THE SKIN GAME TEE WORKS OF JOHN GALSWORTHY FICTION VILLA RUBEIN: AND OTHER STORIES THE ISLAND PHARISEES THE MAN OP PROPERTY THE COUNTRY HOUSE FRATERNITY THE PATRICIAN THE DARK FLOWEB THE FREELANDS BEYOND FIVE TALES SAINT'S PROGRESS TATTERDEMALION IN CHANCERY TO LET THE FORSYTE SAGA STUDIES A COMMENTARY A MOTLEY THE INN OF TRANQUILLITY THE LITTLE MAN A SHEAF ANOTHER SHEAF ADDRESSES IN AMERICA. 1910 POEMS MOODS, SONGS AND DOGGERELS MEMORIES (ILLUSTRATED) AWAKENING (ILLUSTRATED) PLAYS FIBST SERIES: THE SILVER Box JOT STRIFE SECOND SERIES: THE ELDEST Son THE LITTLE DREAM JUSTICE THIRD SERIES: THE FUGITIVE THE PIGEOH THE MOB FOURTH SERIES: A BIT o' LOVB FOUNDATIONS THE SKIN GAME FIFTH SERIES: A FAMILY MAH LOYALTIES WiMDOwa SIX SHORT PLAYS THE SKIN GAME THE SKIN GAME (A TRAGI-COMEDY) BY JOHN GALSWORTHY " Who touches pitch shall be defiled " NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNEB'S SONS 1923 COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS Printed in the United States of America \ CHARACTERS HILLCRIST A Country Gentleman AMY His Wife JILL His Daughter DAWKER His Agent HORNBLOWEB . . . .A man newly-rich CHARLES His Elder Son CHLOE Wife to Charles ROLF His Younger Son FELLOWS Hillcrist's Butler ANNA ...... Chloe's Maid THE JACKMANS .... Man and Wife AN AUCTIONEER A SOLICITOR Two STRANGERS ACT I. HILLCHIST'S Study. ACT II. SCENE I. A month later. An Auction Room. SCENE II. The same evening. CHLOE'S Boudoir. ACT III. SCENE I. The following dag. HILLCRIST'S Study. Morning. SCENE II. The Same. Evening. *rtn& ~lMh :o. x a a a a a D: a a a a a a a ACT I HILLCRIST'S study. A pleasant room, with books in calf bindings, and signs that the HILLCRISTS have trav- elled, such as a large photograph of the Taj Mahal, of Table Mountain, and the Pyramids of Egypt. A large bureau [stage Right], devoted to the business of a country estate. Two foxes' masks. Flowers in bowls. Deep armchairs. A large French window open [at Back], with a lovely view of a slight rise of fields and trees in August sunlight. A fine stone fireplace [stage Left}. A door [Left]. A door opposite [Right]. General colour effect stone, and cigar-leaf brown, with spots of bright colour. [HILLCBIST sits in a swivel chair at the bureau, busy with papers. He has gout, and his left foot is encased accordingly. He is a thin, dried-up man of about fifty-five, with a rather refined, rather kindly, and rather cranky countenance. Close to him stands his very upstanding nineteen-year-old daughter JILL, with clubbed hair round a pretty, manly face.} JILL. You know, Dodo, it's all pretty good rot in these days. HILLCRIST. Cads are cads, Jill, even in these days. JILL. What is a cad ? Copyright, 1080, by Charki Scritmer't Soot 1 2 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. A self-assertive fellow, without a sense of other people. JILL. Well, Old Hornblower I'll give you. HILLCRIST. I wouldn't take him. JILL. Well, you've got him. Now, Charlie Chearlie I say the importance of not being Charlie HILLCRIST. Good heavens ! do you know their Chris- tian names ? JILL. My dear father, they've been here seven years. HILLCRIST. In old days we only knew their Christian names from their tombstones. JILL. Charlie Hornblower isn't really hah* a bad sport. HILLCRIST. About a quarter of a bad sport I've always thought out hunting. JILL. [Pulling his hair} Now, his wife Chloe HILLCRIST. [Whimsical] Gad ! your mother'd have a fit if she knew you called her Chloe. JELL. It's a ripping name. HILLCRIST. Chloe! H'm! I had a spaniel once JILL. Dodo, you're narrow. Buck up, old darling, it won't do. Chloe has seen life, I'm pretty sure; that's attractive, anyway. No, mother's not in the room; don't turn your uneasy eyes. HILLCRIST. Really, my dear, you are getting JILL. The limit. Now, Rolf HILLCRIST. What's Rolf? Another dog? JILL. Rolf Hornblower's a topper; he really is a nice boy. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 3 HILLCRIST. [With a sharp look] Oh! He's a nice boy? JILL. Yes, darling. You know what a nice boy is, don't you ? HILLCRIST. Not in these days. JILL. Well, I'll tell you. In the first place, he's not amorous HILLCRIST. What ! Well, that's some comfort. JILL. Just a jolly good companion. HILLCRIST. To whom? JILL. Well, to anyone me. HILLCRIST. Where? JILL. Anywhere. You don't suppose I confine my- self to the home paddocks, do you? I'm naturally rangey, Father. HILLCRIST. [Ironically] You don't say so! JILL. In the second place, he doesn't like discipline. HILLCRIST. Jupiter ! He does seem attractive. JILL. In the third place, he bars his father. HILLCRIST. Is that essential to nice girls too ? JILL. [With a twirl of his hair] Fish not ! Fourthly, he's got ideas. HILLCRIST. I knew it ! JILL. For instance, he thinks as I do HILLCRIST. Ah ! Good ideas. JILL. [Pulling gently] Careful ! He thinks old people run the show too much. He says they oughtn't to, because they're so damtouchy. Are you damtouchy, darling? 4 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. Well, I'm ! I don't know about touchy. JILL. He says there'll be no world fit to live in till we get rid of the old. We must make them climb a tall tree, and shake them off it. HILLCRIST. [Drily] Oh ! he says that ! JILL. Otherwise, with the way they stand on each other's rights, they'll spoil the garden for the young. HILLCRIST. Does his father agree? JILL. Oh ! Rolf doesn't talk to him, his mouth's too large. Have you ever seen it, Dodo? HILLCRIST. Of course. JILL. It's considerable, isn't it? Now yours is reticent, darling. [Rumpling his hair.} HILLCRIST. It won't be in a minute. Do you realise that I've got gout ? JILL. Poor ducky! How long have we been here. Dodo? HILLCRIST. Since Elizabeth, anyway. JILL. [Looking at his foot] It has its drawbacks. D'you think Hornblower had a father? I believe he was spontaneous. But, Dodo, why all this this atti- tude to the Hornblowers? She purses her lips and makes a gesture as of pushing persons away. HILLCRIST. Because they're pushing. JILL. That's only because we are, as mother would say, and they're not yet. But why not let them be ? HILLCRIST. You can't. JILL. Why? ACTI THE SKIN GAME 5 HILLCHIST. It takes generations to learn to live and let live, Jill. People like that take an ell when you give them an inch. JILL. But if you gave them the ell, they wouldn't want the inch. Why should it all be such a skin game ? HILLCRIST. Skin game? Where do you get your lingo? JILL. Keep to the point, Dodo. HILLCRIST. Well, Jill, all life's a struggle between people at different stages of development, in different positions, with different amounts of social influence and property. And the only thing is to have rules of the game and keep them. New people like the Horn- blowers haven't learnt those rules; their only rule is to get all they can. JILL. Darling, don't prose. They're not half as bad as you think. HILLCRIST. Well, when I sold Hornblower Long- meadow and the cottages, I certainly found him all right. All the same, he's got the cloven hoof. [W 'arm- ing up] His influence in Deepwater is thoroughly bad; those potteries of his are demoralising the whole atmosphere of the place is changing. It was a thou- sand pities he ever came here and discovered that clay. He's brought in the modern cutthroat spirit. JILL. Cut our throat spirit, you mean. What's your definition of a gentleman, Dodo ? HILLCRIST. [Uneasily] Can't describe only feel it. JILL. Oh! Try! HILLCRIST. Well er I suppose you might say a 6 THE SKIN GAME ACT i man who keeps his form and doesn't let life scupper him out of his standards. JILL. But suppose his standards are low ? HILLCRIST. [With some earnestness] I assume, of course, that he's honest and tolerant, gentle to the weak, and not self-seeking. JILL. Ah! self-seeking ? But aren't we all, Dodo? 7 am. HILLCRIST. [With a smile] You ! JILL. [Scornfully] Oh ! yes too young to know. HILLCRIST. Nobody knows till they're under pretty heavy fire, Jill. JILL. Except, of course, mother. HILLCRIST. How do you mean mother? JILL. Mother reminds me of England according to herself always right whatever she does. HILLCRIST. Ye-es. Your mother is perhaps the perfect woman JILL. That's what I was saying. Now, no one could call you perfect, Dodo. Besides, you've got gout. HILLCRIST. Yes; and I want Fellows. Ring that bell. JILL. [Crossing to the bell] Shall I tell you my defini- tion of a gentleman? A man who gives the Horn- blower his due. [She rings the bell] And I think mother ought to call on them. Rolf says old Hornblower resents it fearfully that she's never made a sign to Chloe the three years she's been here. HILLCRIST. I don't interfere with your mother in ACT i THE SKIN GAME 7 such matters. She may go and call on the devil him- self if she likes. JILL. I know you're ever so much better than she is. HILLCRIST. That's respectful. JILL. You do keep your prejudices out of your phiz. But mother literally looks down her nose. And she never forgives an "h." They'd get the "hell" from her if they took the "hinch." HILLCRIST. Jill your language ! JILL. Don't slime out of it, Dodo. I say, mother ought to call on the Hornblowers. [No answer. Well? HILLCRIST. My dear, I always let people have the last word. It makes them feel funny. Ugh! My foot ! [Enter FELLOWS, Left . Fellows, send into the village and get another bottle of this stuff. JILL. I'll go, darling. [She blows him a kiss, and goes out at the window. HILLCRIST. And tell cook I've got to go on slops. This foot's worse. FELLOWS. [Sympathetic] Indeed, sir. HILLCRIST. My third go this year, Fellows. FELLOWS. Very annoying, sir. HILLCRIST. Ye es. Ever had it? FELLOWS. I fancy I have had a twinge, sir. HILLCRIST. [Brightening] Have you? Where? FELLOWS. In my cork wrist, sir. HILLCRIST. Your what ? FELLOWS. The wrist I draw corks with. 8 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. [With a cackle] You'd have had more than a twinge if you'd lived with my father. H'm ! FELLOWS. Excuse me, sir Vichy water corks, in my experience, are worse than any wine. HILLCRIST. [Ironically] Ah ! The country's not what it was, is it, Fellows? FELLOWS. Getting very new, sir. HILLCRIST. [Feelingly] You're right. Has Dawker come? FELLOWS. Not yet, sir. The Jackmans would like to see you, sir. HILLCRIST. What about ? FELLOWS. I don't know, sir. HILLCRIST. Well, show them in. FELLOWS. [Going] Yes, sir. HILLCRIST turns his swivel chair round. The JACKMANS come in. He, a big fellow about fifty, in a labourer's dress, with eyes which have more in them than his tongue can ex- press ; she, a little woman with a worn face, a bright, quick glance, and a tongue to match. HILLCRIST. Good morning, Mrs. Jackman ! Morn- ing, Jackman ! Haven't seen you for a long time. What can I do? [He draws in foot, and breath, with a sharp hiss. JACKMAN. [In a down-hearted voice] We've had notice to quit, sir. HILLCRIST. [With emphasis] What ! JACKMAN. Got to be out this week. MBS. J. Yes, sir, indeed. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 9 HILLCRIST. Well, but when I sold Longmeadow and the cottages, it was on the express understanding that there was to be no disturbance of tenancies. MRS. J. Yes, sir; but we've all got to go. Mrs. 'Arvey, and the Drews, an' us, and there isn't another cottage to be had anywhere in Deepwater. HILLCRIST. I know; I want one for my cowman. This won't do at all. Where do you get it from ? JACKMAN. Mr. 'Ornblower, 'imself, sir. Just an hour ago. He come round and said: "I'm sorry; I want the cottages, and you've got to clear." MRS. J. [Bitterly] He's no gentleman, sir; he put it so brisk. We been there thirty years, and now we don't know what to do. So I hope you'll excuse us coming round, sir. HILLCRIST. I should think so, indeed! H'm! [He rises and limps across to the fireplace on his stick. To himself] The cloven hoof. By George ! this is a breach of faith. I'll write to him, Jackman. Confound it! I'd certainly never have sold if I'd known he was going to do this. MRS. J. No, sir, I'm sure, sir. They do say it's to do with the potteries. He wants the cottages for his workmen. HILLCRIST. [Sharply] That's all very well, but he shouldn't have led me to suppose that he would make no change. JACKMAN. [Heavily] They talk about his havin' bought the Gentry to put up more chimneys there, and that's why he wants the cottages. 10 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIBT. The Gentry! Impossible! MRS. J. Yes, sir; it's such a pretty spot looks beau- tiful from here. [She looks out through the vrindow] Loveliest spot in all Deepwater, I always say. And your father owned it, and his father before 'im. It's a pity they ever sold it, sir, beggin' your pardon. HILLCRIST. The Gentry ! [He rings the bell. MRS. J. [Who has brightened up] I'm glad you're goin' to stop it, sir. It does put us about. We don't know where to go. I said to Mr. Hornblower, I said, "I'm sure Mr. Hillcrist would never 'ave turned us out." An' 'e said: "Mr. Hillcrist be " beggin' your pardon, sir. "Make no mistake," 'e said, "you must go, missis." He don't even know our name; an' to come it like this over us ! He's a dreadful new man, I think, with his overridin' notions. And sich a heavy- footed man, to look at. [With a sort of indulgent con- tempt] But he's from the North, they say. [FELLOWS has entered, Left. HILLCRIST. Ask Mrs. Hillcrist if she'll come. FELLOWS. Very good, sir. HILLCRIST. Is Dawker here ? FELLOWS. Not yet, sir. HILLCRIST. I want to see him at once. [FELLOWS retires. JACKMAN. Mr. Hornblower said he was comin' on to see you, sir. So we thought we'd step along first. HniCRisT. Quite right, Jackman. MRS. J. I said to Jackman: "Mr. Hillcrist'll stand up for us, I know. He's a gentleman," I said. "This ACT i THE SKIN GAME 11 man," I said, "don't care for the neighbourhood, or the people; he don't care for anything so long as he makes his money, and has his importance. You can't expect it, I suppose," I said; [Bitterly] "havin' got rich so sudden." The gentry don't do things like that. HILLCRIST. [Abstracted] Quite, Mrs. Jackman, quite ! [To himself] The Gentry ! No ! MRS. HILLCRIST enters. A well-dressed woman, with a firm, clear-cut face. Oh ! Amy ! Mr. and Mrs. Jackman turned out of their cottage, and Mrs. Harvey, and the Drews. When I sold to Hornblower, I stipulated that they shouldn't be. MRS. J. Our week's up on Saturday, ma'am, and I'm sure I don't know where we shall turn, because of course Jackman must be near his work, and I shall lose me washin' if we have to go far. HILLCRIST. [With decision] You leave it to me, Mrs. Jackman. Good morning ! Morning, Jackman ! Sorry I can't move with this gout. MRS. J. [For them both] I'm sure we're very sorry, sir. Good morning, sir. Good morning, ma'am; and thank you kindly. [They go out. HILLCRIST. Turning people out that have been there thirty years. I won't have it. It's a breach of faith. Mrs. H. Do you suppose this Hornblower will care two straws about that Jack ? HILLCRIST. He must, when it's put to him, if he's got any decent feeling. MRS. H. He hasn't. 12 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. [Suddenly] The Jackmans talk of his having bought the Gentry to put up more chimneys. MRS. H. Never! [At the window, looking out] Im- possible ! It would ruin the place utterly, besides cut- ting us off from the Duke's. Oh, no ! Miss Mullins would never sell behind our backs. HILLCRIST. Anyway I must stop his turning these people out. MRS. H. [With a little smile, almost contemptuous] You might have known he'd do something of the sort. You will imagine people are like yourself, Jack. You always ought to make Dawker have things hi black and white. HILLCRIST. I said quite distinctly: "Of course you won't want to disturb the tenancies; there's a great shortage of cottages." Hornblower told me as dis- tinctly that he wouldn't. What more do you want ? MRS. H. A man like that thinks of nothing but the short cut to his own way. [Looking out of the window towards the rise] If he buys the Gentry and puts up chimneys, we simply couldn't stop here. HILLCRIST. My father would turn in his grave. MRS. H. It would have been more useful if he'd not dipped the estate, and sold the Gentry. This Horn- blower hates us; he thinks we turn up our noses at him. HILLCRIST. As we do, Amy. MRS. H. Who wouldn't? A man without tradi- tions, who believes in nothing but money and push. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 13 HILLCRIST. Suppose he won't budge, can we do any- thing for the Jackmans? MRS. H. There are the two rooms Beaver used to have, over the stables. [FELLOWS enters. FELLOWS. Mr. Dawker, sir. DAWKER is a short, square, rather red-faced terrier of a man, in riding clothes and gaiters. HILLCRIST. Ah ! Dawker, I've got gout again. DAWKER. Very sorry, sir. How de do, ma'am ? HILLCRIST. Did you meet the Jackmans ? DAWKER. Yeh. [He hardly ever quite finishes a word, seeming to snap off their tails. HILLCRIST. Then you heard? DAWKER. [Nodding] Smart man, Hornblower; never lets grass grow. HILLCRIST. Smart? DAWKER. [Grinning] Don't do to underrate your neighbours. MRS. H. A cad I call him. DAWKER. That's it, ma'am got all the advantage. HILLCRIST. Heard anything about the Gentry, Dawker ? DAWKER. Hornblower wants to buy. HILLCRIST. Miss Mullins would never sell, would she? DAWKER. She wants to. HILLCRIST. The deuce she does ! DAWKER. He won't stick at the price either. MRS. H. What's it worth, Dawker? 14 THE SKIN GAME ACT i DAWKEB. Depends on what you want it for. MRS. H. He wants it for spite; we want it for sen- timent. DAWKER. [Grinning] Worth what you like to give, then; but he's a rich man. MRS. H. Intolerable! DAWKER. [To HILLCRIST] Give me your figure, sir. I'll try the old lady before he gets at her. HILLCRIST. [Pondering] I don't want to buy, unless there's nothing else for it. I should have to raise the money on the estate; it won't stand much more. I can't believe the fellow would be such a barbarian. Chimneys within three hundred yards, right in front of this house ! It's a nightmare. MRS. H. You'd much better let Dawker make sure, Jack. HILLCRIST. [Uncomfortable] Jackman says Hornblow- er's coming round to see me. I shall put it to him. DAWKER. Make him keener than ever. Better get in first. HILLCRIST. Ape his methods ! Ugh! Confound this gout! [He gets back to his chair with difficulty] Look here, Dawker, I wanted to see you about gates FELLOWS. [Entering] Mr. Hornblower. HORNBLOWER enters a man of medium height, thoroughly broadened, blown out, as it were, by success. He has thick, coarse, dark hair, just grizzled, very bushy eyebrows, a wide mouth. He wears quite ordinary clothes, as if that department were in charge of someone ACT i THE SKIN GAME 15 who knew about such things. He has a small rose in his buttonhole, and carries a Horn- burg hat, which one suspects will look too small on his head. HORNBLOWER. Good morning ! good morning ! How are ye, Dawker ? Fine morning ! Lovely weather ! His voice has a curious blend in its tone of brass and oil, and an accent not quite Scotch nor quite North country. Haven't seen ye for a long time, Hillcrist. HILLCBIST. [Who has risen] Not since I sold you Longmeadow and those cottages, I believe. HOBNBLOWEB. Dear me, now! that's what I came about. HILLCRIST. [Subsiding again into his chair] Forgive me ! Won't you sit down ? HOBNBLOWEB. [Not sitting] Have ye got gout? That's unfortunate. I never get it. I've no disposi- tion that way. Had no ancestors, you see. Just me own drinkin' to answer for. HILLCBIST. You're lucky. HOBNBLOWER. I wonder if Mrs. Hillcrist thinks that ! Am I lucky to have no past, ma'am ? Just the future ? MBS. H. You're sure you have the future, Mr. Hornblower ? HOBNBLOWER. [With a laugh] That's your aristo- cratic rapier thrust. You aristocrats are very hard people underneath your manners. Ye love to lay a body out. But I've got the future all right. 1 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. [Meaningly] I've had the Jackmans here, Mr. Hornblower. HORNBLOWER. Who are they man with the little spitfire wife? HILLCRIST. They're very excellent, good people, and they've been in that cottage quietly thirty years. HORNBLOWER. [Throwing out his forefinger a favour- ite gesture] Ah! ye've wanted me to stir ye up a bit. Deepwater needs a bit o' go put into it. There's gen- erally some go where I am. I daresay you wish there'd been no "come." [He laughs]. MRS. H. We certainly like people to keep their word, Mr. Hornblower. HILLCRIST. Amy! HORNBLOWER. Never mind, Hillcrist; takes more than that to upset me. MRS. HILLCRIST exchanges a look with DAW- KER, who slips out unobserved. HILLCRIST. You promised me, you know, not to change the tenancies. HORNBLOWER. Well, I've come to tell ye that I have. I wasn't expecting to have the need when I bought. Thought the Duke would sell me a bit down there; but devil a bit he will; and now I must have those cottages for my workmen. I've got important works, ye know. HILLCRIST. [Getting heated] The Jackmans have their importance too, sir. Their heart's in that cottage. HORNBLOWER. Have a sense of proportion, man. My works supply thousands of people, and my heart's ACT i THE SKIN GAME 17 in them. What's more, they make my fortune. I've got ambitions I'm a serious man. Suppose I were to consider this and that, and every little potty objec- tion where should I get to ? nowhere ! HILLCRIST. All the same, this sort of thing isn't done, you know. HORNBLOWEB. Not by you because ye've got no need to do it. Here ye are, quite content on what your fathers made for ye. Ye've no ambitions; and ye want other people to have none. How d'ye think your fathers got your land ? HILLCRIST. [Who has risen} Not by breaking their word. HORNBLOWER. [Throwing out his finger} Don't ye believe it. They got it by breaking their word and turnin' out Jackmans, if that's their name, all over the place. MRS. H. That's an insult, Mr. Hornblower. HORNBLOWER. No; it's a repartee. If ye think so much of these Jackmans, build them a cottage your- selves; ye've got the space. HILLCRIST. That's beside the point. You promised me, and I sold on that understanding. HORNBLOWER. And I bought on the understandin' that I'd get some more land from the Duke. HILLCRIST. That's nothing to do with me. HORNBLOWER. Ye'll find it has; because I'm going to have those cottages. HILLCRIST. Well, I call it simply [He checks himself. 18 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HORNBLOWER. Look here, Hillcrist, ye've not had occasion to understand men like me. I've got the guts, and I've got the money, and I don't sit still on it. I'm going ahead because I believe in meself. I've no use for sentiment and that sort of thing. Forty of your -Turkmans aren't worth me little finger. HILLCRIST. [Angry] Of all the blatant things I ever heard said ! HORNBLOWER. Well, as we're speaking plainly, I've been thinkin'. Ye want the village run your old- fashioned way, and I want it run mine. I fancy there's not room for the two of us here. MRS. H. When are you going? HORNBLOWER. Never fear, I'm not going. HILLCRIST. Look here, Mr. Hornblower this in- fernal gout makes me irritable puts me at a disad- vantage. But I should be glad if you'd kindly explain yourself. HORNBLOWER. [With a great smile] Ca' canny; I'm fra' the North. HILLCRIST. I'm told you wish to buy the Gentry and put more of your chimneys up there, regardless of the fact [He points through the window] that it would utterly ruin the house we've had for generations, and all our pleasure here. HORNBLOWER. How the man talks! Why! Ye'd think he owned the sky, because his fathers built him a house with a pretty view, where he's nothing to do but live. It's sheer want of something to do that gives ye your fine sentiments, Hillcrist. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 19 HILLCRIST. Have the goodness not to charge me with idleness. Dawker where is he? [He shows the bureau] When you do the drudgery of your works as thoroughly as I do that of my estate Is it true about the Gentry? HORNBLOWER. Gospel true. If ye want to know, my son Chearlie is buyin' it this very minute. MRS. H. [Turning with a start] What do you say? HORNBLOWER. Ay, he's with the old lady; she wants to sell, an' she'll get her price, whatever it is. HILLCRIST. [With deep anger] If that isn't a skin game, Mr. Hornblower, I don't know what is. HORNBLOWER. Ah ! Ye've got a very nice expres- sion there. "Skin game !" Well, bad words break no bones, an' they're wonderful for hardenin' the heart. If it wasn't for a lady's presence, I could give ye a specimen or two. Mrs. H. Oh ! Mr. Hornblower, that need not stop you, I'm sure. HORNBLOWER. Well, and I don't know that it need. Ye're an obstruction the like of you ye're in my path. And anyone in my path doesn't stay there long; or, if he does, he stays there on my terms. And my terms are chimneys hi the Gentry where I need 'em. It'll do ye a power of good, too, to know that ye're not almighty. HILLCRIST. And that's being neighbourly ! HORNBLOWER. And how have ye tried bein' neigh- bourly to me? If I haven't a wife, I've got a daugh- ter-in-law. Have ye called on her, ma'am ? I'm new, 20 THE SKIN GAME ACT i and ye're an old family. Ye don't like me, ye think I'm a pushin* man. I go to chapel, an* ye don't like that. I make things and I sell them, and ye don't like that. I buy land, and ye don't like that. It threatens the view from your windies. Well, I don't like you, and I'm not goin' to put up with your atti- tude. Ye've had things your own way too long, and now ye're not going to have them any longer. HILLCRIST. Will you hold to your word over those cottages ? HORNBLOWER. I'm goin' to have the cottages. I need them, and more besides, now I'm to put up me new works. HILLCRIST. That's a declaration of war. HORNBLOWER. Ye never said a truer word. It's one or the other of us, and I rather think it's goin' to be me. I'm the risin' and you're the settin' sun, as the poet says. HILLCRIST. [Touching the bell] We shall see if you can ride rough-shod like this. We used to have decent ways of going about things here. You want to change all that. Well, we shall do our damnedest to stop you. [To FELLOWS at the door] Are the Jackmans still in the house ? Ask them to be good enough to come in. HORNBLOWER. [With the first sign of uneasiness] I've seen these people. I've nothing more to say to them. I told 'em I'd give 'em five pounds to cover their moving. HILLCRIST. It doesn't occur to you that people, however humble, like to have some say in their own fate? ACT i THE SKIN GAME 21 HORNBLOWER. I never had any say in mine till I had the brass, and nobody ever will. It's all hypoc- risy. You county folk are fair awful hypocrites. Ye talk about good form and all that sort o' thing. It's just the comfortable doctrine of the man in the saddle; sentimental varnish. Ye 're every bit as hard as I am, underneath. MRS. H. [Who had been standing very still all this time] You flatter us. HORNBLOWER. Not at all. God helps those who 'elp themselves that's at the bottom of all religion. I'm goin' to help meself, and God's going to help me. MRS. H. I admire your knowledge. HILLCRIST. We are in the right, and God helps HORNBLOWER. Don't ye believe it; ye 'aven't got the energy. MRS. H. Nor perhaps the conceit. HORNBLOWER. [Throwing out his forefinger} No, no; 'tisn't conceit to believe in yourself when ye've got reason to. [The JACKMANS have entered. HILLCRIST. I'm very sorry, Mrs. Jackman, but I just wanted you to realise that I've done my best with this gentleman. MRS. J. [Doubtfully} Yes, sir. I thought if you spoke for us, he'd feel different-like. HORNBLOWER. One cottage is the same as another, missis. I made ye a fair offer of five pounds for the moving. JACKMAN. [Slowly] We wouldn't take fifty to go out of that 'ouse. We brought up three children there, an' buried two from it. 22 THE SKIN GAME ACT i MBS. J. [To MRS. HILLCRIST] We're attached to it like, ma'am. HILLCRIST. [To HORNBLOWER] How would you like being turned out of a place you were fond of ? HORNBLOWER. Not a bit. But little considerations have to give way to big ones. Now, missis, I'll make it ten pounds, and I'll send a wagon to shift your things. If that isn't fair ! Ye'd better accept, I shan't keep it open. The JACKMANS look at each other ; their faces show deep anger and the question they ask each other is which will speak. MRS. J. We won't take it; eh, George ? JACKMAN. Not a farden. We come there when we was married. HORNBLOWER. [Throwing out his finger] Ye're very improvident folk. HILLCRIST. Don't lecture them, Mr. Hornblower; they come out of this miles above you. HORNBLOWER. [Angry] Well, I was going to give ye another week, but ye'll go out next Saturday; and take care ye're not late, or your things'll be put out hi the ram. MRS. H. [To MRS. JACKMAN] We'll send down for your things, and you can come to us for the time being. MRS. JACKMAN drops a curtsey ; her eyes stab HORNBLOWER. JACKMAN. [Heavily, clenching his fists] You're no gentleman ! Don't put temptation in my way, that's all. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 23 HILLCRIST. [In a low voice] Jackman ! HORNB LOWER. [Triumphantly] Ye hear that? That's your protegee ! Keep out o' my way, me man, or I'll put the police on to ye for utterin' threats. HILLCRIST. You'd better go now, Jackman. [The JACKMANS move to the door. MRS. J. [Turning] Maybe you'll repent it some day, sir. [They go out, MRS. HILLCRIST following. HORNBLOWER. We ell, I'm sorry they're such un- reasonable folk. I never met people with less notion of which side their bread was buttered. HILLCRIST. And I never met anyone so pachyder- matous. HORNBLOWER. What's that, in Heaven's name ? Ye needn' wrap it up in long words now your good lady's gone. HILLCRIST. [With dignity] I'm not going in for a slanging match. I resent your conduct much too deeply. HORNBLOWER. Look here, Hillcrist, I don't object to you personally; ye seem to me a poor creature that's bound to get left with your gout and your dignity; but of course ye can make yourself very disagreeable before ye're done. Now I want to be the movin' spirit here. I'm full of plans. I'm goin' to stand for Parliament; I'm goin' to make this a prosperous place. I'm a good-natured man if you'll treat me as such. Now, you take me on as a neighbour and all that, and I'll manage without chimneys on the Gentry. Is it a bargain? [He holds out his hand. 24 THE SKIN GAME ACT i HILLCRIST. [Ignoring it] I thought you said you didn't keep your word when it suited you to break it ? HORNBLOWEE. Now, don't get on the high horse. You and me could be very good friends; but I can be a very nasty enemy. The chimneys will not look nice from that windie, ye know. HILLCRIST. [Deeply angry] Mr. Hornblower, if you think I'll take your hand after this Jackman business, you're greatly mistaken. You are proposing that I shall stand in with you while you tyrannise over the neighbourhood. Please realise that unless you leave those tenancies undisturbed as you said you would, we don't know each other. HORNBLOWER. Well, that won't trouble me much. Now, ye'd better think it over; ye've got gout and that makes ye hasty. I tell ye again: I'm not the man to make an enemy of. Unless ye're friendly, sure as I stand here I'll ruin the look of your place. [The toot of a car is heard. There's my car. I sent Chearlie and his wife in it to buy the Gentry. And make no mistake he's got it in his pocket. It's your last chance, Hillcrist. I'm not averse to you as a man; I think ye're the best of the fossils round here; at least, I think ye can do me the most harm socially. Come now ! [He holds out his hand again. HILLCRIST. Not if you'd bought the Gentry ten tunes over. Your ways are not mine, and I'll have nothing to do with you. HORNBLOWER. [Very angry] Really! Is that so? Very well. Now ye're goin' to learn something, an* ACT i THE SKIN GAME 25 it's time ye did. D'ye realise that I'm very nearly round ye? [He draws a circle slowly in the air] I'm at Uphill, the works are here, here's Longmeadow, here's the Gentry that I've just bought, there's only the Common left to give ye touch with the world. Now between you and the Common there's the high road. I come out on the high road here to your north, and I shall come out on it there to your west. When I've got me new works up on the Gentry, I shall be makin' a trolley track between the works up to the road at both ends, so my goods will be running right round ye. How'll ye like that for a country place ? For answer HILLCRIST, who is angry beyond the power of speech, walks, forgetting to use his stick, up to the French window. While he stands there, with his back to HORN- BLOWER, the door L. is flung open, and JILL enters, preceding CHARLES, his wife CHLOE, and ROLF. CHARLES is a goodish-looking, moustached young man of about twenty-eight, with a white rim to the collar of his waistcoat, and spats. He has his hand behind CHLOE'S back, as if to prevent her turning tail. She is rather a handsome young woman, with dark eyes, full red lips, and a suspicion of powder, a little under-dressed for the country. ROLF, who brings up the rear, is about twenty, with an open face and stiff ish butter-coloured hair. JILL runs over to her father at the window. She has a bottle. JILL. [Sotto voce] Look, Dodo, I've brought the lot ! 