University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

"The Servant in the House" by Charles Rann Kennedy

(USC Thesis Other)

"The Servant in the House" by Charles Rann Kennedy

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Content e e r I e r C e 0 i of ti . u r r 1~ I ~ ' H S BY 1 DY he i ol 0 outh n C lifor 1 1 · 11 ... n t e n or e er b h . / I .. Dori Croo o n n n X C d b r i ia r ol ) r 1 1 t 21 This the i ha'l in b n nppro ed b th sp ial Fa ulty ommitt e i ac pt d b the oun ii on raduat tudy and Res ar h of th niv rsit of 1. outh rn alif rnia, in partial fulfillm nt of th r quir m nts f 1· the d gree of .. ," .. er .. .<J. ••• ecr tar Dean Date. _ m the me1 r of . f 0 le ' Ji 0 p r m i 1 pl 11 1 I 0 i i - 1 • PRE h ·1 ' the ll e e , . i tti i Pl ' t i i • l .o &. e 1 a s 0 e . e .. u or - ue . C b n 0 C 0 onl 0 COu. 1 al 0 0 en our en • To a 1 0 e h lp me b or 00 ill I 0 re I • inc r ec - ion . C JT T p E I . i i a l Es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l I . ram t Bo nnoun eme t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ro r m •........................• Co r • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e pl • • • • • • • • • • • • • re ....................... . r opert· • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • pe i • • • ~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Co t 0 ctio ••••••••••••••• e Di • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • r • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • r h pro e of i h is s u r .he e e -ann ..... onn ' rn i th itte t Pro p t i p 'rite . ic 1 ' e on 0 b t los 1 lli i h. a • N y " or n , the , o ain ale ti n ' D ' in the ear o our Lor one t u nd ei ht hundre d eve t - one , o gentle but deserv · n pa ents , in a uburb of that rea t capital f h ve i dl earlie ... ai l a o n a er I how the r ma c , h ribal with emi m • rb b t spelt Derb , fr sin oft t u ol bl nd of t e theolo ical , ich I hr th rs of It is re e Churc , te t t I 1 le m in h ver of u n he 0 t e f ~1 er roth r; n h n two o r o ca ons I ot up 1 mnl n -- o ce b e v c r 0 1 of Chi om ' nc t e c a , a .e n f ien of f to b n e w· ha 1 f ili t me . Yu w·1 , alluded b su pr· - 1 Or - e her fore o e rn n tr n I t d"ed for e • • t 0 of · ' bee m ri ter or h Dpe ; a c low r still nd o in a ver at - or · u t · • r elf o los in e uffi n , 0 b t e , bl em i l have e n. ~h 1 flou · n our· telligence to dent i tic , i o lto eh r profi ble , h use a t e ' del hi . ' 'To th se i t et il I .... ur I ou ht o d rn VO ite i e ri is Lion ; m f r·te o ell c.-ti 1 , to ull hi i p ri 1 t ·1 ; m o b , to i opl ' Tel . I Jo . l 4 n t e m tor-c rs· ' m bevera e' b er; be f- te fo r i er and au es fo b eakf h n fun s d di n ~. 11 llo " ' • Thus ~ rote Ch r es e e i t Lo don p bl. ti ' The Chu h oci li u rterl • 1 r . Lenn m e hi fi t n n C or t He r 1a · ._ t ' he re , A ril 28 , 1 97 Starv ·n Cit· n in t e ~e t • ft r 0 i qH 1 •1 d s Lor D elincour t in he s r t tro- pol ~1 e t e he e e e . in 0 0 e • 1 -Iis role p an B , r - e nd r r et , f'rs . na. er ub n 1 . s n to r . In t e r C i ' he e p ero in e 0 - ... ' a 0 i • u i s r nti 0 he of i t i ,, in t ole of ' p or . 2 n i ls h .. i n ... e il , a T t rr en er n g n t e s il r i 1 . r . Ov s 0 t t ro . e he of in s mos i n one . I 1 _ er 1 ohn ' 1 he fl t ion (.; .ho ' . ,,_ o 1 .1.n .. l... , 4. ~· . nter i \ · J . h Ch rl s R 1111 ' (.; of a l i te r 1 b i n ,n 1 n were ho l in meeti • I t ra a h t m e t t th "sl i ce of lif e n 1 a t . t ei ht . 1he grou ha. i l i n i t as t e e in m tic r t . Ch 1 :r:enne d ' was th onl oice of d i se 1 t . ,.. [e . ann .1r • e h 1 h the phot o hie re e ent ion of l "fe on e t a e n t a • n r h e r ~ll t mo e t h n por a lif , e i 1. r . 1 enn ini is lln. 1 . h t ge r th t • e e h ld w e 1 i whic he iv • i as t o th 'JO J. ll l i i n dr ... a v oul C or r e' 1 · fe · t e 0 in 0 po r e 0 in e • f t t here 0 r e k 0 ll tion . H" s coff d t 11 X t er .n t 0 e i e nnl i l I' T a " I s 1 ri V • .. r . .. e e t n h ... s . e e en 1 in c" 1 he 0 - , , le l io • 11 1 e t· st 1 7 h (, es l~ 11 'lh ust , seccn e ritt b t L. e 0 e p ... u Ja • h" s til t m ri el r Q 11 t .. e l e ll ed 0 t all JO .tC I 1 e he a e '1'1 • t t er , • Ch i n . w e i t f t ... e e J. b is ..., t Wb.. t. lg e i j_ iQ ni et ie t 1v r · t e t e eve t u l.e .. 1 C 1 The • 1 Tr t 'ihe Servl in + . • h.€ 1l e IB 0 pro ll e ' 11· . e ie 1i th Ch le , t., ' 1 . 1 li'n 1 re w not llo d 0 .. 0 t e au ri- • t u D op g n a g in t e C ~ efo e in t the St • u e bi 1 b 1 ,r e • ,ir . · te to b t t e t ... e t e , w _ic V 0 for n en t e ,, h 1 p el t th U l e 00 e n re - C ing e mon i i tic or • + . 0 ..... u. 0 I "1J. t ue • ot 1 th t Ol t . ut ·t , n .!O t e - • 0 b f hi t I l in r i a er . T ot i - le m • I i e re r a t i e , ol e t u t e to e ruin h t one br· of } T t . t 0 p i B ic , n t i i boli m le i doe ot ob tr f m t .. e 1 It . t er • plot tr, t p 1 t tr ... b. e t} t .. e he acte or the h • . ,. .!-enue ' s ot 1e V - ct ol ' S of th. C ie C r - ate i e b li l ' ·mb li m, d r u lit • , . lffi li ·t is notica le in he t Le 0 u - io of hi pl 'i. h r i 0 ce ' · ndi . b le' t i • e A tu of i 1 • ene need not be elabor te . It i ntere ti to note the llal back ro s th t · enned .1.0 en i f erent an for his war the ettin • The Rib of the 1an h Gre i or · 'h Army {i th B nners i s an Orph a e ; that of 'l 1 he V/in te r feast is Uorwa nd 'l'he use t es pl e in ngli h vie ra e . 1 1 h r t es pl e in the Bl , k Smith Shop of i tl Bo 11 , ic of n it le ton of n 0 - min e i e • lt o t1 h he "e in V i o 11 ee .inP-1 11 fo e f · it • t st e 0 e t . s the lue 0 -" t d in 1 lo ue , on might t he re hinP- . ''he et in is ter of se 01 ci i or n e . T le nd ch ir re ~ l f . i t . l 'I e h ve ove 0 n , t · m • Li h in effe e not b olutel es en i 1 . Even t t . n i not ec c~ r r e ..... t the m i t s C te at e en 0 e C C . ' I e • ' e urtain e at l:i int . · ir . .t.:enned ro e for Si pli i no o ... 1 e 1 0 t he lv but 0 n tl: e tse of them b to .K or re- perto o .. panie • ere r en C C r in e ch la an they u e uch thE..t th co 1 be p rtr e b th ame seven C ors . A e in point: - the m oman h pl ed Mar in The Servant in the House could pl S1 nhild in The 1 'interf st , Julia M nners in 1he Ar y :I i th ~llen in The Idol 3re d ~o i . T Rib of the . I r . er , ' in an . •r t e ed r ho ed th t e is theetre - m n as ell s a dr ma- 1 lnte iew i th . ..1h les Re :~enn d , Lia rch 24 192 , I 6 ti t wh it ible to thi ven . tribution e m e po e of h ino:.r or role on the ber of omp • 1 rt . in the con ru tion of th 1 h r . ,.. nned 1 1 i pl. ·t . mo t 0 t t n i He rote t e la in fiv l • use , he s t e r r ever ov t in life : e n t·on , t ri . io t - e , li t 11· tion , e . nt . 'l' e e t fi T i 0 t r·1 u n n , bu h 1 0 f • t f e t n r in t h V of .o t. 0 • h be innin mi l 1 ' 'hi t , t t ir. n e ek .eir 1 . t . o- , f . h t t 0 • e on t 0, in Ol , 0 no "e n · or . • ' one .i 11 . . is 0 h i 0 e the ' e n 1 i le .. e n Ill 1 e • n a 0 in t ho 0 t (j v e s ' he u s I in 1 1 1 t i ll e of on . 1- h pl h eri e b . c·t it ...,ons ruu - 01 ro u on , 'Om 0 i io t} e · belo1 in cl C t~i t t ... , .... he er few t one C n e i ein . - new t .. o' t i g ine e ch ti e he e s t ra. a • 'i1h e b ut he 1·cit 0 he 1 n u 0 ci d .. ore 'i e ~ing . H. s e 'Ort l Ot of one pro - 1 In te rvie v w i C rles ,. Aenne , 7 uction , but of many; not of one re ding , but of repeated read- ings . Symbolism is the second chara teri tic one notices in arks . ~r . 'e1ned himself expl ins hiss mbolism in 1he Se in the Ho e in aver interestin article that he wrote for a Lou on ublication , The Church Socialist cu rt i 1910 . 1 " h inhop of 1 nc hi e epre en t the piri t f a - on in the C ur h •••••• r he oc r e re ents the w ken . n t the e ~ ov me t , t e eal C tholic ith wh·ch i oin to h e a al up befo e lon • . • . . • . . . I t occurre to e ' d I · l OW Otl pree Ni h me , t t p rh ps not a b d of 0 in to ome conclo. ion s to th ar cter of our ther ich . e ven ~ a ir t of 11 to in u in 0 t e Chura t r of OU f t ers ich we h v on e rth . But here I found a d"ff· - ult • /o t of our o n e r at er t poor devils--and, cour e , I spea fi u ~ tivelT no er on 1 t he e bee 0 b t - J te ed OU of sh pe , 0 ortured d i ted out of t· li 1 re- o 1i ion b b d las, •ic d con p r&.cie er-a.inst the·r pe e , vile ono i , und e lings of the vil enerall , t ~ at i t has b en i po s i b 1 e for mo t o f us to see ho, be u. u ti - ful the all a e bee .us e e happen to love them . It - to th t be&ut · , t o that splendour revec..-led b lo e , t_ n t I a e . mT e.p,eal ; and for y PLlrpose I cr.ose a 1.uck-man , a ' Bloke wot looked fter the rains' as bein u. it e good en o l1 gh t o 1 church uoci.ilist C.:u.&rte ly ol . V, 1Jo . l , 4 ."'l'he erv ... ·1t in the House . ' re esent one rt the lor of our the r ~ i ch i in on , t e i ~h t Bisho of utterl nli e membe f e iscop es , OU Bi hop I e er s w n e t . " ere re et th Chri , the i it of rotherhoo • In' e Army rith B n Daft , e 1. h • i list m pr en 0 i O , I rp ... r h tel ll 0 .. trt h 1 h m . £ n t h he do no •. JJ e r o 0 i n 0 i . l li . i e li h \ o . n -.: o i n ov.' c com in , t o c r t r , i li it ino it wh o t eli · o • r or u Cf h f t • 11 e n o l .r 1 0 aft t l o · 1 e lli te th 1 uh . l.-s e • V ifi • f ·1 i eli 0 ion r e o ' p 0 ' r r r e 1·v1 • e ol r n re - ee i1 r e • r - n.e e . h e n- The oc C .i . o .. 1 , D. 11 , e - ou re · · le , i n , 1u~ u iou , t d n t ll b Lr ! cu 8 9 fritter aw your i:r. with the le cl e ~o u. ni n_ 0 p f that aturn lia , he .0 e ~n 11 e . y de 0 i ur u - tJ b l ' s of sion ; a et OU liv up hi .. bre T Yo • e ! You on ' Th OU not eve n ho or bl wife ! • ' You 1 . m the V li t es of I rth d 1 u m _ e l p e 0 f it fulne s the -- OU re di te hi il ' • Di is he Joman . Ba il , lh or , eve ls r.i c;;. £cter in e e !O d . • ee , ~ 0 ' lo ~ ut·ful to >.; ol ier I i 0 s 0 is , ho h ved it ith e e 0 ion C i • If I ha onl to e z- 1 out th Le i 0 Le e ~o e me ! - Ho1 r , on i ' your Oll t ' th r s 0 it . But o ! fl efor te in u l · l inc• t io ' n l f I m er · I 1 foll r fl • , • I • nr : to i 0 • 3ut l ' a. I C'' r ut e , o·h ' Ci,. • r ce . 1 e r t bra e 0 ' e n to beuom • I 's ord , e 1 0 I .i ble; hoa s Oken b a n . uld lik to b ◄ so . l it ow . ''oo r L1 to ;, . l. ht ! ·f t hird i s cte . st·c , s iritu li T is eall .. C , - not of all ·t . s 0 k • ne oul rot of e t m . f Cl c:.r les R nn ,. l 1,..enne r&n: s but r ther 0 e extQ of l is t se rr.01 • Hi pir·tu it . . so ron illlC d h t ne fe t at 0 e . t4ld t t the l Cl1S i n of it w . t a eL. n 10 from the criptures . that e vi it the 'ic 'Thi is pare reli ion an undefiled , nd t e f t e rl ' th t i s e- ligion , o one o f ee s nd octrines , nd h n- singi • The realization oft e r otherhood of an on eart i w at _e i pleadin _ for in he Rib of the an , The I ol Br 'h rmy " i th B t heme is e t e in a if er t i n e ch 1 • In rh rr. is a m t in to sh o t }.e in- c:.bi nts o Li t .,h r oo of 1 rr.e ' <.: "e s (,. o , s he b o h hoo of rr. 1 • e it S l to h . . then ·h 1 in 1 i int n t ol 1·ve b . ho t e t re a e ri t li i1 as t he oke of . He t i th m ere ~n to l m of ne o ~ at i st Jhile in t O i O 1 ; al d or un he .. bit h e 0 it! - I t _ e 1 oon 1 t .K:no ' b o b Ol t . I c ed t .e · n o ' el t em 0 . I s e t h em u h t e t l in him . n re o i a 1 one . u1 · n cl &s • C ri mu er th ·r blood- me • :"Iv n w en th i 't he .. e nin of l ei r leerin si l ence . 0 .. , I m :::e ig t . me v nt t o be rru e • ~v r ne f I rr.e an i ext oo nei or· a d Im a t cond t heme in The Idol 3r £er , a o iol- m g k In o h r t s h e' un ~he 01 ~ti uti n n it lies ; 11 and a slavin class as kee-p them filled wi th vi ttle for doin so . And t hen ou have the bla ted sauce to call 1 ou.rselves a de 10c ac • i/'h , I fe d ou sleek , f c:1 t 1 afers . Here am I sweatin out m gizz rd to tuff a lot of nann goats with tie and onions d 11 the l uxuries of the l nd . " Daft , in The Army '."✓ith Banners , ives a clear nd hum- o ous lan t on the di tored vision the multitude h s of e- li ion . The moment ou profess eligion , ou're ut down fo som thin serious t nee · and 11 ~our little ~okes o for othin . I ' con 1 ere quite a funn man , so lon peo le don't im ine me religious. Onl hac t em ov r the bee w·t a scou pe ; the sli t 1 1t· lau ter ! - rhe never rem it postolic function . 1other thing ! - Yee in m st es off the s ed . I ' v h- w ole Sun cool otJn m , ·ust b c u e ome b e - bod blu ted . less info .in them t .eir 1iod 's a Zulu devil ; "i in its n e- t ir re - i lism sti to h _ven . rhe never see th ell o t H llelui h and take ou. 11 me in in nd mp -ou spice of believe b ~ th hand , till u wish our elf in hell , fr solid home comfo t nd on eni lit ~. ~ i~1 0 ' God 's lov is · finite . Thee is s lvatio for 11 --even ' ienew been save fifteen t irre s ; but the Lord found him at last , and now he 's . riuite an honest men ber of societ --a low come an . n 'Ihe Rib of The ,f n , Ch rles .,. 1ed shows the t nn e if Je re living in accord nee . i th the p ece t of the - 1 b ctl rh oo f man , t}1 re iJOn ld be 1 o ar . ,, e brothe hood of m vi 1 not be e li·ed until w i nded • .J te t i n "fic · ana . r en ! e depen upon war · re los ·ndeed . A r t e · t u t ou ne ...,.e r h mns t , p o en v,, _ 11 it tr r ''J ' that reori 'al f u ments in tbe tur . er all cu an i b ~i u le , bl ar w • f o , it 1ill en b the of rr.ip . n i f ! en H comes He mu t fi 0 t e s il . I 0 • • f .. e , • t I .. t.1 t be n 1 0 ' o J ma :i I ' ·ro s ~ e 1u b t1r ... e.ri 1 {! 0 e le ..... Oll on .... ot} 'l 1 l:e t l l, • 1 in i ' • ' Q of t - u. 1 ..., e 1..:,T CL . 'h I cu hear so n so s f me t p • Li t n lon e 0 gh , b u ill ar th t it iu .... de p f be }:ll ts , 0 t n rLele s ffillS i of ' n .. en ~ lll - cu h ve e • I u - e e ' 0 •,ill pre 1 er circ} itself , loom·ng m er of rr.a h nd \''/ ' le& 1 h . fr m floor to rue . ·1he r - of no 0 blli l er . 'l fc ls DB t ~,. is ing hi 0 e n ve to t .. e v or 0 s n t V.' der th t he h "s . f r1 i · ... t • I • 1 , er lll 0 'JCe a d a t in t ese dr ma th t 0 much r t 0 _is li e • It w t ime d.ff. ul t fl ! f eten plo. ,. enne ecid 0 · te even com er ' so • 1 for hree 1 e s . e 1 0 · te u l '~ C! c.;;..Il 11 em ine 1 ...., f r p • l r of thi s ve een ublish • rr 1 , l • h s en on • 0 t t s bli he • Ot r ;v e ut 1. 11 b 1 e 0 io e ho r r C C e. t 1 1 0 t 1 em i er ' t t e e • e - e 1 e "-Je r r s on e 1 .. or r 0 es . r e prop- b e OVJ a - t B l.: on , a t a f 0 . li • ,10 , ... 0 n ' th i i ot r re i 1 . ;, 1 e ... 0 u....,u 1 ll 11 e p Jr i f i r .. es imu e of lve C rl Q ... n i ' t - • , ion is . In icle in ('lt l .. erly , .,, .. en h .a n 1 e f f 0 .. ,:::; . er ritic V 81 . ~ ~ngl nd , he ,. l, t . • I .,.. .. . ob , if othe l ' t t.ei I ~ no'.V l • ec /"110 • h e e t 1 n l 0 L t fll iece 0 the st ge it ,l f , d f om m1 mu h - in ulte bro h rs b'll is 8- S , the ' .e'" ' th t la tte I I t been b . . J. .'plU e , . h at e in to .':.rrie so .ethin OU m i tthisor rt . even i t e ~tud -- th 4 ab ur pl I --I sup 0 e I ' ve .tCe t m e u n t e i s ter • t n i t and mo ern , bout muc a tho e who tell us 11 about them 0 libl --fr m tr ns l ati •••••• not th t . 1 11 tte s fi to me at 0 1 hil bout e s i t : t ?Oe h fu th -- t 'v . oll Jel l ot ur mo e m e to no~ m oph t of th Lor ! ........ ( t in • • OU 1 i 11 e. mber , our ·1d n ill r - r , 0 r c _il n ' cril e em . 0 ~ hi t in 0 . f 1 0 0 e ' • 1 Oll h h tell . i n ri le in Ch ~1 1 h e 0 e ' 1 0 fe 1 h t . en 0 C .ir e i 0 hi . 1 • I You are i;ivited to attend a procfu t, n / Tfie Servant Lil tlie H LI S T u h ·t ne T/iea tr ", Univer ·ity of outh " l"ll California 35 1 Un iuer ·ity A 11e1111<' at11n/ay l!t1enin(!., ] a1111ary Hi11 etee11tf1, Nin tee n furn<./re,/ twent - tull e at eig/1t o 'c /o k Pre. ente,J b DORI R OK JOH 'O in partial fu /jl l/111 e11 t of re- c 111ireme11t ' f<>r tl,e Jegru of Ma st,,. o Arts un,Ler tf,e .wper11ision of a a 11ft tl1e. is committee on. \i tin r o( Dean R a , K. l 111111ef, f lo re11 ·e B. H11blrnrci ancl D r. lli. Ml tlu> I MIT ) E In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Art DORIS CROOK JOH SO PRESENTS The Servant in the House By HARLES RANN KENNEDY TOUCHSTONE THEATRE University of Southern California 3551 Univer ity Avenue aturday Evening, January 19, 1929, at o'Clo k l R O <; I Tf/E 1 I ~ iY J .. I E Th L ord B i. hop of L anut ltirl' MR . 