Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

[Jenny is sewing while James Bush is lounging in one of the arm chairs.James

Where's his lordship this afternoon?

Jenny

He's gone out for a walk.

James

[With a malevolent laugh.] That's what he tells you, my dear.

Jenny

[Looking up quickly.] Have you seen him anywhere?

James

No, I can't say I 'ave. And if I 'ad I wouldn't boast about it.

Jenny

[Insisting.] What did you mean then?

James

Well, whenever I come here he's out for a walk… I say, old tart, could you oblige me with a couple of sovereigns till next Saturday?

Jenny

[Pained to refuse.] Oh no, Jimmie, I can't manage it. Basil made me promise I wouldn't let you have any more.

James

What! He made you promise that? – Ugh, the mean skinflint.

Jenny

We've lent you so much, Jimmie. And ma's had a lot, too.

James

Well, look here, you can manage a sovereign, can't you? You needn't say anything about it.

Jenny

I can't really, Jimmie. I would if I could. But we've got a rare lot of debts worrying us, and the rent will be coming along next week.

James

[Sulkily.] You can't lend it me because you won't. I should just like to know what Basil spends his money on.

Jenny

He's had a bad year – it's not his fault. And I was so ill after the baby died, we had to pay the doctor nearly fifty pounds.

James

[With a sneer.] Well, it was a wonderful fine thing you did when you married him, Jenny. And you thought you done precious well for yourself, too.

Jenny

Jimmie, don't!

James

I can't stick 'im at any price, and I don't mind who knows it.

Jenny

[Impetuously.] I won't have you say anything against him.

James

All right – keep your shirt in. I'm blowed if I know what you've got to stick up for him about. He don't care much about you.

Jenny

[Hastily.] How d'you know?

James

Think I can't see!

Jenny

It's not true. It's not true.

James

You can't get round me, Jenny. I suppose you 'aven't been crying to-day?

Jenny

[Flushing.] I had a headache.

James

I know those sort of headaches.

Jenny

We had a little tiff this morning. That's why he went out… Oh, don't say he doesn't care for me. I couldn't live.

James

[With a laugh.] Go along with you. Basil Kent ain't the only pebble on the beach.

Jenny

[Vehemently.] Oh, Jimmie, Jimmie, sometimes I don't know which way to turn, I'm that unhappy. If the baby had only lived I might have kept my husband – I might have made him love me. [The sound is heard of a door being closed.] There's Basil.

James

Good luck to 'im.

Jenny

Oh, Jimmie, take care not to say anything to make him angry.

James

I'd just like to give 'im a piece of my mind.

Jenny

Oh, Jimmie, don't. It was my fault that we quarrelled this morning. I wanted to make him angry, and I nagged at him. Don't let him see that I've said anything to you. I'll see – I'll see if I can't send you a pound to-morrow, Jimmie.

James

[Defiantly.] He'd better not start patronising me, because I won't put up with it. I'm a gentleman, and I'm every bit as good as he is – if not better.

[Basil comes in, notices James, but does notspeak.James

Afternoon, Basil.

Basil

[Indifferently.] You here again?

James

Looks like it, don't it.

Basil

[Quietly.] I'm afraid it does.

James

[Becoming more aggressive as the conversation proceeds.] Are you? I suppose I can come and see my own sister?

Basil

I suppose it's inevitable.

James

Well?

Basil

[Smiling.] Only I should be excessively grateful if you'd time your coming with my – with my going. And vice versa.

James

That means you want me to get out, I reckon.

Basil

You show unusual perspicacity, dear James.

James

And who are you with your long words, I should like to know?

Basil

[Blandly.] I? A person of not the least importance.

James

[Angrily.] Well, I wouldn't put on so much side if I was you.

Basil

I observe that you have not acquired the useful art of being uncivil without being impertinent.

James

Look 'ere, I'm not going to stand this. I'm as good as you are any day.

Basil

That is a fact I should never dream of contradicting.

James

[Indignantly.] Then what 'ave you got to turn up your nose about, eh? What d'you mean by sneerin' and snarlin' at me when I come here?

Jenny

[Nervously.] Jimmie, don't!

Basil

[With a smile.] You're very eloquent, James. You should join a debating society.

James

Yes, go on. That's right. You seem to think I'm nobody. I should just like to know why you go on as if I was I don't know what.

