Chapter III: Act III: Five days have passed since Act II

_Scene:_ As in Act I

_Time:_ Late afternoon

[_When the curtain rises Mrs. Clouston, Mrs. De Mullin, and Janet are on the stage. The nervous tension of the last few days has clearly told on Janet, who looks feverish and irritable._

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(speaking off into the hall on the right)_ Good-bye. Good-bye.

JANET

_(who is standing about c., scornfully)_ Good-bye! Good-bye!

MRS. CLOUSTON

_(shocked)_

Janet!

JANET

_(fiercely)_

How many times a week does that Bulstead woman think it necessary to call on us?

MRS. CLOUSTON

_(sitting)_

She doesn’t call very often.

JANET

She’s been three times this week.

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(closing door r.)_

Naturally she wants to hear how your father is, dear.

JANET

_(irritably)_

My dear mother, what _can_ it matter to Mrs. Bulstead whether father lives or dies?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

_(exasperated)_

Well, mother, do you seriously believe she cares? Or Miss Deanes? Or Miss Rolt? Or any of these people? They only call because they’ve nothing better to do. It’s sheer mental vacuity on their part. Besides, father’s perfectly well now. They know that. But they go on _calling, calling!_ I wonder Miss Deanes doesn’t bring her cockatoo to inquire.

[_Tramps to and fro impatiently._

MRS. CLOUSTON

Really, Janet, I can’t think what’s the matter with you. Do sit down and try and exercise some selfcontrol.

JANET

I’ve no self-control where these Brendon people are concerned. They get on my nerves, every one of them.... Where’s Johnny?

MRS. DE MULLIN

In the garden, I think,

JANET

Sensible boy! He’s had enough of visitors for one day, I’ll be bound. I’ll go out and join him.

[_Goes out angrily._

MRS. CLOUSTON

I can’t think what’s come to Janet the last day or two. Her temper gets worse and worse.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Perhaps it’s only the hot weather. No De Mullin---

MRS. CLOUSTON

Nonsense, Jane, don’t be foolish. We can’t have _Janet_ giving way to that sort of thing at her age.

MRS. DE MULLIN

I’m afraid she is rather irritable just now. She flew out quite savagely at Hester to-day just after luncheon.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Why was that?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Because of something she had been teaching Johnny. The Athanasian Creed I think it was. Yes, it must have been that because Johnny asked Janet what was meant by three Incomprehensibles. Janet asked him where he had heard all that and Johnny said Aunt Hester had taught it to him. Janet was very angry and forbade Hester ever to teach him anything again. Hester was quite hurt about it.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Naturally. Still, I do think Hester might have chosen something else to teach him.

MRS. DE MULLIN

That was what Janet said.

MRS. CLOUSTON

But that’s no reason why she shouldn’t behave herself when visitors are here. She was quite rude to Mrs. Bulstead. What they think of her in London when she goes on like this I can’t imagine.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Perhaps she isn’t like this in London.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Of course she is, Jane. Worse. Here she has the restraining influences of home life. Whereas in London, living alone as she does...

MRS. DE MULLIN

She has Johnny.

MRS. CLOUSTON

She has Johnny, of course. But that’s not enough. She ought to have a husband to look after her.

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(sighs)_

Yes.

[_Seats herself slowly beside her sister._

MRS. CLOUSTON

Where’s Hester?

MRS. DE MULLIN

At church, I expect.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Church! Why the girl’s always at church.

MRS. DE MULLIN

It’s a Wednesday. And it does no harm, I think.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Let us hope not, Jane.

[_De Mullin enters by the door on the left. He has evidently got over his recent attack and looks comparatively hale and vigorous._

MRS. DE MULLIN

Have you had your nap, Hugo?

DE MULLIN

Yes. The sunset woke me, I suppose. It was shining full on my face.

MRS. DE MULLIN

What a pity it woke you.

DE MULLIN

It didn’t matter. I’ve slept enough... _(wanders towards sofa, c.)_. Where’s Johnny?

MRS. DE MULLIN

In the garden, I think, with Janet.

DE MULLIN

_(wanders to window, c., and looks out)_

Yes. There he is. He’s playing hide and seek with Ellen.... Now she’s caught him. No, he’s got away. Bravo, Johnny! _(Stands watching intently for a while. Then turns and comes down c.)_ What a fine little fellow it is! A true De Mullin!

