IV *! 
 
 I

 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN 
 
 A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 
 BY CYRIL HARCOURT 
 
 HcmiJcm: 
 JOSEPH WILLIAMS, LIMITED SAMUEL FRENCH 
 
 PUBLISHER 
 32, GREAT PORTLAND STREET, W. 2g . 3o> WST 3 g TH STREET 
 
 Copyright, 1914, by JOSEPH WILLIAMS, LIMITED 
 All rights reserved 
 
 Price Two SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE net
 
 Produced at The Comedy Theatre, November 3rd, 1913. 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 DICK BLAIB (A Novelist)... 
 Sir JOHN CAPEL, Bart. ... 
 STUART CAPEL (His Son)... 
 
 ARTHUR BLAGDEN 
 
 PARSONS (A Butler) 
 MARJORIE CAPEL ... 
 
 Mrs. MOUTRIE 
 
 EOSE BLAIR 
 
 AGNES (A Maid) 
 
 ... Mr. EOBERT LORAINE 
 
 Mr. LYSTON LYLB 
 ... Mr. EEGINALD OWEN 
 ... Mr. CYRIL HARCOURT 
 
 Mr. WALTERS 
 
 ... Miss JEAN CAVENDISH 
 
 Miss VANE FEATHEHSTON 
 
 Miss ELLEN O'MALLEY 
 
 Miss IVY WILLIAMS 
 
 PERIOD : Present Day. London. 
 
 ACT I. Dick Blair's Flat. 
 ACT II. Sir John Capel's House. 
 ACT III. Same as Act I. 
 
 N.B. Application should be made to the Publisher for right of 
 AMATEUB PEBFOBJIANCE.
 
 Back Cloth 
 
 SCENE PLAN ACTS I AND DDL 
 
 Back Cloth 
 
 French Windomts 
 
 Rostrum 
 
 B&okcasc 
 L, QTakle 
 
 \ Step. \ 
 lnt&/ior backing. 
 
 'Door 
 
 SCENE PLAN. ACT n.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE : Dick Blair's flat in London. French windows 
 open doors all closed. 
 
 TIME : Summer. Afternoon. 
 
 (EosE is discovered R. of c. table, taking off her hat. 
 She is a pretty young girl, quietly dressed. AGNES 
 crosses from up L. to up R. outside loindows 
 carrying tea-tray ; as she passes ivindows EOSE 
 speaks.) 
 
 EOSE. Agnes. (AGNES puts tray down off R. and comes 
 to L. of EOSE.) Have you any idea where my brother 
 is ? He went out after lunch, didn't he ? 
 
 AGNES. Yes, Miss (Door slam off L.) I think I 
 
 hear Mr. Dick now, Miss. (Goes to R. of door up L.C.) 
 Enter DICK. He is a youngish man, who has found 
 his feet ; he is well and quietly dressed in the 
 manner of an educated gentleman. He carries 
 some letters. 
 
 EOSE. Well, Dick? [Exit AGNES up L.C. 
 
 DICK (comes down L. of EOSE, puts his hat on table L. 
 of window). Hullo ! back again then ? Have you had a 
 good walk ? How's the Park looking ? Lovely, I suppose. 
 (Opens letters at table c.) 
 
 EOSE. Yes, but it's only a Park, Dick, and I want 
 I want the country. I miss the farm in weather like 
 this. 
 
 DICK (laughing). The farm ? Do you really ? After 
 how many years is it ? Nearly five years since my little 
 sister came to keep house for me, isn't it ? 
 
 EOSE. Ah, there's far more of the rustic in me than 
 in you.
 
 6 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 DICK. Eather ! I admit that I'm a thorough cockney 
 now. I've almost forgotten that I ever milked a cow. 
 
 EOSE. People frighten ME, Dick, far more than cows 
 ever did. 
 
 DICK. People ? Why ? What sort of people ? You've 
 never said that before. 
 
 EOSE. Clever people our set. 
 
 DICK (laughingly). Oh ! 
 
 EOSE. Yes, they do. People who turn a chair into an 
 epigram (DiCK laughs.} And all that sort of thing. 
 
 DICK. This is quite a new mood. (Takes her left arm, 
 bringing her down L. to c. in front of settee.} What is 
 making you dissatisfied, little girl ? 
 
 EOSE. Oh, everything. I'm I'm only a fool. 
 
 DICK. Bosh ! (Kisses her.) You're a darling. (They 
 sit on settee.) 
 
 EOSE. It's all very well for you. People think every- 
 thing YOU say is clever, because you're successful. (Looks 
 at him.) 
 
 DICK. Well, there's something in that. (Rises, to B. 
 Slight pause. He picks up a book from table down R.) 
 Eosie ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. 
 
 DICK. You're happy with me, aren't you ? 
 
 EOSE. Happy ? Yes, I suppose so. 
 
 DICK. After all, it is your natural place, isn't it, until 
 you marry ? 
 
 EOSE (surprised). Marry? (Rises and looks away 
 from him.) 
 
 DICK (going to her). Well, you will marry some day, I 
 suppose. This sort of thing, this brother and sister 
 arrangement, can't go on for ever, can it ? I might want 
 to marry somebody else's sister some day. You never 
 know. It might happen to me any day in the week. 
 Then where would you be ? with no nice big brother to 
 look after you and smack you when you're naughty. 
 (Sits on E. arm of settee, c.) I know of two or three 
 men who'd be glad to marry you, Eosie. Has it ever 
 struck you that Arthur Blagden is inclined to be 
 devotional ? 
 
 EOSE (turns to him). Mr. Blagden ! But he drinks. 
 
 DICK. Oh, I don't say that I'd pick him out for you.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 7 
 
 His name occurred to me, that's all. He's a clever chap 
 though. 
 
 EOSB. I daresay he is. (Crossing to chair down t 
 and standing behind it.) (Saying, with a change of tone)^ 
 Dick, do you remember the Capels ? 
 
 DICK. The Capels ? Do you mean those people who 
 lived up at the Hall at home ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. 
 
 DICK (seated on settee arm). Yes, I remember them. 
 Why? 
 
 EOSE (trying to appear disinterested). I met mm 
 again, that's all. 
 
 DICK. Him ? 
 
 EOSE. Stuart the son ! 
 
 DICK (lightly). Oh ! When did you meet him ? 
 
 EOSE. Oh, a few weeks ago. 
 
 DICK. Why didn't you tell me ? 
 
 EOSE. I don't know. I suppose I forgot. 
 
 DICK. So young Capel's in town, is he? What 
 is he? 
 
 EOSE. (Sits on arm of chair down L.) A barrister, I 
 think he said. They've left the Hall, you know. I wrote 
 and told you years ago, don't you remember ? He lives 
 in the Temple now. 
 
 DICK. He seems to have been very confidential. 
 
 EOSE. You used to think he was so conceited when 
 we were children. 
 
 DICK (rises and goes up K. to table o. where he 
 handles one or two of his letters.) He didn't quite under- 
 stand then that a man isn't necessarily a bounder because 
 he can make a ditch, or because he went to a Board 
 School instead of Harrow. 
 
 EOSE. Well, he isn't like that now in the least. 
 
 DICK (coming down R. and round to L.C.) Did you 
 tell him you lived with me ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. He knew all about you, of course he'd 
 read your books. 
 
 DICK. Poor devil ! Well, if he wants to know you, I 
 suppose he'll get his sister to call. (Goes up L., and to 
 back of desk c.) 
 
 EOSE. But do you think she would call on us ? 
 
 DICK. Why not ?
 
 8 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 Eosfi. Well why ? 
 
 DICK (sitting at desk c). Then, of course, he can't 
 know you. Miss Capel isn't a snob ; besides people don't 
 observe these ridiculous class distinctions of yours 
 nowadays. Belted Earls marry where they like. Do 
 you think Capel expects you to walk about the streets 
 with him like a servant girl with a soldier ? He'd better 
 not think so. (Bell.) 
 
 ROSE. I didn't know you disliked him so. 
 DICK (laughing). Dislike him? My dear child, I 
 don't know him. 
 
 EOSE (rises). I'm sure his sister won't call here, all 
 the same. 
 
 DICK. Well then, that will be an end of the matter. 
 
 Enter AGNES, L.C. 
 AGNES. Mrs. Moutrie. 
 
 (DiCK groans comically and rises.) 
 Enter MRS. MOUTRIE quickly, out of breath. She is 
 a plump lady with a kindly, vivacious, humorous 
 manner smart, worldly and genuine. She shows 
 a most motherly regard for DICK, who chaffs and 
 bullies her affectionately. EOSE moves up L. 
 DICK (taking a step towards her). Hullo ! what are 
 you doing here ? 
 
 MBS. M. (to DICK). Oh, my dear, why don't you have 
 an elevator ? I wouldn't climb these stairs for anyone in 
 London but you, Dick. 
 
 DICK. Quite right ! No one else would be worth it. 
 
 (They kiss.) 
 
 MRS. M. Ah ! now that's conceited, dear. They call 
 that swanking. (DiCK laughs, and moves back to his desk. 
 MRS. MOUTRIE comes to ROSE.) Rosie, I'm afraid you spoil 
 him. How are you, dear ? 
 
 EOSE. You began to spoil him long before I did. 
 
 (DiCK glances at his letters.) 
 
 MRS. M. Well, perhaps I did. Did the creature ever 
 tell you why I first took to him ? 
 
 ROSE. No, never. (They come down L. together) 
 MRS. M. He laughed at my poetry. 
 ROSE. I didn't know you had written any. 
 DICK (going down R). She hasn't ! 
 MRS. M. Dick, I still maintain
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 9 
 
 DICK (coming to R. end of settee). Yes, I know you do, 
 but don't don't ! You can't live up to it. 
 
 MRS. M. (admiringly to EOSE). Isn't he rude? (Sits 
 c. settee.) I don't really think in my inmost soul that 
 I've got quite the figure for poetry. 
 
 DICK. Now, look here, you're not to get launched in a 
 conversation. (EosE sits down L.) You've not explained 
 yet why you dare to be here. You know very well I'm 
 working. 
 
 MRS. M. (plaintively). But you haven't heard yet why 
 I've come, dear. 
 
 DICK (impatiently). Well then tell me. 
 
 MRS. M. You do hurry me so. Eosie, do YOU allow 
 him to ? 
 
 DICK. Never mind, Eosie what do you want to tell 
 me? 
 
 MRS. M. Oh ! you do exasperate me, Dick ! 
 
 DICK (takes out his watch). You have got just one 
 minute in which to arrive at the point. 
 
 MRS. M. (leaning back). I've a very good mind not to 
 tell you at all. 
 