26 THE SKIN GAME ACT i Isn't it a treat, dear Papa? And here's the stuff. Hallo! The exclamation is induced by the apprehension that there has been a row. HILLCRIST gives a stiff little bow, remaining where he is in the window. JILL stays close to him, staring from one to the other, then blocks him off and engages him in conversation. CHARLES has gone up to his father, who has remained maliciously still, where he delivered his last speech. CHLOE and ROLF stand awkwardly waiting between the fireplace and the door. HORNBLOWER. Well, Chearlie? CHARLES. Not got it. HORNBLOWER. Not! CHARLES. I'd practically got her to say she'd sell at three thousand five hundred, when that fellow Dawker turned up. HORNBLOWER. That bull-terrier of a chap! Why, he was here a while ago. Oh ho ! So that's it ! CHARLES. I heard him gallop up. He came straight for the old lady, and got her away. What he said I don't know; but she came back looking wiser than an owl; said she'd think it over, thought she had other views. HORNBLOWER. Did ye tell her she might have her price ? CHARLES. Practically I did. HORNBLOWER. Well? CHARLES. She thought it would be fairer to put it ACT i THE SKIN GAME 27 up to auction. There were other enquiries. Oh ! She's a leery old bird reminds me of one of those pic- tures of Fate, don't you know. HORNBLOWER. Auction ! Well, if it's not gone we'll get it yet. That damned little Dawker ! I've had a row with Hillcrist. CHARLES. I thought so. They are turning cautiously to look at HILL- CRIST, when JILL steps forward. JILL. [Flushed and determined] That's not a bit sporting of you, Mr. Hornblower. [At her words ROLF comes forward too. HORNBLOWER. Ye should hear both sides before ye say that, missy. JILL. There isn't another side to turning out the Jackmans after you'd promised. HORNBLOWER. Oh ! dear me, yes. They don't mat- ter a row of gingerbread to the schemes I've got for betterin' this neighbourhood. JILL. I had been standing up for you; now I won't. HORNBLOWER. Dear, dear ! What'll become of me ? JILL. I won't say anything about the other thing because I think it's beneath dignity to notice it. But to turn poor people out of their cottages is a shame. HORNBLOWER. Hoity me ! ROLF. [Suddenly] You haven't been doing that, father? CHARLES. Shut up, Rolf ! HORNBLOWER. [Turning on ROLF] Ha! Here's a league o' youth! My young whipper-snapper, keep 28 THE SKIN GAME ACT i your mouth shut and leave it to your elders to know what's right. Under the weight of this rejoinder ROLF stands biting his lips. Then he throws his head up. ROLF. I hate it ! HORNBLOWER. [With real venom] Oh! Ye hate it? Ye can get out of my house, then. JILL. Free speech, Mr. Hornblower; don't be vio- lent. HORNBLOWER. Ye're right, young lady. Ye can stay in my house, Rolf, and learn manners. Come, Chearlie ! JILL. [Quite softly] Mr. Hornblower ! HILLCRIST. [From the window] Jill ! JILL. [Impatiently] Well, what's the good of it? Life's too short for rows, and too jolly ! ROLF. Bravo! HORNBLOWER. [Who has shown a sign of weakening] Now, look here ! I will not have revolt in my family. Ye'll just have to learn that a man who's worked as I have, who's risen as I have, and who knows the world, is the proper judge of what's right and wrong. I'll answer to God for me actions, and not to you young people. JILL. Poor God ! HORNBLOWER. [Genuinely shocked] Ye blasphemous young thing! [To ROLF] And ye're just as bad, ye young freethinker. I won't have it. HILLCRIST. [Who has come down, Right] Jill, I wish you would kindly not talk. JILL. I can't help it. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 29 CHARLES. [Putting his arm through HORNBLOWEB'S] Come along, father ! Deeds, not words. HORNBLOWER. Ay! Deeds! MRS. HILLCRIST and DAWKEE have entered by the French window. MRS. H. Quite right ! [They all turn and look at her. HORNBLOWER. Ah! So ye put your dog on to it. [He throws out his finger at DAWKER] Very smart, that I give ye credit. MRS. H. [Pointing to CHLOE, who has stood by her- self, forgotten and uncomfortable throughout the scene} May I ask who this lady is ? CHLOE turns round startled, and her vanity bag slips down her dress to the floor. HORNBLOWER. No, ma'am, ye may not, for ye know perfectly well. JILL. Z brought her in, mother [She moves to CHLOE'S side]. MRS. H. Will you take her out again, then. HILLCRIST. Amy, have the goodness to remem- ber MRS. H. That this is my house so far as ladies are concerned. JILL. Mother! She looks astonished at CHLOE, who, about to speak, does not, passing her eyes, with a queer, half-scared expression, from MRS. HILLCRIST to DAWKER. [To CHLOE] I'm awfully sorry. Come on ! [They go out, Left. ROLF hurries after them. 30 THE SKIN GAME ACT i CHARLES. You've insulted my wife. Why? What do you mean by it ? [Mas. HILLCRIST simply smiles. HILLCRIST. I apologise. I regret extremely. There is no reason why the ladies of your family or of mine should be involved in our quarrel. For Heaven's sake, let's fight like gentlemen. HORNBLOWER. Catchwords sneers! No; we'll play what ye call a skin game, Hillcrist, without gloves on; we won't spare each other. Ye look out for yourselves, for, begod, after this morning I mean business. And as for you, Dawker, ye sly dog, ye think yourself very clever; but I'll have the Gentry yet. Come, Chearlie ! They go out, passing JILL, who is coming in again, in the doorway. HILLCRIST. Well, Dawker? DAWKER. [Grinning] Safe for the moment. The old lady'll put it up to auction. Couldn't get her to budge from that. Says she don't want to be unneighbourly to either. But, if you ask me, it's money she smells ! JILL. [Advancing] Now, mother! MRS. H. Well? JILL. Why did you insult her? MRS. H. I think I only asked you to take her out. JILL. Why? Even if she is Old Combustion's daughter-in-law ? MRS. H. My dear Jill, allow me to judge the sort of acquaintances I wish to make. [She looks at DAWKER. JILL. She's all right. Lots of women powder and touch up their lips nowadays. I think she's rather a good sort; she was awfully upset. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 31 MRS. H. Too upset. JILL. Oh ! don't be so mysterious, mother. If you know something, do spit it out ! MBS. H. Do you wish me to er "spit it out," Jack? HILLCKIST. Dawker, if you don't mind DAWKER, with a nod, passes away out of the French window. Jill, be respectful, and don't talk like a bargee. JILL. It's no good, Dodo. It made me ashamed. It's just as as caddish to insult people who haven't said a word, in your own house, as it is to be old Hornblower. MRS. H. You don't know what you're talking about. HILLCBIST. What's the matter with young Mrs. Hornblower ? MRS. H. Excuse me, I shall keep my thoughts to myself at present. She looks coldly at JILL, and goes out through the French window. HILLCRIST. You've thoroughly upset your mother, Jill. JILL. It's something Dawker's told her; I saw them. I don't like Dawker, father, he's so common. HILLCRIST. My dear, we can't all be uncommon. He's got lots of go. You must apologise to your mother. JILL. [Shaking her clubbed hair] They'll make you do things you don't approve of, Dodo, if you don't look out. Mother's fearfully bitter when she gets her 32 THE SKIN GAME ACT! knife in. If old Hornblower's disgusting, it's no reason we should be. HILLCRIST. So you think I'm capable that's nice, Jill! JILL. No, no, darling! I only want to warn you solemnly that mother'll tell you you're fighting fair, no matter what she and Dawker do. HILLCEIST. [Smiling] Jill, I don't think I ever saw you so serious. JILL. No. Because [She swallows a lump in her throat] Well I was just beginning to enjoy myself; and now everything's going to be bitter and beastly, with mother in that mood. That horrible old man ! Oh, Dodo ! Don't let them make you horrid ! You're such a darling. How's your gout, ducky? HILLCEIST. Better; lot better. JILL. There, you see! That shows! It's going to be hah* interesting for you, but not for us. HILLCRIST. Look here, Jill is there anything be- tween you and young what's-his-name Rolf? JILL. [Biting her lip] No. But now it's ail spoiled. HILLCRIST. You can't expect me to regret that. JILL. I don't mean any tosh about love's young dream; but I do like being friends. I want to enjoy things, Dodo, and you can't do that when everybody's on the hate. You're going to wallow in it, and so shall I oh ! I know I shall ! we shall all wallow, and think of nothing but "one for his nob." HILLCBIST. Aren't you fond of your home ? JILL. Of course. I love it. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 33 HILLCRIST. Well, you won't be able to live in it unless we stop that ruffian. Chimneys and smoke, the trees cut down, piles of pots. Every kind of abomination. There! [He points] Imagine ! [He points through the French window, as if he could see those chim- neys rising and marring the beauty of the fields] I was born here, and my father, and his, and his, and his. They loved those fields, and those old trees. And this barbarian, with his "improvement" schemes, forsooth ! I learned to ride in the Gentry meadows prettiest spring meadows in the world; I've climbed every tree there. Why my father ever sold ! But who could have imagined this? And come at a bad mo- ment, when money's scarce. JILL. [Cuddling his arm} Dodo ! HILLCRIST. Yes. But you don't love the place as I do, Jill. You youngsters don't love anything, I sometimes think. JILL. I do, Dodo, I do ! HILLCRIST. You've got it all before you. But you may live your life and never find anything so good and so beautiful as this old home. I'm not going to have it spoiled without a fight. Conscious of having betrayed sentiment, he walks out at the French window, passing away to the Right. JILL, following to the window, looks. Then throwing back her head, she clasps her hands behind it. JILL. Oh oh oh! A voice behind her says, "JILL!" She turn* and starts back, leaning against the right lin- 34 THE SKIN GAME ACT i tel of the window. ROLF appears outside the window from Left. Who goes there ? ROLF. [Buttressed against the Left lintel] Enemy after Chloe's bag. JILL. Pass, enemy ! And all's ill ! ROLF passes through the window, and retrieves the vanity bag from the floor where CHLOE dropped it, then again takes his stand against the Left lintel of the French window. ROLF. It's not going to make any difference, is it? JILL. You know it is. ROLF. Sins of the fathers. JILL. Unto the third and fourth generations. What sin has my father committed ? ROLF. None, in a way; only, I've often told you I don't see why you should treat us as outsiders. We don't like it. JILL. Well, you shouldn't be, then; I mean, he shouldn't be. ROLF. Father's just as human as your father; he's wrapped up in us, and all his "getting on" is for us. Would you like to be treated as your mother treated Chloe? Your mother's set the stroke for the other big- wigs about here; nobody calls on Chloe. And why not? Why not? I think it's contemptible to bar people just because they're new, as you call it, and have to make their position instead of having it left them. JILL. It's not because they're new, it's because if your father behaved like a gentleman, he'd be treated like one. ACT i THE SKIN GAME 35 ROLF. Would he? I don't believe it. My father's a very able man; he thinks he's entitled to have influ- ence here. Well, everybody tries to keep him down. Oh ! yes, they do. That makes him mad and more determined than ever to get his way. You ought to be just, Jill. JILL. I am just. ROLF. No, you're not. Besides, what's it got to do with Charlie and Chloe? Chloe's particularly harm- less. It's pretty sickening for her. Father didn't ex- pect people to call until Charlie married, but since JILL. I think it's all very petty. ROLF. It is a dog-in-the-manger business; I did think you were above it. JILL. How would you like to have your home spoiled ? ROLF. I'm not going to argue. Only things don't stand still. Homes aren't any more proof against change than anything else. JILL. All right! You come and try and take ours. ROLF. We don't want to take your home. JILL. Like the Jackmans' ? ROLF. All right. I see you're hopelessly prejudiced. [He turns to go. JILL. [Just as he is vanishing softly] Enemy? ROLF. [Turning] Yes, enemy. JILL. Before the battle let's shake hands. They move from the lintels and grasp each other's hands in the centre of the French window. CURTAIN ACT II __/ D D a a 1 1 a J "3 14 =3 D 5 c D a lo .a Jo n n n W fa n D ^ 8) n ?i T3 1 I at a 8 s ( 5 ' . T ft* S a 3 1 a D | a 1 D D a A billiard room in a provincial hotel, where things are bought and sold. The scene is set well forward, and is not very broad ; it represents the auctioneer's end of the room, having, rather to stage Left, a narrow table with two chairs facing the audience, where the auctioneer will sit and stand. The table, which is set forward to the footlights, is littered with green- covered particulars of sale. The audience are in effect public and bidders. There is a door on the Left, level with the table. Along the back wall, behind the table, are two raised benches with two steps up to them, such as billiard rooms often have, divided by a door in the middle of a wall, which is panelled in oak. Late September sunlight is coming from a skylight (not visible] on to these seats. The stage is empty when the curtain goes up, but DAWKEB and MRS. HILLCRIST are just entering through the door at the back. DAWKER. Be out of their way here, ma'am. See old Hornblower with Chearlie? [He points down to the audience. SO 40 THE SKIN GAME ACT n MRS. H. It begins at three, doesn't it ? DAWKEB. They won't be over-punctual; there's only the Gentry selling. There's young Mrs. Hornblower with the other boy [Pointing] over at the entrance. I've got that chap I told you of down from town. MRS. H. Ah ! make sure quite of her, Da wker. Any mistake would be fatal. DA WKER. [Nodding] That's right, ma'am. Lot of people always spare time to watch an auction ever remark that? The Duke's agent's here; shouldn't be surprised if he chipped in. MRS. H. Where did you leave my husband? DAWKER. With Miss Jill, in the courtyard. He's coming to you. In case I miss him, tell him when I reach his limit to blow his nose if he wants me to go on; when he blows it a second time, I'll stop for good. Hope we shan't get to that. Old Hornblower doesn't throw his money away. MRS. H. What limit did you settle ? DAWKER. Six thousand! MRS. H. That's a fearful price. Well, good luck to you, Dawker ! DAWKER. Good luck, ma'am. I'll go and see to that little matter of Mrs. Chloe. Never fear, we'll do them in somehow. He winks, lays his finger on the side of his nose, and goes out at the door. MRS. HILLCRIST mounts the two steps, sits down Right of the door, and puts up a pair of long-handled glasses. Through the door be- sc. i THE SKIN GAME 41 hind her come CHLOE and ROLF. She make* a sign for him to go, and shuts the door. CHLOE. [At the foot of the steps in the gangway in a slightly common accent] Mrs. Hillcrist! MRS. H. [Not quite starting] I beg your pardon ? CHLOE. [Again] Mrs. Hillcrist MRS. H. Well? CHLOE. I never did you any harm. MRS. H. Did I ever say you did? CHLOE. No; but you act as if I had. MRS. H. I'm not aware that I've acted at all as yet. You are nothing to me, except as one of your family. CHOLE. 'Tisn't I that wants to spoil your home. MRS. H. Stop them then. I see your husband down there with his father. CHLOE. I I have tried. MRS. H. [Looking at her] Oh ! I suppose such men don't pay attention to what women ask them. CHLOE. [With a flash of spirit] I'm fond of my hus- band. I MRS. H. [Looking at her steadily] I don't quite know why you spoke to me. CHLOE. [With a sort of pathetic sullenness] I only thought perhaps you'd like to treat me as a human being. MRS. H. Really, if you don't mind, I should like to be left alone just now. CHLOE. [Unhappily acquiescent] Certainly ! I'll go to the other end. 42 THE SKIN GAME ACT n She moves to the Left, mounts the steps and aits down. ROLF, looking in through the door, and seeing where she is, joins her. MRS. HILLCRIST re- settles herself a little further in on the Right. ROLF. [Bending over to CHLOE, after a glance at MRS. HILLCRIST] Are you all right? CHLOE. It's awfully hot. She fans herself with the particulars of sale. ROLF. There's Dawker. I hate that chap ! CHLOE. Where? ROLF. Down there; see? He points down to stage Right of the room. CHLOE. [Drawing back in her seat with a little gasp] Oh! ROLF. [Not noticing] Who's that next him, looking up here ? , CHLOE. I don't know. She has raised her auction programme suddenly, and sits fanning herself, carefully screening her face. ROLF. [Looking at her] Don't you feel well? Shall I get you some water? [He gets up at her nod. As he reaches the door, HILLCRIST and JILL come in. HILLCRIST passes him abstractedly with a nod, and sits down beside his wife. JILL. [To ROLF] Come to see us turned out? ROLF. [Emphatically] No. I'm looking after Chloe; she's not well. JILL. [Glancing at her] Sorry. She needn't have come, I suppose ? [ROLF deigns no answer, and goes out. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 43 JILL glances at CHLOE, then at her parents talk- ing in low voices, and sits down next her father, who makes room for her. MRS. H. Can Dawker see you there, Jack? [HILLCBIST nods. What's the time? HILLCRIST. Three minutes to three. JILL. Don't you feel beastly all down the backs of your legs, Dodo ? HILLCRIST. Yes. JILL. Do you, mother ? MRS. H. No. JILL. A wagon of old Hornblower's pots passed while we were in the yard. It's an omen. MRS. H. Don't be foolish, Jill. JILL. Look at the old brute ! Dodo, hold my hand. MRS. H. Make sure you've got a handkerchief , Jack. HILLCRIST. I can't go beyond the six thousand; I shall have to raise every penny on mortgage as it is. The estate simply won't stand more, Amy. He feels in his breast pocket, and pulls up the edge of his handkerchief. JILL. Oh! Look! There's Miss Mullins, at the back; just come in. Isn't she a spidery old chip ? MRS. H. Come to gloat. Really, I think her not accepting your offer is disgusting. Her impartiality is all humbug. HILLCRIST. Can't blame her for getting what she can it's human nature. Phew! I used to feel like this before a viva voce. Who's that next to Dawker? JILL. What a fish ! 44 THE SKIN GAME ACT n MRS. H. [To herself] Ah! yes. Her eyes slide round at CHLOE, sitting motion- less and rather sunk in her seat, slowly fan- ning herself with the particulars of the sale. Jack, go and offer her my smelling salts. HILLCRIST. [Taking the salts] Thank God for a human touch ! MBS. H. [Taken aback] Oh ! I JILL. [With a quick look at her mother, snatching the salts] I will. [She goes over to CHLOE with the salts] Have a sniff; you look awfully white. CHLOE. [Looking up, startled] Oh ! no thanks. I'm all right. JILL. No, do ! You must. [CHLOE takes them. JILL. D'you mind letting me see that a minute? She takes the particulars of the sale and studies it, but CHLOE has buried the lower part of her face in her hand and the smelling salt* bottle. Beastly hot, isn't it ? You'd better keep that. CHLOE. [Her dark eyes wandering and uneasy] Rolf's getting me some water. JILL. Why do you stay ? You didn't want to come, did you ? [CHLOE shakes her head. All right! Here's your water. She hands back the particulars and slides over to her seat, passing ROLF in the gangway, with her chin well up. MRS. HILLCRIST, who has watched CHLOE and JILL and DAWKER and his friend, makes an BC. i THE SKIN GAME 45 enquiring movement with her hand, but gets a disappointing answer. JILL. What's the time, Dodo? HILLCRIST. [Looking at his watch] Three minutes past. JILL. [Sighing] Oh, hell ! HILLCRIST. Jill ! JILL. Sorry, Dodo. I was only thinking. Look! Here he is ! Phew ! isn't he ? MRS. H. 'Sh! The AUCTIONEER comes in Left and goes to the table. He is a square, short, brown-faced, common-looJcing man, with clipped grey hair fitting him like a cap, and a clipped grey moustache. His lids come down over his quick eyes, till he can see you very sharply, and you can hardly see that he can see you. He can break into a smile at any moment, which has no connection with him, as it were. By a certain hurt look, however, when bidding is slow, he discloses that he is not merely an auctioneer, but has in him elements of the human being. He can wink with anyone, and is dressed in a snuff-brown suit, with a perfectly unbuttoned waistcoat, a low, turned- down collar, and small black and white sailor- knot tie. While he is settling his papers, the HILLCRISTS settle themselves tensely. CHLOB has drunk her water and leaned back again, with the smelling salts to her nose. ROLF leans forward in the seat beside her, looking 46 THE SKIN GAME ACT n sideways at JILL. A SOLICITOR, with a grey beard, has joined the AUCTIONEER at his table. AUCTIONEER. [Tapping the table} Sorry to disappoint you, gentlemen, but I've only one property to offer you to-day, No. 1, The Gentry, Deep water. The second on the particulars has been withdrawn. The third that's Bidcot, desirable freehold mansion and farmlands in the Parish of Kenway we shall have to deal with next week. I shall be happy to sell it you then with- out reservation. [He looks again through the particulars in his hand, giving the audience time to readjust them- selves to his statements] Now, gen'lemen, as I say, I've only the one property to sell. Freehold No. 1 all that very desirable corn and stock-rearing and parklike residential land known as the Gentry, Deepwater, unique property an A.I. chance to an A.I. audience. [With his smile] Ought to make the price of the three we thought we had. Now you won't mind listening to the conditions of sale; Mr. Blinkard'll read 'em, and they won't wirry you, they're very short. He sits down and gives two little taps on the table. The SOLICITOR rises and reads the conditions of sale in a voice which no one practically can hear. Just as he begins to read these conditions of sale, CHARLES HORNBLOWER enters at back. He stands a moment, glanc- ing round at the HILLCRISTS and twirling his moustache, then moves along to his wife and touches her. CHARLES. Chloe, aren't you well ? sc. i THE SKIN GAME 47 In the start which she gives, her face is fully revealed to the audience. CHARLES. Come along, out of the way of these people. He jerks his head towards the HILLCBISTS. CHLOE gives a swift look down to the stage Right of the audience. CHLOE. No; I'm all right; it's hotter there. CHARLES. [To ROLF] Well, look after her I must go back. ROLF nods. CHARLES slides back to the door, with a glance at the HILLCRISTS, of whom MRS. HILLCRIST has been watching like a lynx. He goes out, just as the SOLICITOR, finishing, sits down. AUCTIONEER. [Rising and tapping} Now, gen'lemen, it's not often a piece of land like this comes into the market. What's that? [To a friend in front of him] No better land in Deepwater that's right, Mr. Spicer. I know the village well, and a charming place it is; perfect locality, to be sure. Now I don't want to wirry you by singing the praises of this property; there it is well-watered, nicely timbered no reservation of the timber, gen'lemen no tenancy to hold you up; free to do what you like with it to-morrow. You've got a jewel of a site there, too; perfect position for a house. It lies between the Duke's and Squire Hill- crist's an emerald isle. [With his smile] No allusion to Ireland, gen'lemen perfect peace in the Gentry. Nothing like it in the county a gen'leman's site, and you don't get that offered you every day. [He looks 48 THE SKIN GAME ACT n down towards HORNBLOWER, stage Left] Carries the mineral rights, and as you know, perhaps, there's the very valuable Deepwater clay there. What am I to start it at? Can I say three thousand? Well, any- thing you like to give me. I'm not particular. Come now, you've got more time than me, I expect. Two hundred acres of first-rate grazin' and cornland, with a site for a residence unequalled in the county; and all the possibilities ! Well, what shall I say ? [Bid from SPICER. Two thousand? [With his smile] That won't hurt you, Mr. Spicer. Why, it's worth that to overlook the Duke. For two thousand ? [Bid from HORNBLOWER, stage Left. And five. Thank you, sir. Two thousand five hun- dred bid. [To a friend just below him. Come, Mr. Sandy, don't scratch your head over it. [Bid from DAWKER, stage Right. And five. Three thousand bid for this desirable prop- erty. Why, you'd think it wasn't desirable. Come along, gen'lemen. A little spirit. [A slight pause. JILL. Why can't I see the bids, Dodo ? HILLCRIST. The last was Dawker's. AUCTIONEER. For three thousand. [HORNBLOWER] Three thousand five hundred? May I say four? [A bid from the centre] No, I'm not particular; I'll take hundreds. Three thousand six hundred bid. [HORN- BLOWER] And seven. Three thousand seven hundred, and [He pauses, quartering the audience. JILL. Who was that, Dodo? sc. i THE SKIN GAME 49 HILLCKIST. Hornblower. It's the Duke in the centre. AUCTIONEER. Come, gen'lemen, don't keep me all day. Four thousand may I say? [DAWKER] Thank you. We're beginning. And one? [-4 bid from the centre] Four thousand one hundred. [HORNBLOWER] Four thousand two hundred. May I have yours, sir? [To DAWKER] And three. Four thousand three hun- dred bid. No such site in the county, gen'lemen. I'm going to sell this land for what it's worth. You can't bid too much for me. [He smiles] [HORNBLOWER] Four thousand five hundred bid. [Bid from the centre] And six. [DAWKER] And seven. [HORNBLOWER] And eight. Nine, may I say ? [But the centre has dried up] [DAWKER] And nine. [HORNBLOWER] Five thousand. Five thou- sand bid. That's better; there's some spirit in it. For five thousand. [He pauses while he speaks to the SOLICITOR. HILLCRIST. It's a duel now. AUCTIONEER. Now, gen'lemen, I'm not going to give this property away. Five thousand bid. [DAWKER] And one. [HORNBLOWER] And two. [DAWKER] And three. Five thousand three hundred bid. And five, did you say, sir? [HORNBLOWER] Five thousand five hundred bid. [He looks at his particulars. JILL. [Rather agonised] Enemy, Dodo. AUCTIONEER. This chance may never come again. "How you'll regret it If you don't get it," as the poet says. May I say five thousand six hun- 50 THE SKIN GAME ACT n dred, sir? [DAWKER] Five thousand six hundred bid. HORNBLOWER] And seven. [DAWKER] And eight. For five thousand eight hundred pounds. We're gettin' on, but we haven't got the value yet. A slight pause, while he wipes his brow at the success of his own efforts. JILL. Us, Dodo? HILLCRIST nods. JILL looks over at ROLF, whose face is grimly set. CHLOE has never moved. MRS. HILLCRIST whispers to her husband. AUCTIONEER. Five thousand eight hundred bid. For five thousand eight hundred. Come along, gen'lemen, come along. We're not beaten. Thank you, sir. [HORNBLOWER] Five thousand nine hundred. And ? [DAWKER] Six thousand. Six thousand bid. Six thousand bid. For six thousand ! The Gentry most desirable spot in the county going for the low price of six thousand. HILLCRIST. [Muttering} Low ! Heavens ! AUCTIONEER. Any advance on six thousand ? Come, gen'lemen, we haven't dried up? A little spirit. Six thousand? For six thousand? For six thousand pounds? Very well, I'm selling. For six thousand once [He taps] For six thousand twice [He taps]. JILL. [Low] Oh ! we've got it ! AUCTIONEER. And one, sir ? [HORNBLOWER] Six thou- sand one hundred bid. The SOLICITOR touches his arm and says some- thing, to which the AUCTIONEER responds with a nod. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 51 MRS. H. Blow your nose, Jack. [HILLCRIST blows his nose. AUCTIONEER. For six thousand one hundred. [DAW- KER] And two. Thank you. [HORNBLOWER] And three. For six thousand three hundred. [DAWKER] And four. For six thousand four hundred pounds. This coveted property. For six thousand four hundred pounds. Why, it's giving it away, gen'lemen. [A pause. MRS. H. Giving! AUCTIONEER. Six thousand four hundred bid. [HORN- BLOWER] And five. [DAWKER] And six. [HORNBLOWER] And seven. [DAWKER] And eight. A pause, during which, through the door Left, someone beckons to the SOLICITOR, who rises and confers. HILLCRIST. [Muttering] I've done if that doesn't get it. AUCTIONEER. For six thousand eight hundred. For six thousand eight hundred once [He taps] twice [He taps] For the last time. This dominating site. [HORNBLOWER] And nine. Thank you. For six thou- sand nine hundred. [HILLCRIST has taken out his handkerchief. JILL. Oh! Dodo! MRS. H. [Quivering] Don't give in ! AUCTIONEER. Seven thousand may I say ? [DAWKER] Seven thousand. MRS. H. [Whispers] Keep it down; don't show him. AUCTIONEER. For seven thousand going for seven 52 THE SKIN GAME ACT n thousand once [Taps] twice [Taps] [HORNBIIOWER] And one. Thank you, sir. HILLCRIST blows his nose. JILL, with a choke, leans back in her seat and folds her arms tightly on her chest. MRS. HILLCRIST passes her handkerchief over her lips, sitting perfectly still. HILLCRIST, too, is motionless. The AUCTIONEER has -paused, and is talking to the SOLICITOR, who has returned to his seat. MRS. H. Oh ! Jack. JILL. Stick it, Dodo; stick it! AUCTIONEER. Now, gen'lemen, I have a bid of seven thousand one hundred for the Gentry. And I'm in- structed to sell if I can't get more. It's a fair price, but not a big price. [To his friend MR. SPICER] A thumpin' price? [With his smile] Well, you're a judge of thumpin', I admit. Now, who'll give me seven thousand two hundred? What, no one? Well, I can't make you, gen'lemen. For seven thousand one hundred. Once [Taps] Twice [Taps]. [JiLL utters a little groan. HILLCRIST. [Suddenly, in a queer voice] Two. AUCTIONEER. [Turning with surprise and looking up to receive HILLCRIST'S nod] Thank you, sir. And two. Seven thousand two hundred. [He screws himself round so as to command both HILLCRIST and HORNBLOWER] May I have yours, sir? [HORNBLOWER] And three. [HILLCRIST] And four. Seven thousand four hundred. For seven thousand four hundred. [HORNBLOWER] Five. [HILLCRIST] Six. For seven thousand six hundred. [A sc. i THE SKIN GAME 53 pause] Well, gen'lemen, this is better, but a record property shid fetch a record price. The possibilities are enormous. [HORNBLOWER] Eight thousand did you say, sir? Eight thousand. Going for eight thousand pounds. [HILLCRIST] And one. [HORNBLOWER] And two. [HILLCRIST] And three. [HORNBLOWER] And four. [HILL- CRIST] And five. For eight thousand five hundred. A wonderful property for eight thousand five hundred. [He wipes his brow. JILL. [Whispering] Oh, Dodo ! MRS. H. That's enough, Jack, we must stop some time. AUCTIONEER. For eight thousand five hundred. Once [Taps] Twice [Taps] [HORNBLOWER] Six hun- dred. [HILLCRIST] Seven. May I have yours, sir? [HORNBLOWER] Eight. HILLCRIST. Nine thousand. MRS. HILLCRIST looks at him, biting her lips, but he is quite absorbed. AUCTIONEER. Nine thousand for this astounding property. Why, the Duke would pay that if he realised he'd be overlooked. Now, sir? [To HORNBLOWER. No response]. Just a little raise on that. [No response.] For nine thousand. The Gentry, Deepwater, for nine thousand. Once [Taps] Twice [Taps]. JILL. [Under her breath] Ours ! A VOICE. [From far back in the centre] And five hundred. AUCTIONEER. [Surprised and throwing out his arms towards the voice] And five hundred. For nine thou- 54 THE SKIN GAME ACT H sand five hundred. May I have yours, sir? [He looks at HOBNBLOWEB. No response.] [The SOLICITOR speaks to him. MRS. H. [Whispering] It must be the Duke again. HILLCRIST. [Passing his hand over his brow] That's stopped him, anyway. AUCTIONEER. [Looking at HILLCRIST] For nine thou- sand five hundred? [HILLCRIST shakes his head.] Once more. The Gentry, Deepwater, for nine thou- sand five hundred. Once [Taps] Twice [Taps] [He pauses and looks again at HORNBLOWER and HILLCRIST] For the last time at nine thousand five hundred. [Taps] [With a look towards the bidder] Mr. Smalley. Well ! [With great satisfaction] That's that ! No more to-day, gen'lemen. The AUCTIONEER and SOLICITOR busy them- selves. The room begins to empty. MRS. H. Smalley? Smalley? 7* that the Duke's agent ? Jack ! HILLCRIST. [Coming out of a sort of coma, after the excitement he has been going through] What ! What ! JILL. Oh, Dodo ! How splendidly you stuck it ! HILLCRIST. Phew! What a squeak! I was clean out of my depth. A mercy the Duke chipped in again. MRS. H. [Looking at ROLF and CHLOE, who are standing up as if about to go] Take care; they can hear you. Find Dawker, Jack. Below, the AUCTIONEER and SOLICITOR take up their papers, and move out Left. HILLCRIST stretches himself, standing up, as sc. i THE SKIN GAME 55 if to throw off the strain. The door behind is opened, and HORNBLOWEB appears. HORNBLOWEB. Ye ran me up a pretty price. Ye bid very pluckily, Hillcrist. But ye didn't quite get my measure. HILLCBIST. Oh ! It was my nine thousand the Duke capped. Thank God, the Gentry's gone to a gentle- man ! HOBNBLOWEB. The Duke ? [He laughs] No, the Gen- try's not gone to a gentleman, nor to a fool. It's gone to me. HILLCEIST. What! HOBNBLOWEB. I'm sorry for ye; ye're not fit to manage these things. Well, it's a monstrous price, and I've had to pay it because of your obstinacy. I shan't forget that when I come to build. HILLCBIST. D'you mean to say that bid was for you? HORNBLOWER. Of course I do. I told ye I was a bad man to be up against. Perhaps ye'll believe me now. HILLCRIST. A dastardly trick! HOBNBLOWEB. [With venom] What did ye call it a skin game? Remember we're playin' a skin game, Hillcrist. HILLCEIST. [Clenching his fists] If we were younger men HOBNBLOWEB. Ay! 