THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Kenneth Macgowan
 
 THE LIE
 
 By HENRY ARTHUR JONES 
 THE THEATRE OF IDEAS 
 
 A burlesque allegory and three one-act plays: 
 THE GOAL; HER TONGUE; and GRACE MART. 
 
 THE FOUNDATIONS OF A 
 NATIONAL DRAMA 
 
 containing lectures delivered to Harvard, Yale 
 and Columbia Universities; at the Royal Insti- 
 tution, London; with other lectures, essays and 
 papers on the Drama, and photogravure por- 
 trait of the author. 
 
 THE DIVINE GIFT 
 
 A play in three acts, with dedication to Professor 
 
 GILBERT MURRAY, LL.D., Regius Professor of 
 
 Greek at Oxford, and photogravure portrait of 
 
 the author. 
 
 THE LIE 
 
 A play in four acts, as played by Miss Margaret 
 Illington. 
 
 OTHER PLAYS BY 
 HENRY ARTHUR JONES 
 
 THE SILVER KING THE ROGUES COMEDY 
 
 SAINTS AND SINNERS THE PHYSICIAN 
 
 THE MIDDLEMAN THE LIARS 
 
 JUDAH THE MANOSUVREB OF 
 
 THE DANCING GIRL JANE 
 
 THE CRUSADERS CARNAC SAHIB 
 
 THE TEMPTER MRS. DANE'S DEFENCE 
 
 THE MABQUERADERS WHITEWASHING JULIA 
 
 THE CASE OF REBEL- JOSEPH ENTANGLED 
 
 LIOUS SUSAN THE HYPOCRITES 
 
 THE TRIUMPH OF THE DOLLY REFORMING 
 
 PHILISTINES HERSELF 
 
 MICHAEL AND Hra MARY GOES FIRST 
 
 LOST ANGEL
 
 The Lie 
 
 A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY ARTHUR JONES 
 
 Author of "Mrs. Dane's Defence," "The Theatre of Ideat," 
 "The Divine Gift," etc. 
 
 THE MARGARET ILLINGTON 
 EDITION ILLUS TRA TED 
 
 New York 
 
 George H. Doran Company
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1915, 
 BT GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 to 
 MISS MARGARET ILLINGTON 
 
 DEAR MABGABET ISLINGTON: 
 
 The highest and rarest gift an actor can possess is 
 that power of sure and instant self-excitement which en- 
 ables him suddenly to reach the great emotional scenes of 
 drama by a daring spontaneous instinct, and to unite the 
 whole audience with him in his frenzy of self-abandon- 
 ment. It is told of our English Macready that before 
 going on the stage to act any great passionate scene, 
 he had to work himself into a fury at the wings, like the 
 lion who could not roar till he had thoroughly lashed 
 himself with his tail. But Edmund Kean's performances 
 in Othello and Richard were said to be like reading 
 Shakespeare by continuous flashes of lightning accom- 
 panied by rolls of thunder. 
 
 In asking you to accept the dedication of "The Lie," 
 I abdicate my authorship for the moment, and become 
 one of the audience whom you move every night to such 
 tumultuous response to your splendidly sustained out- 
 bursts of emotion. And in printing the play I give those 
 who witness your acting the chance of reading my words, 
 and comparing them with your impassioned utterance. 
 They will then be able to judge how deeply indebted I 
 am to you for your rendering of Elinor Shale. In speak- 
 ing of your performance I am justified in calling up 
 memories of the great acting of the past. A New York 
 paper, after seeing you in "The Lie," has called you "The 
 American Sarah Bernhardt." Let me suggest that when 
 these troublous times have gone by and France again 
 resumes her sway in the drama let me suggest that the 
 rising French actress be called "The French Margaret 
 Illington." 
 
 Always faithfully and gratefully yours, 
 
 Henry Arthur Jones. 
 
 572583
 
 PROGRAM OF FIRST PERFORMANCE 
 
 PRODUCED AT THE HABEIS THEATBE, 
 
 NEW YORK, 24TH DECEMBEB, 1914, 
 
 BY SELWYN & COMPANY 
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED 
 (In the order of their appearance) 
 
 HAMP, butler at Shale Abbey . Mr. G. W. Anson 
 Miss PINSENT, from Madame 
 
 Duvernay's Bond Street . . Miss Gladwys Morris 
 GIBBABD, housemaid at Shale 
 
 Abbey Miss Margaret Johnson 
 
 SIB EOBEBT SHALE, baronet of 
 
 Shale Abbey Mr. Alfred Bishop 
 
 ELINOR SHALE, grand-daughter 
 
 of Sir Kobert Miss Illington 
 
 GEOBGE Mr. Stuart Robson 
 
 GERALD FOBSTEB, of the Hall, 
 
 Waventry Mr. Vincent Serrano 
 
 LUCY SHALE, Elinor's younger 
 
 sister Miss Violet Heming 
 
 NOLL DIBDIN Mr. C. Aubrey Smith 
 
 MRS. CALLARD Miss Mildred Orme 
 
 DICK Master James Eagle
 
 PERSONS REPRESENTED 
 
 SIR ROBERT SHALE, BART, of Shale Abbey 
 
 NOLL DIBDIN 
 
 GERALD FORSTER, of the Hall Waventry 
 
 HAMP, Butler at the Abbey 
 
 DICK 
 
 ELINOR SHALE, Sir Eobert's Granddaughter 
 
 LUCY SHALE, her younger sister 
 
 Miss PINSENT, a dressmaker 
 
 GIBBARD 
 
 MRS. CALLARD
 
 ACT I 
 
 SCENE: Drawing room at Shale Abbey, a lofty room 
 in a fourteenth century building. At back is a 
 large mullioned window, giving a view of a north 
 midland landscape at sunset in Winter. At a dis- 
 tance of about two hundred yards is the Dower 
 House, a small, unpretentious eighteenth century 
 building. On the right side centre is a door. On 
 the left side down stage is a huge fireplace, with 
 burning logs on the hearth between large brass 
 dogs. Above fireplace left is a handsome oak 
 staircase leading off left. The first four steps are 
 shown, and mount to a landing. A door shuts off 
 the remaining steps. The walls of the room are 
 weather-stained and cracked. The room itself is 
 rather barely furnished with a few pieces of hand- 
 some old oak furniture. The time is about four 
 on an afternoon in late November. Discover 
 HAMP, dozing in a large arm-chair above the fire. 
 He is about sixty-five, with a coarse, stirly, humor- 
 ous face which gives evidence of drink. He is 
 slovenly in his dress and habits, and independent 
 in his manner and speech. He is slightly, but not 
 very obviously, tipsy. A bell is rung impatiently 
 off stage. A pause and the bell is again rung 
 more impatiently. Another pause. Enter Miss 
 PINSENT L. She is about thirty, very well dressed, 
 
 9
 
 10 THE LIE 
 
 with the manners of a good class London shop 
 lady. She enters quickly and is evidently in a 
 temper. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Oh, there you are. I've been ring- 
 ing my bell the last half hour. 
 
 HAMP. [Draws himself up out of his sprawling at- 
 titude, but does not rise.] You're one of them folks as 
 want too much attention in this world. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Looking at him indignantly.] Is that 
 your attitude in the presence of a lady? 
 
 HAMP. No. This is my attitude to young persons out 
 of shops. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I'll have you to know that I'm here 
 as a visitor, by Miss Shale's invitation. 
 
 HAMP. Excuse me. You're here as a dressmaker, to 
 mend up Miss Shale's dresses, and to make more work 
 for Gibbard and me. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. While I am here, I am a member of 
 the family. 
 
 HAMP. Not by lawful holy wedlock in church. [Shak- 
 ing his head at her.] Far from it! 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Indignantly.] Oh! [Goes to bell 
 and pulls it angrily.] You've been drinking, I suppose. 
 
 HAMP. Now it's no use you're asking me that. Be- 
 cause not a drop do you wheedle out of me. [She 
 again pulls the bell violently.] If you don't take care, 
 you'll break that bell-rope, and bell-ropes are scarce at 
 the Abbey. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I will thank you to keep your inso- 
 lence to yourself. [Still ringing. The bell-rope comes 
 down. 
 
 HAMP. There! What did I tell youf
 
 THE LIE 11 
 
 [GiBBARD enters, at door E. She is nominal- 
 ly the parlour maid at the Abbey, but at 
 the present moment is general servant 
 and drudge. She is a country girl and is 
 in working morning dress, with her sleeves 
 turned up. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Gibbard, I've been ringing for an 
 hour. 
 
 GIBBARD. I've got other things to do beside wait on 
 you. There's all cook's work. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. My fire has gone out. 
 HAMP. Got a scuttle of coals in your pocket, Gib- 
 bard? The young lady is afraid of getting chilblains. 
 Miss PINSENT. I can't sit there without a fire. 
 GIBBARD. I can't help your fire going out, miss. I 
 haven't started with the dinner. 
 
 [Exit GIBBARD at door E. 
 HAMP. There, you see! 
 Miss PINSENT. I've never been in a house like 
 
 this 
 
 HAMP. No, and you never will be again. So you 
 make the most of it while you've got the chance. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Is there anybody to bring some coals 
 to my sitting room? 
 
 [SiR ROBERT SHALE enters, E. He is about 
 seventy-five, but is sturdy and well pre- 
 served, of the English country gentleman 
 type. He has, however, become rather 
 coarse in manners through association 
 with his inferiors. He has a country, 
 weather-beaten complexion, which is 
 marred by his drinking habits. He is by 
 turns jovial and irascible, very autocratic
 
 12 THE LIE 
 
 and unreasonable. His dress is rather old 
 
 and shabby. A foxhound cub follows 
 
 him. HAMP has risen quickly at his 
 
 entrance, before SIB ROBERT perceives 
 
 him. He pulls himself together and his 
 
 manner changes and becomes respectful. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Continuing so that SIB ROBEBT can 
 
 hear.] When Miss Shale returns I shall tell her of 
 
 your insolence 
 
 SIB ROBERT. What's the matter, Hamp? 
 HAMP. Well, Sir Robert, from the way this young 
 person orders the servants about, you'd think the Ab- 
 bey belonged to her. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I merely asked you to take some 
 coals to my sitting room. 
 
 HAMP. Ordered me, Miss. And ordered me in a 
 very haughty, aggravating way. And pranced 
 
 about 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I did not prance. 
 HAMP. [Correcting her with emphasis.] And pranced 
 about, Sir Robert. [Giving an exaggerated illustra- 
 tion.] And rushes up to the bell-rope and pulls it with 
 that violence. [Picking up the bell-rope from the 
 floor.] I had to expostulate with her. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Sir Robert, I've been sitting there 
 without any fire. 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. We're all obliged to rough it a little, 
 now we're short of servants. You aren't very com- 
 fortable at the Abbey, Miss Pinsent? 
 Miss PINSENT. No, I'm not. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. You're like the rest of us. We're none 
 of us very comfortable, are we, Pompey? 
 
 [Caressing the hound.
 
 THE LIE 13 
 
 Miss PINSENT. When Miss Shale invited me she said, 
 "We shall treat you as one of ourselves." 
 
 [Horror on HAMP'S face. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That meant that we should have to 
 treat you to a good many inconveniences, eh, Pompey? 
 
 My granddaughter ought to have told you 
 
 Miss PINSENT. She did. And I've tried to make 
 myself agreeable [HAMP exhibits the bell-rope to SIR 
 EGBERT in comment], and fall in with your ways. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I'm afraid that's difficult for a young 
 lady in your position. We've been at the Abbey for 
 six hundred years, and our ways take a good deal of 
 falling into, don't they, Pompey? 
 
 [ELINOR enters E. She is about twenty-four, 
 healthy, good-looking, but with an anx- 
 ious, unsatisfied and slightly care-worn 
 expression. She enters with outdoor 
 clothes, takes them off as she speaks and 
 throws them over chair. There is a little 
 pause as she enters and she looks around. 
 ELINOR. Is anything the matter? 
 Miss PINSENT. I wish to go back to London tomor- 
 row, if you please. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, Miss Pinsent, that's quite impossible. 
 You promised to stay till you'd made my new evening 
 dress. [Looking anxiously at SIR ROBERT, who is play- 
 ing with Pompey, and then at HAMP.] What has hap- 
 pened ? 
 
 Miss PINSENT. This man has been grossly insolent 
 to me. 
 
 HAMP. Insolent? The young lady has done nothing 
 but ring her bell all the afternoon. Gibbard and me 
 can't always be dancing attendance on her.
 
 14 THE LIE 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Indignantly,] Oh! 
 
 ELINOR. Never mind, Hamp. Please see about get- 
 ting tea. 
 
 HAMP. And when I expostulated with her, she vented 
 her rage on the innocent bell-rope. 
 
 [Showing the bell-rope. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll inquire into it by and by. Please get 
 the tea. [HAMP solemnly deposits the bell-rope on a 
 chair, glaring at Miss PINSENT as he does so. Exit 
 HAMP at door R. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm so sorry! I know Hamp is dreadfully 
 rude. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I'll finish your blouse to-night, but 
 I must leave the other dresses. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, I can't hear of it ! We'll do all we can 
 to make you comfortable. Bring your work in here. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. My dear Elinor! 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, Grandy. [To Miss PINSENT.] We'll 
 make this your workroom for the present. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I'm sure I'd better go. [Exit L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. So you're going to turn the Abbey into 
 a milliner's shop? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, for the next few days. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. And I suppose I'm to be the confound- 
 ed shop-walker? 
 
 ELINOR. Now, Grandy, don't be naughty! If I'm 
 to go to the County Ball, I must get an evening dress 
 from somewhere. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. When my clothes get shabby, I don't 
 invite some damned tailor to come and stay with me. 
 I hunt up a new man. Can't you give somebody in. 
 Waventry a turn ? 
 
 ELINOR. They can't make an evening dress in Wa-
 
 THE LIE 15 
 
 ventry. And we've hunted them all too much. I was 
 ashamed to walk down the High Street this afternoon. 
 
 SIR EGBERT. What did you do about the summons 
 for that confounded cook's money? 
 
 ELINOR. I paid it. And eleven shillings costs. Then 
 I had two and three pence left. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. And she was such a rotten bad cook! 
 Sends us up pheasant without any bread sauce, and 
 then county-courts us for her wages. I suppose Hamp 
 will be the next one to send in an ultimatum. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, no! Hamp will never leave us. He 
 knows he'd never get another situation. And I shall 
 never get another situation. [With great bitterness. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. You'll get married some day, I suppose ? 
 
 ELINOR. Get married? What chance have I down 
 here? With no money to go about, and nothing to 
 make me look nice! With bills owing everywhere, and 
 everybody fighting shy of us! Oh, my God, I'm shut 
 in here; I'm shut in this awful prison, and there's no 
 way out of it! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Caressing the hound over the fire.] 
 England began to go to decay in eighteen-thirty- 
 two 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, never mind England! It's I who am 
 going to decay! It's I who am wasting all my life in 
 this hole ! Will no one come and take me out of it 
 buy me for a slave or something anything any- 
 thing! [Bursts into tears and sits crying. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That was the fatal year for England 
 eighteen-thirty-two. My old grandfather warned them. 
 He saw what was coming ! 
 
 ELINOR. Then why didn't he stop my being born? 
 Grandy, I can't bear this much longer. [With a sud-
 
 16 THE LIE 
 
 den revulsion, laughs at herself.] What's the use of 
 saying that ? I've got to bear it. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Your Aunt Kate ought to take you. 
 
 ELINOR. She has Lucy. It's very good of her to 
 have one of us. But I'm sorry now that I let Lucy go. 
 I was the elder, and Aunt Kate did give me the first 
 chance. I ought to have taken it, but Lucy over-per- 
 suaded me. And I thought I was doing a splendid, 
 generous thing for Lucy. So I was. But I was doing 
 a very foolish thing for myself. Self-sacrifice is a 
 mistake. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. By Jove, yes! I've found that out, all 
 my life. 
 
 ELINOR. And Lucy will marry some rich man she's 
 clever" enough. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, why shouldn't you? Why don't 
 you set your cap at young Forster, now he's back in 
 England? 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, don't talk like that! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He seemed to take a good deal of no- 
 tice of you at Lady Betchworth's the other day. 
 
 ELINOR. He said he'd call. That was over a fort- 
 night ago. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He's like the rest. Looks down upon us 
 because we're poor. By Jove, yes, and there's that old 
 frump, Lady Betchworth! [Getting into a sudden 
 rage.] I could tell some tales about her when she was 
 young. And I will, too! I'll let everybody know! 
 They're all alike! The only one of the whole set that 
 looks up to me is that little snivelling teetotal curate! 
 And he began to lecture me. By God ! The little rab- 
 bit began to lecture me ! He did, Pompey ! 
 
 ELINOR. What about?
 
 THE LIE 17 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Said he'd seen me coming out of the 
 "Shale Arms." 
 
 ELINOR. Well, I suppose he had. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. And he'll see me again. Why 
 shouldn't I? Good comfortable old English Inn, and 
 my own property! 
 
 [ELINOR looks at him, makes a helpless, de- 
 spairing gesture, then goes to him. 
 
 ELINOR. Grandy, this can't go on ! We must pull 
 ourselves out of it somehow. Won't Cousin Jack do 
 something? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Not a sixpence. That's a pretty nephew 
 for you. If he was the true English breed, he'd cut 
 off the entail and make my old age comfortable. 
 
 ELINOR. We must let the Abbey. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. We should get a few hundred a year, 
 and all the tradespeople would be down on us like 
 vultures. No; young Forster is our sheet anchor. 
 We'll ask him to dinner. 
 
 ELINOR. We've no cook ; and if you were to 
 
 SIR ROBERT. If I what? 
 
 ELINOR. If you took a glass too much 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Glass too much! You're as bad as 
 that little toad of a curate. We'll ask young Forster 
 to dinner. Only you must get rid of your dressmaker 
 friend. 
 
 ELINOR. Miss Pinsent must stay till she has made 
 my evening dress. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Nonsense ! Pack her off and get a 
 smart one from London. There's your mother's locket 
 and cross. 
 
 ELINOR. No. She gave me them for my daughter 
 if I ever have one. I'll never part from them.
 
 18 THE LIE 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Looking around at the room.] We'll 
 get rid of this old rubbish 
 
 ELINOR. We have got rid of it. If we sell any 
 more, what will the place look like? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, young Forster is our only chance, 
 so mind you play your cards well. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, don't talk like that ! You make me feel 
 I'm trying to trap him. And I think [Very softly and 
 tenderly] I could really care for him. 
 
 [Enter HAMP with the tea things. 
 
 HAMP. The case of port has just arrived, Sir Robert. 
 
 [Laying the tea things. 
 
 ELINOR. Port? 
 
 HAMP. Shall I open it? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. We'll sample it for dinner. 
 
 HAMP. Yes, Sir Robert. 
 
 ELINOR. Tell Miss Pinsent that tea is ready. 
 
 HAMP. Yes, miss. [Exit upstairs L. 
 
 ELINOR. You've been ordering some port wine? 
 Where from ? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. There's a new wine merchant just 
 started at Waventry. He sent me a circular, and asked 
 me to give him a trial. So I did. 
 
 ELINOR. Poor man! [Sm ROBERT is going off, 
 followed by the hound.] You're going out? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes, my dear. I promised Burton I'd 
 see him about the new kennels for the hounds. 
 
 ELINOR. At the "Shale Anns," I suppose? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I daresay I shall find him somewhere 
 about. [HAMP has rcentcred by staircase. 
 