MRS. DE MULLIN

Do you think so, Hugo?

DE MULLIN

Every inch of him! _(pause, sits c., half to himself)_ If only Janet had been married!

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(sighs)_

Yes.

DE MULLIN

_(musing)_

I wonder who the father really was. _(looking up)_ She has never told you, Jane, I suppose?

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(steadily, without looking up)_

No, Hugo.

MRS. CLOUSTON

And never will. Nobody was ever so obstinate as Janet.

DE MULLIN

_(nods sadly)_

JANET always had plenty of will.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Far too much! [_pause._

MRS. DE MULLIN

You’ll quite miss Johnny when he goes away from us, Won’t you, Hugo.

DE MULLIN

Yes. I never thought I could grow so fond of a child. The house will seem empty without him.

MRS. DE MULLIN

I shall miss him too.

DE MULLIN

We shall all miss him. _(pause, thoughtfully)_ I wonder if Janet would leave him with us when she goes back to London?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Leave him with us? Altogether, you mean?

DE MULLIN

Yes.

MRS. DE MULLIN

I’m afraid not, Hugo. In fact, I’m quite sure she would not. She’s so fond of Johnny.

DE MULLIN

I suppose she wouldn’t _(pause)_. I was greatly shocked at what you told me about her the other day, Harriet.

MRS. CLOUSTON

About her keeping a shop, you mean?

DE MULLIN

Yes. And going into partnership with a Miss Higgs or Hicks. It all sounds most discreditable.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Deplorable.

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(meekly)_

She had to do something to keep herself, Hugo.

DE MULLIN

No doubt. Still, it can’t be considered a proper sort of position for my daughter. I think she must give it up at once.

MRS. DE MULLIN

She would only have to take to something else.

DE MULLIN

Not necessarily. She might come back here to live with us... with Johnny, of course.

Mrs. De. Mullin _(astonished)_

_Live_ with us?

DE MULLIN

Why not, Jane?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Well, of course if _you_ think so, Hugo.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Are you sure you will like to have Janet living at home again, Hugo?

DE MULLIN

I think it might be the best arrangement. And I shall like to have Johnny here. He’s our only descendant, Harriet, the last of the De Mullins. If you or Jane had had a son it would be different.

MRS. CLOUSTON

_(sighs)_

Yes.

DE MULLIN

As it is I don’t see how we can do anything-better than have them both down here--as Jane doesn’t think Janet would part with Johnny. It would be better for Janet too. It would take her away from her present unsatisfactory surroundings. It would give her a position and independence--everything she now lacks.

MRS. DE MULLIN

I should have thought she was _independent_ now,

DE MULLIN

_(irritably)_

My dear Jane, how can a woman possibly be independent whose income comes out of selling hats? The only form of independence that is possible or desirable for a woman is that she shall be dependent upon her husband or, if she is unmarried, on her nearest male relative. I am sure _you_ agree with me, Harriet?

MRS. CLOUSTON

Quite, Hugo.

DE MULLIN

Very well. I will speak to her about it at once.

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(nervously)_

I hardly think I would say anything about it to-day, Hugo.

DE MULLIN

Why not, Jane?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Well, she seems nervous and irritable to-day. I think I should put it off for a day or two.

DE MULLIN

_(testily)_

My dear Jane, you are always procrastinating. If such an arrangement is to be made the sooner it is made the better. _(Goes to window, c., calls)_ Janet my dear. Janet.

[_Pause. Then Janet appears at window, c._

JANET

Did you call me, father?

DE MULLIN

Yes. Come to me for a moment. I want to speak to you. _(De Mullin wanders undecidedly to the fireplace. A moment later Janet enters from the garden.)_ Is Johnny with you?

JANET

No. He’s having tea with Ellen. I said he might.

[_Pause. Janet comes down._

DE MULLIN

Janet, your mother and I have been talking over your future.

JANET

Have you, father?

[_With a quick glance at her mother. Mrs. De Mullin, however, makes no sign._

DE MULLIN

Yes. We have come to the conclusion that it would be better for you to come back here to live.

[_Janet faces round towards her father._

JANET

But what would become of the business?