'Twouldn't look pretty for us to be at fisticuffs. We'll leave the fightin' to the young ones. [He glances at ROLF and JILL; suddenly throwing 56 THE SKIN GAME ACT n out his finger at ROLF] No makin' up to that young woman ! I've watched ye. And as for you, missy, you leave my boy alone. JILL. [With suppressed passion] Dodo, may I spit in his eye or something ? HILLCRIST. Sit down. JILL sits down. He stands between her and HORNBLOWER. You've won this round, sir, by a foul blow. We shall see whether you can take any advantage of it. I be- lieve the law can stop you ruining my property. HORNBLOWER. Make your mind easy; it can't. I've got ye in a noose, and I'm goin' to hang ye. MRS. H. [Suddenly] Mr. Hornblower, as you fight foul so shall we. HILLCRIST. Amy ! MRS. H. [Paying no attention] And it will not be foul play towards you and yours. You are outside the pale. HORNBLOWER. That's just where I am, outside your pale all round ye. Ye're not long for Deepwater, ma'am. Make your dispositions to go; ye'll be out in six months, I prophesy. And good riddance to the neighbourhood. [They are all down on tfte level now. CHLOE. [Suddenly coming closer to MRS. HILLCRIST] Here are your salts, thank you. Father, can't you ? HORNBLOWER. [Surprised] Can't I what? CHLOE. Can't you come to an arrangement? MRS. H. Just so, Mr. Hornblower. Can't you? HORNBLOWER. [Looking from one to the other] As sc. i THE SKIN GAME 57 we're speakin' out, ma'am, it's your behaviour to my daughter-in-law who's as good as you and better, to my thinking that's more than half the reason why I've bought this property. Ye've fair got my dander up. Now it's no use to bandy words. It's very for- givin' of ye, Chloe, but come along ! MRS. H. Quite seriously, Mr. Hornblower, you had better come to an arrangement. HORNBLOWER. Mrs. Hillcrist, ladies should keep to their own business. MRS. H. I will. HILLCRIST. Amy, do leave it to us men. You young man [He speaks to ROLF] do you support your father's trick this afternoon ? JILL looks round at ROLF, who tries to speak, when HORNBLOWER breaks in. HORNBLOWER. My trick? And what d'ye call it, to try and put me own son against me? JILL. [To ROLF] Well? ROLF. I don't, but HORNBLOWER. Trick? Ye young cub, be quiet. Mr. Hillcrist had an agent bid for him I had an agent bid for me. Only his agent bid at the beginnin', an' mine bid at the end. What's the trick in that? [He laughs. HILLCRIST. Hopeless; we're in different worlds. HORNBLOWER. I wish to God we were ! Come you, Chloe. And you, Rolf, you follow. In six months I'll have those chimneys up, and me lorries runnin* round ye. 58 THE SKIN GAME ACT n MRS. H. Mr. Hornblower, if you build HORNBLOWER. [Looking at MRS. HILLCRIST] Ye know it's laughable. Ye make me pay nine thou- sand five hundred for a bit o' land not worth four, and ye think I'm not to get back on ye. I'm goin' on with as little consideration as if ye were a family of black- beetles. Good afternoon! ROLF. Father! JILL. Oh, Dodo ! He's obscene. HILLCRIST. Mr. Hornblower, my compliments. HORNBLOWER, with a stare at HILLCRIST'S half-smiling face, takes CHLOE'S arm, and half drags her towards the door on the Left. But there, in the opened doorway, are stand- ing DAWKER and a STRANGER. They move just out of the way of the exit, looking at CHLOE, who sways and very nearly falls. HORNBLOWER. Why! Chloe! What's the matter? CHLOE. I don't know; I'm not well to-day. [She pulls herself together with a great effort. MRS. H. [Who has exchanged a nod with DAWKER and the STRANGER] Mr. Hornblower, you build at your peril. I warn you. HORNBLOWER. [Turning round to speak] Ye think yourself very cool and very smart. But I doubt this is the first time ye've been up against realities. Now, I've been up against them all my life. Don't talk to me, ma'am, about peril and that sort of nonsense; it makes no impression. Your husband called me pachy- dermatous. I don't know Greek, and Latin, and all sc. i THE SKIN GAME 59 that, but I've looked it out in the dictionary, and I find it means thick-skinned. And I'm none the worse for that when I have to deal with folk like you. Good afternoon. He draws CHLOE forward, and they pass through the door, followed quickly by ROLF. MRS. H. Thank you, Dawker. She moves up to DAWKER and the STRANGER, Left, and they talk. JILL. Dodo ! It's awful ! HILLCRIST. Well, there's nothing for it now but to smile and pay up. Poor old home! It shall be his wash-pot. Over the Gentry will he cast his shoe. By Gad, Jill, I could cry ! JILL. [Pointing] Look ! Chloe's sitting down. She nearly fainted just now. It's something to do with Dawker, Dodo, and that man with him. Look at mother ! Ask them ! HILLCHIST. Dawker! DAWKER comes to him, followed by MRS. HILL- CRIST. What's the mystery about young Mrs. Hornblower ? DAWKER. No mystery. HILLCRIST. Well, what is it? MRS. H. You'd better not ask. HILLCRIST. I wish to know. MRS. H. Jill, go out and wait for us. JILL. Nonsense, mother ! MRS. H. It's not for a girl to hear. JILL. Bosh ! I read the papers every day. 60 THE SKIN GAME ACT n DAWKER. It's nothin' worse than you get there, any- way. MRS. H. Do you wish your daughter JILL,. It's ridiculous, Dodo; you'd think I was mother at my age. MRS. H. I was not so proud of my knowledge. JILL. No, but you had it, dear. HILLCRIST. What is it what is it? Come over here, Dawker. DAWKER goes to him, Right, and speaks in a low voice. What ! [Again DAWKER speaks in a low voice. Good God ! MRS. H. Exactly! JILL. Poor thing whatever it is ! MRS. H. Poor thing ? JILL. What went before, mother? MRS. H. It's what's coming after that matters, luckily. HILLCRIST. How do you know this? DAWKER. My friend here [He points to the STRANGER] was one of the agents. HILLCRIST. It's shocking. I'm sorry I heard it. MRS. H. I told you not to. HILLCRIST. Ask your friend to come here. DAWKER beckons, and the STRANGER joins the group. Are you sure of what you've said, sir ? STRANGER. Perfectly. I remember her quite well; her name then was HILLCRIST. I don't want to know, thank you. I'm sc. i THE SKIN GAME 61 truly sorry. I wouldn't wish the knowledge of that about his womenfolk to my worst enemy. This mustn't be spoken of. [JiLL hugs his arm. MRS. H. It will not be if Mr. Hornblower is wise. If he is not wise, it must be spoken of. HILLCRIST. I say no, Amy. I won't have it. It's a dirty weapon. Who touches pitch shall be defiled. MRS. H. Well, what weapons does he use against us? Don't be quixotic. For all we can tell, they know it quite well already, and if they don't they ought to. Anyway, to know this is our salvation, and we must use it. JILL. [Sottovoce] Pitch! Dodo! Pitch! DAWKER. The threat's enough! J.P. Chapel Future member for the constituency HILLCRIST. [A little more doubtfully] To use a piece of knowledge about a woman it's repugnant. I I won't do it. MRS. H. If you had a son tricked into marrying such a woman, would you wish to remain ignorant of it? HILLCHIST. [Struck] I don't know I don't know. MRS. H. At least you'd like to be in a position to help him, if you thought it necessary ? HILLCRIST. Well that perhaps. MRS. H. Then you agree that Mr. Hornblower at least should be told. What he does with the knowledge is not our affair. HILLCHIST. [Half to the STRANGER and half to DAW- KER] Do you realise that an imputation of that kind may be ground for a criminal libel action? 62 THE SKIN GAME ACT n STRANGER. Quite. But there's no shadow of doubt; not the faintest. You saw her just now ? HILLCRIST. I did. [Revolting again] No; I don't like it. DAWKER has drawn the STRANGER a step or two away, and they talk together. MRS. H. [In a low voice] And the ruin of our home ? You're betraying your fathers, Jack. HILLCRIST. I can't bear bringing a woman into it. MRS. H. We don't. If anyone brings her in, it will be Hornblower himself. HILLCRIST. We use her secret as a lever. MRS. H. I tell you quite plainly: I will only con- sent to holding my tongue about her, if you agree to Hornblower being told. It's a scandal to have a woman like that in the neighbourhood. JILL. Mother means that, father. HILLCRIST. Jill, keep quiet. This is a very bitter position. I can't tell what to do. MRS. H. You must use this knowledge. You owe it to me to us all. You'll see that when you've thought it over. JILL. [So/%] Pitch, Dodo, pitch ! MRS. H. [Furiously] Jill, be quiet ! HILLCRIST. I was brought up never to hurt a woman. I can't do it, Amy I can't do it. I should never feel like a gentleman again. MRS. H. [Coldly] Oh ! Very well. HILLCRIST. What d'you mean by that? MRS. H. I shall use the knowledge in my own way. so. i THE SKIN GAME 63 HILLCRIST. [Staring at her] You would against my wishes ? MRS. H. I consider it my duty. HILLCRIST. If I agree to Hornblower being told MRS. H. That's all I want. HILLCRIST. It's the utmost I'll consent to, Amy; and don't let's have any humbug about its being morally necessary. We do it to save our skins. MRS. H. I don't know what you mean by humbug ? JILL. He means humbug, mother. HILLCRIST. It must stop at old Hornblower. Do you quite understand ? MRS. H. Quite. JILL. Will it stop ? MRS. H. Jill, if you can't keep your impertinence to yourself HILLCRIST. Jill, come with me. [He turns towards door, Back. JILL. I'm sorry, mother. Only it is a skin game, isn't it ? MRS. H. You pride youself on plain speech, Jill. I pride myself on plain thought. You will thank me afterwards that I can see realities. I know we are bet- ter people than these Hornblowers. Here we are going to stay, and they are not. JILL. [Looking at her with a sort of unwilling admira- tion] Mother, you're wonderful ! HILLCRIST. Jill! JILL. Coming, Dodo. She turns and runs to the door. They go out. 64 THE SKIN GAME ACT n MBS. HILLCKIST, with a long sigh, draws herself up, fine and proud. MRS. H. Dawker ! [He comes to her. I shall send him a note to-night, and word it so that he will be bound to come and see us to-morrow morn- ing. Will you be in the study just before eleven o'clock, with this gentleman ? DAWKER. [Nodding] We're going to wire for his partner. I'll bring him too. Can't make too sure. [She goes firmly up the steps and out. DAWKER. [To the STRANGER, with a wink] The Squire's squeamish too much of a gentleman. But he don't count. The grey mare's all right. You wire to Henry. I'm off to our solicitors. We'll make that old rhinoceros sell us back the Gentry at a decent price. These Hornblowers [Laying his finger on his nose] We've got 'em ! CURTAIN SCENE H CHLOE'S boudoir at half-past seven the same evening. A pretty room. No pictures on the walls, but two mirrors. A screen and a luxurious couch on the fireplace side, stage Left. A door rather Right of Centre Back, opening inwards. A French window, Right forward. A writing table, Right Back. Elec- tric light burning. CHLOE, in a tea-gown, is standing by the forward end of the sofa, very still, and very pale. Her lips are parted, and her large eyes stare straight before them as if seeing ghosts. The door is opened noiselessly and a WOMAN'S face is seen. It peers at CHLOE, vanishes, and the door is closed. CHLOE raises her hands, covers her eyes with them, drops them with a quick gesture, and looks round her. A knock. With a swift movement she slides on to the sofa, and lies prostrate, with eyes closed. CHLOE. [Feebly] Come in ! Her MAID enters ; a trim, contained figure of uncertain years, in a black dress, with the face which was peering in. Yes, Anna ? ANNA. Aren't you going in to dinner, ma'am ? CHLOE. [With closed eyes] No. 67 68 THE SKIN GAME ACT n ANNA. Will you take anything here, ma'am? CHLOE. I'd like a biscuit and a glass of champagne. The MAID, who is standing between sofa and door, smiles. CHLOE, with a swift look, catches the smile. Why do you smile ? ANNA. Was I, ma'am? CHLOE. You know you were. [Fiercely] Are you paid to smile at me? ANNA. [Immovable] No, ma'am. Would you like some eau de Cologne on your forehead ? CHLOE. Yes. No. What's the good ? [Clasping her forehead] My headache won't go. ANNA. To keep lying down's the best thing for it. CHLOE. I have been hours. ANNA. [With the smile] Yes, ma'am. CHLOE. [Gathering herself up on the sofa] Anna! Why do you do it? ANNA. Do what, ma'am ? CHLOE. Spy on me. ANNA. I never! I ! CHLOE. To spy ! You're a fool, too. What is there to spy on ? ANNA. Nothing, ma'am. Of course, if you're not satisfied with me, I must give notice. Only if I were spying, I should expect to have notice given me. I've been accustomed to ladies who wouldn't stand such a thing for a minute. CHLOE. [Intently] Well, you'll take a month's wages and go to-morrow. And that's all, now. [ANNA inclines her head and goes out. sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 69 CHLOE, with a sort of moan, turns over and buries her face in the cushion. CHLOE. [Sitting up] If I could see that man if only Dawker She springs up and goes to the door, but hesi- tates, and comes back to the head of the sofa, as ROLF comes in. During this scene the door is again opened stealthily, an inch or two. ROLF. How's the head ? CHLOE. Beastly, thanks. I'm not going in to dinner. ROLF. Is there anything I can do for you ? CHLOE. No, dear boy. [Suddenly looking at him] You don't want this quarrel with the Hillcrists to go on, do you, Rolf ? ROLF. No; I hate it. CHLOE. Well, I think I might be able to stop it. Will you slip round to Dawker's it's not five minutes and ask him to come and see me. ROLF. Father and Charlie wouldn't CHLOE. I know. But if he comes to the window here while you're at dinner, I'll let him in, and out, and nobody'd know. ROLF. [Astonished] Yes, but what I mean how CHLOE. Don't ask me. It's worth the shot that's all. [Looking at her wrist-watch} To this window at eight o'clock exactly. First long window on the ter- race, tell him. ROLF. It's nothing Charlie would mind? CHLOE. No; only I can't tell him he and father are so mad about it all. 70 THE SKIN GAME ACT n ROLF. If there's a real chance CHLOE. [Going to the window and opening it] This way, Rolf. If you don't come back I shall know he's coming. Put your watch by mine. [Looking at his watch] It's a minute fast, see ! ROLF. Look here, Chloe CHLOE. Don't wait; go on. She almost pushes him out through the window, closes it after him, draws the curtains again, stands a minute, thinking hard ; goes to the bett and rings it ; then, crossing to the writing table, Right Back, she takes out a chemist's prescription. [ANNA comes in. CHLOE. I don't want that champagne. Take this to the chemist and get him to make up some of these cachets quick, and bring them back yourself. ANNA. Yes, ma'am; but you have some. CHLOE. They're too old; I've taken two the strength's out of them. Quick, please; I can't stand this head. ANNA. [Taking the prescription with her smile] Yes, ma'am. It'll take some time you don't want me? CHLOE. No; I want the cachets. [ANNA goes out. CHLOE looks at her wrist-watch, goes to the writing-table, which is old-fashioned, with a secret drawer, looks round her, dives at the secret drawer, takes out a roll of notes and a tissue paper parcel. She counts the notes: " Three hundred." Slips them into her breast sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 71 and unwraps the little parcel. It contains pearls. She slips them, too, into her dress, looks round startled, replaces the drawer, and regains her place on the sofa, lying prostrate as the door opens, and HORNBLOWER comes in. She does not open her eyes, and he stands looking at her a moment before speak- ing. HORNBLOWER. [Almost softly] How are ye feelin', Chloe? CHLOE. Awful head ! HORNBLOWER. Can ye attend a moment ? I've had a note from that woman. [CHLOE sits up. HORNBLOWER. [Reading] "I have something of the utmost importance to tell you in regard to your daugh- ter-in-law. I shall be waiting to see you at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. The matter is so utterly vital to the happiness of all your family, that I cannot imagine you will fail to come." Now, what's the meaning of it? Is it sheer impudence, or lunacy, or what? CHLOE. I don't know. HORNBLOWER. [Not unkindly] Chloe, if there's any- thing ye'd better tell me. Forewarned 's forearmed. CHLOE. There's nothing; unless it's [With a quick look at him] Unless it's that my father was a a bankrupt. HORNBLOWER. Hech! Many a man's been that. Ye've never told us much about your family. CHLOE. I wasn't very proud of him. 72 THE SKIN GAME ACT 11 HORNBLOWER. Well, ye're not responsible for your father. If that's all, it's a relief. The bitter snobs! I'll remember it in the account I've got with