

BERTHA.Iamgoingnow,Robert.Itisverylate.Besatisfied.

ROBERT.[Caressingherhair.]Notyet,notyet.Tellme,doyoulovemealittle?

BERTHA.Ilikeyou,Robert.Ithinkyouaregood.[Halfrising.]Areyousatisfied?

ROBERT.[Detainingher,kissesherhair.]Donotgo,Bertha!There is timestill.Doyoulovemetoo?Ihavewaitedalongtime.Doyouloveusboth—himandalsome?Doyou,Bertha?Thetruth!Tellme.Tellmewithyoureyes.Orspeak!

[Shedoesnotanswer.Inthesilencetherainisheardfalling.]

ThirdActThedrawingroomofRichardRowan’s house atMerrion.The foldingdoors attherightareclosedandalsothedoubledoorsleadingtothegarden.Thegreenplushcurtainsaredrawnacrossthewindowontheleft.Theroomishalfdark.Itisearlyinthemorningofthenextday.Berthasitsbesidethewindowlookingoutbetween the curtains. She wears a loose saffron dressing gown. Her hair iscombedlooselyover theearsandknottedat theneck.Herhandsare foldedinherlap.Herfaceispaleanddrawn.

[BRIGIDcomesinthroughthefoldingdoorsontherightwithafeatherbroomandduster.Sheisabouttocrossbut,seeingBERTHA,shehaltssuddenlyandblessesherselfinstinctively.]

BRIGID.Merciful hour, ma’am. You put the heart across me.Why did you get up soearly?

BERTHA.Whattimeisit?

BRIGID.Afterseven,ma’am.Areyoulongup?

BERTHA.Sometime.

BRIGID.[Approachingher.]Hadyouabaddreamthatwokeyou?

BERTHA.Ididn’tsleepallnight.SoIgotuptoseethesunrise.

BRIGID.[Opens thedoubledoors.] It’sa lovelymorningnowafterall the rainwehad.[Turnsround.]Butyoumustbedeadtired,ma’am.Whatwillthemastersayatyour doing a thing like that? [She goes to the door of the study and knocks.]MasterRichard!

BERTHA.[Looksround.]Heisnotthere.Hewentoutanhourago.

BRIGID.Outthere,onthestrand,isit?

BERTHA.Yes.

BRIGID.[Comes towards her and leans over the back of a chair.] Are you frettingyourself,ma’am,aboutanything?

BERTHA.No,Brigid.

BRIGID.Don’tbe.Hewasalwayslikethat,meanderingoffbyhimselfsomewhere.Heisacuriousbird,MasterRichard,andalwayswas.Surethereisn’taturninhimIdon’tknow.Areyoufrettingnowmaybebecausehedoesbeinthere[pointingtothestudy]halfthenightathisbooks?Leavehimalone.He’llcomebacktoyouagain.Surehethinksthesunshinesoutofyourface,ma’am.

BERTHA.[Sadly.]Thattimeisgone.

BRIGID.[Confidentially.]AndgoodcauseIhavetorememberit—thattimewhenhewaspayinghisaddressestoyou.[ShesitsdownbesideBERTHA.Inalowervoice.]Doyouknowthatheusedtotellmeallaboutyouandnothingtohismother,Godresthersoul?Yourlettersandall.

BERTHA.What?Myletterstohim?

BRIGID.[Delighted.]Yes.Icanseehimsittingonthekitchentable,swinginghislegsandspinningoutofhimyardsoftalkaboutyouandhimandIrelandandallkindsofdevilment—toanignorantoldwomanlikeme.Butthatwasalwayshisway.Butif he had to meet a grand highup person he’d be twice as grand himself.[Suddenly looks at BERTHA.] Is it crying you are now? Ah, sure, don’t cry.There’sgoodtimescomingstill.

BERTHA.No,Brigid,thattimecomesonlyonceinalifetime.Therestoflifeisgoodfornothingexcepttorememberthattime.

BRIGID.[Issilentforamoment:thensayskindly.]Wouldyoulikeacupoftea,ma’am?Thatwouldmakeyouallright.

BERTHA.Yes,Iwould.Butthemilkmanhasnotcomeyet.

BRIGID.No.MasterArchie toldme towakehimbeforehecame.He’sgoingout for ajaunt in the car.But I’ve a cup left overnight. I’ll have the kettle boiling in ajiffy.Wouldyoulikeaniceeggwithit?

BERTHA.No,thanks.

BRIGID.Oranicebitoftoast?

BERTHA.No,Brigid,thanks.Justacupoftea.

BRIGID.[Crossingtothefoldingdoors.]Iwon’tbeamoment.[Shestops,turnsbackandgoes towards the door on the left.] But first I must wakenMaster Archie orthere’llbeructions.

[Shegoesoutbythedoorontheleft.AfterafewmomentsBERTHArisesandgoesover to the study. Sheopens thedoorwideand looks in.One can seea smalluntidyroomwithmanybookshelvesandalargewritingtablewithpapersandanextinguishedlampandbeforeitapaddedchair.Sheremainsstandingforsometimeinthedoorway,thenclosesthedooragainwithoutenteringtheroom.Shereturns to her chair by thewindow and sits down.ARCHIE, dressed as before,comesinbythedoorontheright,followedbyBRIGID.]

ARCHIE.[Comestoherand,puttinguphisfacetobekissed,says:]Buongiorno,mamma!

