[CHLOE looks at her wrist-watch, goes to the writing-table, which is old-fashioned, with a secret drawer, looks round her, dives at the secret drawer, takes out a roll of notes and a tissue paper parcel.She counts the notes: "Three hundred."Slips them into her breast and unwraps the little parcel.It contains pears.She slips them, too, into her dress, looks round startled, replaces the drawer, and regains her place on the sofa, lying prostrate as the door opens, and HORNBLOWERcomes in.She does not open her ages, and he stands looking at her a moment before speaking.
HORNBLOWER.[Almost softly] How are ye feelin'.Chloe?
CHLOE.Awful head!
HORNBLOWER: Can ye attend a moment? I've had a note from that woman.
[CHLOE sits up.]
HORNBLOWER.[Reading] "I have something of the utmost importance to tell you in regard to your daughter-in-law.I shall be waiting to see you at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning.The matter is so utterly vital to the happiness of all your family, that I cannot imagine you will fail to come." Now, what's the meaning of it? Is it sheer impudence, or lunacy, or what?
CHLOE.I don't know.
HORNBLOWER.[Not unkindly] Chloe, if there's anything--ye'd better tell me.Forewarned's forearmed.
CHLOE.There's nothing; unless it's--[With a quick took at him,]--Unless it's that my father was a--a bankrupt.
HORNBLOWER.Hech! Many a man's been that.Ye've never told us much about your family.
CHLOE.I wasn't very proud of him.
HORNBLOWER.Well, ye're not responsible for your father.If that's all, it's a relief.The bitter snobs! I'll remember it in the account I've got with them.
CHLOE.Father, don't say anything to Charlie; it'll only worry him for nothing.
HORNBLOWER.No, no, I'll not.If I went bankrupt, it'd upset Chearlie, I've not a doubt.[He laugh.Looking at her shrewdly]
There's nothing else, before I answer her?
[CHLOE shakes her head.]
Ye're sure?
CHLOE.[With an efort] She may invent things, of course.
HORNBLOWER.[Lost in his feud feeling] Ah,! but there's such a thing as the laws o' slander.If they play pranks, I'll have them up for it.
CHLOE.[Timidly] Couldn't you stop this quarrel; father? You said it was on my account.But I don't want to know them.And they do love their old home.I like the girl.You don't really need to build just there, do you? Couldn't you stop it? Do!
HORNBLOWER.Stop it? Now I've bought? Na, no! The snobs defied me, and I'm going to show them.I hate the lot of them, and I hate that little Dawker worst of all.
CHLOE.He's only their agent.
HORNBLOWER.He's a part of the whole dog-in-the-manger system that stands in my way.Ye're a woman, and ye don't understand these things.Ye wouldn't believe the struggle I've had to make my money and get my position.These county folk talk soft sawder, but to get anything from them's like gettin' butter out of a dog's mouth.If they could drive me out of here by fair means or foul, would they hesitate a moment? Not they! See what they've made me pay; and look at this letter.Selfish, mean lot o' hypocrites!
CHLOE.But they didn't begin the quarrel.
HORNBLOWER.Not openly; but underneath they did--that's their way.
They began it by thwartin' me here and there and everywhere, just because I've come into me own a bit later than they did.I gave 'em their chance, and they wouldn't take it.Well, I'll show 'em what a man like me can do when he sets his mind to it.I'll not leave much skin on them.
[In the intensity of his feeling he has lost sight of her face, alive with a sort of agony of doubt, whether to plead with him further, or what to do.Then, with a swift glance at her wristwatch, she falls back on the sofa and closes her eyes.]
It'll give me a power of enjoyment seein' me chimneys go up in front of their windies.That was a bonnie thought--that last bid o' mine.
He'd got that roused up, I believe, he, never would a' stopped.
[Looking at her] I forgot your head.Well, well, ye'll be best tryin' quiet.[The gong sounds.] Shall we send ye something in from dinner?
CHLOE.No; I'll try to sleep.Please tell them I don't want to be disturbed.
HORNBLOWER.All right.I'll just answer this note.
[He sits down at her writing-table.]
[CHLOE starts up from the sofa feverishly, looking at her watch, at the window, at her watch; then softly crosses to the window and opens it.]
HORNBLOWER.[Finishing] Listen! [He turns round towards the sofa]
Hallo! Where are ye?
CHLOE.[At the window] It's so hot.
HORNBLOWER.Here's what I've said:
"MADAM,--You can tell me nothing of my daughter-in-law which can affect the happiness of my family.I regard your note as an impertinence, and I shall not be with you at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning.
"Yours truly----"
CHLOE.[With a suffering movement of her head] Oh!--Well!-- [The gong is touched a second time.]
HORNBLOWER.[Crossing to the door] Lie ye down, and get a sleep.
I'll tell them not to disturb ye; and I hope ye'll be all right to-morrow.Good-night, Chloe.
CHLOE.Good-night.[He goes out.]
[After a feverish turn or two, CHLOE returns to the open window and waits there, half screened by the curtains.The door is opened inch by inch, and ANNA'S head peers round.Seeing where CHLOE is, she slips in and passes behind the screen, Left.
Suddenly CHLOE backs in from the window.]
CHLOE.[In a low voice] Come in.
[She darts to the door and locks it.]
[DAWKER has come in through the window and stands regarding her with a half smile.]
DAWKER.Well, young woman, what do you want of me?
[In the presence of this man of her own class, there comes a distinct change in CHLOE'S voice and manner; a sort of frank commonness, adapted to the man she is dealing with, but she keeps her voice low.]
CHLOE.You're ****** a mistake, you know.
DAWKER.[With a broad grin] No.I've got a memory for faces.
CHLOE.I say you are.
DAWKER.[Turning to go] If that's all, you needn't have troubled me to come.
CHLOE.No.Don't go! [With a faint smile] You are playing a game with me.Aren't you ashamed? What harm have I done you? Do you call this cricket?
DAWKER.No, my girl--business.