them. CHLOE. Father, don't say anything to Charlie; it'll only worry him for nothing. HORNBLOWER. Na, no, I'll not. If Z went bankrupt, it'd upset Chearlie, I've not a doubt. [He laughs. Looking at her shrewdly} There's nothing else, before I answer her? [CHLOE shakes her head. Ye're sure ? CHLOE. [With an effort] She may invent things, of course. HORNBLOWER. [Lost in his feud feeling] Ah ! but there's such a thing as the laws o' slander. If they play pranks, I'll have them up for it. CHLOE. [Timidly] Couldn't you stop this quarrel, father ? You said it was on my account. But / don't want to know them. And they do love their old home. I like the girl. You don't really need to build just there, do you ? Couldn't you stop it ? Do ! HORNBLOWER. Stop it? Now I've bought? Na, no! The snobs defied me, and I'm going to show them. I hate the lot of them, and I hate that little Dawker worst of all. CHLOE. He's only their agent. HOHNBLOWER. He's a part of the whole dog-in-the- manger system that stands in my way. Ye're a woman, and ye don't understand these things. Ye wouldn't believe the struggle I've had to make my money and get my position. These county folk talk soft sawder, sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 73 but to get anything from them's like gettin' butter out of a dog's mouth. If they could drive me out of here by fair means or foul, would they hesitate a moment? Not they ! See what they've made me pay; and look at this letter. Selfish, mean lot o' hypocrites ! CHLOE. But they didn't begin the quarrel. HORNBLOWER. Not openly; but underneath they did that's their way. They began it by thwartin' me here and there and everywhere, just because I've come into me own a bit later than they did. I gave 'em their chance, and they wouldn't take it. Well, I'll show 'em what a man like me can do when he sets his mind to it. I'll not leave much skin on them. In the intensity of his feeling he has lost sight of her face, alive with a sort of agony of doubt, whether to plead with him further, or what to do. Then, with a swift glance at her wrist- watch, she falls back on the sofa and closes her eyes. It'll give me a power of enjoyment seein' me chimneys go up in front of their windies. That was a bonnie thought that last bid o' mine. He'd got that roused up, I believe he never would a' stopped. [Looking at her] I forgot your head. Well, well, ye'll be best fyin' quiet. [The gong sounds. Shall we send ye something in from dinner ? CHLOE. No; I'll try to sleep. Please tell them I don't want to be disturbed. HORNBLOWEB. All right. I'll just answer this note. [He sits down at her writing-table. 74 THE SKIN GAME ACT n CHLOE starts up from the sofa feverishly, look- ing at her watch, at the window, at her watch ; then softly crosses to the window and opens it. HOBNBLOWER. [Finishing] Listen! [He turns round towards the sofa] Hallo ! Where are ye ? CHLOE. [At the window] It's so hot. HORNBLOWER. Here's what I've said: "MADAM, You can tell me nothing of my daugh- ter-in-law which can affect the happiness of my family. I regard your note as an imper- tinence, and I shall not be with you at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. "Yours truly " CHLOE. [With a suffering movement of her head] Oh ! Well ! [The gong is touched a second time. HORNBLOWER. [Crossing to the door] Lie ye down, and get a sleep. I'll tell them not to disturb ye; and I hope ye'll be all right to-morrow. Good-night, Chloe. CHLOE. Good-night. [He goes out. After a feverish turn or two, CHLOE returns to the open window and waits there, half screened by the curtains. The door is opened inch by inch, and ANNA'S head peers round. See- ing where CHLOE is, she slips in and passes behind the screen, Left. Suddenly CHLOE backs in from the window. CHLOE. [In a low voice] Come in. [She darts to the door and locks it. so. ii THE SKIN GAME 75 DAWKER has come in through the window and stands regarding her with a half smile. DAWKER. Well, young woman, what do you want of me ? In the presence of this man of her own class, there comes a distinct change in CHLOE'S voice and manner ; a sort of frank common- ness, adapted to the man she is dealing with, but she keeps her voice low. CHLOE. You're making a mistake, you know. DAWKER. [With a broad grin] No. I've got a mem- ory for faces. CHLOE. I say you are. DAWKER. [Turning to go] If that's all, you needn't 'ave troubled me to come. CHLOE. No. Don't go ! [With a faint smile] You are playing a game with me. Aren't you ashamed ? What harm have I done you ? Do you call this cricket ? DAWKER. No, my girl business. CHLOE. [Bitterly] What have I to do with this quar- rel? I couldn't help their falling out. DAWKER. That's your misfortune. CHLOE. [Clasping her hands] You're a cruel fellow if you can spoil a woman's life who never did you an ounce of harm. DAWKER. So they don't know about you. That's all right. Now, look here, I serve my employer. But I'm flesh and blood, too, and I always give as good as I get. I hate this family of yours. There's no name too bad for 'em to call me this last month, and no 76 THE SKIN GAME ACT H looks too black to give me. I tell you frankly, I hate 'em. CHLOE. There's good in them same as in you. DAWKER. [With a grin] There's no good Hornblower but a dead Hornblower. CHLOE. But but I'm not one. DAWKER. You'll be the mother of some, I shouldn't wonder. CHLOE. [Stretching out her hand pathetically] Oh! leave me alone, do! I'm happy here. Be a sport! Be a sport ! DAWKER. [Disconcerted for a second] You can't get at me, so don't try it on. CHLOE. I had such a bad tune in old days. DAWKER shakes his head ; his grin has dis- appeared and his face is like wood. CHLOE. [Panting] Ah! do! You might! You've been fond of some woman, I suppose. Think of her ! DAWKER. [Decisively] It won't do, Mrs. Chloe. You're a pawn hi the game, and I'm going to use you. CHLOE. [Despairingly] What is it to you? [With a sudden touch of the tigress] Look here! Don't you make an enemy of me. I haven't dragged through hell for nothing. Women like me can bite, I tell you. DAWKER. That's better. I'd rather have a woman threaten than whine, any day. Threaten away! You'll let 'em know that you met me in the Prom- enade one night. Of course you'll let 'em know that, won't you? or that sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 7T CHLOE. Be quiet! Oh! Be quiet! [Taking from her bosom the notes and the pearls} Look ! There's my sav- ings there's all I've got ! The pearls'll fetch nearly a thousand. [Holding it out to him} Take it, and drop me out won't you ? Won't you ? DAWKER. [Passing his tongue over his lips wiih a hard little laugh} You mistake your man, missis. I'm a plain dog, if you like, but I'm faithful, and I hold fast. Don't try those games on me. CHLOE. [Losing control} You're a beast ! a beast ! a cruel, cowardly beast ! And how dare you bribe that woman here to spy on me? Oh! yes, you do; you know you do. If you drove me mad, you wouldn't care. You beast ! DAWKER. Now, don't carry on! That won't help you. CHLOE. What d'you call it to dog a woman down like this, just because you happen to have a quarrel with a man ? DAWKEB. Who made the quarrel ? Not me, missis. You ought to know that in a row it's the weak and helpless we won't say the innocent that get it in the neck. That can't be helped. CHLOE. [Regarding him intently} I hope your mother or your sister, if you've got any, may go through what I'm going through ever since you got on my track. I hope they'll know what fear means. I hope they'll love and find out that it's hanging on a thread, and and Oh! you coward, you persecuting coward! Call yourself a man ! 78 THE SKIN GAME ACT n DAWKER. [With his grin] Ah! You look quite pretty like that. By George! you're a handsome woman when you're roused. CHLOE'B passion fades out as quickly as it blazed up. She sinks down on the sofa, shudders, looks here and there, and then for a moment up at him. CHLOE. Is there anything you'll take, not to spoil my life ? [Clasping her hands on her breast ; under her breath] Me? DAWKER. [Wiping his brow] By God! That's an offer. [He recoils towards the window] You you touched me there. Look here! I've got to use you and I'm going to use you, but I'll do my best to let you down as easy as I can. No, I don't want anything you can give me that is [He wipes his brow again} I'd like it but I won't take it. [CHLOE buries her face in her hands. There ! Keep your pecker up ; don't cry. Good-night ! [He goes through the window. CHLOE. [Springing up] Ugh ! Rat in a trap ! Rat ! She stands listening ; flies to the door, unlocks it, and, going back to the sofa, lies down and closes her eyes. CHARLES comes in very quietly and stands over her, looking to see if she is asleep. She opens her eyes. CHARLES. Well, Clo ! Had a sleep, old girl ? CHLOE. Ye es. CHARLES. [Sitting on the arm of the sofa and caressing her] Feel better, dear ? CHLOE. Yes, better, Charlie. sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 79 CHARLES. That's right. Would you like some soup ? CHLOE. [With a shudder] No. CHARLES. I say what gives you these heads? You've been very on and off all this last month. CHLOE. I don't know. Except that except that I am going to have a child, Charlie. CHARLES. After all! By Jove! Sure? CHLOE. [Nodding] Are you glad? CHARLES. Well I suppose I am. The guv'nor will be mighty pleased, anyway. CHLOE. Don't tell him yet. CHARLES. All right! [Bending over and drawing her to him} My poor girl, I'm so sorry you're seedy. Give us a kiss. CHLOE puts up her face and kisses him pas- sionately. I say, you're like fire. You're not feverish? CHLOE. [With a laugh] It's a wonder if I'm not. Charlie, are you happy with me? CHARLES. What do you think ? CHLOE. [Leaning against him] You wouldn't easily believe things against me, would you? CHARLES. What! Thinking of those Hillcrists? What the hell that woman means by her attitude towards you When I saw her there to-day, I had all my work cut out not to go up and give her a bit of my mind. CHLOE. [Watching him stealthily] It's not good for me, now I'm like this. It's upsetting me, Charlie. CHARLES. Yes; and we won't forget. We'll make 'em pay for it. 80 THE SKIN GAME ACT n CHLOE. It's wretched in a little place like this. I say, must you go on spoiling their home ? CHARLES. The woman cuts you and insults you. That's enough for me. CHLOE. [Timidly] Let her. 7 don't care; I can't bear feeling enemies about, Charlie, I get nervoug I CHARLES. My dear girl! What is it? [He looks at her intently. CHLOE. I suppose it's being like this. [Suddenly] But, Charlie, do stop it for my sake. Do, do ! CHARLES. [Patting her arm] Come, come; I say, Chloe ! You're making mountains. See things in pro- portion. Father's paid nine thousand five hundred to get the better of those people, and you want him to chuck it away to save a woman who's insulted you. That's not sense, and it's not business. Have some pride. CHLOE. [Breathless] I've got no pride, Charlie. I want to be quiet that's all. CHARLES. Well, if the row gets on your nerves, I can take you to the sea. But you ought to enjoy a fight with people like that. CHLOE. [With calculated bitterness] No, it's nothing, of course what 7 want. CHARLES. Hallo ! Hallo ! You are on the jump ! CHLOE. If you want me to be a good wife to you, make father stop it. CHARLES. [Standing up] Now, look here, Chloe, what's behind this ? sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 81 CHLOE. [Faintly] Behind? CHARLES. You're carrying on as if as if you were really scared ! We've got these people. We'll have them out of Deepwater in six months. It's absolute ruination to their beastly old house; we'll put the chim- neys on the very edge, not three hundred yards off, and our smoke'll be drifting over them half the time. You won't have this confounded stuck-up woman here much longer. And then we can really go ahead and take our proper place. So long as she's here, we shall never do that. We've only to drive on now as fast as we can. CHLOE. [With a gesture] I see. CHARLES. [Again looking at her] If you go on like this, you know, I shall begin to think there's some- thing you CHLOE [softly] Charlie ! [He comes to her. Love me ! CHARLES. [Embracing her] There, old girl ! I know women are funny at these times. You want a good night, that's all. CHLOE. You haven't finished dinner, have you? Go back, and I'll go to bed quite soon. Charlie, don't stop loving me. CHARLES. Stop ? Not much. While he is again embracing her, ANNA steals from behind the screen to the door, opens it noiselessly, and passes through, but it click* as she shuts it. CHLOE. [Starting violently] Oh h ! 82 THE SKIN GAME ACT 11 CHARLES. What is it ? What is it ? You are nervy, my dear. CHLOE. [Looking round with a little laugh] I don't know. Go on, Charlie. I'll be all right when this head's gone. CHARLES. [Stroking her forehead and looking at her doubtfully] You go to bed; I won't be late coming up. He turns and goes, blowing a kiss from the doorway. When he is gone, CHLOE gets up and stands in precisely the attitude in which she stood at the beginning of the Act, thinkir^g, and thinking. And the door is opened, and the face of the MAID peers round at her. CUBTAIN ACT III ACT III SCENE I MOKNINQ HILLCRIST'S study next morning. JILL, coming from Left, looks in at the open French window. JILL. [Speaking to ROLF, invisible] Come in here. There's no one. She goes in. ROLF joins her, coming from the garden. ROLF. Jill, I just wanted to say Need we ? [JILL nods. Seeing you yesterday it did seem rotten. JILL. We didn't begin it. ROLF. No; but you don't understand. If you'd made yourself, as father has JILL. I hope I should be sorry. ROLF. [Reproachfully] That isn't like you. Really he can't help thinking he's a public benefactor. JILL. And we can't help thinking he's a pig. Sorry ! ROLF. If the survival of the fittest is right JILL. He may be fitter, but he's not going to survive. ROLF. [Distracted] It looks like it, though. JILL. Is that all you came to say? 85 86 THE SKIN GAME ACT in ROLF. No. Suppose we joined, couldn't we stop it? JILL. I don't feel like joining. ROLT. We did shake hands. JILL. One can't fight and not grow bitter. ROLF. / don't feel bitter. JILL. Wait; you'll feel it soon enough. ROLF. Why? [Attentively] About Chloe? I do think your mother's manner to her is JILL. Well? ROLF. Snobbish. [JiLL laughs. She may not be your class; and that's just why it's snobbish. JILL. I think you'd better shut up. ROLF. What my father said was true; your mother's rudeness to her that day she came here, has made both him and Charlie ever so much more bitter. [JiLL whistles the Habanera from "Carmen" [Staring at her, rather angrily] Is it a whistling matter ? JILL. No. ROLF. I suppose you want me to go ? JILL. Yes. ROLF. All right. Aren't we ever going to be friends again? JILL. [Looking steadily at him] I don't expect so. ROLF. That's very horrible. JILL. Lots of horrible things in the world. ROLF. It's our business to make them fewer, Jill. JILL. [Fiercely] Don't be moral. ROLF. [Hurt] That's the last thing I want to be. I only want to be friendly. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 87 JILL. Better be real first. ROLF. From the big point of view JILL. There isn't any. We're all out for our own. And why not ? ROLF. By jove, you have got JILL. Cynical? Your father's motto "Every man for himself." That's the winner hands down. Good- bye! ROLF. Jill! Jill! JILL. [Putting her hands behind her back, hums] "If auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne" ROLF. Don't! With a pained gesture he goes out towards Left, through the French window. JILL, who has broken off the song, stands with her hands clenched and her lips quivering. [FELLOWS enters Left, FELLOWS. Mr. Dawker, Miss, and two gentlemen. JILL. Let the three gentlemen in, and me out. [She passes him and goes out Left. And immediately DAWKER and the Two STRANGERS come in. FELLOWS. I'll inform Mrs. Hillcrist, sir. The Squire is on his rounds. [He goes out Left. The THREE MEN gather in a discreet knot at the big bureau, having glanced at the two doors and the open French window. DAWKER. Now this may come into Court, you know. If there's a screw loose anywhere, better men- 88 THE SKIN GAME ACT in tion it. [To SECOND STRANGER] You knew her person- ally? SECOND S. What do you think? I don't take girls on trust for that sort of job. She came to us highly recommended, too; and did her work very well. It was a double stunt to make sure wasn't it, George ? FIRST S. Yes; we paid her for the two visits. SECOND S. I should know her in a minute; striking looking girl; had something in her face. Daresay she'd seen hard times. FIRST S. We don't want publicity. DAWKER. Not likely. The threat'll do it; but the stakes are heavy and the man's a slogger; we must be able to push it home. If you can both swear to her, it'll do the trick. SECOND S. And about I mean, we're losing time, you know, coining down here. DAWKER. [With a nod at FIRST STRANGER] George here knows me. That'll be all right. I'll guarantee it well worth your while. SECOND S. I don't want to do the girl harm, if she's married. DAWKER. No, no; nobody wants to hurt her. We just want a cinch on this fellow till he squeals. They separate a little as MRS. HILLCRIST enters from Right. DAWKER. Good morning, ma'am. My friend's part- ner. Hornblower coming ? MRS. H. At eleven. I had to send up a second note, Dawker. DAWKER. Squire not in ? sc. i THE SKIN GAME 89 MRS. H. I haven't told him. DAWKER. [Nodding] Our friends might go in here [Pointing Right] and we can use 'em as we want 'em. MRS. H. [To the STRANGERS] Will you make your- elves comfortable ? She holds the door open, and they pass her into the room, Right. DAWKER. [Showing document] I've had this drawn and engrossed. Pretty sharp work. Conveys the Gentry, and Longmeadow, to the Squire at four thou- sand five hundred. Now, ma'am, suppose Hornblower puts his hand to that, he'll have been done in the eye, and six thousand all told out o' pocket. You'll have a very nasty neighbour here. MRS. H. But we shall still have the power to dis- close that secret at any time. DAWKER. Yeh ! But things might happen here you could never bring home to him. You can't trust a man like that. He isn't goin' to forgive me, I know. MRS. H. [Regarding him keenly] But if he signs, we couldn't honourably DAWKER. No, ma'am, you couldn't; and I'm sure J don't want to do that girl a hurt. I just mention it because, of course, you can't guarantee that it doesn't get out. MRS. H. Not absolutely, I suppose. A look passes between them, which neither of them has quite sanctioned. There's his car. It always seems to make more noise than any other. DAWKER. He'll kick and flounder but you leave 90 THE SKIN GAME ACT in him to ask what you want, ma'am; don't mention this [He puts the deed back into his pocket]. The Gentry's no mortal good to him if he's not going to put up works; I should say he'd be glad to save what he can. MBS. HILLCHIST inclines her head. FELLOWS enters Left. FELLOWS. [Apologetically] Mr. Hornblower, ma'am; by appointment, he says. MRS. H. Quite right, Fellows. HORNBLOWER comes in, and FELLOWS goes out. HORNBLOWER. [Without salutation] I've come to ask ye point blank what ye mean by writing me these let- ters. [He takes out two letters] And we'll discuss it in the presence of nobody, if ye please. MRS. H. Mr. Dawker knows all that I know, and more. HORNBLOWER. Does he ? Very well ! Your second note says that my daughter-in-law has lied to me. Well, I've brought her, and what ye've got to say if it's not just a trick to see me again ye'll say to her face. [He takes a step towards the window. MRS. H. Mr. Hornblower, you had better decide that after hearing what it is we shall be quite ready to repeat it in her presence; but we want to do as little harm as possible. HORNBLOWER. [Stopping] Oh! ye do! Well, what lies have ye been hearin' ? Or what have ye made up ? You and Mr. Dawker? Of course ye know there's a law of libel and slander. I'm not the man to stop at that. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 91 MRS. H. [Calmly] Are you familiar with the law of divorce, Mr. Hornblower ? HORNBLOWER. [Taken aback] No, I'm not. That MBS. H. Well, you know that misconduct is re- quired. And I suppose you've heard that cases are arranged. HORNBLOWER. I know it's all very shocking what about it ? MRS. H. When cases are arranged, Mr. Hornblower, the man who is to be divorced often visits an hotel with a strange woman. I am extremely sorry to say that your daughter-in-law, before her marriage, was in the habit of being employed as such a woman. HORNBLOWER. Ye dreadful creature ! DAWKER. [Quickly] All proved, up to the hilt ! HORNBLOWER. I don't believe a word of it. Ye're lyin' to save your skins. How dare ye tell me such monstrosities? Dawker, I'll have ye hi a criminal court. DAWKER. Rats! You saw a gent with me yester- day? Well, he's employed her. HORNBLOWER. A put-up job ! Conspiracy ! MRS. H. Go and get your daughter-in-law. HORNBLOWER. [With the first sensation of being in a net] It's a foul shame a lying slander ! MRS. H. If so, it's easily disproved. Go and fetch her. HORNBLOWER. [Seeing them unmoved] I will. I don't believe a word of it. 92 THE SKIN GAME ACT in MRS. H. I hope you are right. HORNBLOWEB goes out by the French window, DAWKER slips to the door Right, opens it, and speaks to those within. MRS. HILLCRIST stands moistening her lips, and passing her handkerchief over them. HORNBLOWER re- turns, preceding CHLOE, strung up to hard- ness and defiance. HORNBLOWER. Now then, let's have this impudent story torn to rags. CHLOE. What story ? HORNBLOWER. That you, my dear, were a woman it's too shockin' I don't know how to tell ye CHLOE. Go on ! HORNBLOWER. Were a woman that went with men, to get them then* divorce. CHLOE. Who says that ? HORNBLOWER. That lady [Sneering] there, and her bull-terrier here. CHLOE. [Facing MRS. HILLCRIST] That's a charita- ble thing to say, isn't it? MRS. H. Is it true? CHLOE. No. HORNBLOWER. [Furiously] There! I'll have ye both on your knees to her! DAWKER. [Opening the door, Right] Come in. The FIRST STRANGER comes in. CHLOE, with a visible effort, turns to face him. FIRST S. How do you do, Mrs. Vane? CHLOE. I don't know you. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 93 FIRST S. Your memory is bad, ma'am. You knew me yesterday well enough. One day is not a long time, nor are three years. CHLOE. Who are you ? FIRST S. Come, ma'am, come ! The Custer case. CHLOE. I don't know you, I say. [To MBS. HILL- CRIST] How can you be so vile ? FIRST S. Let me refresh your memory, ma'am. [Producing a notebook] Just on three years ago: "Oct. 3. To fee and expenses Mrs. Vane with Mr. C , Hotel Beaulieu, Twenty pounds. Oct. 10, Do., Twenty pounds." [To HORNBLOWER] Would you like to glance at this book, sir ? You'll see they're genuine entries. HORNBLOWER makes a motion to do so, but checks himself and looks at CHLOE. CHLOE. [Hysterically] It's all lies lies! FIRST S. Come, ma'am, we wish you no harm. CHLOE. Take me away. I won't be treated like this. MRS. H. [In a low voice] Confess. CHLOE. Lies! HORNBLOWER. Were ye ever called Vane ? CHLOE. No, never. She makes a movement towards the window, but DAWKER is in the way, and she halts. FIRST S. {Opening the door, Right] Henry. The SECOND STRANGER comes in quickly. At sight of him CHLOE throws up her hands, gasps, breaks down, stage Left, and stands covering her face with her hands. It is to 94 THE SKIN GAME ACT in complete a confession thai HORNBLOWKB stands staggered; and, taking out a coloured handkerchief, wipes his brow. DAWKEB. Are you convinced ? HORNBLOWEK. Take those men away. DAWKEB. If you're not satisfied, we can get other evidence; plenty. HOBNBLOWEB. [Looking at CHLOE] That's enough. Take them out. Leave me alone with her. [DAWKEB takes them out Right. MBS. HILLCBIST passes HOENBLOWEB and goes out at the window. HORNBLOWER moves down a step or two towards CHLOE. HORNBLOWEB. My God ! CHLOE. [With an outburst] Don't tell Charlie ! Don't tell Charlie ! HOBNBLOWER. Chearlie ! So that was your manner of life. [CHLOE utters a moaning sound. So that's what ye got out of by marryin' into my family ! Shame on ye, ye Godless thing ! CHLOE. Don't tell Charlie ! HOBNBLOWER. And that's all ye can say for the wreck ye've wrought. My family, my works, my future ! How dared ye ! CHLOE. If you'd been me ! HORNBLOWER. An' these Hillcrists. The skin game of it! CHLOE. [Breathless] Father! HORNBLOWEB. Don't call me that, woman ! CHLOE. [Desperate] I'm going to have a child. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 95 HORNBLOWER. God ! Ye are ! CHLOE. Your grandchild. For the sake of it, do what these people want; and don't tell anyone Don't tell Charlie! HORNBLOWER. [Again wiping his forehead} A secret between us. I don't know that I can keep it. It's horrible. Poor Chearlie ! CHLOE. [Suddenly fierce] You must keep it, you shall ! I won't have him told. Don't make me des- perate ! I can be I didn't live that life for nothing. HORNBLOWER. [Staring at her revealed in a new light} Ay; ye look a strange, wild woman, as I see ye. And we thought the world of ye ! CHLOE. I love Charlie; I'm faithful to him. I can't live without him. You'll never forgive me, I know; but Charlie ! [Stretching out her hands. HORNBLOWER makes a bewildered gesture with his large hands. HORNBLOWER. I'm all at sea here. Go out to the car and wait for me. [CHLOE passes him and goes out, Left. [Muttering to himself] So I'm down ! Me enemies put their heels upon me head ! Ah ! but we'll see yet ! He goes up to the window and beckons towards the Right. [MRS. HILLCRIST comes in. What d'ye want for this secret ? MRS. H. Nothing. HORNBLOWER. Indeed! Wonderful! the trouble ye've taken for nothing. 96 THE SKIN GAME ACT m MRS. H. If you harm us we shall harm you. Any use whatever of the Gentry HORNBLOWER. For which ye made me pay nine thousand five hundred pounds. MRS. H. We will buy it from you. HORNBLOWER. At what price ? MRS. H. The Gentry at the price Miss Mullins would have taken at first, and Longmeadow at the price you gave us four thousand five hundred alto- gether. HORNBLOWER. A fine price, and me six thousand out of pocket. Na, no ! I'll keep it and hold it over ye. Ye daren't tell this secret so long as I've got it. MRS. H. No, Mr. Hornblower. On second thoughts, you must sell. You broke your word over the Jack- mans. We can't trust you. We would rather have our place here ruined at once, than leave you the power to ruin it as and when you like. You will sell us the Gentry and Longmeadow now, or you know what will happen. HORNBLOWER. [Writhing] I'll not. It's blackmail. MRS. H. Very well then ! Go your own way and we'll go ours. There is no witness to this conversation. HORNBLOWER. [Venomously] By heaven, ye're a clever woman. Will ye swear by Almighty God that you and your family, and that agent of yours, won't breathe a word of this shockin' thing to mortal soul. MRS. H. Yes, if you sell. HORNBLOWER. Where's Dawker ? MRS. H. [Going to the door, Right] Mr. Dawker ! [DAWKER comes in. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 97 HORNBLOWEB. I suppose ye've got your iniquity ready. [DAWKEB grins and produces the document. It's mighty near conspiracy, this. Have ye got a Testament ? MBS. H. My word will be enough, Mr. Hornblower. HORNBLOWER. Ye'll pardon me I can't make it solemn enough for you. MBS. H. Very well; here is a Bible. [She takes a small Bible from the bookshelf. DAWKER. [Spreading document on bureau] This is a short conveyance of the Gentry and Longmeadow recites sale to you by Miss Mullins of the first, John Hillcrist of the second, and whereas you have agreed for the sale to said John Hillcrist, for the sum of four thousand five hundred pounds, in consideration of the said sum, receipt whereof, you hereby acknowledge you do convey all that, etc. Sign here. I'll witness. HORNBLOWEB. [To MBS. HILLCRIST] Take that Book in your hand, and swear first. I swear by Almighty God never to breathe a word of what I know concerning Chloe Hornblower to any living soul. MRS. H. No, Mr. Hornblower; you will please sign first. We are not in the habit of breaking our words. HORNBLOWER, after a furious look at them, seizes a pen, runs his eye again over the deed, and signs, DAWKER witnessing. To that oath, Mr. Hornblower, we shall add the words, "So long as the Hornblower family do us no harm." HORNBLOWER. [With a snarl} Take it in your hands, both of ye, and together swear. MRS. H. [Taking the Book] I swear that I will 98 THE SKIN GAME ACT m breathe no word of what I know concerning Chloe Hornblower to any living soul, so long as the Horn- blower family do us no harm. DAWKER. I swear that too. MRS. H. I engage for my husband. HORNBLOWER. Where are those two fellows? DAWKER. Gone. It's no business of theirs. HORNBLOWER. It's no business of any of ye what has happened to a woman in the past. Ye know that. Good-day ! He gives them a deadly look, and goes out, Left, followed by DAWKER. MRS. H. [With her hand on the Deed] Safe ! HILLCRIST enters at the French window, fol- lowed by JILL. [Holding up the Deed] Look ! He's just gone ! I told you it was only necessary to use the threat. He caved in and signed this; we are sworn to say nothing. We've beaten him. [HILLCRIST studies the Deed. JILL. [Awed] We saw Chloe in the car. How did she take it, mother? MRS. H. Denied, then broke down when she saw our witnesses. I'm glad you were not here, Jack. JILL. [Suddenly] I shall go and see her. MRS. H. Jill, you will not ; you don't know what she's done. JILL. I shall. She must be in an awful state. HILLCRIST. My dear, you can do her no good. JILL. I think I can, Dodo. MRS. H. You don't understand human nature. sc. i THE SKIN GAME 99 We're enemies for life with those people. You're a little donkey if you think anything else. JILL. I'm going, all the same. MRS. H. Jack, forbid her. HILLCKIST. [Lifting an eyebrow] Jill, be reasonable. JILL. Suppose I'd taken a knock like that, Dodo, I'd be glad of friendliness from someone. MRS. H. You never could take a knock like that. JILL. You don't know what you can do till you try, mother. HILLCRIST. Let her go, Amy. I'm sorry for that young woman. MRS. H. You'd be sorry for a man who picked your pocket, I believe. HILLCRIST. I certainly should! Deuced little he'd get out of it, when I've paid for the Gentry. MRS. H. [Bitterly] Much gratitude I get for saving you both our home ! JILL. [Disarmed] Oh! Mother, we are grateful Dodo, show your gratitude. HILLCRIST. Well, my dear, it's an intense relief. I'm not good at showing my feelings, as you know. What d'you want me to do ? Stand on one leg and crow ? JILL. Yes, Dodo, yes ! Mother, hold him while I [Suddenly she stops, and all the fun goes out of her] No ! I can't I can't help thinking of her. CURTAIN falls for a Minute. SCENE n EVENING When it rises again, the room is empty and dark, save for moonlight coming in through the French window, which is open. The figure of CHLOE, in a black cloak, appears outside in the moonlight ; she peers in, moves past, comes back, hesitatingly enters. The cloak, fallen back, reveals a white evening dress ; and that magpie figure stands poised watchfully in the dim light, then flaps unhappily Left and Right, as if she could not keep still. Suddenly she stands listening. ROLF'S VOICE. [Outside] Chloe ! Chloe ? [He appear f. CHLOE. [Going to the window] What are you doing here? ROLF. What are you ? I only followed you. CHLOE. Go away ! ROLF. What's the matter? Tell me! CHLOE. Go away, and don't say anything. Oh! The roses ! [She has put her nose into same roses in a bowl on a big stand close to the window] Don't they smell lovely ? ROLF. What did Jill want this afternoon ? 