BERTHA.[Kissinghim.]Buongiorno,Archie! [ToBRIGID.]Did you put another vest onhimunderthatone?

BRIGID.Hewouldn’tletme,ma’am.

ARCHIE.I’mnotcold,mamma.

BERTHA.Isaidyouweretoputiton,didn’tI?

ARCHIE.Butwhereisthecold?

BERTHA.[Takesacombfromherheadandcombshishairbackatbothsides.]And the

sleepisinyoureyesstill.

BRIGID.Hewenttobedimmediatelyafteryouwentoutlastnight,ma’am.

ARCHIE.Youknowhe’sgoingtoletmedrive,mamma.

BERTHA.[Replacingthecombinherhair,embraceshimsuddenly.]O,whatabigmantodriveahorse!

BRIGID.Well,he’sdaftonhorses,anyhow.

ARCHIE.[Releasing himself.] I’ll make him go quick. You will see from the window,mamma.Withthewhip.[Hemakesthegestureofcrackingawhipandshoutsatthetopofhisvoice.]Avanti!

BRIGID.Beatthepoorhorse,isit?

BERTHA.ComeheretillIcleanyourmouth.[Shetakesherhandkerchieffromthepocketofhergown,wetsitwithhertongueandcleanshismouth.]You’reallsmudgesorsomething,dirtylittlecreatureyouare.

ARCHIE.[Repeats,laughing.]Smudges!Whatissmudges?

[Thenoiseisheardofamilkcanrattledontherailingsbeforethewindow.]

BRIGID.[Drawsasidethecurtainsandlooksout.]Hereheis!

ARCHIE.[Rapidly.]Wait.I’mready.Goodbye,mamma![Hekissesherhastilyandturnstogo.]Ispappieup?

BRIGID.[Takeshimbythearm.]Comeonwithyounow.

BERTHA.Mindyourself,Archie,anddon’tbelongorIwon’tletyougoanymore.

ARCHIE.Allright.Lookoutofthewindowandyou’llseeme.Goodbye.

[BRIGID and ARCHIE go out by the door on the left. BERTHA stands up and,drawing aside the curtains still more, stands in the embrasure of the windowlookingout.Thehalldoor isheardopening: thena slightnoiseof voicesandcansisheard.Thedoorisclosed.AfteramomentortwoBERTHAisseenwavingherhandgailyinasalute.BRIGIDentersandstandsbehindher,lookingoverhershoulder.]

BRIGID.Lookatthesitofhim!Asseriousasyoulike.

BERTHA.[Suddenlywithdrawingfromherpost.]Standoutofthewindow.Idon’twanttobeseen.

BRIGID.Why,ma’am,whatisit?

BERTHA.[Crossingtowardsthefoldingdoors.]SayI’mnotup,thatI’mnotwell.Ican’tseeanyone.

BRIGID.[Followsher.]Whoisit,ma’am?

BERTHA.[Halting.]Waitamoment.

[Shelistens.Aknockisheardatthehalldoor.]

BERTHA.[Standsamomentindoubt,then.]No,sayI’min.

BRIGID.[Indoubt.]Here?

BERTHA.[Hurriedly.]Yes.SayIhavejustgotup.

[BRIGIDgoesoutontheleft.BERTHAgoestowardsthedoubledoorsandfingersthecurtainsnervously,asifsettlingthem.Thehalldoorisheardtoopen.ThenBEATRICE JUSTICE enters and, as BERTHA does not turn at once, stands in

hesitation near the door on the left. She is dressed as before and has anewspaperinherhand.]

BEATRICE.[Advancesrapidly.]MrsRowan,excusemeforcomingatsuchanhour.

BERTHA.[Turns.]Goodmorning,MissJustice.[Shecomes towardsher.] Isanything thematter?

BEATRICE.[Nervously.]Idon’tknow.ThatiswhatIwantedtoaskyou.

BERTHA.[Lookscuriouslyather.]Youareoutofbreath.Won’tyousitdown?

BEATRICE.[Sittingdown.]Thankyou.

BERTHA.[Sitsoppositeher,pointingtoherpaper.]Istheresomethinginthepaper?

BEATRICE.[Laughsnervously:opensthepaper.]Yes.

BERTHA.AboutDick?

BEATRICE.Yes.Hereitis.Alongarticle,aleadingarticle,bymycousin.Allhislifeishere.Doyouwishtoseeit?

BERTHA.[Takesthepaper,andopensit.]Whereisit?

BEATRICE.Inthemiddle.Itisheaded:ADistinguishedIrishman.

BERTHA.Isit...forDickoragainsthim?

BEATRICE.[Warmly.]O,forhim!YoucanreadwhathesaysaboutMrRowan.AndIknowthatRobertstayedintownverylatelastnighttowriteit.

BERTHA.[Nervously.]Yes.Areyousure?

BEATRICE.Yes.Verylate.Iheardhimcomehome.Itwaslongaftertwo.

BERTHA.[Watching her.] It alarmed you? I mean to be awakened at that hour of themorning.

BEATRICE.I am a light sleeper. But I knew he had come from the office and then... IsuspectedhehadwrittenanarticleaboutMrRowanandthatwaswhyhecamesolate.

BERTHA.Howquickyouweretothinkofthat!

BEATRICE.Well,afterwhattookplacehereyesterdayafternoon—ImeanwhatRobertsaid,thatMrRowanhadacceptedthisposition.ItwasonlynaturalIshouldthink...

BERTHA.Ah,yes.Naturally.