'rH 'rH E RE ERE. I \ JLLJ :\I ::\1 'r H E, / 'itar :\I R I lr l'ir nit- t' :\1 R. R BER'l' :\Il l . FR ED I HLEC, EI I ' F . K EYZER ' 6 11 , HE LE . P R rELLJ 11 H , t gl'nllt 1111m of 11 c,· ar • o r upation l l R. E~1IL f RO JER , a pag -boy MR . \\ ILL! M K MR. "'H RLE F. \ RI 1H1 TJAI E- Au l'arl m ornm g m pri 11g. PLACE- dn En gli It ro unlr)' t•1 c11ragc. FAC( LT }. T l JE.._ J COA 1 11ITTEE D ean Ray K. Immel , Florence B. Hubbard , I r. Iii on ( 1aw TAFF tage Manager- 1 homa · ( rraham. A. i tant tag l\1anager - Edith dam, , lair derer, ~ath rine \ Veir. E le tri ian- Ro M Rann . Furniture b ourte of BE Kl\tl • -R() L 1 D In orporat d -L7 , outh Vermont. e lJ in C r ab tl r J e e t e ... ever n , Te Lor B· h fLn s ... ·r .. o e a - 0 ir 1 ie . • o er nt 0 n C oc u n ll tie t e i r ' r fa 4 cene fr 1 1 l l i e 1 e 1 aven ort ( V r m _ 11 , 11 Lo e "e t ) 1 B f e ( i ze s ss·ble ) le ( m 1 a ) 4 C rll (L r eno g t f f 0 t ) 1 b tt r , ish if 1 Pa en w· t J ' . di h d poon l va f lovver re 1 le C i<., ... s e vice of il r inne pl t . n .t ... l. s 1 cru b an oop C p r c., t ble lo h 1 0 1 m ~n r T . ce • e pl,... t t a t n f r.a: p t uns 1 - l let er from India - n p P r 1 let er f 0 Bi hop of 1 ca hire - whit P r 1 letter th t Bis of L nc hire . ri i op - ite p r 1 ot 0 1 1 C r:. t d: ' I ,I 'J • • 0 t • 1 . 18 . l • e Bi h ' 0 p: Crep ,i _.Ji ht ll r p i1 . . t re Pe fo m nee co • . n S 00 ir u ... for C lill • t DUCTI e • 0 • 0 • • 0 • • • 1 .o ► • • .,·77 . 10 Th rv n t e ou 1 0 Q. • 1 _ \ ~ G 0 THE SERVA T I THE HOUSE TH IR T CT the curtain ascends, ••--1 ,s an on discov- r d I in th t bl £ r br his back to e au 1 nc i · · y boy in butt co tum . Hi fa . 1 n t en until th oint indicat r Roa R pardon, 1 R R. ' ad a I thin -·c d u me ]. r kin' y ur t it OU f m b for . D n t m p s ibl , d it, r. an on ? 0 any thing ar po ibl in this ~ rld r . Roa R . Thats b n 1n ngland but 'ow long 'av' you r. n n? [ I]] ~ .,,4 0 ~ ;.. lr--1 /G M 0 I I • THE SERVANT I ... THE HOUSE MANSON. I landed late last night, if that's what you mean. RoGERS. Well, I never been in the continong of Asia, where you come from; and th re you are 1 MA SON fguietl~]. Yes: here I am. [He s to the sideb ard and bu i himself with servie , mats, etc.) RoGERS. Perhaps it's this reinca11 .✓ 1 n the Dail. Mail be n writing about. Ever' see the Daily Mail out there, Mr. Manson ? MA so . No: we had few advantages. ROGERS. Rum id a, reincarnyti n ! Think, Mr. Manson, perhaps we wos lords nee in ancient Babylon, you an' me! MA so . And now butl r and pag -boy, h ? ROGERS cratchin his h ad]. Do s em a bit of a come-down, don't it? MA SON. That's one way of looking at it. [ROGERS, enticed of Satan, has on vey d a furtive o nf ul f am towards his mouth.] [Without turnin .] l n't ther jam in the kitch n, Rogers? RoG RS scared]. vings ! E've got yes in 'i b ots ! 'y, do you call it stealing, Mr. Man on ? MA o . Do you ? (Persi tin . ] Do you ? [ I 8 ] 0 a /G 0.. . \ IM I 0 / a I I /Gl-----or a r--- 11 '.<(.A,,~ THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE fft0-l:l~~.awiw.d'4::0M--MJ'd~tmD.-] RocERS. 'Pon my word, Mr. Manson, you give rne the fair creeps and no mistike ! 1ANSO . You will get over that when you knew me bett r. RocERS. 1r. Manson! Do you mind if I arst you a question? MA so . o; what is it ? RocERS. What d'you wear them togs for? This ain't India. MA SON. People don't always recognise me in anything else. lHe turns for the first time. His face is one of awful swe · y, . There is the calm of a reat n1aste to his habit as a servant. ROGERS. Garn, r. lanson, t at s a bit orf! Clothes don't make all that difference, come now! ... MA so . They are the only things the people of this world see. Roe R aft r a a ).. Excuse me, lv1r. Manson, you mek me la f. MA so . 'That's all right, Rogers. I have a sense of humour myself, or I shouldn't be here. [ 19] .1. a. · ~---;::=,Q\ --=---=---=---=-T71 \ t-\ lL <::) I I l la ' \, . 1\ I 0 "R. lo 0 C -----r-l -~1 \ " - a / I THE SERVA THE HOUSE RoGERS sentimental]. Talking about clothes, Mr. Manson, I often thinks in my 'ead as I'd like to be a church cl rgyman, like master. Them tJite-up collars are very becominf Wouldn't you, Mr. Manson ? MA so . Wouldn't that be rather presuming, Rogers? RoGERS. Don't you mek no mi tike about it! 'Er ! [He grows confid ntial.] r ou are a butler, . , ? A. ' ? a1n t you . 1n t you, now .... MA so . Something like that. RoGER . Well, p rhaps master 'a n't allus been as 'igh- S e ! O' cours , I don't kn , but they do s'y as ' was once only a . . . W t h ! 'Ere 'e is! The VICAR s oice is h ard off.] V1cAR. I shall be in to hr akfast at a quarter to nine. Don't wait for me, dear st. [He enters hurri dl) from door, right, watch in hand. He has on his cassock and bir tta.] So awkward- Both my curates down with the whooping-cough! To-day, tool Just when I was . expecting . . . ~ -r. [As he goes -r, stage, MIIIJIIIJt table, MANSO C - G I I CJ I 0 0 o. . b l I V M V . THE E . his astonishm nt, RocERS st ps forward ..,....,. ... ._~~ .] RoGERS. It's t e sir. Mr. Manson, sir. V1cAR. Sur ly, I- I've s n you om where be fore. so look· im]. Ha u, ir? ICAR. Hm 1 an t quite ... ROGERS. B g ard n 1r: ttin f o . VICAR anicall ]. Hm ! Th se myst ries lpf ul ... glad to s you, Mans n. Wh n did [H . fr n ay, I'm arn ? ad into MA o . arly this n1orning sir. I should have com sooner; but I had a little trouble do n at the Customs. VICAR. Inde d ! How was that ? M so . They said som thing a bout the new Alien Act, sir. VICAR. Of course, of course. Er . . . You speak English remarkably well. [ 2 I ] (J G G 0 I 0 I \ \J 0 <:) M .,.....__V L _ __JI V M v 1- ____.I :... THE SERVA THE HOUSE MANSO • I have se n a good deal of the English, one ti1ne and anoth r. VICAR. That's good: it will ave a lot of xplana tion. By-th -by . . . My old f ri nd in Brin di i, who re omm nd d you, writ s that you bore a v ry x~ ll nt charact r with y ur late mploy r in India· but th r a n m t r h didn t m n ion- d ubt you will r ooni 1t 1mponan in a I rgyn1an s family- H ne r m ntion d y ur r ligi n. . . 1 0n 1 o . I can on r m dy that, ir. y r li - ry sin1 I I od and all n1y br th r . ~:.:...i__,.._,_J. d and y ur br th r ... sir: all of them. [ h IC stand th uohtf ul fi r a mom nt. H lac h p t n n t 1 hin1 ] ]. Th t i n t alway a y, 1 ed t o . Th Brother. R ent rs. girl in her en , th p1ctur sw etness and health.] n- MARY. Good-morning, ncle William! Oh! . .. [ 22] I I - r. ,,. 0 M \/ I I CJ I b a 0 I 1\ ~ r THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE I suppose you're Manson ? I n1ust say you look simply ripping! How do you d ? lviy narne's Mary. [She offers her hand.] MA so [kissing it]. A very dear name, too! MARY [ embarrassed, blurting]. We were wonder ing last night about your religi n. I said ... V1cAR. Mary, my child ... MARY. You don't look like a cannibal. even the devil isn't a black as he's ... your pard n: perhaps I'm rude. After all, Oh, I beg Vic R. Yes, ind ed you are. Don't take any notice of our little feather-brain, 1anson. MARY. I say, has uncle told you who's coming to-day? MANSO . o. MARY. ot about Uncle J osh ? V1cAR. T-t-t! You mustn't call your uncle Joshua that! It i irrev rent. He may resent it. MARY. You kno , you'll make m po itively dis like him! Ju t fancy, Manson, meeting an un le whom you've nev r o much as set eyes on before! I don't ev n know what he 1 ks like. [ She is lookin,. M_ ANSO in the fac _. He returns her gaze curi ously.] MANSON. Then- you have a surprise in store. [ 23] a.. a - 0 a \ __ I I 0 CJ \J I THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. You ought to be awfully interested! You will, when you hear wh re he comes from! MA so . I am- int rested. MARY. Then guess who he is! MA so . Guess-when I kn w already? MARY. Oh, ncle J o hua isn't his only name don't you think that! He a very important per son, I can tell you! H is name's on everybody's lips! MA so [.~ ... J. Really! MARY. Can't you guess ? . . . Think of the very biggest person you e er heard of in this world! MA so . In this world: that sounds rather like ... Does he give free libraries ? MARY. I can't say I ever heard of that; but he does things quite as wonderful! Listen! What do you think of th BrsHOP OF BE ARES!! MA so [unin1pressed]. Oh, it's the- Bishop of Benares, is it ? M RY. I must say, you don't seem very surprised! Surely you've heard of him ? He comes from India. MA so [qui ly]. I happen to know him. VxcAR. o, really: this is most interesting! lv1Ai s i • As a man might know his own soul, sir as th~y say in India. His work has been mine, so to 6peak. VICAR. Bless me, you will know him better than I [ 24] 0- O. · a I r a N I I t,'\ V I -- I b / ~ I I \ N M I 0 I I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE do. I have never seen him since I was quite a little lad. MARY [ · · · · ]. Just you think, Mansonl He's my uncle- my own father's brotherf [iWN __ ._.~~►•_.. ... wtllell {M!ll'!I).] VIA so . r our broth r, sir? VICAR [C rvent ]. I am grateful to God for it, Manson: he is. [MA re ards him calml for a mom nt: th n he turn in uiringly towards Mary.] MA so . Th n- 1ss ary? ... VICAR uickl ]. Oh, my niece is the daughter of --of my other broth r. MA so . I ee : two brothers ? VICAR [shortl ]. Yes, y s, I hav · I- I had. iA so resumin his work at the tabl . Thank you, sir: it's always h Ip u, coming t a n w plac , to know who are- and who are not- the family con- . nect1ons. VICAR. Come, Rogers! My poor br thren in the church are waiting. I must see to their necessitie at once. [He starts for the door.] MANSON. Pardon me, sir. (He hands him the bread which, [ 25] .A.! ,;_ . ' ...... ~• -el .t-,,.:.,,w._. C.:,t~\ t "'t! ~ - 0 (] / -V I'\ Ii. , 1. 1/ Q I~ C. . -- ~-----t--;- 0 I 0 M _ _ ___ - ----t ti .. THE SERVA THE HOUSE among those n c ssities, he has for gotten. The VICAR looks at him a moment in troubl d hou ht, and th n o out, f 11 w d b R .] RoGERS at d or]. I'll b bac,. t ' Ip y u :n with th br akf ast, an son. ( xit.] . o , an n: l t' talk! You' g t . d ? n mor to .... so . ot till hr akf ast. ARY. Th n come ov r h r , and make our comfy. go o r to h f do 7 ow! T 11 m e about th Bishop f B nar s ! o r. What- Uncl Josh? ARY. S h - sh-sh! That's naught , ou know! You heard hat n le William aid! ... D y u think he'd ry much mind if I called him Uncl J osh? M o . You may take it from m , that you may call him whatev r you like. MARY. That's all very well· but you're not Uncl Joshua! f- a 0 I N M I I ~ THE SERVA THE HOUSE MANSO . 0? ... MARY [ tl ]. o, y u're not! MA o . Well, inc u're o c rtain ... ARY [w"t n i ti ]. I'm p rfe tly c rtain he'll n r tand a kid lik m h king him and callin him nam ! ncle illiam' quit ri ht! ... nd that' v hy I m d up my mind th t I h 'n t lik him aft r all ! . Ind d ) u u will! in likin p opl imply be yr ? P rh. p I'm a pr ju kn tly d - h ? ou kn , - r Ii · u , and all d f ·,rbid ! RY [._._____.J. h p rh ap h th th r . rt- lik r! ! le . a bi h p- th Bi h p f anc hir . u . e , ' e h ard a I t b ut bi h p in my tim , a d th 'r not alway .. m n. o . nd , hat rt i th Bi h p f Lanca hi r ? RY. W 11, I don't think I u ht to tell ou · but I one h rd Uncle William all h · m a d ill- And h ' a l rgym n! I G 0 THE SERVANT IN 1HE HOUSE MANSON. Your Uncle Joshua's reputation is ex actly opposite. MARY. There is that : everybody speaks awfully well of him. MA so . I don't think I would go so far as that: some people blackguard him abominably. MARY. o!- Who? MA so . His clergy, chiefly. MARY. His clergy! They must be dreadfully wicked men! MA so . o-only blind: perhaps, also, a little deaf. But between the two they manage to make his work very difficult. MARY. Why? What do they do? MA so . It's partly what they do not do. MARY. Oh, I see- lazy. MA so . ot precisely- they work: they are not idle; but they serve other masters. MARY. Su h as wham ? MA so . The Bishop of Lancashire. MARY [after a pau ]. I always thought he was such a great uccess out there. Th papers have been full of it-of the millions of people who follow him about: they say they almost worship him in some places. What kind of people are they? MA SON. Just rommon peop~e. [ 28] a CJ I . 0 1 N M I THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. And then, all that talk of the great churches he built out there I . . . " MANSON. Churches? MARY. Yes; didn't he? MANSON. He built one. MARY. What's it like ? MA SON. Those who have seen it say there i nothing like it on earth. MARY ~a erly ]. Have you seen it ? MANSON. I was there when he built it. MARY. From the very beginning? MANSON [sole nl ]. From the beginning. [MARY auses before speaking: then she says, slowly.] MARY. I hope I shall like him. Is he- is he any thing like you ? [MA so r ga.rds her silently for a moment.] MA so . How 1s it that you know so little about him? MARY. Well, you see, I only heard yesterday. MANSO . I thought you said his name was on everybody's lips. MARY. You don't understand. I mean, I never knew that he had anything to do with me-that he was my f ther' s brother. [ 29] G 0 I THE SERVA THE HOUSE MANSON. Didn't he know ? MARY. Who-father ? Oh, you , I . . . / don't know my father . .... . Uncle William didn't know anything about it until y sterday. MA so . Hm ! That is strang , too! MARY. Th r ' a bit of a my t ry about it alt - gether. Would you lik to h ar? It is rath r lik fairy-tale. MA so . It must be. Yes, do go on. MARY. It was all through ncl William tion Fund. You s , our old h urch i in a p rfi ly rott n state of d ay, and naturally it uld t k a lot tor pair it: o uncl thought f tarting a Fund Yes! Wasn t it de r of him ? - I addr s d all th envelopes. Would you b li it, w c uldn't g t ingl halfpenny! I n't it a ham ? - u h a nic old church, to ! M so . H w was that? MARY. That' the question! P ople ha b n most rud ! Oh, th letters we ha had! Th funny thing is, for all their fa ult-finding, they non of them agree with each oth r!- Some say the foun dations are all Wiong: some don't like the stained glass windows; but if you ask me ... [ 30] 0 G CJ I"' M I .,, TH ERV THE HO MA so . Y s, what do you think ? MARY. W II, un le won't h ar of it; but I cant h Ip thinking Id Bl tchl y i right ... MA so . Who' h ? RY. Oh, h ' a dr df ully wi k that- H ' th q u k d c r .. in th h ' h . I an at ezst. . .. d man, I kn · illag : h ' - T Il, hat d h hink i h m tt r . a it th DRAI ! . Th - th drain ? ... m 1 u kn , in pit a ' is a m 11: I had f , hat n l .. all la t unda m rnino-. p in h h ir i bad n< u h, and r und by th pulpit- h ! I an t thi k ho un l and it! That' h th p pl nn' m t Th say h tand in th mark t-plc in t ad f li t ning t o d. t old Bl . t 111 h r h li nin un I a d The dd thin i , it mu t tha m r, in h t's C u in the tr ubl in un I tu r -- T h. hi tudy ut th r , wh r h y' b n <. ;[I. ing : it h r he writ hi s rm n . You know, J' r-'-e notic d the m 11 fi r om tim , ut und cros wh n r I m nti n d it th at I I a n ·d o hold my tongue. t la t, aunti sm It it, t o, and [ 31] 0 a N M I r TH SERVA that oon brought the men in! Ugh! Perhaps ' you ve ... MANSO . I hav ! But what ha all this to do . th .. . MARY. Don't t impati nt: it' all part f th story .... Well, e thou ht should ha e po 1 d ar ncl illiam perfi ctly ill ... A o . B au of th dr in ? • . . RY. , b au of th Fund. H tri d v ry- thing: II hi rich fri nd , bazaar , j um bl - al , pe cial int rces i ns v rything ! nd nothing m d to om fit! Th n at I t, y t rday momin h as r ading th n w pap r, and th r was a I n pi c about th Bi hop of B nar . ncl r ad it aloud to us. Sudd nly, in th middl , h brok ff and said: Look at the power this chap seems to have at the back of him I I wish to God I hcd sonu of it I H had re I aid it, h n th r wa a rat-tat at th d as the po tman · and h at do ou think . IT LETTER FRO THE BISHOP OF BE ARE ! so [ anti i pating the critics]. "''hat a coin- cid ! RY. Isn't that wond rful? l sn t it ju t like a fairy-tale? Wait a bit. Th r 's mor y t .•• [ ' ] I G 0 0 THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE Here's the letter: uncle gave it me for my auto graphs ... [Sh MA fishes it out from her ocket. reads it aloud, slowly and -- cl arly.J MA so . "I shall be with you during to-morrow morning. If any one will help me, I will restore your church. r our brother, 'Joshua." MARY [ ointin . And there, do you see, under neath, in brackets: 'The Bishop of Benares. MA so . Dear me, dear me, just those few words! MARY. Wasn't it like an answer to prayer? Auntie saw that at once! And the odd part about it is, that Uncle William did have a brother Joshua who went away and got lost in India years and years ago! And to think that he was who he wa all the time! To think of him never writing until yesterday! To think that before the day is out h will be sitting down here, perhaps in this very place, just like . .. [She b eaks off sudden! azing at him; for his e es have taken a stran e fir .] MA SON. Just like I am now . • • MARY [falterin I ]. Yes ..