FullReads

[He looks ruefully at the braces and at LADY ELLA. A silence. MAUD reappears at the door and stands gazing at the braces.]

THE SQUIRE.[Suddenly] Eh?

MAUD.Yes.

THE SQUIRE.[Looking at his wife] Ah!

LADY ELLA.[Absorbed in EDWARD] Poor darling!

THE SQUIRE.[Bluntly] Ella, the Rector wants to get up!

THE RECTOR.[Gently] Perhaps–just for a moment—-

LADY ELLA.Oh! [She turns to the wall.]

[THE RECTOR, screened by his WIFE, retires on to the verandah to adjust his garments.]

THE SQUIRE.[Meditating] So she’s married!

LADY ELLA.[Absorbed in EDWARD] Why?

THE SQUIRE.Braces.

LADY ELLA.Oh! Yes. We ought to ask them to dinner, Tommy.

THE SQUIRE.Ah! Yes. Wonder who they are?

[THE RECTOR and MAUD reappear.]

THE RECTOR.Really very good of her to lend her husband’s–I was– er–quite—-

MAUD.That’ll do, Bertie.

[THEY see HER returning along the verandah, followed by a sandy, red-faced gentleman in leather leggings, with a needle and cotton in his hand.]

HERSELF.Caught the doctor just starting, So lucky!

LADY ELLA.Oh! Thank goodness!

DOCTOR.How do, Lady Ella? How do, Squire?–how do, Rector? [To MAUD] How de do? This the beastie? I see. Quite! Who’ll hold him for me?

LADY ELLA.Oh! I!

HERSELF.D’you know, I think I’d better. It’s so dreadful when it’s your own, isn’t it? Shall we go in here, doctor? Come along, pretty boy!

[She takes EDWARD, and they pass into the room, left.]

LADY ELLA.I dreaded it. She is splendid!

THE SQUIRE.Dogs take to her. That’s a sure sign.

THE RECTOR.Little things–one can always tell.

THE SQUIRE.Something very attractive about her–what! Fine build of woman.

MAUD.I shall get hold of her for parish work.

THE RECTOR.Ah! Excellent–excellent! Do!

THE SQUIRE.Wonder if her husband shoots? She seems quite-er–quite—-

LADY ELLA.[Watching the door] Quite! Altogether charming; one of the nicest faces I ever saw.

[THE DOCTOR comes out alone.]

Oh! Doctor–have you? is it—-?

DOCTOR.Right as rain! She held him like an angel–he just licked her, and never made a sound.

LADY ELLA.Poor darling! Can I—-

[She signs toward the door.]

DOCTOR.Better leave ’em a minute. She’s moppin’ ‘im off. [He wrinkles his nose] Wonderful clever hands!

THE SQUIRE.I say–who is she?

DOCTOR.[Looking from face to face with a dubious and rather quizzical expression] Who? Well–there you have me! All I know is she’s a first-rate nurse–been helpin’ me with a case in Ditch Lane. Nice woman, too–thorough good sort! Quite an acquisition here. H’m! [Again that quizzical glance] Excuse me hurryin’ off–very late. Good-bye, Rector. Good-bye, Lady Ella. Good-bye!

[He goes. A silence.]

THE SQUIRE.H’m! I suppose we ought to be a bit careful.

[JARVIS, flyman of the old school, has appeared on the verandah.]

JARVIS.[To THE RECTOR] Beg pardon, sir. Is the little dog all right?

MAUD.Yes.

JARVIS.[Touching his hat] Seein’ you’ve missed your train, m’m, shall I wait, and take you ‘ome again?

MAUD.No.

JARVIS.Cert’nly, m’m. [He touches his hat with a circular gesture, and is about to withdraw.]