The Project Gutenberg eBook of Night Must Fall : a Play in Three Acts, by Emlyn Williams

THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE
MRS. BRAMSON
OLIVIA GRAYNE Her niece
HUBERT LAURIE
NURSE LIBBY
MRS. TERENCE Mrs. Bramson's cook
DORA PARKOE Her maid
INSPECTOR BELSIZE
DAN

BEFORE THE PLAY

The action of the play takes place in the sitting-room of Forest Corner, Mrs. Bramson's bungalow in Essex.

ACT I: A morning in October.

ACT II SCENE I: An afternoon twelve days later. SCENE II: Late afternoon, two days later.

ACT III SCENE I: Half an hour later. Nightfall. SCENE II: Half an hour later.

BEFORE THE PLAY

The orchestra plays light tunes until the house lights are turned down; the curtain rises in darkness, accompanied by solemn music. A small light grows in the middle of the stage, and shows the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE sitting in judgment, wearing wig and red robes of office, in the Court of Criminal Appeal. His voice, cold and disapproving, gradually swells up with the light as he reaches his peroration.

LORD CHIEF JUSTICE: … and there is no need to recapitulate here the arguments for and against this point of law, which we heard in the long and extremely fair summing up at the trial of the appellant at the Central Criminal Court. The case was clearly put to the jury; and it is against sentence of death for these two murders that the prisoner now appeals. Which means that the last stage of this important and extremely horrible case has now been reached. On a later page in the summing up, the learned judge said this … (turning over papers) … "This case has, through the demeanour of the prisoner in the witness-box, obtained the most widespread and scandalous publicity, which I would beg you most earnestly, members of the jury, to forget." I cannot help thinking that the deplorable atmosphere of sentimental melodrama which has pervaded this trial has made the theatre a more fitting background for it than a court of law; but we are in a court of law, nevertheless, and the facts have been placed before the court. A remarkable and in my opinion praiseworthy feature of the case has been that the sanity of the prisoner has never been called into question; and, like the learned judge, the Court must dismiss as mischievous pretence the attitude of this young man who stands convicted of two brutal murders in cold blood. This case has, from beginning to end, exhibited no feature calling for sympathy; the evidence has on every point been conclusive, and on this evidence the jury have convicted the appellant. In the opinion of the Court there is no reason to interfere with that conviction, and this appeal must be dismissed.

The chords of solemn music are heard again, and the stage gradually darkens. A few seconds later the music merges into the sound of church bells playing far away, and the lights come up on.

ACT I

The sitting-room of Forest Corner, MRS. BRAMSON'S _bungalow in a forest in Essex, A fine morning in October.

Centre back, a small hall; in its left side the front door of the house (throughout the play, "left" and "right" refer to the audience's left and right). Thick plush curtains can be drawn across the entrance to the hall; they are open at the moment. Windows, one on each side of the hall, with window-seats and net curtains beyond which can be glimpsed the pine-trees of the forest. In the left wall, upstage, a door leading to the kitchen. In the left wall, downstage, the fireplace; above it, a cretonne-covered sofa, next to a very solid cupboard built into the wall; below it a cane armchair. In the right wall, upstage, a door leading to _MRS. BRAMSON'S _bedroom. In the right wall, downstage, wide-open paned doors leading to the sun-room. Right downstage, next the sun-room, a large dining-table with four straight chairs round it. Between the bedroom and the sun-room, a desk with books on it, a cupboard below it, and a hanging mirror on the wall above. Above the bedroom, a corner medicine cupboard. Between the hall and the right window, an occasional table.

The bungalow is tawdry but cheerful; it is built entirely of wood, with an oil lamp fixed in the wall over the occasional table. The room is comfortably furnished, though in fussy and eccentric Victorian taste; stuffed birds, Highland cattle in oils, antimacassars, and wax fruit are unobtrusively in evidence. On the mantelpiece, an ornate chiming clock. The remains of breakfast on a tray on the table_.

MRS. BRAMSON is sitting in a wheeled chair in the centre of the room. She is a fussy, discontented, common woman of fifty-five, old-fashioned both in clothes and coiffure; NURSE LIBBY, a kindly, matter-of-fact young north-country woman in district nurse's uniform, is sitting on the sofa, massaging one of her hands. OLIVIA GRAYNE sits on the old woman's right; holding a book; she is a subdued young woman of twenty-eight, her hair tied severely in a knot, wearing horn-rimmed spectacles; there is nothing in any way remarkable about her at the moment. HUBERT LAURIE _is sitting in the armchair, scanning the "Daily Telegraph." He is thirty-five, moustached, hearty, and pompous, wearing plus fours and smoking a pipe.

OLIVIA (reading): "… Lady Isabel humbly crossed her attenuated hands upon her chest. 'I am on my way to God,' she whispered, 'to answer for all my sins and sorrows.' 'Child,' said Miss Carlyle, 'had I anything to do with sending you from …' (turning over) '… East Lynne?' Lady Isabel shook her head and cast down her gaze."

NURSE: Very pretty. But the poor thing'd have felt that much better tucked up in 'ospital instead of lying about her own home gassing her 'ead off——

OLIVIA (reading): "'Thank God,' inwardly breathed Miss Corny….
'Forgive me,' she said loudly and in agitation. 'I want to see
Archibald,' whispered Lady Isabel."

OLIVIA (reading): "'I want to see Archibald,' whispered Lady
Isabel. 'I have prayed Joyce to bring him to me, and she will not——'"

MRS. BRAMSON: You've missed out about Lady Isabel taking up her cross and the weight of it killing her. I may be a fool, but I do know East Lynne.

MRS. BRAMSON: Very convenient when you want your walk, eh? Yes, I am a fool, I suppose, as well as an invalid.

HUBERT (deep in his paper): There's a man here in Weston-super-Mare who stood on his head for twenty minutes for a bet, and he hasn't come to yet.

MRS. BRAMSON (sharply): I thought this morning I'd never be able to face the day.

MRS. BRAMSON: I've had a relapse since then. My heart's going like anything. Give me a chocolate.

NURSE: You know, Mrs. Bramson, what you want isn't massage at all, only exercise. Your body——

MRS. BRAMSON: Don't you dictate to me about my body. Nobody here understands my body or anything else about me. As for sympathy, I've forgotten the meaning of the word. (To OLIVIA) What's the matter with your face?

MRS. BRAMSON: What are you walking up and down for? What's the matter with you? Aren't you happy here?

MRS. BRAMSON: Lonely? All these lovely woods? What are you talking about? Don't you like nature?

NURSE (rising and taking her bag from the sofa): Well, I've that confined lady still waiting in Shepperley. (Going into the hall) Toodle-oo!

NURSE (turning in the hall): I will that. And if paralysis pops up, let me know. Toodle-oo!

MRS. BRAMSON cannot make up her mind if the last remark is sarcastic or not. She concentrates on OLIVIA.

MRS. BRAMSON: You know, you mustn't think just because this house is lonely you're going to get a rise in salary. Oh, no…. I expect you've an idea I'm worth a good bit of money, haven't you?… It isn't my money you're after, is it?

OLIVIA (setting chairs to rights round the table): I'm sorry, but my sense of humour can't stand the strain. I'll have to go.

MRS. BRAMSON: You wait, my girl. Pride comes before a fall. Won't catch a husband with your nose in the air, you know.

MRS. BRAMSON: Don't like men, I suppose? Never heard of them, I suppose? Don't believe you. See?

MRS. BRAMSON (taking up "East Lynne" from the table): It'll cloud over, I expect.

OLIVIA: I don't think so. The trees look beautiful with the sun on them. Everything looks so clean. (Lifting up three books from the window seat) Shall I pack the other half of Mrs. Henry Wood?

MRS. BRAMSON: Mrs. Henry Wood? Who's Mrs. Henry Wood? Pack the other half of Mrs. Henry Wood? What are you talking about?

MRS. BRAMSON (looking at her book): Oh … (Picking a paper out of it.) What's this? (Reading ponderously) A sonnet. "The flame of passion is not red but white, not quick but slow—"

MRS. BRAMSON: Writing poetry! That's a hobby and a half, I must say!
"Flame of passion …" well!

OLIVIA (crossing to the fireplace): It's only a silly poem I amused myself with at college. It's not meant for anybody but me.

MRS. TERENCE enters from the kitchen. She is the cook, middle-aged,
Cockney, and fearless. She carries a bunch of roses.

MRS. BRAMSON: You can't expect the girl to gather firewood with one hand and clear breakfast with the other. Clear away.

MRS. TERENCE (crossing to the table, under her breath): All right, you sour-faced old hag.

HUBERT drops his pipe. MRS. BRAMSON winces and looks away. MRS. TERENCE clears the table.

MRS. TERENCE: She 'eard. And then she 'as to save 'er face and pretend she 'asn't. She knows nobody but me'd stay with 'er a day if I went.

MRS. TERENCE (taking up her tray and starting for the kitchen): Then you come out and pick the ones you want, and you'll only 'ave yourself to blame.

BRAMSON: No. I'm upset for the day now. I'd better see she does pick the right roses. (Wheeling herself, muttering) That woman's a menace. Good mind to bring an action against her. She ought to be put away…. (Shouting) Wait for me, wait for me!

Her voice dies away in the kitchen. The kitchen door closes. HUBERT and OLIVIA are alone.

OLIVIA: That's the fifth action she's threatened to bring this week. (She crosses to the right window.)

HUBERT: She's a good one to talk about putting away. Crikey! She'll be found murdered one of these days…. (Suddenly reading from his paper) "In India a population of three and a half hundred million is loyal to Britain; now——"

OLIVIA: It's such a very inadequate expression, don't you think?… (After a pause) How bright the sun is to-day….

OLIVIA: I was just thinking … I often wonder on a very fine morning what it'll be like … for night to come. And I never can. And yet it's got to…. (Looking at his perplexed face) It is silly, isn't it?

DORA comes in from the kitchen with a duster and crosses towards the bedroom. She is a pretty, stupid, and rather sluttish country girl of twenty, wearing a maid's uniform. She looks depressed.

DORA: Oh…. (Peering past her) Oh. 'Adn't seen them. What are they doing poking about in that bush?

OLIVIA (absently): I don't know. I saw them yesterday too, farther down the woods.

HUBERT: I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to stand it myself.
Coming over here every day for another week.

OLIVIA (smiling): There's nothing to prevent you staying at home every day for another week … is there?

HUBERT (still apparently reading his paper): Oh, yes, there is. What d'you think I invite myself to lunch every day for? You don't think it's the old geyser, do you?

HUBERT: Don't want to sound rude, et cetera, but women don't get men proposing to them every day, you know … (Turning over a page) Gosh, what a wizard machine—

OLIVIA (sitting at the left of the table): I can't think why you want to marry me, as a matter of fact. It isn't the same as if I were very pretty, or something.

OLIVIA: I'll tell you why, then, if it makes you feel any better. You're cautious; and you want to marry me because I'm quiet. I'd make you a steady wife, and run a home for you.

OLIVIA (after a pause, tolerant but weary): Because you're an unmitigated bore.

HUBERT: A bore? (Horrified) Me, a bore? Upon my word, Olivia, I think you're a bit eccentric, I do really. Sorry to be rude, and all that, but that's put the kybosh on it! People could call me a thing or two, but I've never been called a bore!

HUBERT: I suppose you'd be more likely to say "Yes" if I were an unmitigated bounder?

HUBERT (going to her): You're a rum girl, Olivia, upon my soul you are. P'raps that's why I think you're so jolly attractive. Like a mouse one minute, and then this straight-from-the-shoulder business…. What is a sonnet?

HUBERT: Oh, yes, Shakespeare…. Never knew you did a spot of rhyming, Olivia! Now that's what I mean about you…. We'll have to start calling you Elizabeth Bronte!

OLIVIA: I'm being silly, I know—of course I ought to get married, and of course this is a wonderful chance, and—HUBERT (moving to her): Good egg! Then you will? OLIVIA (stalling): Give me a—another week or two—will you?