• MANSON. alking to you .•• [ 33] I t'\ M L-------tl \ 0 / • ,. I; • l..,J.., ~ ,(.r.., '-<M. )' (/ .7. -:~ .:.L ,vY' -< ~ THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. Oh! ... f .. ] MA so softly]. Mary . MARY in a whis r]. Who are you? ... MA SON. I am ... [ is int rru t d b the · reat bell of the church, wh.ich tolls the Sanctus. After the third strok , he continues.] I am the servant in this ouse. ave my work to do. Would you i o h I me ? MARY. What shall I do ? MA SON. Help to spin the fairy-tale. Will you? MARY. I will. MANSON. Then keep the And wish hard. cret -Remember! MARY. Do you believe in wi hin ? MA so . Everything comes tru , if you wish hard enough. MARY. What shall I wish fi r? MA so . What hav you n eded most? What have you not had ? Think it out. [Enter Au TIE in a IWIIIIMl!le gown. She has a preoccup1e air. She carries her hu band's coat over her arm.] Au TIE. Oh, I heard you had arrived. I hope they gave you something to eat when you came in. [ 34] /l,/4, /l J)4YWA-1l ~z.:. i~w 1 ~ 7r~_._,,.; .~ ~ ~~tet A M. G . V I I b 0 CJ - _ _____, l I\ N I 'f HE SERVA THE HOUSE MANSON. Thank you, m 'am: it will do later. Au TIE. ary ... D ar st ... MARY. Oh, I b g your pardon, aunti d ar, I ... Au TIE. Dr aming again! Puttin h r arm round h r.] Com , I want you t put your uncl coat by th fir . He will be cold, coming ut of that dr ughty chur h. MAR (hu in h r]. You darling! I b Ii y u think f nob dy but un I in th odd! Au TIE. nd you, sw th art: you com n xt- a ry n r n t! [ RY tak s th --.........,_ i ......,. n.._t h t bl ]. Th t' ind d ! P rhaps, ju t way. . . . [ flow r .) ~ nd of th m. Y - ; and I ticularl y nice this morning . . . at to th fir .] . ry n1 , an ~ on, a little f urth r thi My hu band i wanted thing par- M R [at the r loo in u ]. I thought y u said you- you didn't p ct him till cw Ive-thirty! ... Au TIE [ab orb ]. Whom ? MARY [ · ]. Th -the Bishop of Benar . Au TIE. The - th . . . Oh, it's your uncle I am . . . [ o M n on]. By-the-bye, a the p tman be n y t? MA so [ at the windov ]. I an e him oming up the Ian . He s opp d at th ne t house. [ 35] ~ J, D 0 I a a A. l--1 - I THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE AUNTIE. Oh, then, Mary: will you very much mind if you don't have breakfast with us this morn ing? I want to have a privat talk with your uncl . MARY. Oh, aunti , d ar! ... u TIE. D n't think f yours If, dear- R m m b r, there are oth r p pie in the w rid b sid s you. d n into th ill g , and ha hr akf a t with p r Id r nni Durd n. k h r om ni n -laid gg and a pat f butt r- Poo soul, it would b a harity! RY. h, aunti , sh 's a d af a a po t! u TIE. D ar t! - R m m b r what y ur un I aid la t Sunday about Pure religion and undefiled! H m ntion d r . Durd n nly , k ag ; but I forgot. w, run along. I.-"._. ...... ......,.]. ry w II, aunti . out by th main d r.) TIE Qaughinr,]. Incon id rat littl monk y! I am glad y u hav ... n t thought of hanging your pr tty, nati o tum , an on. It is ry pictu r que; and, b ides, to-day there is a pecial r ason why it may be consid r d omplimentary. ( double knock is heard at the outer door.] Ah! Quick, Manson! The postman! (MA o goes out. Au TIE takes [ 36] I " a. . M A _ _____,. 0 I b 0 A I THE SERVA THE HOUSE a look at the coat: rearranges the flow rs, humming, meanwhile, "The Chur h's On Foundation"; and then tands impatiently awaiting M s 's reappearance. Pre ently he return with a letter on server.] o . 1 tt r fi r you, m 'am. Au TIE. h! Wh t I p ct di [ he hr ak o n the letter and reads it a rl .] Excell nt! [ r dubiousl ]. c 11 nt ... Manson, w hall ha e o b ry bu y to-day. Ther will b quit a Church ongr s~ to lunch- tw bishops! o . Oh, not as bad as that, ma'am ns n! o . B g pard n, ma'am; but mast r rn n nly on - hi broth r, the Bi hop of B - nar . u TIE. My broth r ill join us al o-the Bishop of Lanca-hir . This is hi I tt r. And now l t's ha e hr akf a t, at once. The icar is sure to be arli r than he said; and I'{O~ ry. [ so goes to the door. o · the VICAR and RocER r - appear.] ;/ ~c..-., i [ 37] · Cl · Cl o/ i " ----------------- R. --------- 3 - ----- I . b- 0 a I c.. . 0 0 1 -____J __ I -- THE SERVA THE HOUSE MANSO i. Here is master. I'll hurry up the break- fast, ma'am. . VICAR [entering]. Do, Manson. Let's get it over. [MANSON goes out.] Excuse me, rr1y dear. ROGERS hel s him off with the cassock.] P~ · /'"- A " ..___,___.,.., "-1 ~ So tiresome I ot a place 1n t , ouse to o any- thing! Confound the drains! Just run up-stairs for my coat, Rogers. Au TIE. It's here, dear. I have it warming for you. VICAR [ffKla-B1w.11etw]. Oh, thank you, Martha. That will d , th n, Rog rs. T 11 !vlanson to hurry up. [RoGERS h 1 s him on and goes out. [The VICAR fir place. . . .] cross s moodily to th tands und cid- d, watchin him, the I tter in h r hand.] Au TIE. You're back early, dear. VICAR. What can you exp t? ot ~ soul there. of course! Au TIE. My poor William! I'm glad I thought to hurry up the breakfast. [ 38] I. t,.<.J, '--1._Jn..,..., ,A,~,ro ( ~~ 4 "l ----..-i..- a a •G) ----- A . 0. . D \ a 1 l 0 0 I . l \ l l n ~ \J v ______ ' THE HOUSE THE SERVANT I --------------------- VICAR. Thanks, dear. You are always thought ful. AUNTIE. William . . . [He looks up.] I-· I want to have a little talk with you. VICAR. What is it? Any more- worry? AUNTIE. You needn't make it so. VICAR. Ah! AUNTIE movin over to him and stroking his hair]. My dearest is not well. VICAR. I think you are right, Martha. I am not well. AUNTIE alarmed . Not the trouble with your heart again ? VICAR. No; I fancy it goes deeper than· that! AUNTIE. William! What do you mean ? VICAR suddenl facin her]. Martha! Do you know the sort o man you ave been living with all these years ? Do you see through me ? Do you know me?- o: don't speak: I see your answer al ready- Your own love blinds you! Ha! I am a good manl- I don't drink, I don't swear, I am re spectable, I don't blaspheme like Bletchley! Oh yec. and I am a 1cholar: I can cackle in Greek: I can wrangle about God's name: I know Latin and Hebrew and all the cursed little pedantries of my (39] I · a a .0 I '0--- A. l THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE trade! But do you know what I am? Do you know what your husband is in the sight of God ? He is a LIAR! AUNTIE. William! VICAR. A liar! I heard it in my ears as I stood up before Christ's altar in the church this morning, reciting my miserabl creed! I heard it in my pray ers! I heard it whilst I tasted ... whilst I drank ... whilst I ... He si · nto a chair and buries his face in his hands.] AUNTIE. Oh, you are 1 VICAR [breaking down]. 0 wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? • IIIMII_ ... IMM..a~.W..~IM..~~~ l!I&• After a moment sa s deter- minedl .] Au TIE. I know: 1t s this money trouble. It's what Joshua said in his letter about your having to get somebody to help him. Well, that's just what I wanted to speak to you about. I have a way out of the difficulty. V1cAR. It's not the church. I could wish ever, stone of it were crumbled into dust! AuNTIE. William, how wicked of you! ••• [ +o 1 . Q. · -a [ 0 ~A \. ,_ I . b· l\ 0 G l 0 THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE Is it - is it anything to do with your brother Joshua? Why don't you answer? VICAR. It has to do with my brother-Robert. Au TIE. Mary's fa ... William, did you send him that telegram yester day? VICAR. Yes: that was a lie, too! AUNTIE. onsens ! Don't be absurd I ICAR. It was a l el Au TIE. You told hin1 we couldn't do with him because th" house was ups t: that's true! You told him that th drains w re up in th study: that's true! VICAR. Was that the real reason why to have him here? Was it? refused Au TIE. I can't think what poss ss d him to write and ay he'd come. We'v not heard from him for fifteen years I VICAR. Whose fault is that? TIE. hy, his o n, of course l He can't ex- pect to be tr ated decentl ! [ he walks up and do n with an r.] It's perfectly absur , tt r a y 1s, d ar, making all this fuss and trouble about a wretched- Have you told Mary ? VICAR. o: the silent lie WilS comparatively easy! ( 41] a - I I CJ . a. . 0. I . I ~ --- · ~"- ' ~~ 2 . · b · ----,-,-\ ,______ __ o_ +-----' \ 0 THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE' AUNTIE. My dear, do try and be reasonable. Think of what he is! VICAR. Isn't he my brother? AUNTIE. No, he's not your brother-at l ast, nothing that a brother ought to be! Ridicules ev erything that you hold sacred! Hates everything you love! Loves everything you hate I • • • VICAR. 'That's tru ! Au TIE. A sc~ r, an atheist, a miserable drunkard! VICAR. That was fifteen years ago, remember, after Mary's mother dieci l . . . Au T TIE. A man like that n ver changes! What would have become of that poor child if we hadn't stepp d in ? Have you ev r dared to tell her what h r father's like? Of course not! To-day, too, of all day ! It' utterl reposterous l VICAR. That is all the more reason why ... AUNTIE. My dear, think of his occupation I VICAR. I think the child ought to be told. Au TI . Of his occupation ? VICAR. That, an4 everything. Au TIE. My dear, have you gone perfectly mad ? Do you know who's coming ? Do you want to ad vertise his occupation to aH the world ? VICAR. Do you think his brother Joshua would mind that? er~ I ' 0 o . THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE AUNTIE. It isn't only your brother Joshua! You think of nobody but your brother Joshua! Some one ebe is coming. VICAR. Who? AUNTIE. My brother 1amesl [She throws down the lettei;;,.l Now you've heard it all I [There is a Ion silence. V in a of bitter contem t.] VICAR. Your brother ames 1s coming here to day ? You have brought him here to help my brother Joshua! Him! AUNTIE. Why not? He~s r'chl He can do it! VICAR. So, he can recognise me at last! AUNTIE. It was as much your fault as his, that you have never met! He naturally resent d our . marriage. VICAR [ironically). But, of cour , now that I'm related to the great and wealthy Bishop of Benares ... AUNTIE warml ]. He's as much a bishop as your brother is! VICAR. He! That gaitered snob! AUNTLE. William, how dare you t V1CA.R. Yes, he's a bishop! A bishop of stocks and shares! A bishop of the counting-house! A bishop of Mammon I ~ ~ d ~ 0 a 0 V A '/- / . +-------' 0 THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE Au TIE. William! VICAR. The de~il's own bishop! AUNTIE. At least, he isn't a WORKI VICAR (as thou . Ah t ••• G-MANI [T1MIIII.....,..::.:;.;;....;;..;.;..;:;..;.;....;~ one on assion. T .............................. _..,...~ li'elllilllll ..... [ A o and ROGER com in with th br akf a t. Ro ERS & out im mediat ly.] MA so . Sorry to have d lay d, sir; but you said a quarter to nine, didn't you, sir? VICAR. Yes. MA so . Breakfast's serv cl, ma'am. It's served, ew.x111C1111..-.] Beg pardon, sir: what time did you expect th Bishop of Benares ? VICAR. Oh !-During the morning, he aid. That will m an the twelve-thirty, I suppose. It'• the only . . convenient servtce. MANSON. And the Bishop of Lancashire, ma'am? [ #] .. /. D M I , I Iv I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE AUNTIE. He didn't say; but I think we may ex pect him by the same train. He would scarcely think of catching the • . ere is heard a loud Rin in of the Good graCious rea y MANsoN. It d sn't s und like the Bish p of Benar s, ma'am. He generall comes very quietly. AUNTIE. Quick I MANsoN. Yes ma'am He oes out b the main d Au TIE [ a id . William, I'm sorryl Really, I didn't mean you: I nev r thought of you : I was only thinking of Rohen. I only think of you as a gr at scholar and a saint -yes, you are one f-and a the man I lovel I would sacrifice everything to your happiness. Roben's nothing to me : that's why I . . Think of what it might m an to Mary-we must think of others, William our own little child, as we try . . to unagine .. [The VI AR ma es a gesture of anguish.] As for James, God knows l did it for the best. I love you, my dear, I love you · I wouldn't have vexed you for the world t After all, he is m brother, (451 .. . a . . 0 I \ I I . C . 0. ____ I- I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE William! . . . . I thought of patching up the enmity between you: I thought of all your hopes of rebuilding the church; and James was the only rich man I thought might be induced- under the circumstances ... VICAR. I am in th darkness. I don't know what to do. God has left m stranded. rs. MA so . It isn t f Bena res, ma' am. Au TIE. W 11, who is it ? MA so . I didn't ask his name, ma'am. Au TIE. T-t-t t How is he dres d ? A so . Rath r oddly, ma'am: I noticed that his I g ... Au TIE. William, it's Jame l I can't be seen like thi . Shew him in. I can slip out this way. W so o s out.] William, try and tr at him 11 e ..• I AR. How ? Lik a broth r ? TI • I was going to say, like a Priest and a Chri tian, illiam. ICAR. Like " Christian, then. AUNTIE. y dear 1 Sh~r.w-.__.., - z; --t I Q t I 0 (1> ri --- "'I) . M I \ ,ol>erl • 1) ' 0 l ] I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE MAMSON (out&ide]. Thia way:Jf:tiou please. [ he VICAR ~,rF:r?deealf U? and turns towards the door t UT..-ar..: cordialit . J VICAR. Just or rea fast, my lord. OBERT SMITH and MA SON. RoBERT's costume is a navv ' the kn es tied wit tnn . ] RoBERT ,._....... an s 1 wlmighty don't mind if I do. y belly's fair aching V JCAR. Rob n I ROBERT. Yus, it's me, my oly broth r VICAR. Didn't you-didn't you g t my wire? RoBER'I. Yus, I gorit . Drain wrong, eh? Thought I'd Hke to 'av a look at 'em- my job. yer know, dr zns ! So you'll excuse the togs · remind you of old days, eh what ? VICAR. Rohen what have yuu come here fo-? ROBERT. rou arsk me that VICAR. Yes, I do, Bob . . . RoBERT. Whv to see mv little gel, o' cours G~wd curse you . . . Now go an tell your ole woman stands Did you ear me speak ? Tell 'er, [ 47) 0 M \ 0 n f I 0 I I \ ]) I ' THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE fihe VICAR wavers a moment, and then stagger~ s1 ent y through the door, · . RoBERT watches him off with a look of ir s s :-••""tDl~..,.,.~ .............. re-.~~ See that blighter ? · om with no bowels! 'E might a-made a man o' n1e one if 'e' d tried; but 'e didn't- 'im and 'is like. Hm I Dam foolish, I call it, don't you? MA SON. Yes, both: foolish and-damned! ~OB ER and loo into hi face H i O D CT· . . n ]) t I () I . b . I 0. I \ M 1) I \. t . I · C· l I \ 0 I I G TH E SEC O D AC T h urt in ri s, he scene and situation r mam Jn h ng d. res ntly, Robert, having completed his in- ti n of th h r' f ce and co tume, moves aw y ith har t rt t1 . . . mt CJ uon. Ro B RT. h, J r os a 1 m ! . . . 'l~r ' Ip u rf, omrid : I'nt t through. R inin' a an' d r s dahn at th Junction! ' r, I n't ... Wot h! h v ry id ntical! ... [ ha h Ip d him off with hi t, and now hand him th as o k.] [ ttin int it.] D n t kn w oo y u ar , ol pal; bu you'r bit of rl right! ... D n't I look a orf- tlr p ? ' .Jr , h r y t kin it t ? ••• H , atch A so su i io l a he lac s his coat before th fir to dry.] B . ' d . , ? it an y, a1n t yer .... o this is wher ' Jives I A bloomin' palace, as n er I did se ! ... - 0 0 I Q M _ I_ §) I • THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE [MANSON prepares a place for him at the table, and pour out a cup of tea, etc.] Right you are, ol comride! 'E said breakfast, an' breakfast it hall b , I don't fink t Blimey 1 Sossin g rsl Ain't 'ad the tast of sossingers in my gizzard for I don't know 'ow longl He sits and d vo s hil t A o brea s and hands him bread, wait ing upon him.] [Between bit s.] Wouldn't think as I was 'is brot r, woul y r - n t to look at me ? But hi , ' ' 'd ·1 tr ot , am; an wot s more, cawn t ny 1t ... [H 1 hour with a littl ·o .] Th r s a lot o' hr thers kno kin' abaht a p pl d n't kn w on, eh what? w t I m an ? [Sudd nl serious.] ot as I'm on o' th m ort, mind y r: my father married my mother honest, sam as I marri d my littl ... ( fter a mom nt' s refl ction, he ma es f re h onslaught upon the sausag . Pre ntly h lo k u .] 