 HAMP. The young person seems to be huffy about 
 my expostulating with her. She's packing her boxes. 
 
 [Lighting the lamps.
 
 THE LIE 19 
 
 SIR ROBERT. So we're going to lose her? 
 HAMP. Yes, I'm afraid, Sir Robert. 
 
 [Exchanging a look of understanding with 
 
 SIR ROBERT. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I thought we might. Come along, 
 Pompey. 
 
 [Exit at door with hound as Miss PINSENT 
 
 comes downstairs from door L. 
 Miss PINSENT. I've thought it over, Miss Shale, and 
 I'm sure I'd better leave to-morrow morning. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, no ! I can't let you. Well, sit down 
 and have some tea now. [Miss PINSENT sits. 
 
 [HAMP has lighted lamps, glaring at Miss 
 PINSENT. He now goes to table and 
 picks up bell-rope, glaring at Miss PIN- 
 SENT. 
 
 HAMP. I suppose I'd better send into Waventry and 
 get a man to put our bell-ropes in order. 
 
 ELINOR. Please take that away and bring in some 
 more logs for the fire. 
 HAMP. Yes, miss. 
 
 [Goes out E., glaring at Miss PINSENT. 
 
 ELINOR. [At tea table, pouring out tea.] Now, Miss 
 
 Pinsent, I shan't let you go. The doctor ordered you 
 
 a change, and Madame Duvernay gave you three weeks 
 
 to stay with us at the Abbey. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. You said I should be one of the 
 family. 
 
 ELINOR. I think I have treated you as one of the 
 family, and you mustn't take any notice of Sir Robert 
 and the servants. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I really couldn't put up with it for 
 another fortnight.
 
 20 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. I've put up with it for a good many years, 
 and I shall have to put up with it all my life, I sup- 
 pose. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Genuinely sympathetic.] I'm so 
 sorry for you ! 
 
 ELINOR. Then won't you stay for my sake? If you 
 don't, I can't go to the County Ball. And I do want 
 to look nice, just for once. Won't you stay? [very 
 pleadingly.] If I asked you as my friend 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [After a little pause.] Yes, I will 
 stay. 
 
 ELINOR. That is good of you. Thank you so much ! 
 I think we might start upon the evening dress at once. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. You didn't decide which one you'd 
 have. 
 
 ELINOR. No; but eight pounds is my very utmost 
 limit. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Then it will have to be the plain 
 gray. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, I suppose. How much did you say 
 the brocade would be? 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Twelve pounds. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, I wish I dared! No; we owe so much 
 money. It must be the gray. It will look very well? 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Oh, yes! Of course, not like the 
 brocade. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, if I No, no, no! That's settled. 
 
 Now, after tea you shall bring all your work in here, 
 and we'll have a jolly evening. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I hope Sir Robert won't mind. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm afraid he'll be at the "Shale Arms" till 
 dinner. And after he may be very merry, or very 
 bad-tempered. You mustn't take any notice.
 
 THE LIE 21 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Rising from tea table.] I'll go and 
 unpack, and then I'll come down. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, do. Bring the patterns of the brocade. 
 Bring them all. I can look at them if I can't afford 
 them. 
 
 [Exit Miss PINSENT. Left alone, ELINOR 
 shows contentment, and poses as in an 
 evening dress, looking down at the folds 
 of her present dress, arranging and drap- 
 ing them. GIBBARD, still in her working 
 dress, enters B., with her sleeves turned 
 up. 
 
 GIBBARD. There's a gentleman asking for Sir Robert. 
 ELINOR. What did you say? 
 
 GIBBARD. I told him Sir Robert was out. Then he 
 asked if you were at home, and he said: "Will you 
 tell Miss Shale that Mr. Forster has called?" 
 
 ELINOR. [Shows great vexation.] Why didn't you 
 show him in? And, Gibbard, when you are in that 
 dress you should let Hamp go to the door. Where is 
 he? 
 
 GIBBARD. Hamp's in the cellar, and give strict orders 
 he wasn't to be disturbed. 
 
 ELINOR. Show Mr. Forster in, and, Gibbard, change 
 your dress before you show him out. 
 
 [Exit GIBBARD R. A few moments later she 
 reenters, showing in GERALD FORSTER. 
 GERALD is a rather tall, handsome, dis- 
 tinguished man, about thirty-five. 
 GIBBARD. Here is the gentleman, miss. [Exit. 
 
 GERALD. How d'ye do? 
 ELINOR. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands.] You find
 
 22 THE LIE 
 
 us in a muddle to-day. We're short of servants. Do 
 please excuse it. Let me give you some tea, 
 
 GERALD. Thanks! 
 
 ELINOR. I'm afraid it's rather cold. Shall I ring for 
 some more? 
 
 GERALD. No, please don't. I'll take it as it is. 
 
 [They sit down to the tea table. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm sorry my grandfather is out, but I dare- 
 say he'll be back before you go. 
 
 GERALD. I'm afraid I can't stay long. I'm motoring 
 to the junction to catch the express. I oughtn't to 
 have called in such a casual way. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, yes! Milk? Sugar? 
 
 GERALD. Very little milk, and very little sugar. 
 When I get back from London, will you allow me to 
 call again? 
 
 . ELINOR. Yes; we shall be pleased. But I'm afraid 
 you'll still find us in a muddle, and we shall still be 
 short of servants. I'm telling you this because I'm 
 sure everybody else must have told you, and you know 
 all about us. So it's no use trying to hide it. 
 
 GERALD. I shall be glad to come and take you just 
 as I find you now. 
 
 ELINOR. Well, to do ourselves justice, we aren't al- 
 ways quite so much upside down as we are to-day. 
 Sometimes our butler is in evidence; and sometimes he 
 is fairly presentable. And sometimes in fact, nearly 
 always we have a cook. Though not often a very 
 good one not one we could ask you to dinner upon 
 
 GERALD. Try me. You don't know the kind of din- 
 ner I get ten months of the year in Egypt. 
 
 ELINOR. Not so bad as you'd get here. I'm telling
 
 THE LIE 23 
 
 you all this because I'm sure you've heard it already. 
 
 And if you mean to know us 
 
 [With an anxious glance at him. 
 
 GERALD. Of course I mean to know you. When I 
 came back to England, there was so much to do on my 
 estate I hadn't time to see my neighbours. I meant to 
 call the day after I saw you at Lady Betchworth's, but 
 I had to go up to London, and I didn't get back till 
 last night. 
 
 ELINOR. You're a very busy person. 
 
 GERALD. I am. There's my estate here that's one 
 man's work. Then there are the irrigation works in 
 Egypt that's three men's work, at least. 
 
 ELINOR. You haven't much time to give to your 
 friends here, now you are back in England. 
 
 GERALD. I'm not in England to look after my estate. 
 I came home to get my plans passed by the Govern- 
 ment. As soon as that's done, I'm off to Egypt. 
 
 ELINOR. For long? 
 
 GERALD. I hope two years will see me through. Then 
 I shall come back and settle down here for good. I 
 don't know why I'm talking about myself. 
 
 ELINOR. Because it interests me. Another cup of 
 tea? Do you spend much time in Cairo? 
 
 GERALD. A month or two sometimes. Then six 
 months right away in the desert. 
 
 ELINOR. I should love to go to Cairo. I should love 
 to go anywhere away from the Abbey. 
 
 GERALD. Why don't you come out next winter? 
 You'd easily find a chaperon. 
 
 ELINOR. [Shakes her head sadly.] But I couldn't 
 easily find any money. When do you go back to 
 Egypt?
 
 24 THE LIE 
 
 GERALD. I've two more months at home. I leave on 
 the Thursday after the County Ball. You're sure to be 
 there? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, indeed! I'm seeing about my dress 
 already. 
 
 GERALD. I should have gone back earlier, if you 
 hadn't spoken about the County Ball at Lady Betch- 
 worth's. 
 
 ELINOR. [Her face lights up with a rare flash of 
 pleasure.] Would you? Shall you be down here much 
 before you go back to Egypt? 
 
 GERALD. That will depend upon whether I get my 
 plans through easily. I shall run down here whenever 
 I can spare the time. [Rising.] I hope I shall see 
 something of you. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, I hope so. You're not going? 
 
 GERALD. I must catch the express. 
 
 [Looking at watch. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm sorry my grandfather hasn't come in. 
 
 GERALD. Perhaps you'd bring him over to dine with 
 me one night? 
 
 ELINOR. We shall be pleased. 
 
 GERALD. I can find him a bottle of old port 
 
 ELINOR. I hope you won't. I mean if we are to 
 know each other, it's better you should understand. 
 
 GERALD. I do understand. 
 
 [Takes her hand very kindly. 
 
 ELINOR. Poor Grandy! He's old, and 
 
 GERALD. He's a century behind his time. We mustn't 
 blame him for that. Then I shall see you at the County 
 Ball and before? 
 
 ELINOR. But you're down here so little.
 
 THE LIE 25 
 
 GERALD. I shouldn't have come down now, only I 
 promised you I'd call 
 
 ELINOR. [Her face lights up again."] You didn't 
 come down on purpose to call on me? 
 
 GERALD. I had a few other things to do; but they 
 could have waited. [A long pause.] Au revoir. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll see you to the door. 
 
 GERALD. No, I won't let you. I've known my way 
 about the Abbey since I was a boy. [Exit. 
 
 ELINOR. [Goes to the open door, calls off.] Gib- 
 bard, please show Mr. Forster out. [Comes down 
 with a radiant face, laughs a little, low, satisfied laugh, 
 dances a few steps, pulls herself up.] Don't be a 
 lunatic! [Miss PINSENT enters at door L., with a 
 blouse nearly finished and several large patterns of 
 evening-dress materials. 
 
 ELINOR. [Eagerly.] Miss Pinsent, I will have the 
 brocade I'll go to the twelve pounds. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I'm sure you won't regret it. 
 
 ELINOR. [Bright, eager.] Show it to me again! 
 Show them all to me again! 
 
 Miss PINSENT. [Displays the patterns.] It's so much 
 handsomer than the gray! 
 
 ELINOR. That's very handsome. [As Miss PINSENT 
 spreads out patterns.] So's that. I wish I could have 
 a dress of every one. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Has anything happened? 
 
 ELINOR. No. Why? 
 
 Miss PINSENT. You look so happy. 
 
 ELINOR. I am. I'm delighted to think I shall look 
 nice for once in my life. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. You will, I'm sure.
 
 26 THE LIE 
 
 [LuCY enters suddenly R. She is a very 
 pretty girl, a year or two younger than 
 ELINOR. Her manner now is absent and 
 distracted; ordinarily she is insinuating 
 and pleasing, but watchful and a little 
 feline. She is exceedingly well and co- 
 quettishly dressed, in outdoor winter 
 clothes with furs. 
 ELINOR. Lucy! Lucy, old girl! Why what what 
 
 brings [Rushes up to her and kisses her heartily.] 
 
 I am glad There's nothing the matter? 
 
 LUCY. No. 
 
 ELINOR. I thought you were at Worthing with Aunt 
 Kate. 
 
 LUCY. She has gone back to London. 
 ELINOR. Why didn't you let us know you were 
 coming ? 
 
 LUCY. I thought I'd give you a surprise. 
 ELINOR. Well, you have. I am glad. This is my 
 friend, Miss Pinsent, from Madame Duvernay's. She 
 has kindly come down here to fit me out for the 
 winter. 
 
 LUCY. How d'ye do? 
 Miss PINSENT. How d'ye do? 
 
 ELINOR. I was getting so shabby. You're sure noth- 
 ing has happened? 
 
 LUCY. No. What should there be? 
 ELINOR. We haven't heard from you for nearly a 
 month. 
 
 LUCY. I hate letter writing. So I thought I'd come 
 and have a day or two with you. 
 
 ELINOR. I am pleased. Look ! That's to be my new 
 evening dress. Don't you think it will look handsome?
 
 THE LIE 27 
 
 LUCY. [Paying little attention.] Very. I should 
 think it would suit you. 
 
 ELINOR. Ah! You're used to pretty dresses. What 
 splendid furs ! And what a pretty hat ! 
 
 LUCY. One must look decent. 
 
 ELINOR. Never mind. You'll see what Miss Pinsent 
 is going to make for me. Now, Miss Pinsent, it's go- 
 ing to look as if it came straight from Paris? 
 
 Miss PINSENT. It will be an exact copy of one of 
 our latest Parisian models. 
 
 [LucY makes a sign to ELINOR to get rid of 
 Miss PINSENT. 
 
 ELINOR. Miss Pinsent, couldn't you write up for the 
 materials to-night? [Looking at writing table.] No 
 pen and ink, as usual ! 
 
 Miss PINSENT. I can write it in my own room. 
 
 ELINOR. Will you? And send it off to-night. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Very well. I'll write it at once. 
 [Exit Miss PINSENT by stairs L. 
 
 ELINOR. Thank you. [To LUCY.] I'm so glad to see 
 you ! Those furs are lovely. [Looking at LUCY.] 
 Lucy, there is something the matter! 
 
 LUCY. Nell, old girl, I'm done for. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy! 
 
 LUCY. It's all over with me. 
 
 ELINOR. How? Tell me. 
 
 LUCY. You remember Dick Tallerton? [ELINOR hesi- 
 tates.] He used to come to Aunt Kate's when you were 
 staying with us. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I saw his death announced in the 
 paper last week. 
 
 LUCY. Yes, he's dead. That's the awful thing of it. 
 
 ELINOR. Why?
 
 28 THE LIE 
 
 LUCY. He was engaged to me. 
 
 ELINOR. Engaged to you? He was engaged to Lady 
 Willindon's girl. He brought her to Aunt Kate's. 
 
 LUCY. He was engaged to both of us. But he would 
 have married me. 
 
 ELINOR. You were very fond of him? 
 
 LUCY. I suppose I was. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm so sorry! It must be a great disap- 
 pointment. Still, he wasn't quite the man I should 
 have thought you'd choose. 
 
 LUCY. What was the matter with him? 
 
 ELINOR. Wasn't he rather notorious and fast? 
 
 LUCY. He was the heir. When Sir Thomas Taller- 
 ton died, I should have been Lady Tallerton, with 
 twenty thousand a year. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. Of course you're very much cut up. 
 But you're young, dear and pretty. You'll get over 
 it in time. I'll help you bear it, darling. 
 
 LUCY. Someone has got to help me. My God, it is 
 rotten luck! 
 
 ELINOR. I don't understand 
 
 LUCY. He was engaged to Maud Willindon 
 
 ELINOR. Yes? 
 
 LUCY. They were to be married in the spring. He 
 daren't break it off. But I'd got him right enough. 
 
 ELINOR. Tell me all. 
 
 LUCY. Dick and I were to get away to Paris and be 
 married there. Then he was to write his people and 
 tell them. We were to go to some quiet place in the 
 South and stay there some months. Then we were to 
 go to the East and travel for a year or two. When we 
 came back nobody would have asked when my baby 
 was born.
 
 THE LIE 29 
 
 ELINOR. Baby! [Overwhelmed.] Lucy! Lucy! 
 
 LUCY. Don't row me ! I can't stand it. 
 
 ELINOR. I won't row you, dear; but it's terrible! 
 [Pause.] Tell me everything. 
 
 LUCY. Three days before we were to start, Dick was 
 taken with typhoid fever. It was all over in a week. 
 And to think I should have been safe by now safe 
 with the title and everything clear in front of me. 
 And now! Did you ever know such rotten luck? 
 
 ELINOR. I'll help you, dear. 
 
 LUCY. I knew you would, old girl ! 
 
 ELINOR. What's to be done? 
 
 LUCY. I don't know. I'm pretty sick of it. Once or 
 twice I've nearly ended it. 
 
 ELINOR. No, no ! You mustn't talk like that. 
 
 LUCY. It's awful. I can't sleep, except with the 
 morphia. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy, you haven't taken to that? 
 
 LUCY. You find yourself in my mess, and you'd take 
 to anything. 
 
 ELINOR. Does Aunt Kate know? 
 
 LUCY. No. I left her a month ago. 
 
 ELINOR. Left her? 
 
 LUCY. She was always nagging me about my be- 
 havior and extravagance. So we had a big flare-up and 
 parted. 
 
 ELINOR. You shouldn't have done that. 
 
 LUCY. I thought I was safe to marry Dick. 
 
 ELINOR. Where have you been since you left Aunt 
 Kate? 
 
 LUCY. In rooms in Eastbourne. Dick and his people 
 were there. I'd arranged everything to meet him in 
 Paris then he sent me a note to say he was down
 
 30 THE LIE 
 
 with typhoid. I've had an awful time. I daren't call 
 on them I couldn't get any news, till the worst came. 
 
 ELINOR. Won't the Tallertons help you? 
 
 LUCY. They'll have to. I saw Sir Thomas and Lady 
 Tallerton last night and told them everything. 
 
 ELINOR. What did they say? 
 
 LUCY. They were furious. Lady Tallerton read me 
 a sermon, the old hag! And Sir Thomas rowed me, 
 and declared he'd never give me a penny. 
 
 ELINOR. Then they won't do anything? 
 
 LUCY. If they don't, I'll make a scandal. 
 
 ELINOR. You can't do that. It would only come 
 back on you. 
 
 LUCY. I don't care! I'm ready to do anything. I 
 must get some money from somewhere. I owe for all 
 my clothes. 
 
 ELINOR. How much? 
 
 LUCY. Four or five hundred pounds. 
 
 ELINOR. Four or five hundred pounds! 
 
 LUCY. I had to have them. I couldn't have got 
 hold of Dick if I hadn't looked smarter than Maud 
 Willindon. And I did get hold of him. 
 
 ELINOR. Was it worth while? 
 
 LUCY. What? 
 
 ELINOR. If he really loved you, wouldn't he have 
 wanted to take you honorably? 
 
 LUCY. You are a dear fool, Nell ! You've lived down 
 here all your life, and you've got the silliest old no- 
 tions. Love and honour! That sort of stuff doesn't go 
 down to-day, Nell. I wasn't going to be companion to 
 Aunt Kate all my life, and dress on her thirty pounds 
 a year. I meant to be Lady Tallerton, and I took the 
 only way to get him. And I brought it off only
 
 THE LIE 31 
 
 What rotten luck ! It's no use talking. What's it like 
 here? Just the same, I suppose? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes; only rather worse. 
 
 LUCY. Grandy? 
 
 ELINOR. As usual. It's nearly every night now. 
 And he has Hamp to sit up with him. 
 
 LUCY. [Looking at the patterns.] But you're having 
 a new evening dress. 
 
 ELINOR. One in four years! I'm going to the 
 County Ball. 
 
 LUCY. Quite right. Take what you can get, and 
 enjoy yourself while you're young. It's your only 
 chance. 
 
 ELINOR. I daresay you're right. 
 
 LUCY. I know I am. I didn't ask to be brought into 
 this world. And when I get out of this mess I mean 
 to have a good time to make up for this. 
 
 [GiBBARD enters at door E. 
 
 GIBBARD. [To LUCY.] The porter has brought up 
 your trunk from the station, miss. 
 
 LUCY. Have it taken up [To ELINOR.] Can I 
 
 sleep with you? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, of course. Have the trunk taken to 
 my room, Gibbard. 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. [Exit door R. 
 
 LUCY. Thanks. I can't face the night by myself. 
 I get the horrors. And then I double the dose. Oh, if 
 once I get out of this mess 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. We must hush it up. 
 
 LUCY. You'll help me, old girl? 
 