BEATRICE.[Hastily.]Butthatisnotwhatalarmedme.ButimmediatelyafterIheardanoiseinmycousin’sroom.

BERTHA.[Crumplestogetherthepaperinherhands,breathlessly.]MyGod!Whatis it?Tellme.

BEATRICE.[Observingher.]Whydoesthatupsetyousomuch?

BERTHA.[Sinkingback,withaforcedlaugh.]Yes,ofcourse,itisveryfoolishofme.Mynervesareallupset.Isleptverybadly,too.ThatiswhyIgotupsoearly.Buttellmewhatwasitthen?

BEATRICE.Only the noise of his valise being pulled along the floor. Then I heard him

walkingabouthisroom,whistlingsoftly.Andthenlockingitandstrappingit.

BERTHA.Heisgoingaway!

BEATRICE.Thatwaswhatalarmedme. I fearedhehadhadaquarrelwithMrRowanandthathisarticlewasanattack.

BERTHA.Butwhyshouldtheyquarrel?Haveyounoticedanythingbetweenthem?

BEATRICE.IthoughtIdid.Acoldness.

BERTHA.Lately?

BEATRICE.Forsometimepast.

BERTHA.[Smoothingthepaperout.]Doyouknowthereason?

BEATRICE.[Hesitatingly.]No.

BERTHA.[After a pause.]Well, but if this article is for him, as you say, they have notquarrelled.[Shereflectsamoment.]Andwrittenlastnight,too.

BEATRICE.Yes. I bought the paper at once to see. But why, then, is he going away sosuddenly? I feel that there is something wrong. I feel that something hashappenedbetweenthem.

BERTHA.Wouldyoubesorry?

BEATRICE.Iwould be very sorry.You see,MrsRowan,Robert ismy first cousin and itwouldgrievemeverydeeply ifhewere to treatMrRowanbadly,nowthathehascomeback,oriftheyhadaseriousquarrelespeciallybecause...

BERTHA.

[Toyingwiththepaper.]Because?

BEATRICE.Because itwasmycousinwhourgedMrRowanalways tocomeback. Ihavethatonmyconscience.

BERTHA.ItshouldbeonMrHand’sconscience,shoulditnot?

BEATRICE.[Uncertainly.]Onmine, too.Because—Ispoke tomycousinaboutMrRowanwhenhewasawayand,toacertainextent,itwasI...

BERTHA.[Nodsslowly.]Isee.Andthatisonyourconscience.Onlythat?

BEATRICE.Ithinkso.

BERTHA.[Almost cheerfully.] It looks as if it was you, Miss Justice, who brought myhusbandbacktoIreland.

BEATRICE.I,MrsRowan?

BERTHA.Yes,you.Byyourletterstohimandthenbyspeakingtoyourcousinasyousaidjustnow.Doyounotthinkthatyouarethepersonwhobroughthimback?

BEATRICE.[Blushingsuddenly.]No.Icouldnotthinkthat.

BERTHA.[Watchesherforamoment;thenturningaside.]Youknowthatmyhusbandiswritingverymuchsincehecameback.

BEATRICE.Ishe?

BERTHA.Didyounotknow?[Shepointstowardsthestudy.]Hepassesthegreaterpartofthenightintherewriting.Nightafternight.

BEATRICE.

Inhisstudy?

BERTHA.Studyorbedroom.Youmaycall itwhatyouplease.Hesleeps there, too,onasofa.Heslepttherelastnight.Icanshowyouifyoudon’tbelieveme.

[She rises to go towards the study. BEATRICE half rises quickly and makes agestureofrefusal.]

BEATRICE.Ibelieveyou,ofcourse,MrsRowan,whenyoutellme.

BERTHA.[Sittingdownagain.]Yes.Heiswriting.Anditmustbeaboutsomethingwhichhascomeintohislifelately—sincewecamebacktoIreland.Somechange.Doyouknowthatanychangehascomeintohislife?[Shelookssearchinglyather.]Doyouknowitorfeelit?

BEATRICE.[Answersherlooksteadily.]MrsRowan,thatisnotaquestiontoaskme.Ifanychangehascomeintohislifesincehecamebackyoumustknowandfeelit.

BERTHA.Youcouldknowitjustaswell.Youareveryintimateinthishouse.

BEATRICE.Iamnottheonlypersonwhoisintimatehere.

[Theybothlookateachothercoldlyinsilenceforsomemoments.BERTHA laysasidethepaperandsitsdownonachairnearertoBEATRICE.]

BERTHA.[PlacingherhandonBEATRICE’Sknee.]Soyoualsohateme,MissJustice?

BEATRICE.[Withaneffort.]Hateyou?I?

BERTHA.[Insistentlybutsoftly.]Yes.Youknowwhatitmeanstohateaperson?

BEATRICE.WhyshouldIhateyou?Ihaveneverhatedanyone.

BERTHA.Haveyoueverlovedanyone?[SheputsherhandonBEATRICE’Swrist.]Tellme.

Youhave?

BEATRICE.[Alsosoftly.]Yes.Inthepast.

BERTHA.Notnow?

BEATRICE.No.

BERTHA.Canyousaythattome—truly?Lookatme.

BEATRICE.[Looksather.]Yes,Ican.

[Ashortpause.BERTHAwithdrawsherhand,andturnsawayherheadinsomeembarrassment.]

BERTHA.Yousaidjustnowthatanotherpersonisintimateinthishouse.Youmeantyourcousin...Wasithe?