'E . ' . ' , ' ? re, a1n t you go1n ter av none ...• Cawn t yer peak ? MA so . Ye. RoBERT. Well, why cawn't yer arnser a bloke when 'e arsks yer civil? [ 51] 0 I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE MANSON. You didn't make it dear that you wanted to at with me. ROBERT. Want a bit of 'eart in it, eh? MA so . Yes, that's all. RoB ERT --•1-."""11,,4• Sit dahn, ole pall Mek your s If at 'ome! [ so obeys.] S , wot was I tawkin' abaht, just afore you turn d narsty ? MA so . You were going to say something about -your littl girl' moth r. [Ro ERT' s cutlery bristles up lik bayon ts.] ROBERT. Look ' r , mat , don't you come tryin' it on with m ! I don't care oo yc,u ar MA so . I kn w that. RoBERT. Th n 1 t m b , I tell yer! You tek all the tast out o' my ossingers. MA so . I should like to hear about her, com- rade. RonERT. Y ou cawn't bring 'er back. Sh 's dead. MA so . What was her name ? ROBERT. Mary--same as the little gel's. MA SON. I wonder whether they are anything alike. ROBERT. That's wot I come to seeJ ... [ 53] a I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE She 'ad 'er mother's nose when she was a biby and ' r eyes l Go rs trike, she was the very spit-far as a biby could be! . . . Swelp me Moses, if I find 'er anything like Bill's ole g z r, I'll cut ' r throat! A so . And if she's like her mother? What then ? ROBERT. Why, th n • • there's allus my own. . . los ROBERT b91Mi1MW~ ev r you mind t A so w did you com t l her? RoBER [ . Typhoid ~ r . ............ ......,.~ .] Oh, it was my O:\n fault, a I lo t the kid! so . That a a s re l ss, ~omrade. R Ik ·, cl ' b .. , OBERT. no It. e n t ru 1t 1n .... ook ' r , c mri , I 'adn't a bad nature to be gin with. Didn t me an ' my brother J o hua pinch an' slave the skin orf our bones to send th at spotted swine to school ? Didn't we 'elp im out with 'is books an' 'is mortar-boards an 'is bits of clothes to [ 54] I \ I THE S RVA THE HOUSE try an' m k 'im look r sp ctable ? That' wot we did, till ' got 'is lou y s holyships, an' run away t g t spliced with that h -n1al pup of a blo d-'ound ! os hy ? w w pr ud of th littl p ri h r !- pr ud of 'i ' ad-pi ! W 'adn't gon non our- I s-1 a ay , I 'adn't: Jo hu as d~ r nt to m ; and no" . . . P'r'ap th ha Ros nd y ur hr h r J hu : hat of him . i he n " ? RT. I d n t kn w- n to p t lik m ! in' i I din' ' art out, m a I am, at in r ti d f th rid! o . p I I ? Y u m le m lo my · h y ur bit! a ·ng that u hadn't a bad natur · ith. RoB RT [tr n l 1- , c ur , h di t: I c uldn ' , I d n't k I 1 M o . Y .... m r I 'adn'tl ... to k an'-an' di d, thing Id up th s m - Som - my ' art and ... Ros RT. Th t' 'o" I come to lose my kid, m little kid . . . ind you that was fifteen years ag : I as a rotter then, same as you might be. I wa n't r arf the man I am n w ... [ 55] 0 I ,r THE SERVA HOUSE r ou can larfl A man can change a lot in fifteen y ar ! so . I didn't l ugh. Roa RT. D y u want to know wot's come ov r m since th n? I work-and work w 11: that' more th n some of ' m can say- nd I don't t mu h m n y fi r it, i h rl 1 1 h t u ht t m k m ~ 1 a ham d ! I'm n t th drunkard I - not by 'arfl If I'm bitt r, ' m d m bit r? u c wn't b v ry ""' 7 ' ,>""t and p rlit n i ht n b b a w k-'When yer get it! I 11 t 11 r umm t l : I'v ddi t d m s If inc th n- 1 m n t th ry fi 1 I a - And th y know it! Th y n t m piayin' th 'anky ith u , am a th y u d t It' ice Mist r Workin -man This and ice Mister Working-man That v.:ill y r be so ighl y hobligin a to 'and over your dear little voting-paper- you p r """"·""'"' muddy-n d Id idiot, a can't p t y ur n tural n my h n y r s e 'im ! That rt r m k om n ' m it up! ift n y ars a o me an' my like 'adn't t a r ligion ! By Gawd, we 'av' one now! Like to ' ar wot it i ? MA so . Yes. RoBF.RT. SocIALI MI Funny, ain't it? MA soN. I don't think so. It's mine, too. [ 56] I T H E S E R V A T I N T H E HO U S .E ------------------- RoBERT. I b Ii ve in fi ht~ng with my clarssl MA SON. Oh ag, in ~ whom ? ROBERT. Why, agin all the other clarsses-curs ., m f MA so . Isn't that a bit of the old Robert I ft, comrad ? RoBERT. Oh, leave m alone. I cawn't be allus pickin' an' choosin' my word· I ain't no scholar- thank wd 1A o . All th sam , I'm right, eh, comrad ? mr de •.. ROBERT [ r dcr" ]. Well, yus! Sa a ly.] u , I t 11 yer! Cawn't a bl k sp ak 'ott r than' m an with ut you s rapin' at 'i innards ? [ x lodin a ain). Wait till I s t y s on that bl " din' broth r of min again, that's all! hi h bl din hr th r ? RoBERT [wi h a thumb - j rk). Why, 'im, o' cour t [Sn rin . ] The Rev r nd illiam I 'Im a y u said wa damn d ! . . . llu did 'at par onst I 'ates the sight f th ir 'arf-bak d, illy mug ! [Th r is a v ry 1 ud -] Ello t 'Ell ! Did I m k a row like that ? 1 so . You tried, didn't you ? RoBERT. So I did, not 'arfl Thought if I kick d [ 57] . a.. . ..______I \ a Iv 0 8 . I . C · Q ~ I \ t1. 0 I THE SERVA HOUSE up an ' 11 of a shindy they'd think om bi Lu \Vas min'; and th n when th y' d be a l mil n' bowin' an' rap in', in p ps m , r 1 lo ! ~ 1'f ft,,. [ROGERS ent r . On ing th m at th table, h i a parently troubl d with hi in id .] Oh, my ' ly ings h .. R ? 0 1 lt, f . Ro ER [ . It's the Bi hop of Lanca hir f M so [im rtu b bl ]. Sh w him in, Rogers. Ro ER . B pardon, r. an n . . . M o . I id, h w him in. uick, R g r . K ep a bi h p waiting ROGER . W 11, I'm ji g r di [H is; and go out.] ROBERT. ' r ! Did ' say bi shop ? M ROBERT. w? [ o nods his head to each in ui .] Well, I ain't agoin ter leave my sos ing r not if 'e wa a bl omin' archang 1, [RoGE s, till jigg red, u h rs in J ME Po SO BY AKESHYFTE, D.D., the o t Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lanca hire. He looks his [ 58] 7i \,( q 0 - --- 11 ~ ----·· :f THE SERVA THE HO n me, his go le and ar-trump t ti n to th I n din b · f ul p rfi r [ turb bl . u , with a I ailment, · n: Ro . R' , imp r- 1n r : cruciation f · [Th t nd th r in od st nd blin in fi r r cogniti n. P in d t th non-f ul film nt of thi worthy p t ti n h m - a littl blind! - rd th t bl . H re h ncou th ppugn nt back of th r ci u RoB R , h gr ws quit ann y d. Ind d, h as ood a o.] 'Ere, wh re ye c min' t ? BISHOP [peering cl ly into hi f ac , th th r ed ·n a a ]. ht r. m th , or I an1 mi ta n. ROBERT. Smith's my nam ! D n't you call me Smyth ! B1 HOP. My d ar sir, don't m ntion it: y sist r has plained ev rything. I b ar you no grudge- none whatever1 ROBERT. What's the silly ole josser · awin' abaht no ? THE SERVA THE HOU E B1 HOP. But I p re iv that I hav r di turb d you a y ur m rning m al ... RosE T [with convi tion. You 'av' that! B1 H P. .Jh ? ••• R B RT [l ud r]. I ay, you ' v' 1 H P (fi in his r- trum ]. J t once m r ... h ROBERT. h, .._1c,. ,,.__., ! [R rin nd indi ng .] Y u ' , blar t y ul n]. Thank y u, .._~~~~~ ..... ..-~:I. I uld t · um y bu f c ~ and a bun. [ 1 _, __ ..__,_ i h ut r h s , h h n s rvin him.] OBERT. u u l if u ~ d n bun I (1'hr u th play th udi n ill und and h B1 HOP do , and h not, h r by hi us r n n-u of the ar- trump t. P rhap the r ad r will be g d n ugh t imagine the e oc casions for him If, a he may ha e observed a reluctanc on the part of the author to en umber the text with tage directions.] [ 60] I 0 I I THE SERVA HOUSE B1 HOP [ ating, and at the same tim addr ~sing the b assock d ROBERT]. nd y u must not think, on a c unt f th Ii tl In b tw n u , that I hav n t fi 11 w d y ur ar r with gr t int re t - v ry gr t int r t! hol tic a hi m nts hav b n mo t prai rthy p cially und r th unfi nun te cir um t n . • . lthou h, by-the- y, I nn t t 11 a r ith y ur I n R m n fourt n, tw nty-thr . Katakekritai ith r m an damned or nothin at all. RoB RT LF.~~\., tin . It a 'im as id damned! 1 HOP. ir: it i p rC tly ind fi n iblet RoB RT. wh I n id I lik B1 H P [ arrnin ]. t aid katak kritai ••• R B R • I n r did I t k my thl BI H P. y d r i r, I l a rn at hr w bury, b fir you \i r b rnl nt argu, ir! Ron RT. Oo is ar ufyin . • Talking to m about y r atama-what-d · u-call-it! B1, HOP. had b tt rd p th ubj t! ... B otian Aft r aB it i n t pr i I th m tt r which has br u ht u t g th r. nd that r minds me. . [Trump t]. H sh c me y t? RoBERT. Oo? BISHOP. Your broth r, of course. [ 61] 0 M I THE SERVA THE HOUSE RoBERT. My brother! Oh, you'll see 'im soon nough! BISHOP. I gather from your remark that he has not arrived y t. Good! The fact is, I should like a pr liminary discussion with yourself befi re meeting your illustrious brother. RonERT. Then you d b tter lo k slippy! B1 HOP. I b g your pardon ? ... RonERT [with a flap at the trumpet]. Go on: you 'eard. BISHOP. Of cour , th financial undertaking is c nsid rabl : it not lik an investment, wh r th r i m r a nabl hope f a r turn: it m r ly a matt r of charity! Th mon y's- g n , t p ak. RonERT. Yu , I'v n ti d tha~ about m n y, m lf. 81 HOP. t the sam time, I hould like m name t b a sociat d with ur broth r's, in o worthy an nt rpn Ro BERT (mildl r a tic]. You don t sa ! BISHOP. nd then again, I trust- I say I trust I an1 not imp r ious to the mor sacred obligations invol d; but ... [He rop blindl for bread.] ROBERT. I allus notice that son of 'igh talk ends with a "but" ... .0 '\ a I · THE SERVA THE HOUSE BISHOP. aturally, I should like to learn a little, beforehand, of your brother's views. From what I gath r, th y are not altog th r lik ly t coincid with 1ny own. Of cour e, he i an idealist, a dream r. ow, und r the e circumstanc , perhap ... h, what- Oh! Bl s my soul! [ so ha b en offi ring him hr ad for om tin1 . H ha ju t tumbl d to th f t f his pr nc . H ri . ] My- my Broth r from Bena re , I pr um RoBERT. hat my pal 'is broth r! Oh J 'o - haphat! B1 H P. T nth u and pardon ! R ally, m cy - ight i d plorabl ! D light d to me t y u! ... I a ju t ob r in to our charming ho t that r- Humph! ... Bl ss me! w what was I ... A so . mething ab ut your acred obliga- ti n , I b li B1 HOP. ROBERT. '. ' l 1s ear- o ay I troubl ou a ain ? [ A so ra · ly fi the ar-trum- pet in his ear.] That ri ht: tick th damned thing in comride! M o [ thr u h the trun1pet]. Your sacr d ob- ligations. _o_ a I • TH B ISHOP. Pr ci is lyl Er- it? [ h Bt HOP l t o t b gin. him, th pirit b in t , f ilin rk ithin hi1n If.] 11- r- sp akin f hat b h r I l very ri a I ti n f a hur h i p n ibilit . l t. D n t it? 1 . I d qui a l t. B1 H P. Hm ! . . . u m nti n d S acr d ohlig tio11s ju t n and I hink th t n h wh 1 I 1n in lin d t ith u. It i n dn1ir bl ay f pu tin it. n1u a k n p t a en th ir sacr d obligations. hi i ork in hi b d 11 d m hin : th ri h m n bund n with hi h it ha pl a d p iall t fa ur hirn: th p r m n l nd r avin n d ha n fi r fi r th po rt f hi i t- L t him oi 11: it will b a pt d. Th of u who lik our lf m d ar broth r- and I ay it in all mod t p rhap my If - ar in p s ion f th nd wm nt f I arning, of influ n , of auth rity- w can l nd our names to [ 64] I I TH RVA HOUSE the good w rk. As you say so v ry beautifully: sacred obligations. y-th -w y I don t think I quit cau ht your a to th probabl t. h, hat do u think? bli . I hin that h uld d p nd up n th n · and h n f ur th r dn mi ht hin . di u all that. But r ctical i : h w mu h ith? h ? ha d u a t v rything u B1 H P. d ar ir 'm n t tal in ab u m - If! 11 d r ir r di - tt r lik a man f th w rid! . God s not atching : let s give as littlt and grab as much as we can! B1 H P. h ! d ar br h r. Rememb r h pr nt! [H 1 n t ard Rob rt.] I-I r ... [ u h .] will r turn to thi 1 t r. I h gin to und rstand ou. Roa RT. Yu : you think you d ! B1 HOP. t th sarr. tim I do think we ought ' I THE SERVA THE HOUSE to come to some general und rstanding: we must count th cost. ow, from all ac ounts, you have had ome xp rienc of church-building out in India - not that I think th xtravaganc for which you are er dit d would b ither p sible or de irable in this country h, no! Thank God, w know how t or hip in pirit and in truth, ith ut th aid f buildings! How r, I hould lik to hear your i ws. H w did you manage it ? . Sacrifi.c . B1 HOP. Of ours , f our ; but practical/ y. Th y ay it's an normous one rn l SO • 0 lt 1S. B1 HOP. 11, what would su h an stabli hm nt a that r pr nt ? In round numb rs, n w? [calmly]. umb rl n1illi n . umberl mil . . . 1 fH dr hi .. y d ar ir, absurd I ... b a pal a - fit for a king! hy, th pla must I . I 0 . t 1 • BISHOP. D you m an t t 11 me that on man al n , on hi own nak d er dit, c uld obtain numb r- 1 s milli ns for su h an obj ct as that ? How ould you po ibly g t th m tog ther? 1A . Th y came freely from ry quart r f the world. [ 66] I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE B1sHOP. On the security of your own name alone? MA SON. o other, I assure you. BISHOP. For Heaven's sake, tell me all about it. What sort of a place is it ? MA so [ serious} ]. Are you quite sure you can hear? BISHOP. P rhaps your voice is not quit so cl ar as it was. Howev r . . . (He wipes the inside of th ear trump t, and fi es it afr sh.] ow! Tell m about y ur church. [During th following spe ch th BISHOP is o cupi d with his own thoughts: aft r th fir t f w words he mak s no attempt at listening: inde d, th trump t goes down to th tabl again in no tim . On the oth r hand, ROBERT, at fir t ap th tic, r du lly awaken to the keen t int rest in what A so says.] MA so [ very si1nply ]. I am afraid you may not consid r it an altog Lh r substantial cone rn. It has to be s en in a certain way, under certain condi tions. Some people never see it at all. You must [ 67] I THE S RVA HOUSE understand, this is no d ad pile of tones and un- 01 aning timb r. It is a living thing. BISHOP [in a hoar e whi p r, lf-engros d]. i umb rl milli ns ! so . h n you nt r it u h ar a ound- a sound as me mighty po m hant d. List n n ugh, nd y u ill 1 rn th t it i m d up f th b ating f human h art f th n n1 l mu i f m n's ul - that i , if y If u ha y s y u ill pr s n ly lf a l ming my t ry of many hap and had w , l aping h r from fl or to dome. Th w rk of no rdinary build rl B1sHOP [t do ]. On th curity of on mans nam ! s . Th pill a rs of it up lik th bra ny trunks f h r : the t human fl h f m n and worn n i mould d ab ut it bul ark , tr n im pregnabl : th f ac of littl childr n lau h out fr m cry orner-ston : th t rribl pan and ar h f it are th join d hand of c mrad ; and up in th h ights and spac s th r ar ins rib d th nun1b r less musings of all th dr amers of the world. It is yet building- building and bui t upon. om ime the work g s forward in d p darkn s: om times in blinding light: now beneath the burden of un• [ 68] 0. I THE SERVA HOUSE utterable anguish: now to the tune of a gr at laught r and h r ic sh utings lik th ry of thund r. [Soft r.] m tim s, in th il nc f th ni ht-tim , n 1na y h ar th tiny hamm rin of th comrad s at work up in th dom - th omrad that hav climb d ahead. [Th r i hort il nc , hr k n only y th ch mpin j f th· B1 HOP, h ha r sum d his sau- . g . R B RT p k first.] RoBERT [ lo I ]. I think I b in t und r tand you c rnrid : p i lly th t bit abah ... [hi y r y up ] ... th 'amm rin ' an th - th har h - an' . . . Humph! I'm only an 'o ! ... Sp th r no drain 'ands wanted in that th r hur h ' your ? . . o . Drain ar th r at pr nt. v ry 1m p rt ant q u 100 RoB RT. hy, I d b cu in' ov r . . ry tan 1n pip I laid. so . I should mak that a condition com rade. RoBERT [rising, he pulls off the cassock· goes to • fire for his coat: re.turns: dr it on). I don't know! Things 'av' got in a bit of a muck with me! I'm rather lilte a drain-pipe myself. [ 69 l l [ 1 Q l) I . b . ,,.,, o / f l I THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE ., __________________ _ [With sudd n ins iration]. There's one thing I can do! M o . What's that? RonERT. R nahnc I B lzebub an' all 'is bloomin' wirks 1 ' nd us that hr rss-band 1 [ije allud s to the ar-trump . o ob ying, RoBERT jabs it into the ar of th BrsaoP, h s uit urpri d.] 'Ere! 'Av' you e r ' ard of' 11? BISHOP. f what ? RoB RT. ' 11. llin .] H, E, double L, 11. B1 HOP. 11, my d ar ir, I think I ought t RoB ERT. Th n, g th r l ym n ..• w I'll go an' ' v' a look at our Bill's drains, damn 'is y sl (He g s out through th main d r, r nt nt.] BISHOP. Th undr l J Did you h ar v hat he said ? I sh 11 c rt inly r p rt him t hi bi h p o . I d n t think I sh uld. His bishop d n't mind a little pl in sp ech n w and a ain. B1 H P. little pl in sp ch! D }' U think ie right for a cl rgyman .,,.