A Fool's Paradise Part 7

KATE. I don't care how much it is or how little. I don't want to know.

(_turns away to front of table_)

SIR P. This is a matter of no less than two hundred thousand pounds.

Well?

KATE. I said nothing.

SIR P. Then will you please say something?

KATE. I have nothing to say.

SIR P. A woman--and nothing to say. You regard two hundred thousand pounds with contempt. Think, how many new frocks it would buy. (_going to her_)

KATE. I do not regard money with contempt; for money can sometimes buy happiness. But we are all perfectly happy as we are. Why do you want to disturb us?

SIR P. (_R. of table_) You think only of the present; but consider the future. Some day, you may have a daughter of your own----

KATE. No, I shall never marry.

SIR P. Never what?

KATE. I am in earnest. (_goes down a few steps, R.C._)

SIR P. A woman--and not want to be married! Hang me, if I believe you're a woman at all! (_goes to L.C._)

KATE. Why? Because I want to be generous?

SIR P. (_above KATE_) Miss Derwent, there is a higher virtue than generosity, and that is justice. It is easy enough to be generous, but it hard indeed to be just--especially to oneself. This is a question of pounds, s.h.i.+llings, and pence.

KATE. (_works up to C._) Pardon me, Sir Peter--this is a question of breaking the hearts of those who were kind to me when I needed kindness, who befriended me when I was alone in the world, whom I have already learned to love almost as what they are--my brother and sister. Their father--my father--is dead, but his memory is dear to them. I know they loved him--and I know they honoured him. How can I imperil that love, and how can I stultify that honour? How can I cloud the suns.h.i.+ne of my sister's life with the shadow of her father's sin?

No, Sir Peter! If that is justice, justice is beyond me. I am only equal to generosity. I _am_ a woman, only a woman--and I can't do it.

Not for a hundred fortunes! Not for all the world. (_goes to L. of table and sits_)

SIR P. (_goes up to C._) Yes, you are a woman after all--and as self-willed and silly as the rest. To throw away two hundred thousand pounds! Why, I've decimated my fellow creatures for half that. It's wicked--positively wicked. You deserve to die in a ditch.

KATE. (_rises_) I will die where heaven wills it, but I shall at least have the consciousness that I have done something to repair my father's wrong.

SIR P. Rubbish--romantic rubbish.

KATE. Promise me that you will keep this secret--that you will say nothing to my brother--promise me, Sir Peter.

SIR P. I shall promise nothing. I shall use my own discretion, as I always do. (_turns off, L.C._)

KATE. Sir Peter! (_following him_)

SIR P. You are a foolish, obstinate, absurd--(_turns suddenly and takes both her hands_)--good, generous, true-hearted girl, and I am your friend always! Look here! I'm old enough to be your father--(_is about to kiss her. Re-enter PRICE, R.D.; aside_) d.a.m.n that man! (_goes L., PRICE sounds gong, R., below fire-place_)

_Music in orchestra till act drop. Re-enter TOM and MILDRED, running in from grounds, followed by BEATRICE and LORD NORMANTOWER leisurely, C. from R._

TOM. (_throwing his hat on R. table_) Lunch, at last! Aren't I ready for it? (_runs off, R.D._)

MIL. (_throwing hers on the table_) Tom! Wait for me. (_runs off R.D._)

_KATE looks from MILDRED to SIR PETER pathetically. Exit PRICE, R.D.

PHILIP appears on staircase, slowly coming down._

BEA. (_coming down C._) You must be hungry after your journey. (_R. of LORD NORMANTOWER_)

NOR. (_coming down C._) Yes, thank heaven, my appet.i.te is as redoubtable as ever. Miss Derwent may--(_about to offer arm_)

BEA. (_cutting in_) Sir Peter, will you bring Miss Derwent?

_LORD NORMANTOWER is obliged to offer his arm to BEATRICE. Exit LORD NORMANTOWER and BEATRICE, R. SIR PETER offers his arm to KATE whom he takes R.C._

PHIL. (_on stairs_) Stop, doctor, stop. (_comes down to R. of KATE_) Don't monopolise all the good things. Suppose we go shares. (_offers his arm to KATE_)

KATE. (_between the two_) Don't be scandalised. (_to SIR PETER_) Mr.

Selwyn often gives me his arm. Here--(_looking at PHILIP_) I am more like a friend than a dependant.

PHIL. (looking at KATE) More like a sister than a friend. (_exeunt, R.D._)

SWELL MUSIC.

Quick Act Drop.

_Time: Thirty Minutes. Wait: Thirteen Minutes._

ACT II.

SCENE.--_A Boudoir, opening through a conservatory on to a terrace.

Doors, R. and L. A water jug and goblet on table. A week has elapsed.

Morning. Lights full up. Music for Act Drop._

_BEATRICE enters, L., as curtain rises. KATE discovered watering plants in conservatory, up in opening, R.C._

BEA. Good morning, Miss Derwent.

KATE. Good morning, Mrs. Selwyn.

BEA. At work, as usual. How industrious you are! (_comes down C., to sofa_)

KATE. Yes--I've been saying good-bye to all my favourites.

(_pause--BEATRICE takes up a book--KATE goes on watering the plants_) How is Mr. Selwyn this morning?

BEA. He is not so well. (_her back is towards KATE_)

KATE. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he will be well enough to shake hands with me before I go.