 ELINOR. You know I will. 
 
 [Kissing her very affectionately. 
 
 LUCY. The first thing is money money money.
 
 32 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. It will have to be done 
 
 LUCY. What! 
 
 ELINOR. Mother's things. My locket and cross, and 
 your rings. 
 
 LUCY. My rings have gone long ago. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy ! No, I won't reproach you. Mine 
 must go. They ought to fetch a hundred and fifty 
 pounds. That will tide us over a little. Then you 
 must get away somewhere till it's over. 
 
 LUCY. You'll come with me? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes; but you can stay on here for the next 
 two months. 
 
 LUCY. No; it wouldn't be safe. Gibbard might sus- 
 pect. I daren't run any risks. 
 
 ELINOR. Well, I'll come to you in January, directly 
 after the County Ball. 
 
 LUCY. Couldn't you get out of that? 
 
 ELINOR. No; I've promised. And I want to be here 
 at the Abbey all the time till then. 
 
 LUCY. I can't face it by myself for two months. 
 You must be with me, Nell. You must! There's no- 
 body else. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll come and see you whenever I can. And 
 I'll write to you every day. 
 
 LUCY. It's the nights the dreadful nights you 
 don't know I shall go mad. Nell, you might give up 
 the County Ball. 
 
 ELINOR. Surely you don't grudge me that. It's the 
 one little thing all this year. You know I'd do any- 
 thing for you everything. I did give up Aunt Kate 
 and London. 
 
 LUCY. And then there's the expense of it. Your
 
 THE LIE 33 
 
 evening dress and so on. A hundred and fifty pounds 
 won't go far it won't carry us over this. 
 
 ELINOR. It must, somehow. I can't give up the 
 County Ball. Don't ask me. 
 
 LUCY. Very well. If you don't come with me, you 
 won't see me alive again after I leave here. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy! That's cowardly! That's wicked! 
 
 LUCY. I know it is! But I can't help it. You 
 don't realize you don't know how I'm tempted every 
 night to end it. I'm desperate. I can't trust myself. 
 Nell, I'm not threatening. If you don't come away 
 with me, I shall do it some night. I know I shall. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy! 
 
 LUCY. Won't you do it for me, Nell? I'd do it for 
 you. If you don't, it will be the last thing I shall ever 
 ask of you. You'll be sorry afterward that you re- 
 fused. Nell, mother would wish you to help me. You 
 know she would. 
 
 ELINOR. [After a very long pause, says very 
 quietly.] Very well. I'll do it. 
 
 LUCY. [Hugs her heartily.] Nell, you are an angel! 
 I'll never forget it. Never! 
 
 ELINOR. Now we must make our plans. 
 
 LUCY. It's the money. 
 
 ELINOR. The Tallertons ought to help you. They're 
 rich enough. Was Sir Thomas very angry? 
 
 LUCY. Yes. He almost turned me out of the house. 
 
 ELINOR. It must have come as a great shock to them. 
 When they get over it, they'll think better of it. Lucy, 
 I'll go to them. 
 
 LUCY. That is good of you. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll see Lady Tallerton. They must make 
 some provision for the child.
 
 34 THE LIE 
 
 LUCY. Yes perhaps they'll listen to you. 
 
 ELINOR. They shall. I won't leave them till they do. 
 
 LUCY. It must be done at once. They're leaving for 
 Biarritz on Monday. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll see them to-morrow. They're at East- 
 bourne T 
 
 LUCY. Yes. And, Nell, I've been thinking Brighton 
 would be the best place for me to stay till it's over. 
 
 ELINOR. It's close to Eastbourne 
 
 LUCY. Yes, and we're not likely to meet anyone we 
 know. If we do, it won't be remarked. 
 
 ELINOR. Very well. It shall be Brighton. 
 
 LUCY. I've thought it all out. I must go as a mar- 
 ried woman. My husband is in India, and he has sent 
 me home. We shall have to change our names, both 
 of us, and take different ones 
 
 ELINOR. I shall hate that. 
 
 LUCY. It has got to be done. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. It's no use shirking. We'll get away 
 to-morrow. 
 
 LUCY. What shall we tell G randy? That someone 
 is at Brighton who will be a good match for me ! Yes, 
 and you must come at once and chaperon me. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, that will do. And, afterwards some- 
 one must take care of the child. 
 
 LUCY. That won't be difficult. 
 
 ELINOR. We needn't meet that till it comes. Well, 
 we've decided. We'll go to-morrow. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, Nell, you are splendid! I'll never for- 
 get your kindness! [Kissing her heartily.] 
 
 ELINOR. Cheer up, old girl! I'll see you through it. 
 
 LUCY. I begin to feel the worst is over, now I'm with
 
 THE LIE 35 
 
 you. It will be hushed up, and I shall make a good 
 marriage by and by, shan't If 
 ELINOR. Yes, dear! 
 
 [Enter SIR ROBERT E. He has been drinking, 
 and, without being tipsy, is stupidly 
 jovial. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Seeing LUCY.] Hillo ! Heigh ! Heigh ! 
 Heigh! What's this? Lucy! Well, well, well! This 
 is a surprise! [Kissing her.] Come to stay with us 
 and brighten the place up? 
 
 LUCY. No, Grandy. I've just run down for the 
 night. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Nonsense! Shan't let you go! Nell, 
 I've been thinking it over. We'll give a big dinner 
 party, and we'll ask young Forster and Lady Betch- 
 worth, and all the rest of the upstarts ! We'll let them 
 see the Shales aren't played out yet. Lucy, you've 
 eome down just in time. 
 
 LUCY. No, Grandy. I must run away again to- 
 morrow. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Shan't hear of it! Shan't hear of it! 
 Let's take a good look at you! [Admiring her dress.] 
 Nell, that's the way to dress ! She'll go off before you. 
 She knows the way to get a husband! I'm proud of 
 you! You're a credit to the old family. 
 
 [Drawing her to him and kissing her again. 
 LUCY submits with evident reluctance, and 
 disengages herself. 
 
 LUCY. I'll run iipstairs and take my things off. 
 Come up to me as soon as you can, Nell. 
 
 [Exit by stairs L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. She's a credit to the family. And, by 
 Jove! We'll keep her here, now we've got her.
 
 36 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Grandy, I'm going to take Lucy to Brigh- 
 ton to-morrow. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Brighton ? Brighton ? Brighton f What 
 for? 
 
 ELINOR. There's a chance of her making a good 
 match there. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Good match ! Heigh ! Heigh ! Heigh ! 
 I knew she would! She knows how to manage it. 
 
 [HAMP enters E. with a decanter of port wine 
 and wine glasses. 
 
 HAMP. I thought you'd like to sample this before 
 dinner, Sir Robert. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Right. Give me a glass. Good match, 
 eh? We'll drink to Lucy's good match. 
 
 [Enter Miss PINSENT L., with an open letter 
 in her hand. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Will you see if this is right before I 
 post it? [Offering letter to ELINOR. 
 
 ELINOR. I've had to change my plans, Miss Pinsent. 
 I shan't need an evening dress. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Not need ? 
 
 ELINOR. I'm not going to the ball. I've had an invi- 
 tation to stay with some friends. I must get my dresses 
 there. 
 
 Miss PINSENT. Then I needn't send this ? 
 
 ELINOR. No please don't. 
 
 [Exit Miss PINSENT L., a little perplexed. 
 HAMP has poured out two glasses of wine. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Take a glass of this, Nell, and drink to 
 Lucy's good match. 
 
 ELINOR. No, thank you. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. You won't f 
 
 ELINOR. [More firmly.] No, thank you!
 
 THE LIE 37 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Offended.] Oh, very well! Hamp, you 
 know a glass of good wine. What's your opinion of 
 that? 
 
 [HAMP takes a glass, SIR ROBERT takes up the 
 
 other. 
 
 HAMP. [Drinking.] A very nice rich silky wine, Sir 
 Robert. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. To Lucy's good match! And "Go thou 
 and do likewise!" [Drinking. 
 
 [ELINOR takes no notice. She has remained 
 standing. She hardens her face, to pre- 
 vent the tears. She just turns, and sees 
 the pattern of rich dress material, her 
 hand falls on it, she turns away her head. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 [Two and a half years pass between 'Acts I and II.]
 
 ACT II 
 
 SCENE : The same. It is now afternoon in early sum- 
 mer, with bright sunshine coming through the 
 open windows. The landscape outside is in June 
 sunshine. Discover SIR ROBERT, HAMP, and GIB- 
 BARD. SIR ROBERT is rather older and shabbier 
 than in the first act. He has on a pair of very 
 old shabby boots covered with dust. HAMP also 
 has suffered some deterioration. GIBBARD is still 
 untidy in a morning dress. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I don't believe it 
 
 HAMP. Gibbard will bear me out in every word I 
 say. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. But I'm not asking Gibbard to clean my 
 
 boots [Holding out his foot. 
 
 HAMP. No, Sir Robert. But if Gibbard has got to 
 wait hand and foot on Miss Lucy it stands to reason 
 everything goes wrong all over the house. 
 
 GIBBARD. She wants twenty times as much done for 
 her as Miss Elinor. 
 
 HAMP. And what's the result? Who's the first to 
 suffer for it? You are, Sir Robert. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Suffer? By Jove, I do suffer 1 
 HAMP. We all have to suffer, both in mind, body, 
 and estate. 
 
 GIBBARD. I should have left the week after she 
 came, only Miss Elinor persuaded me to stay. 
 
 38
 
 THE LIE 39 
 
 HAMP. The old place hasn't been the same since 
 she came. I often ask myself this question: "What's 
 going to happen next?" 
 
 SIR ROBERT. My boots are going to get cleaned. 
 That's what is going to happen next, or I'll know the 
 reason why. 
 
 [Lucr Ms entered L., very well dressed. 
 
 LUCY. What's the matter? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Everything's the matter. My guns are 
 never cleaned. My clothes are never brushed. Elinor 
 says that Forster and his friend may be dropping in, 
 at any moment. That's a pretty pair of boots for a 
 Shale of Shale Abbey to be seen in, isn't itf 
 
 HAMP. I'll go and see if anything can be done, 
 Sir Robert. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. There's my old hunting kit turn out 
 the whole lot boots and breeches and waistcoats and 
 all we'll see if we can't get a decent rig out among 
 them. 
 
 HAMP. I will, Sir Robert. [Exit HAMP L. 
 
 LUCY. Gibbard, my room hasn't been tidied 
 
 GIBBARD. If you want your room tidied, you'll have 
 to do it yourself. I've told Sir Robert, and I'm going 
 to tell Miss Elinor. [Exit GIBBARD E. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, these everlasting servants! And this 
 everlasting mess ! Grandy, I've had just about enough 
 of this ! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. So have I. 
 
 LUCY. I mean to get out of it. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. So do I. But I'm hanged if I see how. 
 
 LUCY. There's only one way: I must make a good 
 marriage. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, why don't you? You were away
 
 40 THE LIE 
 
 at Brighton six months. Why didn't you pull it off 
 thenf 
 
 Lucy. I told you the man died. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. Well, you've been going about to dif- 
 ferent places ever since. 
 
 LUCY. I haven't met with anybody suitable. That's 
 the reason I came back to the Abbey. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Not much chance for you here. 
 
 Lucr. [After a little pause.] Grandy, I think Mr. 
 Forster likes me. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Likes you? Whenever he comes, he 
 seems to hang about Elinor. 
 
 LUCY. Nell's the elder, and of course he pays her 
 the most attention outwardly. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, Elinor or you, so long as he 
 makes up his mind. But he has been home two 
 months now, and he doesn't seem to come to the 
 scratch. 
 
 LUCY. I don't wonder he holds back, seeing us in 
 this wretched state. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He's like the rest of the young men in 
 these days. One of them holds back and the other 
 dies there's no chivalry left in the country. 
 
 LUCY. Grandy, I've got a plan. I've thought it all 
 out. You must help me, and then I can help you and 
 Elinor. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Go on, my dear. What's your plan? 
 
 LUCY. If Mr. Forster stays on at the Hall, we must 
 have an entire change here, get some new servants, and 
 take our place in the country again. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That's what I've been saying for years. 
 But where's the money to come from? 
 
 LUCY. I can manage a little, perhaps
 
 THE LIE 41 
 
 SIB ROBERT. You? Where from? 
 
 LUCY. Never mind. I can manage a hundred or 
 two, and for the rest we mustn't be afraid to launch 
 out. 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. Launch out? Just what I've always 
 told Elinor. Launch out! 
 
 LUCY. By the time we have to pay people, I hope I 
 shall be safely married to Mr. Forster. 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. Good ! Good ! That's a splendid plan ! 
 It will take a bit of managing, eh? 
 
 LUCY. Yes; I shall have to be rather "nippy." We 
 must find out Mr. Forster's plans. If he's going back 
 to Egypt, I must get out to Cairo for the winter. 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. Yes. Capital! Capital! And what's 
 to become of me? 
 
 LUCY. I shall take care of you and Elinor. We 
 must try to let the Abbey there's this friend of Mr. 
 Forster's who's coming to look it over. 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. Yes. Elinor says he may drop in any 
 afternoon. She has just been badgering me to trim 
 myself up a bit. 
 
 [Looking at his clothes and showing his boots. 
 
 LUCY. If we could only get this Mr. Dibdin, isn't it 
 to take the Abbey. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. Ah ! There's another crying shame. 
 
 LUCY. What? 
 
 SIB ROBEBT. This Dibdin with his "Gift of Health"; 
 makes a fortune out of his quack medicine stuff, and 
 then comes and takes Shale Abbey over our heads. 
 
 LUCY. He hasn't taken Shale Abbey. Let's hope he 
 will. And he didn't make the fortune. His grand- 
 father made it for him. 
 
 SIR ROBEBT. Yes; and [solemnly] thank God,
 
 42 THE LIE 
 
 Lucy, your grandfather isn't that stamp! I didn't 
 make a fortune out of a beastly thirteen penny-half- 
 penny mixture! And what's the consequence? I've 
 got to slouch about the place like a broken-down game 
 keeper. Look at those boots! That's what England 
 does for her sons. 
 
 LUCY. She'll have to do a little better than that for 
 one of her daughters. Now, Grandy, if this Mr. Dibdin 
 takes the Abbey, we must make it a condition that he 
 does up the Dower House for you and Elinor. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That's a good idea. By Jove, yes 
 I must have somewhere to spend my old age in! Yes, 
 and do it up comfortably, too ! 
 
 LUCY. Now, Grandy, you must do all you can to get 
 me married to Mr. Forster. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes what? 
 
 LUCY. [Fondling him.] You might mention to him 
 what a bright, helpful little creature I am about the 
 house, and how thoughtful and kind I am to you and 
 Elinor. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes, yes, I will ! I'll lay it on thick. 
 
 LUCY. No, not too thick. Though it's quite true. 
 You know, Grandy, if I do marry Mr. Forster, I mean* 
 to be a real fairy godmother to you and Elinor. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes, of course you can a real fairy 
 godmother. 
 
 LUCY. And, Grandy, don't say anything to Elinor 
 about Mr. Forster and me, except that you think he 
 
 likes me Hush! 
 
 [ELINOR enters JR. She is plainly dressed, 
 not as well as LUCY. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy, what have you been saying to Gib- 
 bard? She has given me notice.
 
 THE LIE 43 
 
 LUCY. That's a relief. 
 
 ELINOR. Relief! Gibbard is our only stand-by. If 
 she goes, we shall have to turn charwomen. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. By Jove, yes [Looking at his 
 
 clothes.] I only want an apron and a pair of clogs to 
 make a perfect picture of me. 
 
 LUCY. Hamp had better go with her. 
 
 ELINOR. But we owe them wages. 
 
 LUCY. We must pay them. 
 
 ELINOR. There's more than a year due to Gibbard. 
 
 LUCY. And Hamp? 
 
 ELINOR. I don't know. It's so long since we settled 
 his account. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Hamp settles his account as he goes 
 along in liquor. 
 
 LUCY. Then I should think he's a good many years 
 on the right side. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He takes good care of that. He had 
 more than half that last dozen of whiskey. 
 
 [Enter HAMP L. 
 
 HAMP. I've laid them all out, Sir Robert. I think 
 you'll manage a tidyish turnout among 'em. There's 
 three or four very showy wescots. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Waistcoats! It's the confounded boots 
 that never will turn up. 
 
 HAMP. There's the pair of big felt shoes, Sir Rob- 
 ert, that you wore when you had the gout. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Let's have a look at them. 
 
 [Exit HAMP L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I'll go and see what I can do in the 
 way of a rig-out. [To LUCY.] You talk to Elinor. 
 Make her see we've got to launch out. 
 
 [Exit SIR ROBERT L.
 
 44 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Launch out? 
 
 LUCY. Yes, you dear old thing! "We've got to make 
 a fight now, or go under forever. 
 
 ELINOR. If I hadn't made a fight, we should have 
 gone under long ago. 
 
 LUCY. Well, pull yourself together, old girl, for one 
 final struggle. "We must have some new servants. I'm 
 glad Gibbard is going 
 
 ELINOR. She isn't. I've made her promise to stay. 
 
 LUCY. That's a pity. We must get a new smart 
 parlor maid and butler. 
 
 ELINOR. Where's the money to come from? 
 
 LUCY. Perhaps this Mr. Dibdin may take the Abbey. 
 If not, we must draw on my four hundred a year. 
 
 ELINOR. We have drawn on it. The next year is 
 already gone. 
 
 LUCY. The Tallertons must pay another year in ad- 
 vance. 
 
 ELINOR. You know they won't. Sir Thomas said 
 he'd never do it again. 
 
 LUCY. He must do it. It's for his own grandson. 
 Nell, won't you write him a very nice letter and say 
 that Dick is growing, and we want to bring him up as 
 he would wish for his father's sake you know how 
 to put it. 
 
 ELINOR. I can't do it, Lucy. It isn't fair to the 
 Tallertons. They've behaved very generously. 
 
 LUCY. Generously! Four hundred a year! My boy 
 would have had his twenty thousand a year if his 
 father had lived a month longer. . The cursed luck 
 of it! 
 
 ELINOR. It's no use dwelling on that. It's lucky 
 you've come out of it so well, and without anyone sus-
 
 THE LIE 45 
 
 pecting. You're clear now for the future except for 
 Dick. 
 
 LUCY. Except for Dick. 
 
 ELINOR. You don't wish now that he hadn't come? 
 
 LUCY. No, no! He is a dear, isn't he? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. Lucy, I wish we could have him here 
 sometimes. 
 
 LUCY. Have him here? 
 
 ELINOR. Mrs. Callard could take rooms at Waventry 
 and bring him over. 
 
 LUCY. It wouldn't be safe. 
 
 ELINOR. Nobody knows he isn't her child. We can 
 trust her thoroughly. I long to see him again. 
 
 LUCY. And don't you think I do? I'm going to 
 Brighton the first chance I get. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I'll come with you. 
 
 LUCY. [Jealously.] Nell, you mustn't steal his heart 
 away from me. 
 
 ELINOR. You know I wouldn't do that. 
 
 LUCY. I'll go to Brighton next week. We mustn't 
 risk bringing him here. I must be careful. Espe- 
 cially just now. 
 
 ELINOR. Why just now? 
 
 LUCY. [Watching ELINOR very closely.] Nell, you 
 haven't noticed or guessed anything? 
 
 ELINOR. No. What? 
 