OLIVIA rises and goes to the right window. HUBERT hurries into the sun-room. MRS. BRAMSON is wheeled back from the kitchen by MRS. TERENCE, to the centre of the room. She (MRS. BRAMSON) has found the pretext for the scene she has been longing to make since she got up this morning.

MRS. TERENCE (at the top of her voice): Dora! (Opening the front door and calling into the trees) Dora!

MRS. BRAMSON: Broken three of my Crown Derby, that's all. Thought if she planted them in the rose-bed I wouldn't be well enough ever to see them, I suppose. Well, I have seen.

She collects the table-cloth, fetches a vase from the mantelpiece, and goes into the kitchen. DORA enters gingerly from the bedroom, carrying a cup and saucer on a tray.

OLIVIA (coming between DORA and MRS. BRAMSON): Come along, Dora, it's not as bad as all that.

DORA (with a cry): Oh, please I … (Kneeling, and collecting broken china) Oh, ma'am—I'm not meself, you see…. (Snivelling) I'm in a terrible trouble….

DORA (putting the china in her apron): The idea of me stealing…. I do go to Sunday school, anyways….

MRS. BRAMSON: So that's the game. Wouldn't think butter would melt in her mouth…. You'll have to go, of course; I can't have that sort of thing in this house—and stop squeaking! You'll bring my heart on again. It's all this modern life. I've always said so. All these films and rubbish.

DORA: A boy I know; Dan his name is—'leas' 'e's not a gentleman. He's a page-boy at the Tallboys.

MRS. BRAMSON: The Tallboys? D'you mean that new-fangled place all awnings and loud speakers and things?

MRS. BRAMSON: Just the nice ripe sort of place for mischief, it always looked to me. All those lanterns…. What's his character, the good-for-nothing scoundrel?

DORA: Oh, he's nice, really. He done the wrong thing by me, but he's all right, if you know what I mean….

DORA: He's sort of Welsh, I think. 'E's been to sea, too. He's funny, of course. Ever so open. Baby-face they call him. Though I never seem to get 'old of what 'e's thinking, somehow—

MRS. BRAMSON: I'll get hold of what he's thinking, all right. I've had my knife into that sort ever since I was a girl.

DORA: Oh, mum, if I got him to let you speak to him—d'you think I could stay on?

DORA: Shall I—(Eagerly) As a matter of fact, ma'am, he's gone on a message on his bicycle to Payley Hill this morning, and he said he might pop in to see me on the way back—

MRS. BRAMSON: That's right; nothing like visitors to brighten your mornings, eh? I'll deal with him.

DORA: Yes…. (Going, and turning at the kitchen door—in impulsive relief) Oh, ma'am—

DORA: Well, ma'am, I was going to say I don't know how to thank you for your generosity….

OLIVIA crosses to the medicine cupboard and fetches the medicine. MRS. TERENCE comes in from the kitchen with a vase of flowers and barges between the sofa and the wheelchair.

MRS. TERENCE (arranging flowers as OLIVIA gives MRS. BRAMSON her medicine): Playing with fiddlesticks. We're only young once; that 'ot summer too. She's been a fool, but she's no criminal. And, talking of criminals, there's a p'liceman at the kitchen door.

MRS. TERENCE: Better ask 'im. I know my conscience is clear; I don't know about other people's.

DORA (terrified): There's a man there! From the p'lice! 'E said something about the Tallboys! 'E—'e 'asn't come about me, 'as 'e?

MRS. BRAMSON (sharply); It's against the law, what she's done, isn't it? (To DORA) Go back in there till he sends for you.

OLIVIA (at the left window): He isn't a policeman, as a matter of fact. He must be a plain-clothes man.

(Going to the hall_) On a very particular matter…. (Turning on MRS. BRAMSON) And don't you start callin' me silly!

BELSIZE enters, followed by MRS. TERENCE. He is an entirely inconspicuous man of fifty, dressed in tweeds: his suavity hides any amount of strength.

MRS. BRAMSON (taking it, sarcastically): I suppose you're going to tell me you're from Scotland Ya—(She sees the name on the card.)

MRS. TERENCE gives him a chair next the table. He sits. MRS.
TERENCE stands behind the table.

MRS. TERENCE: I don't want to go. I might 'ave to be arrested for stealing sugar.

BELSIZE: Sugar?… As a matter of fact, you might be useful. Any of you may be useful. Mind my pipe?

BELSIZE: I beg your pardon?… Oh no! That sort of thing's hardly in my line, thank God … Lonely spot … (To MRS. TERENCE) Long way for you to walk every day, isn't it?

BELSIZE: I just thought if she walked she might use some of the paths, and have seen—something.

OLIVIA (sitting on the sofa): Perhaps I'd better introduce myself. I'm Olivia Grayne, Mrs. Bramson's niece. I work for her.

HUBERT (sitting at the table, effusively): I know a chap on the Stock Exchange who was taken last year and shown over the Black Museum at Scotland Yard.

BELSIZE: I expect so…. (Getting down to business) Now I wonder if any of you've seen anything in the least out of the ordinary round here lately? Anybody called—anybody strange wandering about in the woods—overheard anything?

HUBERT: As a matter of fact, funny thing did happen to me. Tuesday afternoon it was, I remember now.

HUBERT (graphically): I was walking back to my cottage from golf, and I heard something moving stealthily behind a tree, or a bush, or something.

HUBERT: Not a thing. By Jove, fancy walking in the woods and stumbling over a dead body! Most embarrassing!

MRS. TERENCE: I've stumbled over bodies in them woods afore now. But they wasn't dead. Oh, no.

MRS. TERENCE: Well, I've told 'im all I've seen. A bit o' love now and again. Though 'ow they make do with all them pine-needles beats me.

MRS. BRAMSON: Miss Grayne's always moping round the woods. Perhaps she can tell you something.

OLIVIA: I haven't seen anything, I'm afraid…. Oh—I saw some men beating the undergrowth—

HUBERT: "Always carry a stick's" my motto. I'd like to see a tramp try anything on with me. Ah-ha! Swish!

MRS. TERENCE: Chalfont? Oh, yes! Dyed platinum blonde—widow of a colonel, so she says, livin' alone, so she says, always wearin' them faldalaldy openwork stockings. Fond of a drop too. That's 'er.

MRS. TERENCE: Never set eyes on 'er. But you know how people talk.
Partial to that there, too, I'm told.

BELSIZE (quickly): Well, anyway … Mrs. Chalfont left the Tallboys last Friday afternoon, without a hat, went for a walk through the woods in this direction, and has never been seen since.

BELSIZE: We've had the woods pretty well thrashed. (To OLIVIA) Those would be the men you saw. Now she was … HUBERT (taking the floor): She may have had a brain-storm, you know, and taken a train somewhere. That's not uncommon, you know, among people of her sort. (Airing knowledge) And if what we gather from our friend here's true—and she's both a dipsomaniac and a nymphomaniac—

BELSIZE: We found her bag in her room; and maniacs can't get far without cash … however dipso or nympho they may be….

BELSIZE: She was a very flashy type of wo—she is a flashy type,
I should say. At least I hope I should say …

MRS. BRAMSON: Lot of stuff and nonsense. From a policeman too.
Anybody'd think you'd been brought up on penny dreadfuls.

BELSIZE (to MRS. BRAMSON): Did you see about the fellow being hanged for the Ipswich murder? In last night's papers?

HUBERT: Everybody likes a good murder, as the saying goes! Remember those trials in the Evening Standard last year? Jolly interesting. I followed—

BELSIZE (rising): I'd be very grateful if you'd all keep your eyes and ears open, just in case … (Shaking hands) Good morning … good morning … good morning, Mrs. Bramson. I must apologise again for intruding—

OLIVIA: Well, here we all are, perfectly ordinary English people. We woke up … no, it's silly.

BELSIZE (giving MRS. BRAMSON an impatient look): No, go on. OLIVIA: Well, we woke up this morning, thinking, "Here's another day." We got up, looked at the weather, and talked; and here we all are, still talking…. And all that time——

BELSIZE (quelling her sternly): If you please! I want to hear what she's got to say. (To OLIVIA) Well?

OLIVIA: All that time … there may be something … lying in the woods. Hidden under a bush, with two feet just showing. Perhaps one high heel catching the sunlight, with a bird perched on the end of it; and the other—a stockinged foot, with blood … that's dried into the openwork stocking. And there's a man walking about somewhere, and talking, like us; and he woke up this morning, and looked at the weather. … And he killed her…. (Smiling, looking out of the window) The cat doesn't believe a word of it, anyhow. It's just walking away.

MRS. TERENCE: Ooh, Miss Grayne, you give me the creeps! I'm glad it is morning, that's all I can say….

BELSIZE: I don't think the lady can quite describe herself as ordinary, after that little flight of fancy!

BELSIZE: I can only hope she's wrong, or it'll mean a nice job of work for us! … Well, if anything funny happens, nip along to Shepperley police station. Pity you're not on the 'phone. Good morning…. Good morning….

HUBERT (crossing to the fireplace): Funny, I can't get out of my mind what Olivia said about the man being somewhere who's done it.

MRS. TERENCE (coming into the room): Why, Mr. Laurie, it might be you! After all, there's nothing in your face that proves it isn't!

HUBERT: Oh, come, come! You're being a bit hard on the old countenance, aren't you?

MRS. TERENCE: Well, 'e's not going to walk about with bloodshot eyes and a snarl all over his face, is he?

MRS. BRAMSON: Missing woman indeed! She's more likely than not at this very moment sitting in some saloon bar. Or the films, I shouldn't wonder. (To OLIVIA) pass me my wool, will you….

OLIVIA crosses to the desk. A knock at the kitchen door: DORA appears, cautiously.

MRS. BRAMSON: I'm ready for him. (Waving aside the wool which OLIVIA brings to her) The sooner he's made to realise what his duty is, the better. I'll give him baby-face!

OLIVIA: The maid's going to have a baby. (She crosses and puts the wool in the cupboard of the desk.)

HUBERT: Is she, by Jove!… Don't look at me like that, Mrs. Bramson!
I've only been in the county two weeks…. But is he from the
Tallboys?

DORA comes back to the front door, looks back, and beckons. She is followed by DAN, _who saunters past her into the room. He is a young fellow wearing a blue pill-box hat, uniform trousers, a jacket too small for him, and bicycle-clips: the stub of a cigarette dangles between his lips. He speaks with a rough accent, indeterminate, but more Welsh than anything else.

His personality varies very considerably as the play proceeds: the impression he gives at the moment is one of totally disarming good humour and childlike unself-consciousness. It would need a very close observer to suspect that there is something wrong somewhere—that this personality is completely assumed._ DORA shuts the front door and comes to the back of the sofa.

DAN: That's me. (Grinning.) Silly name, isn't it? (After a pause.) I must apologise to all and sundry for this fancy dress, but it's my working togs. I been on duty this mornin', and my hands isn't very clean. You see, I didn't know as it was going to be a party.

DAN: Yes. (Taking the stub out of his mouth with alacrity and taking off his hat) Oh, I'm sorry. I always forget my manners with a cigarette when I'm in company…. (Pushing the stub behind his ear, as OLIVIA crosses to the armchair) I always been clumsy in people's houses. I am sorry.

DAN: Yes…. Excuse me smiling, but it sounds funny when you put it like that, doesn't it?

DAN: Oh, no, I didn't pick her up! I asked her for a match, and then I took her for a bit of a walk, to take her mind off her work—

DAN (smiling at him, then catching MRS. BRAMSON's eye): I've thought about it a good bit since, I can tell you. Though it's a bit awkward talking about it in front of strangers; though you all look very nice people; but it is a bit awkward—

HUBERT: I should jolly well think it is awkward for a chap! Though of course, never having been in the same jam myself—

HUBERT (coming to DAN'S left): Then perhaps you can tell us something about the female who's been murdered?—

An unaccountable pause. DAN looks slowly from OLIVIA to HUBERT, and back again.