BEATRICE.Yes.

BERTHA.Haveyounotforgottenhim?

BEATRICE.[Quietly.]Ihavetriedto.

BERTHA.[Claspingherhands.]Youhateme.YouthinkIamhappy.Ifyouonlyknewhowwrongyouare!

BEATRICE.[Shakesherhead.]Idonot.

BERTHA.Happy!WhenIdonotunderstandanything thathewrites,whenIcannothelphim in any way, when I don’t even understand half of what he says to mesometimes!Youcouldandyoucan.[Excitedly.]ButIamafraidforhim,afraidforbothofthem.[Shestandsupsuddenlyandgoestowardsthedavenport.]He

mustnotgoawaylikethat.[Shetakesawritingpadfromthedrawerandwritesafewlinesingreathaste.]No, it is impossible! Ishemadtodosucha thing?[TurningtoBEATRICE.]Ishestillathome?

BEATRICE.[Watching her in wonder.] Yes. Have you written to him to ask him to comehere?

BERTHA.[Rises.]Ihave.IwillsendBrigidacrosswithit.Brigid!

[Shegoesoutbythedoorontheleftrapidly.]

BEATRICE.[Gazingafterher,instinctively:]Itistrue,then!

[Sheglances toward thedoorofRICHARD’S study and catches her head in herhands.Then,recoveringherself,shetakesthepaperfromthelittletable,opensit,takesaspectaclecasefromherhandbagand,puttingonapairofspectacles,bendsdown,readingit.RICHARDROWANentersfromthegarden.Heisdressedasbeforebutwearsasofthatandcarriesathincane.]

RICHARD.[Standsinthedoorway,observingherforsomemoments.]Therearedemons[hepointsouttowardsthestrand]outthere.Iheardthemjabberingsincedawn.

BEATRICE.[Startstoherfeet.]MrRowan!

RICHARD.Iassureyou.Theisleisfullofvoices.Yoursalso,OtherwiseIcouldnotseeyou,itsaid.Andhervoice.But,Iassureyou,theyarealldemons.Imadethesignofthecrossupsidedownandthatsilencedthem.

BEATRICE.[Stammering.] I came here,MrRowan, so early because... to showyou this...Robertwroteit...aboutyou...lastnight.

RICHARD.[Takesoffhishat.]MydearMiss Justice,you toldmeyesterday, I think,whyyoucamehereandIneverforgetanything.[Advancingtowardsher,holdingouthishand.]Goodmorning.

BEATRICE.[Suddenlytakesoffherspectaclesandplacesthepaperinhishands.]Icameforthis.Itisanarticleaboutyou.Robertwroteitlastnight.Willyoureadit?

RICHARD.[Bows.]Readitnow?Certainly.

BEATRICE.[Looksathimindespair.]O,MrRowan,itmakesmesuffertolookatyou.

RICHARD.[Opensandreadsthepaper.]DeathoftheVeryReverendCanonMulhall.Isthatit?

[BERTHAappearsatthedoorontheleftandstandstolisten.]

RICHARD.[Turnsoverapage.]Yes,hereweare!ADistinguishedIrishman.[Hebegins toread in a rather loud hard voice.] Not the least vital of the problems whichconfrontourcountryistheproblemofherattitudetowardsthoseofherchildrenwho,havingleftherinherhourofneed,havebeencalledbacktohernowontheeveofherlongawaitedvictory,toherwhominlonelinessandexiletheyhaveatlastlearnedtolove.Inexile,wehavesaid,butherewemustdistinguish.Thereisaneconomicandthereisaspiritualexile.Therearethosewholefthertoseekthe bread by which men live and there are others, nay, her most favouredchildren,who lefther to seek inother lands that foodof the spiritbywhichanationofhumanbeingsissustainedinlife.ThosewhorecalltheintellectuallifeofDublinofadecadesincewillhavemanymemoriesofMrRowan.Somethingofthatfierceindignationwhichlaceratedtheheart...

[He raises his eyes from the paper and seesBERTHA standing in the doorway.Thenhelaysasidethepaperandlooksather.Alongsilence.]

BEATRICE.[Withaneffort.]Yousee,MrRowan,yourdayhasdawnedat last.Evenhere.Andyousee thatyouhaveawarmfriend inRobert,a friendwhounderstandsyou.

RICHARD.Didyounoticethelittlephraseatthebeginning:thosewholeftherinherhourofneed?

[HelookssearchinglyatBERTHA,turnsandwalksintohisstudy,closingthedoorbehindhim.]

BERTHA.[Speakinghalftoherself.]Igaveupeverythingforhim,religion,family,myownpeace.

[Shesitsdownheavilyinanarmchair.BEATRICEcomestowardsher.]

BEATRICE.[Weakly.]ButdoyounotfeelalsothatMrRowan’sideas...

BERTHA.[Bitterly.] Ideas and ideas! But the people in this world have other ideas orpretendto.Theyhavetoputupwithhiminspiteofhisideasbecauseheisabletodosomething.Me,no.Iamnothing.

BEATRICE.Youstandbyhisside.

BERTHA.[With increasingbitterness.]Ah, nonsense,Miss Justice! I amonly a thinghegotentangledwithandmysonis—thenicenametheygivethosechildren.Doyou think I am a stone?Do you think I don’t see it in their eyes and in theirmannerwhentheyhavetomeetme?