Basil

[Abruptly.] Because I choose.

James

You can bet anything you like I don't come 'ere to see you.

Basil

[Smiling acidly.] Then I have at least something to be thankful for.

James

I've got a right to come here as much as anybody. I come to see my sister.

Basil

Really, that's very thoughtful of you. I was under the impression you generally came to borrow money.

James

Throw that in my face now. I can't 'elp it if I'm out of work.

Basil

Oh, I haven't the least objection to your being out of work. All I protest against – and that very mildly – is that I should be expected to keep you. How much did you want to-day?

James

I don't want your dirty money.

Basil

[With a laugh.] Have you already tried to borrow it from Jenny?

James

No, I 'aven't.

Basil

And she refused, I suppose.

James

[Storming.] I tell you I don't want your dirty money.

Basil

Well, then, we're both quite satisfied. You seemed to think that because I married Jenny I was bound to keep the whole gang of you for the rest of your lives. I'm sorry I can't afford it. And you will kindly tell the rest of them that I'm sick and tired of forking out.

James

I wonder you don't forbid me your house while you're about it.

Basil

[Coolly.] You may come here when I'm not at home – if you behave yourself.

James

I'm not good enough for you, I suppose?

Basil

No, you're not.

James

[Angrily.] Ah, you're a pretty specimen, you are. You mean skinflint!

Basil

Don't be abusive, James. It's rude.

James

I shall say what I choose.

Basil

And please don't talk so loud. It annoys me.

James

[Malevolently.] I dare say you'd like to get me out of the way. But I mean to keep my eye on you.

Basil

[Sharply.] What d'you mean by that?

James

You know what I mean. Jenny has something to put up with, I lay.

Basil

[Containing his anger.] You'll have the goodness to leave the relations between Jenny and myself alone – d'you hear?

James

Ha, that's touched you up, has it? You think I don't know what sort of a feller you are. I can just about see through two of you. And I know a good deal more about you than you think.

Basil

[Contemptuously.] Don't be foolish, James.

James

[Sarcastic.] A nice thing Jenny did when she married you.

Basil

[Recovering himself, with a smile.] Has she been telling you my numerous faults? [To Jenny.] You must have had plenty to talk about, my love.

Jenny

[Who has been going on with her sewing, looking up now and then uneasily.] I haven't said a word against you, Basil.

Basil

[Turning his back on James.] Oh, my dear Jenny, if it amuses you, by all means discuss me with your brother and your sister and your father and your mother, and the whole crew of them… I should be so dull if I had no faults.

Jenny

[Anxiously.] Tell him I've not said anything against him, Jimmie.

James

It's not for want of something to say, I lay.

Basil

[Over his shoulder.] I'm getting rather tired, brother James. I'd go, if I were you.

James

[Very aggressively.] I shan't go till I choose.

Basil

[Turns round, smiling blandly.] Of course, we're both Christians, dear James; and there's a good deal of civilisation kicking about the world nowadays. But, notwithstanding, the last word is still with the strongest.

James

What d'you mean by that?

Basil

[Good-humouredly.] Merely that discretion is the better part of valour. They say that proverbs are the wealth of nations.

James

[Indignantly.] That's just the sort of thing you'd do – to 'it a feller smaller than yourself.

Basil

Oh, I wouldn't hit you for worlds, brother James. I should merely throw you downstairs.

James

[Making for the door.] I should just like to see you try it on.

Basil

Don't be silly, James. You know you wouldn't like it at all.

James

I'm not afraid of you.

Basil

Of course not. But still – you're not very muscular, are you?

James

You coward!

Basil

[Smiling.] Your repartees are not brilliant, James.

James

[Standing at the door for safety's sake.] I'll pay you out before I've done.

Basil

[Raising his eyebrows.] James, I told you to get out five minutes ago.

James

I'm going. D'you think I want to stay 'ere? Good-bye, Jenny, I'm not going to stand being insulted by any one. [He goes out slamming the door.]

[Basil, smiling quietly, goes to his writing-table and turns over some papers.Basil

The only compensation in brother James is that he sometimes causes one a little mild amusement.

Jenny

You might at least be polite to him, Basil.

Basil

I used up all my politeness six months ago.

Jenny

After all, he is my brother.

Basil

That is a fact I deplore with all my heart, I assure you.