Well, can you tell us? You know there was a Mrs. Chalfont staying at the Tallboys who went off one day?

DAN (to MRS. BRAMSON): But I thought you said—or somebody said—something about—a murder?

HUBERT: Oh, we don't_know_, of course, but there might have been, mightn't there?

DAN: What's she like?… (To MRS. BRAMSON)—She's … on the tall side. Thin ankles, with one o' them bracelets on one of 'em. (Looking at OLIVIA) Fair hair—

DAN (after a pause, in a level voice): Thin eyebrows, with white marks, where they was pulled out … to be in the fashion, you know…. Her mouth … a bit thin as well, with red stuff painted round it, to make it look more; you can rub it off … I suppose. Her neck … rather thick. Laughs a bit loud; and then it stops. (After a pause) She's … very lively. (With a quick smile that dispels the atmosphere he has unaccountably created) You can't say I don't keep my eyes skinned, can you?

HUBERT: I should say you do! A living portrait, if ever there was one, what? Now—

MRS. BRAMSON: If he weren't so observant, that Dora mightn't be in the flummox she is now.

She goes into the sun-room. He makes a grimace after her and holds his left hand out, the thumb pointing downwards.

MRS. BRAMSON: You're a proper one to talk about next summer, when Dora there'll be up hill and down dale with a perambulator. Now look here, young man, immorality—

MRS. TERENCE: The butcher wants paying. And 'e says there's men ferreting at the bottom of the garden looking for that Mrs. Chalfont and do you know about it.

MRS. BRAMSON (furious): Well, they won't ferret long, not among my pampas grass!… (Calling) Olivia!… Oh, that girl's never there. (Wheeling herself furiously towards the kitchen as MRS. TERENCE makes a move to help her) Leave me alone. I don't want to be pushed into the nettles to-day, thank you … (Shouting loudly as she disappears into the kitchen) Come out of my garden, you! Come out!

MRS. TERENCE (looking towards the kitchen as DAN takes the stub from behind his ear and lights it): Won't let me pay the butcher, so I won't know where she keeps 'er purse; but I do know, so put that in your pipe and smoke it!

DAN (going to her and jabbing her playfully in the arm): They say down at the Tallboys she's got enough inside of 'er purse, too. MRS. TERENCE: Well, nobody's seen it open. If you 'ave a peep inside, young fellow, you'll go down in 'istory, that's what you'll do … (Dan salutes her. She sniffs) Something's boiling over.

A pause. He surveys her from under drooping lids, rolling his cigarette on his lower lip.

She senses his insolence, goes self-consciously to the desk and takes out the wool.

DORA (eagerly): What did she … (confused, seeing
OLIVIA) Oh, beg pardon, miss….

She hurries back into the kitchen. DAN jerks head after her with a laugh and looks at OLIVIA.

OLIVIA (arranging wool at the table): I'm not a snob, but, in case you ever call here again, I'd like to point out that though I'm employed by my aunt, I'm not quite in Dora's position.

DAN: Oh, I hope not … (She turns away, confused. He moves to her.) Though I'll be putting it all right for Dora. I'm going to marry her. And—

OLIVIA (absorbed in her wool-sorting): Your eyes are set quite wide apart, your hands are quite good … I don't really know what's wrong with you.

DAN looks at his outspread hands. A pause. He breaks it, and goes nearer to her.

DAN (persuasively): You know, I've been looking at you too.
You're lonely, aren't you? I could see—

OLIVIA: I'm sorry, it's a waste of time doing your stuff with me. I'm not the type. (Crossing to the desk and turning suddenly to him) Are you playing up to Mrs. Bramson?

OLIVIA: It crossed my mind for a minute. You stand a pretty poor chance there, you know.

MRS. BRAMSON: They say they've got permits to look for that silly woman—who are they, I'd like to know? If there's anything I hate, it's these men who think they've got authority.

DAN: Wait a minute … (Putting his hat on the table and going to her) Are you sure you're comfortable like that? Don't you think, Mrs. Bramson, you ought to be facin' … a wee bit more this side, towards the sun more, eh? (He moves her chair round till she is in the centre of the room, facing the sun-room) You're looking pale, you know. (As she stares at him, putting the stub in an ashtray on the table) I am sorry. Excuse rudeness … Another thing, Mrs. Bramson—you don't mind me sayin' it, do you?—but you ought to have a rug, you know. This October weather's very treacherous.

DAN: Washed out. (His wiles fully turned on, but not overdone in the slightest) The minute I saw you just now, I said to myself, now there's a lady that's got a lot to contend with.

DAN: No, I'm sure … Oh, it must be terrible to watch everybody else striding up and down enjoying everything, and to see everybody tasting the fruit—

As she looks at him, appreciation of what he is saying grows visibly in her face.

MRS. BRAMSON: But it's true! As true as you are my witness, and nobody else—(Pulling herself together) Now look here, about that girl—

DAN: Excuse me a minute…. (Examining her throat, like a doctor) Would you mind sayin' something?

DAN: There's a funny twitching in your neck when you talk—very slight, of course—nerves, I expect—But I hope your doctor knows all about it … D'you mind if I ask what your ailments are?

DAN: It's a pretty bad thing to have, you know. D'you know that nine women out of ten in your position'd be just sittin' down givin' way?

DAN: Yes, they would! I do know, as a matter of fact. I've known people with palpitations. Somebody very close to me … (After a pause, soberly) They're dead now …

With finely controlled emotion, practically indistinguishable from the real thing.

DAN: She died when I was six. I know that, because my dad died two years before that.

MRS. BRAMSON: Of your mother? (As he nods simply, her sentimentality stirring) Oh …

DAN: Oh … But I don't like to talk too much about my mother. (Putting a finger unobtrusively to his eye) Makes me feel … sort of sad … (With a sudden thought) She had the same eyes very wide apart as you, and—and the same very good hands.

MRS. BRAMSON (looking interestedly at her fingers): Oh?… And the same palpitations?

DAN: And the same palpitations. You don't mind me talking about your health, do you?

DAN: Well, d'you know, you ought to get used to letting other people do things for you.

MRS. BRAMSON: Yes! (After a pause, eyeing him as he smiles at her) You're a funny boy to be a page-boy.

MRS. BRAMSON: Well, now I come to talk to you, you seem so much better class—I mean, you know so much of the world—

DAN: I've knocked about a good bit, you know. Never had any advantages, but I always tried to do the right thing.

MRS. BRAMSON (patronisingly): I think you deserve better— (sharply again) Talking of the right thing, what about Dora?

DAN (disarming): Oh, I know I'm to blame; I'm not much of a chap, but I'd put things straight like a shot if I had any money … But, you see, I work at the Tallboys, get thirty bob a week, with tips—but listen to me botherin' you with my worries and rubbish the state you're in … well!

DAN: Well … (looking round at OLIVIA) That's very kind of you, Mrs. Bramson …

DAN (going to her with alacrity, taking the parcel from her):
I'll post them for you.

DAN: I'm passing Shepperley post office on the bike before post time to-morrow morning. With pleasure!

DAN: Now? Well, no, not really … I've finished on duty now I done that errand, and this is my half day.

DAN (apparently taken aback, after a look at OLIVIA): Well—I don't like to impose myself—

DAN: Well—I don't know … all right, so long as you let me help a bit this morning … Don't you want some string for this? Where's it kep'?

He tosses the books on the sofa and hurries into the kitchen. MRS. BRAMSON holds out her hands and studies them with a new interest.

MRS. BRAMSON: You ought to learn to be a little less bitter, my dear. Never hook a man if you don't. With him and that Dora, I'm not so sure it wasn't six of one and half a dozen of the other. I know human nature, and, mark my word, that boy's going to do big things.

A scurry in the garden. MRS. TERENCE rushes in from the front door, madly excited.

MRS. TERENCE: The paper-boy's at the back gate, and says there's a placard in Shepperley, and it's got "News of the World—Shepperley Mystery" on it!

MRS. BRAMSON: Running around the house shouting like a lunatic!
Sensation mad! Silly woman!

MRS. TERENCE runs back with three Sunday newspapers and gives one to OLIVIA and one to MRS. BRAMSON.

MRS. TERENCE (leaning over the table, searching in her paper):
'E says they're sellin' like ninepins—

OLIVIA: Here it is…. (Reading) "Disappeared mysteriously … woods round the village being searched" … then her description … tall … blonde….

OLIVIA: Here's something … "A keeper in the Shepperley woods was closely questioned late last night, but he had heard nothing, beyond a woman's voice in the woods on the afternoon in question, and a man's voice, probably with her, singing 'Mighty Lak a Rose.' Enquiries are being pursued…."

MRS. TERENCE: Oh yes…. It's the 'eadline in this one. (Humming the tune absently as she reads) "Don't know what to call you, but you're mighty lak a rose." … Those men have done rummaging in the garden, anyway.

MRS. BRAMSON: I must go this minute and have a look at my pampas grass.
And if they've damaged it I'll bring an action.

MRS. TERENCE (manoeuvring her through the front door): I could talk me 'ead off and not talk as much as some people I could mention.

OLIVIA is alone. A pause. She spreads her paper on the table and finds DAN'S hat under it. She picks it up and looks at it; DAN comes in from the kitchen with a ball of tangled string, a cigarette between his lips. He is about to take the books into the kitchen, when he sees her. He crosses to her.

DAN: Excuse me … (Taking the hat from her, cheerfully) I think
I'll hang it in the hall, same as if I was a visitor …

He does so, then takes up the book, sits on the sofa, and begins to unravel the string. A pause.

OLIVIA: It's not for me to say. As I told you before, I'm really a servant here.

He unpicks a knot, and begins to hum absentmindedly. The humming gradually resolves itself into faint singing.

OLIVIA _looks up; a thought crosses her mind. She turns her head and looks at him.

THE CURTAIN IS DOWN

ACT II

SCENE I

MRS. BRAMSON is sitting on the right of the table in her invalid chair, puzzling out a game of patience. She has smartened up her appearance in the interval and is wearing purple, and earrings. OLIVIA _is sitting opposite her, smoking a cigarette, a pencil and pad on the table in front of her; she is pondering and writing. A portable gramophone on a small table next the desk is playing the H.M.V. dance record of "Dames."

A pause_. MRS. BRAMSON coughs. She coughs again, and looks at OLIVIA, waving her hand before her, clearing away billows of imaginary smoke.

OLIVIA stubs out her cigarette with a resigned look and goes on making notes. DAN enters from the kitchen, keeping time to the music, carrying a bunch of roses, wearing overalls over flannel trousers and a brown golf jacket, and smoking. He goes to the fireplace and clumps the roses into a vase on the mantelpiece, humming the tune. He crosses to the gramophone, still in rhythm, MRS. BRAMSON keeping time skittishly with her hands. He turns off the gramophone and looks over OLIVIA'S shoulder at what she is writing.

DAN (singing): "Their home addresses … and their caresses … linger in my memory of … those beautiful dames" … (His hand to his forehead) That's me!

DAN shrugs his shoulders, stands behind MRS. BRAMSON'S chair, and studies her play. OLIVIA follows his example from her side.

(Pleased and interested, quite unconscious to the difference in her attitude_) Oh, yes, dear, of course….

MRS. BRAMSON: Oh yes, dear, so it is! OLIVIA (writing): The ironmonger says there were two extra gallons of paraffin not paid for.

MRS. BRAMSON: And they won't be paid for either—not if I have to go to law about it.

This has its effect on OLIVIA. DAN sits on the left of the table, where "East Lynne" is open on the table.

DAN (reading): "'You old-fashioned child!' retorted Mrs. Vane. 'Why did you not put on your diamonds?' 'I-did-put on my diamonds,' stammered Lady Isabel. 'But I—took them off again.' 'What on earth for?'" That's the other lady speaking there—

DAN: "'What on earth for?' … 'I did not like to be too fine,' answered Lady Isabel, with a laugh—" (turning over) "—and a blush. 'They glittered so! I feared it might be thought I had put them on to look fine.'"

