BERTHA.
[Shaking hands.] Good evening, Miss Justice. We thought you were still down in Youghal.
BEATRICE.
[Shaking hands.] Good evening, Mrs Rowan.
BERTHA.
[Bows.] Good evening, Mr Hand.
ROBERT.
[Bowing.] Good evening, signora! Just imagine, I didn’t know either she was back till I found her here.
BERTHA.
[To both.] Did you not come together?
BEATRICE.
No. I came first. Mr Rowan was going out. He said you would be back any moment.
BERTHA.
I’m sorry. If you had written or sent over word by the girl this morning…
BEATRICE.
[Laughs nervously.] I arrived only an hour and a half ago. I thought of sending a telegram but it seemed too tragic.
BERTHA.
Ah? Only now you arrived?
ROBERT.
[Extending his arms, blandly.] I retire from public and private life. Her first cousin and a journalist, I know nothing of her movements.
BEATRICE.
[Not directly to him.] My movements are not very interesting.
ROBERT.
[In the same tone.] A lady’s movements are always interesting.
BERTHA.
But sit down, won’t you? You must be very tired.
BEATRICE.
[Quickly.] No, not at all. I just came for Archie’s lesson.
BERTHA.
I wouldn’t hear of such a thing, Miss Justice, after your long journey.
ARCHIE.
[Suddenly to Beatrice.] And, besides, you didn’t bring the music.
BEATRICE.
[A little confused.] That I forgot. But we have the old piece.
ROBERT.
[Pinching Archie’s ear.] You little scamp. You want to get off the lesson.
BERTHA.
O, never mind the lesson. You must sit down and have a cup of tea now. [Going towards the door on the right.] I’ll tell Brigid.
ARCHIE.
I will, mamma. [He makes a movement to go.]
BEATRICE.
No, please Mrs Rowan. Archie! I would really prefer…
ROBERT.
[Quietly.] I suggest a compromise. Let it be a half-lesson.
BERTHA.
But she must be exhausted.
BEATRICE.
[Quickly.] Not in the least. I was thinking of the lesson in the train.
ROBERT.
[To Bertha.] You see what it is to have a conscience, Mrs Rowan.
ARCHIE.
Of my lesson, Miss Justice?
BEATRICE.
[Simply.] It is ten days since I heard the sound of a piano.
BERTHA.
O, very well. If that is it…
ROBERT.
[Nervously, gaily.] Let us have the piano by all means. I know what is in Beatty’s ears at this moment. [To Beatrice.] Shall I tell?
BEATRICE.
If you know.
ROBERT.
The buzz of the harmonium in her father’s parlour. [To Beatrice.] Confess.
BEATRICE.
[Smiling.] Yes. I can hear it.
ROBERT.
[Grimly.] So can I. The asthmatic voice of protestantism.
BERTHA.
Did you not enjoy yourself down there, Miss Justice?
ROBERT.
[Intervenes.] She did not, Mrs Rowan. She goes there on retreat, when the protestant strain in her prevails—gloom, seriousness, righteousness.
BEATRICE.
I go to see my father.
ROBERT.
[Continuing.] But she comes back here to my mother, you see. The piano influence is from our side of the house.
BERTHA.
[Hesitating.] Well, Miss Justice, if you would like to play something… But please don’t fatigue yourself with Archie.
ROBERT.
[Suavely.] Do, Beatty. That is what you want.
BEATRICE.
If Archie will come?
ARCHIE.
[With a shrug.] To listen.
BEATRICE.
[Takes his hand.] And a little lesson, too. Very short.
BERTHA.
Well, afterwards you must stay to tea.
BEATRICE.
[To Archie.] Come.
[Beatrice and Archie go out together by the door on the left. Bertha goes towards the davenport, takes off her hat and lays it with her sunshade on the desk. Then taking a key from a little flowervase, she opens a drawer of the davenport, takes out a slip of paper and closes the drawer again. Robert stands watching her.]
BERTHA.
[Coming towards him with the paper in her hand.] You put this into my hand last night. What does it mean?
ROBERT.
Do you not know?
BERTHA.
[Reads.] There is one word which I have never dared to say to you. What is the word?
ROBERT.
That I have a deep liking for you.
[A short pause. The piano is heard faintly from the upper room.]
ROBERT.
[Takes the bunch of roses from the chair.] I brought these for you. Will you take them from me?
BERTHA.
[Taking them.] Thank you. [She lays them on the table and unfolds the paper again.] Why did you not dare to say it last night?
ROBERT.
I could not speak to you or follow you. There were too many people on the lawn. I wanted you to think over it and so I put it into your hand when you were going away.
BERTHA.
Now you have dared to say it.
ROBERT.
[Moves his hand slowly past his eyes.] You passed. The avenue was dim with dusky light. I could see the dark green masses of the trees. And you passed beyond them. You were like the moon.
BERTHA.
[Laughs.] Why like the moon?
ROBERT.
In that dress, with your slim body, walking with little even steps. I saw the moon passing in the dusk till you passed and left my sight.
BERTHA.
Did you think of me last night?
ROBERT.
[Comes nearer.] I think of you always—as something beautiful and distant—the moon or some deep music.
BERTHA.
[Smiling.] And last night which was I?
ROBERT.
I was awake half the night. I could hear your voice. I could see your face in the dark. Your eyes… I want to speak to you. Will you listen to me? May I speak?
BERTHA.