DE MULLIN

You will have to give up the business, of course. So much the better. You never ought to have gone into it. It was not at all a suitable occupation for you.

JANET

But I like it, father.

MRS. CLOUSTON

_Like_ it! A De Mullin _like_ keeping a shop! Impossible.

JANET

_(firmly)_

Yes, Aunt Harriet, I like it. And I’m proud of it.

DE MULLIN

_(sharply)_

Nonsense, Janet. Nobody can possibly be proud of keeping a shop.

JANET

_I_ am. I made it, you see. It’s my child, like Johnny.

DE MULLIN

_(amazed)_

JANET! Do you understand what you’re doing? I offer you the chance of returning to Brendon to live as my daughter.

JANET

_(indifferently)_

I quite understand, father. And I’m much obliged for the offer. Only I decline it. That’s all.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Really!

DE MULLIN

_(with dignity)_

The question is, are you to be allowed to decline it, in Johnny’s interests if not your own?

JANET

Johnny’s?

DE MULLIN

Yes. Johnny’s. As long as he was a child it made little difference where he was brought up. Relatively little that is. Now he is getting to an age when early associations are all-important. Living here at Brendon in the home of his ancestors he will grow up worthy of the race from which he is descended. He will be a true De Mullin.

JANET

_(quietly)_

Perhaps I don’t want him to be a true De Mullin, father.

DE MULLIN

What do you mean?

JANET

My dear father, you’re infatuated about your De Mullins. Who are the De Mullins, after all? Mere country squires who lived on here down at Brendon generation after generation. What have they ever done that I should want Johnny to be like them? Nothing. There’s not one of them who has ever distinguished himself in the smallest degree or made his name known outside his native village. The De Mullins are, and have always been, nobodies. Look at their portraits. Is there a single one of them that is worth a second glance? Why they never even had the brains to be painted by a decent artist. With the result that they aren’t worth the canvas they’re painted on. Or is it board? I’d make a bonfire of them if they were mine.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

_(impatiently)_

I would. You seem to think there’s some peculiar virtue about always living in the same place. I believe in people uprooting themselves and doing something with their lives. What was the good of the De Mullins going on living down here century after century, always a little poorer and a little poorer, selling a farm here, mortgaging another there, instead of going out into the world to seek their fortunes? We’ve stayed too long in one place, we De Mullins. We shall never be worth anything sleeping away our lives down at Brendon.

DE MULLIN

_(sharply)_

Janet, you are talking foolishly. What you say only makes it clearer to me that you cannot be allowed to live by yourself in London any longer. Such a life is demoralizing to you. You must come back to Brendon.

JANET

I shall not come back to Brendon, father. On that I am quite determined.

DE MULLIN

_(with dignity)_

My dear, this is not a matter that rests with you. My mind is made up. Hitherto I have only asked you to return. Do not force me to command you.

JANET

_(fiercely)_

Command? By what right do you command?

DE MULLIN

By the right of a father, Janet. By that right I insist on your obedience.

JANET

_(losing her temper)_

Obedience! Obedience! I owe no one obedience. I am of full age and can order my life as I please. Is a woman never to be considered old enough to manage her own affairs? Is she to go down to her grave everlastingly under tutelage? Is she always to be obeying a father when she’s not obeying a husband? Well, I, for one, will not submit to such nonsense. I’m sick of this everlasting _obedience_.

DE MULLIN

_(fiercely)_

JANET...!

[_Door opens l. Ellen enters with the lamp. There is a considerable pause, during which Ellen puts down the lamp, turns it up, pulls down the blind and begins to draw the curtains. In the middle of the last process De Mullin intervenes._

DE MULLIN

(irritably)

You can leave the curtains, Ellen.

ELLEN

Very well, sir.

[_Exit Ellen l. with maddening deliberation. Pause._

JANET

Father, I’m sorry if what I said vexed you. Perhaps I spoke too strongly.

DE MULLIN

_(with great dignity)_

Very well, Janet. You will remain with us.

JANET

No, father, that’s not possible. For Johnny’s sake, as well as my own, it would be madness for us to live down here.

DE MULLIN

For Johnny’s sake?

