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

Boulger

You're perfectly wonderful, Lucy. How can you be so calm?

Lucy

Because I'm quite sure of the result. D'you imagine I'd doubt my father for a moment?

Dick

Oh, Lucy, for heaven's sake don't be so sure. You must be prepared for everything.

Lucy

Oh, no, I know my father. D'you think I've not studied him during these years that I've looked after him? He's a child, with all a child's thoughtlessness and simplicity. And God knows, he's weak. I know his faults better than any one, but it would be impossible for him to do anything criminal.

[The Butler enters, followed by Alec Mackenzie. Alec is a tall, wiry man, well-knit, with dark hair and a small red moustache and beard, cut close to the face. He is about five-and-thirty. He has great ease of manner, and there is about him an air as though he were accustomed that people should do as he told them.Butler

Mr. Mackenzie!

George

Is it finished? For God's sake tell us quickly, old man.

Lucy

Why didn't father come with you? Is he following?

Alec

Yes, it's all over.

Lady Kelsey

Thank goodness. The suspense was really too dreadful.

George

I knew they'd acquit him. Thank God!

Dick

[Looking at Alec's face.] Take care, George.

[Suddenly Lucy goes up to Alec and looks at him. An expression of horror distorts her features.Mrs. Crowley

Lucy, what is it?

Alec

I don't know how I am going to tell you.

Lucy

You say the trial was over when you came away?

Alec

Yes.

Lucy

The jury had given their verdict?

George

Lucy, what are you driving at? You don't think…?

Alec

Your father asked me to come and break it to you.

George

He's not dead?

Alec

Perhaps it would be better if he were.

Lucy

They found him guilty?

Alec

Yes.

George

[With a groan of despair.] Oh! But it's impossible.

Lucy

[Putting her hand on his arm.] Ssh!

Lady Kelsey

My God, my God! I'm thankful that his wife is dead.

Lucy

I'm awfully stupid, but if he was innocent, how could they find him guilty? I don't know what you mean.

Alec

I am afraid it's very clear.

Lucy

There must be some horrible mistake.

Alec

I wish there were.

George

[Breaking down into tears and sinking into a chair.] Oh, God! What shall I do?

Lucy

Don't do that, George. We want all our calmness now.

George

Don't you see they all expected it? It was only you and I who believed in his innocence.

Lucy

[To Alec.] Did you hear the evidence?

Alec

Yes.

Lucy

And you followed it carefully?

Alec

Very.

Lucy

What impression did it leave on your mind?

Alec

What can it matter how it affected me?

Lucy

I want to know.

Dick

Lucy, you're torturing us all.

Lucy

If you had been on the jury would your verdict have been the same as theirs?

Alec

I should have been obliged to judge according to my conscience.

Lucy

I see. And you have no doubt that he was guilty?

Alec

Don't ask me these horrible questions.

Lucy

But it's very important. I know that you are a perfectly honest and upright man. If you think he was guilty, there is nothing more to be said.

Alec

The case was so plain that the jury were not out of the box for more than ten minutes.

Lucy

Did the judge say anything?

Alec

[Hesitatingly.] He said there could be no doubt about the justice of the verdict.

Lucy

What else?.. [He looks at her without answering.] You had better tell me now. I shall see it in the papers to-morrow.

Alec

[As though the words were dragged out of him.] He called it a very mean and shameful crime, worse than another man's because your father was a gentleman of ancient family and bore a name of great honour.

Dick

[To Mrs. Crowley.] These judges have a weakness for pointing a moral.

Lucy

And what was the sentence? [A pause.] Well?

Alec

Seven years' penal servitude.

George

Oh, God!

Dick

My dear girl, I can't tell you how sorry I am.

Lady Kelsey

Lucy, what is it? You frighten me.

Lucy

Try and bear up, George. We want all the strength we've got, you and I.

[Mrs. Crowley puts her arms round Lucy and kisses her.

Mrs. Crowley

Oh, my dear, my dear!

Lucy

[Disengaging herself.] You're all very kind, and I know you sympathise with me…

Mrs. Crowley

[Interrupting her.] You know that we'll do everything we can to help you.

Lucy

It's so good of you. There's really nothing that any one can do. Would you all mind leaving me alone with George? We must talk this over by ourselves.

Mrs. Crowley

Very well. Mr. Lomas, will you put me into a cab?

Dick

Certainly. [To Lucy.] Good-bye, dear, and God bless you.