 DICK. Five seconds. 
 
 MRS. M. Does he treat you like this, Eosie ? (Turns 
 to her.) 
 
 DICK. Ten seconds. (EosE smiks.) 
 
 MRS. M. (tiwning to him). Dick, do you think I climb 
 four flights of ... Dick ! Dick ! I'm speaking to you. 
 
 DICK. Thirty seconds. 
 
 MRS. M. Did you hear what I said ? 
 
 DICK. Yes hearing perfect. 
 
 MRS. M. I can't say as much for your manners. 
 
 DICK (puts his watch in his pocket takes a step 
 towards her and holds out his hand). Good-bye. 
 
 MRS. M. I won't MOVE ! 
 
 DICK. Oh, very well then. (He goes in front of settee 
 towards the door at back L.) 
 
 MRS. M. (turning to him quickly). Dick, what are 
 you going to do ? 
 
 DICK (at door). I'm going to fetch a policeman. 
 
 MRS. M. Come here ! come here, and I I'll tell you. 
 
 DICK. I'm not going to stand any more nonsense. 
 If you try to be kittenish
 
 10 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MRS. M. Come here and I'll tell you. 
 
 DICK (he goes slowly to L. of her, froioning horribly) 
 Well? 
 
 MRS. M. (hesitating and looking anxiously at him). 
 I've I've found you a wife. 
 
 DICK (stepping backwards). What ! ! ! 
 
 MRS. M. I've found you a wife ! 
 
 DICK (comes to R. of her and seizes hold of her). Out you 
 go ! Open the door, Eosie ! 
 
 MRS. M. (struggling). No, Dick ! 
 
 DICK (stepping away to R,). You awful woman 
 You vampire ! 
 
 MRS. M. (turning to him quickly). She isn't good 
 enough for you, I admit. But if I didn't try to get people 
 married sometimes I think I should go mad. 
 
 DICK. Yes, I believe you would. I will not be hawked 
 about in this unblushing way. You make me go pink all 
 down my spine. (He moves to table down R. and picks up a 
 book.) 
 
 MRS. M. She's got heaps of money, Dick. 
 
 DICK. Thanks. So have I. Quite enough. 
 
 MRS. M. And she simply worships your books. 
 
 DICK. My books ! (Flaring up again bangs book on 
 table.) That absolutely settles it. How dare you ! You 
 preposterous, match-making female ! (Comes to R. of 
 her again.) 
 
 MRS. M. (distressed). Oh, but she doesn't gush, Dick. 
 Eeally, she doesn't gush. She's not frothy she isn't a 
 bit frothy. 
 
 DICK (growling). She's got a soul! (Goes up R. to 
 behind table c.) You're a wicked woman. (Picks up 
 some papers goes up to door again.) 
 
 MRS. M. (firmly). I am convinced she could make a 
 rice pudding. 
 
 DICK (arrested, puts papers doivn). Could she ? (Comes 
 doiun to L. of her again.) Do you mean a really 
 good one ? 
 
 MRS. M. Yes, I do. 
 
 DICK. With the rice all fat and crumbly ? 
 
 MRS. M. Yes. And I don't think she goes to church 
 much. You know you'll like that. 
 
 DICK (growling). There's something wrong with her.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 11 
 
 She's some wretched little flapper, I know 'em. Or she's a 
 ferocious, hammering militant suffragette or she's got a 
 birthmark. 
 
 MRS. M. (turns to him quickly). She has not got a 
 birthmark anywhere. (DiCK looks at EOSE, ivho laughs.) 
 
 I've seen her myself when she's been (DiCK moves 
 
 down L. laughing.) Well, when she's she's the very 
 girl, Dick. You'll think so when you see her. 
 
 DICK. But I'm not going to see her. (To L. of her again.) 
 MRS. M. You are'l You're going to see her this very 
 afternoon. I told her to call here and pick me up. She was 
 willing enough, it's Barkis who's the trouble. Now look 
 here, Dick, someone must be sacrificed for the good of 
 the State. Walk down Kensington High Street of an 
 afternoon, and what do you see ? Superfluous women in 
 heaps, buying hats. Very well, it's the mission of people 
 like me to get them off somehow, marry them respect- 
 ably, if possible. YOU'RE just the man. 
 
 DICK. I'm going out. Do you hear? (Goes up to 
 door.) I'm going out. (Deliberately.) I'm going to 
 meet a man, at the Club, about a dog. (He opens door, 
 and slams it. MRS. MOUTRIE shows great disappointment, 
 and turns and finds DICK still there. They both laugh, 
 EOSE also. Comes down to her again.) Who is she ? 
 
 MRS. M. She's Sir John Capel's daughter. 
 
 EOSE. Dick ! (Rises.) 
 
 DICK. Oh, then I happen to know the lady. 
 
 MRS. M. You've met her ? The little monkey ! Why 
 didn't she tell me ? Why did she want to pull my leg ? 
 
 DICK. She wasn't pulling your leg. She doesn't really 
 know me. They used to live down our way, that's all- 
 Lord of the Manor and so forth. Eosie and I lived on a 
 farm. Eosie and I are bucolic. (Crossing to B.) 
 
 EOSE. Stuart must have asked her to call, Dick. (Bell.) 
 
 MRS. M. Stuart, the brother ? 
 
 DICK. Yes. (Takes up another book from table down L.) 
 
 MRS. M. No. She's coming at my suggestion. 
 Enter AGNES. 
 
 AGNES. Mr. Blagden. 
 
 Enter BLAGDEN. He is a somewhat sinister young 
 man, with an abrupt, direct, rude manner. He 
 comes down L.C.
 
 12 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 BLAGDEN. How do you do, Miss Blair ? I was afraid 
 you wouldn't be at home. 
 
 EOSE. How do you do ? 
 
 DICK. Hullo, Blagden. How are you? Here be 
 introduced Mr. Blagden-Mrs. Moutrie. (Indicates 
 her.) Well, how goes it ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. Oh, moderate. I haven't seen you about 
 lately. 
 
 DICK. No. I've been rather sticking to it. 
 
 BLAGDEN (glancing first at EOSE and then at DICK). 
 -Have you got a moment now ? 
 
 DICK. Yes. Here (moves to MRS. M.), out you go 
 you two ! Take the air. Come along ! No nonsense ! 
 (lakes her up R.) Gentleman's come to borrow half a 
 crown. (EosE goes up L. to windows.) 
 
 MBS. M. (at tvindows). Well, really, your manners 
 my dear. (Turns to him.) 
 
 DICK (B. of her). Beautiful manners what's the matter 
 with them ? 
 
 MBS. M. (going on to balcony). Eosie, what a sky ! 
 It s just the colour of my new frock. (Exit EOSE and 
 MRS. MOUTBIE on to the balcony to B.) 
 
 DICK (crosses at back to L. and round to c. to BLAGDEN) 
 Well, what's the matter ? 
 
 BLAGDEN (bluntly). I want to propose to vour 
 sister. 
 
 DICK (laughs). Well, you're rather an unexpected sort 
 of chap. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Have you any objection ? (Pause.) (DicK 
 hesitates.) Please be frank. 
 
 DICK. My sister will marry whom she chooses, only 
 
 BLAGDEN. Only the prospect of myself is a little 
 terrifying. 
 
 DICK. You know why ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. I can guess. (He gives a short hard laugh.) 
 > DICK. I should at least feel bound to insist on your 
 giving me your word, your absolute promise 
 
 BLAGDEN. Whisky ? 
 
 DICK. Yes. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Well, I'll promise, swear it if you like : and 
 1 COULD chuck it for her, Blair. 
 
 DICK. Well, if you couldn't God help you.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 13 
 
 BLAGDEN. A decent woman could make what she 
 liked of ME. D'you know that ? 
 
 DICK. She is a decent woman. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Then why do you let her go about with 
 rotten men ? (DiCK looks at him enquiringly.) Oh, I'm 
 a vindictive beer-swilling beast myself, I know, but I'm 
 pretty honest about it. 
 
 DICK. Who else are you talking about ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. A little barrister pup named Capel. I 
 met them out together the other day. 
 
 DICK. Oh ! And what do you know about him ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. I was up at Oxford with him. 
 
 DICK. Well? 
 
 BLAGDEN. I was an Exhibitioner, and he was a blood. 
 I had to do it on a hundred and twenty had to he 
 didn't. You can supply the context. Blair he Well, 
 I suppose only a poor man at an expensive college knows 
 what humiliation can be. 
 
 DICK. Wouldn't sarcasm have killed him ? 
 
 BLAGDEN (looking away from DICK). I hadn't come to 
 my full bitterness of tongue. 
 
 DICK (touched). Poor beggar ! Go ahead then ; try 
 your luck. (BLAGDEN looks at him) under that promise. 
 (Crosses to L.) (BLAGDEN crosses to R.) 
 
 Enter ROSE from balcony, followed by MRS. MOUTRIE. 
 DICK goes L. 
 
 ROSE. Dick, Miss Capel is just coming. (Comes to 
 chair behind table c.) 
 
 MRS. M. (coming to R. of table c.) Yes, she's in the 
 offing. Your number's up. And I want my tea, Dick. 
 
 DICK. All right, all right don't worry, woman. 
 (He speaks to ROSE for a moment, and then exits to R.) * > 
 
 MRS. M. (comes dmvn to L.C.). I hope Mr. Blagden 
 isn't afraid of women, because there'll be three of us here 
 in a minute. 
 
 (Ross picks up her hat from table c. and puts it on 
 table L. of window.) 
 
 BLAGDEN. I've been told women are afraid of me. 
 
 MRS. M. Really ? Now why ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. WeU, I'm honest. 
 
 MRS. M. Oh ! and what else are you ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. I'm a drunkard.
 
 14 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MBS. M. How interesting ! I've never met one before. 
 (Bell.) And what do you do when you aren't 
 
 BLAGDEN. When I'm sober ? 
 
 MBS. M. Yes. 
 
 BLAGDEN. I waste my time with an ink-pot. 
 
 MBS. M. Oh, then you're a literary person too ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. I don't quite see your grounds for assuming 
 it. (Turns away and leans on mantel.) 
 AGNES enters. 
 
 AGNES. Miss Capel. 
 
 (EosE moves to L. of c. table. MABJOBIE enters. She 
 is a pretty charming girl.) 
 
 MBS. M. (turning). Ah, here she is at last ! (Sits c. 
 settee.) 
 
 DICK re-enters and comes doion B. 
 
 MABJ. (shaking hands). How do you do ? It is Miss 
 Blair, I suppose I am so glad to meet you again. 
 