JANET

Yes, Johnny’s. In London we’re not known, he and I. There he’s simply Johnny Seagrave, the son of a respectable widow who keeps a hat-shop. Here he is the son of Janet De Mullin who ran away from home one night eight years ago and whose name was never mentioned again by her parents until one fine day she turned up with an eight-year-old boy and said she was married. How long would they take to see through _that_ story down here, do you think?

MRS. CLOUSTON

_(tartly)_

Whose fault is that?

JANET

Never mind whose fault it is, Aunt Harriet. The question is, will they see through it or will they not? Of course, they _know_ nothing so far, but I’ve no doubt they suspect. What else have people to do down here but suspect other people? Miss Deanes murmurs her doubts to Mrs. Bulstead and Mrs. Bulstead shakes her head to Miss Deanes. Mrs. Bulstead! What right has _she_ to look down that huge nose of hers at _me!_ She’s had _ten_ children!

MRS. DE MULLIN

JANET! She’s married.

JANET

To Mr. Bulstead! That vulgar animal! You don’t ask me to consider that a _merit_, do you? No, Mrs. Bulstead shan’t have the chance of sneering at Johnny if _I_ can help it. Or at me either.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet, listen to me. You don’t understand how your father feels about this or how much it means to him. Johnny is his only grandchild--our only descendant. He would adopt him and call him De Mullin, and then the name would not die out. You know how much your father thinks of that and how sorry he has always been that I never had a son.

JANET

_(more gently)_

I know, mother. But when Hester marries...

HESTER?

DE MULLIN

JANET

Yes.

DE MULLIN

_(turning angrily to his wife)_

But whom is Hester going to marry? Is she going to marry? I have heard nothing about this. What’s this, Jane? Has something been kept from me?

MRS. DE MULLIN

No, no, Hugo. Nothing has been kept from you. It’s only some fancy of Janet’s. She thinks Mr. Brown is going to propose to Hester. There’s nothing in it, really.

DE MULLIN

Mr. Brown! Impossible!

MRS. CLOUSTON

Quite impossible!

JANET

_(calmly)_

Why impossible, father?

DE MULLIN

He would never dare to do such a thing. _Mr. Brown_ to have the audacity to propose to _my_ daughter!

JANET

_(quietly)_

Why not, father?

DE MULLIN

_(bubbling with rage)_

Because he is not of a suitable position. Because the _De Mullins_ cannot be expected to marry people of _that_ class. Because...

JANET

_(shrugs)_

I dare say Mr. Brown won’t think of all that. Anyhow, I hope he won’t. I hope he’ll propose to Hester and she’ll accept him and then when they’ve a whole herd of little Browns you can select one of them and make a De Mullin of him, poor little wretch.

_[At this moment Hester enters from the garden. An uncomfortable silence falls_.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Hush, hush, Janet. Here is Hester. Is that you, Hester? Have you come from church?

HESTER

Yes, mother.

_[She comes down, her face looking pale and drawn, and stands by her mother._

MRS. DE MULLIN

You’re very late, dear.

HESTER

A little, I stayed on after service was over.

MRS. CLOUSTON

How very eccentric of you!

HESTER

_(quietly)_

I suppose saying one’s prayers does seem eccentric to you, Aunt Harriet?

MRS. CLOUSTON

My dear Hester, considering you’d only just finished _one_ service...

JANET

_(who has not noticed the look on her sister’s face)_

Well, Aunt Harriet, who was right?

MRS. DE MULLIN

Hush, Janet!

JANET

_(gaily)_

My dear mother, what on earth is there to “hush” about? And what on earth is there to keep Hester in church half an hour after service is over, if it’s not what I told you?

HESTER

What do you mean?

JANET

Nothing, dear. Come and give me a kiss.

[_Pulling her towards her._

HESTER {repulsing her roughly)

I won’t. Leave me alone, Janet. What has she been saying about me, mother? I insist on knowing.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Nothing, dear. Only some nonsense about you and Mr. Brown. Janet is always talking nonsense.

JANET

Yes, Hester. About you and Mr. Brown. _Your_ Mr. Brown. Confess he has asked you to marry him as I said?

HESTER

_(slowly)_

Mr. Brown is engaged to be married to Agatha Bulstead. He told me so this evening after service.

JANET

He told you!