Lucy

[Shaking hands with him.] Don't worry too much about me. If there's anything I want, I'll let you know.

Dick

Thanks.

[He goes out with Mrs. Crowley.Alec

May I speak to you for a few minutes alone?

Lucy

Not now, Mr. Mackenzie. I don't want to seem rude, but …

Alec

[Interrupting.] I know, and I wouldn't insist unless it were a matter of the most urgent importance.

Lucy

Very well. George, will you take Aunt Alice to her room? I shall want you in a moment.

George

Yes.

Lucy

[To Lady Kelsey.] Won't you lie down and try and sleep a little? You must be dreadfully exhausted.

Lady Kelsey

Ah, don't think of me now, dear. Think of yourself.

Lucy

[Smiling.] It's purely selfish. It eases me a little to fuss about you.

George

I'll wait in the smoking-room, Lucy.

Lucy

Do!

[George and Lady Kelsey go out.

Alec

I think your self-command is wonderful. I've never admired you more than at this moment.

Lucy

You make me feel such a prig. It's not really very strange if I keep my head, because I've had an immensely long training. Since I was fifteen I've been alone to care for George and my father… Won't you sit down?

Alec

I can say what I want in a very few words. You know that in a week I start for Mombassa to take charge of the expedition in North-East Africa. I may be away for three or four years, and I shall be exposed to a certain amount of danger. When I left Africa last time to gather supplies, I determined I would crush those wretched slave-traders, and now I think I have the means to do it.

Lucy

I think you are engaged on a very great work.

Alec

I don't know whether you ever noticed that – that I cared more for you than for any one in the world. But with the long journey in front of me I didn't think it was right to say anything to you. It wasn't fair to ask you to bind yourself during my long absence. And there was always the risk that a stray bullet might put an end to me. I made up my mind that I must wait till I returned. But things have changed now. Lucy, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me before I go?

Lucy

No, I can't do that. It's very generous of you, but I couldn't.

Alec

Why not? Don't you know that I love you? It would help me so much if I knew that you were waiting for me at home.

Lucy

I must look after my father. I shall go and live near the – prison, so that I can see him whenever it's possible.

Alec

You can do that as well if you're my wife… You have before you a very difficult and trying time. Won't you let me help you?

Lucy

I couldn't. Heaven knows, I'm grateful to you for offering to marry me on this day of my bitter humiliation. I shall never forget your great kindness. But I must stand alone. I must devote myself to my father. When he's released I must have a home to bring him to, and I must tend him and care for him. Ah, now he wants me more than ever.

Alec

You're very proud.

Lucy

[Giving him her hand.] Dear friend, don't think hardly of me. I think I love you as much as it's possible for a woman to love a man.

Alec

Lucy!

Lucy

[With a smile.] Did you want me to tell you that in so many words? I admire you, and I trust you. I should be very happy if George could grow into so brave and honest a man as you.

Alec

They're very modest crumbs with which you want me to be satisfied.

Lucy

I know in your heart you think I'm right. You would never seek to dissuade me from what I'm convinced is my duty.

Alec

Can't I do anything for you at all?

[She looks at him for a moment intently. She rings the bell.

Lucy

Yes, you can do me the greatest possible service.

Alec

I'm so glad. What is it you mean?

Lucy

Wait, and I'll tell you. [The Butler enters.] Ask Mr. George to come here, please.

Butler

Very well, Miss.

[He goes out.Lucy

I want you to help me.

[George comes in.George

Yes, Lucy?

Lucy

I want to give into your charge what I love most in the world… George, have you thought at all what you're going to do now? I'm afraid you can't go back to Oxford.

George

No, I don't know what's to become of me. I wish I were dead.

Lucy

An idea has just come to me. I'm going to ask Mr. Mackenzie to take you with him to Africa. Will you go?

George

Yes, yes! I'd do anything to get away from England. I daren't face my friends – I'm too ashamed.

Lucy

Ah, but it's not to hide yourself that I want you to go. Mr. Mackenzie, I daresay you know that we've always been very proud of our name. And now it's hopelessly dishonoured.

George

Lucy, for God's sake …

Lucy

[Turning to him.] Now our only hope is in you. You have the opportunity of achieving a great thing. You can bring back the old name to its old honour. Oh, I wish I were a man. I can do nothing but wait and watch. If I could only fill you with my courage and with my ambition! Mr. Mackenzie, you asked if you could do anything for me. You can give George the chance of wiping out the shame of our family.