 EOSE (shyly). How do you do? 
 
 MBS. M. I hear you all know each other. You little 
 wretch, why didn't you tell me ? 
 
 MABJ. (laughing). Dear Mrs. Moutrie, I'm naturally 
 secretive. (ToEosE.) Idon'tthinklshouldhaveknowni/ow. 
 
 EOSE. It's a long time since we met. 
 
 MABJ. Yes, it makes one feel old. 
 
 MBS. M. (turning and seeing DICK). Marjorie, you're 
 ignoring Mr. Blair and he is so nice. 
 
 MABJ. (laughing). Is he ? 
 
 DICK (crossing in front of settee to R. of MABJOBIE). 
 I'm afraid Miss Capel has forgotten me. 
 
 MABJ. Well, you'll admit you've changed. 
 
 (AGNES crosses from up L. to up B. carrying teapot and 
 tea cake on tray. EOSE speaks to her for a 
 moment.) 
 
 DICK. If I remember, it isn't like you to form 
 opinions from the outsides of things. 
 
 MABJ. Ah ! I was very young then. 
 
 DICK. In any case I don't think we ought to quarrel 
 quite as soon as this. (Turns to EOSE.) Here, Eose, 
 take " this woman " away and feed her. Give her some 
 tea while I re-introduce myself to Miss Capel. 
 
 MBS. M. (rises and goes up B.) Tea? I'd sell my 
 soul for it.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 15 
 
 EOSE. (up E.G.) We will have it outside on the 
 balcony. 
 
 MBS. M. (at ivindows.) I wonder if there'll be tea 
 in heaven. I shall have SUCH a row with St. Peter if 
 there isn't ! 
 
 [Exit MBS. MOUTBIE, followed by EOSE to B. 
 (.4s they exit DICK crosses to B. and up to back of his 
 table c. MABJOBIE drops down L.C.) 
 
 DICK. Oh, let me introduce Mr. Blagden Miss Capel. 
 Mr. Blagden was at Oxford with your brother. 
 
 MABJ. Oh, are you the Mr. Blagden who 
 
 BLAGDEN (shortly). Yes, I am. 
 
 MABJ. I didn't know you were a friend of my brother's. 
 
 BLAGDEN. I'm not. [Exit BLAGDEN to balcony to B. 
 
 DICK (annoyed). Blagden! 
 
 MARJ. What a very rude person ! 
 
 DICK (comes down B. to c. of settee). I believe he and 
 your brother had some sort of row I'm sorry I gave you 
 the wrong topic. 
 
 MABJ. He writes, doesn't he ? 
 
 DICK. Yes he's rather good. Haven't you read his 
 things ? 
 
 MABJ. No. Never mind him \ So we meet again 
 and you are a success, after all. I always said you would 
 be, do you remember ? 
 
 DICK. I've not forgotten the first person who was 
 kind to me. I've blessed her memory many times. 
 
 MABJ. But you let me remain a memory. 
 
 DICK. Yes. 
 
 MABJ. (down L.C.). Why? 
 
 DICK. Pride. 
 
 MABJ. Pride between friends ? 
 
 DICK. Friends is a tall order ; but I knew we should 
 meet again. I had a feeling in my bones. 
 
 MABJ. Then I think you ought to make up for lost 
 time now and cell me the whole story, don't you ? 
 
 DICK. But it's such a long story. 
 
 MABJ. Then make a long story short. 
 
 (They sit DICK on L. arm of settee, MABJOBIE down L.) 
 
 DICK. Well, let's sit down. Once upon a time there 
 was a beautiful princess who was good and kind to the 
 beggars at her gate, as all nice princesses are ; and among
 
 16 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 the beggars there was one who took the bread of kindness 
 with rather more than ordinary gratitude and he went 
 on his way. 
 
 MARJ. (smiling). Well? 
 
 DICK. Well, that night this particular beggar developed 
 an extraordinary interest in the stars. As they were all 
 tumbling round his head he could scarcely help it. Do 
 you know those stars actually sang ? And it was all 
 about hope and work and waiting. That is the song 
 of the stars, you know. You wouldn't believe the songs 
 they sing to the people who take the trouble to listen. 
 They're the wildest, maddest, most impossible songs; 
 that's why half the world won't listen. Why, they've 
 even been known to promise princesses to beggars. 
 Think of that ! 
 
 MARJ. And do the beggars listen ? 
 
 DICK. One poor beggar did. 
 
 MARJ. Well? 
 
 DICK. Well then he worked and waited as a wise 
 and prudent beggar should; and all the time he was 
 developing his ear for pretty words, and trying not to 
 mix his metaphors, and to acquire good grammar. You 
 see bad grammar meant a continuance of rags, and he 
 was getting keener and keener about purple and fine 
 linen, until 
 
 MARJ. Until 
 
 DICK. Until at last he found himself with a very 
 fair rig-out considering his beginnings. Then one day he 
 ran slap into that princess again 
 
 MARJ. Well ? 
 
 DICK. And then I'm afraid he rather lost his head. 
 He began to sing and dance about there was simply no 
 stopping him. Why he well, just listen to him. 
 
 MARJ. And the princess ? 
 
 Enter Mrs. MOUTRIE from balcony. 
 
 DICK. The princess why she 
 
 MRS. M. Don't you two people want any tea ? 
 
 DICK (aside, and rising). Oh, damn the woman 
 (Crosses down R.) 
 
 MRS. M. (comes down L. to MARJORIE). Marjone, 
 I didn't suggest that you should monopolise Mr. Blair. 
 
 DICK. I was telling her a story.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 17 
 
 MBS. M. Well, I don't know that a man who 
 WRITES stories should be allowed to tell 'them too. I 
 think it's asking a little too much of human nature. 
 
 DICK (to MAEJORIE). Is it? 
 
 MABJ. (rising, smiling). I think I won't commit 
 myself. 
 
 MBS. M. (to MABJOBIE). You must go and talk to 
 Kosie, and have your tea. 
 
 MABJ. (going up r/.). Yes, I really must. 
 
 MBS. M. (rapturously). She's got some tea cake on 
 that balcony 
 
 MABJ. (going to window, laughing}. I'll go. (Turning.') 
 Mr. Blair? 
 
 DICK. Yes ? 
 
 MABJ. I think your story was 
 
 DICK (eagerly). Yes ? 
 
 MABJ. Sweet ! [Exit MABJOBIE c. to R. 
 
 MBS. M. (goes to c.). What story? 
 
 DICK (coming to R. of her). The one I was telling her. 
 And it's no concern of yoius ! 
 
 MBS. M. Dick, will you marry her ? 
 
 DICK. Are you deliberately inviting death ? 
 
 MBS. M. Don't be ridiculous ! Will you marry her ? 
 
 DICK. How can I marry her if you come bouncing 
 into the room just when I'm on the point of asking her ? 
 
 MBS. M. (starting). What ! Oh, I'm a plain FOOL ! 
 
 DICK. You are ! 
 
 MBS. M. (triumphantly). But I knew you could get 
 her if you tried. I knew ! 
 
 DICK (distastefully). (3^ her! (Makes a wry face.) 
 
 MBS. M. Well win her. 
 
 DICK (deliberately). You have a gift, a genius for the 
 most inartistic underbred and sticky phraseology you 
 ooze pomatum and I can't get her, or win her or 
 marry her. 
 
 MBS. M. Why not ? 
 
 DICK. Because she possesses a poisonous papa. I'm a 
 rustic, and he won't forget it. So don't allow visions to 
 obsess your democratic mind. 
 
 MBS. M. Don't you be a coward, my dear. She's 
 the very girl, Dick facile princeps. 
 
 DICK. Look here, I can stick your English just.
 
 18 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 But if you express yourself in Latin, I shall break 
 things. 
 
 MBS. M. Then I'll give you a piece of advice in plain 
 English in very plain English. 
 DICK. Well? 
 
 MRS. M. Cock your eye at the daughter, my dear 
 and let the father rip. 
 
 DICK (pause). Ah. (Nods his head.) I think you were 
 quite right to give up poetry. 
 
 Re-enter BLAGDEN. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Look here, I can't stand this. 
 DICK. What's up ? (Crosses to B.) 
 BLAGDEN. Too many people. (Moves over to piano. 
 DICK laiighs.) 
 
 MBS. M. Well, that's civil. (Moves to L.) 
 DICK. They'll melt away, my dear chap. (Moves over 
 to c.) Mrs. Moutrie's going now. I'm on the point of 
 chucking her out. 
 
 (MBS. MOUTBIE sits in chair L., firmly.) 
 Enter MABJOBIE, followed by KOSE. They are both 
 
 laughing and talking. 
 
 MABJ. (coming down to B. of MBS. M., EOSE stands L. 
 of c. table). Mrs. Moutrie, you ought to have told me. 
 I'm exceedingly annoyed with you. 
 MBS. M. Now what have I done ? 
 MABJ. (to DICK). Your sister says you always work in 
 the afternoon, and here we are interrupting you and 
 wasting your time. It's tragic ! 
 
 DICK. Oh! but I always take a holiday once every 
 seven years, I do, really. 
 
 MABJ. Mrs. Moutrie is an impossible person. 
 DICK. She is ! I quite agree with you. Just look at 
 her, sitting there as if she as if she were one of us. 
 MBS. M. My dears, I did it with the best intentions. 
 MABJ. We must both go. (Turns to DICK.) 
 DICK (going between her and KOSE to door L.C.). Oh, 
 please ! 
 
 MABJ. No, I'm firm. Your sister says you tola 
 Mrs. Moutrie you were busy. 
 
 DICK (B. of MABJOBIE). Yes, but Mrs. Moutrie's always 
 bothering me. You're not. 
 MRS. M. Yes, I'm a permanent nuisance.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 19 
 
 DICK. Exactly ! She quite understands her position 
 in space. 
 
 MARJ. (to ROSE). You must let me come again some 
 other time. 
 
 DICK (taking a step to her level). Oh, if you'll promise 
 to come again 
 
 MARJ. (to ROSE). And you must come and see me. 
 You won't forget, will you ? 
 
 ROSE. No. 
 
 MARJ. (offers her hand). Good-bye, Mr. Blair. 
 
 DICK (taking it). I'll see you out, if you will go. 
 
 MARJ. Oh, but your work 
 
 DICK. Work must wait. (DICK follows MARJORIE 
 out.} 
 
 MRS. M. (rising}. How people do hustle one ! (Goes 
 up to ROSE. ROSE is L. of c. table.) Good-bye, Rosie ; 
 you're looking pale. (Kisses her.) 
 
 ROSE. Am I ? It's only London. 
 