DAN (flicking ash): Oh, yes, reelistic…. (Reading) "'I see you mean to set up among that class of people who pree-tend to dee-spise ornyment,' scornfully ree-marked Mrs. Vane. 'It is the ree-finement of aff-affectation, Lady Isabel——'"

An excited knock at the kitchen door. DORA enters. DAN turns back the page and surveys what he has been reading, scratching his head.

MRS. BRAMSON: You don't mean to tell me they're still at it? But they've been pottering about since … when was that day Mr. Dan left the Tallboys?

DAN'S humming stops abruptly; he swivels round and looks at
DORA, his face unseen by the audience. OLIVIA and MRS.
BRAMSON stare at DORA; a pause.

She holds out her left arm and lets jail from her fist the length of a soiled belt. A pause. OLIVIA puts down her pencil and pad, goes to her, and looks at the belt.

MRS. BRAMSON (baulked of excitement): Oh yes, I thought I recognised it…. What nonsense!…

He hurries to the medicine cupboard and pours medicine into a spoon. HUBERT comes in from the front door.

DAN drowns her speech by deftly pouring the spoonful of medicine down her throat. He pushes her chocolate-box towards her, and strides briskly into the hall.

DAN (taking a soft hat from the rack and putting it on): Good for you, though, the way you are….

DAN (coming into the room, and beginning to take off his overalls): And now it's time for your walk…. (Smiling at OLIVIA) It's all right, I got trousers on…. (Peeling the overalls over his feet, and tossing them on to the left window-seat) Listen to me talking about your walk, when you'll be in a chair all the time…. (Chuckling, to HUBERT) That's funny, isn't it!… (Going to MRS. BRAMSON) Come on, I got your shawl and your rug in the hall….

DAN: Well, I don't know, do I? And I carry your rug on my shoulder…. (To the others) See you later! Be good!

HUBERT (a little taken aback): Him? Grannie's white-headed boy, you mean? Oh, he's all right. (Heavily.) A bit slow on the uptake, of course. I wish he'd occasionally take that fag-end out of his mouth.

HUBERT: That's true. That's why he's made such a hit with her. Funny I haven't been able to manage it. In two weeks, too … it's uncanny.

OLIVIA: Looks? (After a pause.) It's rather frightening to think what a face can hide…. I sometimes catch sight of one looking at me. Careful lips, and blank eyes…. And then I find I'm staring at myself in the glass … and I realise how successfully I'm hiding the thoughts I know so well … and then I know we're all … strangers. Windows, with blinds, and behind them … secrets. What's behind his eyes? (After a pause, with a smile) You're quite right, it is morbid.

HUBERT: D'you think he's a thief or something? By Jove, I left my links on the washstand before lunch!

OLIVIA: He's acting … every minute of the time. I know he is! But he's acting pretty well, because I don't know how I know…. He's walking about here all day, and talking a little, and smiling, and smoking cigarettes…. Impenetrable … that's what it is! What's going on—in his mind? What's he thinking of? (Vehemently ) He is thinking of something! All the time! What is it?

DAN: Anybody seen my lady's pills? It's a matter of life and death….
I thought I had 'em.

OLIVIA (after a pause, in a level voice): Oh, yes. They're in the top drawer of the desk. I'm so sorry.

DAN (on his way to the front door): Off colour? She's never been on it, man! To hear her go on you'd think the only thing left is artificial respiration, And chocolates…. (Laughing, and calling) Coming!

OLIVIA: But what you've just seen … that's exactly what I mean! It's acting! He's not being himself for a minute—it's all put on for our benefit … don't you see?

MRS. TERENCE (shutting the kitchen door and coming into the middle of the room): Terrible liar, o' course. But then a lot of us are. Told me he used to 'unt to 'ounds and 'ave 'is own pack. Before 'e went up in the world and went as a page-boy, I suppose.

OLIVIA (to HUBERT): You see? He wouldn't try that on with us, but couldn't resist it with her.

HUBERT: I wonder how soon the old girl'll get his number?… Oh, but fair play, we're talking about the chap as if he were the most terrible——

OLIVIA: I don't know, but I feel so strongly … Is Dora there?… (Calling cautiously) Dora!

MRS. TERENCE: Oh, she won't know anything. She's as 'alf-witted as she's lazy, and that's sayin' a lot. She'd cut 'er nose off to stop the dust-bin smelling sooner than empty it, she would.

DORA (perplexed): Oh … only how-do-you-do and beg-your-pardon. I've never really spent any time in 'is company, you see. Except, o' course—

DORA: Oh…. (Moving to the centre of the room) 'E's all right. Takes 'is fun where 'e finds it. And leaves it…. Cracks 'imself up, you know. Pretends 'e doesn't care a twopenny, but always got 'is eye on what you're thinking of 'im … if you know what I mean.

OLIVIA: That's just it—and then he's suddenly so … extraordinary.
I've felt it ever since I heard him sing that song—I told you—

HUBERT: That "mighty-lak-a-rose" thing, you mean? Oh, but it's a pretty well-known one—

OLIVIA: It's more than that. I've kept on saying to myself: No, murder's a thing we read about in the papers; it isn't real life; it can't touch us. … But it can. And it's here. All round us. In the forest … in this house. We're … living with it. (After a pause, rising decisively) Bring his luggage in here, will you, Mrs. Terence?

MRS. TERENCE (staggered): 'Is luggage? (Recovering, to
DORA) Give me a 'and.

She runs to each window and looks out across the forest. MRS. TERENCE returns carrying luggage: one large and one small suitcase. DORA follows, lugging an old-fashioned thick leather hat-box. MRS. TERENCE places the suitcases on the table; DORA plants the hat-box in the middle of the floor.

OLIVIA snaps open the lid of the larger suitcase with a jerk. A pause. They look, almost afraid. DORA moves to the back of the table.

MRS. TERENCE (taking the letter from the envelope): Don't be silly, dear, your wife'll do it to you 'undreds of times…. (Sniffing the note-paper) Pooh…. (Reading, as they crane over her shoulder) "Dear Baby-Face my own …" Signed Lil….

MRS. TERENCE (reading, heavily): "… Next time you strike
Newcastle, O.K. by me, baby…." Ooh!

OLIVIA (rummaging in the pocket-book): Bus ticket to Thorburton, some snaps …

MRS. TERENCE (crowding between them): Look at 'er!… The impudence, 'er being taken in a bathing-suit!…

HUBERT: The missing female! In front of the tall man…. You remember the photograph of her in the Mirror?

DORA: The little Eton collar…. Oh, dear … ever so sweet, isn't it?
MRS. TERENCE: Now that's what I call a real innocent face….

OLIVIA: Wait a minute, wasn't there another one? (Seeing the hat-box) Oh, yes….

A pause. They stare at her, fascinated by her thought. The front door bangs. They are electrified into action: but it is too late. It is DAN. He goes briskly to the table.

DAN: She wants to sit in the sun now and have a bit of East
Lynne. Talk about changin' your mind—

He sees the suitcases on the table before him, and is motionless and silent. A pause. The others dare not move. He finally breaks the situation, takes up "East Lynne" from the table, and walks slowly back to the front door. He stops, looks round at HUBERT, smiles, and comes down to him. His manner is normal—too normal.

HUBERT: Not at all … I … (To OLIVIA) Here, you deal with this. It's beyond me.

DAN: Yes. Where I should be keeping my money, only any bit of money I have I always keep on me. (Turning to HUBERT) Safer, don't you think?

DAN: I only keep one ten-bob note in this wallet, for emergencies…. (Looking) That's funny. It's gone.

He looks at HUBERT. The others look blankly at one another. … I expect I dropped it somewhere…. What did you think of the letter?

DAN: Means well, does Lil; but we had a row. (Taking back the letter) She would spy on me. And if there's anythin' I hate, it's spyin'. Don't you agree?

DAN: I'd sooner have anythin' than a spy. (To MRS. TERENCE) Bar a murderer, o' course.

OLIVIA steps forward. MRS. TERENCE steps back from the chair on which the hat-box has been placed.

OLIVIA (incisively): Talking of murder, do you know anything about Mrs. Chalfont's whereabouts at the moment?

DAN turns to her, and for the first time sees the hat-box. He stands motionless. A pause.

DAN (turning to HUBERT, recovering himself): Oh, Mrs. Chalfont's whereabouts! I thought she said her name was Mrs. Chalfontswear. (Profusely) Silly…. Swear—about—couldn't think——

DAN (still looking at HUBERT, brightly, after a pause):
I've nothin' to go on, but I think she's been … murdered.

DAN: They say she had several chaps on a string, and——(Suddenly) There was one fellow, a London chap, a bachelor, very citified—with a fair moust——(He stares at HUBERT.)

HUBERT (touching his moustache, unconsciously): What are you looking at me for?

DAN smiles and shrugs his shoulders regretfully at him, and goes out through the front door. OLIVIA sits at the table.

He takes his hat and stick as he goes through the hall, and goes out through the front door.

MRS. TERENCE (to OLIVIA): The way you worked us all up! Doesn't it all go to show—

She hears DAN return, and looks round apprehensively. He goes to the table slowly and looks at the two suitcases.

DAN (smiling, to MRS. TERENCE): Would you mind please givin' me a hand with the tidyin' up?… (Taking up the suitcases) And carryin' the other one?… (Going into the kitchen, followed by MRS. TERENCE carrying the hat-box) Looks as if we're goin' on our holidays, doesn't it?…

OLIVIA is alone for a moment. She stares before her, perplexed. DAN returns. She looks away. He looks at her, his eyes narrowed. A pause. Studying her, he takes from a pocket of his jacket a formidable-looking clasp-knife, unclasps it, and tests the blade casually with his fingers. He glances at the mantelpiece, crosses to it, takes down a stick, and begins to sharpen the end of it. OLIVIA watches him. A pause. OLIVIA: Did you do it?

DAN: Don't you believe it…. (Surveying the shavings in the hearth) Tch!… Clumsy…. (Looking round, and seeing a newspaper lying on the table) Ah….

(Smiling, with the suspicion of a mock-bow_) Excuse me…. (He unfolds the newspaper on the table and begins to whittle the stick over it.)

DAN (staring at her, as if astonished): Actin'? Actin' what? (Leaning over the table, on both arms) Look at the way I can look you in the eyes. I'll stare you out….

OLIVIA (staring into his eyes): I have a theory it's the criminals who can look you in the eyes, and the honest people who blush and look away.

OLIVIA (after a pause, challenging): It's a very blank look, though, isn't it?

DAN: I dunno; 'cause I like it…. (Breaking the scene, pulling a chair round to the table) Now what d'ye say if I ask a question or two for a change? (Sitting in the chair facing her) Just for a change…. Why can't you take a bit of an interest in some other body but me?

OLIVIA (taken aback): I'm not interested in you. Only you don't talk. That's bound to make people wonder.

DAN: I can talk a lot sometimes. A drop o' drink makes a power o' difference to me. (Chuckling) You'd be surprised…. Ah….

OLIVIA (the tension at last relaxed): Oh, I don't know…. Because nothing much has ever happened to me, and it's a dull day, and it's the depths of the country…. I don't know….

The clatter of footsteps in the garden. DORA runs in from the hall, breathless and terrified.

She runs whimpering into the kitchen, as OLIVIA rises and runs to the left window and looks out.

SCENE II

_The music plays in darkness for a few bars, then the curtain rises again. The music fades away.

Late afternoon, two days later._ OLIVIA is seated above the table
snipping long cuttings from newspapers and pasting them into a ledger.
A knock at the front door. She starts nervously. Another knock.
MRS. TERENCE comes in from the kitchen carrying a smoothing-iron.

MRS. TERENCE: If it's them police again, I'll bash their helmets in with this. If it lands me three months, I will.

MRS. TERENCE: Then they're going to get 'urt…. (Going into the hall) I can tell by their looks what they think. And they better not think it, neither.