 LUCY. I wouldn't mention it to anyone but you. 
 [Throwing her arms around ELINOR'S neck.] Nell, I 
 believe Mr. Forster likes me. [ELINOR rises, startled, 
 she withdraws from LUCY'S embrace.] You haven't 
 noticed? 
 
 ELINOR. No. What makes you think that? 
 
 LUCY. Only his manner when I'm alone with him.
 
 46 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Have you been much alone with him? 
 
 LUCY. Several times. Why do you question me in 
 that tone? 
 
 ELINOR. Nothing. Has he said anything to you? 
 
 LUCY. Not directly. But of course a woman always 
 guesses 
 
 ELINOR. And you guess What makes you guess? 
 
 LUCY. Nell, you aren't jealous? 
 
 ELINOR. No. But you remember what I told you 
 about the County Ball? 
 
 LUCY. That was over two years ago. Has he said 
 anything to you since he came home? 
 
 ELINOR. He hasn't actually spoken, but Oh, 
 
 don't let's say anything more about it! 
 
 LUCY. Of course, darling, if it is really you, I should 
 
 be pleased for your sake though [Beginning to 
 
 cry.] I really have grown to love him, Nell. I can't 
 help it but I do. And you always said that if a man 
 really loved me he would forgive. 
 
 ELINOR. He can't very well forgive unless he knows. 
 
 LUCY. Of course I shall tell him. Nell, you'll never 
 breathe a word to him? 
 
 ELINOR. You can ask me that? 
 
 LUCY. No, of course not. We'll say no more. We 
 may both be mistaken. He's not likely to think much 
 of either of us while we're in this muddle. For both 
 our sakes, we must do up this hole, and get some smart 
 servants. 
 
 ELINOR. We mustn't go any further into debt. You 
 haven't sent Mrs. Callard the last month's payment 
 for Dick. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, don't keep on nagging me about that.
 
 THE LIE 47 
 
 You might remember that it's my four hundred a year 
 that keeps us going 
 
 ELINOR. I don't forget. But we are so terribly in 
 debt. 
 
 LUCY. So's everybody else that I've ever met. You 
 dear old thing, you are so hopelessly old fashioned, so 
 hopelessly out of it ! 
 
 ELINOR. [With quiet bitterness.] I wasn't out of it 
 when I went to Brighton with you, and begged Sir 
 Thomas to make some provision for you, and never 
 left him till I got it. I wasn't out of it then. 
 
 LUCT. No, you darling! [Again embracing her.] 
 And I shall never forget it. 
 
 [Enter GIBBARD R. } with a note on tray. 
 
 GIBBARD. Mr. Forster's showfer has brought this for 
 you. [Handing note. 
 
 ELINOR. Mr. Forster's chauffeur? [Opening note. 
 
 GIBBARD. Mr. Forster and another gentleman have 
 just motored up, miss. They're at the Dower House. 
 
 ELINOR. [Having glanced at note.] Ask the chauf- 
 feur to say we shall be pleased to see Mr. Forster and 
 Mr. Dibdin. And tell Sir Robert that Mr. Forster is 
 here. 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. 
 
 ELINOR. Then please come back to me. 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. [Exit E. 
 
 LUCY. Then they're here! 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. Of course they've come to look over 
 the house the very day everything is upset. 
 
 LUCY. And I'm looking such a fright. I must change 
 my dress. 
 
 [Enter SIR ROBERT. He has changed his 
 dress. He wears light-colored thick tweed
 
 48 THE LIE 
 
 trousers, an old fancy hunting waistcoat, 
 and an old black velvet dinner jacket. 
 He has put on the black felt shoes, which 
 are much too large. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I see Forster has just motored past the 
 lodge. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes; he and his friend are at the Dower 
 House. [To LUCY, who is going off.] Lucy, you'll 
 help us get the place straight. 
 
 LUCY. Yes. I'll see to my own room. 
 
 [Exit at door L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Exhibiting himself to ELINOR.] Well, 
 how's this? Not so bad, eh? Except the damned 
 shoes! 
 
 ELINOR. You do look a perfect picture! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, it will have to do. Now, Elinor, 
 if this patent-medicine fellow does take a fancy to the 
 place, he'll have to pay a biggish rent, and he'll have 
 to do up the Dower House for us to live in. 
 
 ELINOR. Let's be thankful if we can get a fair rent. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Fair rent! For Shale Abbey! With 
 all its associations. And to a confounded thirteen 
 penny-ha'penny mixture man ! 
 
 ELINOR. Mr. Dibdin is an Oxford man, and I sup- 
 pose he is a gentleman. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. It takes three generations to make a 
 gentleman. It took twenty generations to make us. 
 
 ELINOR. What a waste of time! [Enter HAMP L. 
 
 ELINOR. Hamp, a gentleman is coming to look over 
 the Abbey. We must make haste and get it tidy. 
 
 HAMP. There's no time for that, miss. The gentle- 
 men are now coming up the lawn. 
 
 ELINOR. [Looking out of window.] Yes. Grandy,
 
 THE LIE 49 
 
 go out and meet them, and keep them talking until 
 we can get the place straight. [Glancing out of win- 
 dow.] Make haste! They're coming! 
 
 SIB ROBERT. [Hurries to door, stops, looks down at 
 his shoes, is struck with an idea.] Where's that old big 
 stick of mine? I think I'll have the gout again. 
 
 [Hurries off. 
 
 ELINOR. Now, Hamp, please help me. This Mr. Dib- 
 din may take the Abbey. 
 
 HAMP. And what's to become of the family? 
 ELINOR. We shall get another house, and take you 
 with us. Now please go upstairs and see that Sir 
 Robert's room is tidy. 
 
 HAMP. It will be a rush. But I'll put my shoulders 
 to the wheel. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, do, for once! [Exit HAMP L. 
 
 [GERALD FORSTER strolls up to the window, 
 
 outside. 
 
 GERALD. [Through the window.] How d'ye do? 
 ELINOR. [Shakes GERALD'S hand.] How d'ye do? 
 GERALD. May I come in? 
 ELINOR. Yes; do. 
 
 [GERALD disappears from window. Left alone, 
 ELINOR puts one or two things straight 
 about the room, then stands in pleased 
 expectancy looking at the door. GERALD 
 enters right. 
 
 GERALD. [Shaking hands.] I hope our call is quite 
 convenient. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, quite! 
 
 GERALD. I've left my friend, Noll Dibdin, looking 
 around the Dower House with Sir Robert.
 
 50 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. I hope Mr. Dibdin will take a fancy to the 
 Abbey. 
 
 GERALD. Noll's rather a casual, uncertain fellow. 
 Nobody knows exactly who or what he will take a fancy 
 to. But I hope he'll settle down here close to me. 
 
 ELINOR. Then you do think of settling down at the 
 Hall? 
 
 GERALD. I should like to. But the Government is 
 pressing me to go back to Egypt and look after the 
 construction of the other dam. 
 
 ELINOR. You've done some splendid work out there, 
 the papers say. 
 
 GERALD. Do they? I'm fond of the work. I want to 
 see it through, so that when it's finished I can say: 
 "That was my little job on the face of the earth. I've 
 done it, and, by Jove, I've done it rather well !" 
 
 ELINOR. But the papers said the dam was finished 
 and working magnificently. 
 
 GERALD. That was the big job with all the kudos to 
 it. This other is going to be a nasty, ticklish business, 
 which may plague us for years, and then beat us in the 
 end. But I can't bear the thought of letting it beat 
 me. Do you think I ought to go out? 
 
 ELINOR. [Her face lighting up with pleasure.] I? 
 How can I tell? Do you think you ought to go? 
 
 GERALD. Yes, I ought. 
 
 ELINOR. Then go. 
 
 GERALD. But I ought to stay here in England. 
 
 ELINOR. Then stay. 
 
 GERALD. There's my estate here I've had to neg- 
 lect it all these years. [Approaching her tenderly,] 
 Shall I stay? 
 
 ELINOR. Why do you ask me?
 
 THE LIE 51 
 
 GERALD. I won't for the moment. I'll ask you some- 
 thing else. Why didn't you keep your promise to me 
 to come to the County Ball? 
 
 ELINOR. I wrote you. The moment after you left 
 me that day I received a pressing invitation to go to 
 some people 
 
 GERALD. In England? I've no right to ask 
 
 ELINOR. It was at Brighton. 
 
 GERALD. Was it so very pressing? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I was obliged to go. 
 
 GERALD. But if you were at Brighton, you could 
 surely have come home for the ball. 
 
 ELINOR. [Embarrassed.] I couldn't get away just 
 then. I should have written to you again, but I saw 
 in the papers you'd gone back to Egypt. 
 
 GERALD. I was only staying in England because 
 you'd promised to come to the County Ball. When 
 you wrote me you couldn't come, I left for Egypt the 
 next day. 
 
 ELINOR. You must have thought it very strange of 
 me. 
 
 GERALD. I did. I should have come back last year 
 to ask you the reason, and to ask you another ques- 
 tion. But I was nailed to my work, and I didn't know 
 whether 
 
 ELINOR. Whether ? 
 
 GERALD. [Very tenderly.] Whether it would be any 
 use my coming. Would it have been? 
 
 [Voices of SIR ROBERT and NOLL DIBDIN 
 heard outside. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Opening door JR.] We shall find them 
 in here, I expect.
 
 52 THE LIE 
 
 [OLIVER DIBDIN enters. NOLL DIBDIN is 
 rather over thirty, with humorous, irreg- 
 ular features and a careless, mocking 
 manner; well dressed in a slovenly way; 
 very careless and easy-going. SIR ROBERT 
 hobbles after him with a stick and a pre- 
 tended attack of gout. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. This is my granddaughter, Elinor. Mr. 
 Dibdin, my dear. 
 
 ELINOR. [Coming forward, offering hand.] How 
 d'ye do? 
 
 NOLL. [As he comes forward, has a start of recog- 
 nition and a momentary hesitation, which ELINOR and 
 GERALD notice.] Excuse me. [Shaking hands.] For 
 the moment I thought we had met. 
 
 ELINOR. [Looking at him frankly.] I don't think so. 
 NOLL. No, I see I was mistaken. 
 
 [At times during the scene he steals a furtive 
 
 look at her. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Hobbling on his stick.] This is the 
 drawing-room used to be part of the old hall. It's 
 like all the rest of the place, tumbling to pieces. We 
 don't attempt to disguise it. 
 
 ELINOR. [To NOLL.] No. It wouldn't be much use, 
 would it? 
 
 . SIR ROBERT. But its proportions are noble very 
 noble. Sit down, Mr. Dibdin. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! 
 
 [With pretended twinges of gout. 
 
 NOLL. I'm sure your gout is paining you, Sir Robert. 
 
 -SiR ROBERT. No, no. It's the nuisance of being 
 
 obliged to shuffle about the place in a pair of shoes 
 
 like these. [Has another twinge.] Oh! This is my 
 
 legacy from a long line of hard-drinking Shales. They
 
 :r cs 
 
 C 
 co S
 
 THE LIE 53 
 
 didn't leave me much else. You've been luckier in the 
 way of legacies than I have, Mr. Dibdin. 
 
 NOLL. I wouldn't say that, Sir Robert. My grand- 
 father decimated the English people, mowed them down 
 by their thousands, and swindled them out of three 
 hundred thousand pounds by what he cruelly and satiri- 
 cally called his "Gift of Health." 
 
 [ELIKOB shows surprise. 
 
 GERALD. [To her.] You mustn't take the least no- 
 tice of Dibdin. When he means anything at all, he 
 means just the opposite of what he says. 
 
 NOLL. My dear Gerald, I maintain that Dibdin's 
 "Gift of Health" was the most devastating scourge 
 ever concocted by a patent-medicine quack, who knew 
 nothing of the human machine, and less of the poison- 
 ous drugs he was putting into it. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He did very well out of it. 
 
 NOLL. Yes, that's the cause of my remorse. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Remorse? 
 
 NOLL. I calculate that Dibdin's "Gift of Health" 
 depopulated the British Empire to the extent of a 
 city the size of Bristol. Wouldn't you feel conscience- 
 stricken if you had thoughtlessly accepted a legacy 
 made in that way? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, I should certainly feel uncom- 
 fortable. 
 
 NOLL. It's true that many of those whom we a 
 removed probably deserved to be killed. [ELINOR 
 looks at him in astonishment, and turns to GERALD.] 
 And some of them may have gone to a better world. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Let's hope so ! 
 
 NOLL. Let's hope so! God help 'em if they haven't! 
 
 GERALD. [Explains to ELINOR.] All this means that
 
 54 THE LIE 
 
 Dibdin is quietly doing no end of good in the world 
 and enjoying himself in doing it. 
 
 NOLL. I beg pardon, my dear Gerald, my remorse is 
 quite as excruciating as Sir Robert's gout. 
 
 [Looking fixedly at ELINOR, whom he has been 
 quietly observing all the while. SIR 
 ROBERT groans. 
 
 ELINOR. I hope it doesn't affect your appetite. 
 
 NOLL. Happily no. And if I can only get rid of 
 some part of my ill-gotten gains not too much say 
 a hundred thousand pounds or so 
 
 ELINOR. That oughtn't to be difficult 
 
 SIR ROBERT. By Jove, no! Are you making any 
 considerable stay down here? 
 
 NOLL. I don't know. This might be a nice secluded 
 spot to mature my plans. There's the old English 
 landscape, which my father disfigured with hideous red 
 and yellow advertisements 
 
 SIR ROBERT. They used to be all along our railway 
 line to Waventry. 
 
 NOLL. Then I owe the landscape some reparation. 
 One of my pet schemes is to add a little beauty to the 
 countryside by piously restoring some of our old man- 
 sions and Abbeys. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That's a good idea! I'm very struck 
 with that. Now, Elinor, can't we take Mr. Dibdin 
 around ? 
 
 ELINOR. [With a meaning look at SIR ROBERT.] 
 Will you show Mr. Dibdin the stables and I'll see if the 
 upstairs rooms are ready? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. And Lucy shall entertain Forster 
 the while. Where is she where's my little fairy god- 
 mother? I'll see where she is. Lucy!
 
 THE LIE 55 
 
 [Hurrying to stairs, forgets his stick and his 
 pretended gout; suddenly remembers it, 
 stops, groans; NOLL gives him stick; he 
 hobbles off L. with twinges and groans to 
 the door. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll see if the upstairs rooms are ready. We 
 want you to see the Abbey at its best. 
 
 NOLL. But if I am to take it, I must have it at its 
 worst, so as to give full scope to my mania for pious 
 restoration. I hope you have a haunted chamber. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm afraid not. Though the Shale of Henry 
 the Eighth's time was murdered by his cousin in Lucy's 
 room. 
 
 NOLL. And he doesn't haunt it ? Disown him for 
 an ancestor. Any subterranean passages? 
 
 ELINOR. Not a yard of one. And not a single secret 
 panel. 
 
 NOLL. [Shakes his head disapprovingly.] I wanted 
 an old place with all the medieval apparatus in full 
 
 creaking order 
 
 ELINOR. If you'll wait a few minutes, I'll try and 
 
 summon up a few ancient bogies [Exit L. 
 
 [NOLL has watched her off, and remains stand- 
 ing. 
 
 GERALD. Why did you watch Miss Shale so closely 
 all the time? 
 
 NOLL. Did I? It was very rude of me. 
 
 GERALD. You have really met her? 
 
 NOLL. No. 
 
 GERALD. No? 
 
 NOLL. I think not. What does it matter if I have? 
 
 GERALD. Then you have? Tell me! 
 
 NOLL. It's not worth mentioning.
 
 56 THE LIE 
 
 GERALD. Then why not tell me? [A longish pause.] 
 
 You won't? 
 
 . 
 
 NOLL. Oh, these girls are your neighbours you'll be 
 constantly meeting them 
 
 GERALD. What of that? Why shouldn't I? You've 
 raised my curiosity. Aren't you going to satisfy it? 
 
 NOLL. No. 
 
 GERALD. Noll, don't make a mystery of it. Tell me. 
 I ask you as my oldest friend. 
 
 NOLL. Two years ago last April I was staying at 
 Brighton with my old friend, Doctor Denby Rodd. 
 
 GERALD. Two years ago last April? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. Denby Rodd has one of the largest prac- 
 tices in Brighton. He manages my Children's Con- 
 valescent Home on the Downs. When we were on the 
 front one day, we met a rather striking girL 
 
 GERALD. Miss Shale? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. Rodd stopped to speak to her, and when 
 he came back he said : "That's rather a curious story." 
 I asked him what it was, but he wouldn't tell me. The 
 next day I was coming away, and he saw me off at the 
 station. There was the same girl on the platform. 
 
 GERALD. Miss Shale? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. He spoke to her again. Apparently 
 she was in some distress. She'd lost her luggage, and 
 a nurse, and a sister, and a baby. 
 
 GERALD. Baby? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. Rodd went to make inquiries for her. 
 She didn't notice me. Meantime, the sister and nurse 
 and baby came up. They'd got into the wrong train. 
 Rodd put them right, and saw them off. When he 
 came back, he said: "I wonder who they really are?" 
 
 GERALD. Didn't he know?
 
 THE LIE 57 
 
 NOLL. No. He said: "Dibdin, if you want to be 
 believed when you're telling a lie, don't tell it too 
 often, or too emphatically." 
 
 GERALD. Telling a lie? Go on. 
 
 NOLL. "And if you wish to pass under an assumed 
 name " 
 
 GERALD. Assumed name! 
 
 NOLL. "Don't keep on dragging it in." Then he told 
 me that Miss Shale had come to him a few months 
 before, and told him that his services would be re- 
 quired for a coming event. She said that she had 
 brought the sister with her, and that the husband was 
 in India. Rodd said he should have believed there was 
 a husband in India, if they hadn't talked so much 
 about him. 
 
 [Enter LUCY and SIR ROBERT L. NOLL recog- 
 nizes LUCY. LUCY is very prettily 
 dressed in a fashionable summer gown 
 which is in marked contrast to ELINOR'S 
 quite plain one. 
 
 SIR ROBERT, [nobbling in after LUCY.] Here she is! 
 Here's my little fairy godmother! [Introducing.] 
 Mr. Dibdin Miss Lucy Shale. 
 
 LUCY. [Shaking hands.] How d'ye do? 
 
 NOLL. How d'ye do? 
 
 LUCY. Good afternoon, Mr. Forster. 
 
 GERALD. Good afternoon. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Now, Mr. Dibdin, we'll have a look at 
 the stables, if you're ready. 
 
 NOLL. Quite. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. You'll find them very tumbledown and 
 mouldy very sad very sad !
 
 58 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. Very sad very sad! Let's keep them from 
 mouldering any further. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Forster, Lucy will look after you 
 [patting LUCY on the shoulder] my little fairy god- 
 mother ! 
 
 LUCY. Go away, Grandy. You're always flattering 
 me! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Flattering you ! I don't know what the 
 old place would be without you. [Kissing her.] Come 
 along, Mr. Dibdin. 
 
 [NOLL and SIR ROBERT go off at door R., SIR 
 ROBERT calling NOLL'S attention to GERALD 
 and LUCY as he goes off. NOLL is startled 
 by SIR ROBERT'S gesture, which indicates 
 an attachment between LUCY and GERALD. 
 Exit NOLL after SIR ROBERT, much con- 
 cerned. 
 
 LUCY. [Steals a look at GERALD, who is standing 
 apart, distressed by NOLL'S story.] Grandfather makes 
 himself really foolish over me. And, after all, I simply 
 do my duty to him and Elinor. [He does not reply as 
 she moves toward him.] It's such a delight to see a few 
 neighbours sometimes. I hope you're going to stay on 
 at The Hall? 
 