 MRS. M. I think you ought to take iron. 
 (ROSE comes down L. to c. of settee BLAGDEN comes 
 to above c. table.) 
 
 Good-bye, Mr. Blagden. (Shakes hands.) Don't 
 destroy ^ my reputation in your papers, will you? I 
 shouldn't like to lose it after having preserved it for 
 so long. Wait for me, Dick! (DicK is heard off.) 
 I want a taxi. Then I'm going to Stagg & Mantle's 
 to buy some red flannel (Goes off up L.). (ROSE moves 
 to R. end of settee. BLAGDEN closes door and looks at 
 ROSE.) 
 
 BLAGDEN. You're tired. 
 
 ROSE (listlessly). Yes. (Sits on R. end of settee.) 
 
 BLAGDEN. Shall I go ? 
 
 ROSE. Not if you want to stay. 
 
 BLAGDEN. I want you to marry me. 
 
 ROSE (starting up in great distress, rises to R.) Oh ! 
 I I can't ! I can't ! 
 
 BLAGDEN. Can't you ? 
 
 ROSE (in a choked voice). No ! no 1 
 
 BLAGDEN. You can't stand me. (Bitterly.) Tcha ! 
 Why should you? I drink like a fish, and I've got the 
 foulest temper God ever put into a man. You're well out 
 of it. 
 
 c 2
 
 20 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 EOSE. Oh ! it isn't because of because of anything 
 you are. 
 
 BLAGDEN. I see. A prior claim, perhaps. (Suddenly.') 
 By God ! 
 
 Enter AGNES. 
 
 AGNES. Mr. Capel. 
 
 Enter STUART CAPEL. 
 
 [Exit AGNES down L. 
 
 (STUART CAPEL is a smart, well-groomed, fastidious 
 man about totvn, with an undisturbed, easy, non- 
 chalant manner.) 
 
 STUART (cheerfully}. Good afternoon. (Comes to above 
 L. of c. table.) 
 
 EOSE (surprised and delighted). Stuart ! 
 
 STUART (sees BLAGDEN, stops abruptly, becomes cool and 
 short, looks BLAGDEN up and down). How d'you do ? 
 (BLAGDEN looks from one to the other, draws his oivn con- 
 clusions, cuts STUART deliberately, and goes out. Watches 
 him off.) Now what what's the beggar doing here ? 
 
 EOSE. He's a friend of Dick's. 
 
 STUART. Oh, is he ? Dick's got some nice friends. 
 (Then places his hat and stick on table c.) 
 
 EOSE. Why did he ... why was he so rude to 
 you? 
 
 STUART. That's his pretty little way. He doesn't 
 like me. 
 
 EOSE. Why ? 
 
 STUART (coming down L.) Oh ! just his bad taste. 
 
 EOSE. I don't like people to be rude to you. 
 
 STUART. No, no more do I. (Moves to L.C.) I was 
 up at Oxford with him. Man who had his knife into 
 everybody. Heaps of brains and no money made him 
 sour he's had a down on me ever since I 
 
 EOSE. Oh, never mind him ! (Goes to him.) You 
 you haven't kissed me. 
 
 STUART. I must be mad ! (He kisses her.) Bless you ! 
 
 EOSE. I'm so glad to see you. (Clings to him.) 
 
 STUART. Surprised ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes; but so awfully glad. Your sister's been 
 here. Didn't you meet her ? She came with Mrs. Moutrie. 
 
 STUART. I thought I saw them outside. (Breaks 
 away.} What will your brother say when he sees me ?
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 21 
 
 EOSE. Oh ! I I told him I'd met you again. 
 
 STUAKT. Did you ? 
 
 KOSE. Yes. He said he said, of course I couldn't 
 know you unless your sister called. 
 
 STUART (taking out his cigarette case). May I smoke ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. (She flies to get him the matches from 
 desk c. She lights a match for him.) 
 
 STUART. And what's that chap Blagden been saying 
 to you ? (Puts match-box in his pocket.) 
 
 EOSE. He he wanted me to marry him. 
 
 STUART (interested). Did he? Did he really? Well, 
 did you feel you wanted to say YES ? 
 
 EOSE. You know I didn't ! 
 
 STUART (takes her hand}. I say, Eosie, when are we 
 going to 
 
 EOSE (alarmed, withdraws her hand). Hush ! I'm so 
 afraid someone will hear you. (She glances round 
 nervously.) 
 
 STUART. It's all right. I suppose you I suppose 
 you didn't tell the immaculate brother that we know 
 each other pretty well, did you ? 
 
 EOSE. He thinks I met you once by accident. 
 
 STUART. I should leave him in that unsuspicious 
 belief, if I were you. Ha ! this is a far cry from the 
 cow-house, isn't it ? 
 
 EOSE. You needn't sneer Dick isn't the only person 
 who tilled the earth. Adam did too. 
 
 STUART (sits on L. arm of settee). Oh, he did ! If 
 the spirit of progress hadn't stepped in to assist the 
 foreigner we might all be tilling the earth in England 
 still. Good thing if we were ! 
 
 EOSE. I hate deceiving Dick like this. I hate it ! 
 
 STUART. Do you ? (Rises.) But your friend Adam 
 was a nailer at deception. (Moves to up L. of c. table.) 
 
 EOSE. I I shan't be able to deceive Dick much 
 longer. 
 
 STUART (puts cigarette down). What do you mean? 
 (She turns away.) Eosie? (He goes to her, takes her 
 arms and makes her face him.) Not ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. (.4 pause.) 
 
 STUART. I don't believe it ! 
 
 EOSE. It's true, whether you believe it or not.
 
 22 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 STUART. Well, I'm (moms away to L.) Well, you've 
 fairly dished us now. (Turns to her.) What's to be done ? 
 
 EOSE. I suppose we I suppose we ought to be 
 married as soon as we can. 
 
 STUART (sharply). Married ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. 
 
 STUART (irritably). Don't talk nonsense. You know 
 perfectly loell we can't be married ! 
 
 EOSE (terrified' and amazed takes a step backiuards). 
 Stuart ! You said . . . 
 
 STUART (irritably). Oh, it doesn't matter what I said ! 
 A man says just as many things he doesn't mean as a 
 woman. Don't throw that at me ! You've said a great 
 many things you didn't mean. 
 
 EOSE. Stuart ! But you 
 
 STUART (raising his hand as though to quieten her). 
 Now, will you just listen ? If we marry, what do you 
 suppose we are going to live on ? 
 
 EOSE (R.C., breathlessly). You've got plenty of 
 money. 
 
 STUART (L.C.) Well, and where do you suppose it 
 comes from ? Just try and grasp the facts. 
 
 EOSE. From your father, I suppose. 
 
 STUART. Exactly from my father. And if I married 
 you, my father wouldn't provide me with one red herring 
 a week ! 
 
 EOSE. Oh, he couldn't he couldn't be so cruel! 
 
 STUART. Couldn't he ? You haven't had the pleasure 
 of meeting my father. He's a survival of the age that 
 produced mastodons, and he retains the ideas of the time. 
 I need only marry you, and we should discover instantly 
 what his particular interpretation of the New Testament 
 actually is if we didn't know it already. 
 
 EOSE. But you you could work for money. 
 
 STUART. Could I ? How ? 
 
 EOSE. There are things there must be things you 
 could do. 
 
 STUART. Well, what are they ? Tell me ! I want 
 to know. 
 
 EOSE. You've been educated 
 
 STUART. I have in England. (Goes to her.) And 
 what do you imagine is the market price for imparting
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 23 
 
 Greek (sits c. of settee), assuming that I had not been 
 ploughed in Mods ? And as I don't happen to be a " Blue " 
 either, I think we may leave the art of teaching the 
 young out of it. Also the art of War. And as I don't 
 know four languages, and shorthand, and wouldn't hire 
 myself out for thirty bob a week if I did, I think we can 
 give Commerce a miss too. So we come down to the 
 labour market. (EosE sits at table down B.) (Settles 
 himself.) Cleaning out gutters in a cap with a glazed 
 peak, and " Chelsea Vestry " written on it, in brass. 
 Well, I bar that for purely aesthetic reasons. (Rises 
 moves a step to B.) Don't you understand that I'm simply 
 the illusion known as a private gentleman ? And that 
 means precisely (sits on B. end of settee) anyhow in my 
 case expensive habits, a dearth of all ambition, every 
 recognised vice, practically no stamina, and no ability. 
 I'm an excrescence I'm not a gentleman at all. How- 
 ever, to bolster up the illusion, my father provides me 
 with several hundred pounds a year, so that he may be 
 able to refer to me as a barrister a barrister whom no 
 one employs, and who'd be d d fools if they did ! 
 
 EOSE. Then what am J to do ? 
 
 STUAET. Well, what is there to do ? I possess in my 
 own right about a couple of hundred a year. It doesn't 
 pay my cab fares. Naturally I don't propose to leave 
 you in the cart, but we cannot be hallowed by the Church. 
 I wish we could, if it would give you any satisfaction ; 
 but that isn't the point. The point and the only point 
 is mutton chops. Between us we should want about 
 fourteen a week, shouldn't we? One must have them 
 and scores of things like 'em. The climate, for example, 
 demands trousers of me, and I'm going to have trousers. 
 It may be selfish, but it's become a fixed habit. If I broke 
 myself of it, you'd be no better off, and I should be in 
 Vine Street. 
 
 EOSE. Your father's a wicked man. 
 
 STUABT. No, he's not wicked any more than you are. 
 Wicked's a silly word. 
 
 EOSE. Then I pay. That's what it comes to. I pay. 
 
 STUAET. Don't you think we all pay for some thing ? 
 Do you think I'd choose to be myself ? 
 
 EOSE. It's all very well to say this now.
 
 24 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 STUART. Oh ! call me a blackguard (rises, moves slowly 
 over to c.) if it relieves you. As things are reckoned I am 
 one. But why not leave human nature out of it ? 
 
 EOSE. What do you propose ? 
 
 STUART. As regards the future ? 
 
 EOSE (nods). Yes. 
 
 STUART. Well, to begin with, I suppose it will mean 
 trouble here. 
 
 EOSE. Probably. 
 
 STUART. I shan't look my best for a week or two. 
 
 EOSE (rises passionately). You've let me in ! You've 
 let me trust you for this ! You knew all the time. You 
 knew what you were, and you knew I didn't know you 
 knew I believed in you you knew I loved you and you 
 Oh! (She breaks off, half choking, sinks into chair 
 again, buries her head on her hands.) 
 