HESTER

Yes. He asked me to congratulate him.

JANET

The little wretch!

MRS. DE MULLIN

To Agatha Bulstead? That’s the plain one, isn’t it?

HESTER

The third one. Yes.

JANET

The plain one! Good heavens, it oughtn’t to be allowed. The children will be little monsters.

MRS. CLOUSTON

So that’s why you were so long at church?

HESTER

Yes. I was praying that they might be happy.

JANET

Poor Hester!

MRS. DE MULLIN

Are you disappointed, dear?

HESTER

I’d rather not talk about it if you don’t mind, mother.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Your father would never have given his consent.

HESTER

So Mr. Brown said.

JANET

The little _worm_.

MRS. DE MULLIN

My dear!

JANET

Well, mother, isn’t it too contemptible?

DE MULLIN

I’m bound to say Mr. Brown seems to have behaved in a very fitting manner.

JANET

You think so, father?

DE MULLIN

Certainly. He saw what my objections would be and recognized that they were reasonable. Nothing could be more proper.

JANET

Well, father. I don’t know what you do want. Ten minutes ago you were supposed to be wanting a grandson to adopt. Here’s Hester going the right way to provide one, and you don’t like that either.

HESTER

What is all this about, father? What have you all been discussing while I’ve been out?

MRS. DE MULLIN

It was nothing about you, Hester.

HESTER

I’m not sure of that, mother. Anyhow I should like to hear what it was.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Hester, that is not at all a proper tone to use in speaking to your mother.

HESTER

_(fiercely)_

Please don’t interfere, Aunt Harriet. I suppose I can be trusted to speak to my mother properly by this time.

MRS. CLOUSTON

You certainly ought to, my dear. You are quite old enough.

HESTER

Very well then. Perhaps you will be good enough not to dictate to me in future. What was it you were discussing, father?

JANET

I’ll tell you, Hester. Father wanted to adopt Johnny. He wanted me to come down here to live altogether.

HESTER

Indeed? Well, father, understand, please, that if Janet comes down here to live _I go!_

MRS. DE MULLIN

Hester!

HESTER

I will not live in the same house with Janet. Nothing shall induce me. I would rather beg my bread.

JANET

That settles it then. Thanks, Hester. I’m glad you had the pluck to say that. You are right. Quite right.

HESTER

I can do without _your_ approval, Janet.

JANET

_(recklessly)_

Of course you can. But you can have it all the same. You never wanted me down here. You always disapproved of my being sent for. I ought never to have come. I wish I hadn’t come. My coming has only done harm to Hester, as she knew it would.

DE MULLIN

How harm?

JANET

Mr. Brown would have asked Hester to marry him if I hadn’t come. He meant to; I’m sure of it.

MRS. DE MULLIN

But he said...

JANET

I know. But that was only an excuse. Young men aren’t so considerate of their future fathers-inlaw as all that nowadays. No. Mr. Brown heard some story about me from Miss Deanes. Or perhaps the Vicar put him on his guard. Isn’t it so, Hester?

[_Hester nods._

MRS. DE MULLIN

But as your father would never have consented, dear...

HESTER

_(slowly)_

Still, I’d rather he had asked me, mother.

JANET

Quite right, Hester! I’m glad you’ve got some wholesome feminine vanity left in your composition. And you’d have said “yes,” like a sensible woman.

HESTER

Oh, you’re always sneering!

JANET

Yes. But I’m _going_, Hester, _going! That’s_ great thing! Keep your eyes fixed steadily on that and you’ll be able to bear anything else. That reminds me. _(Goes to door, l., and calls loudly into the hall.)_ Johnny! Johnny!

MRS. CLOUSTON

Really, Janet!

JANET

Oh, I forgot. It’s not genteel to call into the passage, is it? I ought to have rung. I apologise, Aunt Harriet. _(Calls again)_ Johnny!

MRS. DE MULLIN

Why are you calling Johnny?

JANET

To tell him to put on his hat and coat, mother dear. I’m going to the station.

DE MULLIN

You’re going to-night?

JANET

Yes, father, to-night. I’ve done harm enough down here. I’m going away.

JOHNNY

_(entering l.)_

Do you want me, Mummie?

