fanny and the servant problem-第11部分

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VERNON。　　Now？

BENNET。　　It　is　a　matter　that　needs　to　be　settled　now。　　＇It　is　the　tone　of　respectful　authority　he　has　always　used　towards　the　lad。＇

VERNON。　　Well；　if　it's　as　pressing　as　all　that　I　suppose　you　must。　＇He　makes　a　movement　towards　the　door。　　To　Newte＇　　Shan't　be　long。

FANNY。　　One　moment。　　＇Vernon　stops。＇　　I　may　be　able　to　render　the　interview　needless。　　Who　is　mistress　of　this　house？

VERNON。　　Who　is　mistress？

FANNY。　　Who　is　mistress　of　your　house？

VERNON。　　Why；　you　are；　of　course。

FANNY。　　Thank　you。　　＇She　turns　to　Bennet＇　　Please　tell　Mrs。　Bennet　I　want　her。

BENNET。　　I　think　if　your　lordship　…

FANNY。　　At　once。　　＇She　is　looking　at　him。　　He　struggleslooks　at　Vernon。　　But　Vernon　is　evidently　inclined　to　support　Fanny。　　Bennet　goes　out。　　She　crosses　and　seats　herself　at　the　desk。　　She　takes　from　a　drawer　some　neatly　folded　papers。　　She　busies　herself　with　figures。＇

VERNON　＇he　crosses　to　his　Aunts＇。　　Whatever's　the　matter？

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　She　is　excited。　　She　has　had　a　very　trying　time。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Bennet　didn't　like　the　idea　of　her　receiving　them。

NEWTE。　　It　was　that　minx　Judy's　doing。　　They'll　have　the　rough　side　of　my　tongue　when　I　get　backall　of　them。

VERNON。　　What　does　she　want　with　Mrs。　Bennet？

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　can't　think。

The　atmosphere　is　somewhat　that　of　a　sheepfold　before　a　thunderstorm。　The　Misses　Wetherell　are　still　clinging　to　one　another。　　Vernon　and　Dr。　Freemantle　are　both　watching　Fanny。　　Jane；　Honoria；　and　Ernest　are　still　busy　about　the　room。

Suddenly；　to　Newtewho　is　standing　apartthe　whole　thing　comes　with　a　rush。　　But　it　is　too　late　for　him　to　interfere。

Mrs。　Bennet；　followed　by　Bennet；　are　entering　the　room。　　He　shrugs　his　shoulders　and　turns　away。

MRS。　BENNET。　　Your　ladyship　sent　for　me？

FANNY。　　Yes。　　＇She　half　turnsholds　out　a　paper。＇　　This　wages　sheet　is　quite　correct；　I　take　it？　　It　is　your　own。

MRS。　BENNET　＇she　takes　it＇。　　Quite　correct。

FANNY　＇she　tears　out　a　cheque　she　has　writtenhands　it　to　Mrs。　Bennet＇。　　You　will　find　there　two　months'　wages　for　the　entire　family。　　I　have　made　it　out　in　a　lump　sum　payable　to　your　husband。　The　other　month　is　in　lieu　of　notice。　　＇A　silence。　　The　thing　strikes　them　all　dumb。　　She　puts　the　cheque…book　back　and　closes　the　drawer。　She　rises。＇　　I'm　sorry。　　There's　been　a　misunderstanding。　　It's　time　that　it　ended。　　It　has　been　my　own　fault。　　＇To　Vernon＇　　I　deceived　you　about　my　family　…

NEWTE。　　If　there's　been　any　deceit　…

FANNY。　　My　scene；　please；　George。　　＇Newte；　knowing　her；　returns　to　silence。＇　　I　have　no　relations　outside　this　country　that　I　know　of。　My　uncle　is　Martin　Bennet；　your　butler。　　Mrs。　Bennet　is　my　aunt。　　I'm　not　ashamed　of　them。　　If　they'd　had　as　much　respect　for　me　as　I　have　for　them；　this　trouble　would　not　have　arisen。　　We　don't　get　on　together；　that's　all。　　And　this　seems　to　me　the　only　way　out。　　As　I　said　before；　I'm　sorry。