 STUART (goes to her again, places his hand on her 
 shoulder). Look here, Eosie. I'm not saying the whole 
 thing isn't a calamity. But what's the use of telling you 
 I'm sorry now ? Of course I'm sorry ! But I didn't ask 
 to be saddled with passions and impulses, and all the 
 rest of it. I've got 'em, and so have you. And I quite 
 agree that I'm well, anything you like. (Moves over 
 down c.) Criminally superfluous. But what's the 
 use of taunting me ? I'M not responsible for rotten 
 ethics. I'm a victim myself. We're we're just up 
 against life. 
 
 EOSE (with spirit). You mean Im up against life. 
 You're as you're as clean as you need be. You can go 
 gaily on. 
 
 STUART. Oh, of course. You pay ! You're a woman. 
 I don't say it's fair. But then well, what is ? (Enter 
 DICK he carries some evening papers. He looks at STUART, 
 uncertain who he is. EOSE rises and goes up to piano.) 
 How do you do ? 
 
 DICK (coming down to L. of him). Mr. Capel surely ? 
 
 STUART. Yes. 
 
 DICK. I'm very glad to meet you again. (Shakes hands.) 
 
 STUART. You didn't recognise me ? 
 
 DICK. I can't say I did. I've just left your sister. 
 
 STUART. So I hear. You must come and look me up 
 if you will. I should like to have a chat with you.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 25 
 
 (Giving DICK his card.) I'm generally to be found 
 waiting for the briefs that don't come. 
 
 DICK. Oh, they will. (Goes over to table down L., places 
 card and papers on it.) 
 
 STUART. Well, I don't know why they should. Good- 
 bye, Miss Blair. 
 
 DICK. Oh, don't hurry away. 
 
 STUART (goes to back of desk for hat and stick). I'm 
 afraid I must. 
 
 EOSE. You'll you'll come again ? 
 
 STUART. Er with pleasure. 
 
 DICK (going up to door). I hope our stairs won't kill 
 you ; they're pretty deadly. 
 
 STUART. Ah ! you get your exercise in a concentrated 
 form. I never get any. Don't forget to look me up. 
 
 DICK. Thanks. (He opens door.) 
 
 STUART. Good-bye. 
 
 DICK. Good-bye. (Follotvs STUART out.) 
 
 (KosE moves slowly up to c. windows. DICK closes 
 door and comes back. DICK goes down L.) 
 
 KOBE. You didn't know him? (Moves over at back 
 to L.C.) 
 
 DICK (picks up papers). I didn't at first. He's altered. 
 
 EOSE. You knew her. 
 
 DICK (crosses to R.). Er yes. I I did recognise her. 
 [EosE come down L.] (Puts paper on table down R.) 
 Blagden gone ? (Glances at them.) 
 
 EOSE. Yes. Dick, he he asked me to marry him. 
 (Moves to c.) 
 
 DICK. Well, what did you say ? (He sits at table.) 
 
 EOSE. No. (Moves to R. end of settee.) 
 
 DICK. Well, I won't pretend I'm sorry. But I don't 
 mind telling you I am & bit sorry for him. When I was 
 talking to him just now there's something big about that 
 man you know, in spite of his drawbacks. He drinks a bit 
 I know. But perhaps perhaps you could have pulled 
 him up. Men only drink because there's no ideal, no 
 image in their minds; or because they've lost one, 
 perhaps. Poor devil! I'm sorry. Well, old lady, we 
 shall have to think of someone else. 
 
 EOSE (at H. end of settee ; breaking down). Oh, Dick I 
 I'm I'm so miserable ! (Sits.)
 
 26 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 DICK (Zoo ks up surprised) , My dear kiddie, what on earth 
 is the matter ? What's troubling you ? Tell me. 
 
 EOSE (sobbing). You'll you'll never speak to me again. 
 
 DICK (rises, to her). My darling girl, what is it? 
 (Leans forward to her suddenly.) Has that fellow Capel 
 been pestering you ? 
 
 EOSE. Not pestering me exactly. 
 
 DICK. What then ? 
 
 EOSE. He says he he says he can't marry me. 
 (Looks away from him.) 
 
 DICK (puzzled). Marry you ? But why should he marry 
 you ? (Pause.) Eosie ! (Takes her right arm by his right 
 hand.) Eosie ! Is there is there any reason why he 
 SHOULD marry you ? (She nods her head, keeping it 
 averted. He understands in dismay, steps back.) Eosie ! 
 (Goes up to back, then down L. to L. end of settee.) But 
 you you said you'd only met him once by accident. 
 
 EOSE (in a low voice). Oftener than that. 
 
 DICK. How often ? (He tvaitsfor her to speak.) Then 
 everything you've told me has been a lie ! Everything 
 through and through ! Is that what you want me to 
 believe ? Why didn't you let me help you ? Why need 
 you have deceived me why ? 
 
 EOSE. I used to be afraid of wicked things till you 
 laughed at me. 
 
 DICK (incredulously). Laughed at you? I laughed 
 at you ? 
 
 EOSE. For believing in Hell, and things like that. 
 You did (in great despair), you know you did ! 
 
 DICK. I never laughed at goodness, Eosie; I may 
 have laughed at superstition. I thought you could 
 distinguish I thought you and now you've made your- 
 self as cheap as that cad chose to think you ! I was so 
 proud of you. I didn't think anything was good enough 
 
 for you; and now you (Shows acute feeling.) Oh! 
 
 (Turns away to L.) 
 
 EOSE (brokenly) Oh, don't reproach me ! 
 
 DICK (going back to L. end of settee). Tell me ! Did 
 you think he would marry you ? 
 EOSE. Yes. 
 
 DICK. He let you think so ? 
 EOSE. Yes.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 27 
 
 DICK. And now does he refuse ? 
 
 EOSE. He says his father would prevent it. 
 
 DICK. Why ? 
 
 EOSE. Because I'm who I am, I suppose. 
 
 DICK. I suppose his father is a reasonable being. 
 Capel doesn't deny your claim, then ? 
 
 EOSE. No. 
 
 DICK (brokenly, turning away again). My sister my 
 own sister. (She breaks down again. He goes to her and 
 sits L. of her, embracing her.) There, there ! You've 
 been very foolish, dear, but I'll I'll get you out of it 
 somehow. Poor little girl ! Poor little girl ! I'll see him 
 and hear what he says to me. When did he know ? 
 
 EOSE. Just now. Oh, Dick, I'm so sorry ! (Kneels at 
 his feet.) 
 
 DICK (holding her in his arms). Sorry ! Eosie, how 
 young you are ! And I thought you I ought not to have 
 left you so much alone ! But I my sister ! my own 
 sister ! 
 
 EOSE (in a low, hard, hopeless tone). Everyone will 
 condemn me now, after this. And I shall be a bad 
 woman a bad woman ! 
 
 DICK (very tenderly). Hush, dear, hush ! You can 
 trust old Dick. (She sobs. He puts his arm round her.) 
 There, there, there ! My own little girl ! fll take care 
 of you ! ril take care of you ! There, there, there ! 
 There's always old Dick, if all (curtain begins to fall) the 
 world goes against you ! There's always old Dick ! 
 
 END OP ACT I.
 
 28 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE : A room in Sir John Capel's -house in London. 
 Next morning. 
 
 (SiR JOHN CAPEL is discovered seated R.C. he holds 
 " The Times " in a very bad temper. He is a 
 full-blooded, irritable, stubborn, old man, smartly 
 dressed in rather an old-fashioned style par- 
 ticularly with regard to his collar and the hair 
 on his face. In spite of his bluster, he has 
 dignity and is a gentleman he fidgets in his 
 chair, and then rises impatiently and crosses to 
 down L. carrying his paper and rings the bell.) 
 
 (Enter R. PARSONS, a butler he comes to above R.C. 
 table.) 
 
 SIR J. (angrily). Did you tell Miss Marjorie that I am 
 waiting for her ? 
 
 PARSONS. Yes, Sir John. 
 
 SIR J. Then what is keeping her ? Why does she 
 not come ? 
 
 PARSONS. Miss Marjorie is cleaning 'er golf clubs, 
 Sir John. 
 
 SIR J. Then be good enough to tell her to leave off 
 cleaning her golf clubs. Tell her that I wish to see her 
 immediately. Her golf clubs can wait. 
 
 PARSONS (looking off R.) Miss Marjorie is coming now, 
 Sir John. 
 
 Enter MARJORIE R. dressed for golf. 
 
 SIR J. Did you receive my message, or did you not ? 
 
 MARJ. (surprised). Yes, dear, I received it. 
 
 SIR J. Then why did you not come immediately as 
 soon as I sent for you ? 
 
 MARJ. (coming to c). I was doing something else, 
 dear. I was cleaning my mashie, if you want to know.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 29 
 
 SIR J. (L.) Then your mashie, I take it, was of more 
 importance to you than I am ? 
 
 MARJ. (c.) Well, yes, I suppose it was, if you put it 
 like that. 
 
 SIE J. (coming to L. of her). (Glaring) Insolence ! 
 Insolence again ! Sit down ! (Crosses to down R.) 
 
 MARJ. Why? Why shouldn't I stand up, if I 
 want to ? 
 
 SIR J. Sit down when I tell you to do so. 
 
 MARJ. I won't sit down. My legs and feet belong to 
 me at present. 
 
 SIR J. (sitsK. O/R.C. table). I wonder I wonder what 
 crime I have committed in the sight of Heaven that I 
 should be visited with a family such as mine! (Puts 
 " Times " on upper end O/R.C. table.) 
 
 MARJ. I don't know. I've often wondered why you 
 didn't let the line die out and I'm playing in a three ball 
 match as soon as you've done talking. 
 
 SIR J. God ! give me patience ! 
 
 MARJ. (swinging her mashie). God give you speed ! 
 
 SIR J. (fiercely). I will not be spoken to in this 
 insolent, impertinent manner ! Just remember that, as 
 your father, I am entitled to some courtesy and deference. 
 
 MARJ. Not unless you earn it, dear. You must be a 
 friend of mine and a good father. But you're not a 
 friend of mine at all you only bully me you're always 
 bullying me. 
 
 SIR J. (taking Utter from drawer in table). I have had 
 a letter this morning from my old friend, Sir Michael 
 Bushe it is about you. To my considerable surprise, I 
 learn that he wishes to marry you. 
 
 MARJ. To marry me! Sir Michael? Well, I never! 
 He must be off his head ! 
 
 SIR J. Nevertheless, he is of the opinion that you 
 would be a desirable wife. (Glancing at letter.) He refers 
 to to your various charms and 
 
 MARJ. Oh, then he can't be quite mad. Let me see 
 is he sixty or seventy ? I forget not that it matters. 
 