JANET

Yes. Run and put on your things and say goodbye to Cook and Ellen and tell Robert to put in the pony. Mother’s going back to London.

JOHNNY

Are we going now, Mummie?

JANET

_(nods)_

As fast as the train can carry us. And tell Ellen to lock my trunk for me and give you the key. Run along.

_[Exit Johnny, l._

DE MULLIN

Lock your trunk! But you’ve not _packed?_

JANET

Oh yes, I have. Everything’s packed, down to my last shoelace. I don’t know how often I haven’t packed and unpacked during the last five days.

MRS. DE MULLIN

_(astonished and hurt)_

You meant to leave us then, Janet? You’ve been _wanting_ to leave us all the time?

JANET

Yes, mother. I’ve been wanting to leave you. I can’t stay here any longer. Brendon stifles me. It has too many ghosts. I suppose it’s your ridiculous De Mullins.

DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

I know, father. That’s blasphemy, isn’t it? But I can’t help it. I must go. I’ve been meaning to tell you every day for the last four days, but somehow I always put it off.

DE MULLIN

Understand me, Janet. If you leave this house to-night you leave it for ever.

JANET

_(cheerfully)_

All right, father.

DE MULLIN

_(growing angrier)_

Understand, too, that if you leave it you are never to hold any communication either with me or with any one in it henceforward. You are cut off from the family. I will never see you or recognize you in any way, or speak to you again as long as I live.

JANET

_(astonished)_

My dear father, why are you so angry? Is there anything so dreadful in my wanting to live in London instead of in the country?

DE MULLIN

_(getting more and more excited)_

Why am I angry! Why am I...!

MRS. DE MULLIN

Sh! Hugo! You mustn’t excite yourself. You know the doctor said...

DE MULLIN

Be quiet, Jane! _(turning furiously to Janet)_ Why am I angry! You disgrace the family. You have a child, that poor fatherless boy....

JANET

_(quietly)_

Oh come, I could have got along quite well without a father if it comes to that. And so could Hester.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

Well, mother, what has father ever done for Hester or me except try and prevent us from doing something we wanted to do? Hester wanted to marry Mr. Brown. Father wouldn’t have allowed her. He’s not genteel enough to marry a De Mullin. I want to go back to my shop. Father objects to that. That’s not genteel enough for a De Mullin either. Well, hang all the De Mullins, say I.

DE MULLIN

_(furious)_

I forbid you to speak of your family in that way-of _my_ family! I forbid it! It is an outrage. Your ancestors were honourable men and pure women. They did their duty in the position in which they were born, and handed on their name untarnished to their children. Hitherto our honour has been unsullied. You have sullied it. You have brought shame upon your parents and shame upon your son, and that shame you can never wipe out. If you had in you a spark of human feeling, if you were not worthless and heartless you would blush to look me in the face or your child in the face. But you are utterly hardened. I ought never to have offered to receive you back into this house. I ought never to have consented to see you again. I was wrong. I regret it. You are unfit for the society of decent people. Go back to London. Take up the wretched trade you practise there. It is what you are fit for.

JANET

That’s exactly what I think, father. As we agree about it why make such a fuss?

DE MULLIN

_(furious)_

Janet....

HESTER

Father, don’t argue with her. It’s no use. _(solemnly)_ Leave her to God.

JANET

Hester, Hester, don’t deceive yourself. In your heart you envy me my baby, and you know it.

HESTER

_(indignant)_

I do not.

JANET

You do. Time is running on with you, my dear. You’re twenty-eight. Just the age that I was when I met my lover. Yes, my lover. In a few years you will be too old for love, too old to have children. So soon it passeth away and we are gone. Your best years are slipping by and you are growing faded and cross and peevish. Already the lines are hardening about your mouth and the hollows coming under your eyes. You will be an old woman before your time unless you marry and have children. And what will you do then? Keep a lap-dog, I suppose, or sit up at night with a sick cockatoo like Miss Deanes. Miss Deanes! Even she has a heart somewhere about her. Do you imagine she wouldn’t rather give it to her babies than snivel over _poultry?_ No, Hester, make good use of your youth, my dear. It won’t last always. And once gone it is gone for ever. _(Hester bursts into tears.)_ There, there, Hester! I’m sorry. I oughtn’t to have spoken like that. It wasn’t kind. Forgive me. _(Hester weep more and more violently.)_ Hester, don’t cry like that. I can’t bear to hear you. I was angry and said more than I should. I didn’t mean to vex you. Come, dear, you mustn’t give way like that or you’ll make yourself ill. Dry your eyes and let me see you smile. _(Caressing her. Hester, who has begun by resisting her feebly, gradually allows herself to be soothed.)_ That’s better! My dear, what a sight you’ve made of yourself! But all women are hideous when they’ve been crying. It makes their noses red and that’s dreadfully unbecoming. _(Hester sobs out a laugh)_. No. You mustn’t begin to cry again or I shall scold you. I shall, really.