Alec

Do you know that he will have to suffer every sort of danger and privation, that often he will be parched by the heat, and often soaked to the skin for days together? Sometimes he'll not have enough to eat, and he'll have to work harder than a navvy.

Lucy

Do you hear, George? Are you willing to go?

George

I'll do anything you want me to, Lucy.

Alec

And you know that he may get killed. There may be a good deal of fighting.

Lucy

If he dies a brave man's death, I have nothing more to ask.

Alec

[To George.] Very well. Come with me, and I'll do my best for you.

Lucy

Ah, thanks. You are really my friend.

Alec

And when I come back?

Lucy

Then, if you still care, ask your question again.

Alec

And the answer?

Lucy

[With a little smile.] The answer, perhaps, will be different.

END OF THE FIRST ACT

THE SECOND ACT

Scene: Alec Mackenzie's tent in North-East Africa. It is night. The place is dimly lighted. There is a little camp bed in one corner with a mosquito net over it. There are two or three folding chairs, some tin cases, and a table. On this a gun is lying.

Dick is seated with his head on his hands, leaning on the table, fast asleep. Dr. Adamson, the surgeon of the expedition, comes in. He is a large-boned brawny fellow with a Scotch accent. He looks at Dick and smiles.

Doctor

Hulloa, there! [Dick starts up and seizes the gun. The Doctor laughs.] All right. Don't shoot. It's only me.

Dick

[With a laugh.] Why the dickens did you wake me up? I was dreaming – dreaming of a high-heeled boot and a neat ankle, and the swish of a white lace petticoat.

Doctor

I thought I'd just have a look at your arm.

Dick

It's one of the most æsthetic sights I know.

Doctor

Your arm?

Dick

A pretty woman crossing Piccadilly at Swan and Edgar's. You are a savage, my good doctor, and a barbarian. You don't know the care and forethought, the hours of anxious meditation, it has needed for her to hold up that well-made skirt with the elegant grace which enchants you.

Doctor

I'm afraid you're a very immoral man, Lomas.

Dick

Ah, my dear fellow, at my time of life I have to content myself with condemning the behaviour of the younger generation. Even a camp bed in a stuffy tent with mosquitoes buzzing all around me has allurements greater than those of youth and beauty. And I declare for all women to hear that I am proof against their wiles. Give me a comfortable bed to sleep in, plenty to eat, tobacco to smoke, and Amaryllis may go hang.

Doctor

Well, let's look at this wound of yours. Has it been throbbing at all?

Dick

Oh, it's not worth bothering about. It'll be all right to-morrow.

Doctor

I'll put a clean dressing on all the same.

Dick

All right. [He takes off his coat and rolls up his sleeve. His arm is bandaged, and during the next speeches the Doctor puts on a dressing and a clean bandage.] You must be pretty well done up, aren't you?

Doctor

Just about dropping. But I've got a deuce of a lot more work before I turn in.

Dick

The thing that amuses me is to remember that I came to Africa thinking I was going to have a rattling good time.

Doctor

You couldn't exactly describe it as a picnic, could you? But I don't suppose any of us knew it would be such a tough job as it's turned out.

Dick

My friend, if ever I return to my native land, I will never be such a crass and blithering idiot as to give way again to a spirit of adventure.

Doctor

[With a laugh.] You're not the sort of chap whom one would expect to take to African work. Why the blazes did you come?

Dick

That's precisely what I've been asking myself ever since we landed in this God-forsaken swamp.

Doctor

The wound looks healthy enough. It'll hardly even leave a scar.

Dick

I'm glad that my fatal beauty won't be injured… You see, Alec's about the oldest friend I have. And then there's young Allerton, I've known him ever since he was a kid.

Doctor

That's an acquaintance that most of us wouldn't boast about.

Dick

I had an idea I'd like Bond Street all the better when I got back. I never knew that I should be eaten alive by every kind of disgusting animal by night and day. I say, Doctor, do you ever think of a rump steak?

Doctor

When?

Dick

[With a wave of the hand.] Sometimes, when we're marching under a sun that just about takes the roof of your head off, and we've had the scantiest and most uncomfortable breakfast possible, I have a vision.

Doctor

D'you mind only gesticulating with one arm?

Dick

I see the dining-room of my club and myself sitting at a little table by the window looking out on Piccadilly, and there's a spotless tablecloth, and all the accessories are spick and span. An obsequious servant brings me a rump steak, grilled to perfection, and so tender that it melts in the mouth. And he puts by my side a plate of crisp, fried potatoes. Can't you smell them?