 SIR J. Indeed ? Then let me tell you that I am not 
 prepared to take that view. 
 
 MARJ. Well, I don't know that that matters very 
 much either.
 
 30 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 SIB J. Do you wish me to lose my temper with you ? 
 
 MART. I shall try to preserve an open mind about it. 
 Besides you've lost your temper already. 
 
 SIB J. I will not put up with this flippancy. Your 
 marriage is a serious thing. 
 
 MABJ. It is I quite agree with you. And I'm not 
 going to marry a bath chair with a poultice inside it. 
 I'm going to marry a man if I marry at all. His 
 hair will be parted in the middle, and he'll wear a blue 
 serge suit 
 
 SIB J. (furiously}. I do not wish to be stupefied with 
 all this nonsense. 
 
 MAEJ. I'm sure I don't 1 You began ! Please may I 
 go and finish cleaning my clubs ? 
 
 SIB J. No (MABJOBIE goes up to foot of stairs) you 
 may not. (Rises and comes to c.) What is your age now ? 
 Twenty-four. 
 
 MABJ. (indignantly). I am not twenty-four! I'm 
 twenty-two; and with half an hour's notice I can pass 
 for twenty anywhere ! (Sits on arm of armchair L.C.) 
 
 SIB J. I cannot say with any truth that parting with 
 you would cause me great distress. 
 
 MABJ. No, I don't suppose it would. 
 
 SIB J. Your vulgarity at times is insupportable ! 
 
 MABJ. Yes, it's in the blood. 
 
 SIB J. It's high time you were married. High time ! 
 Since your mother's death I have been unable to control 
 you at all. You say what you please, you do as you please ; 
 your views are preposterous ! I am unable to control you ; 
 so I shall tell poor Bushe that he may attempt to do so, if 
 he likes. 
 
 MABJ. (rising indignantly). Indeed. May he ? may he ! 
 Is he going to give you a cheque for me ? Walk up, 
 gents ! Come and 'ave a look at her, gents ! (Swings her 
 mashie. SIB JOHN moves impatiently to fireplace.) You'd 
 better advertise me in the " Matrimonial Gazette ' ! 
 I wouldn't marry your gouty old Sir Michael if eternal 
 spinsterhood stared me in the face and it doesn't ! 
 Disgusting old frump ! 
 
 SIB J. (exploding). Be silent ! I have warned you once 
 before this morning I will NOT be perpetually insulted 
 in this in this manner by my children !
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 31 
 
 MABJ. I was thinking of Sir Michael not about you. 
 Oh, if only you had a sense of humour. 
 
 SIE J. Bushe is a most eminent distinguished man ! 
 What more do you want or expect than his attentions ? 
 He does you a great honour. 
 
 MAEJ. And I shall do him a great injury if he has 
 the cheek to speak to me. (Comes down to c.) And I 
 shall do it with a niblick and with both my boots. (Enter 
 STUART E., he comes to top of table E.G., picks up " Times.") 
 So you may tell him what to expect. 
 
 (Sis JOHN blusters to her.) 
 
 STUART. 'Morning, sir. 'Morning, Margie. Oh, isn't 
 the household at peace ? 
 
 MAEJ. No, it isn't. (Crosses to down R.) 
 
 SIB J. Have you any influence with your sister ? 
 
 MAEJ. No. (Sits on edge of E.G. table.) 
 
 STUAET (standing above table). Not the slightest. 
 
 SIE J. Sir Michael Bushe wishes to marry her. 
 
 STUART (coming to c.). Does he, b'Jove? Well done, 
 Margie ! 
 
 MABJ. (scathingly). Well done ! 
 
 STUAET. Ain't you going to snap him up ? 
 
 MAEJ. No, I am not going to snap him up. 
 
 STUAET. Why not ? With you as a perpetual irritant 
 he wouldn't last a twelvemonth. 
 
 MAEJ. Well? 
 
 STUAET. Well, then you'd have about seven thousand 
 a year to bootle about with ; you'd look charming in black ; 
 and you'd be independent (looks at SIE JOHN) of Caesar. 
 
 MABJ. And yet I'm not going to snap him up. 
 
 SIB J. (angrily, coming to c). Then go your own way ! 
 I wash my hands of you. Go your own way. But if you 
 marry witJwut my consent, you know what to expect. 
 Not a stick or a bawbee not a stick or a bawbee. 
 
 STUAET (to MABJOBIE). What's a bawbee ? (MAEJOBIE 
 moves to R.) 
 
 SIB J. (wrathfully). As for you, sir, you are as imperti- 
 nent and as good-for-nothing as your sister. The attitude 
 of children to their parents nowadays passes all compre- 
 hension and belief. 
 
 STUABT. It always has, Sir. The wail of the discarded 
 parent rings through history.
 
 32 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 SIR J. A little more, sir, and you shall cease to be my 
 son or live under my roof. Exist on your own pittance. 
 If you can't conform to my prejudices 
 
 STUART. That's the word, sir that's the word. 
 
 SIR J. Kespect my wishes or take yourself off. 
 (Goes up to above R.C. table.) 
 
 STUART. So I would, sir but the hem of your garment 
 is an unfortunate necessity. 
 
 SIR J. I'll trouble you for the " Times "- 
 
 STUART (looking into the paper). Yes, sir, just half a 
 Surrey all out 
 
 SIR" J. (loudly). Did you hear what I said to you ? 
 
 STUART. I did, sir, deaf though I am. (Hands paper to 
 SIR JOHN.) Thank you. (SiR JOHN grabs it with an angry 
 exclamation and exits R.) (Sits L. of R.C. table.) Velight- 
 ful companion, our father courteous, gentle, 
 on that " Times " all the morning. 
 
 MARJ. (R., exasperated). Oh, I feel as if I d beei 
 stripped. Things must be pretty bad when one s own 
 father tries to marry one to a corpse. (Comes to R. of 
 
 R.C. table.) 
 
 STUART. Things are rotten bad. You see papa an 
 his period never understood human nature, 
 understand museums, but not life. Casabianca's about 
 their mark Casabianca (yawns) and wooUy ma] 
 TFax fruit the parlour period deadly. Fortunately, 
 papa is gifted with a feeble intellect or he might have 
 been simply paralysing. 
 
 MARJ. He's pretty bad. 
 
 STUART (leaning back and stretching himself). Anc 
 he'll never die never ! 
 
 MARJ Well (moving over to up C.R. of staircase), l 
 playing in a three ball match. (Swings her mashie.) 
 
 STUART. I say, Margie, failing old Bushe 
 
 MARJ. Well? 
 
 STUART. Have you got any other plans ? 
 
 MARJ. Matrimonial plans ? 
 
 STUART. Yes. 
 
 MARJ. What right have you to ask me ? 
 
 STUART. None whatever. 
 
 MARJ. Then if I were you I shouldn't ask. 
 
 STUART. Thanks very much.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 33 
 
 MABJ. What for ? 
 
 STUAET (laughing). Who's the man ? 
 
 Enter PARSONS R., fee comes to above table. 
 
 PARSONS. Mr. Blair to see you, sir. 
 
 STUART. Who ? 
 
 PARSONS. Mr. Blair, sir. 
 
 STUART (significantly). Oh! 
 
 MARJ. Whatever does he want to see you for? 
 
 STUART (leaning back). D'you expect me to do 
 puzzles at this time o'day ? Let me wake up. 
 
 MARJ. Well, are you going to leave Mr. Blair standing 
 on the mat ? 
 
 STUART. Show him up, Parsons, if you must. (Takes 
 cigarette from box on table and lights it.) 
 
 PARSONS. Yes, sir. [Exit PARSONS. 
 
 bTUART. Don't be late for that three ball match of 
 yours. 
 
 MARJ. I won't. 
 
 STUART. I hear you called on the Blairs yesterday 
 
 MARJ. I did Who told you ? 
 
 STUART. A little bird. (Rises, gets behind his chair 
 and pushes ^t shghtly under table.) Do you imagine the 
 governor will stand your knowing them ? 
 
 MARJ. The governor won't be consulted. 
 
 STUART. And I suppose we may call old Bushe off? 
 
 MARJ. You may call him anything you like. I suppose 
 Blair has come to see you professionally ? 
 
 STUART (slowly). Er yes (crossing to L.) I should 
 think so. 
 
 MARJ. Then I think it's jolly nice of him. 
 Enter PARSONS. 
 
 PARSONS. Mr. Blair. 
 
 Enter BLAIR. 
 
 MARJ. Good morning, Mr. Blair. 
 
 DICK. How do you do ? (Shakes hands.) 
 
 MARJ. You get up early. 
 
 DICK. I really called to see your brother. 
 
 MARJ. Ah, he gets up late. 
 
 STUART (his back to fireplace). 'Morning! 
 
 DICK. Good morning. 
 
 MARJ. How's your sister ? 
 
 DICK. She's she's not very well.
 
 34 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MARJ. Oh, I'm sorry nothing serious, I hope ? 
 
 DICK. At present I'm not able to say. 
 
 STUART. Out you go, Margie; Mr. Blair wants t 
 
 TYlft 
 
 MARJ Well, do let me be decently polite. Give your 
 sister my love, Mr. Blair, and tell her to get well soon. 
 
 DICK. Thank you, I will. 
 
 MARJ. (shakes hands}. Good-bye. 
 
 DICK. Good-bye. \Ernt MARJORIE i 
 
 (DiCK sees her out and closes door, then comes lift 
 to L.C.) 
 
 STUART (coolly). Is it any use offering you a cigai 
 
 DICK You understand, I suppose, why I am here I 
 
 STUART. Well, yes, I suppose so.^ imagine yoi 
 have come more or less in the spirit of justice. 
 
 DICK You have retracted your promise to marry my 
 sister. I have come to tell you that it is too late 1 
 to do that. . . 
 
 STUART. Well, of course there may be two opir 
 
 1 DICK.' I see. You insult the lady who took your 
 promises in good faith. . 
 
 STUART Oh, no, I don't. But as a man who uses h 
 brains, you'll agree that there may be more than one 
 point of view, even where a woman is concerned. 
 
 DICK. Perhaps you'll be more explicit. 
 
 STUART. What about ? 
 
 DICK About the woman who is concerned 
 What are your reasons for behaving as you propo; 
 
 STUART (coming to him). There's only one reason- 
 practically. 
 
 DICK. And what is that ? 
 
 STUART. Caste. 
 
 DICK (moves away slightly to c.). I don t accept it. 
 
 STUART. No more do I, personally. As a reasonable 
 being I regard it as ridiculous. But circumstances 
 compel me to conform to it all the same. 
 