[Sitting down.] You may.
ROBERT.
[Sitting beside her.] Are you annoyed with me?
BERTHA.
No.
ROBERT.
I thought you were. You put away my poor flowers so quickly.
BERTHA.
[Takes them from the table and holds them close to her face.] Is this what you wish me to do with them?
ROBERT.
[Watching her.] Your face is a flower too—but more beautiful. A wild flower blowing in a hedge. [Moving his chair closer to her.] Why are you smiling? At my words?
BERTHA.
[Laying the flowers in her lap.] I am wondering if that is what you say—to the others.
ROBERT.
[Surprised.] What others?
BERTHA.
The other women. I hear you have so many admirers.
ROBERT.
[Involuntarily.] And that is why you too…?
BERTHA.
But you have, haven’t you?
ROBERT.
Friends, yes.
BERTHA.
Do you speak to them in the same way?
ROBERT.
[In an offended tone.] How can you ask me such a question? What kind of person do you think I am? Or why do you listen to me? Did you not like me to speak to you in that way?
BERTHA.
What you said was very kind. [She looks at him for a moment.] Thank you for saying it—and thinking it.
ROBERT.
[Leaning forward.] Bertha!
BERTHA.
Yes?
ROBERT.
I have the right to call you by your name. From old times—nine years ago. We were Bertha—and Robert—then. Can we not be so now, too?
BERTHA.
[Readily.] O yes. Why should we not?
ROBERT.
Bertha, you knew. From the very night you landed on Kingstown pier. It all came back to me then. And you knew it. You saw it.
BERTHA.
No. Not that night.
ROBERT.
When?
BERTHA.
The night we landed I felt very tired and dirty. [Shaking her head.] I did not see it in you that night.
ROBERT.
[Smiling.] Tell me what did you see that night—your very first impression.
BERTHA.
[Knitting her brows.] You were standing with your back to the gangway, talking to two ladies.
ROBERT.
To two plain middleaged ladies, yes.
BERTHA.
I recognized you at once. And I saw that you had got fat.
ROBERT.
[Takes her hand.] And this poor fat Robert—do you dislike him then so much? Do you disbelieve all he says?
BERTHA.
I think men speak like that to all women whom they like or admire. What do you want me to believe?
ROBERT.
All men, Bertha?
BERTHA.
[With sudden sadness.] I think so.
ROBERT.
I too?
BERTHA.
Yes, Robert. I think you too.
ROBERT.
All then—without exception? Or with one exception? [In a lower tone.] Or is he too—Richard too—like us all—in that at least? Or different?
BERTHA.
[Looks into his eyes.] Different.
ROBERT.
Are you quite sure, Bertha?
BERTHA.
[A little confused, tries to withdraw her hand.] I have answered you.
ROBERT.
[Suddenly.] Bertha, may I kiss your hand? Let me. May I?
BERTHA.
If you wish.
[He lifts her hand to his lips slowly. She rises suddenly and listens.]
BERTHA.
Did you hear the garden gate?
ROBERT.
[Rising also.] No.
[A short pause. The piano can be heard faintly from the upper room.]
ROBERT.
[Pleading.] Do not go away. You must never go away now. Your life is here. I came for that too today—to speak to him—to urge him to accept this position. He must. And you must persuade him to. You have a great influence over him.
BERTHA.
You want him to remain here.
ROBERT.
Yes.
BERTHA.
Why?
ROBERT.
For your sake because you are unhappy so far away. For his sake too because he should think of his future.
BERTHA.
[Laughing.] Do you remember what he said when you spoke to him last night?
ROBERT.
About…? [Reflecting.] Yes. He quoted the Our Father about our daily bread. He said that to take care for the future is to destroy hope and love in the world.
BERTHA.
Do you not think he is strange?
ROBERT.
In that, yes.
BERTHA.
A little—mad?
ROBERT.
[Comes closer.] No. He is not. Perhaps we are. Why, do you…?
BERTHA.
[Laughs.] I ask you because you are intelligent.
ROBERT.
You must not go away. I will not let you.
BERTHA.
[Looks full at him.] You?
ROBERT.
Those eyes must not go away. [He takes her hands.] May I kiss your eyes?
BERTHA.
Do so.
[He kisses her eyes and then passes his hand over her hair.]
ROBERT.
Little Bertha!
BERTHA.
[Smiling.] But I am not so little. Why do you call me little?
ROBERT.
Little Bertha! One embrace? [He puts his arm around her.] Look into my eyes again.
BERTHA.
[Looks.] I can see the little gold spots. So many you have.
ROBERT.
[Delighted.] Your voice! Give me a kiss, a kiss with your mouth.
BERTHA.
Take it.
ROBERT.
I am afraid. [He kisses her mouth and passes his hand many times over her hair.] At last I hold you in my arms!
BERTHA.
And are you satisfied?
ROBERT.
Let me feel your lips touch mine.
BERTHA.
And then you will be satisfied?
ROBERT.
[Murmurs.] Your lips, Bertha!
BERTHA.
[Closes her eyes and kisses him quickly.] There. [Puts her hands on his shoulders.] Why don’t you say: thanks?
ROBERT.
[Sighs.] My life is finished—over.
BERTHA.
O, don’t speak like that now, Robert.
ROBERT.
Over, over. I want to end it and have done with it.
BERTHA.
[Concerned but lightly.] You silly fellow!
ROBERT.
[Presses her to him.] To end