--~to clir t me to perdi- tion? M o . I think you ar making a mistake: the [ 70] 0. THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE man who gave you your- direction is not a clergy man. He's a scavenger. BISHOP. A scavenger! MA so . Yes-looks after drains. BISHOP. Do you mean to tell me that I've been sitting down to breakfast with a common working man? . o . Y ; have you never done that b for ? BISHOP. My dear sir, what v r do you take me for? MA so . A bishop of God's church. BISHOP. Precisely! Is it your custom to break fast with working-men? M o . Every morning. You see, I'm prej- udiced: I was one mys If, once. BISHOP. You? • • . MA so . Yes-a long time ago, though: people have forgotten. BISHOP. But, my dear brother, I am perfectly sure you n ver told people t go to . . . MA so . Oh y , quite frequ ntly: it would shock you to learn the languag I really did u e. Perhaps, under the circum tances, it might be ad visabl to drop the subject at this point. BISHOP [emphaticall ]. I most c rtainly agree with you there! Aft r all, it is a digression from the purpose for which we are here! . . . [ 71] D I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE Let me see, then: where were we ? ... Oh yes, I remember- Although, by the way, it was very ill- advised of you to speak your mind so openly in that man's presence! However ... To resume our- how shall I call it ?-our-little understanding, eh ? MA so . That describes it most accurately. BISHOP. Now, you said, Let's give as little, and grab as much as we can. Of cours , that is a playful way of putting it; but between ours Ives, it xpresses my sentiments exactly. MA SON. I knew that when I said it. BISHOP [ delighted]. My dear brother, y ur com prehension makes my heart warm. I trust our re lations may always remain as warm. MA SON. Oh, warm r, warm rl BISHOP. Very w 11 then, to busin ss ! I tell you, candidly, I agree with you, that there is no necessity for sinking anything of our own in the cone rn: noth ing ever comes of that sort of reckl ss g n rosity ! If people want a church, l t them make some sac rifice for it t Why should we do anything? I am sure you will appreciate my candour? MANSO . At its full value. Go on. Bis HOP. At the same time, there is no reason why we should throw cold water upon the project. On [ 72] , 0 . . @ ' ® ---- THE SERVA THE HOUSE the contrary, we might promote it, encourage it, ev n lend it the influence of our patronage and our names. But on one understanding I MA so . And that? BISHOP. That it is xtend d-imperialised, so to p ak: that it is mad th hid o a much va t r, of a mu h m re mom ntous proj ct b hind it t M so . You int r st me intens ly. E plain. BISHOP. I will. [He looks around to assur hims If that th y are alone.] Th r is in ist nc a s ci ty, a v ry influ ntial so i ty, in hich I happ n t hav an int r st- ry g1 at int r t. Hm t I c!ffi ne of the dir ct r . I may . ay that it is alr ady ry w II tabli h d, financiall ; but it is al ay p n to con id r th - xt n ion of its influ nc in that wa ·. A o . And th n am f th s ci ? Bi H P. Rath r l n but I tru t plicit. It i call d "'The Society for the Promotion and Preserva tion of Emoluments for the Higher Clergy." so . I do not s m to ha~ heard it named befor . BISHOP. Well, no. its movements have alway been characterised by a certain mod ty. It is an invi ible society, so to speak; hut I can assure you [ 73] ,. @) THE SERV it principl s ar v ry I rly und r t od-am n th parti s m t cone rn d. o . nd y ur proj ct ? Bi HOP. ffili th ub idi ry qu sti n of th buildin of th hurch, with the larg r int r sts f th s i ty. o . Y , but inc p ople h v alre dy r - f u th m r ri i I pr j ct ... n t b n p p rly appr h d. y d ar ir, · n ord r t a k n publi g n it i n c ary a lik m . of th , rid: we must have names. P pl ill ub rib t any m un if u c n nl h ri ht n m '. Th t i h r you m in. o . It D y u pr po t pl c my name at th h d f y ur- pr p u ? Br HOP. d r ir in luabl 1 Didn t y u y your lf th t y u hr u ht in numb rl n1illi , on ur n er dit, ut h r in Indi . h ul n t ou d h me in n land ? Think f ur r pu ation, chi m n , nc ity- t a ord, ir: I mean i ! . . . h th r ' no end to th amount it uld bring in: it w uld m n billion ! ell what do ou a . A so [ lowly]. L t u clearly und rstand one ( 74] \ __ 1 t A 'v I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE another. I am to l nd you my name- just my nam -and you are to d all th rest. BISHOP [quickly]. Oh y : I'd rather you k pt out of the busin s n gotiations ! MA so . It is rath r a dang rous name to play itht BISHOP. I take that responsibility entirely upon mys lf! so . And h n all s ov r and done ith, what are e going to gain out of th transac tion? BISHOP. shall have t come to some private s ttl m nt b t n urs l s. o . h n? .BISHOP. h, h r aft r. A so . H r afi r, th . [Ent r . TIE and Vic R by d r to right.] TIE [off]. him to m , illiamt I'll on ttl th matt r1 [ nt rin . ] The man mu t be pos s d of som ii spirit! ... Why- its my br th r Jam s! .. ~ [ so h ri n and is now the butl r once more. He p aks into th ear-trump t.] M so . Your si t r and th vicar, my lord. [ 75] , ·Cl· 0 l I \ ~ 0 M y (§] Q ;v I 0 Q I I \J I .c· I I \ 0 I I (] \) I M THE SERVA THE HOUSE B1sHOP [behind table, rising]. Ah! W 11, Martha! - o, no, no, if you pl as ! [He restrains her ap proach.] Observe the retribution of an unchastened will. You have never e n my face for sixt n years! Howev r, lik a cloud, I blot out your transgressions f rorn this h ur! And s this is your husband ? - ot a word, sir· n t a sin 1 word !- the sausag s were delicious, and your place has been m t agreeably occupi d by your broth r! Vic R. y brother Then you . . • What do you rn an? B1sHOP [testily]. I mean what I say, sir! Your brother, my brother, our broth r h r , of cours , our Orien al broth r! Au TIE. Jam s, you are making a mistake: this is our n w butl r ur Indian butl r. B1 HOP. Your Indian--WHAT? (He stands cogitating horribly until the nd of the act, facing towards MA so .] AuNTIE. What has made him like this ? He ms possessed! MA SON. He ISi ••• I have ju t been having some trouble with onothtr devil, ma'am. Le 0 0 \ I 0 \J I tv\ A THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE AUNTIE. Meaning, of course ... What has become of him ? MANSON [with his eye]. He is cast out forever. Au TIE. Wh re is he now? MANSON. He walks through dry places seeking [he probes her souI]- other habitations. Au TIE. Manson! This is your doing! Oh, you hav sav d us! MA so . I am trying to, ma'an1; but, God knows, you make it rather difficult! [A change comes over her face, as the cunain slowly falls.] IR 0 0 M 0 \ 0 Q \J I TH H IR A th . . u1 m ns th n and i u ti n r m in · but in th Bi hop, h lly r h. B1 -~- , p fur- th r, rdin r t n1ak ·. m t th ti u in rrup cl n1 in th middl of piritu l di u i n ith my • • . ith ur ... in h rt ,u.,ith that person st nding r th r I r q · th I b p r- mi t d fi min rth r con r ti n ith him - al n , cl a LL. . } Bi H ans n I ••• ith m I ••• rd! I kn app ar ul r- m t in ular! m But ill u it i m n ar . he p a huma ul d p nd up n it! , th curity hall o? Ha I Au TI . rtainly; m , sir! h . . ur p rm1ss1on, but it i most [ 81] ma'am? traordinary. 0 'fHE SERVA THE ·HOUSE MANSON ['1al91111e: Then I think this way, my lord, in the drawing-room . . . [.im!,...Ml11-1Mlle..._~.] B1 HOP (following]. And you may be sur , my good f llow, I will give anything- I say, anythi g to rem dy y ur n1i a ppr h n ions! Hm ! [They go into the drawin ~~~1111"9a!IIIS.] VICAR. lartha ! Its no us I can't do it! Au TIE [ ~ __ _.. _ _. Can't d what, William ? ICAR. B that m n like a hristian ! H stir som nam 1 d il lik m urd r in my h art! I want to clutch him by th thro t, a I would om noi ome bea t, and strangle hi1n ! u TI [ lowl ]. He is gr atly han d ! ICAR. It i you h h e chang d, artha. You se him n with cliff r nt y s. u IE. Do I ? I r. d r ! . . . ICAR. ft r all, h hould invite him her ? h uld b ci il t him ? hat p sibl kin hip can ther b b tw n u ? f r his filthy m n y- h w did he scrape it tog th r? How did h c m by it? ... TI . Yes, William, that's true, but the oppor tunity f tumin it t G d' ervic ... V ICAR. Do you think any bles ing is going to [ 82] . C\. 0 0 0 V A -------\/ . b · 0 0 (] V A \J--- . C . 0 0. a V A----~Y I THE SERVA THE HOUSE fall upon a church whose every stone is reeking with the bloody weat and anguish of the human creatur s whom the w alth of m n like that has driv n to despair? Shall we base God's altar in the bones of harlot , plaster it up W!tn 'the slirne of sweating-cl ns and slun1s, give it over for a gaming table to th die f g mbl r and of thi v s ?' Au TIE. Why will you exagg rat , my dea1 ? It is not as bad as that. Why don't you compose y ur If and try and be contented and ·- and happy? 1 AR. How can I b happy, and that man poison . ing th air I hr ath ? u TIE. ou are not al ays like this, d arf ••• VICAR. Ha I How c n I b ha y, and my hr th r Rob rt hat I ha e mad him! . u ·1 • We ar not talking of Robert: we are t lkin of you/ Thi our lov William-our r t and beautiful l l I n't that something to n1 ak you h_appy? ICAR. Our love? It's w ll you mention it. Th at question had b tt r be fac d, tool Our love! ll, hat of it ? What is love ? u TIE. Oh, William, you knau/ • .. VICAR. I lov a murderer? Does love go roam ing about the world like Satan, to slay men's souls? [ 83] /l ~ . O. · 1 __ I\ 0 l a ___ AV . b · 0 0 I [ V A---~ y I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE the world! There was your reputation, your fame: you ~egan to be known as an author, a scholar, a wonderful preach r- All this r q uir d position, influence, social prestig . You don't think I was ambitious for mys lf: it was for you. VICAR. For me- yes! And how do you imagine I have benefited by all your sch ming, your c n tnv1ng, your comprom1s1ng, your •. .., Au TIE. In the way I will d I I am glad of it! I worked for that-and I won I ... ell, what are you troubling about now? VICAR [.~,,..,,,J. I am thinking of the fa t that th re has been no child to bless our marria , Martha that is, no child of our very own, no child whos love we have no .. stolen. Au TIE. My dear •. VICAR. We ha e spok n about it som times, haven't we ? Or, rather- not spok n 1 Au TIE. William, why will you think of these things? VICAR. In thos first day , dearest, I brought you two children of our own to cherish, littl unborn souls crying for you to moth r th m- You ha e fostered only the one. That one i called th Scholar. Shall I tell you the name of th other ? AUNTIE (after _a moment]. Yes .•• [ 85] ,,, ... 0 . C! I 0 0 ~~ THE SERVA HOUSE Au TIR. Oh, now you're exagg rating again I What do y u mean ? IC R. I m an my br th r Rob rt t What h s lov d n fi r him ? m U IE. IC R. b , rt-I m sick o death hy can't y u hink f y ur If? l, I ill I h t h l d n for • • • n y u rm mb r h t d ld f I t hid hin . aus . The sc ne . n.] n I fir t id I Ii t id I d .pi my id you. , n , illi m, I l d you: I told u mind th ev ranee fr m your f m . t I hva ay that I , s proud to b up mu h fi r u \ illiam .... and th h t fi 1) d ? Having n up o much fi r m d ? u TI d ar, circum tanc re too strong for u ! an't you e . r OU r not made to live out your life in an little odd hol and con1er of [ 84] / ,,.. - . 0. 0 - 0 . <) Q THE S RVA THE HOUSE VICAR. I hardly know: I hardly dare to name him; but p rhap i a - h aint. u TI . h t I ha d n illiam, has b n d n ~ r 1 v f y u-y u only-y u nly in the , rid I h 1c R. Ye hat I mean! TI . I n't think y u pin f m ny hap : a pint f fir nd d rkn and h d .. m1n1 t r f nd h 11: S m im I think th I ,u ....... -in y. It n infi rm ith th dn ' · h a n r p ith th d ul th rn 1n hi till, truck by hrase.] y s? .•. u TI . I a . nn ..• Wond ri 1 . an son n1eant Just no . V1c R. . TIE. h n h spok about your brother Robert. Vic R. I think he mad it clear. He said we ere--rid of him fore r l [ 861 ,. I I I I 0 A ~ I I 0 l 0 V y THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE Au TIE [thou htfull ]. Ye-es •.• William, I b gin to C ar that man. V1cAR. Whom- Robert? Au · TIE. o, Manson. [R - nt r iA SON from door, right. He carries a fiv -pound note in his hand.] MANSO . His l rd hip will b glad to s you. A TIE. V ry w 11, Man on. Why, what have you th r ? lfA o . r m dy for misappr h n ion, ma'am. A Tl !. . It a fi -pound not . MA O . Y . Au TIE. Com , William. [ h s to the drawing-r om door, h r h ad anxiously turn d towards A r O .] VICAR [ .. - .. M.- r]. What are we going to do, 1artha? AUNTIE. I don't know: God help m , I can't s e the way! [Th both o out, MA so watch ing th m. He th n mov s up to the fire, and burns th fiv -pound n e. He watches the flames leap up as he speaksJ [ 87] , a. . 0 D I --- b· 0 I \ l I 0 THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE MA so . r hou give st thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue f rarneth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother: thou slandt'rest thine own moth er's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept - silence: thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 1 [ .............. ~ ... ~&-.ui!MW .... C s.] MARY. Oh, how j lly ! Wh re are they ? o . In the n xt ro m. MARY. h! H! [ h com to his out-stretched arms. r to his heart, f aci_n the (Lookin up into his fac .] I n't it a great s cret . What shall I call you, now we are al n ? M o . . h ! Th y n1ay h ar you! M RY. If I hi p r ... 1A so . Th y are ery n ar! ... [Dis n a in hims lf.] I must be about my busj ness. Is this th bell to the kitchen ? • P salms 1. 19-2 I [ 88] {.. ,, 0 0 / M \ . (] M i I I · b· · C. . R. -4 ' I I \ "3 +--1 _--1 1 TH ERVA MARY. Yes. L t m h Ip you. [ 1 havin th b 11, th th br kfa t If a unti and un I only kn I k p r Th will do bird . I 11 tak th m th rumb u f th .] r littl mi ! [ h r turn t u ar fi nd of th bird ? I th m! D n t u? h y r my · nd . w, tak th a k. ld it u (R R nt r hil t h gi s thi ommand.] Roe R . 11, I'm ... n bu in of min ! RY (br· ]. \\ h t s up ith you, R Roe RS [ ith r s · ]. uthin , mi . [1--I --~ th tr .] RY. · h n why look so solemn ? RoeER [luoubri l ]. in't lo kin' solemn, miss. MA so . old up the tray, Roger . RoGERS . .d m 'oldin' it up, Mr. Manson. [ 89] t w 11. . - · .. ····~~-- / _ . M 0 I . O.· 0 \ 0 TH lARY [I · him u ]. I'm ure th re is om - thin h R r RS. . n 1n pli mas m h R d in ti n ! t u h .. JI itch n. [Ro f p ince y u ar k m , mi , it s th u ! I n r u h a m- and impr b biliti in in my n · ! t woµl dr df ull h . h ry ... . Th at s h !- What u r p pl t k p th ir pr p r t - ht up middl r my If, an . . hian b . b bey t th h t.] ak ith I d a r. th m t the . som a nt o r Roe R. If my p or far er could se hat Ive s en to-day, uld roll o . . er 1n 1s ra [ . . ] [ 90] - I THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY l ]. Isn't he funny ? Just becaus hi silly old f ath r ... MA so . S h! Hi fath r's dead, ary! [ h r a sudd n pau . d,,,......,..,... r.] Well, ha y u ht any m r about •.• RY. b u · in , l o . nd y u? .•• RY. I d n't kn w t think. u , I n b Ii d pr p in i hin b . i hin i d 11 diffi ult thin , h n you really s t abou it, isn t it ? . y . , rdinary hin all u d fi l n't d : h yr bit f a n ak t · r thPrn, ouldn' u . RY. aft r all. hand. . u 0t th m, u ouldn't c r 11 turn t du t and a he in your That la t bit i h t rannie Durd n said. o . ho h ? RY. Sh ' tl1e poor old woman I've been having hr akf a t with. D you know, she said a funny thing about wishin . I must t 11 you first that he's quit blind and v ry deaf- Well, she's been wishing [ 91) I I a G 0 V 0 v . THE HOUSE ever so long to see and hear; and at last she says she can! MA so . What- see and hear? [He lances tow arq the drawin -room.] M RY. Um! I must say, I didn't notice any diff rence mys lf; but that's what she said. he agreed with y u, that wishing was the only way; and if you didn't know how, th n you had to keep on wishing to wish, until you could. MA so . And so ... MARY. W 11, that' as far as I'v got. [Roe ERS re- nters.] MA so . Y s, what is it, Rogers ? RocERS. C k s c mplim nts, Mr. Manson, and might h mak o b ld as to request your presence in the kitchen, e in' as h ' 'ad no orders for lunch yet. O' cour , h sa , it will do when you've quite fini h d any privat busine you may 'av' in the upper part of th ' u ! [He deli thi MA so . Why do you di like me so, Rogers ? RoGERS .......... ttc]. Me? Me dislike you, Mr. Manson? Oh no! MA so . Come along, little comrade. [ 92] I a 0 a 0 0 }\~ N - a · N-' _ __J 0 D I I D I I \ THE SERVA HOUSE [They go out like brothers, M - so 's arm round th lad's shoulder .] [MARY i I ft at d on the tabl , £h ling at th ituation. ud- d nly h r face b com rious again: she is lo t in thought. ft r a whil h peak ftly t h r If.] MARY. What ha I n d d most? hat ha I not had ? . • . Oh ! I know! . . . [H r fa fl me with the udden inspir tion.] And I never dre m d fit till n w! [Ro RT nt r by th m in do r. Th hild urns round and, him, · a tartl d littl cry. h st nd fa in h th r, il nt. Pr - ntl R f It r .] ROBERT. B p wd n, mi : I ... R . h ar y u . W h t ar y u d 1n h r ? Im ... I a g in' t r wh t - h t in th t r 1n ... ARY. If u d I II ... [ h mo es ROBERT. It' a mi tak , b tter t k my ' ok. MARY. Stop! ... iftly to the b ll.] miss. P'r ap I'd- I'd ., .., 0. . 