 DICK. What circumstances ? 
 
 STUART. The prehistoric water jump who masquers 
 as my father. 
 
 DICK. Do you ask me seriously to listen to
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 35 
 
 Do you ask me to be propitiated by the argument of 
 Vere de Vere ? 
 
 STUART. In the circumstances, I'm afraid you'll have 
 to be. 
 
 DICK. We're not children, Mr. Capel, and this is the 
 twentieth century. I address you as a man standing on 
 your own feet. 
 
 STUART (sits armchair up L.C.). Well, if I were you, 
 I shouldn't, because I don't stand on 'em. I'm propped 
 up by this progenitor of mine. I suppose he gets some 
 sort of satisfaction out of it, or he wouldn't do it. But 
 if he didn't prop me up I should perish. In other words, 
 I should perish if I were to marry your sister. My 
 progenitor would withdraw the prop that's the sort of 
 man he is ! 
 
 DICK, (scathingly). And, knowing this, you did what 
 you have done ? 
 
 STUART. I imagine that's why you are here isn't it? 
 (Pause.) 
 
 DICK (scathingly). Do you call yourself a man, 
 Mr. Capel? 
 
 STUART. No. As a matter of fact I don't. I call myself 
 a sign of the times. I call myself a finger-post pointing 
 in the wrong direction. 
 
 DICK (moves away to R.) Let me suggest that you 
 should endeavour to point the other way. 
 
 STUART (rises goes to E.G.) Will you go a little 
 further and tell me how to do it ? Perhaps you won't 
 find that quite so easy. Destructive criticism is not very 
 difficult. 
 
 DICK (coming back to STUART). Am I to understand 
 that you have no personal objection to to fulfilling your 
 obligations ? 
 
 STUART. Why should I have ? All I ask is to be main- 
 tained in ease and comfort. If I married your sister my 
 ease and comfort would cease. They'd cease, inevitably. 
 So should I. Well, I don't want to cease. Surely you 
 can see for yourself that I don't control the situation ? 
 
 DICK. You merely created it. 
 
 STUART. Exactly I merely created it. I'm merely 
 what I am. But I don't approve of the situation. I 
 think it's perfectly awful don't you ? 
 
 D 2
 
 36 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 DICK. Are you speaking seriously ? 
 
 STUART (emphatically). Well, of course, I'm speaking 
 seriously. (Goes right to him.) Don't you think it's a 
 serious thing that I should be permitted to walk about 
 the earth like a blight ? What's the use of me ? What 
 am I for ? The only possible thing I can do is harm. 
 (Crosses over to R.) Why, I can't even support myself. 
 Somebody else has got to do even that. (A pause. Turns 
 to DICK.) Well, when are we coming to blows? 
 imagined that would occur early in the interview. You 
 don't expect me to lend you a horsewhip, do you ? 
 
 DICK (moves a step totvards him). Mr. Capel, as far as 
 I am able to understand your remarks at all, I gather 
 that your dread is poverty ? 
 
 STUART. Well? 
 
 DICK. Then I have something to propose. 
 
 STUART. One moment. (A step to him.) Let's know 
 where we are I've been having a mental picture of a 
 pool of blood. I thought on these occasions someone 
 always demanded satisfaction of somebody else. 
 
 DICK. I am demanding it. 
 
 STUART. Oh, well, then let's get it over. (Puts down 
 cigarette on tray on table R.C.) Leave me a tooth or two 
 in my head if you can. (DiCK remains standing still, 
 quietly.) Oh, aren't we to have the traditional thing ? 
 
 DICK (gravely). I think we've had that. 
 
 STUART. But we're not to be thorough ? I'm delighted. 
 (Sits on edge of table picks up his cigarette.) You 
 said just now you had something to propose. What 
 is it? 
 
 DICK (coming close up to table R.C.). If you marry my 
 sister I undertake to provide her with an income of three 
 hundred a year. 
 
 STUART. In order that I may marry her ? 
 
 DICK. Yes. 
 
 STUART. Thanks, I decline. 
 DICK. What ? 
 STUART. I decline. 
 
 DICK (angrily). Then five hundred a year and 
 damn you ! 
 
 STUART. Not for double thanks very much. I ve 
 got my code.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 37 
 
 DICK. Indeed ! (Steps back.) May one ask precisely 
 what your code is ? 
 
 STUAKT. It doesn't include being kept by the man 
 who No, No, thank you. If my mission in life is to be 
 a toy, a poisonous sort of toy, I prefer to be a burden 
 upon the individual who made a toy of ME. (A pause 
 DICK brings chair from up L.C. to down c., sits.) 
 
 DICK. You're a barrister, aren't you, by trade ? 
 
 STUART. Well, my name's painted up in the Temple 
 somewhere, I believe yes. 
 
 DICK. Don't you see that by refusing money from me 
 you're shying at a mere convention ? 
 
 STUART (turns to him qidckly still sitting on table 
 and placing his left foot on chair L. of R.C. table). And 
 what in Heaven's name are you doing ? Do you mean to 
 tell me that your sister is any less pure because why, 
 you're mad. You tell me I ought to marry her not 
 because I love her, not because she loves me, not because 
 you or anyone else approves of me but simply because 
 of the neighbours ! The neighbours ! Because of what a 
 lot of cackling, unhealthy old hens of women will say if I 
 don't. 
 
 DICK (quietly). And because of the distress you will 
 cause her if you DON'T. 
 
 STUART. And what about the distress it will cause 
 me, and her, too, if I do ? 
 
 DICK. That's your last word, then ? 
 
 STUART. Well, I should hope it was. (Rises and 
 stands in front of table.) I've got that amount of kick 
 in me. 
 
 DICK. I see (rises). Then I'm afraid there's only one 
 thing left for me to do. (Goes up stage, puts chair back.) 
 
 STUART (smiling). Are we going to have blood after 
 all? 
 
 DICK (comes down R.C.) I shall appeal to your father. 
 
 STUART (smiling). Keally ? Do you know my father? 
 Well, I daresay he'll amuse you. And if by any miracle 
 you can induce him to behave like an ordinary human 
 being, you'll have done a great work you'll have put in 
 a psychic sort of morning, But I don't know how you're 
 going to do it Still, if you can induce him to provide 
 me with enough money, I'll marry your sister with
 
 38 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 the greatest of pleasure. In a church, if you like 
 and a damned bad husband I shall make her. Then 
 perhaps you'll think you've done your duty by her. We'll 
 have a talk with my old sheet anchor. I'll get him in 
 (Cross down L. rings the bell). (DiCK goes down R.) 
 You understand that my parent is not in the least aware 
 of his deficiencies. I'm a far more tragic figure than 
 he'll ever be. (Comes to c.) I fancy he regards himself 
 as rather a helpful member of the community. There's 
 a sort of majestic oblivion about him well, you'll see 
 for yourself. But you can get some idea of his absolute 
 uselessness by the fact that I'm his son. (Enter PARSONS, 
 who comes to L. of upper end of R.C. table, c.) Oh, 
 Parsons, tell Sir John to come here, will you ? (PARSONS 
 is about to go.) No stop a minute you'd better not 
 put it quite like that, perhaps that's the way he puts it 
 to me. Tell him that I shall be much obliged if he'll 
 kindly come here for a moment. Put it how you like 
 use your tact. (Exit PARSONS R.) As a writer of books, 
 you'll be interested in my father he's the victim of 
 inherited wealth and a totally undeveloped brain. 
 Intellectually, any cool-headed flea could give him points 
 and beat him. I should describe him as a semi-vitalized 
 jelly floating about in a fog. 
 
 DICK. There's just one thing I should like to know, 
 Mr. Capel. May I depend upon your support when I 
 appeal to your to your progenitor. 
 
 STUART. "What? Yes, of course you may. One of 
 my chief interests is to thwart him. (Enter SIR JOHN R. 
 Moves over to L.) Ah, here is my father. Come in, sir, 
 let me introduce you to Mr. Blair. (SiR JOHN comes round 
 to c., glancing at DICK as he does so.) He's come to have 
 a little talk to you about me. 
 
 SIR J. Is that why you sent for me ? 
 
 STUART. Well, yes, sir that, combined with the 
 pleasure of your company. 
 
 SIR J. Blair. The name is familiar to me. 
 
 STUART. Mr. Blair is an author of some repute. 
 
 SIR J. Ah, to be sure. You are young Blair of quite 
 so quite so Yes, I remember being told that you had 
 abandoned farming for other pursuits. A pity, I think, 
 a pity a pity !
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 39 
 
 STUART (moves over to L. of SIB JOHN). Mr. Blair hasn't 
 come to hear your opinion about himself, sir, but to hear 
 your opinion of me and my behaviour towards his sister. 
 (Goes to fireplace.) 
 
 SIR J. I was not aware that you had a sister, Mr. Blair 
 or possibly I had forgotten. 
 
 STUART. Do you see yourself as a benevolent sort of 
 dove? 
 
 SIR J. (angrily, moving over to STUART and putting his 
 hands behind him). I see myself in Bedlam if you 
 continue this impertinent chattering. 
 
 STUART. Fire away, Blair. 
 
 SIR J. (to DICK, taking a step to c.) Well, sir, what 
 can I do for you ? (Pause.) 
 
 DICK. Your son has compromised my sister. (.4 pause.) 
 
 SIR J. (turns to STUART). Is this true ? 
 
 STUART. Look here, sir, Mr. Blair's a busy man ; don't 
 waste his time with silly questions. Of course it's true, 
 or he wouldn't be here. 
 
 SIR J. I (Turns to DICK again.) What else have 
 you to say ? 
 
 DICK. Your son has allowed my sister to suppose that 
 he would marry her. I understand now that he declines. 
 
 SIR J. (irritably). Be good enough to tell me, one of 
 you, what actually has taken place. 
 
 DICK (coming up to him). What has taken place is 
 this : an innocent girl has been outraged and degraded 
 under a false promise of marriage. (Slight pause.) 
 
 SIR J. I begin to understand. Well, Mr. Blair, I 
 cannot say you have told me anything which tends to 
 make me think more highly of your sister. 
 
 STUART (rises quickly). I knew it I knew it ! I'd 
 have laid you any odds he'd say that ! 
 
 SIR J. (turning and coming over to him, furiously). Will 
 you be silent, sir ? Put out that cigarette ! 
 
 STUART. Why, what's the matter with it ? 
 
 SIR J. Put it out, I tell you. (STUART throws away 
 his cigarette into fireplace, takes out his case and lights 
 another.) So you do not deny these outrageous charges ? 
 You defend your debaucheries ? Are you not thoroughly 
 ashamed of the part you have played, sir ?
 