100 sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 101 CHLOE. I'll tell you nothing. Go away ! ROLF. I don't like leaving you here in this state. CHLOE. What state? I'm all right. Wait for me down in the drive, if you want to. [RoLF starts to go, stops, looks at her, and does go. CHLOE, with a little moaning sound, flutters again, magpie-like, up and down, then stands by the window listening. Voices are heard, Left. She darts out of the window and away to the Right, as HILLCRIST and JILL come in. They have turned up the electric light, and come down in front of the fireplace, where HILLCRIST sits in an armchair, and JILL on the arm of it. They are in undress evening attire. HILLCRIST. Now, tell me. JILL. There isn't much, Dodo. I was in an awful funk for fear I should meet any of the others, and of course I did meet Rolf, but I told him some lie, and he took me to her room boudoir, they call it isn't boudoir a "dug-out" word? HILLCRIST. [Meditatively] The sulking room. Well? JILL. She was sitting like this. [She buries her chin in her hands, with her elbows on her knees] And she said in a sort of fierce way: "What do you want?" And I said: "I'm awfully sorry, but I thought you might like it." HILLCHIST. Well? JILL. She looked at me hard, and said: "I suppose you know all about it." And I said: "Only vaguely," 102 THE SKIN GAME ACT in because of course I don't. And she said: "Well, it was decent of you to come." Dodo, she looks like a lost soul. What has she done ? HILLCRIST. She committed her real crime when she married young Hornblower without telling him. She came out of a certain world to do it. JILL. Oh ! [Staring in front of her] Is it very awful in that world, Dodo? HILLCRIST. [Uneasy] I don't know, Jill. Some can stand it, I suppose; some can't. I don't know which sort she is. JILL. One thing I'm sure of: she's awfully fond of Chearlie. HILLCRIST. That's bad; that's very bad. JILL. And she's frightened, horribly. I think she's desperate. HILLCRIST. Women like that are pretty tough, Jill; don't judge her too much by your own feelings. JILL. No; only Oh! it was beastly; and of course I dried up. HILLCRIST. [Feelingly] H'm! One always does. But perhaps it was as well; you'd have been blundering in a dark passage. JILL. I just said: "Father and I feel awfully sorry; if there's anything we can do " HILLCRIST. That was risky, Jill. JILL. [Disconsolately] I had to say something. I'm glad I went, anyway. I feel more human. HILLCRIST. We had to fight for our home. I should have felt like a traitor if I hadn't. sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 103 JILL. I'm not enjoying home to-night, Dodo. HILLCRIST. I never could hate properly; it's a con- founded nuisance. JILL. Mother's fearfully bucked, and Dawker's sim- ply oozing triumph. I don't trust him, Dodo; he's too not pugilistic the other one with a pug naceous. HILLCRIST. He is rather. JILL. I'm sure he wouldn't care tuppence if Chloe committed suicide. HILLCRIST. [Rising uneasily] Nonsense ! Nonsense ! JILL. I wonder if mother would. HILLCRIST. [Turning his face towards the window} What's that? I thought I heard [Louder] Is there anybody out there? No answer, JILL springs up and runs to the window. JILL. You ! [She dives through to the Right, and returns, holding CHLOE'S hand and drawing her forward] Come in ! It's only us ! [To HILLCRIST] Dodo ! HILLCRIST. [Flustered, but making a show of courtesy] Good evening ! Won't you sit down ? JILL. Sit down; you're all shaky. She makes CHLOE sit down in the armchair, out of which they have risen, then locks the door, and closing the windows, draws the curtains hastily over them. HILLCRIST. [Awkward and expectant] Can I do any- thing for you ? CHLOE. I couldn't bear it he's coming to ask you 104 THE SKIN GAME ACT in HlLLCRIST. Who? CHLOE. My husband. [She draws in her breath with a long shudder, then seems to seize her courage in her hands] I've got to be quick. He keeps on asking he knows there's something. HILLCRIST. Make your mind easy. We shan't tell him. CHLOE. [Appealing] Oh! that's not enough. Can't you tell him something to put him back to thinking it's all right? I've done him such a wrong. I didn't realise till after I thought meeting him was just a piece of wonderful good luck, after what I'd been through. I'm not such a bad lot not really. She stops from the over-quivering of her lips. JILL, standing beside the chair, strokes her shoulder. HILLCRIST stands very still, pain- fully biting at a finger. You see, my father went bankrupt, and I was in a shop till HILLCRIST. [Soothingly, and to prevent disclosures] Yes, yes; yes, yes! CHLOE. I never gave a man away or did anything I was ashamed of at least I mean, I had to make my living in all sorts of ways, and then I met Charlie. Again she stopped from the quivering of her lips. JILL. It's all right. CHLOE. He thought I was respectable, and that was guch a relief, you can't think, so so I let him. JILL. Dodo! It's awful! HILLCRIST. It is ! sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 105 CHLOE. And after I married him, you see, I fell in love. If I had before, perhaps I wouldn't have dared only, I don't know you never know, do you ? When there's a straw going, you catch at it. JILL. Of course you do. CHLOE. And now, you see, I'm going to have a child. JILL. [Aghast] Oh ! Are you ? HILLCRIST. Good God ! CHLOE. [Dully] I've been on hot bricks all this month, ever since that day here. I knew it was hi the wind. What gets in the wind never gets out. [She rises and throws out her arms] Never! It just blows here and there [Desolately] and then blows home. [Her voice changes to resentment] But I've paid for being a fool 'tisn't fun, that sort of life, I can tell you. I'm not ashamed and repentant, and all that. If it wasn't for him ! I'm afraid he'll never forgive me; it's such a disgrace for him and then, to have his child ! Being fond of him, I feel it much worse than anything I ever felt, and that's saying a good bit. It is. JILL. [Energetically] Look here ! He simply mustn't find out. CHLOE. That's it; but it's started, and he's bound to keep on because he knows there's something. A man isn't going to be satisfied when there's something he suspects about his wife. Charlie wouldn't never. He's clever, and he's jealous; and he's coming here. [She stops, and looks round wildly, listening. JILL. Dodo, what can we say to put him clean off the scent? HILLCBIST. Anything in reason. 106 THE SKIN GAME ACT in CHLOE. [Catching at this straw] You will ! You see, I don't know what I'll do. I've got soft, being looked after he does love me. And if he throws me off, I'll go under that's all. HILLCRIST. Have you any suggestion ? CHLOE. [Eagerly] The only thing is to tell him some- thing positive, something he'll believe, that's not too bad like my having been a lady clerk with those peo- ple who came here, and having been dismissed on sus- picion of taking money. I could get him to believe that wasn't true. JILL. Yes; and it isn't that's splendid ! You'd be able to put such conviction into it. Don't you think so, Dodo ? HILLCBIST. Anything I can. I'm deeply sorry. CHLOE. Thank you. And don't say I've been here, will you? He's very suspicious. You see, he knows that his father has re-sold that land to you; that's what he can't make out that, and my coming here this morning; he knows something's being kept from him; and he noticed that man with Dawker yesterday. And my maid's been spying on me. It's in the air. He puts two and two together. But I've told him there's nothing he need worry about; nothing that's true. HILLCEIST. What a coil ! CHLOE. I'm very honest and careful about money. So he won't believe that about me, and the old man wants to keep it from Charlie, I know. HILLCBIST. That does seem the best way out. sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 107 CHLOE. [With a touch of defiance] I'm a true wife to him. JILL. Of course we know that. HILLCRIST. It's all unspeakably sad. Deception's horribly against the grain but CHLOE. [Eagerly] When I deceived him, I'd have deceived God Himself I was so desperate. You've never been right down in the mud. You can't under- stand what I've been through. HILLCRIST. Yes, yes. I daresay I'd have done the same. I should be the last to judge [CHLOE covers her eyes with her hands. There, there ! Cheer up ! [He puts his hand on her arm. JILL. [To herself] Darling Dodo ! CHLOE. [Starting] There's somebody at the door. I must go; I must go. She runs to the window and slips through the curtains. [The handle of the door is again turned. JILL. [Dismayed] Oh! It's locked I forgot. She springs to the door, unlocks and opens it, while HILLCRIST goes to the bureau and sits down. It's all right, Fellows; I was only saying something rather important. FELLOWS. [Coming in a step or two and closing the door behind him] Certainly, Miss. Mr. Charles 'Orn- blower is in the hall. Wants to see you, sir, or Mrs. Hillcrist. 108 THE SKIN GAME ACT in JILL. What a bore ! Can you see him, Dodo ? HILLCRIST. Er yes. I suppose so. Show him in here, Fellows. As FELLOWS goes out, JILL runs to the window, bid has no time to do more than adjust the curtains and spring over to stand by her father, before CHARLES comes in. Though in evening clothes, he is white and dishevelled for so spruce a young man. CHARLES. Is my wife here? HILLCRIST. No, sir. CHARLES. Has she been ? HILLCRIST. This morning, I believe, Jill? JILL. Yes, she came this morning. CHARLES. [Staring at her} I know that now, I mean? JILL. No. [HILLCRIST shakes his head. CHARLES. Tell me what was said this morning. HILLCRIST. I was not here this morning. CHARLES. Don't try to put me off. I know too much. [To JILL] You. JILL. Shall I, Dodo? HILLCRIST. No; I will. Won't you sit down? CHARLES. No. Go on. HILLCRCST. [Moistening his lips] It appears, Mr. Hornblower, that my agent, Mr. Dawker CHARLES, who is breathing hard, utters a sound of anger. that my agent happens to know a firm, who in old days employed your wife. I should greatly prefer not so. ii THE SKIN GAME 109 to say any more, especially as we don't believe the story. JILL. No; we don't. CHARLES. Go on ! HILLCRIST. [Getting up] Come! If I were you, I should refuse to listen to anything against my wife. CHARLES. Go on, I tell you. HILLCRIST. You insist? Well, they say there was some question about the accounts, and your wife left them under a cloud. As I told you, we don't believe it. CHARLES. [Passionately] Liars ! [He makes a rush for the door. HILLCRIST. [Starting] What did you say? JILL. [Catching his arm] Dodo ! [Sotto voce] We are, you know. CHARLES. [Turning back to them] Why do you tell me that lie ? When I've just had the truth out of that little scoundrel! My wife's been here; she put you up to it. The face of CHLOE is seen transfixed between the curtains, parted by her hands. She she put you up to it. Liar that she is a living lie. For three years a living lie ! HILLCRIST, whose face alone is turned towards the curtains, sees that listening face. His hand goes up from uncontrollable emotion. And hasn't now the pluck to tell me. I've done with her. I won't own a child by such a woman. With a little sighing sound CHLOE drops the curtain and vanishes. 110 THE SKIN GAME ACT in HILLCRIST. For God's sake, man, think of what you're saying. She's In great distress. CHARLES. And what am I? JILL. She loves you, you know. CHARLES. Pretty love! That scoundrel Dawker told me told me Horrible! Horrible! HILLCRIST. I deeply regret that our quarrel should have brought this about. CHARLES. [With intense bitterness] Yes, you've smashed my life. Unseen by them, MRS. HILLCRIST has entered and stands by the door, Left. MRS. H. Would you have wished to live on in ignorance? [They all turn to look at her. CHARLES. [With a writhing movement] I don't know. But you you did it. MRS. H. You shouldn't have attacked us. CHARLES. What did we do to you compared with this? MRS. H. All you could. HILLCRIST. Enough, enough! What can we do to help you ? CHARLES. Tell me where my wife is. JILL draws the curtains apart the window i open JILL looks out. They wait in silence. JILL. We don't know. CHARLES. Then she was here ? HILLCRIST. Yes, sir; and she heard you. CHARLES. All the better if she did. She knows how I feel. sc. n THE SKIN GAME 111 HILLCRIST. Brace up; be gentle with her. CHARLES. Gentle ? A woman who who HILLCRIST. A most unhappy creature. Come ! CHARLES. Damn your sympathy ! He goes out into the moonlight, passing away, Left. JILL. Dodo, we ought to look for her; I'm awfully afraid. HILLCRIST. I saw her there listening. With child ! Who knows where things end when they once begin? To the gravel pit, Jill; I'll go to the pond. No, we'll go together. [They go out. MRS. HILLCRIST comes down to the fireplace, rings the bell and stands there, thinking. FELLOWS enters. MRS. H. I want someone to go down to Mr. Dawker's. FELLOWS. Mr. Dawker is here, ma'am, waitin' to see you. MRS. H. Ask him to come hi. Oh ! and Fellows, you can tell the Jackmans that they can go back to their cottage. FELLOWS. Very good, ma'am. [He goes out. MRS. HILLCRIST searches at the bureau, finds and takes out the deed. DAWKER comes in ; he has the appearance of a man whose tem- per has been badly ruffled. MRS. H. Charles Hornblower how did it happen? DAWKER. He came to me. I said I knew nothing. He wouldn't take it; went for me, abused me up hill 112 THE SKIN GAME ACT in and down dale; said he knew everything, and then he began to threaten me. Well, I lost my temper, and I told him. MRS. H. That's very serious, Dawker, after our promise. My husband is most upset. DAWKER. [Sullenly] It's not my fault, ma'am; he shouldn't have threatened and goaded me on. Besides, it's got out that there's a scandal; common talk in the village not the facts, but quite enough to cook their goose here. They'll have to go. Better have done with it, anyway, than have enemies at your door. MRS. H. Perhaps; but Oh! Dawker, take charge of this. [She hands him the deed] These people are desperate and I'm not sure of my husband when his feelings are worked on, [The sound of a car stopping. DAWKER. [At the window, looking to the Left] Horn- blower's, I think. Yes, he's getting out. MRS. H. [Bracing herself} You'd better wait, then. DAWKER. He mustn't give me any of his sauce; I've had enough. The door is opened and HORNBLOWER enters, pressing so on the heels of FELLOWS that the announcement of his name is lost. HORNBLOWER. Give me that deed! Ye got it out of me by false pretences and treachery. Ye swore that nothing should be heard of this. Why ! me own servants know ! MRS. H. That has nothing to do with us. Your son came and wrenched the knowledge out of Mr. Dawker by abuse and threats; that is all. You will so. ii THE SKIN GAME 113 kindly behave yourself here, or I shall ask that you be shown out. HORNBLOWER. Give me that deed, I say ! [He sud- denly turns on DAWKER] Ye little ruffian, I see it in your pocket. The end indeed is projecting from DAWKER'S breast pocket. DAWKER. [Seeing red] Now, look 'ere, 'Ornblower, I stood a deal from your son, and I'll stand no more. HORNBLOWER. [To MRS. HILLCRIST] I'll ruin your place yet ! [To DAWKER] Ye give me that deed, or I'll throttle ye. He closes on DAWKER, and makes a snatch at the deed. DAWKER springs at him, and the two stand swaying, trying for a grip at each other's throats. MRS. HILLCRIST tries to cross and reach the bett, but is shut off by their swaying struggle. Suddenly ROLF appears in the window, looks wildly at the struggle, and seizes DAWKER'S hands, which have reached HORNBLOWER'S throat. JILL, who is following, rushes up to him and clutches his arm. JILL. Rolf ! All of you ! Stop ! Look ! DAWKER'S hand relaxes, and he is swung round. HORNBLOWER staggers and recovers himself, gasping for breath. All turn to the window, outside which in the moonlight HILL- CRIST and CHARLES HORNBLOWER have CHLOE'S motionless body in their arms. In the gravel pit. She's just breathing; that's all. 114 THE SKIN GAME ACT m MRS. H. Bring her in. The brandy, Jill ! HORNBLOWER. No. Take her to the car. Stand back, young woman ! I want no help from any of ye. Rolf Chearlie take her up. They lift and bear her away, Left. JILL fol- lows. Hillcrist, ye've got me beaten and disgraced here- abouts, ye've destroyed my son's married life, and ye've killed my grandchild. I'm not staying in this cursed spot, but if ever I can do you or yours a hurt, I will. DAWKER. [Muttering] That's right. Squeal and threaten. You began it. HILLCRIST. Dawker, have the goodness! Horn- blower, in the presence of what may be death, with all my heart I'm sorry. HORNBLOWER. Ye hypocrite ! He passes them with a certain dignity, and goes &ut at the window, following to his car. HILLCRIST, who has stood for a moment stock- still, goes slowly forward and sits in his swivel chair. MRS. H. Dawker, please tell Fellows to telephone to Dr. Robinson to go round to the Hornblowers at once. DAWKER, fingering the deed, and with a noise that sounds like "The cur!" goes out, Left. [At the fireplace] Jack ! Do you blame me ? HILLCRIST. [Motionless] No. MRS. H. Or Dawker? He's done his best. HILECRIST. No. MRS. H. [Approaching] What is it? sc. ii THE SKIN GAME 115 HILLCRIST. Hypocrite! [JiLL comes running in at the window. JILL. Dodo, she's moved; she's spoken. It may not be so bad. HILLCBIST. Thank God for that ! [FELLOWS enters, Left. FELLOWS. The Jackmans, ma'am. HILLCRIST. Who? What's this? The JACKMANS have entered, standing close to the door. MBS. J. We're so glad we can go back, sir ma'am, we just wanted to thank you. There is a silence. They see that they are not welcome. Thank you kindly, sir. Good-night, ma'am. [They shuffle out. HILLCRIST. I'd forgotten their existence. [He gets up] What is it that gets loose when you begin a fight, and makes you what you think you're not? What blind- ing evil! Begin as you may, it ends in this skin game ! Skin game ! JILL. [Rushing to him] It's not you, Dodo; it's not you, beloved Dodo. HILLCRIST. It is me. For I am, or should be, mas- ter in this house! MRS. H. I don't understand. HILLCRIST. When we began this fight, we had clean hands are they clean now? What's gentility worth if it can't stand fire? CTJBTAIN UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 666 446 o