BEATRICE.Donotletthemhumbleyou,MrsRowan.

BERTHA.[Haughtily.]Humbleme!Iamveryproudofmyself,ifyouwanttoknow.Whathavetheyeverdoneforhim?Imadehimaman.Whataretheyallinhislife?Nomore than thedirt underhisboots! [She standsupandwalks excitedly toandfro.]Hecandespiseme, too, like therestof them—now.Andyoucandespiseme.Butyouwillneverhumbleme,anyofyou.

BEATRICE.Whydoyouaccuseme?

BERTHA.[Going toher impulsively.] I am in such suffering.Excuseme if Iwas rude. Iwantustobefriends.[Sheholdsoutherhands.]Willyou?

BEATRICE.[Takingherhands.]Gladly.

BERTHA.[Lookingather.]Whatlovelylongeyelashesyouhave!Andyoureyeshavesuchasadexpression!

BEATRICE.[Smiling.]Iseeverylittlewiththem.Theyareveryweak.

BERTHA.[Warmly.]Butbeautiful.

[Sheembracesherquietlyandkissesher.Thenwithdrawsfromheralittleshyly.BRIGIDcomesinfromtheleft.]

BRIGID.Igaveittohimself,ma’am.

BERTHA.Didhesendamessage?

BRIGID.Hewasjustgoingout,ma’am.Hetoldmetosayhe’dbehereafterme.

BERTHA.Thanks.

BRIGID.[Going.]Wouldyouliketheteaandthetoastnow,ma’am?

BERTHA.Notnow,Brigid.Afterperhaps.WhenMrHandcomesshowhiminatonce.

BRIGID.Yes,ma’am.

[Shegoesoutontheleft.]

BEATRICE.Iwillgonow,MrsRowan,beforehecomes.

BERTHA.[Somewhattimidly.]Thenwearefriends?

BEATRICE.

[In the same tone.]Wewill try to be. [Turning.] Do you allowme to go outthroughthegarden?Idon’twanttomeetmycousinnow.

BERTHA.Ofcourse.[Shetakesherhand.]Itissostrangethatwespokelikethisnow.ButIalwayswantedto.Didyou?

BEATRICE.IthinkIdid,too.

BERTHA.[Smiling.]EveninRome.WhenIwentoutforawalkwithArchieIusedtothinkaboutyou,whatyouwerelike,becauseIknewaboutyoufromDick.Iusedtolookatdifferentpersons,comingoutofchurchesorgoingbyincarriages,andthinkthatperhapstheywerelikeyou.BecauseDicktoldmeyouweredark.

BEATRICE.[Againnervously.]Really?

BERTHA.[Pressingherhand.]Goodbyethen—forthepresent.

BEATRICE.[Disengagingherhand.]Goodmorning.

BERTHA.Iwillseeyoutothegate.

[Sheaccompaniesheroutthroughthedoubledoors.Theygodownthroughthegarden.RICHARD ROWAN comes in from the study. He halts near the doors,lookingdownthegarden.Thenheturnsaway,comestothelittletable,takesupthepaperandreads.BERTHA,aftersomemoments,appearsinthedoorwayandstandswatchinghimtillhehasfinished.Helaysdownthepaperagainandturnstogobacktohisstudy.]

BERTHA.Dick!

RICHARD.[Stopping.]Well?

BERTHA.Youhavenotspokentome.

RICHARD.Ihavenothingtosay.Haveyou?

BERTHA.Doyounotwishtoknow—aboutwhathappenedlastnight?

RICHARD.ThatIwillneverknow.

BERTHA.Iwilltellyouifyouaskme.

RICHARD.Youwilltellme.ButIwillneverknow.Neverinthisworld.

BERTHA.[Moving towards him.] I will tell you the truth, Dick, as I always told you. Ineverliedtoyou.

RICHARD.[Clenching his hands in the air, passionately.] Yes, yes. The truth! But I willneverknow,Itellyou.

BERTHA.Why,then,didyouleavemelastnight?

RICHARD.[Bitterly.]Inyourhourofneed.

BERTHA.[Threateningly.]Youurgedmetoit.Notbecauseyouloveme.Ifyoulovedmeorifyouknewwhat lovewasyouwouldnothaveleftme.Foryourownsakeyouurgedmetoit.

RICHARD.Ididnotmakemyself.IamwhatIam.

BERTHA.Tohaveitalwaystothrowagainstme.Tomakemehumblebeforeyou,asyoualwaysdid.Tobefreeyourself. [Pointing towards thegarden.]Withher!Andthatisyourlove!Everywordyousayisfalse.

RICHARD.[Controllinghimself.]Itisuselesstoaskyoutolistentome.

BERTHA.Listentoyou!Sheisthepersonforlistening.Whywouldyouwasteyourtimewithme?Talktoher.

RICHARD.[Nodshishead.] I see.Youhavedrivenheraway frommenow,asyoudroveeveryoneelse frommyside—every friend I everhad, everyhumanbeing thatevertriedtoapproachme.Youhateher.

BERTHA.[Warmly.]Nosuchthing!Ithinkyouhavemadeherunhappyasyouhavemademe and as youmade your deadmother unhappy and killed her.Womankiller!Thatisyourname.

RICHARD.[Turnstogo.]Arrivederci!

BERTHA.[Excitedly.]Sheisafineandhighcharacter.I likeher.SheiseverythingthatIamnot—inbirthandeducation.Youtriedtoruinherbutyoucouldnot.Becausesheiswellableforyou—whatIamnot.Andyouknowit.