Doctor

[Laughing.] Shut up!

Dick

And then another obsequious servant brings me a pewter tankard, and into it he pours a bottle, a large bottle, mind you, of foaming ale.

Doctor

You've certainly added considerably to our cheerfulness.

Dick

[With a shrug of the shoulders.] I've often been driven to appease the pangs of raging hunger with a careless epigram, and by the laborious composition of a limerick I have sought to deceive a most unholy thirst.

Doctor

Well, last night I thought you'd made your last joke, old man, and that I had given my last dose of quinine.

Dick

We were in rather a tight corner, weren't we?

Doctor

This is the third expedition I've gone with Mackenzie against the slave-raiders, and I promise you I've never been so certain that all was over with us.

Dick

Funny thing death is, you know. When you think of it beforehand, it makes you squirm in your shoes, but when you've just got it face to face, it seems so obvious that you forget to be afraid. It's one of my principles never to be impressed by a platitude.

Doctor

It's only by a miracle we escaped. If those Arabs hadn't hesitated to attack us just those ten minutes we should have been wiped out.

Dick

Alec was splendid, wasn't he?

Doctor

Yes, by Jove! He thought we were done for.

Dick

What makes you think that?

Doctor

Well, you see, I know him pretty well. He's been a pal of yours for twenty years in England, but I've been with him out here three times, and I tell you there's not much about a man that you don't know then.

Dick

Well?

Doctor

Well, when things are going smoothly and everything's flourishing, he's apt to be a bit irritable. He keeps rather to himself, and he doesn't say much unless you do something he doesn't approve of.

Dick

And then, by Jove, he comes down on one like a thousand of bricks. It's not for nothing the natives call him Thunder and Lightning.

Doctor

But when things begin to look black, his spirits go up like one o'clock. And the worse they are, the more cheerful he is.

Dick

It's one of his most irritating characteristics.

Doctor

When every one is starving with hunger, and dead tired, and soaked to the skin, Mackenzie fairly bubbles over with good-humour.

Dick

When I'm in a bad temper, I much prefer every one else to be in a bad temper too.

Doctor

These last few days, he's been positively hilarious. Yesterday he was cracking jokes with the natives.

Dick

[Dryly.] Scotch jokes. I daresay they sound funny in an African dialect.

Doctor

I've never seen him more cheerful. I said to myself: By the Lord Harry, the chief thinks we're in a devil of a bad way.

Dick

Thank Heaven, it's all over now. We've none of us had any sleep for three days, and when I once get off, I don't mean to wake up for a week.

Doctor

I must go and see the rest of my patients. Perkins has got a bad dose of fever this time. He was quite delirious a while ago.

Dick

By Jove, I'd almost forgotten. How one changes out here! Here am I feeling happy and comfortable and inclined to make a little jest or two, and I've forgotten already that poor Richardson is dead and Lord knows how many natives.

Doctor

Poor chap, we could ill spare him. The fates never choose the right man.

Dick

What do you mean by that?

Doctor

If we had to lose some one, it would have been a damned sight better if that young cub had got the bullet which killed poor Richardson.

Dick

George Allerton?

Doctor

He wouldn't have been much loss, would he?

Dick

No, I'm afraid he wouldn't.

Doctor

Mackenzie has been very patient with him. I wonder he didn't send him back to the coast months ago, when he sacked Macinnery.

Dick

Poor George, everything has been against him.

Doctor

Some men have got natures so crooked that with every chance in the world to go straight they can't manage it. The only thing is to let them go to the devil as best they may.

Dick

Alec was bound to give him another chance. [Alec Mackenzie comes in.] Hulloa, Alec! Where have you been?

Alec

I've been going the round of the outlying sentries.

Dick

All serene?

Alec

Yes. I've just seen a native messenger that Mindabi sent to me.

Doctor

Anything important?

Alec

[Curtly.] Yes. How's the arm, Dick?

Dick

Oh, that's nothing. It's only a scratch.

Alec

You'd better not make too light of it. The smallest wound has a way of being troublesome in this country.

Doctor

He'll be all right in a day or two.

Alec

How are the others?

Doctor

They're going on pretty well on the whole. Perkins, of course, will be down for some days longer. And some of the natives are rather badly hurt. Those devils have got explosive bullets.