HESTER

_(half laughing, half crying hysterically)_

You seem to think every woman ought to behave as shamefully as you did.

JANET

_(grimly)_

No, Hester. I don’t think that. To do as I did needs pluck and brains--and five hundred pounds. Everything most women haven’t got, poor things. So they must marry or remain childless. You must marry--the next curate. I suppose the Bulsteads will buy Mr. Brown a living as he’s marrying the plainest of the daughters. It’s the least they can do. But that’s no reason why _I_ should marry unless I choose.

MRS. CLOUSTON

Well, I’ve never heard of anything so disgraceful. I thought Janet at least had the grace to be ashamed of what she did!

JANET

_(genuinely astonished)_

Ashamed? Ashamed of wanting to have a child? What on earth were women created for, Aunt Harriet, if not to have children?

MRS. CLOUSTON To _marry_ and have children.

JANET

_(with relentless logic)_

My dear Aunt Harriet, women had children thousands of years before marriage was invented. I dare say they will go on doing so thousands of years after it has ceased to exist.

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

Well, mother, that’s how I feel. And I believe it’s how all wholesome women feel if they would only acknowledge it. I _wanted_ to have a child. I always did from the time when I got too old to play with dolls. Not an adopted child or a child of some one else’s, but a baby of my very own. Of course I wanted to marry. That’s the ordinary way a woman wants to be a mother nowadays, I suppose. But time went on and nobody came forward, and I saw myself getting old and my chance slipping away. Then I met-never mind. And I fell in love with him. Or perhaps I only fell in love with love. I don’t know. It was so splendid to find some one at last who really cared for me as women should be cared for! Not to talk to because I was clever or to play tennis with because I was strong, but to kiss me and to make love to me! Yes! To make love to me!

DE MULLIN

_(solemnly)_

Listen to me, my girl. You say that now, and I dare say you believe it. But when you are older, when Johnny is grown up, you will bitterly repent having brought into the world a child who can call no man father.

JANET

_(passionately)_

Never! Never! That I’m sure of. Whatever happens, even if Johnny should come to hate me for what I did, I shall always be glad to have been his mother. At least I shall have lived. These poor women who go through life listless and dull, who have never felt the joys and the pains a mother feels, how they would envy me if they knew! If they knew! To know that a child is your very own, is a part of you. That you have faced sickness and pain and death itself for it. That it is yours and nothing can take it from you because no one can understand its wants as you do. To feel it’s soft breath on your cheek, to soothe it when it is fretful and still it when it cries, that is motherhood and that is glorious!

[_Johnny runs in by the door on the left. He is obviously in the highest spirits at the thought of going home._

JOHNNY

The trap is round, Mummie, and the luggage is in.

JANET

That’s right. Good-bye, father. _(He does not move)_ Say good-bye to your grandfather, Johnny. You won’t see him again.

[_De Mullin kisses Johnny._

MRS. DE MULLIN

Janet!

JANET

No, mother. It’s best not. _(Kisses her)_ It would only be painful for father. Good-bye, Aunt Harriet. Good-bye, Hester.

[_Looks at Hester doubtfully. Hester rises, goes to her slowly and kisses her._

HESTER

Good-bye. .

[_Exeunt Johnny and Janet by the door the right._

DE MULLIN

_(his grey head bowed on his chest as Mrs De Mullin timidly lays her hand on his shoulder)_

The last of the De Mullins! The last of the De Mullins!

_(The curtain falls)_

End of Project Gutenberg's The Last of The De Mullins, by St. John Hankin