PAGE 3
The Sun
by
THE GIRL.[Drawing back] No.
SOLDIER.[Blankly] Why not?
[THE MAN, with a swift movement steps along the hedge to THE GIRL’S side.]
THE MAN.That’s why, soldier.
SOLDIER.[Leaping over the stile] ‘Oo are you, Pompey? The sun don’t shine in your inside, do it? ‘Oo is he, Daisy?
THE GIRL.My man.
SOLDIER.Your-man! Lummy! “Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief!” Well, mate! So you’ve been through it, too. I’m laughin’ this mornin’ as luck will ‘ave it. Ah! I can see your knife.
THE MAN.[Who has half drawn his knife] Don’t laugh at me, I tell you.
SOLDIER.Not at you, not at you. [He looks from one to the other] I’m laughin’ at things in general. Where did you get it, mate?
THE MAN.[Watchfully] Through the lung.
SOLDIER.Think o’ that! An’ I never was touched. Four years an’ never was touched. An’ so you’ve come an’ took my girl! Nothin’ doin’! Ha! [Again he looks from one to the other-then away] Well! The world’s before me! [He laughs] I’ll give you Daisy for a lung protector.
THE MAN.[Fiercely] You won’t. I’ve took her.
SOLDIER.That’s all right, then. You keep ‘er. I’ve got a laugh in me you can’t put out, black as you look! Good-bye, little Daisy!
[THE GIRL makes a movement towards him.]
THE MAN.Don’t touch ‘im!
[THE GIRL stands hesitating, and suddenly bursts into tears.]
SOLDIER.Look ‘ere, mate; shake ‘ands! I don’t want to see a girl cry, this day of all, with the sun shinin’. I seen too much of sorrer. You and me’ve been at the back of it. We’ve ‘ad our whack. Shake!
THE MAN.Who are you kiddin’? You never loved ‘er!
SOLDIER.[After a long moment’s pause] Oh! I thought I did.
THE MAN.I’ll fight you for her.
[He drops his knife. ]
SOLDIER.[Slowly] Mate, you done your bit, an’ I done mine. It’s took us two ways, seemin’ly.
THE GIRL.[Pleading] Jim!
THE MAN.[With clenched fists] I don’t want ‘is charity. I only want what I can take.
SOLDIER.Daisy, which of us will you ‘ave?
THE GIRL.[Covering her face] Oh! Him!
SOLDIER.You see, mate! Put your ‘ands down. There’s nothin’ for it but a laugh. You an’ me know that. Laugh, mate!
THE MAN.You blarsted—-!
[THE GIRL springs to him and stops his mouth.]
SOLDIER.It’s no use, mate. I can’t do it. I said I’d laugh to-day, and laugh I will. I’ve come through that, an’ all the stink of it; I’ve come through sorrer. Never again! Cheerio, mate! The sun’s a-shinin’! He turns away.
THE GIRL.Jack, don’t think too ‘ard of me!
SOLDIER.[Looking back] No fear, my dear! Enjoy your fancy! So long! Gawd bless you both!
He sings, and goes along the path, and the song fades away.
“I’ll be right there to-night
Where the fields are snowy white;
Banjos ringing, darkies singing
All the world seems bright!”
THE MAN.‘E’s mad!
THE GIRL.[Looking down the path with her hands clasped] The sun has touched ‘im, Jim!
[CURTAIN]