VERNON　＇recovering　speech＇。　　But　why　did　you？

FANNY　＇her　control　gives　way。　　She　breaks　out＇。　　Oh；　because　I've　been　a　fool。　　It's　the　explanation　of　most　people's　muddles；　I　expect；　if　they　only　knew　it。　　Don't　talk　to　me；　anybody。　　I've　got　nothing　more　to　say。　　＇To　Bennet＇　　I'm　sorry。　　You　wouldn't　give　me　a　chance。　　I'd　have　met　you　half　way。　　＇To　Mrs。　Bennet＇　　I'm　sorry。　Don't　be　too　hard　on　me。　　It　won't　mean　much　trouble　to　you。　　Good　servants　don't　go　begging。　　You　can　depend　upon　me　for　a　character。　＇To　Jane＇　　You'll　do　much　better　for　yourselves　elsewhere。　　＇To　Honoria＇　　Don't　let　that　pretty　face　of　yours　ever　get　you　into　trouble。　　＇To　Ernest＇　　Good…bye；　Ernest。　　We　were　always　pals；　weren't　we？　　Good…bye。　　＇She　kisses　him。　　It　has　all　been　the　work　of　a　moment。　　She　comes　down　again。＇　　Don't　think　me　rude；　but　I'd　like　to　be　alone。　　We　can　talk　calmly　about　it　all　to…morrow　morning。　　＇To　the　Misses　Wetherell＇　　I'm　so　awfully　sorry。　　I　wish　I　could　have　seen　any　other　way　out。　　＇The　tears　are　streaming　from　her　eyes。　　To　Vernon＇　　Take　them　all　away；　won't　you；　dear？　　We'll　talk　about　it　all　to…morrow。　　I'll　feel　gooder。　　＇She　kisses　him。　　To　Dr。　Freemantle＇　　Take　them　all　away。　　Tell　him　it　wasn't　all　my　fault。　＇To　Newte＇　　You'll　have　to　stop　the　night。　　There　are　no　more　trains。　I'll　see　you　in　the　morning。　　Good　night。

Bennet　has　collected　his　troop。　　Leads　them　away。　　Dr。　Freemantle；　kindly　and　helpful；　takes　off　Vernon　and　the　two　ladies。

NEWTE　＇he　grips　her　hand；　and　speaks　in　his　short；　growling　way＇。　Good　night；　old　girl。　　＇He　follows　the　others　out。＇

FANNY　＇crosses　towards　the　windows。　　Her　chief　business　is　dabbing　her　eyes。　　The　door　closes　with　a　click。　　She　turns。　　She　puts　her　handkerchief　away。　　She　looks　at　the　portrait　of　Constance；　first　Lady　Bantock＇。　　I　believe　it's　what　you've　been　telling　me　to　do；　all　the　time。

＇CURTAIN＇



ACT　IV



SCENE

The　same。　　The　blinds　are　down。　　Ashes　fill　the　grate。

Time。Early　the　next　morning。

The　door　opens　softly。　　Newte　steals　in。　　He　fumbles　his　way　across　to　the　windows；　draws　the　blinds。　　The　morning　sun　streams　in。　　He　listensno　one　seems　to　be　stirring。　　He　goes　out；　returns　immediately　with　a　butler's　tray；　containing　all　things　necessary　for　a　breakfast　and　the　lighting　of　a　fire。　　He　places　the　tray　on　table；　throws　his　coat　over　a　chair；　and　is　on　his　knees　busy　lighting　the　fire；　when　enter　the　Misses　Wetherell；　clad　in　dressing…gowns　and　caps：　　yet　still　they　continue　to　look　sweet。　　They　also　creep　in；　hand　in　hand。　　The　crouching　Newte　is　hidden　by　a　hanging　fire…　screen。　　They　creep　forward　till　the　coat　hanging　over　the　chair　catches　their　eye。　　They　are　staring　at　it　as　Robinson　Crusoe　might　at　the　footprint；　when　Newte　rises　suddenly　and　turns。　　The　Misses　Wetherell　give　a　suppressed　scream；　and　are　preparing　for　flight。

NEWTE　＇he　stays　them＇。　　No　call　to　run　away；　ladies。　　When　a　man's　travelledas　I　haveacross　America；　in　a　sleeping…car；　with　a　comic…opera　troop；　there's　not　much　left　for　him　to　know。　　You　want　your　breakfast！　　＇He　wheedles　them　to　the　table。＇　　We'll　be　able　to　talk　cosilybefore　anybody　else　comes。

They　yield　themselves。　　He　has　a　way　with　him。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　haven't　slept　all　night。

Newte　answers　with　a　sympathetic　gesture。　　He　is　busy　getting　ready　the　breakfast。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　There's　something　we　want　to　tell　dear　Vernonbefore　he　says　anything　to　Fanny。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It's　something　very　important。