 GERALD. [Absorbed.] I'm not certain. They're press- 
 ing me to go back to Egypt. 
 
 LUCY. I've such a longing to see Egypt. You're not 
 much in Cairo, are you? 
 
 GERALD. I generally run up for a month or two in 
 the season. 
 
 LUCY. I think I must manage to get out next winter. 
 If I do, I want to get right into the heart of the coun- 
 try. I wonder if you could help me?
 
 THE LIE 59 
 
 GERALD. Anything I can do 
 
 LUCY. Thanks. I should like to see all your won- 
 derful engineering works. 
 
 GERALD. I'm afraid that's hardly possible for ladies. 
 They're quite away from civilization. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, I don't mind roughing it ! And when I've 
 made up my mind to do a thing, I always do it. But 
 you're not certain of being in Egypt next winter? 
 
 GERALD. My plans are quite unsettled. I'd some 
 thoughts of Brighton [LucY has a scarcely per- 
 ceptible shock. He is watching her rather closely.] 
 Do you know Brighton? 
 
 LUCY. No. Only very slightly. 
 
 GERALD. Your sister was telling me she stayed there 
 two years ago. 
 
 LUCY. Did she? I don't remember. I was with my 
 Aunt Kate. Perhaps Elinor may have run down there 
 for a day or two. [Seeing that he is looking at her.] 
 Ah, yes, I remember; she did go! 
 
 GERALD. For a day or two? 
 
 LUCY. It may have been longer. [Getting a little 
 alarmed, and unable to avoid showing it.] Why are you 
 asking me? 
 
 GERALD. I thought perhaps you might have gone 
 with her. 
 
 LUCY. No. [Getting more alarmed.] Did she tell 
 you I went with her? 
 
 GERALD. No. She mentioned it quite casually. 
 
 LUCY. I was with my Aunt Kate all that time 
 
 [Seeing that he is still keenly watching her.] Is there 
 anything more you wish to know? 
 
 GERALD. No. I understood your sister to say that
 
 60 THE LIE 
 
 her visit was very urgent I'm very rude pray 
 
 forgive me. 
 
 [He turns away, and is going off. Her alarm 
 has increased. She follows him. 
 
 LUCY. Mr. Forster please telk me you seem to 
 think there is some mystery. What do you know? 
 
 GERALD. Miss Shale, forgive my asking again. You 
 did gq with your sister to Brighton? 
 
 LUCY. You've heard something. Tell me what. 
 
 GERALD. I'd rather say no more. 
 
 LUCY. No. You must tell me what you know. Yes, 
 please. 
 
 GERALD. Two years ago it became necessary for your 
 sister to go to Brighton. It was so, wasn't it? [Lucr 
 begins to perceive his mistake.] She told me so her- 
 self. Forgive my asking. You did go with her? 
 
 LUCY. Yes. 
 
 GERALD. And you stayed with her while till she 
 could come away? 
 
 LUCY. Yes; I had to see her through. It was only 
 what any sister would have done, and naturally I did 
 it for Elinor. 
 
 GERALD. It was kind of you. 
 
 LUCY. Now you see why I was so frightened when 
 you began to question me. Who told you? 
 
 GERALD. I mustn't say. 
 
 LUCY. There's no chance of its getting known? 
 
 GERALD. Not the least. I learned it quite by acci- 
 dent. You may be sure I shall keep it quite secret. 
 
 LUCY. You won't let Elinor suspect that you've 
 heard. She'd be so terribly upset if she thought you 
 knew! 
 
 GERALD. Yes. Perhaps I'd better not see her.
 
 THE LIE 61 
 
 LUCY. That would be kindest. 
 
 GERALD. I'll write her that I have to go back to my 
 work in Egypt. 
 
 LUCY. Yes, that would be best. [He is standing 
 overwhelmed. A pause. She lays her hand affec- 
 tionately on his arm.] I'm so sorry for you so sorry! 
 GERALD. Thanks. Thank you for what you did for 
 her. [Shaking her hand. 
 
 LUCY. It was only my duty. I had to see her 
 through. 
 
 GERALD. But it was kind. I'll write her now and 
 get it over. [Goes to writing table. 
 
 LUCY. Yes, that would be best. Here are pens and 
 paper. 
 
 [He sits down to write. She affectionately lays 
 her hand upon his shoulder. He presses 
 it. She goes off R., watching him. Left 
 alone, GERALD writes for a moment; then 
 tears up the letter, sits with his face 
 buried in his hands; begins writing again, 
 stops, rises, comes away, stands over- 
 whelmed; makes a gesture of resolution, 
 goes to table; sits down, writes quickly 
 and resolutely. LUCY appears outside 
 window, watches GERALD writing, with- 
 draws. GERALD finishes and seals his 
 letter. Enter NOLL E. 
 
 NOLL. Gerald, I oughtn't to have told you what I did 
 just now. 
 
 GERALD. Why not? 
 
 NOLL. Sir Robert has just been hinting very plainly 
 that you are attached to this girl. 
 
 GERALD. You were quite right to tell me.
 
 62 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. It has hit you pretty hard. 
 
 GERALD. I was going to propose to her this after- 
 noon. 
 
 NOLL. Can't you forgive her? [GERALD shakes his 
 head.] I'm sorry. From what Sir Robert says, you're 
 losing a great treasure. And she's very much in love 
 with you. Gerald 
 
 GERALD. Don't say any more about this, will you? 
 Don't please. There's a good, fellow. It's all over. 
 I shall get back to Egypt. 
 
 [ELINOR enters very gaily, downstairs L. 
 
 ELINOR. Now, Mr. Dibdin, I'm quite ready to show 
 you over our old barn. "Will you come, Mr. Forster? 
 
 GERALD. I'm afraid I can't. I've just thought of an 
 important telegram. I must hurry off to send it. 
 
 [SiR ROBERT enters door E. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Now, Elinor now, Mr. Dibdin, we'll 
 show you round upstairs. 
 
 NOLL. Ready, Sir Robert. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Come along, Elinor. [To NOLL.] We'll 
 look over my room first. 
 
 [Exit SIR ROBERT and NOLL. 
 
 GERALD. Miss Shale, you were right just now when 
 you said it was my duty to go back to Egypt and 
 finish my work there. 
 
 ELINOR. [Struck by the change in his tone.] Has 
 anything happened? 
 
 GERALD. Nothing, except that I've had a very severe 
 struggle with myself since you left me. I see now 
 that I mustn't follow my inclinations. I mustn't stay 
 in England. 
 
 ELINOR. You're going away soon? 
 
 GERALD. As soon as I can arrange. I've scribbled
 
 THE LIE 63 
 
 a line here to explain. I can tear it up now that I've 
 seen you. 
 
 ELINOR. No; give it to me. 
 
 GERALD. [Giving letter.] It only says what I've just 
 told you. Forgive me. Good-bye. [Exit GERALD R. 
 [ELINOR opens letter, reads it, cannot under- 
 stand; her hand drops with letter in it, 
 she stands overwhelmed, reads it again. 
 LUCY creeps on and watches her a mo- 
 ment. 
 
 LUCY. [Speaks very carelessly.] Nell, what have 
 you been doing to Mr. Forster? 
 ELINOR. What do you mean? 
 
 LUCY. He has rushed off and scarcely said "Good- 
 bye." I couldn't persuade him to stay to tea. 
 
 ELINOR. Did you say anything to him about me? 
 LUCY. No. When? 
 
 ELINOR. Just now when you were in here with 
 him. 
 
 LUCY. No. We never mentioned your name. We 
 talked about the weather. I tried to get him on to 
 Egypt, but I could scarcely get a word out of him. 
 Why? 
 
 ELINOR. Nothing. 
 
 LUCY. Aren't you coming to show Mr. Dibdin over 
 the rooms? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes I'll come in a minute. 
 
 [LucY goes off slowly L., watching ELINOR. 
 ELINOR again turns to letter. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 [Three years and four months pass between Acts II 
 and III.]
 
 ACT III 
 
 SCENE : The drawing-room of the Dower House, Shale 
 Regis. A prettily furnished, modern room in the 
 house which has been seen through the window of 
 the preceding acts. At back is a large window 
 opening onto a flower garden. This window is 
 obviously a recent addition to the house. Be- 
 yond the flower garden is the Abbey, which is sur- 
 rounded by a park landscape in autumn foliage. 
 Down stage E. is a fireplace. Down stage L. is a 
 door. The room shows a marked contrast to the 
 neglect and decay of the Abbey drawing-room. It 
 is tastefully and sufficiently furnished with bright, 
 pretty modern furniture. There are a good many 
 knickknacks about it. It has an air of comfort 
 and prosperity. 
 
 TIME: About twelve on a late October morning. The 
 windows at back are wide open and a bright 
 morning sun is shining on the garden and the 
 Abbey and the landscape beyond. Discover ELINOR 
 in the garden outside the windows. She is in a 
 pretty morning gown, with gardening hat and 
 gloves. She has a large bouquet of autumn flow- 
 ers in her apron, and is stooping to cut a large 
 rose on a tree outside the window. Enter GIB- 
 BARD with a letter on tray. GIBBARD is neatly 
 
 64
 
 THE LIE 65 
 
 dressed as a parlour maid. ELINOR enters through 
 window as GIBBARD takes the letter to her. ELINOR 
 puts down her flowers and scissors. 
 
 GIBBARD. For you, miss. [Handing letter.] A foot- 
 man has just bicycled over from the Hall with it. 
 
 ELINOR. [Shows a little surprise at the handwriting, 
 opens letter, and glances through it.] Mr. and Mrs. 
 Forster got down to the Hall last night. They're com- 
 ing over to lunch. 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll come out to the cook and give her in- 
 structions. 
 
 [SiR ROBERT enters at door. He is now quite 
 smartly dressed as a country gentleman, 
 has the "Times" in his hand, which he 
 puts down. 
 
 GIBBARD. You said Mrs. Callard and her little boy 
 would be here to lunch, miss. 
 
 [SiR ROBERT shows a little vexation. 
 
 ELINOR. [After a pause of consideration.] I don't 
 suppose Mrs. Callard will stay to lunch now. I'll tell 
 you later. 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. [Exit. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy and Mr. Forster are down at The 
 Hall. [Giving SIR ROBERT the letter.] They're motor- 
 ing over, and are staying to lunch. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Heigh! Heigh! Heigh! My little 
 Lucy at last! Well, it was about time they came to 
 see us. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Why, it's over three years now since 
 she left us.
 
 66 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Three years this month. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. Clever stroke of hers going off to Egypt 
 as she did and landing Forster. 
 
 ELINOR. Very clever. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. But she ought to have run down to see 
 her old Grandy before this. 
 
 ELINOR. They've had so much to do in Paris and 
 London. And perhaps they didn't want very much to 
 see us. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. They must have wanted to see me. If 
 Lucy hasn't been down, it must be on your account. 
 
 ELINOR. Perhaps. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. [Turning to the letter.] She says here: 
 "I hope, old girl, we shall meet as sisters, and love 
 each other as we did in the old times." What does she 
 mean by that? 
 
 ELINOR. What she says, I suppose. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. You haven't shown a nice spirit to 
 your sister since she married Forster. 
 
 ELINOR. Haven't I? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. No ; and she's always sending you pres- 
 ents. That fur coat last winter, and the necklace, and 
 the ring on your birthday. 
 
 ELINOR. I don't deserve it. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. No, you don't taking her gifts as you 
 do. [Cunningly.] She wrote me last week she was 
 Bending you a cheque. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. A good-sized one eh? 
 
 ELINOR. Fifty pounds. I sent it back. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Sent it back? Good heavens! Sent it 
 back! 
 
 ELINOR. It's all Mr. Forster's money. We oughtn't
 
 "You haven't shown a nice spirit to your 
 sister since she married Forster."
 
 THE LIE 67 
 
 to take it. He has done so much for us since he mar- 
 ried Lucy. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He can afford it. 
 
 ELINOR. I can't afford to take it. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, I can. I have my proper pride 
 no man more so. And no man has more reason for a 
 proper pride. But to send back cheques and from 
 your own family! That isn't pride. That's damned 
 silly, cantankerous tomfoolery! It's ingratitude ob- 
 stinate, pig-headed ingratitude! I shall tell Lucy my 
 opinion of it. And I shall ask her to make her spare 
 cheques payable to me in the future. They won't be 
 wasted on me. 
 
 ELINOR. No, they won't! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Angrily.] No, they won't. The truth 
 is you're jealous of Lucy's marrying Forster. 
 
 ELINOR. No, not jealous. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Then what's the reason of your behav- 
 ing as you are doing? 
 
 ELINOR. I've always written kindly to her. But I 
 didn't like her going off to Egypt without letting us 
 know. And then saying nothing about her engagement 
 to Mr. Forster simply writing to tell us they were 
 married. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. A very sensible thing to do. And very 
 lucky for us. Here we are in clover comparatively. 
 We ought to be thankful to Lucy and to Providence. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm thankful to Mr. Forster and to Mr. 
 Dibdin for keeping us out of the workhouse. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. And aren't you thankful to Lucy? 
 
 ELINOR. When she comes this morning, I shall for- 
 get there has been any coolness between us, and be 
 quite friendly and sisterly to her.
 
 68 THE LIE 
 
 SIR ROBERT. That's the right tone. We'll have a 
 jolly little lunch. Gibbard said that Mrs. Callard and 
 her child are coming. Why do you keep on inviting 
 that woman here? 
 
 ELINOR. I don't keep on inviting her. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. She's been hanging about the place for 
 the last month. And the same last year. 
 
 ELINOR. Mrs. Callard was staying in the same house 
 at Brighton when Lucy and I were there five years ago. 
 Her baby was just born, and Lucy and I took a fancy 
 to him. Last year she came to stay for a week in 
 lodgings at Waventry. Naturally, I went to see her, 
 and asked her here. The boy's a dear little fellow. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. They won't be staying to-day, I hope? 
 
 ELINOR. Not unless Lucy wishes. She was fond of 
 the boy when he was a baby, and she might like to 
 see him again. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Lucy has got her own child, and she 
 won't want to be bothered with Mrs. Callard's. I 
 think I'll ask Dibdin to lunch. 
 
 ELINOR. It would please Mr. Forster. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. In her letter to me last week, Lucy 
 hinted something about a motor for us. I'm getting 
 Dibdin to put up a new garage 
 
 ELINOR. [Firmly.] No, Grandy, no 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Why not? 
 
 ELINOR. We've imposed too much upon Mr. Dibdin. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Imposed? He's my tenant, isn't he? 
 We had to turn out of the Abbey to make way for 
 him. A thirteen-penny-ha'penny-mixture man ! Comes 
 and takes an historic old place like Shale Abbey, drops 
 in for all its associations, takes his place in the county,
 
 THE LIE 69 
 
 and- he isn't to be allowed to put up a motor garage 
 for the owner he has turned out! 
 
 ELINOR. He's always doing things you ask him. See 
 how beautifully he has done up this house for us. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, it was in the agreement. Still, I 
 must say Dibdin has behaved very well. 
 
 ELINOR. He has, indeed. 
 
 SIR ROBERT.* And when I suggested to him last night 
 about the motor house and said you'd like it 
 
 ELINOR. You said I would like it? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He jumped at the idea. He's only too 
 pleased to do anything for you. 
 
 ELINOR. Grandy, please stop that. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Stop it? You're a fool, Elinor. You 
 might be Mrs. Dibdin and mistress of Shale Abbey 
 to-morrow if you wished. 
 
 ELINOR. I don't wish. And I don't intend Mr. Dib- 
 din shall spend any more of his money on us. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Makes a gesture of irritation.] Well, 
 
 thank God Lucy's coming back to put us all to rights ! 
 
 [NoLL appears in garden just outside window. 
 
 NOLL. Good morning. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Good morning, Dibdin. Come in. 
 
 NOLL. [Entering through window.] Good morning, 
 Miss Shale. 
 
 ELINOR. [Shaking hands.]. Good morning. 
 
 NOLL. I've just had a note from Gerald. Mrs. 
 Forster and he are down at The Hall. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes; they're coming to lunch. You'd 
 better join us. 
 
 NOLL. Delighted! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. This is my little fairy godmother's 
 home-coming after all these years. And I must give
 
 70 THE LIE 
 
 her a real royal Shale welcome. Elinor, tell cook to 
 give us something decent for lunch for once. 
 
 ELINOR. I'll go and see about it. [To NOLL, who 
 sees her to door.] So glad you're staying! [Exit. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. And I'll give you a bottle of port. Ah ! 
 It was port that made the old true breed of English- 
 men 
 
 NOLL. Gave them that rich, full-blooded mellowness 
 of tone, eh? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. And what are we to-day? 
 
 NOLL. A sorry race, I fear, Sir Robert! A sorry, 
 scurvy lot! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. "We're a parcel of damned twopenny- 
 ha'penny anemic clerks and typists and counterskip- 
 pers! We can't drink. We can't swear! We can't 
 wench like gentlemen ! 
 
 NOLL. That's democracy. Takes away all our pleas- 
 ures and gives us the vote. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. You've hit it. I'm glad to find, Dib- 
 din, that as my tenant and neighbour you are adopting 
 my views. It's a great responsibility to enter upon the 
 traditions of Shale Abbey. 
 
 NOLL. I feel it! I feel it! What's the state of the 
 country this morning? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Indignant.] State of the country? 
 [Taking tip the "Times."] Have you seen the paper? 
 
 NOLL. No. Everybody striking, as iisual, I suppose? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. It's the confounded hair-dressers 
 now. Nobody has been shaved in London for three 
 days. 
 
 NOLL. That's another score for the lower classes. 
 They've always sported a three days' growth.
 
 THE LIE 71 
 
 SIR ROBERT. But let them go on ! Let them go on 
 till the smash comes! 
 
 NOLL. That's what I'm waiting for the smash ! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. It's coming it's coming. I shan't live 
 to see it 
 
 NOLL. Don't say that, Sir Robert. We must hurry 
 things up. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. No. I shan't live to see it. But you 
 will. 
 
 NOLL. If there's going to be an infernal scrimmage, 
 I want to be there. And at the nearest point of view 
 that's free from danger. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes; it's coming! It's coming! Have 
 you thought any more of the motor house you kindly 
 promised to put up? 
 
 NOLL. Yes; we must get out the plans. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Thanks! Elinor is delighted at the 
 idea. 
 
 NOLL. "We must consult Miss Shale. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. No. We'll get her away for a few 
 weeks, and have it all done as a pleasant surprise for 
 her when she comes back, eh? Eh? 
 
 NOLL. Yes; that's a good thought 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Shush! [As ELINOR enters.] Well, 
 dear, what's cook going to give us? 
 
 ELINOR. Trout shoulder of mutton 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Disgusted.] Shoulder of mutton. 
 
 ELINOR. Partridges and an omelette! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Her omelettes are like paving stones. 
 
 ELINOR. Then be thankful you have a good diges- 
 tion. Oh, Mr. Dibdin, Grandy tells me he has been 
 speaking to you about a motor house. [SiR ROBERT
 
 72 THE LIE 
 
 frowns and makes signs at her.] I hope you won't 
 think of it 
 
 NOLL. I'm seeing about the plans. 
 
 ELINOR. Please not. I beg you won't waste any 
 more money on us. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Waste! Waste! There's ingratitude! 
 Waste! 
 