MRS. TERENCE (over her shoulder): They think it's me. I know they think it's me.

MRS. TERENCE: Oh … come in, sir. (Coming back into the room)
It's a civilian for a change.

MRS. TERENCE: Oh, terrible, terrible. There's one word for it; it's terrible. Forty-eight hours since they found 'er. They'll never get 'im now.

MRS. TERENCE: There was another charabanc load just after two o'clock. All standin' round the rubbish-'cap eatin' sandwiches. Sensation, that's what it is.

MRS. TERENCE: Mangled, she was, mangled…. Did you see your name in the Express, sir?

MRS. TERENCE: Little did you think, sir, when you was digging that pit for my rubbish, eh? 'E may 'ave been watchin' you digging it … ooh! I have to sit in my kitchen and think about it.

MRS. TERENCE (indignantly): How can I leave, with the whole village waitin' on me to tell 'em the latest? (Going towards the kitchen) I 'eard 'er 'ead must have been off at one stroke. One stroke….

HUBERT: How they all love it…. How's the old lady bearing up in the old invalid chair, eh?

OLIVIA: She's bursting out of it with health. And loving it more than anybody. This is my latest job—a press-cutting book. There was a picture of her in the Chronicle yesterday; she bought twenty-six copies.

HUBERT (taking his pipe out): She'll get to believe she did it herself in the end…. Is she in?

HUBERT: The lad pushing the go-cart?… He's the devoted son all right, isn't he?

HUBERT: Nice fellow. I've thought a lot about that prying into his things—pretty bad show, really, you know. (Going to the left window) I wonder if they'll ever nab him?

HUBERT: Damn clever job, you know, quietly…. That was a rum touch, finding that broken lipstick in the rubbish-heap…. You know, the fact they still have no idea where this woman's head is——

HUBERT: But you could, if you married me! Now, look here—— (Going to her) You said you'd tell me to-day. So here I am—er— popping the question again. There's nothing much to add, except to go over the old ground again, and say that I'm not what you'd call a terribly brainy chap, but I am straight.

HUBERT: Though, again, I'm not the sort that gets into corners with a pipe and never opens his mouth from one blessed year's end to the other. I can talk.

HUBERT: You can't? But you told me that day we might make a go of it, or words to that effect——

OLIVIA: Nothing's changed me, Hubert. I've just thought the matter over, that's all.

OLIVIA (startled): Don't be silly. (Collecting herself)
What man could I possibly meet, cooped up here?

The front door opens and DAN wheels in MRS. BRAMSON. He is as serene as ever, but more animated than before. He is dressed the same as in the previous scene, and is smoking his usual cigarette. HUBERT sits at the table.

DAN (hanging up her rug in the hall): Back home again.—I put your gloves away——

MRS. BRAMSON (as he wheels her in): I feel dead. (To
HUBERT) Oh, it's you…. I feel dead.

DAN (sitting beside her on the sofa, full of high spirits): Don't you be a silly old 'oman, you look as pretty as a picture— strawberries and cream in your face, and not a day over forty; and when I've made you a nice cup of tea you'll be twenty-five in the sun and eighteen with your back to the light, so you think yourself lucky!

MRS. BRAMSON (as he digs her in the side): Oh, Danny, you are a terror! (To the others) He's been at me like this all the way. I must say it keeps me alive.

DAN (wagging his finger at her): Ah-ha! (Hanging up her things in the hall) Now what'd you like a drop of in your tea—gin, whisky, liqueur, brandy, or a nice dollop of sailor's rum, eh?

MRS. BRAMSON: Just listen to him! Now don't make me laugh, dear, because there's always my heart.

DAN (sitting beside her again): You've lost your heart, you know you have, to the little feller that pushes your pram—you know you have!

MRS. BRAMSON (laughing shrilly): Pram! Well! (Her laugh cut short) It's wicked to laugh, with this—this thing all round us.

DAN (sobering portentously): I forgot. (As she shivers) Not in a draught, are you? (Shutting the front door and coming down to HUBERT) D'you remember, Mr. Laurie, me pulling your leg about you havin' done it? Funniest thing out!… Talk about laugh!

DAN (a glint of mischief in his eyes): I think I better get the tea before I get into hot water.

DAN (at the door): She don't make tea like me. I'm an old sailor, Miss Grayne. Don't you forget that.

MRS. BRAMSON (wheeling herself to the front of the table): Look here, Olivia, you're downright rude to that boy, and if there's one thing that never gets a woman anywhere, it's rudeness. What have you got against him?

HUBERT: Surely he's got more to say for himself to-day than when I met him before?

She goes into the bedroom. DAN returns from the kitchen, carrying a tray of tea and cakes.

DAN: There you are, fresh as a daisy.—Three lumps, as per usual, and some of the cakes you like——

MRS. BRAMSON (as he pours out her tea): Thank you, dear…. Let me smell your breath. (After smelling it) Clean as a whistle. Smells of peppermints.

MRS. BRAMSON (to HUBERT, as DAN pours out two more cups): So you won't stay to tea, Mr.—er——

I think I'll get off before it's dark. Good-bye, Mrs. Bramson. Good-bye,
Mr.—er——

DAN raises his cup as if drinking a toast to MRS. BRAMSON. She follows suit.

HUBERT: Can't be helped…. It'll get dark early to-day, I think. Funny how the evenings draw in this time of year. Good night.

MRS. BRAMSON: Never you mind, dear…. Any more of those terrible people called? Reporters? Police?

DAN (gaily): There's a definite fallin' off in attendance to-day.
Sunday, I expect.

MRS. BRAMSON (joining in his laughter): Oh, you are in a mood to-day! (Suddenly, imperiously) I want to be read to now.

DAN (crossing to the desk, in mock resignation): Your servant, mother o' mine…. What'll you have? The Channings? The Red Court Farm?

DAN: Well … oh! (Taking a large Bible from the top of the desk) What about the Bible?

MRS. BRAMSON (doubtfully): All right, dear; makes a nice change…. Not that I don't often dip into it.

DAN (turning over leaves thoughtfully): At random in the Old
Testament's a bit risky, don't you think so?

MRS. TERENCE (to MRS. BRAMSON): The paperboy's at the back door and says you're in the News of the World again.

MRS. BRAMSON (interested): Oh!… (Simulating indifference) That horrible boy again, when the one thing I want is to blot the whole thing out of my mind.

MRS. TERENCE: And 'e says there's a placard in Shepperley with your name on it.

MRS. BRAMSON: Oh. (As MRS. TERENCE reaches the kitchen door) Go at once into Shepperley and order some. At once!

MRS. BRAMSON: Can't be done? What d'you mean, can't be done? It's a scandal. What are you paid for?

MRS. TERENCE (coming back, furious): I'm not paid! And 'aven't been for two weeks! And I'm not coming to-morrow unless I am! Put that in your copybook and blot it.

MRS. BRAMSON: Isn't paid? Is she mad? (To OLIVIA) Are you mad?
Why don't you pay her?

OLIVIA (to DAN, pointedly): Perhaps you'd go into the kitchen and get the paper from Mrs. Terence?

DAN (after a second's pause, with a laugh): Of course I will, madam! Anythin' you say! Anythin' you say!

He careers into the kitchen, still carrying the Bible. MRS. BRAMSON has fished up two keys on the end of a long black tape. OLIVIA wheels her over to the cupboard above the fireplace.

MRS. BRAMSON: No fear! _She unlocks the cupboard; it turns out to be a small but very substantial safe.

She takes out a cash-box from among some deeds, unlocks it with the smaller key, and takes out a mass of five-pound and pound notes.

The way these servants—what are you staring at? OLIVIA: Isn't it rather a lot of money to have in the house?

MRS. BRAMSON (handing her two notes): D'you wonder I wouldn't let you have the key?

MRS. BRAMSON (locking the cash-box and putting it back in the safe): I wouldn't let a soul touch it. Not a soul. Not even Danny.

MRS. BRAMSON: It's enough to have those policemen prying, you forward girl, without——

MRS. BRAMSON: Well, he did offer to fetch some money yesterday for the dairy. But I wouldn't give him the key! Oh, no!

MRS. BRAMSON: Do I want to see him waylaid and attacked, and my key stolen? Oh, no, I told him, that key stays on me—

MRS. BRAMSON: I told him! Do you wonder I stick to the key, I said— what is the matter with you, all these questions?

She goes to the armchair below the fireplace and sits in it. DAN returns from the kitchen, with a copy of the "News of the World," the Bible tucked under his arm, a cigarette stub between his lips.

DAN: He says they're sellin' like hot cakes! (Handing the paper to MRS. BRAMSON) There you are, I've found the place for you—whole page, headlines an' all….

"… The Victim's Past" … with another picture of me underneath! (Looking closer, dashed) Oh, taken at Tonbridge the year before the war; really it isn't right…. (To OLIVIA, savouring it) "The Bungalow of Death!… Gruesome finds…. Fiendish murderer still at large…. The enigma of the missing head … where is it buried?" … Oh, yes! (She goes on reading silently to herself.)

DAN (suddenly, in a clear voice): "… Blessed is the man … that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly … nor standeth in the way of sinners … nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful…."

He shuts the Bible with a bang, throws it on the sofa, and takes the paper from her. OLIVIA watches him intently; he smiles at her slowly and brazenly as he shakes out the paper.

DAN (reading laboriously): "… The murderer committed the crime in the forest most—in the forest, most likely strippin' beforehand—-"

_DORA comes in from the kitchen, and stands at the door, arrested by his reading. She is dressed, in Sunday best.

DAN (reading): "… He buried the body shallow in the open pit, cunnin'ly chancin' it bein' filled, which it was next day, the eleventh——" (Nodding at OLIVIA) That was the day 'fore I come here….

DAN (reading): "The body was nude. Attempts had been made to … turn to foot of next column…." (Doing so) "Attempts had been made to … era—eradicate fingerprints with a knife…."

"… The head was severed by a skilled person, possibly a butcher. The murderer—" (He stops suddenly, raises his head, smiles, takes the cigarette stub, puts it behind his ear, and listens.)

DAN: I forgot it was Sunday…. They're goin' to church in the villages. All got up in their Sunday best, with prayer-books, and the organ playin', and the windows shinin'. Shinin' on holy things, because holy things isn't afraid of the daylight.

DAN (quelling her): But all the time the daylight's movin' over the floor, and by the end of the sermon the air in the church is turnin' grey…. And people isn't able to think of holy things so much no more, only of the terrible things that's goin' on outside, that everybody's readin' about in the papers! (Looking at OLIVIA) Because they know that though it's still daylight, and everythin's or'nary and quiet … to-day will be the same as all the other days, and come to an end, and it'll be night…. (After a pause, coming to earth again with a laugh at the others, throwing the newspaper on the sofa) I forgot it was Sunday!

DAN (with exaggerated animation): Oh, I speechify like anything when I'm roused! I used to go to Sunday school, see, and the thoughts sort of come into my head. Like as if I was readin' off a book! (Slapping his Bible.)

DORA (going to the table and collecting the tea-tray): I never knew 'e 'ad so many words in 'is 'ead….

DAN (rising): Anything you say, mother o' mine…. Will you have your medicine in your room as well, eh?

DAN (as he wheels her into her bedroom): I got it to-day while you were with the chap…. Popped in at the chemist's.

MRS. BRAMSON: Oh, thank you, dear. The one by the mortuary?… Oh, my back…. Nurse!…

Her voice is lost in the bedroom. The daylight begins to fade. The church bells die away.

OLIVIA (smiling): I don't think that's very likely…. (Lowering her voice) Have you talked to Dan at all this week?

DORA: Never get the chance. 'E's too busy dancin' attendance on Madame
Crocodile….

DORA: If I was, they'd wait for me. Good afternoon, Miss Grayne. Good afternoon … sir.

She goes into the kitchen. DAN and OLIVIA are alone. DAN crosses to the sofa with a laugh, humming gaily.

DAN (rubbing his hands): I've been drinking, and I feel fine! … (Brandishing the Bible) You wouldn't like another dose of reading?

