Martha Part 8

LADY H. (_tries to escape_). Oh, I must go, I must go! (_Pulls away._)

LIO. Stay and hear me. Stay--and be my wife!--

LADY H. Oh, what is he saying?

LIO. See, I am at your feet--in earnest now! (_Kneels._)

LADY H. (_aside_). Oh, how can I elude him? (_Begins to laugh._) Don't think me heartless, but really (_affectedly_) to see you kneeling there is so funny!

LIO. But when we are married all difference of birth and station will be wiped out; you will forget that you were once my servant; you will have in me forever a slave!

LADY H. (_is touched, and then begins to laugh hysterically again_).

Ha! ha! ha! This is ridiculous! If you only knew how funny you are!

(PLUNKET _runs on dragging_ NANCY. LIONEL _rises and_ LADY H.

_runs toward_ NANCY _whom_ PLUNKET _swings on to the stage_.)

PLUN. There, my girl! Don't you try that game again! Where do you suppose she was? the vixen! In the kitchen, smas.h.i.+ng dishes, bottles, gla.s.ses, everything she could lay her hands on! She made me look lively, too, before I caught her. My eye!

NAN. If you don't let me go, I'll scratch it out!

PLUN. (_releasing her_). Jupiter! I believe you would! She has spirit. I confess I like to see it.

NAN. Martha, Martha, what are we going to do? (_Twelve o'clock strikes slowly as they speak._)

PLUN. Pooh! What ails you now? My patience is worn out! Get to bed, you idle baggage! You are a hard case, that's easy to see.

(_Quartet follows._)

LADY H., NAN., PLUN. _and_ LIO. Midnight chimes sound afar!

LIO. If the maid her love refuse me, Yet I pledge my faithful heart, In her glance faint hope is smiling, Bringing comfort ere here we part.

NAN. Of our foolish prank I'm weary, Tho' in play 'twas fain begun; Yet our childish trick is working Pain and sorrow to every one.

So good night!

PLUN. Now good night and sleep in quiet, Tho' you're fractious I am kind, Naughty girls to work must settle, Learn to mind.

Now good night, good night.

LADY H. That to wound his heart I'm fated Fills my heart with pity and pain, Ah, our mad caprice is working Pain and sorrow, all in vain.

LIO. Though her love she refuse me, Yet I pledge my faithful heart, So good night, good night!

(_Girls go out and close door, before orchestral ending. Then the men retire after locking the outer door. Girls open their door again, peep out, run back, and shut door, etc.; then come out again, watching with finger on lips for interruptions. They speak._)

LADY H. Nancy!

NANCY. My lady.

LADY H. This is our chance.

NANCY. What shall we do?

LADY H. What do _you_ say?

NAN. Can we escape so--all alone?

LADY H. We are locked in, besides.

NAN. What an awful time we are having!

LADY H. Awful day--aw-ful-ler night--the day was bad, but this is worse. We _are_ in a sc.r.a.pe!

NAN. Still--those fellows might be worse! (_Looks at_ LADY H.

_slyly_.)

LADY H. (_with dignity_). They are well meaning.

NAN. (_archly_). And polite.

LADY H. If the Queen should hear of it!

NAN. Good bye us!

(_A noise is heard outside at window._)

LADY H. (_grasps_ NANCY _and they run across stage to their door_).

What is it? O who is coming?

NAN. Steps--a voice--help is near!

TRISTAN (_outside whispers loudly_). Cousin, cousin!

LADY H. Tristan! O joy! O horrors!

NAN. What will he think?

LADY H. He will scold us--and we deserve it. But he will save us!

(TRISTAN _enters through the window which girls help him open_.)

TRIS. Yes, here I am, faithful still. Cousin. (_Looks around._) What a vulgar habitation! That I should live to see you in a place like this. (_Shudders._)

NAN. Hus.h.!.+ You'll wake everybody up.

LADY H. Don't stop to preach. Just go.

TRIS. I have a carriage at the corner. Come, make haste.