 ELINOR. We haven't a motor. We can't afford one. 
 It must be waste to put up a motor house. 
 
 NOLL. The motor will come by force of attraction. 
 Meantime, you must allow me to put up the motor 
 house; not in a spirit of waste, but as a monument of 
 contrition. 
 
 ELINOR. Contrition for what? 
 
 NOLL. The misdeeds of my ancestor. [With a glance 
 at Sir Robert.] Sir Robert tells me that Dibdin's 
 "Gift of Health" was extensively used in his nursery. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. It was always knocking about the place. 
 Done up in a paper wrapping, with a thirteen-penny- 
 ha'penny label. 
 
 NOLL. Two and nine, Sir Robert. Two and nine- 
 pence was the lowest figure at which my old swindler 
 of a grandfather would permit the British public to 
 poison themselves. [Enter GIBBARD L. 
 
 GIBBARD. If you please, Sir Robert, what wine will 
 you have for lunch? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. We must have some champagne for my 
 little fairy godmother. And a bottle of port for you 
 and me, Dibdin. I'll come and get it out, Gibbard. 
 
 [Exit GIBBARD L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Really, Elinor, now we've taken up our 
 position again in the county, we must get a butler. 
 
 [Exit SIR ROBERT L.
 
 THE LIE 73 
 
 ELINOR. [Sits.] Mr. Dibdin, we really can't impose 
 upon you any more. 
 
 NOLL. What's the meaning of "impose"? 
 
 ELINOR. To take money and gifts as we are doing 
 from you without any right. 
 
 NOLL. What's the meaning of "right"? 
 
 ELINOR. You know very well what I mean. 
 
 NOLL. You mean you have no moral right to my 
 money ? Neither have I. But I do take it all the same, 
 because I can't find out whom it belongs to, and be- 
 cause I'm the most deserving man I know. And I'm 
 sure you're far more deserving than I am. 
 
 ELINOR. You never will talk plainly. 
 
 NOLL. You wish me? Very well. There's only one 
 way in which you could have a legal right to share my 
 ill-gotten gains. Won't you choose that way and be 
 my wife? 
 
 ELINOR. [Moving away from him.] I can't. 
 
 NOLL. You're sure? I'm talking quite sincerely 
 now. 
 
 ELINOR. I can't. It's quite impossible. 
 
 NOLL. I guessed so. That's the reason I haven't 
 asked you before. Forget it, and let us go on as we 
 are. 
 
 ELINOR. But you must see it's very embarrassing for 
 me to accept all this 
 
 NOLL. I'm sorry. But you can't expect me to have 
 a heap of money I don't know what to do with and 
 not try to make you happy. 
 
 ELINOR. You can't do that. 
 
 NOLL. Would you rather I left the Abbey? I'll do 
 as you wish. 
 
 ELINOR. I wish you to do what is best for yourself.
 
 74 THE LIE 
 
 You might be doing so much in the world, instead 
 of 
 
 NOLL. Instead of skulking about down here? 
 
 ELINOR. Ah, no! I know you are doing a lot of 
 good with your money. I hear of it in so many ways. 
 But oughtn't you to be doing something great? 
 
 NOLL. It's only great men who do great things. Ex- 
 cept in the newspapers. 
 
 ELINOR. But there are so many things a man can 
 
 NOLL. Help me to do something. I fancy you could 
 make a useful man of me. 
 
 ELINOR. Could I? 
 
 NOLL. I know you could make me do anything you 
 wish. Won't you take me in hand? 
 
 ELINOR. I can't! I wish I could! 
 
 NOLL. Pardon me there's someone else? 
 
 ELINOR. There was. And I can't forget you've 
 been so kind! 
 
 NOLL. Don't talk about kindness. 
 
 ELINOR. But I must! Why should you come down 
 here and take the Abbey at an extravagant rent, and 
 waste your money on Grandy 
 
 NOLL. If you wish to know why I took the Abbey 
 I'll tell you. You remember the day I first came over 
 with Gerald 
 
 ELINOR. Yes very well- 
 
 NOLL. When you were showing me round the Abbey 
 I noticed there were tears in your eyes. You made 
 some excuse and ran away. When you came back you 
 tried to look happy and cheerful. 
 
 ELINOR. I remember. 
 
 NOLL. I had a sudden impulse. I thought I'd take
 
 THE LIE 75 
 
 the Abbey and make you happy. I'm like most men. 
 A woman's tears double me up and yours were very 
 big ones. 
 
 ELINOR. I was very unhappy that day. 
 
 NOLL. So now you know why I took the Abbey. 
 
 ELINOR. My big tears. 
 
 NOLL. Yes; I saw you were fretting about leaving 
 the old place 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, no ! I wasn't thinking about the Abbey. 
 I had a very great blow that day 
 
 NOLL. That day? [Shows surprise. 
 
 ELINOR. Don't let us speak of it, please. This won't 
 prevent your staying to lunch? 
 
 NOLL. No. I want to see Gerald and congratulate 
 him and your sister. I'm glad the match came off, 
 after all. 
 
 ELINOR. After all? Why after all? 
 
 NOLL. I guessed from something Gerald said that 
 day that he was attached to your sister. 
 
 ELINOR. Attached to Lucy? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. [Seeing ELINOR'S pained face.] I 
 thought so. Perhaps I was mistaken. At any rate, 
 your sister has married one of the best fellows in the 
 world. 
 
 ELINOR. I never quite understood Mr. Forster. 
 
 NOLL. Forgive me you had a great blow on that 
 day? [SiR ROBERT looks in at the open window L. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Here they are! Just driving through 
 the lodge gates! Elinor, come and welcome our little 
 wanderer. Dibdin, come and help me give them a real 
 Shale welcome. [Waves his hand and shouts.] How 
 are you? How are you? [Goes from window.
 
 76 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. [Has gone up to window.] Yes, there they 
 are! [Waving his hand.] Are you coming? 
 ELINOR. I'll come directly. 
 
 [Exit NOLL at window and off L. 
 [ELINOR leaves the flowers, goes toward win- 
 dow, looks off, comes back, stands in the 
 middle of the room, listens.] 
 
 GERALD. [Voice heard off.] How d'ye do, Sir Rob- 
 ert? Noll, old fellow, how are you? 
 
 [ELINOR bursts into tears, then resolutely 
 checks herself, wipes her eyes. The 
 greetings outside are meanwhile continued 
 in very cheery tones. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Ah! my little fairy godmother, how are 
 you? 
 
 LUCY. Ah, Grandy! 
 
 NOLL. My hearty congratulations, Mrs. Forster. 
 Gerald, old man, delighted to see you. 
 GERALD. Glad to see you! 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I want to show you what Dibdin and I 
 have done with the Abbey. 
 
 LUCY. Where's Elinor? [Enters at window, well 
 dressed in the latest fashion.] Nell, old girl ! [ELINOR 
 stands silent. LUCY steals a look at her. LUCY'S 
 manner throughout conveys uneasiness and dread. She 
 comes up to ELINOR.] Aren't you pleased to see me? 
 [ELINOR draws LUCY to her and kisses her 
 
 simply. 
 
 ELINOR. I hope you're very happy. 
 LUCY. Of course I am. You've been crying. What's 
 the matter? 
 ELINOR. Nothing.
 
 THE LIE 77 
 
 LUCY. [Looking round.] You have done up the old 
 place. What a change ! 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. We're very comfortable here, thanks 
 to you and Mr. Forster and Mr. Dibdin. 
 
 LUCY. [Watching her very keenly.] Nell, I hope 
 you aren't going to keep it up? 
 
 ELINOR. Keep what up? 
 
 LUCY. You're angry with me because I married 
 Gerald. 
 
 ELINOR. No, not angry. I didn't understand! 
 
 LUCY. There's nothing to understand. I suppose you 
 think I planned it all. You're quite mistaken. You 
 know I'd arranged to go out to Egypt. He happened 
 to be in Cairo, and of course I met him a great deal. 
 But before I accepted him I said: "You're quite sure 
 I'm not taking you from Elinor?" And he said: "In 
 any case, I shall never marry your sister." I pressed 
 him again and again. You don't believe me ! Is there 
 anything you wish to ask? 
 
 ELINOR. On that day the last afternoon he was 
 here when you were alone with him you said nothing 
 about me? 
 
 LUCY. Not a word. You asked me that before I left. 
 I give you my sacred word. Don't you believe me? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, I believe you. [Kisses her cordially.] 
 Forgive me. 
 
 LUCY. Then it's quite made up, and we're friends 
 and sisters as we used to be ? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, it's past and forgotten. I'm so glad 
 you're happy! 
 
 LUCY. I've brought you a little present. [Bringing 
 out a little leather jewel case, unpacking it.] A dia- 
 mond brooch.
 
 78 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy, you shouldn't! 
 
 LUCY. Oh, nonsense ! I told you at Brighton that if 
 ever I did get a chance of repaying you, I should do it. 
 Now, haven't I shown how grateful I am? 
 
 ELINOR. I don't want all these, things 
 
 LUCY. You've got to take this. [Pinning the brooch 
 on ELINOR'S dress.] It looks gorgeous! And I'll try 
 to manage the motor. 
 
 ELINOR. Motor? 
 
 LUCY. Grandy has been bothering me for a motor 
 for the last three months. I wrote him that Gerald 
 had done so much that I couldn't ask him for more. 
 But he said it would be such a comfort to you. 
 
 ELINOR. Please don't let him have it. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, he shan't! I suppose he's as impossible 
 as ever? 
 
 ELINOR. Just the same. 
 
 LUCY. We shall keep him decently dressed, and that's 
 all we shall do for him. Gerald has behaved most 
 handsomely to him. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. You are lucky. 
 
 LUCY. I suppose I am. 
 
 ELINOR. You ought to be very happy. 
 
 LUCY. I was the first few months. Then there was 
 all that trouble at the dam, and Gerald had to go 
 away 
 
 ELINOR. Naturally! 
 
 LUCY. But he shouldn't neglect me. However, it has 
 been all right since the baby came. Gerald adores her. 
 
 ELINOR. [Enviously.] Oh, you are lucky! Lucy, 
 you've told Mr. Forster about Dick? 
 
 LUCY. No, not yet. 
 
 ELINOR. Not yet?
 
 THE LIE 79 
 
 LUCY. I shall, when the right time comes. 
 
 ELINOR. Wasn't the right time at first? 
 
 LUCY. I couldn't tell him when we were going to 
 have a child of our own. And since then it has been 
 impossible. 
 
 ELINOR. Aren't you afraid? 
 
 LUCY. Of what? 
 
 ELINOR. That he might find out 
 
 LUCY. It isn't likely. Unless Nell, promise me 
 
 you'll never breathe a word. 
 
 ELINOR. You know I never would. 
 
 LUCY. But it might slip out that's one reason I 
 haven't come down 
 
 ELINOR. What? 
 
 LUCY. I've been afraid that when you and Gerald 
 got talking that without thinking you might say 
 something. 
 
 ELINOR. How could I speak to Mr. Forster about 
 that? 
 
 LUCY. No. But Nell, old girl just to put you on 
 your guard promise me you won't mention it 
 
 ELINOR. I promise you. But you ought to tell Mr. 
 Forster at once. [Suddenly.] Lucy, I'd quite forgot- 
 ten Mrs. Callard and Dick are coming over from 
 Waventry. 
 
 LUCY. [Alarmed.] Coming here? You wrote me 
 they were going back to Brighton on Saturday. 
 
 ELINOR. I had arranged it. But I've been very 
 lonely lately, so I let them stay another week. 
 
 LUCY. You should have stopped them coming to-day. 
 
 ELINOR. It was too late when your note came. 
 [Looking.] They ought to be here. 
 
 LUCY. [Alarmed.] But Gerald
 
 80 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. I'll send them back before he sees them. 
 LUCY. Yes. But I want to see Dick. I've only man- 
 aged to run down to Brighton once since I've been 
 home. How he has grown ! 
 
 ELINOR. Hasn't he? And he's the dearest little fel- 
 low ! Now, haven't I been a mother to him while 
 
 you've been awayf 
 
 LUCY. Yes, you have been a dear. But now I'm 
 back there won't be any necessity for you to mother 
 him any longer. I'll go to the station and meet them 
 
 and stop them from coming up 
 
 [Enter GIBBARD, showing in MRS. CALLARD 
 and DICK. Exit GIBBARD. MRS. CAL- 
 LARD is a pale-faced woman with pre- 
 maturely gray-white hair, neatly and 
 quietly dressed in a middle-class fashion. 
 DICK is a lively, handsome boy of five, 
 in a sailor suit. DICK enters first, runs 
 to ELINOR, springs up to her waist, 
 throws his arms round her neck, drags 
 her down to him, hugs her, disarranges 
 her hair. LUCY, having shaken hands 
 with MRS. CALLARD, is enviously watch- 
 ing the embrace between DICK and 
 ELINOR. 
 DICK. Miss Shale! Miss Shale! Miss Shale! 
 
 [Hugging her. 
 
 ELINOR. Dick! Dick! What are you doing? 
 DICK. I'm loving you. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes; but you mustn't love me like that. 
 [Disengages herself, arranges her hair, looks at him.] 
 Yes, you may! [Snatches him to her, hugging him
 
 THE LIE 81 
 
 he hugs her again.] Look, here's somebody else! Won't 
 you speak to her? 
 
 DICK. [Going to LUCY.] Oh, yes, I remember you. 
 You came to see me at Brighton. 
 
 LUCY. [Hugging him as ELINOR has done. DICK 
 doesn't respond, and escapes.] Won't you love me, too ? 
 
 DICK. No. You aren't my Miss Shale. You're only 
 her sister. 
 
 ELINOR. Now, Dick, we have visitors to-day, so you 
 and mummy must go back to Waventry by the next 
 train. Come along. [Moving toward door. 
 
 DICK. No ! No ! No ! No ! I'm going to stay with 
 you! 
 
 [Jumps on sofa and lies on it, refuses to 
 budge. 
 
 ELINOR. No, dear, you must go at once. 
 
 LUCY. Mrs. Callard, please take him. Wait for me 
 just beyond the lodge gates. I'll come to you there 
 and walk to the station with you. 
 
 ELINOR. Now, Dick, dear be a good boy and go 
 with Mummy. 
 
 [SiR ROBERT, GERALD, and NOLL come up to 
 window outside. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Gerald, I want to show you the im- 
 provements I've made in the Dower House. I've 
 thrown out this window 
 
 LUCY. [In a hurried whisper to MRS. CALLARD.] 
 Quick ! Get him away ! I'll come to you 
 
 MRS. CALLARD. Now, Dick, come along with Mum- 
 my [Trying to get him toward door. 
 
 [GERALD, NOLL, and SIR ROBERT enter at 
 window.
 
 82 THE LIE 
 
 DICK. [Lying on sofa.] No; I want my Miss Shale 
 to come 
 
 ELINOR. [Goes to GERALD.] How d'ye do? 
 
 GERALD. [Shaking hands.] How d'ye dot 
 
 NOLL. [To DICK.] Hullo, little Nipper! 
 
 [Pulling DICK'S ear. 
 
 ELINOR. We're glad you and Lucy have got back 
 from Egypt at last. [Introducing.] This is Mrs. Cal- 
 lard and her little boy. Mrs. Callard is an old friend 
 of mine. 
 
 MRS. CALLARD. How d'ye do, sir? 
 
 [GERALD bows slightly. He watches ELINOR 
 and DICK keenly. 
 
 ELINOR. Mrs. Callard is staying at Waventry. 
 You'll just have time to catch your train, Mrs. Cal- 
 lard. Now, Dick! 
 
 DICK. No. You told me to come and have lunch 
 with you 
 
 MRS. CALLARD. Now, Dick, you're very naughty! 
 
 ELINOR. If you're good and go now, I'll come over 
 to-morrow and buy you oh, such lots of things ! Come 
 along now! 
 
 DICK. [Getting up from sofa.] Very well. You 
 will come and see me to-morrow? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes; I promise you. 
 
 MRS. CALLARD. Make a nice bow, Dick, and say 
 "Good morning" to the ladies and gentlemen. 
 
 DICK. [To NOLL.] Good morning, sir. 
 
 [Shaking hands. 
 
 NOLL. Good morning, little Nipper! 
 
 DICK. [To GERALD.] Good morning, sir. 
 
 GERALD. Good morning Dick. 
 
 [Strokes his head, looks at ELINOR.
 
 THE LIE 83 
 
 DICK. Good morning, Miss Shale. 
 LUCY. Good morning, dear. 
 DICK. You will come? 
 
 [Coming to ELINOR, again springs up to her 
 and hugs her. She kisses him and gently 
 puts him away. 
 
 DICK. [To SIB ROBERT.] I shan't say "Good morn- 
 ing" to you. You're a nasty, cross old man. When I 
 
 come to lunch, you tell me to behave myself 
 
 MRS. CALLARD. Dick ! Dick ! You naughty boy ! 
 
 [Snatches his hand and takes him off at win- 
 dow. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Stands speechless.] The young scoun- 
 drel! Now that shows how children are brought up 
 nowadays. That's young England! 
 
 [LucY has watched MRS. CALLARD and DICK 
 off and has gone up to window, looking 
 after MRS. CALLARD and DICK. 
 LUCY. I'm going to have a look round the Abbey 
 and see what you've done to it, Mr. Dibdin. 
 
 [Exit after MRS. CALLARD and DICK. 
 SIR ROBERT. [Pursuing his theme.] That's the rising 
 generation no reverence, no respect for age, no mod- 
 esty, no chivalry. Well, Gerald, what do you think of 
 the improvements I've made here? 
 
 GERALD. Excellent! I shouldn't have known the old 
 place. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I wish we'd got a decent lunch to offer 
 you. But Elinor will have a cheap cook. Now, to-day 
 
 shoulder of mutton, and no entree Dibdin, that's 
 
 a remarkably good pdte-de-foie-gras you always give us 
 when we dine with you.
 
 84 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. I get that from town especially for you, Sir 
 Robert. I've just had in a fresh supply. 
 
 SIB ROBERT. I wonder if you'd do me a neighbourly 
 turn, and lend me a pot for to-day's lunch? 
 
 NOLL. Certainly. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Lucy has gone over to the Abbey. We 
 might run across and bring her back with the pdte-de- 
 foie-gras. 
 
 NOLL. Come along! Come along! I've just got 
 
 down a supply of very fine smoked salmon 
 
 [Going off. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Have you? There's no better relish 
 than smoked salmon. And if you had a stray anchovy 
 or olive, I should be everlastingly obliged 
 
 [Exit SIR ROBERT and NOLL at window. 
 [ELINOR and GERALD, left alone, stand silent 
 and a little embarrassed. 
 
 GERALD. I hope you're thoroughly happy and com- 
 fortable here. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I've written to thank Lucy. Now you 
 must let me thank you. 
 
 GERALD. There's no need for that. It was a great 
 pleasure to me. 
 
 ELINOR. You've finished your work in Egypt at last ? 
 
 GERALD. Yes. I'm not quite satisfied. 
 
 ELINOR. Why not? 
 
 GERALD. The last dam was rather a thankless task. 
 There was a good deal of bad feeling among the 
 men. However, I've done it as well as it could be 
 done. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm sure of that. And you'll live in Eng- 
 land now? 
 
 GERALD. No. I think not. Lucy wants to settle
 
 THE LIE 85 
 
 down in Paris, and she generally gets her own way, I 
 find. 
 
 ELINOR. She tells me she's very happy. 
 