OLIVIA (crisply): Are you sure you were ever a sailor? Are you sure you weren't a butcher?

DAN (rising with a smile and standing against the mantelpiece):
Aw, talkin's daft! Doin's the thing!

DAN: Aw, yes! D'you hear me just now? She's right, you know, I should ha' been a preacher. I remember, when I was a kid, sittin' in Sunday school—catching my mother's eye where she was sitting by the door, with the sea behind her; and she pointed to the pulpit, and then to me, as if to say, that's the place for you…. (Far away, pensive) I never forgot that.

DAN: Neither do I, but it sounds wonderful. (Leaning over her, confidentially) I never saw my mam, and I never had a dad, and the first thing I remember is … Cardiff Docks. And you're the first 'oman I ever told that, so you can compliment yourself. Or the drink. (Laughing) I think it's the drink.

DAN (reassuringly): Yes…. It's the only way to bear with the awful things you have to do.

DAN: Well … (Grinning like a child and going back to the sofa) Ah-ha!… I haven't had as much to drink as all that! (Sitting on the sofa) Ah-ha!…

DAN makes a gesture with his hands, pointing the thumbs downwards with a decisive movement.

DAN: Women don't have to be drunk to talk…. You don't talk that much, though; fair play. (Looking her up and down, insolently) You're a dark horse, you are.

A pause. She rises abruptly and stands at the fireplace, her back to him. She takes off her spectacles.

OLIVIA: Getting up at seven, mending my stockings or washing them, having breakfast with a vixenish old woman and spending the rest of the day with her, in a dreary house in the middle of a wood, and going to bed at eleven…. I'm plain, I haven't got any money, I'm shy, and I haven't got any friends.

DAN (with a laugh): Oh, no, you couldn't!… Not many people have it in them to kill people…. Oh, no!

She looks at him. A pause. He studies the palms of his hands, chuckling to himself.

DAN: My life? Well…. The day don't start so good, with a lot of stuck-up boots to clean, and a lot of silly high heels all along the passage waitin' for a polish, and a lot of spoons to clean that's been in the mouths of gapin' fools that looks through me as if I was a dirty window hadn't been cleaned for years…. (Throwing his stub into the fire in a sudden crescendo of fury) Orders, orders, orders; go here, do this, don't do that, you idiot, open the door for me, get a move on—I was never meant to take orders, never!… Down in the tea-place there's an old white beard wigglin'. "Waiter, my tea's stone cold." (Furiously) I'm not a waiter, I'm a millionaire, and everybody's under me!… And just when I think I got a bit o' peace…. (His head in his hands) … there's somebody … lockin' the bedroom door … (raising his head) … won't let me get out; talk, talk, talk, won't fork out with no more money, at me, at me, at me, won't put no clothes on, calls me everythin', lie on the floor and screams and screams, so nothin' keeps that mouth shut only … (A pause.) It's rainin' out of the window, and the leaves is off the trees … oh, Lord … I wish I could hear a bit o' music … (smiling, slowly) … And I do, inside o' myself! And I have a drop of drink … and everything's fine (Excited) And when it's the night …

DAN (wagging his finger with a sly smile): Aha! I'm too fly for you! You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Aha! Why would you like to know? (Insistently, mischievously) Why d'you lie awake … all night?

DAN (triumphantly, rising and facing her, his back half to the audience): Why?

OLIVIA (desperate): How do you know I lie awake at night? Shall I tell you why? Because you're awake yourself! You can't sleep, can you?… (Triumphantly, in her turn) You can't sleep! There's one thing that keeps you awake … isn't there? One thing you've pushed into the back of your mind, and you can't do any more about it, and you never will…. And do you know what it is?… It's a little thing. A box. Only a box. But it's … rather heavy….

DAN looks at her. A long pause. He jerks away with a laugh and sits at the sofa again. DAN (quietly, prosaically): The way you was going through my letters the other day—that had to make me smile…. _His voice dies away. Without warning, as if seeing something in his mind which makes him lose control, he shrieks loudly, clapping his hands over his eyes: then is silent. He recovers slowly and stares at her.

(After a pause, in a measured voice_) It's the only thing that keeps me awake, mind you! The only thing! (Earnestly) But I don't know what to do…. You see, nothing worries me, nothing in the world, only … I don't like a pair of eyes staring at me … (his voice trailing away) … with no look in them. I don't know what to do … I don't know …

_Without warning he bursts into tears. She sits beside him and seems almost about to put her arms about him. He feels she is there, looks into her eyes, grasps her arm, then pulls himself together abruptly.

(Rising_) But it's the only thing! I live by myself … (clapping his chest) … inside here—and all the rest of you can go hang! After I've made a use of you, though! Nothing's going to stop me! I feel fine! I—

BELSIZE _crosses outside. A sharp knock at the front door. She half rises. He motions her to sit again.

(With his old swagger_) All right! Anybody's there, I'll deal with 'em—I'll manage myself all right! You watch me!

She makes an effort to compose herself and hurries across to the sun-room. BELSIZE'S attitude is one of slightly exaggerated breeziness: DAN'S is one of cheerful naivete almost as limpid as on his first appearance.

DAN: (pointing to the sofa): Well, this is the nearest you get to comfort in this house, sir.

BELSIZE: No, thanks, this'll do…. (Sitting on a chair at the table, and indicating the cuttings) I see you keep apace of the news?

DAN: I should say so! They can't hardly wait for the latest on the case in this house, sir.

BELSIZE: Ah, well, it's only natural…. I got a bit of a funny feeling bottom of my spine myself crossing by the rubbish-heap.

DAN: Well, will you have a cigarette, sir?… (His hand to his jacket pocket) Only a Woodbine——

DAN: Well, it's been a bit of a shock for her, them finding the remains of the lady at the bottom of her garden, you know.

BELSIZE: The remains of the lady! I wish you wouldn't talk like that.
I've seen 'em.

BELSIZE: You know, I don't mind telling you, they reckon the fellow that did this job was a bloodstained clever chap.

DAN: Though this one seems to have made a bit more stir than any of the others, don't he?

DAN (abstractedly): If you can make your name withou nobody knowin' what it is, o' course.

BELSIZE (slightly piqued): Yes, of course…. But I don't reckon he's been as bright as all that.

BELSIZE: Look here, Dan, any self-respecting murderer would have taken care to mutilate the body to such a degree that nobody could recognise it—and here we come and identify it first go! (DAN folds his arms and looks thoughtful.) Call that clever?… What d'you think?

DAN: Well, sir, I'm a slow thinker, I am, but though it might be clever to leave the lady unide—unide——

DAN (sitting on the edge of the sofa): Thank you, sir…. (Laboriously) Well, though it be clever to leave the lady unidentified and not be caught … hasn't it been more clever to leave her _i_dentified … and still not be caught?

DAN: Yes I did. Oh—except for about half an hour—that's right. I couldn't sleep for toffee and I went up the fire-escape—I remember thinkin' about it next day when the woman was missing, and trying to remember if I could think of anything funny——

BELSIZE: What time was that? (He rises, crosses to the fireplace, and throws his match into it.)

DAN: Oh, about … oh, you know how you wake up in the night and don't know what time it is….

BELSIZE: Why didn't you tell us you were having an affair with the deceased woman?

BELSIZE: Come along, old chap, I'll use a straighter word if it'll help you. But you're stalling. She was seen by two of the maids talking to you in the shrubbery. Well?

A pause. DAN bursts into tears, but with a difference. His breakdown a few minutes ago was genuine; this is a good performance, very slightly exaggerated. BELSIZE watches him dispassionately, his brows knit.

DAN: Oh, no, sir, not that! I avoided her ever after that day she stopped me, sir!… You see, sir, a lady stayin' where I was workin', and for all I knew married, and all the other fellers she'd been after, and the brazen way she went on at me…. You're only human, aren't you, sir, and when they asked me about her, I got frightened to tell about her stopping me…. But now you know about it, sir, it's a weight off my mind, you wouldn't believe!… (Rising, after seeming to pull himself together) As a matter of fact, sir, it was the disgust-like of nearly gettin' mixed up with her that was keepin' me awake at nights.

BELSIZE (crossing to the table for his hat): But don't try and keep things from the police another time.

BELSIZE: No, thanks. I've got another inquiry in the village…. (Turning back, with an afterthought) Oh, just one thing—might as well just do it, we're supposed to with all the chaps we're questioning, matter of form—if you don't mind. I'll have a quick look through your luggage. Matter of form….

A pause. The noise of something being moved beyond the kitchen. Dan sits on the sofa with a jerk, looking before him. His fingers beat a rapid tattoo on the sides of the sofa. He looks at them, rises convulsively and walks round the room, grasping chairs and furniture as he goes round. He returns to the sofa, sits, and begins the tattoo again. With a sudden wild automatic movement he beats his closed fists in rapid succession against the sides of his head. BELSIZE returns, carrying the hat-box.

BELSIZE (crossing and placing the hat-box on the table): This one's locked. Have you got the key?

DAN rises, and takes a step into the middle of the room. He looks at the hat-box at last.

OLIVIA: I'm sorry, I thought … Why, inspector, what are you doing with my box?

OLIVIA: I'll keep it in my wardrobe; it'll be safer there…. With sudden feverish resolution, she picks up the box and carries it into the kitchen. DAN looks the other way as she passes him.

BELSIZE: I'm very sorry, miss. (Scratching his head) I'm afraid
I've offended her….

BELSIZE: Well, young feller, I'll be off. You might tell the old lady I popped in, and hope she's better.

QUICK CURTAIN

ACT III

SCENE 1

Half an hour later. The light has waned; the fire is lit and throws a red reflection into the room. DAN is lying on the sofa, eyes closed. NURSE LIBBY sits at the end of the sofa holding his pulse. MRS. TERENCE stands behind the sofa with a toby jug of water.

NURSE: There, lovey, you won't be long now…. Ever so much steadier already…. What a bit o' luck me blowin' in to-day!… Tt! tt! Pouring with sweat, the lad is. Whatever's he been up to?

MRS. TERENCE: When I walked in that door and saw 'im lyin' full stretch on that floor everything went topsy-wopsy. (Pressing the jug to DAN'S lips) It did! The room went round and round….

MRS. TERENCE: I said, "That murderer's been at 'im," I said, "and it's the next victim." I did!

MRS. TERENCE (as NURSE LIBBY supports DAN'S head):
Got a nice face, 'asn't he?

NURSE: Oh, yes!… (As DAN'S eyes flicker) Shh, he's coming to…. DAN opens his eyes and looks at her.

MRS. TERENCE: Thought the murderer'd got you! A pause. DAN stares, then sits up abruptly.

NURSE: We picked you up ten minutes ago, and I'd say it was twenty minutes before that, roughly-like, that you passed away.

MRS. TERENCE: Passed away, don't frighten the boy!… Whatever come over you, dear?

DAN: I dunno. Felt sick, I think. (Recovering himself) Say no more about it, eh? Don't like swinging the lead…. (His head in his hand.)

MRS. TERENCE: Waiting 'and and foot on Madame Crocodile, enough to wear
King Kong out….

MRS. TERENCE: It's a scandal the way the days are drawin' in…. 'Ave another sip——

DAN (as she makes to give him more water, to NURSE LIBBY): You haven't such a thing as a nip of brandy?

DAN takes a flask from her and gulps; he takes a second mouthful. He gives it back, shakes himself, and looks before him.

DAN: Yes…. Clears the brain no end…. Makes you understand better…. (His voice growing in vehemence) Makes you see what a damn silly thing it is to get the wind up about anything. Do things! Get a move on! Show 'em what you're made of! Get a move on!… Fainting, indeed…. Proper girl's trick, I'm ashamed of myself…. (Looking round, quietly) The light's going…. The daytime's as if it's never been; it's dead…. (Seeing the others stare, with a laugh) Daft, isn't it?