0 a D 0 I . b . 0 D .L I . C. . H RVA How dare you! Don't you know you .. r a wick d man? Roa RT. M mi ? u. I . tt. ry th · ]. That i n't he hi r r . ir h rt . B R. that ? •.• D you cik m fi r hi f. mi . Y u ? ..• [H v n t th t bl · h d .] h dnty r? 1 R . I h r n t ay. R B R . RY. I don unkind. [ ink tri k n into th him.] 0 R. m d. that mak ur , if- - if u r ny · c . B inb rry m a 1 t f cliff r n . t i ? RoB RT. u f t I t! AR • nly u mu n r iv ick d t mptation again. Oh, don t t him.] a t uh a [ h o a N I --- -- - - -- . H RVA ROBERT. Oo is cryin'? I'm not cryin'- n t cryin' ortl n'y- you 'adn't no right to talk to m lik that, mi . ARY. hy, didn t you wn ... R RT. , I didn t. It a . u a 3un1p do n my thr at, an' t k up my w afor I t RY. h: I 1n r . Did I mak a mi tak . RoB T. u , mi - a h pp r. RY. Th n y n t OB • RT. o m [ pull him- -- .] I but In Didn't , n . Im tinkin 1 1 k d lik n bit f a I w un; th t. all th am . R • u I th ught y u id · and th n th r ur ... B R . I kno ! ou d n t lik m mu . It ain t mu h f mug t l k , i it? rt f a ph fi r a thi f h . h 1n lin . - ant t kn hat th m nd C r? ,fh t drink an' tarv tion, an' ' rd w rk, an' a damn d l n 1 liC . RY. h, ou p r man! R OBERT. Yu , mi I am. ARY. u rnustn t ay ·' darr1n d," y u kno . ROBERT. . o, mISs. ---- - ID I 0 I ,---- I____JI \ 0 TH SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. 'I hat's wicked, at any rate. RoBERT. Yus, miss. MARY. And you owned yourself that you drank. That's not '· ry good, either. RoBERT. o, miss. RY. S , you s , you are a little bit naughty, after all, aren't you ? ROBERT. Yu , miss. M RY. ow, isn't it much ni er for you to try and look at things in this way? I'm sure you feel a gr at d al b tt r air ady. Do you know- V-l ait a mom nt .•• [She r sum s h r seat, turnin towards him, th a ion of tion 1n er s.] Do you know, I d like to do you some good I ROBE.RT. You, miss ? ARY. Y s, wouldn't you like me to ? RoB RT. You re the on'y p rson in the world I d- I d lik t e try, miss. R [ lad in th o iou n f "b in us d 'l Thats b caus you know I'm inter sted in you, that I mean it, that I'm not trying to think only of m · If. RoB R [ · • ren't you, mi s ? 1ARY. o: e n1ust al ays rem mb r that h re '4re other peop in the ·world besid s ours h s. [ 96 J 0 I \ G I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE [ i coinc:ides with his experience: he says so.] ROBERT. Yus, miss, there are. MARY. Very well: now I'll see what I can do to help you. ROBERT. Thank you, miss. M RY. Tow, don't you think, if you were really to wish very hard, it would make things better for you? ROBERT. I don't know what you mean, miss. MARY. W Ii, it'') like this: if you only wish very very hard, ev rything comes true. ROBERT. \Vot I want, ain't no use wishing for! lvlARY. It doesn't matter what it is! Anything you like! It will all happen! ROBERT. Blim y, wot's the good o' talkin'? MARY. Oh, wouldn t you like to help to spin the fairy-tale ? ROBE T [rou hl ]. I don't believe in no fairy tales J 1ARY. I do! I don t believe there's anything lse in the world, if we only kn w I And that's why I'm ishing! I'm wishing n w! I'm wishing hard! ROBERT [passionat i ]. So am I, Gawd 'elp mel But it's no use! l\1ARY. It is I It is J v\~hat are you wishing for? { 97] . a. . D @ [o I 0 I . ·b· 0 l I \ CJ -. I ______ \ 1)- .... I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE RoBERT. Never you mind! Summat as imJ)O'si ble as-fairy-tales t MART. So's min t That's what it has to bel Min 's the most impossibl thin in the world! RoBERT. t more than min ! MARY. What's yours r ROBERT. hat's y urs? MARY. I want my father I ROBERT. I w T MY LI LE KID . MARY. Your- hat? ... RoBERT [brok ]. y-daught r. MARY. Ohl ... [~..-...------= I sh ? [He turns a ay from h r.] RoBERT. Fur a I am cone rn d-y1 . .] RY. What d you mean ? / sn't he d ad . RonERT. Sh ' ali , right nough. MARY. P rhaps- p rhap she ran away? ... ROBERT. She t t k. MARY. H w d you mean-• ...,....,....,. ROBERT. I give ' r up. 'Ad to. [ 98] ,. 0 1 -------'I \ o I I 0 N D I 0 0 () I ., THE SERVA T I N THE H O USE MARY. Why? ROBERT. Look at m I ••• 'ilzat-an' the drink, an' th low wag , an' my ol woman dyin' I That' why I give ' r up. RY. h r i he now ? ROBERT. ever you mind. Sh 's bein' I k d ARY. y horn? RoB RT. By p opl a I've allu 'at d lik poison! RY. hy, ar n't th y kind t h r? Ron RT. u : th y've m de 'er um mat, as I couldn't 'a' done. ARY. Th n why d y u hat th m ? Ron RT. I d u't any I n ~ r. I 'at my lf, I 'at th w rid I Ii in, I 'at s th bl omin' muck' le I' d int t ARY. our wi~ s dead, you ay? Ron RT. Yu. RY. hat , uld h think about it all? OBERT [h llo I , ithout riation]. I d n t kno : I don't kn w: n t know. [ ARY its do n b id him.] RY [th ..-.··.!.".!full ]. Isn't it stran"'""-- both ur wi hes alik ! You want your little girl; and I, my fath rt ROBERT. What sort of a ..• [ 99] G .. I _., D l () I ~~ 1 7 THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. Yes? ROBERT. What sort of a bloke might your father be, miss? MARY. I don't know. I have never seen him. ROBERT. Got no idea? ever-'eard ,~// of 'im? RY. ver. ROBERT. 'A n't thou ht of 'im yourself, I s'pos ? Wa n't particular worth whil , h? MARY. It's not that. I've b n selfish. I never thought anythin about him until to-day. ROBERT. h t made you think of 'im- to-day? RY. I can't quite say. At lea t ..• ROBERT. bb ' wrote- nt a telingr m or ummat, h? t' ay as 'e was comin'? ARY [ ui kl ]. Oh n : h n v r , rit : w n r h ar fr m him. That's p rh ap a bit s lfi h of him, too, isn't it? Ro BERT [ aft r a mom nt]. L k like it, don't it . ARY. But I don't think he can be really sel fi h, after all. RoB RT [with a ra of bri htn s ]. Cos why? ARY. B cau he mu t be r th r like my Uncle William and ncl Jo hua. [He looks at her curiously .J ROBERT. Like your ... [ 100] I r I THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE MARY. Yes-they're his brothers, you know. This is Uncle William's house. ROBERT. Yes, but what do you know about .•. MARY. About Uncle Joshua? Well, I happen to know a good deal more than I can say. It's a secret. ROBERT. S'pose your Uncle William spoke to you about 'im? MARY. Well, yes, Uncle William spoke about him, too. ROBERT. But never about your father 1 MARY. Oh no, never. ROBERT. Why, miss? MARY (slowly]. I-don't-know. ROBERT. P'r'aps 'e ain't-good enough-to be -to be the brother of your Uncle William-and Uncle- J osh ua~h, miss ? MARY. Oh, I can't think that! ROBERT. Why not, miss ? Three good brothers in a family don't scarcely seem possible-not as families go-do they, miss? MARY. You mustn't talk like that! A father must be much-much hett r than anybody else! ROBERT. But s'pose, miss-s'pose 'e ain't ... MARY. He is r I know itf Why, thaes wha.t I'm wishing! ••• (IOI] 0 j _ ___JI \ I 0 0 0 I . b - 0 I I \ CJ D ' THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE ROBERT. P'r'aps it ain't altogether 'is fault,missl. .. MARY. Oh, don'tl Don't ... RoBERT. Things may 'a' bin agin 'im, miss! ... MARY. Oh, you make me so unhappy! ... RoB ERT. P'r'aps 'e's 'ad a 'ard life-a bitter 'ard life- ame as I 'av', miss . . . [He breaks down.) M RY. Ssh! Pl asel Please! ... I can qui under tand: indeed, ind d, I can! I'm sorry-oh, so sorry for you. You are thinking of yours lf and of your own little girl- th littl girl who do sn't know what you have b n t Hing n1 . Don t be miserable! I'm sure it will all turn ut right in the nd-things always do; far bett r than you dream! Only ••• don't take away my littl dream I [ ns awa h r fa . Ron RT rises heavily.] RoBERT. All right, miss - I on't: s Ip m Gawd, I wont. Don t cry, mi s. Don't, mis! Breaks my 'eart-after all you've done for me. I ort n ver to 'a' bin born- mekin' you cry! Thank you kindly, miss: thank you very kindly. I 11- I'll tek my 'ook. ARY. Oh, but I'm so sorry for you! ROBERT. Thank you, mi . MARY. I did so want to help you. [ 102] 7 -a · ( I \ D N O I __ I 0 a H ol I 0 I · C · 0 N I I \ 0 .__ ... OI I l J I TH SERVA THE HOU E R Y ' ' . OBERT. u a ' mt . MARY. B for y u g , won't you tell m your nam ? Wh ar y u ? Ron RT. I ... I g n nam worth p akin' of, mi : I'm- ju t the blok a-1 kin' art r th drains. d-by mi . . [ t turn .] Sorry I u d bad rd , mi [Sh run t him and oft rs her h . H ... t k ;, ] RY. o d-b . Roa RT. d-by , mi [H · ti f ac to ard d in f 11 .] ~ ,,, H O R H 0 , 0 I 0 (} I THE FOURTH ACT s the curtain rises, the scene and situation remain un- hanged. UJ()Ql;IIM!ll~~rv..::Qa:1&&..,..._.,.IAW h I CWIN<m~. 00 WAi,epi hortly, the handl of the drawing-room door i turned, and from within there em rges a murmur of 01c s, th tear s uppermost. VICAR [within]. Very w ll, th finished your I tt rs! . . . n, aft r you hav B1 HOP . minutes. [The voic . ARY ns s th gard n.] continu c nf us dly: qui kly and g s into (The IC AR enters and g s to th mantel-pi ce weariedly: a moment lat r, u TIW.] [within]. I shall only b about tw nty u TI [ent rin . 11 right, don't hurry, Jam : you have all the morning. [ CI08es B1 - die of the room.] [ 107 J com s to the mid, - 0 0 V I A I THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE VICAR. Hm ! When he has finished his letters! Au TIE. Y s, things seen1 to be shaping better than we thought, William. Perhaps we have a little misjudg d him. [He looks at her curiously.] To think, my dear, that the rebuilding of the church is becomin o- po sible at la t ! All your hopes, all your nthusiasm , about to be realised! ow, it only remains o gain your brother Joshua's ap pro al and help, and the scheme is complete! VICAR. upposing he - do sn't approve of the chm ? Au TIE. My dear, he must approve: he will see the advantages at once. I think James made that p r~ ctly clear! . . . And th n, look at the opportunitie it creates for you! ot only the church, William, the beautiful big church of your dreams, ith the great spir s and flashing crosses and glorious , indo s; but a much larger sphere of usef uln ss than you er dared to dreamt Think of your work, William, of your great gifts n James had to acknowledge them, didn't he ?-Think of the influence for good you will be able to wield. Ah! Ana then I shall see n1y be loved, himself again - o more worry, no more f~verish nights and days, none of the wretched frets [ 108] -i--1 I\ Ci I THE SERVA THE HOUSE and fancies that have been troubling him all this morning; ut th great Scholar and Saint again, th mast r of m n's souls, the pri st in th ongr g tionl VICAR. Suppo e you try and forg t m for a mo m nt. Do you think you can ? Au TI . illi.am, hat's unkind 1 Of course I can't. IC R. It might m an th s 1 ati n of my oul. I • h, illi m ow you' r g in t b - gin ~o rry again! V1 AR. h no: I'm quite calm. Your brother's pow r f r oning ha 1 ft m philo ophi al. •• ~ 11 m , r y u quit ur that y u ha gra p d th full m aning f his pr j ct ? 1 . f c ur I u think no ne can und r- tand in1pl bu in . d aling but m n1 om n ar ry bit as 1 r. I R. 11, th n, thi pr j t: hat was it? IE. Jam pl in d cl arly n u h: th affiliati n f y ur br h r ch me with th t f the o i ty h m nti n d. IC R. s hat s ci ty? A J~. The Soci ty for the E tension of Greater Usefulness among th lergy . ... It\ a an dmir ble sugg ti n n that ou ht t app a particul rly to you. Ha n t y u al a s said, yours lf, that if only y u had nough mon y to .. .. [ 109] 0 I . 0 Q · I • 'f H E S E RV ANT I THE HOUSE VICAR. Did you happen to r alise his explanation as to the constitution of the society? AUNTIE. To t ll the truth, I wasn't listening just th n: I was thinking of you. VICAR. The financial possibilitie of th s h m Did hi loq u nc on that point e cape you ? u TJE. i ures always bore m , and Jam s u s dr adfully l n word . I AR. Did u h ar n thing of profits ? TIE. I onl heard him say that you were to . . ~ IC R. W II, didn't it trike you that throu hou th ntire di cu ion he spo e rather like a trades- man? Au T • y d ar you can't b an id ali t Rem mb r h h a bi h p. I AR. Didn't it strike you things · n thi worlci which ar any pric ? TIE. My d ar xp ct veryb dy to a practical man ; that th r ar orn not to be b ught at illiam, brick r quire mon y· you can't run a and mortar c1 ty without fund IC R. Y s, but what of fl h and bl od ? What of r putation . What of a man's nam ? Au TIE. What v r do you m an now l [ 110] .0 0 ] A V I I 0 I A V l 0 i t THE SERVA THE HOUSE VICAR. Didn't his proposal practically amount to this: that w should turn my brother Joshua's nam nd putation int a b u Building S i ty, f whi h the fund ere o b scr p d t g th r from all th nak d bodi · nd th tarving b lli s of th orld, hil t we and our thieving co-dir ctors hould c 11 r all th a ? A TIE. o , th t actly h r I thin you unjust! Didn't you your If r fu , b for h spok a ord, to I t him put a p nny of his own into th nc rn? I mu t a , you w r unn c ssarily rud t him about that, · illiam l 1 R. Y , and didn't h jump at the sug ti n! TIE. H ff r t gi e his patrona , hi in- flu nc , hi tim . I h a k f your broth r is hi b r nam . ' VI R. Yes and all h a k f me 1s simply m l qu n , my gift o rd my p r of )yin plausibly! TI . illiam, h is ff ring you the oppor- tunity of your )i(1 I 1 AR. Damnation t k my life! A . IE. William, hy are ou so violent? V1 AR. B cau i 1 nc is th only way of coming to the truth b tw n you and me! [III] ~ ~ 0 A I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE AUNTIE [now thoroughly afraid]. What do you mean by the truth, William ? VICAR. I m an this: What is the building of this hur h to you? Are you so mightily int rested in ar hit tur , in clerical use/ ulness, in th furtherance of God's work? TI . I am int r sted in your ork William. D y u take m f; r an ath ist ? ICAR. : far wor e-for an idol ter! TIE. William ... I AR. hat l but idolatry is this precious hu b nd-w r hip you ha t up in your heart- u and all th , m n of your kind ? ou barter , y y ur o n soul in th s r i e of it: you build up y ur id 1 in th fa hion f your own r pectable d ir : u tru le ilentl among t our Iv s, on ag in t an th r t pu h our own god for most in th mi rabl littl pantheon of prig and hypo- en ou ha er at d ! d it! [ rous d]. It i for your own good we IC R. Our n g d I What have y u made of m ? ou ha e pluck d me d n from whatever nativ g dh ad I had by gift of h av n, and hewed and ha k d me into th s mblance of your own idolatrous imagination! By God, it shall go on no [ I 12] I a 0 0 V v \ A rf HE SER A THE HOUSE longer! If you ha e made me le than a man, at least I will pr ve mys If to be a priest! Au TIE. Do you call it a pri st' work to ... VICAR. It is my work to d liver you and me from th bondag of Ii s ! Can't y u , woman, that God and Mammon are about us, fighting for our souls? Au TIE [ d terminedly]. Li t n to me, William, listen to me . . . VICAR. I have Ii tened to you too long! Au TIE. You would alway tak my couns I be for ... VICAR. All that is done with! I am resolv d to b a fre man from thi hour- fr f Ii s, fr of I if ne d b , fr ev n of you, fr of ry thing that cl g and hind rs m in th work I hav to do! I will do m wn de d, not our ! TIE [ ith d dly qui tn s ]. If I w re not r ain f on thin , I could n r f orgi ou for thos cru I ord : illiam, thi i ome madn s of in that ha s iz d you: it is th temptation of th d vii! Vic R. It i th call of God! u TIE [ still calmly]. That's bla ph my, William! But I will a u- , I ill- in pit of your If. I am trong r than you. [ 113 J 0 () · ----~ \J A 0 ·C · • I D ......,____~I \ a ✓1 N o A. I 'fHE SERV HOUS [fhey 1 ok at each oth r st adily fi r a mom nt, neith r yi lding.] VICAR. Th n I pt h h 11 ng ! It i God and I gainst you, rtha ! I . od and I 1n t you, illiam. {t._, • .,,.,-.. ICAR. So now- for my or ! TI [ ui tl ]. Y h t r y u g ing to do? ICAR. hr thin . Au TIE. Y - and th y ? ..