RICHARD.[Almostshouting.]Whatthedevilareyoutalkingaboutherfor?

BERTHA.[Claspingherhands.]O,howIwishIhadnevermetyou!HowIcursethatday!

RICHARD.[Bitterly.]Iamintheway,isit?Youwouldliketobefreenow.Youhaveonlytosaytheword.

BERTHA.[Proudly.]WheneveryoulikeIamready.

RICHARD.Sothatyoucouldmeetyourlover—freely?

BERTHA.Yes.

RICHARD.Nightafternight?

BERTHA.[Gazing before her and speaking with intense passion.] To meet my lover![Holdingoutherarmsbeforeher.]Mylover!Yes!Mylover!

[Sheburstssuddenlyintotearsandsinksdownonachair,coveringherfacewithherhands.RICHARDapproachesherslowlyandtouchesherontheshoulder.]

RICHARD.Bertha![Shedoesnotanswer.]Bertha,youarefree.

BERTHA.[Pushes his hand aside and starts to her feet.] Don’t touch me! You are astranger to me. You do not understand anything inme—not one thing inmyheartorsoul.Astranger!Iamlivingwithastranger!

[A knock is heard at the hall door. BERTHA dries her eyes quickly with herhandkerchief and settles the front of her gown.RICHARD listens for amoment,looksatherkeenlyand,turningaway,walksintohisstudy.ROBERTHANDentersfromtheleft.HeisdressedindarkbrownandcarriesinhishandabrownAlpinehat.]

ROBERT.[Closingthedoorquietlybehindhim.]Yousentforme.

BERTHA.[Rises.] Yes. Are you mad to think of going away like that—without evencominghere—withoutsayinganything?

ROBERT.[Advancingtowardsthetableonwhichthepaperlies,glancesatit.]WhatIhavetosayIsaidhere.

BERTHA.Whendidyouwriteit?Lastnight—afterIwentaway?

ROBERT.[Gracefully.]Tobequiteaccurate,Iwrotepartofit—inmymind—beforeyouwentaway.Therest—theworstpart—Iwroteafter.Muchlater.

BERTHA.Andyoucouldwritelastnight!

ROBERT.

[Shrugshis shoulders.] I amawelltrained animal. [Hecomes closer to her.] Ipassedalongwanderingnightafter...inmyoffice,atthevicechancellor’shouse,in a nightclub, in the streets, inmy room.Your imagewas always beforemyeyes,yourhandinmyhand.Bertha,Iwillneverforget lastnight.[Helayshishaton the tableand takesherhand.]Whydoyounot lookatme?May Inottouchyou?

BERTHA.[Pointstothestudy.]Dickisinthere.

ROBERT.[Dropsherhand.]Inthatcasechildrenbegood.

BERTHA.Whereareyougoing?

ROBERT.To foreign parts. That is, to my cousin Jack Justice, alias Doggy Justice, inSurrey.Hehasanicecountryplacethereandtheairismild.

BERTHA.Whyareyougoing?

ROBERT.[Looksatherinsilence.]Canyounotguessonereason?

BERTHA.Onaccountofme?

ROBERT.Yes.Itisnotpleasantformetoremainherejustnow.

BERTHA.[Sitsdownhelplessly.]Butthisiscruelofyou,Robert.Crueltomeandtohimalso.

ROBERT.Hasheasked...whathappened?

BERTHA.[Joiningherhandsindespair.]No.Herefuses toaskmeanything.Hesayshewillneverknow.

ROBERT.

[Nodsgravely.]Richardisrightthere.Heisalwaysright.

BERTHA.But,Robert,youmustspeaktohim.

ROBERT.WhatamItosaytohim?

BERTHA.Thetruth!Everything!

ROBERT.[Reflects.] No, Bertha. I am a man speaking to a man. I cannot tell himeverything.

BERTHA.Hewillbelievethatyouaregoingawaybecauseyouareafraidtofacehimafterlastnight.

ROBERT.[Afterapause.]Well,Iamnotacowardanymorethanhe.Iwillseehim.

BERTHA.[Rises.]Iwillcallhim.

ROBERT.[Catchingherhands.]Bertha!Whathappenedlastnight?WhatisthetruththatIam to tell? [He gazes earnestly into her eyes.]Were youmine in that sacrednightoflove?OrhaveIdreamedit?

BERTHA.[Smilesfaintly.]Rememberyourdreamofme.YoudreamedthatIwasyourslastnight.

ROBERT.Andthatisthetruth—adream?ThatiswhatIamtotell?

BERTHA.Yes.

ROBERT.[Kisses both her hands.] Bertha! [In a softer voice.] In all my life only thatdreamisreal.Iforgettherest.[Hekissesherhandsagain.]AndnowIcantellhimthetruth.Callhim.

[BERTHAgoestothedoorofRICHARD’Sstudyandknocks.Thereisnoanswer.Sheknocksagain.]

BERTHA.Dick![Thereisnoanswer.]MrHandishere.Hewantstospeaktoyou,tosaygoodbye.Heisgoingaway.[Thereisnoanswer.Shebeatsherhandloudlyonthepanelofthedoorandcallsinanalarmedvoice.]Dick!Answerme!

[RICHARDROWANcomesinfromthestudy.HecomesatoncetoROBERTbutdoesnotholdouthishand.]

RICHARD.[Calmly.] I thank you for your kind article aboutme. Is it true that you havecometosaygoodbye?