DORA brings in an oil lamp from the kitchen; she is wearing her outdoor clothes. She crosses to the table, strikes a match with her back to the audience and lights the lamp, then the wall lamp. The twilight is dispelled.

NURSE (shutting her bag, rising): You'll be all right; a bit light-headed after the fall, I expect. (Going to the hall) Well, got an abscess the other side of Turneyfield, and a slow puncture. So long, lovey.

She bustles out of the front door. A pause. DAN sits looking before him, drumming his fingers on the sofa.

DORA: Conked out? Oh, dear…. D'you think 'e see'd something? I'll tell you what it is!

MRS. TERENCE: I'll give you lurk, my girl, look at the egg on my toby! Why don't you learn to wash up, instead of walkin' about talking like three-halfpennyworth of trash?

DORA: I can't wash up properly in that kitchen, with that light. Them little oil lamps isn't any good except to set the place on fire.

She goes into the kitchen. DAN drums his fingers on the sofa. MRS. BRAMSON wheels herself from the bedroom.

MRS. BRAMSON: I dropped off. Why didn't somebody wake me? Have I been missing something?

MRS. BRAMSON (testily): Then why didn't somebody wake me? Dan, what did he want?

MRS. TERENCE: Now, now, turnin' against the apple of your eye; can't 'ave that goin' on——

MRS. TERENCE (at the front door, as DAN is about to push past her): Oh … it's only the paraffin boy…. (To the boy outside, taking a can from him) And you bring stuff on a Saturday night another time.

MRS. BRAMSON: I should think so——MRS. TERENCE comes into the room. DAN strikes a match for his cigarette.

MRS. TERENCE (with a cry): Oh! Can't you see this is paraffin? (She puts the can on the floor just inside the hall.)

MRS. TERENCE: If people knew what to do with their money, they'd put electric light in their 'omes 'stead of dangerin' people's lives.

MRS. BRAMSON (blowing out the match): You'll burn your fingers!
Set yourself on fire! Absent-minded!… I woke up all of a cold shiver.
Had a terrible dream.

MRS. BRAMSON: Horrors…. I'm freezing. Get me my shawl off my bed, will you, dear?… (As he does not move) My shawl, dear! DAN starts, collects himself and smiles his most ingratiating smile.

DAN: I am sorry, mum. In the Land of Nod, I was! Let me see, what was it your highness was after? A shawl? No sooner said than done…. You watch me! One, two, three!

OLIVIA comes in quickly from the kitchen. She is dressed to go out and carries a suitcase. Where are you off to?

OLIVIA: I—I——

OLIVIA: Listen to me. I've never known before what it was to be terrified. But when I saw today beginning to end, and to-night getting nearer and nearer … I felt my finger-tips getting cold. And I knew it was fright … stark fright. I'm not a fool, and I'm not hysterical … but I've been sitting in my room looking at myself in the glass, trying to control myself, telling myself what are real things … and what aren't. I don't know any longer. The day's over. The forest's all round us. Anything may happen…. You shouldn't stay in this house to-night. That's all.

MRS. BRAMSON (blustering): It's very silly of you, trying to scare an old woman with a weak heart. What have you got to be frightened of?

MRS. BRAMSON: Nobody's going to murder you! Besides, we've got Danny to look after us. He's as strong as an ox, and no silly nerves about him…. What is it you're afraid of?

OLIVIA: I—

MRS. BRAMSON: That sounds convincing, I must say. Well, you can go, but when you come back, I'm not so sure I shall answer the door. Think that over in the morning.

DAN'S VOICE (in the bedroom, singing): "… their home addresses … and their caresses … linger in my memory of those beautiful dames …"

OLIVIA listens, holding her breath; she tries to say something to MRS. BRAMSON, and fails. She makes an effort, and runs out of the front door. It bangs behind her. DAN comes back from the bedroom, carrying a shawl.

DAN (with a laugh, putting the shawl round her): Don't know what's up with me—

He goes to the table and looks at a newspaper. MRS. TERENCE comes in from the kitchen, her coat on.

MRS. BRAMSON (working herself up): Goodness me … my jewel-box … what a fool I was to let her go—my earrings … the double-faced—

She wheels herself furiously into her bedroom. DORA, her hat and coat on, comes in from the kitchen in time to see her go.

DORA: Oh, is that all…. That's the fourth time this month she's thought that. One of these days something will 'appen to her, and will I be pleased? Oh, baby!… Where's Mrs. Terence?

MRS. TERENCE (appearing at the kitchen door, spearing a hatpin into her hat): Yes, I'm 'alf-way there. What d'you think?

DORA: You did give me a turn! (Going to the table and taking the box) I think I'll 'ave a choc. (Walking towards the hall) I couldn't 'ave walked a step in those trees all by myself. Coming?

DAN (suddenly): I'd have come with you with pleasure, only I'm going the other direction. Payley Hill way.

DAN (in the hall, putting on hat and mackintosh): Yes. I still feel a bit funny.

DAN (over-explanatory): I asked her, this very minute, and she don't seem to mind. You know what she is. Said it'd do me good, and won't hear of me stayin'. It's no good arguin' with her.

DORA puts the chocolates down on the occasional table. She and
MRS. TERENCE follow DAN into the hall.

MRS. TERENCE: You 'ave a nice long walk while you get the chance; you wait on 'er too much…. (Closing the plush curtains so that they are all out of sight) Ooh, ain't it dark…. Got the torch, Dora?

MRS. TERENCE: Laws, I'd be frightened goin' off by meself…. Well, we'd best 'urry, Dora…. Good night, Dan. Pity you aren't comin' our way—-DAN'S VOICE: See you in the morning! Good night!

MRS. BRAMSON: Good night here, good night there; anybody'd think it was the night before Judgment Day. What's the matter with … (Seeing the room is empty) Talking to myself. Wish people wouldn't walk out of rooms and leave me high and dry. Don't like it. (She wheels herself round to the table. A pause. She looks round impatiently.) Where's my chocolates?…

She looks round again, gets up out of her chair for the first time in the play, walks quite normally across the room to the mantelpiece, sees her chocolates are not there, walks up to the occasional table, and takes up the box.

She walks back to her chair, carrying the chocolates, and sits in it again. She begins to munch. She suddenly stops, as if she has heard something.

_She falls back in relief, and eats another chocolate. The clock strikes the half-hour. Silence. The silence gets on her nerves.

(After a pause, calling softly_) Danny!… (As there is no answer) What's the boy doing in that kitchen?

_She takes up the newspaper, sees a headline, and puts it down hastily. She sees the Bible on the table, opens it, and turns over pages.

(After a pause, suddenly_) I've got the jitters. I've got the jitters. I've got the jitters…. (Calling loudly) Danny!

_She waits; there is complete silence. She rises, walks over to the kitchen door, and flings it wide open.

(Shouting_) Danny! (No reply.) He's gone … They've all gone … They've left me … (Losing control, beating her hands wildly on her Bible) Oh, Lord, help a poor old woman … They've left me! (Tottering to the sun-room) Danny … where are you?… Danny … I'm going to be murdered … I'm going to be murdered!… Danny … (Her voice rising, until she is shrieking hysterically) Danny! Danny! Danny!

(In a strangled whisper_) There's something outside … something outside … Oh, heavens …

(Staggering across to the sofa) Danny, where are you? Where are you? There's something outs—

The front door bangs. She collapses on the sofa, terrified, her enormous Bible clasped to her breast.

Oh, Lord, help me … help me … Oh, Lord, help me … (Muttering, her eyes closed) … Forgive us our trespasses …

The curtains are suddenly parted. It is DAN, a cigarette between his lips. He stands motionless, his feet planted apart, holding the curtains. There is murder in his face. She is afraid to look, but is forced to at last.

DAN (smiling, suddenly normal and reassuring): That's all right
… It's only Danny …

MRS. BRAMSON: Thank God … (Going off into laughing hysterics)
Ah … ah … ah …

DAN throws his cigarette away, lays his hat on the occasional table, throws his mackintosh on the left window-seat, and sits beside her, patting her, looking round to see no one has heard her cries.

He runs across to the medicine cupboard and brings back a brandy bottle and two glasses.

DAN: Now have a drop of this … (As she winces at the taste) Go on, do you good … (As she drinks) I am sorry, I am really … You see, they wanted me to see them to the main path, past the rubbish-heap, see, in case they was frightened. … Now that's better, isn't it?

All alone, I was … (Her face puckering with self pity) Just an old woman calling for help … (her voice breaking) … and no answer….

DAN (putting the bottle on the floor beside him): Poor old mum, runnin' about lookin' for Danny——

MRS. BRAMSON (sharply): I wasn't running about as much as all that … Oh, the relief when I saw your face——

MRS. BRAMSON: You're the only one that understands me, Danny, that's what you are——

MRS. BRAMSON: I don't have to tell you everything I've been through. I don't have to tell you about my husband, how unkind and ungodly he was—I wouldn't have minded so much him being ungodly, but oh, he was unkind … (Sipping) And I don't have to tell you how unkind he was. You know. You just know … whatever else I've not been, I was always a great one on psychology.

MRS. BRAMSON: I'm glad those other people have gone. Awful screeching common women. Answer back, answer back, answer back…. Isn't it time for my medicine?

He hands her glass back. They both drink. DAN sits smiling and nodding at her.

That day you said to me about me reminding you of your mother…. (DAN slowly begins to roll up his sleeves a little way.) These poets and rubbishy people can think all they like about their verses and sonnets and such—that girl Olivia writes sonnets—would you believe it—

MRS. BRAMSON: They can think all they like, that was a beautiful thought. (Her arm on his shoulder) And when you think you're just an ignorant boy, it's … it's startling.

MRS. BRAMSON: I'll never forget that. Not as long as I live … (Trying to stem her tears) I want a chocolate now.

DAN: Right you are!… (Placing her glass and his own on the floor, and walking briskly to the table) A nice one with a soft centre, the kind you like…. Why, here's one straight away…. (He walks slowly to the back of the sofa. In a level voice) Now shut your eyes … open your mouth …

She shuts her eyes. He stands behind her, and puts the chocolate into her mouth. His fingers close slowly and involuntarily over her neck: she feels his touch, and draws both his hands down, giggling, so that his face almost touches hers.

(Maudlin) What strong hands they are…. You're a pet, my little chubby-face, my baby-face, my Danny…. Am I in a draught?

A pause. DAN draws his hands slowly away, walks to the back, and shuts the plush curtains.

MRS. BRAMSON (half to herself): That girl should have carried it in. Anything to annoy me. Tomorrow—(Turning and seeing that he is gone) Danny! (Shrieking suddenly) Danny!

DAN (sitting on the back of the sofa): I was only putting the paraffin away. Now—(He leans over the sofa, and raises his arm slowly.)

MRS. BRAMSON: And I'll have my supper-tray in my room. (Petulantly) Get me back into my chair, dear, will you?

DAN (after a pause of indecision): O.K. (Clapping his hands effusively) What'll you have? The old East Lynne?

DAN: O.K.

MRS. BRAMSON (as he goes smartly to the sofa, fetches the Bible, pulls up a chair to the right of her, sits, and looks for the place): That piece you were reading…. It's Sunday…. Isn't that nice … all the aches and pains quiet for once … pretty peaceful….

DAN (reading): "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful…."

DAN: Very kind of you, my lady. (Reading a little breathlessly) "But his delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night—"

She looks at him suddenly, leans forward, and puts her right hand inside his jacket.

DAN: Fine. I been running along the path, see…. (Garrulously) I been out of training, I suppose; when I was at sea I never missed a day running round the decks, o' course….

DAN (speaking quickly, as if eager to conjure up a vision): I remember those mornings—on some sea—very misty pale it is, with the sun like breathing silver where he's comin' up across the water, but not blowing on the sea at all … and the sea-gulls standing on the deck-rail looking at themselves in the water on the deck, and only me about and nothing else …

DAN: Yes … it's night now. (Reading, feverishly) "The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away——"

MRS. BRAMSON: I think I'll go to bye-byes…. We'll have the rest to-morrow, shall we? (Testily) Help me, dear, help me, you know what I am——

DAN (drumming his fingers: suddenly, urgently): Wait a minute …
I—I've only got two more verses——

MRS. BRAMSON: Hurry it up, dear. I don't want to wake up in the morning with a nasty cold.

