Colonel. [Bowing his head.] I never would have
believed she’d have forgotten herself.
Miss beech. [Very solemnly.] Ah, my dear!
We’re all the same; we’re all as hollow
as that tree! When it’s ourselves it’s
always a special case!
[The colonel makes
a movement of distress, and Miss beech goes
to him.]
Don’t you take it so to heart, my dear!
[A silence.]
Colonel. [Shaking his head.] I couldn’t
have believed Molly would forget that child.
Miss beech. [Sadly.] They must go their
own ways, poor things! She can’t put herself
in the child’s place, and the child can’t
put herself in Molly’s. A woman and a
girl—there’s the tree of life between
them!
Colonel. [Staring into the tree to see indeed
if that were the tree alluded to.] It’s a grief
to me, Peachey, it’s a grief! [He sinks into
a chair, stroking his long moustaches. Then to
avenge his hurt.] Shan’t tell Nell—dashed
if I do anything to make the trouble worse!
Miss beech. [Nodding.] There’s suffering
enough, without adding to it with our trumpery judgments!
If only things would last between them!
Colonel. [Fiercely.] Last! By George,
they’d better——
[He stops, and looking
up with a queer sorry look.]
I say, Peachey Life’s very funny!
Miss beech. Men and women are! [Touching
his forehead tenderly.] There, there—take
care of your poor, dear head! Tsst! The
blessed innocents!
[She pulls the colonel’s
sleeve. They slip away towards the
house, as joy and
Dick come back. They are still linked
together, and stop by
the hollow tree.]
Joy. [In a whisper.] Dick, is love always like
this?
Dick. [Putting his arms around her, with conviction.]
It’s never been like this before. It’s
you and me!
[He kisses her on the
lips.]
The curtain
falls.
A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS
John Anthony, Chairman of the Trenartha
Tin Plate Works
Edgar Anthony, his Son
Frederic H. Wilder, |
William Scantlebury,| Directors Of the same
Oliver Wanklin, |
Henry Tench, Secretary of the same
Francis Underwood, C.E., Manager of the
same
Simon Harness, a Trades Union official