Jenny

I don't know what's wrong with him.

Basil

Don't you? It doesn't matter.

Jenny

I know he isn't a Society man.

Basil

[With a laugh.] No, he wouldn't shine at duchesses tea-parties.

Jenny

Well, he's none the worse for that, is he?

Basil

Not at all.

Jenny

Then why d'you treat him as if he was a dog?

Basil

My dear Jenny, I don't… I'm very fond of dogs.

Jenny

Oh, you're always sneering. Isn't he as good as I am? And you condescended to marry me.

Basil

[Coldly.] I really can't see that because I married you I must necessarily take your whole family to my bosom.

Jenny

Why don't you like them? They're honest and respectable.

Basil

[With a little sigh of boredom.] My dear Jenny, we don't choose our friends because they're honest and respectable any more than we choose them because they change their linen daily.

Jenny

They can't help it if they're poor.

Basil

My dear, I'm willing to acknowledge that they have every grace and every virtue, but they rather bore me.

Jenny

They wouldn't if they were swells.

[Basil gives a short laugh, but does not answer; and Jenny irritated, continues more angrily.Jenny

And after all we're not in such a bad position as all that. My mother's father was a gentleman.

Basil

I wish your mother's son were.

Jenny

D'you know what Jimmie says you are?

Basil

I don't vastly care. But if it pleases you very much you may tell me.

Jenny

[Flushing angrily.] He says you're a damned snob.

Basil

Is that all? I could have invented far worse things than that to say of myself… [With a change of tone.] You know, Jenny, it's not worth while to worry ourselves about such trifles. One can't force oneself to like people. I'm very sorry that I can't stand your relations. Why on earth don't you resign yourself and make the best of it?

Jenny

[Vindictively.] You don't think they're good enough for you to associate with because they're not in swell positions.

Basil

My dear Jenny, I don't in the least object to their being grocers and haberdashers. I only wish they'd sell us things at cost price.

Jenny

Jimmie isn't a grocer or a haberdasher. He's an auctioneer's clerk.

Basil

[Ironically.] I humbly apologise. I thought he was a grocer, because last time he did us the honour of visiting us he asked how much a pound we paid for our tea and offered to sell us some at the same price… But then he also offered to insure our house against fire and to sell me a gold mine in Australia.

Jenny

Well, it's better to make a bit as best one can than to… [She stops.]

Basil

[Smiling.] Go on. Pray don't hesitate for fear of hurting my feelings.

Jenny

[Defiantly.] Well, then, it's better to do that than moon about like you do.

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders.] Really, even to please you, I'm afraid I can't go about with little samples of tea in my pocket and sell my friends a pound or two when I call on them. Besides, I don't believe they'd ever pay me.

Jenny

[Scornfully.] Oh no, you're a gentleman and a barrister and an author, and you couldn't do anything to dirty those white hands that you're so careful about, could you?

Basil

[Looking at his hands, then up at Jenny.] And what is it precisely you want me to do?

Jenny

Well, you've been at the Bar for five years. I should have thought you could make something after all that time.

Basil

I can't force the wily solicitor to give me briefs.

Jenny

How do other fellows manage it?

Basil

[With a laugh.] The simplest way, I believe, is to marry the wily solicitor's daughter.

Jenny

Instead of a barmaid?

Basil

[Gravely.] I didn't say that, Jenny.

Jenny

[Passionately.] Oh no. You didn't say it, but you hinted it. You never say anything, but you're always hinting and insinuating – till you drive me out of my senses.

Basil

[After a moment's pause, gravely.] I'm very sorry if I hurt your feelings. I promise you I don't mean to. I always try to be kind to you.

[He looks at Jenny, expecting her to say something in forgiveness or in apology. But she, shrugging her shoulders, looks down sullenly at her work, without a word, and begins again to sew. Then Basil, tightening his lips, picks up writing materials and goes towards the door.Jenny

[Looking up quickly.] Where are you going?

Basil

[Stopping.] I have some letters to write.

Jenny

Can't you write them here?

Basil

Certainly – if it pleases you.

Jenny

Don't you want me to see who you're writing to?

Basil

I haven't the least objection to your knowing all about my correspondence… And that's fortunate, since you invariably make yourself acquainted with it.

Jenny

Accuse me of reading your letters now.