 GERALD. I hope so. I've tried to make her very 
 happy, because 
 
 ELINOR. Because ? 
 
 GERALD. [Coming to her.] Well, naturally, I a 
 
 [A little pause. 
 
 ELINOR. [Moves away from him.] You were a long 
 time getting to The Hall. We expected you down here 
 as soon as you got away from Egypt. 
 
 GERALD. Lucy would stay in Paris. And when we 
 got to London, she kept on putting it off. And per- 
 haps I wasn't very keen to come myself. 
 
 ELINOR. Why not? I oughtn't to have asked you 
 that. 
 
 GERALD. You must have thought our marriage rather 
 sudden. 
 
 ELINOR. I was a little surprised. But now it has 
 turned out so well I do congratulate you with all my 
 heart. [Offering her hand. 
 
 GERALD. Thanks! [Taking her hand. 
 
 ELINOR. [Withdrawing it after a pause.] And you 
 have your little Lucy. That must be a great happi- 
 ness. 
 
 GERALD. Yes a child is a great treasure 
 
 [Looks at her. A long pause. 
 
 GERALD. Is there anything more I can do for you 
 here? 
 
 ELINOR. No. You've already done too much. 
 
 GERALD. You mustn't say that. You know I wish to 
 do everything I possibly can for you. 
 
 ELINOR. [Looks at him very reproachfully.] Isn't
 
 86 THE LIE 
 
 it rather cruel of you to say that now? [Quickly.] 
 
 We mustn't speak like this 
 
 [Turning away from him. 
 
 GERALD. No. But let me tell you now once for all 
 that if there is anything in the world I can do for you 
 or for anyone who is dear to you [She looks at 
 him inquiringly] any friend or relation 
 
 ELINOR. I've very few friends. Now Lucy has gone, 
 there's only Grandy. I've been very lonely. 
 
 GERALD. Well, think of what I've said if there is 
 anything I can do to make you happy 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, please say no more! Please 1 
 
 GERALD. No. But you didn't think me really cruel? 
 
 ELINOR. I thought you could soon change and for- 
 get. 
 
 GERALD. Forget? I've often wished I could. 
 
 ELINOR. [Looks at him and speaks reproachfully.] 
 Surely you did as you wished? 
 
 GERALD. No. If I'd done as I wished 
 
 ELINOR. But in the letter you wrote me when you 
 left the Abbey that day you remember? 
 
 GERALD. Yes. 
 
 ELINOR. You said your whole life must be given to 
 your work and that you had no right to think of any- 
 thing or anybody else. [Very bitterly.] It wasn't 
 very long before you did think of somebody else. 
 
 GERALD. I did try to put my whole heart and soul 
 into my work. But it had lost its hold on me. I came 
 up to Cairo your sister was there she was your sis- 
 ter wasn't it natural, under the circumstances? 
 
 ELINOR. It must have been very natural to you 
 since you did it. She was my sister! Was that your
 
 THE LIE 87 
 
 reason? Haven't we just said we wouldn't speak of 
 the past ? It's treacherous to Lucy. 
 
 GERALD. You're right to remind me. But surely 
 you can guess the reason of my acting as I did? 
 ELINOR. Reason? What reason? 
 
 [LucY appears at window, shows great fright 
 at seeing them together, comes down to 
 them quickly. 
 
 LUCT. Gerald, hasn't Mr. Dibdin made the Abbey 
 perfectly lovely ? What are you two chattering about ? 
 GERALD. I've been telling your sister that you've 
 made up your mind we shall live in Paris. 
 
 LUCY. Of course we shall! There's no other place. 
 I suppose this dear old thing [Fondling ELINOR] 
 wants us to coop ourselves up down here. Is that 
 what you've been advising him, Nell? 
 
 ELINOR. I've not been advising Mr. Forster. 
 LUCY. She is such a dear old-fashioned thing ! [Fon- 
 dling ELINOR.] We must have her up in London 
 sometimes and give her a good time. 
 
 [SiR ROBERT and NOLL enter at window, SIR 
 
 ROBERT carrying tins of smoked salmon, 
 
 anchovies, and olives, and NOLL carrying 
 
 three terrines of pdte-de-foie-gras. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Give me your lot, Dibdin. I'll take them 
 
 in to cook. [Taking NOLL'S terrines.] And I'll show 
 
 her the right way to make an omelette. [Exit. 
 
 NOLL. We expected to find you at the Abbey 
 
 LUCY. I strolled round the grounds. [Looking at 
 her watch.] Nell, I want to see all the other rooms 
 before lunch. Come and show me. [Seeing that ELI- 
 NOR is hesitating.] Come along. I want to have a
 
 88 THE LIE 
 
 long talk with you. [Taking ELINOR'S arm.] Gerald, 
 I shall keep her all to myself till lunch. 
 
 [ELINOR goes off with her reluctantly. 
 
 NOLL. Well, what do you think of the old place, 
 Gerald? The old boy's been doing me pretty thor- 
 oughly, hasn't he? 
 
 GERALD. Noll that woman and child who were here 
 this morning? 
 
 NOLL. They're old friends of Miss Shale. They're 
 staying at Waventry, and she has them over some- 
 times. Nice little kid, isn't he? I say, what's old 
 Shale going to touch you for next? He's getting a 
 motor garage out of me! 
 
 GERALD. That boy is Elinor's child! 
 
 NOLL. [Startled.] Elinor's child! What are you 
 talking about? 
 
 GERALD. You remember what you told me that you 
 saw Elinor with her child at Brighton 
 
 NOLL. I told you ? 
 
 [Has a shock which he instantly conceals from 
 GERALD. 
 
 GERALD. You know you did. You said your doctor 
 friend told you her history, how she had come to 
 Brighton and passed herself off as a married woman, 
 whose husband was in India. [NoLL shows great con- 
 cern and some confusion.] You surely remember? 
 You aren't going to deny it ? 
 
 NOLL. [Feeling his way.] No. But if you remember, 
 old man, when I came back that afternoon, I was 
 going to give you all the particulars, but you stopped 
 me, and told me never to mention the matter again. 
 
 GERALD. I know I did.
 
 THE LIE 89 
 
 NOLL. Well, there's no occasion to mention it now, is 
 there? 
 
 GERALD. Yes. You're quite sure it was Miss Shale 
 whom you saw at Brighton station with the child? 
 
 NOLL. [After a pause.] Yes, I saw her there. 
 
 GERALD. Is there any possibility that your doctor 
 friend made a mistake? 
 
 NOLL. [Hard pressed.] He may have done so. I 
 didn't pay very much attention to what he was say- 
 ing 
 
 GERALD. [Very angrily.] You didn't pay much at- 
 tention? And on the strength of his gossiping story 
 you come to me and take away the reputation of the 
 woman I loved ! 
 
 NOLL. Woman you [Becovers himself.] It was 
 
 a stupid, clumsy thing to do. I'd no right to mention 
 it. Only, if you recollect, you dragged it out of me 
 
 GERALD. I had very strong reasons 
 
 NOLL. I couldn't guess that. I'm terribly sorry. 
 
 GERALD. Tell me exactly what this doctor told you 
 about Elinor. [NOLL hesitates.] You don't wish to 
 as she's my wife's sister? You needn't. Lucy told me 
 everything herself. 
 
 NOLL. [Again is surprised.] Mrs. Forster told you? 
 
 GERALD. Yes, that same afternoon, after you had 
 gone out of the room. 
 
 NOLL. Mrs. Forster spoke of it? 
 
 GERALD. Yes. I was fearfully upset by what you 
 had told me. When Lucy came in, I purposely dragged 
 in Brighton, to watch the effect on her. She saw that 
 I knew something. Of course she was very much con- 
 cerned for her sister. I couldn't rest till I'd got the 
 whole truth from her.
 
 90 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. She told you the truth? 
 
 GERALD. Yes; she confirmed your story. She owned 
 she had gone down to Brighton with Elinor, and had 
 taken care of her through her trouble. Isn't that what 
 your doctor friend told you? 
 
 NOLL. Yes, something like that 
 
 [LucY enters quickly with a telegram in her 
 hand. 
 
 LUCY. [Apprehensively looks from one to the 
 other.] Gerald, this came just after we left. [Giving 
 him telegram.] They've sent it over from The Hall. 
 
 GERALD. Allow me? [Opens telegram, reads it.] 
 Good heavens! 
 
 LUCY. What is it? 
 
 GERALD. The natives have mutinied and broken down 
 the dam. They've had to send soldiers. They want 
 me to come up to town and consult. 
 
 LUCY. Of course you'll go. 
 
 GERALD. Yes; I must go up this evening. 
 
 LUCY. No, we'd better go at once. I've been so 
 uneasy about baby all the morning. [To NOLL.] I 
 left her in London with a bad cold. Gerald, I feel 
 sure she's worse. 
 
 GERALD. Oh, nurse would have telegraphed. 
 
 LUCY. No; she's so careless. I'm positive she's 
 worse. Let me see your telegram. 
 
 [He gives her telegram. 
 
 NOLL. Pretty bad news, eh, old man? Does it mean 
 your going out again ? 
 
 GERALD. I'm afraid it may. 
 
 LUCY. [Having read telegram.] You see, they say: 
 "Come up as soon as possible." [Giving him telegram. 
 
 GERALD. We can't get up till after office hours.
 
 THE LIE 91 
 
 LUCY. [Glancing at watch on Tier wrist.] Yes, if we 
 go at once, we can just catch the one-twenty at the 
 junction. 
 
 GERALD. We must stay to lunch now. 
 
 LUCY. No I'm frightfully anxious about Lucy. If 
 anything happened to her, you'd never forgive your- 
 self. We must go! Tell them to have the motor 
 ready. [Trying to get him off. 
 
 GERALD. [Looking at telegram.] It looks pretty bad. 
 Perhaps I'd better get up at once. 
 
 LUCY. Make haste ! There isn't a moment [Exit 
 
 Gerald at window. To NOLL.] I'm sure my baby is 
 
 worse I've had a presentiment all the morning 
 
 [ELINOR enters. 
 
 ELINOR. I'm afraid lunch will be late. I wish 
 Grandy wouldn't interfere in the kitchen 
 
 LUCY. Nell, Gerald has had a telegram from the 
 office. There has been a mutiny they've broken down 
 the dam Gerald has to go to town at once. 
 
 ELINOR. But you'll stay to lunch? 
 
 LUCY. We can't. And I'm sure Lucy is worse I'll 
 
 go and hurry Gerald with the motor 
 
 [Exit at window. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy seems very anxious to get away from 
 us. 
 
 NOLL. Yes. I don't wonder! [ELINOR looks sur- 
 prised. He comes to her.] Miss Shale, I don't know 
 how to tell you, but I've got to ! 
 
 ELINOR. What? 
 
 NOLL. I've been the means of doing you the greatest 
 wrong [She looks at him] the greatest wrong in this 
 world. I didn't know it you may be sure of that. I 
 must have been a clumsy fool.
 
 92 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. Tell me. 
 
 NOLL. You don't remember meeting me at Brighton 
 Station five years ago? 
 
 ELINOR. I never met you at Brighton. 
 
 NOLL. I was with Doctor Denby Rodd. You didn't 
 notice me. He saw you into your train 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, I remember. 
 
 NOLL. After you'd gone, he told me your sister's 
 story. 
 
 ELINOR. He told you? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. He did it quite carelessly without 
 thinking. He couldn't have supposed we should ever 
 meet. But he told me. 
 
 ELINOR. Then you've known all along? 
 
 NOLL. Yes. I recognized you that first day we met 
 at the Abbey. Gerald saw that I did he questioned 
 me and got out of me what Rodd had told me. 
 
 ELINOR. Then Gerald has known all along about 
 Lucy? 
 
 NOLL. No. There's the horrible, horrible mistake. 
 
 ELINOR. Mistake? 
 
 NOLL. Gerald got the impression it was you. 
 
 ELINOR. That it was I? You allowed him to think 
 that? 
 
 NOLL. No, no! How can you think that? I spoke 
 vaguely I didn't mention which sister. I've only just 
 found out that he thinks it was you. 
 
 ELINOR. Then that's why he went away. Now I 
 understand. But why didn't you put him right? 
 
 NOLL. I didn't know he thought it was you. I saw 
 he took it very much to heart; but I thought it was 
 because of his attachment for your sister. When he 
 married her, I thought he had forgiven her.
 
 THE LIE 93 
 
 ELINOR. [Has been crushed by the revelation.] 
 I see. [Suddenly.] But why didn't Lucy put him 
 right? He must have spoken to her about it. 
 
 NOLL. Oh, yes! He spoke to her that same after- 
 noon, and she told him it was your child. 
 
 ELINOR. She told him ? Say that again! 
 
 NOLL. She told him it was your child. 
 
 ELINOR. She didn't! She couldn't! 
 
 NOLL. And that she had gone down to Brighton 
 
 ELINOR. No 
 
 NOLL. To see you through your trouble. 
 
 ELINOR. She didn't! She couldn't! She didn't! 
 She couldn't! 
 
 NOLL. She could and she did! 
 
 ELINOR. No ! No ! Lucy ! She No, no, no, no ! 
 
 It isn't possible! It isn't true! 
 
 NOLL. Gerald told me so just now. Ask her your- 
 self. 
 
 ELINOR. [Very quiet.] Of course! Of course! It's 
 all plain. Her getting to Egypt, her staying away 
 
 from me, her presents [With a sudden frantic 
 
 rage.] Where is she? [Rushing toward window.] 
 Where is she? 
 
 NOLL. [Stopping her.] Stay ! Think a moment. 
 
 ELINOR. [Struggling to get past him.] Where is she? 
 Where is she? Where is she? 
 
 NOLL. Stay! Think! Just for a moment. There's 
 another side. Gerald 
 
 ELINOR. She shall tell him the truth before me. I'll 
 make her! 
 
 NOLL. Think what that will mean to him just now. 
 I could hardly keep from telling him myself. I will 
 tell him if you wish.
 
 94 THE LIE 
 
 ELINOR. No ! She shall tell him ! 
 
 NOLL. But not now. For Heaven's sake Think ! 
 
 Gerald! 
 
 ELINOR. But she shan't escape! 
 
 NOLL. She shan't escape. I'll take care of that. 
 
 ELINOR. No, I'll take care of that! Where is she? 
 Where is she? 
 
 NOLL. Control yourself. 
 
 ELINOR. I have controlled myself 
 
 NOLL. Bear it a little longer 
 
 ELINOR. I can't I can't 
 
 NOLL. Yes; think! The moment Gerald knows, it 
 will break him up. There'll be a scandal perhaps a 
 separation. Is that what you want? Can't we spare 
 him? 
 
 ELINOR. But she shan't escape. 
 
 NOLL. She won't she isn't. By God, she shall pay 
 for it! But let her get away now say Good-bye to 
 her quite calmly. 
 
 ELINOR. I can't do that 
 
 [GERALD'S voice heard off stage: All right 
 I'll say Good-bye for you. 
 
 NOLL. Hush! Gerald! Sit down! Keep quiet! 
 Let them get away now! 
 
 GERALD. [Comes hurriedly up to window.] We 
 haven't a moment. Lucy says if the child is all right 
 she'll come again soon. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, tell her to come soon. 
 
 [NoLL warns her with a look. 
 
 GERALD. If all's well, I'll send her to-morrow. Good- 
 bye. Excuse our running away. Good-bye Noll. 
 
 [Exit from window L. 
 
 NOLL. Good-bye.
 
 THE LIE 95 
 
 ELINOR. [C ailing after him.] Tell her to come to- 
 morrow. 
 
 GERALD. [Off stage.] Good-bye. 
 
 ELINOR. [At window. Calls.] To-morrow! Look! 
 
 She's blowing me a kiss ! She shan't go 
 
 [Starting off. 
 [NoLL snatches her hand and draws her into 
 
 the room. 
 
 NOLL. Control yourself! 
 
 . ELINOR. She blew me a kiss ! She blew me a kiss ! 
 Judas sister! Judas sister! Judas sister! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 ' [Ten days pass between Acts III and IV.]
 
 ACT IV 
 
 SCENE: The same. About four on an afternoon in 
 November. Outside the windows twilight darken- 
 ing on the wintry landscape and on the Abbey. 
 Inside, a bright fire. Discover ELINOR seated over 
 fire. GIBBARD draws curtains and lights lamps. 
 
 ELINOR. Haven't Mrs. Callard and Master Callard 
 come in yetf 
 
 GIBBARD. No, miss. Will Mrs. Callard and the young 
 gentleman be staying on? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. Why do you ask? 
 
 GIBBARD. Before Sir Robert went up to London he 
 said they'd have to pack up and go. 
 
 ELINOR. They will be staying for some time per- 
 haps altogether. Cook knows Sir Robert will be back 
 for dinner? 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, miss. 
 
 (SiR ROBERT enters in outdoor winter clothes, 
 with a handsome fur coat. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Well, here I am back again. Gibbard, 
 just see there's a good fire in my room. And take up 
 a whiskey-and-soda, will you? 
 
 GIBBARD. Yes, Sir Robert. [Exit. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Has taken off hat and coat and put 
 them on chair.] You got my telegram? 
 
 06
 
 THE LIE 97 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I thought you were staying on with 
 Mr. Forster and Lucy? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. No. They've come down to the Hall 
 with me this morning. The Government have given 
 Gerald the entire control of the irrigation works. He 
 accepted it last night, and he has to hurry out there 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 ELINOR. Is Lucy going with him? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes; of course. So we shall lose her 
 again. And just as I thought she was going to settle 
 down with us, and be a comfort to my few remaining 
 years. They're leaving the old limousine motor, and I 
 believe Lucy means to have it thoroughly done up 
 for us. 
 
 ELINOR. They came down to the Hall with you? 
 
 Sm ROBERT. Yes; we got down to lunch. Lucy mo- 
 tored me to the level crossing, and I walked up. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy came with you to the level crossing, 
 and she didn't come on here? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. We happened to meet Mrs. Callard 
 and her brat, so Lucy put me down and took them 
 into Waventry. 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy took Mrs. Callard and Dick to Wa- 
 ventry what for? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. I'd been telling her that you'd had them 
 staying here for the last fortnight, turning the whole 
 house upside down. Lucy thinks about it as I do. 
 
 ELINOR. What does she think? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. She can't think why on earth you should 
 have a parcel of Brighton lodging-house people hang- 
 ing about the place she's going to talk to you 
 about it. 
 
 ELINOR. Then she's coming back here?
 
 98 THE LIE 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. She says Gerald may not have 
 time to come over to say Good-bye so she wants to take 
 us and Dibdin over to dinner to-night at the Hall. I 
 suppose you'll go? 
 
 ELINOR. I'll tell her when she comes. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. What's the reason you're treating her 
 so. badly? 
 
 ELINOR. Am I treating her badly? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. She says she has written you three 
 nice sisterly letters, and you haven't sent her a word 
 in reply. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, that is so. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Then I don't wonder she doesn't seem 
 very anxious to meet you. 
 
 ELINOR. No, I don't wonder. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. When she does come, I hope you'll re- 
 ceive her as a sister and remember all she has done for 
 us, and show your gratitude as I do Damn it ! I 
 forgot the champagne. Gerald has just got in twenty 
 dozen of Pommery for Egypt. I believe he meant to 
 give me a couple of cases. And I forgot to remind 
 him. 
 
 ELINOR. Then he's not coming over here? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. He said he'd try to run over for a few 
 minutes; but he wasn't sure. 
 