• I R. T 11 ry hin nd form hr h- r, Rob rt: and th n - r th m n h TI [~ arf ully]. illi m u ould nev r dar ! ... [ r - nt r fr m th gard n.] . un nt to you at one - b th f u 1 u ar ju t in tim : I ant d t p a to you at on . RY. I it imp rtant, un l full important. IC R. So is mine. . 1n s ad- Au TIE [ · Let the child speak, William. P rhaps ... [ I 14] . a.. 0 \ \ \} 'THE SERVA THE HO MARY. I hardly know how to begin. Perhaps it's only my cowardice. Perhaps it isn't really dreadful, after all ... u TI [troubl d]. Why, what ar you thinking f, Iary? ARY. It' a bout omething w ha nev r spoken f b for ; om thin I've nev r been told. ICAR [ r hin ly]. ? ••. TI [f alt rin l ]. ? ••• ARY. I ant to know about m father. [Th r is a short ilenc . The . IC R. w: 1 IC R l k at u TIE.] d with you or m , ARY. hat d ou m an by that . t rribl , uncle ? artha? Is 1t very [He st nd il nt, troubl d. ARY ro · him, 1n to TIE.] . unt1 u I . Don t k m , hild: I ha e nothing to ou ab ut our fath r. RY. h i n t h ... TI . I ha c nothing to t 11 you. 1 R . I ha . TIE. illiam l ... VICAR. I h I say ! Come, it here ary. (She sits to l ft of him, on the settee. [ 115] .( I a c> 0 j _ __J, \ I V N \ THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE Au TIE is down stage on the other side of him.] ow I What do you want to know about your fath r? ARY [ assionat ly]. v rything there is to know I Au TIE. William, this is brutal! ... Vic R. It is my work, artha !-God's world H v n't I babbl d in th pulpit long nough about fath rhood and brotherho d, that I hould shirk His irony wh n H takes me at my word! : hat put this thought into your h ad to-day ? ARY. I d n t kn w. I' b n puzzling about omething all th morning; but th r was n thing cl ar. I nl cam cl ar t w minut ag - just b for I nt into th ard n. But I think it mu t h b quit arly- b fore br akfa t, wh n I as talki n on. TI . • n n .. . RY. nd th n 11 f a udd n as I a s1tt1ng th r b th fir place it came- all in a fl h u un derstand . I f, und n1 s lf i hin for m f ath r: ond rino hy had nev r s n him: d pi 1ng my- s lf that I had n r th ught f him b fore. VIC R. 11 hat then ? ARY. I tri d to picture him to myself. I imag in d all that he must be. I thought of ou, Uncle l 1161 h I I a 0 0 I \J N THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE William, and Uncle Joshua, and of a11 the good and noble men I had ever seen or heard of in my life; but still hat wasn't quite like a father, was it? I thought a father must be much, much better than anything else in the world! H must_ b brave, he must be beautiful, he must be good! I kept on saying it over and over to myself like a little song: he must be brave, h must be beautiful, h must be good! [Anxiously.] That's true of fathers, isn't it, uncle? Isn't it? . VICAR. A father ought to ~e all th things. MARY. And then ... then ... VICAR. Yes ? ... MARY. I m t a man, a poor mis rable man-it still seems like a dream, the way I met him- and he said something dreadful to me, something that hurt me terribly. He seemed to think that my father that perhaps my father- might be nothing of the sort! Au TIE. Why, who was he- the man ? MARY. He wouldn't tell me his name: I mistook him for a thief at first; but afterwards I felt very, very sorrv for him. You see, hi ase wa rather lik ., my own. He was wishing for his little girl. [f here is a shon ilence.] VICA.ll. Where did you me t with him ? [ 117] 0 0 0 Q l " I +-------+ A. . THE SERVA MARY. H r , in this room. AUNTIE. Wh n was this ? THE HOUSE MAllY. A few minut s ago - ju t b fore you came 1n. Au TI . Wh r is he now? MARY. H aid g od-by . He has gon away. Au TIE. For d? ARY. Y , I think : I und rst d him t n1 an that. VICAR. a h - a rou h-1 kin man ? ARY. Dr adfully; and h wor one - but aft r wards h aid h v s rry fi r th t. Vic R. Did h fri ht n u at all ? RY. , n t a tly fri ht n: y u , I t It sorry fi r him. IC R [ ]. And he wouldn t tell you his :> name . ... RY. o: I a k d him bu h woul<ln t. [ TIE. ow, ., d with ou r with m , illiam? [ r om nt hi unn rv s him. h n s ttino his t th to the , h faces his task stubbornly.] VICAR. Hav you any i ea about this man? [ ll8] I \ 0 IV N I I r--___J A THE SERVA MARY. How do you mean VICAR. As to why h put thi about your f th r. THE HOUS ny idea? doubt into your head ARY. H s m d to be thinking about himself and h w unw r h h f hi o n littl girl. id he say- un rthy ? h hat I think h m ant. hat h p rh p m f th r n t n ugh ur hr th r un l . h t s n t tru is it ? . b H 'Thats not true! v [ r r u l ]. h I n it I kn w it! R [in n ]. op. ou don t und r- tand . nd qui n u h ! Th t ' s all I hil . n . I m an tha Jt J I 11 d hi hr th r. hi . b urd! 1 [ . him]. Int h ad ar? [ 1 t n to m ary: I ha m ul t t 11 ou: t and b ar i hr \ u , ill h ~ r . r lov m Jt m . l' I a a1n . . . , 1 t n .... upp sing our f ath r er - n what you imagine him to b AR.Y. ncle, didn t y u just ay ... [ 119] a V I l l \ N () \J +--____J_ A. . ----- I THE SERVA THE HOUSE VICAR. Supposing that wret hed man you sp ke with just n w re right, aft r all! What would you say? RY. ncl ! ... ,, IC R. upp sin he re one up n who1n all the curs of the orld had been mo t cruelly i it d - hi p r b dy carr d nd ora n ut f human embl nc ; hi ul h pr y f h te and bit r- n ; his i1nn1onal spirit tonur d and n i ted away from ry m mory f G d t hat ould you say? ncl , it would b t rribl - t rribl ! IC R. hat , ill u a , then, to th man wh ha brou ht him u h ruin . h t ill you say to that man b in d's priest. ··hat w rd f 1 athin ha y u for h thi f , h h t 1 n th 1 f an th r man' hild, for th murd rer wh ha ~lain hi broth r oul ? n l d ou m an . . . do you m an ... I m an that I am the man! R • OU .••• TIE [ assionat 1., ]. It i not true! It is a lie! It's ntir 1 your fath r own fault! 1 RY. I don't und rstand. hy should Uncle William li to me . A TIE. He is o envrought: he is ill. It i lik [ 120] -, ~ ~ I a 0 -~ A N " THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE your uncle William to tak upon hin1s lf another man's wi k dn ss ! RY. Th n, that i tru , at I ast: 1ny fat her is a wick d man! ... TI . I don t want t sp ak ab ut our fat her! 1 RY. H i n thing that I ha e wished him to be: n t brave ... - that at 1 t! ARY [ urn in toward him]. B autif ul? ... hat d y u m an by b a utif ul ? u know hat I m an: hat you one d a , h n y u all d Him b autiful. 1c R. no right jud your fath r. I p i from him: our fath r! [ h p re iv th va ion .] t v n- goo .... 1s h t I ha mad him. I and no oth r! [ h t nd 1 kin at him it ou ly.] h r i an h r- 1 ! I k pt th m apart: ur un 1 a in him: It ok you away it a I who kept you in ignorance of RY. hy .. TI . B cause h tand in th way of my hu - band's happin ! Becaus , en, he i your fath r! B cause hat him! I could almo t wish him dead! VICAR. Martha! . . . [ 121 ] 0 0 I , C, · Q I \ I. 0 I 0 .') A V I THE SEI V 'THE HOUSE [fhere is a long pause.] MARY. Th n I hav nobody, now. It's no u wishing any mor . AuNTI E. Mary .. . MARY. o! ... I want to b alon . [She s out int the garden. Th v follow h r ut with th ir .] V1 AR. ! od ha r v I d Hi parti an hip'- He has b ggar d u b th! A TIE. I [ u TIE consid r this fi r a m ment. Then with udd n d t rminati n, sh ri .] am not going to b b gg rd without a struggl for it, William! [Sh mov bri ly er to th b 11.] ,, VIC R. What ar y u g in to d , artha ? Au TI . [fl hin round as ionat l , b for h C by and V1 AR. 11]. Do ou think I am in t tand y ur lifi wr k d- your and that hild ? the only p rson cone med, Martha. TI . s far a I car , you are t VICAR. And what of Robert ? • • • Au TI . Robert! That's what I'm going to e to now! [ 122] 0. 0 I I V I I . I \ 0 I 1 0 1\ a A. [ I ~ y I THE SERVA THE HOUSE [S~ ring th b IL) There's only on w y f d aling with a brut lik that! VICAR. Wh ' that? Au TI . P k him ff wh r , I ng s w ar n ustralia, fri a- any r p st r d with him ag in! D u think u 11 t him • ? u TI . h I 11 find th m n . like th t will d an thin fi r m n ! ha pl n , : p rhap h ll drink him drunkard ll, h hall If t . t1m I'm h tl 1 R. B H a n, but I a n . I . B H v n, but I a s I in hand a run! D n that hild 1 arnin th n n u h air ady! n kn w h w rt! It' ab ut y u think rything? Pr viden- hat kn l d d you con ider Pr has o kindl par d h r? h kn wl dg ho that h hall n r kro if I can ha m rin s the b 11 a in im ati ntl .] h om ? hy d sn t he c m ? ICAR. Who? Au TIE. anson. man was! wa ! [Sh do n't he [Enter so [ 1231 by the main door. 0 () I V HE ERVA SE 1 this. There is a subtle hange in the man n r of him look in hi ye, as of th rv nt m rg1n in the master.] o . You ran . TIE. Y , m in, 1anson. con fid ntial t Ile ith ou I want to have onfid n ial, y u nd. o [ in her]. If ou pl as . I pect d [H h s th air of a judg . She hurri s n, unh din .] TIE. ans n, y u aw rything. You w re h n th dr adf ul r atur arriv d. hi h? TlE. h m h u band s broth r Rob rt. Di dn t o u t 11 m illiam, that nson h ard hing h aid? I R. s. TIE. Then ou . . w ar 1n. anson 1t B -th way you hav oth r r ant ? ill know th wr tched pli ht terribl . I want your h lp. not pok n about it o th o . I am alwa s most di ere t. TIE [t hed]. Thank y u, than you: I fi lt that I could ru t y u. It' to pr e my trust that I ve sent for ou now. Perhaps I'd better f 124 l Q . 0 I V 0 M A ,__( -~I THE SERVA THE HOUS begin by explaining verything quit clearly, o that y u . .. M so . Th re i no n d. I know v rything already. Au TIE. rything ! H ? . A O • c rtain gift f divination-min b birth. And, c n r au n b id y u fi rg t th t I had long ith y ur hr th r-in-1 aft r ma t r l ft th ro m. Whil t my br th r wa h r ? : , all thr had hr akf a t tog th r. Br akfa t to th r! Th n Jam ha h A o . all. u m y ha obs rv d that ur hr lit 1 d f. A TI . Bu sur ly- h t did h think ? He mi t ok him for our hu band. y hu band! A o . ur br th r i al o littl blind, re- m mb r. U TIE OU r . so . Oh y on th point. . Th n Jam n r found I took care to und ceiv him Au TIE. G od gracious I How <lid h, tak it ? MA so . At first, a little angr·ly; but, after a while, [ 125] Q 0 \J 0 M A [ TH RVA THE HOUSE some few poor words of my own chanced to move him to mor profitable meditation. Au Tl . an on, y u'r p rfectly wonderful! I respect you very, very much! o . It is not nough. I shall require more. u TIE ( mbarras d]. Oh, of cour , I hall be glad to do anything that . . . hy, hat do you m an ? .•. A o . I m an th t rvi such as mine d - mand gr at r r comp n l u Tl . You may b ur tha anything in r a- on I V ! m . It mu t g b yond that! 11, hat do you a k ? . Th utt rmo t ob di nc , loyalty, and Tl . an on, how dare you By what B m own right! hi 1 in ol nee! hat right do you o . h right f und r tanding, the right , and th nght of will! Tl . u fi re n1 t p ak angrily to you. Do you f org t that you are my r ant? [ 116] a I 0 M lA t----- l THE SERVA THE HOUS MANSON. o t And, therefore, it is my office to command you nowt Sit down, and hear me sp ak ! V ICAR. He has been s nt to h lp us ! artha, this i Godl A so . Over here, pl as . [H ... ..,._ __ ..... . ] Au 1 • I ... I .. . [ A . a 1n m 1n o still oints. h wa v r dr m and at l n h mo ni all acr th r m, b - A O • t 11 u tly h u ha nt f r m h r i and r t h d turn1oil in ur u ha and u n it- but u d n k all. u uld k p hat mi rabl by b l rin it up ith f urth r , r n . u ha nt f r m t h lp u in h r n ! TIE. I-Io dar ) u a that . A o . Ha n y u . n f r n1 t h l p you ir y ur pl n about hi br th r R b rt ? A TI [f aintl ]. h t plan .... MA o . Th plan f bani hin him f urth r fr m your liv s than rl h pl n f p o iding for hi m! Th plan of patching up hi bitt r r ngs ith gold! [ 127] 0 Ml .,__ A __ I THE SERVA HOUSE Au TIE. How did you know that ? MA so . I know you I What, do you think that God's y s ar lik your broth r's- blind? Or do you think th s thin s can b don in darkn s with out rying aloud to H a n for light ? TIE. I am h r to ork my ill, not your ! hat gain d you hope to bring your- an1 not thinkin f my 1 ! I am thinking nl · n1y hu b nd h ppin ! . B hold th h opin s u ha alr ady brouoht him! TI • Th re i th child 1 It , uld hr k h r h art! o . hat is h r heart but brok n now- b you? TI . Rob rt hims lf ould b th first to r - pudiat any th r pl n. . H u tri d hin1 ? f our n t; but h must s the im- . hat impo ibility ? TI . Th in1p · ilit f ha in him h r : the impossibility f 1 tting him th child: th in1- po ibility f him and hi broth r r n1 ting '-'gain . MA so . I that y ur only difficulty ? [ 128] . O. · 0 I \ 0 M .,..,It.-, __JI . b· M I THE SERVANT I THE HOUS AUNTIE. Only difficulty! What, would you hav me welcome him with open arms ? MA SON. Yes, and h art, too! AUNTIE. Have him here, entertain him, treat him a a guest? MAN o ~. an honour d gu st! Au TIE. In thi hou ? Thi h u . od H a ns ! hat I e ? A ON. Sw p and garni h it throughout, s out and cleans its hidden corn rs mak it fair and ready to lodg him royally as a broth r! Au TIE [ desp rat Iy]. I won't do it! I cant! I can't! MA ON. With my a sistanc , you an! VICAR. anson, how can w bring it about? AUNTIE. I dar n't ! I dar n't ! VICAR. I dare! I will! AUNTIE. In God's nam how i it po sibl . A so . Make me the lord and master of this house for one little hour I VICAR. By Heaven, yes f MAN . And you ? You ? . . • [She falters a few utter y bi____ n, she whi feebly.] ( 129 J 0. I \ 0 I \ 0 I y . c.. . G 1) M I Al 0 I ... V THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE U TIE. Y S. MA so . Then fir t TO CLEA E IT OF ITS BOMI ATIO sf (Th B1 HOP ent rs fr m th draw in -r om. He carri I tt r in his h nd.] B1 HOP. W II, h r is th l tt r I ha ritt n to th er t ry f our So i t : h xplain d v ry- thing quit ni ly; and hav am d him, of ours against doin anything d finit in the m tt r until hav c n ult d your d ar hr th r. w ... h, what? Oh! ... [ - ] A o . I b ar you a messag of thi hous . av it. r BISHOP. Really, I ...... . 0 t tr ordinary! Hm! r-trwn t, a~d aft rwards p it ery car - f uU with hi hand er · . o stand , as thou h carv n in mar- ble wai · for him to fix it in.] ow: again, plea . MA so . You are no long r necec ary. Lea e ibis hou~. [ 130 J ·a. 0 a I . b· 0 -- I Al 0 I y . C. . 0 0 C ~1 () f:> I y TH RV ANT I HOUSE B1 HOP. You sc undrelf You impud nt coun- dr I! u . . . You ... ba k my fi -pound n t ! [pointing t the fir ]. It is inve t d for u. B1 HOP. I will hav it back at one ! o . t r a th rr ng m nt. B1 P. h r u ? Do you h at thi bla kguard a ? I(: R. I it, ry word. B1 H P. nh ! ... [ h turn a a from him a from h rr r of in. 11i B1 H P t nds dwn~ und d for a mom n · th n h b il v r.] I'v b n trapp d, I' b n tn anh thi i all ur doin I Br u ht m h r n rump d-up tory r I ti n hip with th Bi h p f B n a r t in ult m . h h t ould th t di man a if h h ard fit .- And h shall h ar f i our infam h ll b pr ad abr ad. our r n h turn t th I R our re n for th with which I ha ry pr p rly tr at d u, ir! ow I understand hy I a mad to sit d n and at au a s ith a bud r- y , ir, ith a butl r and [ IJ I ] , · a - 0 a I Q () I y THE S RVA common working-man! Oh! I ould di wi h sham ! ha b r ft m of all w rd Y u ... Y u . . . u ar n ch I r, ir. nd ur r k . 'bl t 1 cont mpt1 e ..•. [H ro ! u r n si t r of min h n he r urn t h r.] An th m un up t th d r but • tum b k a in fi r l t ord · th 0 .] And I hav on rd for you ir! ou ar a coundr I ir- ch t an impo t r! And if I ould have my way ith u I uld h y u publi ly hipp d: I u with th u m t rig ur f th l I uld n il y u up si r, fi r an ampl I ~ r hip. . I h n unt r d imilar h iii y b - I rd- fr m g ntl m n ry lik: y ur lord- I w m ... [ . . ] B1 HOP. Don' . I can gt my ha and l r. . and my p rtrn nt au fi r lfl I m StIC an do ell with ut your a . ' ry 1 tanc [He tump OU . 0 M 0 I THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE the other arm slowly, as commanding silence. Aft r a mom t h front d r i he rd lammin noi ii .] [ Au TIE · , w ping, upon the sette . The VICAR go over to comfort her. The u lifted hand of A o as um f bl ing th fall .] THE FIFTH ACT 0 M \J A 0 I THE FIFTH ACT As the curtain rises, th scene and situation remain un changed. . [[h re is h ~rd Rin of th B ll. All thr turn their h d , al rt.] ICAR. If it's m broth r ... o . hi h. I m ant- th Bivhop of B nar s · but ... u I [h and n hi r h n i 1 ]. i IJ- 1 m ... . It . of th . 0 ants t n m1nu ttm you aid y u p t d him. [ .] nly t n minut [H g s out, r .] I R. 