Basil

[With a smile.] You always leave my papers in such disorder after you've been to my desk.

Jenny

You've got no right to say that.

[Basil pauses and looks at her steadily.Basil

Are you willing to swear that you don't go to my desk when I'm away to read my letters? Come, Jenny, answer that question.

Jenny

[Disturbed but forced by his glance to reply.] Well, I'm you're wife, I have a right to know.

Basil

[Bitterly.] You have such odd ideas about the duties of a wife, Jenny. They include reading my letters and following me in the street. But tolerance and charity and forbearance don't seem to come in your scheme of things.

Jenny

[Sullenly.] Why d'you want to write your letters elsewhere?

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders.] I thought I should be quieter.

Jenny

I suppose I disturb you?

Basil

It's a little difficult to write when you're talking.

Jenny

Why shouldn't I talk? D'you think I'm not good enough, eh? I should have thought I was more important than your letters.

[Basil does not answer.Jenny

[Angrily.] Am I your wife or not?

Basil

[Ironically.] You have your marriage lines carefully locked up to prove it.

Jenny

Then why don't you treat me as your wife? You seem to think I'm only fit to see after the house and order the dinner and mend your clothes. And after that I can go and sit in the kitchen with the servant.

Basil

[Moving again towards the door.] D'you think it's worth while making a scene? We seem to have said all this before so many times.

Jenny

[Interrupting him.] I want to have it out.

Basil

[Bored.] We've been having it out twice a week for the last six months – and we've never got anywhere yet.

Jenny

I'm not going to be always put upon, I'm your wife and I'm as good as you are.

Basil

[With a thin smile.] Oh, my dear, if you're going in for women's rights, you may have my vote by all means. And you can plump for all the candidates at once if you choose.

Jenny

You seem to think it's a joke.

Basil

[Bitterly.] Oh no, I promise you I don't do that. It's lasted too long. And God knows where it'll end… They say the first year of marriage is the worst; ours has been bad enough in all conscience.

Jenny

[Aggressively.] And I suppose you think it's my fault?

Basil

Don't you think we're both more or less to blame?

Jenny

[With a laugh.] Oh, I'm glad you acknowledge that you have something to do with it.

Basil

I tried to make you happy.

Jenny

Well, you haven't succeeded very well. Did you think I was likely to be happy – when you leave me alone all day and half the night for your swell friends that I'm not good enough for?

Basil

That's not true. I hardly ever see any of my old friends.

Jenny

Except Mrs. Murray, eh?

Basil

I've seen Mrs. Murray perhaps a dozen times in the last year.

Jenny

Oh, you needn't tell me that. I know it. She's a lady, isn't she?

Basil

[Ignoring the charge.] And my work takes me away from you. I can't always be down here. Think how bored you'd be.

Jenny

A precious lot of good your work does. You can't earn enough money to keep us out of debt.

Basil

[Good-humouredly.] We are in debt. But we share that very respectable condition with half the nobility and gentry in the kingdom. We're neither of us good managers, and we've lived a bit beyond our means this year. But in future we'll be more economical.

Jenny

[Sullenly.] All the neighbours know that we've got bills with the tradesmen.

Basil

[Acidly.] I'm sorry that you shouldn't have made so good a bargain as you expected when you married me.

Jenny

I wonder what you do succeed in? Your book was very successful, wasn't it? You thought you were going to set the Thames on fire, and the book fell flat, flat, flat.

Basil

[Recovering his good temper.] That is a fate which has befallen better books than mine.

Jenny

It deserved it.

Basil

Oh, I didn't expect you to appreciate it. It isn't given to all of us to write about wicked earls and beautiful duchesses.

Jenny

Well, I wasn't the only one. The papers praised it, didn't they?

Basil

The unanimity of their blame was the only thing that consoled me.

Jenny

And one of them advised you to study an English grammar. And you're the fine gentleman who looks down on poor things like us!

Basil

I often wonder if the reviewer who abuses you for a printer's error realises what pleasure he causes the wife of your bosom.

Jenny

Oh, I've learnt to know you so well this last six months – since the baby died. You've got no cause to set yourself up on a pedestal.

Basil

[With a laugh.] My dear Jenny, I never pretended to be a golden idol.

Jenny

I know what you are now. And I was such a fool as to think you a hero. You're merely a failure. In everything you try you're a miserable failure.