 ELINOR. But Lucy is coming? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes; and I hope you'll follow her ad- 
 vice about Mrs. Callard and the brat. Because I've 
 made up my mind they don't stay in my house any 
 longer. 
 
 ELINOR. This isn't your house. Mr. Dibdin has a 
 lease of it from you with the Abbey. And you know 
 if I ask him he'll let Mrs. Callard and Dick stay here
 
 THE LIE 99 
 
 as long as I please. And I shall ask him the first 
 time I see him. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. [Nonplussed.] Oh! [Takes up his hat.] 
 Oh! [Takes up his coat.] Oh, very well! 
 
 [GIBBARD shows in NOLL. Enter NOLL. Exit 
 GIBBARD. 
 
 NOLL. Well, Sir Robert, back from London? [To 
 ELINOR.] How d'ye do? [Shaking hands. 
 
 ELINOR. How d'ye do? 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes; Gerald and Lucy came down with 
 me to the Hall. 
 
 NOLL. I had a letter from Gerald this morning. He 
 tells me the Government are going to do just what he 
 wants. 
 
 SIR ROBERT. Yes. I advised him to stand up to 
 them. "Don't stand any nonsense," I said. "Stand up 
 to them." And he did he may be thankful I was 
 with him at the critical moment. [Exit. 
 
 NOLL. So our little lady sister has come to see us? 
 Does she know you've found her out? 
 
 ELINOR. No. [Taking letter out of pocket.] Here's 
 her last letter to me. [Giving it to him.] She couldn't 
 have written that if she thought I knew. 
 
 NOLL. You haven't written to her? 
 
 ELINOR. No. I can't do it in a letter. I must have 
 her face to face. I would have gone up, but I thought 
 of Gerald. I want to spare him as long as I can. 
 
 NOLL. You'll have to tell Gerald, I suppose? 
 
 ELINOR. No. She'll have to tell him in my pres- 
 ence. How can I let him think that I Read what 
 
 she says there. 
 
 NOLL. [Beading from letter.] "I cannot imagine 
 why you haven't answered my letters. I suppose you
 
 100 THE LIE 
 
 are still jealous. I can only tell you once more that 
 before I married Gerald, I asked him again and again : 
 'You are sure I am not taking you from Elinor?' You 
 can believe me or not, as you please. But however 
 unkind and ungrateful you are to me, I shall still re- 
 member my duty to you as a sister, and do all I can to 
 make you happy." Very, very pretty! Quite charm- 
 ing! [Giving letter back to ELINOR.] Where is she 
 now? 
 
 ELINOR. She has taken Dick and Callard to "Wa- 
 ventry. Grandy says she is going to ask me to send 
 Dick away; but I won't! Grandy is always threaten- 
 ing to turn him and Mrs. Callard out. This is your 
 house. You won't ask me to send Dick away? 
 
 NOLL. Certainly not if you wish to keep him. But 
 mightn't it be better? 
 
 ELINOR. Better to send him away? 
 
 NOLL. You're very fond of the little Nipper? 
 
 ELINOR. I can't tell you. I've never had anything 
 all my own to love. Lucy took Gerald away from me, 
 just as I had won him. Then Dick came. He was the 
 only thing near to me. He filled up the great hole 
 there was in my heart. I could almost forgive Lucy, 
 because when she took Gerald from me she gave me 
 Dick. 
 
 NOLL. Not much credit to her for that! She can't 
 claim the boy herself. 
 
 ELINOR. [Triumphantly.] No; that's it! She's going 
 away from England. She can't take him. She'll be 
 obliged to leave him with me. I shall bring him up, 
 and have him all to myself. That's all I've got to live 
 for now. 
 
 NOLL. You've thought it all over, I suppose?
 
 THE LIE 101 
 
 ELINOR. Thought what over? You don't wish me to 
 send him away? 
 
 NOLL. No. But I ought to tell you 
 
 ELINOR. What? 
 
 NOLL. I'm sure Mrs. Callard is discretion itself. But 
 a mother's is a very difficult role to play. Mrs. Cal- 
 lard doesn't look like the Nipper's mother. She doesn't 
 talk and act like the Nipper's mother. The woman she 
 lodged with at Waventry has scented it out, and started 
 a good deal of gossip. 
 
 ELINOR. Gossip? What gossip? 
 
 NOLL. That the Nipper isn't Mrs. Callard's child. 
 And people are saying 
 
 ELINOR. People are saying What are people 
 
 saying? Tell me. 
 
 NOLL. You've had the boy here constantly. You've 
 shown that you're passionately attached to him. And 
 now you've brought him to live with you. 
 
 ELINOR. They're not saying that I ? 
 
 NOLL. It's best you should know 
 
 ELINOR. [After a long pause.] Thank you. Is it 
 much talked of? 
 
 NOLL. You know what a hotbed of gossip this little 
 place is. Wouldn't it be better to send them away? 
 
 ELINOR. No. I've nobody but Dick. I won't give 
 him up. I've got him now tight he loves me. He's 
 all I have. I'll keep him. Let them say what they 
 choose. 
 
 NOLL. If you feel like that, you're right to keep him. 
 But have you counted the cost? You know what it 
 will mean in a small place like this. 
 
 ELINOR. I don't care. I won't give him up. No! 
 No! No! Whatever they say [Suddenly.]
 
 102 THE LIE 
 
 That's why Mrs. Farebrother cut me yesterday. I sup- 
 pose everybody will cut me. 
 
 NOLL. It will be terribly difficult for you. Won't 
 you let me make it easy? 
 
 ELINOR. What can you do? 
 
 NOLL. I have the toughest skin. I don't care a snap 
 of the finger for public opinion. Let me give you my 
 name. It need go no further than that unless you 
 wish. Let me try to make up for having brought this 
 on you. [She makes a gesture of protest.] Yes, it 
 was my silly, clumsy tongue that put Gerald on the 
 wrong track. Let me get it off my conscience. Come 
 to me. My name would shelter you and the boy. I'm 
 fond of the little Nipper, too. Nobody dared say a 
 word then; or, if they did, it wouldn't matter. Never 
 mind if you haven't any love to give to me now. 
 You'll come to me at last I think you will I know 
 you will. But if you can't I'll wait till you do. And 
 I can make it all so easy for you. Come to me! Be 
 my wife! 
 
 ELINOR. Oh, you are kind but I feel it would be a 
 false position for me. And it would be like cheating 
 you. 
 
 NOLL. I love being cheated. Everybody cheats me. 
 It's the only fun I get out of life. And you won't 
 cheat me very long. I'll risk it. Just try it. 
 
 ELINOR. Oh! I wish I could! 
 
 [Lucr stands at the door in outdoor clothes. 
 NOLL glances from one to the other. 
 ELINOR'S face hardens. 
 
 NOLL. How d'ye do? [Shaking hands. 
 
 LUCY. How d'ye do? [Moving toward ELINOR, 
 showing a furtive fright which she tries to hide under
 
 " You'll come to me at last I think you 
 will I know you will."
 
 THE LIE 103 
 
 a careless manner.] You don't seem very pleased to 
 see me, Nell. [Making as if to embrace her. ELINOR 
 flashes with anger, and moves away.] Aren't you go- 
 ing to speak to me? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, by and by. 
 
 [LucY turns to NOLL, shrugs her shoulders 
 with an aggrieved air. 
 
 NOLL. Gerald hasn't come over with you? 
 
 LUCY. No; he's terribly rushed to get away. He 
 may not have time to come over. So I told him I 
 should bring you and Grandy and Nell back with me to 
 dinner at the Hall. You'll come? 
 
 NOLL. I'll be ready whenever you are. [Exit. 
 
 [Lucr steals a glance at ELINOR. ELINOR 
 stands speechless, in a white rage. 
 
 LUCY. What's the matter? What have I done now? 
 [A little jeering laugh from ELINOR.] Really, Nell, 
 you are impossible ! I've done everything in the world 
 to make you happy. On my way here I made Gerald 
 promise to have the limousine done up as a present 
 
 for you [Another jeering laugh from ELINOR.] 
 
 Oh, well, if you choose to fling all my kindness back 
 in my face, you must do so. [Changes her tone.] 
 There's another thing perhaps you won't like. My 
 maid is leaving me, so I'm going to take Mrs. Callard 
 out with me to Egypt. I met her and Dick this after- 
 noon at the level crossing and took them to Waventry 
 with me. I've arranged everything with her. 
 
 ELINOR. What have you arranged? 
 
 LUCY. I'm sending over for Dick and her in the 
 morning to take them up to London with us. I told 
 her to go and get everything packed at once. 
 
 ELINOR. [Hard, white, bitter, suppressing herself
 
 104 THE LIE 
 
 with great effort.] You're going to take Dick to 
 Egypt? 
 
 LUCY. Yes. I've wanted to have him with me for a 
 long time, only I didn't know how to manage it with- 
 out rousing Gerald's suspicions. I told him we knew 
 the woman at Brighton. [ELINOR laughs.] What's 
 the matter? 
 
 ELINOR. Nothing. You told him we knew the woman 
 at Brighton Go on. 
 
 LUCY. And that she'd make a good maid for me, and 
 be just the sort of useful person we want over there. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, yes and that Dick would come with 
 her? 
 
 LUCY. I said of course she'd bring her boy. 
 
 ELINOR. Of course! Of course! And what did he 
 say? 
 
 LUCY. He made no objection. In fact, he seemed 
 to be pleased. 
 
 ELINOR. Pleased? Why should he be pleased? 
 
 LUCY. He thought it would settle her and make her 
 comfortable. So it has all turned out quite fortu- 
 nately. 
 
 ELINOR. So it's all settled? 
 
 LUCY. Quite! I'm sorry if you don't like it; but 
 really I've done enough to please you, so this time I 
 shall please myself. 
 
 ELINOR. You've quite made up your mind to take 
 Dick to Egypt? 
 
 LUCY. Yes. Baby isn't very strong, and I may have 
 to send her back to England. And I really want to 
 have Dick with me. He's just the age to make a nice 
 companion.
 
 THE LIE 105 
 
 ELINOR. Yes You've quite made up your mind 
 to take him from me? 
 
 LUCY. You mustn't look at it in that light. You've 
 been very kind to him; but I want him to be fondest 
 of me. And you have a little stolen him from me. 
 
 ELINOR. Stolen! Ha! Stolen! 
 
 LUCY. Well, haven't you? He cares more for you 
 than he does for me. And, after all, I am his mother. 
 
 ELINOR. You've quite made up your mind to take 
 him? 
 
 LUCY. Yes; quite! [ELINOR laughs a terrible jeer- 
 ing laugh.'} What is the matter with you, Nell? Really 
 I don't understand you. I give you up. 
 
 ELINOR. Ah! You give me up, do you? You give 
 me up! And you take Dick? 
 
 LUCY. [Impatiently.'] Yes! Yes! Yes! Don't I 
 tell you yes! And that settles the matter. [With a 
 sudden fright and a changed tone.] Of course, I trust 
 you to say nothing to Gerald. 
 
 ELINOR. Ah ! You trust to me ! You trust to me ! 
 
 LUCY. [Terribly frightened.] You gave me your 
 sacred promise. You won't dare to break it. 
 
 ELINOR. Won't I? Won't I? 
 
 LUCY. Nell, you won't play me such a dirty trick? 
 
 ELINOR. Dirty trick? Is it anything to the dirty 
 trick you've played me all these years? 
 
 [Leaps at her, seizes her with both hands, 
 shaking her. 
 
 LUCY. Nell! Nell! You'll choke me! Let me go! 
 [ELINOR throws her on to chair, stands over her.~\ 
 You know? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. He loved me. He told me so that 
 day. But you stole him away from me you thief!
 
 106 THE LIE 
 
 You stole him, and you stole his child from me. Never 
 lie by his side, never go to him without thinking you're 
 in my place. Your baby, your Lucy is mine by rights 
 every bone, every morsel of her! Never look at her, 
 never kiss her without thinking that. You robbed me 
 of her, you cheated me out of her and him, as you 
 cheated me out of everything else. I've given up to 
 you all my life long everything I let you go to 
 London at first, and stayed down here to drudge. 
 When you came to me in your trouble, I put by every- 
 thing to save you you might have been anything, 
 anywhere on the streets if I hadn't saved you. I 
 gave him up for you. And when he came to me again, 
 and I'd won him again, you put your shame on me, 
 you ruined me in his eyes, and you stole him from me 
 you thief, you thief, you thief, you thief! 
 
 [Seizing her again on the chair. 
 
 LUCY. Nell! Nell! 
 
 ELINOR. And now you'd rob me of my boy. For he 
 is mine. I've watched over him and nursed him and 
 made him love me. You cared nothing for him till you 
 saw he loved me most, and now you'd rob me of him. 
 
 LUCY. No no no ! He shall stay with you. 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. I'll take care of that! I won't part 
 from him. I've never had anything all my own but 
 him, and you shan't take him from me. 
 
 LUCY. I won't try. You won't tell Gerald? You 
 won't T 
 
 ELINOR. No; you shall tell him yourself. We'll go 
 over to him. Come! Take me to him. 
 
 [Seizing her, dragging her toward door. 
 
 LUCY. No Nell, no! [Holding her back. 
 
 [A tap at the door. NOLL enters.
 
 THE LIE 107 
 
 NOLL. I beg pardon. Gerald is over at the Abbey. 
 He had half an hour, so he just ran over to say "Good- 
 bye" to me. He's coming here in a few minutes. 
 
 ELINOR. We're waiting for him. 
 
 LUCY. No, Mr. Dibdin. Nell and I will come over 
 to the Abbey as soon as we've finished. 
 
 [With an imploring look at ELINOR. 
 
 ELINOR. Mr. Dibdin knows what we are talking 
 about. 
 
 LUCY. Mr. Dibdin knows? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes. He is a friend of Dr. Denby Rodd. 
 Mr. Dibdin has known about you all through. He 
 knows what you told Gerald about me. 
 
 LUCY. [To NOLL.] You know ? You haven't 
 
 told Gerald? 
 
 NOLL. No; Gerald knows nothing at present. 
 
 LUCY. You won't tell him? [Turning to ELINOR.] 
 Nell, you won't tell Gerald? Nell, I'm at your mercy 
 don't break up my home his home. Oh, you won't be 
 so cruel! Think what it will be Mr. Dibdin, help me 
 persuade her for Gerald's sake help me oh! Very 
 well ! Ruin me if you please ; but you'll ruin him too. 
 You'll ruin all his work you'll have that to remember 
 all your life Mr. Dibdin, persuade her for Gerald's 
 sake! Nell! 
 
 ELINOR. What am I to do? 
 
 NOLL. You must decide. If you could spare Gerald 
 from knowing just now he has a pretty stiff job in 
 front of him out there he'll need all his nerve and 
 energy for it if you could spare him for the time 
 till that's over. 
 
 LUCY. Nell, have mercy !
 
 108 THE LIE 
 
 NOLL. I think you might say nothing till he gets 
 through this business won't you? 
 
 ELINOR. [After a long evident struggle.] Very well. 
 He shall not know it through me. 
 
 LUCY. Thanks, thanks, Nell thanks with all my 
 heart! [Trying to take her hand. 
 
 ELINOR. [Eepulsing her.] I'm not doing it for you. 
 I'm doing it for him and his work. 
 
 NOLL. Shall I fetch him to say "Good-bye"? 
 
 Lucr. Not for a few minutes. I want to talk to 
 Nell. 
 
 ELINOR. I've nothing to say to you. Bring Kim over. 
 
 LUCY. Not yet please net yet not for a few min- 
 utes. 
 
 NOLL. Very well. [Exit. 
 
 LUCY. Oh, Nell oh, Nell I can't bear it ! Forgive 
 me say you forgive me ! 
 
 ELINOR. Forgive you? What's the use of saying 
 that? Will that give me back the last five years? Will 
 that give me a child to bear to him? Will that give 
 me the home and the husband that you've stolen from 
 me? 
 
 LUCY. Nell, I never meant to do it! Let me tell 
 you [ELINOR laughs. 
 
 ELINOR. You have told me [Mocking] "You're 
 quite sure I'm not taking you from Elinor?" "I 
 pressed him again and again" "In any case, I shall 
 never marry your sister" "Oh, Nell, you are splendid ! 
 I shall never forget your kindness! Never! And if 
 
 ever I get a chance to repay you Well, you 
 
 have repaid me! We'll cry quits! Now go! I never 
 wish to see you again. Go ! 
 
 LUCY. No, no, I can't ! Oh, I've been a cruel, selfish
 
 THE LIE 109 
 
 beast to you, and you've been the best and truest friend 
 and sister that ever a woman had. I see it now. I 
 hate myself. I shall never have a moment's peace 
 unless you say you forgive me! 
 
 ELINOR. I can't! I'm not made like that. I can't 
 say what I don't feel ! Go away now, and when I feel 
 that I can really forgive you from my heart, I'll write 
 to you or come to you. 
 
 LUCY. No, no; forgive me now! Listen, Nell, I do 
 mean this : I'll try to make Gerald a better wife from 
 this hour. I'll do all in my power to win his love; 
 and I think I can I'll slave to win him, and when I'm 
 sure of him, I'll tell him all the truth, so that he may 
 not think ill of you. Forgive me, Nell! [A pause. 
 
 ELINOR. You mean that? Swear you'll tell him. 
 
 LUCY. I. swear I'll tell him. Say you forgive me, 
 Nell. 
 
 ELINOR. Come to me or write to me when you have 
 told him, and I'll forgive you. Yes, I'll forgive you. 
 
 [DiCK enters. 
 
 DICK. Mummy says she's going to take me away with 
 the other Miss Shale. I shan't go. [To LUCY.] I'm 
 not going with you. I'm going to stay with my own 
 Miss Shale. 
 
 LUCY. Yes, darling so you shall. But you'll give 
 me a good long kiss if I let you stay, won't you? 
 
 DICK. Oh, very well! [LucY snatches him to her, 
 kisses him again and again. He gets restless.] I don't 
 want you to kiss me all that. 
 
 LUCY. But you love me a little, don't you, darling? 
 
 ELINOR. Yes, Dick. Love her. 
 
 DICK. Oh, very well if you tell me to.
 
 110 . THE LIE 
 
 LUCY. Give me just one more kiss, because I'm 
 going away ever so far and ever so long. 
 
 [LucY draws him to her and kisses him again. 
 NOLL enters. 
 
 NOLL. Gerald is waiting over at the Abbey. What 
 are you going to do? 
 
 ELINOR. Lucy has promised to tell him, haven't you, 
 Lucy? 
 
 LUCY. Yes. 
 
 NOLL. When? 
 
 LUCY. When he gets through his business when he 
 can bear it. I will tell him, indeed I will ! 
 
 NOLL. You'll find it best because if Gerald doesn't 
 know when he comes back to England, I shall tell him 
 myself. He's got to know some day. It will come 
 better from you than from me. Shall I fetch him 
 now? 
 
 LUCY. No; I'll go to him myself. [Imploringly.] 
 Nell! 
 
 ELINOR. Good-bye. [Exit LUCY, crying. 
 
 DICK. It will be jolly living with you always. Shall 
 we live here? ' 
 
 NOLL. No, old man. We're all going to live at the 
 Abbey. 
 
 ELINOR. No no 
 
 NOLL. You must, for your own sake 
 
 ELINOR. Not yet! 
 
 NOLL. Not yet; but when you wish. Dear, let me 
 scrape together a little bit of happiness for you out of 
 it all you will, won't you? 
 
 ELINOR. Not yet oh, I don't know perhaps 
 
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