ROBERT.There is nothing to thankme for,Richard.Nowand always I amyour friend.Nowmorethaneverbefore.Doyoubelieveme,Richard?

[RICHARD sits down on a chair and buries his face in his hands.BERTHA andROBERTgazeateachotherinsilence.Thensheturnsawayandgoesoutquietlyon the right.ROBERT goes towardsRICHARD and stands near him, resting hishandson thebackofa chair, lookingdownathim.There isa long silence.AFISHWOMANisheardcryingoutasshepassesalongtheroadoutside.]

THEFISHWOMAN.FreshDublinbayherrings!FreshDublinbayherrings!Dublinbayherrings!

ROBERT.[Quietly.]Iwilltellyouthetruth,Richard.Areyoulistening?

RICHARD.[Raiseshisfaceandleansbacktolisten.]Yes.

[ROBERTsitsonthechairbesidehim.TheFISHWOMANisheardcallingoutfartheraway.]

THEFISHWOMAN.Freshherrings!Dublinbayherrings!

ROBERT.Ifailed,Richard.Thatisthetruth.Doyoubelieveme?

RICHARD.

Iamlistening.

ROBERT.Ifailed.Sheisyours,asshewasnineyearsago,whenyoumetherfirst.

RICHARD.Whenwemetherfirst,youmean.

ROBERT.Yes.[Helooksdownforsomemoments.]ShallIgoon?

RICHARD.Yes.

ROBERT.She went away. I was left alone—for the second time. I went to thevicechancellor’shouseanddined. I saidyouwere ill andwouldcomeanothernight. Imade epigrams new and old—that one about the statues also. I drankclaretcup.Iwenttomyofficeandwrotemyarticle.Then...

RICHARD.Then?

ROBERT.ThenIwenttoacertainnightclub.Therewerementhere—andalsowomen.Atleast,theylookedlikewomen.Idancedwithoneofthem.Sheaskedmetoseeherhome.ShallIgoon?

RICHARD.Yes.

ROBERT.Isawherhomeinacab.ShelivesnearDonnybrook.InthecabtookplacewhatthesubtleDunsScotuscallsadeathofthespirit.ShallIgoon?

RICHARD.Yes.

ROBERT.Shewept.Shetoldmeshewasthedivorcedwifeofabarrister.Iofferedherasovereignasshetoldmeshewasshortofmoney.Shewouldnottakeitandweptverymuch.Thenshedranksomemelissawaterfromalittlebottlewhichshehadin her satchel. I sawher enter her house.Then Iwalked home. Inmy room I

found thatmycoatwasall stainedwith themelissawater. I hadno luckevenwithmycoatsyesterday:thatwasthesecondone.Theideacametomethentochangemysuitandgoawaybythemorningboat.Ipackedmyvaliseandwenttobed.Iamgoingawaybythenexttraintomycousin,JackJustice,inSurrey.Perhapsforafortnight.Perhapslonger.Areyoudisgusted?

RICHARD.Whydidyounotgobytheboat?

ROBERT.Isleptitout.

RICHARD.Youintendedtogowithoutsayinggoodbye—withoutcominghere?

ROBERT.Yes.

RICHARD.Why?

ROBERT.Mystoryisnotverynice,isit?

RICHARD.Butyouhavecome.

ROBERT.Berthasentmeamessagetocome.

RICHARD.Butforthat...?

ROBERT.ButforthatIshouldnothavecome.

RICHARD.Did it strike you that if you had gone without coming here I should haveunderstoodit—inmyownway?

ROBERT.Yes,itdid.

RICHARD.What,then,doyouwishmetobelieve?

ROBERT.Iwish you to believe that I failed. ThatBertha is yours now as shewas nineyearsago,whenyou—whenwe—metherfirst.

RICHARD.DoyouwanttoknowwhatIdid?

ROBERT.No.

RICHARD.Icamehomeatonce.

ROBERT.DidyouhearBerthareturn?

RICHARD.No.Iwroteallthenight.Andthought.[Pointingtothestudy.]Inthere.BeforedawnIwentoutandwalkedthestrandfromendtoend.

ROBERT.[Shakinghishead.]Suffering.Torturingyourself.

RICHARD.Hearingvoicesaboutme.Thevoicesofthosewhosaytheyloveme.

ROBERT.[Pointstothedoorontheright.]One.Andmine?

RICHARD.Anotherstill.

ROBERT.[Smilesandtoucheshisforeheadwithhisrightforefinger.]True.Myinterestingbutsomewhatmelancholycousin.Andwhatdidtheytellyou?

RICHARD.Theytoldmetodespair.

ROBERT.Aqueerwayofshowingtheirlove,Imustsay!Andwillyoudespair?

RICHARD.[Rising.]No.

[Anoise isheardat thewindow.ARCHIE’S face isseen flattenedagainstoneofthepanes.Heisheardcalling.]

ARCHIE.Openthewindow!Openthewindow!

ROBERT.[LooksatRICHARD.]Didyouhearhisvoice, too,Richard,with theothers—outthereonthestrand?Yourson’svoice.[Smiling.]Listen!Howfullitisofdespair!

ARCHIE.Openthewindow,please,willyou?

ROBERT.Perhaps,there,Richard,isthefreedomweseek—youinoneway,Iinanother.Inhimandnotinus.Perhaps...

RICHARD.Perhaps...?