DAN (reading slowly): "… Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous…. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous … But the way of the ungodly … shall perish …"

A pause. He shuts the Bible loudly, and lays it on the table. MRS. BRAMSON can hardly keep awake.

MRS. BRAMSON: A bit achy. Glad to get to bed. Hope that woman's put my bottle in all right. Bet she hasn't——

DAN (rising): I think you'll be more comfortable with a cushion. (Rising, humming) "I'm a pretty little feller, everybody knows … dunno what to call me …"

He goes deliberately across, humming, and picks up a large black cushion from the sofa. His hands close on the cushion, and he stands silent a moment. He moves slowly back to the other side of her; he stands looking at her, his back three-quarters to the audience and his face hidden: he is holding the cushion in both hands.

MRS. BRAMSON: What a funny look on your face, dear. Smiling like that…. (Foolishly) You look so kind …

The lights dim gradually into complete darkness, and the music grows into a thunderous crescendo.

SCENE II

_The music plays a few bars, then dies down proportionately as the lights come up again.

Half an hour later. The scene is the same, with the same lighting; the room is empty and the wheel-chair has been removed._

DAN comes in from the sun-room, smoking the stub of a cigarette. He crosses smartly, takes the bottle and glasses from the floor by the sofa and places them on the table, pours himself a quick drink, places the bottle on the floor next the desk, throws away his stub, takes another cigarette from his pocket, puts it in his mouth, takes out a box of matches, and lights a match. The clock chimes. He looks at it, seems to make a decision, blows out the match, throws the matchbox on the table, takes MRS. BRAMSON'S _tape and keys from his trouser pocket, crosses quickly to the safe by the fireplace, opens it, takes out the cash-box, sits on the sofa, unlocks the cash-box, stuffs the keys back into his trousers, opens the cash-box, takes out the notes, looks at them, delighted, stuffs them into his pocket, hurries into the sun-room, returns a second later with the empty invalid chair, plants it in the middle of the room, picks up the cushion from the floor above the table, looks at it a moment, arrested, throws it callously on the invalid chair, hurries into the kitchen, returns immediately with the paraffin, sprinkles it freely over the invalid chair, places the can under the table, lifts the paraffin lamp from the table, and is just about to smash it over the invalid chair when there is the sound of a chair falling over in the sun-room. His face inscrutable, he looks towards it. He carries the lamp stealthily to the desk, puts it down, looks round, picks a chair from near the table, and stands at the sun-room door with the chair held high above his head.

The stagger of footsteps;_ OLIVIA stands in the doorway to the sun-room. She has been running through the forest; her clothes are wild, her hair has fallen about her shoulders, and she is no longer wearing her spectacles. She looks nearly beautiful. Her manner is quiet, almost dazed. He lowers the chair slowly and sits on the other side of the table. A pause.

OLIVIA: I've never seen a dead body before…. I climbed through the window and nearly fell over it. Like a sack of potatoes, or something. I thought it was, at first…. And that's murder.

… expecting … ha (laughing hysterically) … I don't know … and here I find you, smoking a cigarette … you might have been tidying the room for the night. It's so … ordinary…. (After a pause, with a cry) Why don't you say something!

OLIVIA (the words pouring out): To find you out. You've kept me guessing for a fortnight. Guessing hard. I very nearly knew, all the time. But not quite. And now I do know.

OLIVIA (vehemently, coming to the table): In the same way any sane, decent-minded human being would want—would want to have you arrested for the monster you are!

He smiles at her slowly and shakes his head. She sits at the table and closes her eyes.

I got as far as the edge of the wood. I could see the lights in the village…. I came back.

She buries her head in her arms. DAN rises, looks at her a moment regretfully, puts away his cigarette, and stands with both hands over the invalid chair.

DAN (lightly): You didn't ought to read so much. I never got through a book yet…. But I'll read you all right…. (Crossing to her, leaning over the table, and smiling at her intently) You haven't had a drop to drink, and yet you feel as if you had. You never knew there was such a secret part inside of you. All that book-learnin' and moral-me-eye here and social-me-eye there—you took that off on the edge of the wood same as if it was an overcoat … and you left it there!

DAN (urgently): And same as anybody out for the first time without their overcoats, you feel as light as air! Same as I feel, sometimes—only I never had no overcoat—(Excited) Why—this is my big chance! You're the one I can tell about meself! Oh, I'm sick o' hearin' how clever everybody else is—I want to tell 'em how clever I am for a change!… Money I'm goin' to have, and people doin' what they're told, and me tellin' them to do it! There was a 'oman at the Tallboys, wasn't there? She wouldn't be told, would she? She thought she was up 'gainst a soft fellow in a uniform, didn't she? She never knew it was me she was dealin' with—(striking his chest in a paroxysm of elation)—me! And this old girl treatin' me like a son 'cause I made her think she was a chronic invalid—ha! She's been more use to me to-night (tapping the notes in his jacket pocket, smartly) than she has to any other body all her life. Stupid, that's what people are … stupid. If those two hadna' been stupid they might be breathin' now; you're not stupid; that's why I'm talkin' to you. (With exaggerated self-possession) You said just now murder's ordinary…. Well, it isn't ordinary at all, see? And I'm not an ordinary chap. There's one big difference 'tween me and other fellows that try this game. I'll never be found out. 'Cause I don't care a——(Snapping his fingers grandly) The world's goin' to hear from me. That's me. (Chuckling) You wait…. (After a pause) But you can't wait, can you?

DAN: Well, when I say I'll never be found out, what I mean is, no living soul will be able to tell any other living soul about me. (Beginning to roll up a sleeve, nonchalantly) Can you think of anybody … who can go to-morrow … and tell the police the fire at Forest Corner … wasn't an accident at all?

DAN: Well, I'm up against a very serious problem, I am. But the answer to it is as simple as pie, to a feller like me, simple as pie … (Rolling up the other sleeve a little way) She isn't going to be the only one … found to-morrow … in the fire at Forest Corner…. (After a pause) Aren't you frightened? You ought to be! (Smiling) Don't you think I'll do it?

DAN: You know, when I told you all that about meself just now, I'd made up my mind then about you. (Moving slowly after her, round the table, as she steps back towards the window.) That's what I am, see? I make up me mind to do a thing, and I do it…. You remember that first day when I come in here? I said to meself then, There's a girl that's got her wits about her; she knows a thing or two; different from the others. I was right, wasn't I? You——(Stopping abruptly, and looking round the room) What's that light in here?

DAN (fiercely): Nobody's watching!… (He runs to the window.
She backs into the corner of the room.)

I'm the one that watches! They've got no call to watch me! I'll go out and tell them that, an' all! (Opening the curtains in a frenzy) I'm the one that watches!

_The light crosses the window again. He stares, then claps his hands over his eyes.

(Clutching the invalid chair) Hundreds back of each tree…. Thousands of eyes. The whole damn world's on my track!… (Sitting on the edge of the sofa, and listening) What's that?… Like a big wall fallin' over into the sea…. (Closing his hands over his ears convulsively.)

DAN (turning to her): Yes, but … (Staring) you're lookin' at me as if you never see'd me before….

OLIVIA: I never have. Nobody has. You've stopped acting at last. You're real. Frightened. Like a child. (Putting her arm about his shoulders) They mustn't come in….

DAN: But everything's slippin' away. From underneath our feet…. Can't you feel it? Starting slow … and then hundreds of miles an hour…. I'm goin' backwards!… And there's a wind in my ears, terrible blowin' wind…. Everything's going past me, like the telegraph-poles…. All the things I've ever seen … faster and faster … backwards—back to the day I was born. (Shrieking) I can see it coming … the day I was born!… (Turning to her, simply) I'm goin' to die.

OLIVIA: It's all right. You won't die. I'll tell them I made you do it. I'll tell lies—I'll tell——

A third and louder knock at the front door. She realises she must answer, goes into the hall, opens the front door, and comes back, hiding DAN from view.

He comes into the room, followed by DORA and MRS. TERENCE, both terrified.

MRS. TERENCE: I tell you we did 'ear her! Plain as plain! And we'd gone near a quarter of a mile——

MRS. TERENCE: Made my blood run cold. "Danny!" she screamed. "Danny, where are you?" she said. She wanted 'im back, she did, to save 'er——

DORA: Because she was bein' murdered. I knew it! I'd never a' run like that if I 'adn't 'eard——

BELSIZE: We'll soon find out who's right…. Now then——(As
OLIVIA steps aside behind the sofa) Hello, Dan!

DAN (after a pause): Not so bad, thanks, inspector! Gone to bed, and says she didn't want to be disturbed——

DAN (with a last desperate attempt at bluster): You know what she's like, inspector, a bit nervy these days—

I'd no sooner got round the corner she screamed for me—"Danny, Danny, Danny!" she was screamin'—"Danny," she calls me, a pet name for Dan, that is—

(Rambling on mechanically_) I told her so then. I said, "It's dangerous, that's what it is, havin' so much paraffin in the house." That paraffin—she shouldn't ha' so much paraffin in the house—

His voice trails away. Silence. BELSIZE comes back, his face intent, one hand in coat pocket. A pause.

DAN (loudly, decisively, silencing her): It's all right. (Crossing to BELSIZE and swaggering desperately, in front of the women) I'm the feller. Anything I'm concerned in, I run all by myself. If there's going to be any putting me on a public platform to answer any questions, I'm going to do it by myself … (looking at OLIVIA) … or not at all. I'll manage myself all right—

BELSIZE (as if humouring him): Let's have a look at your hands, old boy, will you?

With an amused look at OLIVIA, DAN holds out his hands. Without warning, BELSIZE claps a pair of handcuffs over his wrists, DAN stares at them a moment, then sits on the sofa and starts to pull at them furiously over his knee. He beats at them wildly, moaning and crying like an animal. He subsides gradually, looks at the others and rises.

He goes up towards the hall. DAN _follows him, and takes his hat from the occasional table. As puts it on he catches sight of his face in the mirror.

(To the others, crisply, during this_) I've a couple of men outside.
I'll send 'em in. See that nothing's disturbed…. Coming, old chap?

DAN (speaking to the mirror): This is the real thing, my boy. Actin'…. That's what she said, wasn't it? She was right, you know … I've been playin' up to you, haven't I? I showed you a trick or two, didn't I?… But this is the real thing. (Swaying) Got a cigarette?… (Seeing OLIVIA) You're not goin' to believe what she said? About helpin' me?

BELSIZE (humouring him): No. (Putting a cigarette between DAN'S lips and lighting it) Plenty of women get a bit hysterical about a lad in your position. You'll find 'em queuing up all right when the time comes. Proposals of marriage by the score.

DAN: Oh, yes … I forgot about you…. (smiling with a curious detached sadness) Poor little fellow. Poor little chap…. (Looking round) You know, I'd like somethin' now I never wanted before. A long walk, all by meself. And just when I can't have it. (Laughing) That's contrary, isn't it?

DAN (looking at OLIVIA): Just commin' (He goes to OLIVIA, takes out his cigarette, puts his manacled arms round her, and kisses her suddenly and violently on the mouth. He releases her with an air of bravado, puts back his cigarette, and looks at her) Well, I'm goin' to be hanged in the end…. But they'll get their money's worth at the trial. You wait!

He smiles, and raises his hand to his hat-brim with the old familiar jaunty gesture of farewell. He walks past BELSIZE and out through the front door. BELSIZE follows him. The bang of the front door. OLIVIA _falls to the sofa.

CURTAIN

NIGHT MUST FALL was first presented in London by J. P. Mitchelhill at the Duchess Theatre on May 31st, 1935, with the following cast:

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NIGHT MUST FALL : A PLAY IN THREE ACTS ***

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