NEWTE。　　We'll　have　a　cup　of　tea　firstto　steady　our　nerves。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It's　so　important　that　we　should　tell　him　before　he　sees　Fanny。

NEWTE。　　We'll　see　to　it。　　＇He　makes　the　tea。＇　　I　fancy　they're　both　asleep　at　present。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Poor　boy！

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　If　she　only　hadn't　…

Dr。　Freemantle　has　entered。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　I　thought　I　heard　somebody　stirring　…

NEWTE。　　Hush！　　＇He　indicates　doors；　the　one　leading　to　her　ladyship's　apartments；　the　other　to　his　lordship's。＇

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇turning　and　greeting　him＇。　　It　was　so　kind　of　you　not　to　leave　us　last　night。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　were　so　upset。

Dr。　Freemantle　pats　their　hands。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　hope　you　slept　all　right。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Excellently。　　Shall　be　glad　of　a　shave；　that's　all。　＇Laughs。　　Both　he　and　Newte　suggest　the　want　of　one。＇

NEWTE　＇who　has　been　officiating＇。　　Help　yourself　to　milk　and　sugar。

DR。　FREEMANTLE　＇who　has　seated　himself＇。　　Have　the　Bennets　gone？

NEWTE。　　Well；　they　had　their　notice　all　right。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇they　have　begun　to　cry＇。　　It　has　been　so　wrong　and　foolish　of　us。　　We　have　never　learnt　to　do　anything　for　ourselves。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　don't　even　know　where　our　things　are。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　They　can't　all　have　gonethe　whole　twenty…three　of　them；　at　a　couple　of　hours'　notice。　　＇To　Newte＇　　Haven't　seen　any　of　them；　have　you？

NEWTE。　　No　sign　of　any　of　them　downstairs。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Oh；　they　must　be　still　here。　　Not　up；　I　suppose。　　It　isn't　seven　o'clock　yet。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　But　they　have　all　been　discharged。　　We　can't　ask　them　to　do　anything。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇to　her　sister＇。　　And　the　Grimstones　are　coming　to　lunch　with　the　new　curate。　　Vernon　asked　them　on　Sunday。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Perhaps　there's　something　cold。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Vernon　so　dislikes　a　cold　lunch。

DR。　FREEMANTLE　＇to　Newte＇。　　Were　you　able　to　get　hold　of　Vernon　last　night？

NEWTE。　　Waited　up　till　he　came　in　about　two　o'clock。　　Merely　answered　that　he　wasn't　in　a　talkative　moodbrushed　past　me　and　locked　himself　in。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　He　wouldn't　say　anything　to　me　either。　　Rather　a　bad　sign　when　he　won't　talk。

NEWTE。　　What's　he　likely　to　do？

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Don't　know。　　Of　course　it　will　be　all　over　the　county。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　And　dear　Vernon　is　so　sensitive。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　It　had　to　comethe　misfortune　IS　…

NEWTE。　　The　misfortune　IS　that　people　won't　keep　to　their　own　line　of　business。　　Why　did　he　want　to　come　fooling　around　her？　　She　was　doing　well　for　herself。　　She　could　have　married　a　man　who　would　have　thought　more　of　her　than　all　the　damn　fools　in　the　county　put　together。　　Why　couldn't　he　have　left　her　alone？

DR。　FREEMANTLE　＇he　is　sitting　at　the　head　of　the　table；　between　Newte　on　his　right　and　the　Misses　Wetherell　on　his　left。　　He　lays　his　hand　on　Newte's　sleevewith　a　smile＇。　　I'm　sure　you　can　forgive　a　man　with　eyes　and　ears　in　his　headfor　having　fallen　in　love　with　her。

NEWTE。　　Then　why　doesn't　he　stand　by　her？　　What　if　her　uncle　is　a　butler？　　If　he　wasn't　a　fool；　he'd　be　thanking　his　stars　that　'twas　anything　half　as　respectable。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　I'm　not　defending　himwe're　not　sure　yet　that　he　needs　any　defence。　　He　has　married　a　clever；　charming　girl　ofas　you　saya　better　family　than　he'd　any　right　to　expect。　　The　misfortune　is；　thatby　a　curious　bit　of　ill…luckit　happens　to　be　his　own　butler。

NEWTE。　　If　she　takes　my　advice；　she'll　return　to　the　stage。　　No　sense　stopping　where　you're　not　wanted。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　But　how　can　she？

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　You　see；　they're　married！

DR。　FREEMANTLE　＇to