ROBERT.Isaidperhaps.Iwouldsayalmostsurelyif...

RICHARD.Ifwhat?

ROBERT.[Withafaintsmile.]Ifheweremine.

[Hegoestothewindowandopensit.ARCHIEscramblesin.]

ROBERT.Likeyesterday—eh?

ARCHIE.Goodmorning,MrHand. [He runs toRICHARD and kisses him:]Buon giorno,babbo.

RICHARD.Buongiorno,Archie.

ROBERT.Andwherewereyou,myyounggentleman?

ARCHIE.

Outwiththemilkman.Idrovethehorse.WewenttoBooterstown.[Hetakesoffhiscapandthrowsitonachair.]Iamveryhungry.

ROBERT.[Takes his hat from the table.] Richard, goodbye. [Offering his hand.] To ournextmeeting!

RICHARD.[Rises,toucheshishand.]Goodbye.

[BERTHAappearsatthedoorontheright.]

ROBERT.[Catchessightofher:toARCHIE.]Getyourcap.Comeonwithme.I’llbuyyouacakeandI’lltellyouastory.

ARCHIE.[ToBERTHA.]MayI,mamma?

BERTHA.Yes.

ARCHIE.[Takeshiscap.]Iamready.

ROBERT.[To RICHARD and BERTHA.] Goodbye to pappa and mamma. But not a biggoodbye.

ARCHIE.Willyoutellmeafairystory,MrHand?

ROBERT.Afairystory?Whynot?Iamyourfairygodfather.

[Theygoouttogetherthroughthedoubledoorsanddownthegarden.WhentheyhavegoneBERTHAgoestoRICHARDandputsherarmroundhiswaist.]

BERTHA.Dick, dear, do you believe now that I have been true to you? Last night andalways?

RICHARD.[Sadly.]Donotaskme,Bertha.

BERTHA.[Pressinghimmoreclosely.] I have been, dear. Surely you believeme. I gaveyoumyself—all.Igaveupallforyou.Youtookme—andyouleftme.

RICHARD.WhendidIleaveyou?

BERTHA.Youleftme:andIwaitedforyoutocomebacktome.Dick,dear,comeheretome.Sitdown.Howtiredyoumustbe!

[Shedrawshim towards the lounge.Hesitsdown,almostreclining, restingonhisarm.Shesitsonthematbeforethelounge,holdinghishand.]

BERTHA.Yes, dear. Iwaited for you.Heavens,what I suffered then—whenwe lived inRome!Doyouremembertheterraceofourhouse?

RICHARD.Yes.

BERTHA.Iusedtositthere,waiting,withthepoorchildwithhistoys,waitingtillhegotsleepy.Icouldseealltheroofsofthecityandtheriver,theTevere.Whatisitsname?

RICHARD.TheTiber.

BERTHA.[Caressinghercheekwithhishand.]Itwaslovely,Dick,onlyIwassosad.Iwasalone,Dick,forgottenbyyouandbyall.Ifeltmylifewasended.

RICHARD.Ithadnotbegun.

BERTHA.AndIusedtolookatthesky,sobeautiful,withoutacloudandthecityyousaidwassoold:andthenIusedtothinkofIrelandandaboutourselves.

RICHARD.Ourselves?

BERTHA.

Yes.Ourselves.NotadaypassesthatIdonotseeourselves,youandme,aswewerewhenwemetfirst.EverydayofmylifeIseethat.WasInottruetoyouallthattime?

RICHARD.[Sighsdeeply.]Yes,Bertha.Youweremybrideinexile.

BERTHA.Whereveryougo,Iwillfollowyou.IfyouwishtogoawaynowIwillgowithyou.

RICHARD.Iwillremain.Itistoosoonyettodespair.

BERTHA.[Againcaressinghishand.]ItisnottruethatIwanttodriveeveryonefromyou.Iwantedtobringyouclosetogether—youandhim.Speaktome.Speakoutallyourhearttome.Whatyoufeelandwhatyousuffer.

RICHARD.Iamwounded,Bertha.

BERTHA.Howwounded, dear? Explain tomewhat youmean. I will try to understandeverythingyousay.Inwhatwayareyouwounded?

RICHARD.[Releaseshishandand, takingherheadbetweenhishands,bends itbackandgazeslongintohereyes.]Ihaveadeep,deepwoundofdoubtinmysoul.

BERTHA.[Motionless.]Doubtofme?

RICHARD.Yes.

BERTHA.Iamyours.[Inawhisper.]IfIdiedthismoment,Iamyours.

RICHARD.[Stillgazingatherandspeakingasiftoanabsentperson.]Ihavewoundedmysoul foryou—adeepwoundofdoubtwhich canneverbehealed. I canneverknow,neverinthisworld.Idonotwishtoknowortobelieve.Idonotcare.Itis

not in thedarknessofbelief that Idesireyou.But in restless livingwoundingdoubt.Toholdyoubynobonds,evenoflove,tobeunitedwithyouinbodyandsoul in utter nakedness—for this I longed. And now I am tired for a while,Bertha.Mywoundtiresme.

[Hestretcheshimselfoutwearilyalongthelounge.BERTHAholdshishandstill,speakingverysoftly.]

BERTHA.Forgetme,Dick.Forgetmeandlovemeagainasyoudidthefirsttime.Iwantmylover.Tomeethim,togotohim,togivemyselftohim.You,Dick.O,mystrangewildlover,comebacktomeagain!

[Shecloseshereyes.]

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