Alec

Any one in great danger?

Doctor

No, I don't think so. There are two men who are in rather a bad way, but all they want is rest.

Alec

I see.

Dick

I say, have you had anything to eat lately?

Alec

[With a laugh.] Good Lord! I quite forgot. I wonder when the dickens I had some food last.

Dick

[Smiling.] You've had nothing to-day, have you?

Alec

No, I don't think so. Those Arabs kept us so confoundedly busy.

Dick

You must be devilish hungry.

Alec

Now you mention it, I think I am. And thirsty, by Jove! I wouldn't give my thirst for an elephant tusk.

Dick

And to think there's nothing but tepid water to drink!

Doctor

I'll go and tell the boy to bring you some food. It's a rotten game to play tricks with your digestion like that.

Alec

[Gaily.] Stern man, the doctor, isn't he? It won't hurt me once in a way. And I shall enjoy it all the more now.

Doctor

[Calling.] Selim!

Alec

No, don't trouble. The poor chap's just turned in, dropping with sleep. I told him he might till I called him. I don't want much, and I can easily get it myself. [He goes to a case and takes out a tin of meat and some ship's biscuits.] It's rather a nuisance that we've not been able to get any game lately.

[He sets the food down before him, sits down, and begins to eat.Dick

[Ironically.] Appetising, isn't it?

Alec

Splendid!

Dick

You have all the instincts of the primeval savage, Alec. It enrages and disgusts me.

Alec

[With a laugh.] Why?

Dick

You take food for the gross and bestial purpose of appeasing your hunger. You have no appreciation for the delicacies of eating as a fine art.

Alec

The meat's getting rather mouldy, isn't it?

Dick

Damnable! It's been a source of great anxiety to me in England.

Alec

What is he talking about now?

Dick

I was going on with the thread of my observations, which you interrupted with the entirely obvious remark that the tinned meat was getting mouldy.

Alec

I apologise profusely. Pray go on!

Dick

I was about to observe that even in England you will eat the most carefully ordered meal with an indifference which is an outrage to decency. Indeed, you pay less attention to it than here, because at all events you do notice that the meat is mouldy. But if any one gives you a good dinner, you notice nothing. I've given him priceless port, Doctor, and he drank it as though it were cooking sherry.

Doctor

I confess it is lamentable. But why is it a source of anxiety to you?

Dick

What on earth is to happen to him in his old age?

Alec

Explain yourself, my friend. Clearly but with as much brevity as possible.

Dick

The pleasure of eating is the only pleasure that remains to the old. Love – what is love when you lose your figure, and your hair grows thin? Knowledge – one can never know everything, and the desire passes with the fire of youth. Even ambition fails you in the end. But to those who have lived wisely and well, there remain three pleasures every day of their lives: their breakfast, their luncheon, and their dinner.

Alec

[With a laugh.] I wouldn't worry about my old age if I were you, Dick.

Dick

Why?

Alec

Because I think it's ten to one that we shall all be dead to-morrow morning.

Doctor

What?

[There is a slight pause while both men stare at him.Dick

Is this one of your little jokes, Alec?

Alec

You have often observed that I joke with difficulty.

Doctor

But what's wrong now?

Alec

You'll neither of you sleep in your beds to-night. Another sell for the mosquitoes, isn't it? I propose to break up the camp and start marching as soon as the moon goes down.

Dick

I say, it's a bit thick after a day like this. We're all so done up that we shan't be able to go a mile.

Alec

Nonsense, you will have had two hours' rest.

Doctor

But some of those fellows who are wounded can't possibly be moved.

Alec

They must!

Doctor

I won't answer for their lives.

Alec

We must take the risk. Our only chance is to make a bold dash for it, and we can't leave the wounded here.

Dick

I suppose there's going to be a deuce of a row?

Alec

[Grimly.] There is.

Dick

Your companions seldom have a chance to complain of the monotony of their existence, Alec. What are you going to do now?

Alec

At this moment, I'm going to fill my pipe.

[There is a pause while Alec fills and lights his pipe.Dick

I gather from the general amiability of your demeanour that we're in a rather tight place?

Alec

Tighter than any of your patent-leather boots, my friend.

Dick

[Gravely.] Have we any chance of getting through, old man?

Alec

[Lightly.] Oh, I don't know. There's always a chance.

Dick

Don't grin at me in that irritating fashion.

Alec

You must wish you were treading the light fantastic toe in a London ball-room, Dick.