Exiles

Brigid and Beatrice Justice come in by the door on the left. Brigid is an elderly woman, lowsized, with irongrey hair. Beatrice Justice is a slender dark young woman of 27 years. She wears a wellmade navyblue costume and an elegant simply trimmed black straw hat, and carries a small portfolioshaped handbag.

Brigid

The mistress and Master Archie is at the bath. They never expected you. Did you send word you were back, Miss Justice?

Beatrice

No. I arrived just now.

Brigid

Points to the easychair. Sit down and I’ll tell the master you are here. Were you long in the train?

Beatrice

Sitting down. Since morning.

Brigid

Master Archie got your postcard with the views of Youghal. You’re tired out, I’m sure.

Beatrice

O, no. She coughs rather nervously. Did he practise the piano while I was away?

Brigid

Laughs heartily. Practice, how are you! Is it Master Archie? He is mad after the milkman’s horse now. Had you nice weather down there, Miss Justice?

Beatrice

Rather wet, I think.

Brigid

Sympathetically. Look at that now. And there is rain overhead too. Moving towards the study. I’ll tell him you are here.

Beatrice

Is Mr. Rowan in?

Brigid

Points. He is in his study. He is wearing himself out about something he is writing. Up half the night he does be. Going. I’ll call him.

Beatrice

Don’t disturb him, Brigid. I can wait here till they come back if they are not long.

Brigid

Richard

Then it is my mind that attracts you? Is that it?

Beatrice

Hesitating, glances at him for an instant. Why do you think I come here?

Richard

Why? Many reasons. To give Archie lessons. We have known one another so many years, from childhood, Robert, you and I⁠—haven’t we? You have always been interested in me, before I went away and while I was away. Then our letters to each other about my book. Now it is published. I am here again. Perhaps you feel that some new thing is gathering in my brain; perhaps you feel that you should know it. Is that the reason?

Beatrice

No.

Richard

Why, then?

Beatrice

Otherwise I could not see you.

She looks at him for a moment and then turns aside quickly.

Richard

After a pause repeats uncertainly. Otherwise you could not see me?

Beatrice

Suddenly confused. I had better go. They are not coming back. Rising. Mr. Rowan, I must go.

Richard

Extending his arms. But you are running away. Remain. Tell me what your words mean. Are you afraid of me?

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.

He runs out quickly by the door at the back leading into the garden. Bertha enters by the door on the left. She approaches the table and stands beside it, fingering the petals of the roses, looking at Richard.

Richard

Watching her. Well?

Bertha

Absently. Well. He says he likes me.

Richard

Leans his chin in his hand. You showed him his note?

Bertha

Yes. I asked him what it meant.

Richard

What did he say it meant?

Bertha

He said I must know. I said I had an idea. Then he told me he liked me very much. That I was beautiful⁠—and all that.

Richard

Since when!

Bertha

Again absently. Since when⁠—what?

Richard

Since when did he say he liked you?

Bertha

Always, he said. But more since we came back. He said I was like the moon in this lavender dress. Looking at him. Had you any words with him⁠—about me?

Richard

Blandly. The usual thing. Not about you.

Bertha

He was very nervous. You saw that?

Richard

Yes. I saw it. What else went on?

Bertha

He asked me to give him my hand.

Richard

Smiling. In marriage?

Bertha

Smiling. No, only to hold.

Richard

Did you?

Bertha

Yes. Tearing off a few petals. Then he caressed my hand and asked would I let him kiss it. I let him.

Richard

Well?

Bertha

Then he asked could he embrace me⁠—even once?⁠ ⁠… And then⁠ ⁠…

Richard

And then?

Bertha

He put his arm round me.

Richard

Stares at the floor for a moment, then looks at her again. And then?

Richard

Contemptuously. I care very little whether it is or not because there is something I fear much more.

Robert

Shakes his head. You fear? I disbelieve you, Richard. Since we were boys together I have followed your mind. You do not know what moral fear is.

Richard

Lays his hand on his arm. Listen. She is dead. She lies on my bed. I look at her body which I betrayed⁠—grossly and many times. And loved, too, and wept over. And I know that her body was always my loyal slave. To me, to me only she gave⁠ ⁠… He breaks off and turns aside, unable to speak.

Robert

Softly. Do not suffer, Richard. There is no need. She is loyal to you, body and soul. Why do you fear?

Richard

Turns towards him, almost fiercely. Not that fear. But that I will reproach myself then for having taken all for myself because I would not suffer her to give to another what was hers and not mine to give, because I accepted from her her loyalty and made her life poorer in love. That is my fear. That I stand between her and any moments of life that should be hers, between her and you, between her and anyone, between her and anything. I will not do it. I cannot and I will not. I dare not.

He leans back in his chair breathless, with shining eyes. Robert rises quietly, and stands behind his chair.