Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 214

ANNE. Of course I enjoyed it. It meant thinking of you, talking of--

HAROLD. Rot! Not of me, really. You didn't think I am really the sort of person who could write that--that drivel!

ANNE [_hurt_]. Oh, I don't know. After a while I suppose you and my dream got confused.

HAROLD. But it was the rankest--

ANNE. Oh, I'm not so different from other girls. We're all like that.

[_Repeating Ruth's phrase reminiscently._] We must have some one to dream about--to talk about. I suppose it's because we haven't enough to do. And then we don't have any--any real adventures like--shop girls.

HAROLD [_surprised at this bit of reality_]. That's a funny thing to say!

ANNE. Well, it's true. I know I went rather far. After I got started I couldn't stop. I didn't want to, either. It took hold of me. So I went on and on and let people think whatever they wanted. But if you go now and people find out what I've done, they'll think I'm really mad--or something worse. Life will be impossible for me here, don't you see--impossible. [_Harold is silent._] But if you stay, it will be so easy. Just a day or two. Then you will have to go to India. Is that much to ask? [_Acting._] And you save me from disgrace, from ruin!

[_Harold remains silent, troubled._]

ANNE [_becoming impa.s.sioned_]. You must help me. You _must_. After I've been so frank with you, you can't go back on me now. I've never in my life talked to any one like this--so openly. You _can't_ go back on me!

If you leave me here to be laughed at, mocked at by every one, I don't know what I shall do. I shan't be responsible. If you have any kindness, any chivalry.... Oh, for G.o.d's sake, Harold, help me, help me!

[_Kneels at his feet._]

HAROLD. I don't know.... I'm horribly muddled.... All right, I'll stay!

ANNE. Good! Good! Oh, you are fine! I knew you would be. Now everything will be so simple. [_The vista opens before her._] We will be very quiet here for a couple of days. We won't see many people, for of course it isn't announced. And then you will go ... and I will write you a letter....

HAROLD [_disagreeably struck by the phrase_]. Write me a letter? What for?

ANNE [_ingenuously_]. Telling you that I have been mistaken. Releasing you from the engagement ... and you will write me an answer ... sad but manly ... reluctantly accepting my decision....

HAROLD. Oh, I am to write an answer, sad but manly--Good G.o.d! Suppose you don't release me after all.

ANNE. Don't be silly, Harold. I promise. Can't you trust me?

HAROLD. Trust you? [_His eyes travel quickly from the table littered with letters and dispatches to the flowers that ornament the room, back to the table and finally to the ring that now hangs conspicuously on her breast. She follows the look and instinctively puts her hand to the ring._] Trust you? By Jove, no, I don't trust you! This is absurd, I don't stay another moment. Say what you will to people. I'm off. This is final.

ANNE [_who has stepped to the window_]. You can't go now. I hear Mother and Ruth coming.

HAROLD. All the more reason. [_He finds his hat._] I bolt.

ANNE [_blocking the door_]. You can't go, Harold! Don't corner me. I'll fight like a wildcat if you do.

HAROLD. Fight?

ANNE. Yes. A pretty figure you'll cut if you bolt now. They'll think you a cad--an out and out cad! Haven't they seen your letters come week by week, and your presents? And you have written to Mother, too--I have your letter. There won't be anything bad enough to say about you.

They'll say you jilted me for that English girl in Brazil. It will be true, too. And it will get about. She'll hear of it, I'll see to that--and then--

HAROLD. But it's a complete lie! I can explain--

ANNE. You'll have a hard time explaining your letters and your presents--and your ring. There's a deal of evidence against you--

HAROLD. See here, are you trying to blackmail me? Oh, this is too ridiculous!

ANNE. They're coming! I hear them on the stairs! What are you going to tell them?

HAROLD. The truth. I must get clear of all this. I tell you--

ANNE [_suddenly clinging to him_]. No, no, Harold! Forgive me, I was just testing you. I will get you out of this. Leave it to me.

HAROLD [_struggling with her_]. No, I won't leave anything to you, _ever_.

ANNE [_still clinging tightly_]. Harold, remember I am a woman--and I love you.

[_This brings him up short a moment to wonder, and in this moment there is a knock at the door._]

ANNE [_abandoning Harold_]. Come in. [_There is a discreet pause._]

MRS. CAREY'S VOICE [_off stage_]. May we come in?

ANNE [_angrily_]. Yes!

[_Harold, who has moved toward the door, meets Mrs. Carey as she enters. She throws her arms about his neck and kisses him warmly.

She is followed by Ruth._]

MRS. CAREY. Harold! My door boy!

RUTH [_clutching his arm_]. h.e.l.lo, Harold. I am so glad.

[_Harold, temporarily overwhelmed by the onslaught of the two women, is about to speak, when Anne interrupts dramatically._]

ANNE. Wait a moment, Mother. Before you say anything more I must tell you that Harold and I are no longer engaged!

[_Mrs. Carey and Ruth draw away from Harold in horror-struck surprise._]

MRS. CAREY. No longer engaged? Why.... What...?

HAROLD. Really, Mrs. Carey, I--

ANNE [_interrupts, going to her mother_]. Mother, dear, be patient with me, trust me, I beg of you--and please, please don't ask me any questions. Harold and I have had a very hard--a very painful hour together. I don't think I can stand any more.

[_She is visibly very much exhausted, gasping for breath._]

MRS. CAREY. Oh, my poor child, what is it? What has he done?

[_She supports Anne on one side while Ruth hurries to the other._]

HAROLD. Really, Mrs. Carey, I think I can explain.

ANNE. No, Harold, there's no use trying to explain. There are some things a woman feels, about which she cannot reason. I know I am doing right.