'f n minut s! ... TI . sh all n r b able to do it illiam. Ho can pos ibl · undo th or of all th s y r in ten minu It " ant a miracl . I AR. mu t mak th att mpt som ho . Au TIE. es- ye : ho ? Oh, I have been blind [ 1 37] 0 I \ 0 A I I 0 I \ " 0 I 0. I \ Q A V THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE -blind t [She walks across th room in agitation.] Where has he gon , I wonder? W don't even know that- wh re h i ! VICAR [making a movem nt]. P rhaps Manson ... Au TI . o, n , n : it mu t b ur Iv s ... T n minute !- And no a istan e on his side: we can't e p ct it, aft r our r atm n f him. He ill h t me m t of all: th r the hi f difficulty! ... VICAR. You would a me if y u had s n his f ac and h ard hi v ic this m rning! u TIE. G d h Ip us, od pity u ! I R. m n ... Th n, th r s the child, too i That diffi ulty must b f d. IE. Y s- no scap ! th d illiam: I ho kn ws! P rh to pay most h n all i d n . e hall ha e to pay that. th child will have TI . Th inn ent for th guilty- yes . . . Oh, illiam, William can ou r for ive me ? ICAR. Th re is n1u h to forgi e both sides, artha. sin has be n gr at r than yours. You ha onl lo d un rthil in blindne s: I have seen clearly and b en a [ nt r aryl ... ward. ARY from the garden.~ I ... I a 0 0 I AV THE SERVA THE HOUSE MARY. L ... t m sp ak, uncle. I have been think ing, out th re in th ard n- thinking ry hard: I've b n trying to put thing tog th r again and mak th m traight · but it; till difficult. nl th r 's on thing- I'm s rry I wa unkind just no : I didn't n1 an it: you ar rythin I ha ry thing I ha e r had; and as i r hat un I said- bout him If, I m an- I an t b Ii it. , I'm ur th mi t k m h r · nd mi t k n al ay ht, if only h Ip n anoth r and m an it. try, un I ? hall , aunti ? 1 . If it n t t ! t ! . . . I an t b t lat , aunti d ar, if all r h rd. I a a coward t gi up ishing. a my sin, t ! TI . d kn ws, I i h, ary I ••• I R. nd I! . . . RY. And, ind d I d l ... I b n thinking: I b en trying to look th r t in th f ac . upp in m f ath r is th wi d man ou ay- th , ry ick de man that r Ii d don t y u think if tri d to lo him v ry much i mio-ht make a diffi r nee ? 1 · R. , hat n1ad you think of that, 1ary ? ... ARY [ im I ]. It's what you taught m , uncl , . 1n your rmons. ( 1 39] I (J 0 0 V1 -A \/ THE SERVANT I,N THE HOUSE VICAR. I taught you ? • . • MARY. Yes: and, be~ides, there's another reason ... I've been thinking of the poor man I met this . morning. Au TIE.} Yes ... VICAR. What of him ? ••• ARY. HI said he was a wi k d man, and at fir t h lo k d so dr adf ully wicked, I b liev d him; but wh n I began to look at him dos ly, and heard him talk about his little girl, v rything seemed dif fer nt! I could n more b Ii him, than I can b Ii y u un l wh n you say uch awful things ab ut your lf! I b li v h wa a much b tt r man than h r dr am d ! And so I think w mi ht find n1y fath r just th sam , if h was prop- rly I v d and lo k d aft rl 1 AR [ · rmination . Th n list n to m , ary: I ha e som thing to t 11 you: that ery man ou spok to ... [Ro RS nt rs his face b tra in si ns of hi mornin ffii tion.] RocERS. Beg your pardon, sir; but ... ICAR. Y Rog r : what i it ? Roe RS. Mr. Manson s nt me, sir; it ain't my fa ult! ... ICAR. Do xplain yourself, Rogers 1 [ 140] ,:) I 0. L --~ D A THE SERVANT I THE HOUSE ROGER . W 11, sir, its a bit orkard: it's . . . I r ally don't know what you'll say, sir, I don't r ally ... VICAR (im ati ntl ]. Com , com , come, what is it? ROGERS. It's a "'an, sir! VICAR. W 11, th r 's n thing v ry xtraordinary in that. Wants to s e m , h ? ROGER • s, sir; and what's mor , r. anson t Id m to bring 'in1 in/ VICAR. W ll, why don't you? RoGER • ' 's mucked up to th y , sir! Bin down the drains! It's the same chap as come an' madt so free 'ere this mornin' I [Th re is a cit m nt.) VICAR. Prai e od 1 Sh w him in at one I ROGERS [flabb r asted]. hat! In 'ere, sir? ... VICAR. Com c m , com ! [RoGERs' cosmos is fast slipping OGERS 'E's just ou "d , Ir. { 141 ] . a. . 0 A I 0 0 ~ +--I-~ I THE ERV [~ ... rtilllli_.. .... _..aes.] Oh, do c me in. R BERT. p k f [Roa RT nt r , am ly f ulfillin th l d d s ription. h latt r lag ut, nau at d ith th rld.] [RoB RT tand up ta , in the middle: TIE and IC R, d n t g , n n ith r id . RY ith hr - .JA"-"'"'6K. n I b ard i il in thi u , if I mk a mov m nt t w rd s Old bark! y u o much a D n't u om p ak till I' d n n r ' . . . . m ! D n kn littl n 1 - er o [ RY T 11 'em oo I am. ]. d k qui t! u t him .] u d n t and? p' n r .... . 1ng i RY. Why, it's my fri end-the man I was t ll u about! The man ho look aft r the drain ! RonERT. That's about it: I'n1 the drain-m an see? Thought you might be mistakin' me for- summat el , if you wasn't told. ow you know. [ 142 ] .... 0 ND 0 \) v THE SERVA THE HOUSE (MARY' s f ac , a h th fir t dawn o VICAR lifts a hand Au IE.] Vic R. Go n. return , bear n ea. Th of warning to RoB RT. hat' what I come 'ere to talk abaht- my j b. P'r'aps you'll think as it ain't a ta ty ubji , b for a 1 t 'nic 1 an, r p ctabl p opl a n er 'ad anytnin' rs on their finger than a bit f lawn-dirt playin' crokey; bur some one 'as to to th drain some one 'as to cl ar up the muck f the world! I'm th one. n' I'm ' r to t 11 you about it. u Tl [in olunt ril ]. h ! . . . OBERT. You don't lik that, ma'am? 'Urts your fi lin , h ? TI . Y ; but not in th a u mean. 1 fARY. But y u know, ou r ally are a little un pl asant! ROBERT. I'm not ' r t b pl asant, young leddy: I'm ' r to dicate y u. VICAR. Ye , I think I ! u TIE [hr •·~- ~ .... 6 ]. on: g on! RoBERT. Well, I com t thi 'ou e this mornin', I don't mind own in' it, in a rott n bad frame of mind: I 'ad a little job on 'and- a job a bit abo e my [ 1 43] I a 0 0 1 --1\ D THE SERVA THE HOUSE 'ead, an' it got me dahn an' worried me: yus it di - worried me. That young leddy 'II tell you wot I was lik when she f u t saw me: I looked that bad, he thought I com to steal summat! Well, p' r' aps I did, arter all- sun1mat as I 'ad no right to, summat a don't properly belong to a streaky swine like m . Tha wa when she fu t w me; but I as wu s b - for that, I t ll u trite! ARY C f- on · o ]. What changed you? RoB RT. bloke I m , miss, as knowed me b tt r than I knowed my elf. 'E chang d me. A TIE. anson ! .. . VI R. anson ! .. . RY. Oh, I thought, perhaps ••. ROBERT. Don't know 'is nam ; 'e was a fair kn k- ht- ot to on 'im like an arl's ur xhibition ... 'E chang d m : ' taught m my own mind; ' hr ught m back to my own job- drains. U TIE. S ••• ROBERT. Funn thing, ma'am, peopl born dif- fer nt: om 's born with ut no es in their' ad , worth p akin' of. I wasn't- I can smell out a stink any wh re. AUNTIE f ascinatedJ. I am sure you can. This is most int r sting! OBERT [warming]. Moment I stuck my 'ead in [ 144] • I 0 I \ G +------ () I THE SERVA THE HOUSE this 'ouse, I knowed as summ at was wrong in my !in , and I ses to my If: Wot oh, 'e ain't such an aw/mighty liar, art er all- that's drains I An' drain it wa , strik m d ad- ar kin' your pawdon ! MARY. ow, didn't I alway say ... ROBERT. Yu , mis , y u' r n ' the nos y uns, I can s e! W II, so n as I Tog got don with 'i talk, I g t my m II r dahn, ~ II r d up th sc nt, an' a~ r I know d wh r I wa , I wa in it, up to my eye !- Out th r in th room with the bl d-red ' ap o' bo ks! Blim y, you ne r did se ! uck, ma'am !- Just look at my 'and ! Ai:-i't that pr tty? 'Ow ver, I got th r , ri ht no ugh, I don't fink I Fan y I put that littl bit strit afi re I done! A TIE. Oh, this is t b autiful of you! ... ROBERT [burnin with nthu iasm, and manifestly aff ct d b her a r ciation]. Wait a bit: I got mor y ti Talk abaht bee-utiful!- That bit was on'y an ah-pan! L k ' .r, ma'am, I ot the Iov Iiest JittI job on a er y r soiled y ... r 'ands inf ... ARY. Oh, do t II u ! . . . Au TIE. } ~ s, do! ... VICAR. Y s, yes! .•• [ A lendid ture infects them all.] RoB RT. I followed up that drain-/ wasn't gain' ( 1 45] 0 \ 0 I 1) 0 Q A I N THE SERVA THE HOUSE to stick. till kingdom come insid~ your little mou e 'ole ut there: o, I said, Where's this lead in' to? What's the' ell-an' -glory use o' fiushin' out this blarsted bit of a sink, with devil-knows-1,Uot stinkin' cess-pool at the end of it! That's wot I said, ma'am! .. . Au TIE. Very rightly I I se ! I see! .. . ROBERT. So up I go through the sludg , puffin' an' bl win' lik a bally ole cart-'or e- str oth, it se med mile ! Talk abaht bee-utiful, ma'am, it ud 'a' don your ' art good, it would r ally! Rats! ' ndreds n m, ma'am: I'm bitt n clean throu h in plac s ! 'Ow er, I push d my way through, ome 'ow, 'oldin' my n an fightin' for my breath, till at last I got to th nd- and then I soon saw wot waJ the matt r ! ... It's under th hurch- that' where it is! I kn it' the church co I 'eard "Th Church's One Foundation" on the orgin, rumblin' up o r my' ad! W 11, I ... LL. Yes . . . . .. u TIE. Why don't you go on ? ..• ROBERT. You'd ne er guess wot I aw her o if you was to try from now till glory 'allelo >y r ! .. The biggest back-'and r, I ever did 'av', w Ip me! ... [Ihe on his words ex ectantly.] [ 146] I CJ c> V +-----+ \J N I \ D THE SERVA THE HOUSE IT Al 'T O DRAI AT ALL f ALL [hr thl ly]. Why, what is it, then ? .•• ROBERT. IT'S A GRIVE l ALL. A grave t ••• Ro BERT. Yu , one o' them whoppin' r at b er vaults a y u hov bi bugs s' corps s inter! What d'yer think o' that now? RY. Ohl ... TIE. Horribl ! ... VICAR. I s m to r m mb r om tradition ... ROBERT. You'd ' ' said o if you'd n wot I s n ! Talk abah c rfin an' hr ud an' b n an' d ad m n n to r t, th y asn't in it w t I w dahn ther l Madam T w s i a fl a-bit t it! Lord !- I n ver thou ht th re ould b u h a lo o' muck an' d ad thing all in n pla e b for ! It wa a f ir tr at, it a , I t k my th! ... [Ra ]. hy- hy, it n1ay cost a man 'i LIFE to d al with that littl job I Vic R. y Godl Th thin ' impossibl f ROBERT. Impossible! ans a bit of work, that's all I VICAR. Wh no on would v r dar . . . ROBERT. Dar l Why, wot d'you think I oom 'ere fi r? ... VICAR. You! ... ( 1 47] 0 0 \) D A \J I N THE SERVA THE HOUSE ROBERT. Yus- makin' myself unpleasant ... VICAR. Do you m an . . . Do I understand . . • · ROBERT. I m an as I v found my place, or I don't know a good thing wh n I s it! Au TIE. What! To go into that dreadful vault, and ... ROBERT. Why n t: ain't it my job? Au TI . But you said- p rh p - death ... RoBERT. It's worth it, its a lov ly bit of work! V1cAR. o, t n th u and times, no! The sacri- fi is to mu ht RoBERT. You call that sacrifice ? - It's fun: not 'arfl Vic R. I had rath r s e the church itself • ROBERT. What, y u call y urs If a cl rgyman ! VI R. I all my lf n thing: I am n thing- I ss than nothing in all thi Ii ing world! R BERT. By G cl but I all mys If ummat- I'M THE DR I - , TH T's woT I M. VICAR [ "'...,~.....,]. u hall n t ! .. . RoBERT. \ hy, wot is there to fi ar? Ain't it worth while, to move away that load o' muck I V 1c AR. Th stench- th horror- the darkness ..• RoBERT. What's it matter, if the c n1rides up above 'av' light an' joy aA' a breath of 'ole90me air l'O sing by ? • • • 0 1\ 0 0 "' 1) +--I -----l.1 N THE SERVA TIN THE HOUSE VICAR. Hour by hour-dying-alone ... ROBERT. The comrides up in the pans an arches, . . . , , d 101n1n an s ... VICAR. Fainter and faint r, below ther , and at last- an ndl ss sil nc ! . . . R BERT. 'Igh in the dom , the 'amm rin's o th comrid a 'av' climb d aloft! u IE. William, th r i y t on oth r way I ••• VICAR. Y , y s, J SC : J S ! . • . ( 0 ROBERT]. Th n- you m n to o? ROBERT. By 'Eav n, yus! \ ?1c R. h n, by God and all th pow r of gra , y u shall n t g al n ! ff ith th Ii and mak - b Ii v s ! ff with th n r r d n1! ha kl ! h y ramp, th y Fr dom! This is n pn t man! .•. [H t collar, a tin H r ll u if you're r ady, all fi r a on's c ri u I . ] t nd id . you and I to- u TIE. d' n1ight go with you, William! c- c pt him, Chri t! [Th re is a ii nc . h n ROBERT speaks with low consid ration.] ( 149] 0 -+--- 1 - \/ D ----~ A I N 0 +---- I _I \ 0 D A. I RoBERT. I-don't-know. It's dangerous, you understand! VICAR. I go with you. RoB RT. This ain't psalms an 'ymns an' ole maids' tea-pani s, mind you! It may mean typhoid l VIC R. I understand. Ron RT. R t . VICAR. s. RoBERT. Th y don't leave you alone: te th, r m mb r- poi on in ' m they got VICAR. I will go with you. [ sli ht drop pin into a s s.J Th n RoBERT, uit ordin ry ton , ROBERT. Then 1 t s 'av' ummat to at, an' g t along. Th r ' nu h::-i m r to say. M RY [in · · J. Y , th r i I Ron RT. hat d you m an, miss ? RY. I m an that I underst nd: that I know who you are. ROB ERT. ? ..• M. RY [ irn 1 ]. Y s, you are mv f ath r. RoBERT. 'Ow th e rl stin dio u kn , t at ? M RY [g in up to him]. B cau e 0 u ar my wish come tru : b ause you ar bra e, b cause you are very beautiful, becaus you are good I [ 150] I I 0 0 0 d M ""R o"" 0 yDA N y ND \ A THE SERVANT IN THE HOUSE ROBERT. My little kid! My little kid! [Th y en1bra e each oth r.] VICAR. Rob rtl [Taking his l ft hand]. Au TIE. Broth r! [Takino- his oth r hand,1 ['fhe f or!n a kind f ro s.] [ A o and Ro ER r - nter with table-cloth, etc., for lunch.] o . Com along, R g r . Tak th t nd. [Th y lay th cl th, a it r with ceremonial gra ity, M o b ing at th upp r nd of th tabl . Th y pay no h d to th oth rs, ho wat h th m i1 t r st dly.] OBERT. I could ju t do with a g d, squ::ire f d. My w rk m ks m 'ungry. MA o . Flow r , Rogers. [ROGERS brings va f ron1 sid - board d ~ ·-- sid . I Pr sently lo kin u , he group to his left wat hin Oh, beg pardon, ir: perhaps you d lik - th Bishop of B nar s is h r . s th him.] to know VICAR. What, air ad ! Let's hav him in at ., once! [ 151 J 0 D N A I M 0 0 / M V r f H E S E RV ANT I N T H E H OU S E [MANSON deliberates with the H ow• be ore e s eaks.] MANSON. He is here. [ he VICAR crosses towards him.] VICAR. What do you mean ? re is h ? (1 ~M~._~~lt~ ] MA so . Here. [The VICAR steps back, gazing a h · m. Aft r a moment. he as s.] V1cAR. In God' name, who ar you ? . MA so . In od' s a me- your roth r. [He holds out his hand. Th I A tak s it, inking to hi kn s an sobbing as on brok n y t h al d lrfb e n 1 1 .] THE END BIBLI RAPHY enne ' Ch rle nn , 1he nt in the Ho e H r er r othe ' Pabli he ' ew Yo on 0 1908 .. enne t Charle R er r othe t blisher ' .,_ ew Yo Lon on V e ne ' nn , per & Br ' p i ' Yo Lo n 14 r enne C h ' r er r r ' .1. ew y r l & 0 on 1 17 e ne Ch e n , T s ueb b . - ' ' he ' 1919 e 'ha le b C - t ' n o 1 1 e e ' er B ' 0 1 1 enne ' ' 1 r t e t - e or on 1 ' Ch 1 T 1 o .1l'e li- .. enn t ' r ' s s , Vor' A 101 don 1 Kern ' Ch r s . fill , Th Salnt n H r er & Br t er ' ' l e ~· Yor 1 1don 1 e t Ch le R n , 'T e e n i e ' Charch vO ' aarterly 1 . v. o. l ; ,~ (._ - , 0 'C 1 nn 1:e e I I e t in t e ' . H I I , 1. ? ' . 4 , 4 - 41 . une , l • mo s ' V in e H u e : l 1 e u 0 Curre 1 1 . 44 , o. '- n ,. - ~4 • ' • n 0 h I . n ' t I e C re ol . 4' : 0 . - 0: b r ' ' l 1 . J 'T • . ' 0 .o .or 0 4 7-Q . ul J • ' • ' • ' 0 t r . 1 . . 1 08 ' ' C ' r C 0 of 0 r . l • ' • t · non 1 m ou ' 'i n r ol . 4 ' o - ? : ' 0 e t r -=> e . ' e e' I f 1 . ?' ro . ri 1 , o. ' • . C n OU ' r l ll In 4 4 - 7~- . r · 1 11 , l 1 • ' t • n r ~ mo 0 t r ti e 1 t Liter t ol . 44 , TO e 114 t G44 - 4 r: : arc ' 1 12 Anon mo e , "A Pl t hat Pr aches Pe C " t ol . 4 , o . 1147 , 7 . - 7 • April 1 1 • ' 0 mous , "D m ation ol . 8 t o . 0 , 1 - 1 ? : r 6 , 1 8 0 OU " ' r.ih I n ' ' he of el 1 nd ' " ' 1 . o . r;; 11 I 4 : tobe r 1 1 - ' ' ' 0 t 'he 0 4 , o . 4 8 , 4 - • I re 1 , 1 • • 0 ol ' ' 0 • ' o . ' ,. 40- 41 : ' 1 14 0 ' e er an · n he 0 s 1 . 110 , 7 0- 1 : . 1 on o. ' . r ' non . OllS , 1 • 4 , o . 1 1 , 0- 1 : pr 1 o, 1 18 . 0 e .... o i .. l V n e 0 r n ' ol . ' • 1 ' 10 : A il 1 ' l no 0 ,. f 0 r ' .n. V 1 . ' 0 . r; ' , 10 1 : ce be r 8 , 1

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Asset Metadata

Creator Johnson, Doris Crook (author)

Core Title "The Servant in the House" by Charles Rann Kennedy

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Speech

Degree Conferral Date 1929-06

Publication Date 06/08/1929

Defense Date 05/31/1929

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag American Literature,OAI-PMH Harvest,theater

Format theses (aat)

Language English

Contributor Digitized in 2022 (provenance)

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC112719537

Unique identifier UC112719537

Identifier etd-JohnsonDoris-1929-marginalia.pdf (filename)

Legacy Identifier etd-JohnsonDoris-1929-marginalia

Document Type Thesis

Format theses (aat)

Rights Johnson, Doris Crook

Internet Media Type application/pdf

Type texts

Source 20230127-usctheses-microfilm-box6a (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

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