Basil

[With a slight sigh.] Perhaps you're right, Jenny.

[Basil walks up and down; and then, stopping, looks at her for a moment meditatively.Basil

I sometimes wonder whether we shouldn't be happier – if we lived apart.

Jenny

[With a start.] What d'you mean?

Basil

We don't seem able to get on very well. And I see no chance of things going any better.

Jenny

[With staring eyes.] D'you mean to say you want to separate?

Basil

I think it might be better for both of us – at least for a time. Perhaps later on we might try again.

Jenny

And what'll you do?

Basil

I should go abroad for a while.

Jenny

With Mrs. Murray. Is that it? You want to go away with her.

Basil

[Impatiently.] No. Of course not.

Jenny

I don't believe it. You're in love with her.

Basil

You've got no right to say that.

Jenny

Haven't I? I suppose I must shut my eyes and say nothing. You're in love with her. D'you think I've not seen it in these months? That's why you want to leave me.

Basil

It's impossible for us to live together. We shall never agree, and we shall never be happy. For God's sake let us separate and have done with it.

Jenny

You're sick of me. You've had all you want out of me, and now I can go. The fine lady comes along, and you send me away like a housemaid. D'you think I can't see that you're in love with her? You'd sacrifice me without a thought to save her a moment's unpleasantness. And because you love her you hate me.

Basil

It's not true.

Jenny

Can you deny that you're in love with her?

Basil

You're simply mad. Good heavens, I've done nothing that could give you the least cause to be jealous.

Jenny

[Passionately.] Will you swear that you're not in love with her? Swear it on your honour?

Basil

You're mad.

Jenny

[With growing excitement.] Swear it. You can't. You're simply madly in love with her.

Basil

Nonsense.

Jenny

Swear it. Swear it on your honour. Swear you don't care for her.

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders.] I swear it … on my honour.

Jenny

[Scornfully.] It's a lie!.. And she's just as much in love with you as you are with her.

Basil

[Seizing her wrists.] What d'you mean?

Jenny

D'you think I haven't got eyes in my head? I saw it that day she came here. D'you suppose she came to see me? She despises me. I'm not a lady. She came here to please you. She was polite to me to please you. She asked me to go and see her to please you.

Basil

[Trying to compose himself.] It's absurd. She was an old friend of mine. Of course she came.

Jenny

I know that sort of friend. D'you think I didn't see the way she looked at you, and how she followed you with her eyes? She simply hung on every word you said. When you smiled, she smiled. When you laughed, she laughed. Oh, I should think she was in love with you; I know what love is, and I felt it. And when she looked at me I know she hated me because I'd robbed her of you.

Basil

[Unable to contain himself.] Oh, what a dog's life it is we lead! We've been both utterly wretched. It can't go on – and I only see one way out.

Jenny

That's what you've been brooding over this last week, is it? Separation! I knew there was something, and I couldn't find out what it was.

Basil

I do my best to hold myself in, but sometimes I feel it's impossible. I shall be led to saying things that we shall both regret. For Heaven's sake let us part.

Jenny

No.

Basil

We can't go on having these awful quarrels. It's too degrading. It was a horrible mistake that we ever married.

Jenny

[Horror-stricken.] Basil!

Basil

Oh, you must see that as well as I. We're utterly unsuited to one another. And the baby's death removed the only necessity that held us together.

Jenny

You talk as if we only remained together because it was convenient.

Basil

[Passionately.] Let me go, Jenny. I can't stand it any more. I feel as if I shall go mad.

Jenny

[Full of pain and anguish.] It's nothing at all to you.

Basil

Jenny, I did my best for you a year ago. I gave you all I had to give. It was little enough in all conscience. Now I ask you to give me back my freedom.

Jenny

[Distracted.] You only think of yourself. What is to become of me?

Basil

You'll be much happier. It's the best thing for both of us. I'll do all I can for you, and you can have your mother and sister to live here.

Jenny

[With a cry of grief and passion.] But I love you, Basil.

Basil

You!! Why, you've tortured me for six months beyond all endurance. You've made all my days a burden to me. You've made my life a perfect hell.

Jenny

[Gives a long groan of horror and dismay.] Oh!

[They stand facing one another, when the housemaid, Fanny, comes in.Fanny

Mr. Halliwell.