 40 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 STUART. Well, you see, I haven't played a part I've 
 been perfectly natural. 
 
 SIR J. (angrily). It comes to this then ; you have got 
 this girl, this farmer's daughter, into trouble ? 
 
 DICK. Sir John, I will tolerate no insulting criticisms 
 of my sister whatever she may have done. (SiR JOHN 
 turns to him.) Understand that ! Your son tells me he 
 is prepared to keep his promise provided that you 
 approve provided that you make it possible for him to 
 do so. I appeal to you, as a gentleman, Sir John, to do 
 the proper thing. 
 
 SIR J. If I were to do the proper thing, sir, I should 
 shoot my own son. 
 
 STUART (coolly). What good would that do? The 
 proper thing to do is to keep me alive and give the bride 
 a diamond bracelet for her pluck. 
 
 SIR J. (turning to him, violently). You rascal ! You 
 godless rascal ! 
 
 DICK. Sir John ! I am not concerned with your quarrels 
 with your son I am waiting for your answer to me. 
 
 SIR J. (taking a step towards him). Then my answer, 
 Mr. Blair, is this : if my son marries beneath him, if he 
 marries without my consent, he won't get a penny from 
 me he won't get a penny from me. Let that be under- 
 stoodfinally ! (Crosses to R. of R.C. table.) (A pause 
 DICK gets behind chair L. of R.C. table.) 
 
 DICK. And what sort of marriage do you think is 
 beneath him ? Do you suggest that marriage with my 
 sister would degrade your son? (STUART sits in arm- 
 chair L.C.) 
 
 SIR J. I suggest nothing, sir. But I shall not consent. 
 It is preposterous that I should be called upon to do so 
 in such a case as this. I admit that the behaviour of my 
 son is deplorable disreputable, and I sympathise with 
 any woman whom he may have victimised. (Crosses to 
 L.C.) But marriage is another matter. 
 
 DICK (indignantly bringing the chair he is holding to 
 the floor heavily). By God ! you shall give me a better 
 answer than that. I'll have a better answer than that 
 out of you. Do you think I'm to be silenced by bluster ? 
 Do you think I am to be suppressed by you or the vapid 
 excuses of your son ? I am fighting for my sister's soul,
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 41 
 
 and I expect from you the deference, the dignity, which 
 human tragedy demands. (A pause SIR JOHN crosses 
 slowly to fireplace.) 
 
 DICK (moves up to R. of staircase). Your attitude, I 
 presume, is based upon the grounds of class ? 
 
 SIR J. That is so. I have no wish to wound your 
 sensibilities but you force me to confess that my 
 objection is based upon those grounds that is to say, 
 principally. 
 
 DICK. Then perhaps you will define for me the class* 
 the type, your son distinguishes. (A pause SIR JOHN 
 avoids DICK'S eye.) You appear to find some difficulty 
 in doing so. Then let me do it for you. Your son is a 
 briefless barrister without visible means of support. In 
 the eyes of decent men, your son is a contemptible waster, 
 a profligate mill-stone dragging at the neck of the 
 outrageous system which tolerates him and produced 
 him. A club and racecourse parasite. Incapable of 
 work or honour or the rudiments of common faithful- 
 ness. That's what you, in your protected idleness, have 
 made of him. And you dare to sneer at me. (Bursting 
 out.) By God ! Father and son together, you suggest 
 to me the spectacle of shameless vermin, of hideous, 
 obscene things crawling out of the light under a stone. 
 That's the true picture of your class, sir and deny it if 
 you can ! (Slight pause.) 
 
 SIR J. (trembling with suppressed passion). The 
 Almighty has given you words, Mr. Blair, and He has 
 denied them to me. But let me say this : you seem 
 willing enough to profit by my son's deficiencies and 
 mine. 
 
 DICK (blazing). Profit by them ! I have offered to 
 support your son ! (Moves over to back of chair R.C.) 
 
 STUART (rises to SIR JOHN). And of course that's up 
 to you. Now, just come down to brass tacks. Some- 
 thing's got to be done. If you'll allow me to marry Miss 
 Blair, I'll take five hundred a year off you and settle 
 the thing. That's letting you down pretty light. Will 
 you agree to it ? 
 
 SIR J. (furiously). Be silent! (STUART sits again. 
 Crosses to c.) I will admit, Mr. Blair, that you have a
 
 42 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 case. I will go so far as to admit that. But I will no; 
 admit that it is to be remedied by marriage. 
 
 DICK (crosses down B.) By what, then ? 
 
 SIB J. We will consider we will consider. (Sits R. of 
 table B.C.) 
 
 Enter MAEJOBIE from up L. on rostrum unperceived 
 she stands at L. end of balustrade. 
 
 DICK (comes over and sits in chair L. of B.C. table). 
 Before you begin, Sir John, let me put this to you in 
 another way. Suppose suppose you were the supplicant. 
 Suppose you were appealing to me to to reinstate some 
 relative of yours we will say your daughter (STUABT 
 leans forward in chair). Suppose I had compromised 
 your daughter ? 
 
 SIB J. I will not suppose anything so monstrous. 
 
 DICK (leans forward to SIB JOHN). Monstrous ? You 
 couldn't have selected a more eloquent word. But 
 suppose this monstrous thing had happened what would 
 you do ? Would you beg me to marry your daughter ? 
 Would you wish her to keep her place in the sun or to 
 lose it ? 
 
 SIB J. I decline to discuss the proposition, and I 
 decline to be pilloried by you, sir, or to submit to your 
 cross-examination. My son must conduct his love affairs 
 as he pleases they are no concern of mine. But on this 
 occasion I am prepared to to be dispassionate because 
 you come, I understand, from a locality where once I 
 commanded some respect. But I am not to be bullied 
 or intimidated. I confess I dread publicity and scandal. 
 This affair must be hushed up it must be buried and 
 forgotten. I fully recognise your sister's right to com- 
 pensation, and if you will tell me what sum what sum 
 of money 
 
 DICK (controlling himself). Money! You dare to 
 offer me money ! (Bursting out.) What sum of money 
 would compensate you in your daughter's case ? 
 
 SIB J. Come, come, sir, in the event of a child 
 
 DICK. In the event of a child in your daughter's 
 
 CctSG 
 
 SIB J. (hotly). We are not discussing my daughter's case. 
 DICK (shouting). By God ! You make me wish we 
 were. You almost make me wish we were.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 43 
 
 SIR J. (rising angrily takes a step down). Silence, sir ! 
 I'll have no more of this. 
 
 DICK (rising and moving down). Silence to Hell ! And 
 you may thank your God you're old ! 
 
 MABJ. Mr. Blair ! 
 
 (STUART rises, and they all turn and look at her in 
 astonishment.) 
 
 SIB J. (furiously). What are you doing here ? 
 
 MABJ. (indignantly). What are you doing here ? You 
 two men. (She comes slowly down to L. of DICK. She 
 turns to DICK with a quiet, friendly little smile). Mr. Blair, 
 will you give your sister my love? Don't forget and 
 leave this to me. (MARJORIE holds out her hand. DICK 
 pauses for half a second, then he takes her hand rever- 
 entially. Exit DICK B. Turns scathingly on STUART.) 
 You cad ! You mean, unthinkable little cad ! 
 
 STUART (indicating SIB JOHN). And what price him ? 
 
 MARJ. (scathingly). What price him ? A non-starter ! 
 
 SIB J. (furiously), and taking a step toivards her). 
 I will not tolerate this ! Remember you are my 
 daughter ! 
 
 MABJ. (stepping back). No ! There's your blood 
 there! In him! (Points to STUART.) I hope you're 
 proud of it. (SiR JOHN turns away to E.) 
 
 STUABT. Well, I'M not ! 
 
 MABJ. (to STUABT). Then prove it. If you are a man, 
 prove it. But I don't think you are. (Looks out in front 
 of her.) As far as I'm concerned, I was born to-day 
 here, in this room, three minutes ago. And I'm a woman! 
 A woman! I'll show you just exactly what that 
 means ! [Exit MABJOBIE up stairs to L. 
 
 SIB J. You unparalleled young fool. You insolent 
 ( Takes cigar from box) philandering young puppy. (Sits B.) 
 You've subjected me to indignities such as I Now 
 understand this if you marry that girl I'll disown you. 
 I'll cut the entail. (Cuts cigar.) I'll disown you. I've 
 tolerated your flippancy, and your gambling, and your 
 debts but I decline to tolerate that. If you marry her 
 out you go. (Strikes a match.) Out you go neck and 
 crop, and be damned to you. And your rustic wife may 
 console you, if she can but you'll get nothing further 
 from me. You won't get a sixpence from me understand
 
 44 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 that ! Not a sixpence (lights a cigar) not a sixpence. 
 (Puffs at cigar.) 
 
 STUABT (quietly). I'd like to pay you out for creating 
 me. I wonder if I could. I wonder if I could grow up 
 and be a man. 
 
 END OF ACT II.
 
 45 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE : Dick Blair's fiat. Same as Act I. Evening. 
 Telephone on table down R. Music on piano, which is 
 open. Chair behind settee, c. Inner door open. 
 Curtains drawn. Lamps alight. Brackets out. 
 Table L. of window removed and table from back of 
 settee in its place. 
 
 TIME : 11.30 p.m. Curtain rises on an empty stage. 
 
 (The outer bell rings. SERVANT enters through lobby 
 from L. and opens front door, disclosing MABJOBIE 
 in evening dress.) 
 
 MABJ. Is Mr. Blair at home ? 
 
 AGNES. No, miss. 
 
 MABJ. Oh, do you think he will be long ? 
 
 AGNES. I can't say, miss. 
 
 MABJ. I wonder if I might wait a few minutes ? 
 
 AGNES. Oh yes, miss. 
 
 (MABJOBIE comes inside. SERVANT closes door.) 
 
 MARJ. (coming down L. and crossing to B.). DID 
 MB. BLAIB DINE AT HOME ? 
 
 AGNES (stands L. of settee c.). No, miss, but I don't 
 think he will be very long. 
 
 MABJ. Is Miss Blair out too ? 
 
 AGNES. Yes, miss. Would you care to look at the 
 paper, miss ? (She hands her the " Sketch " from table 
 ij. of windows.) 
 
 MABJ. (coming up B. of settee). Oh, thank you. (Looks 
 at table down B.) I wonder if I might use the telephone ? 
 
 AGNES. Oh yes, miss. 
 
 MABJ. Mr. Blair didn't say how long he would be, I 
 suppose ? 
 
 AGNES. No, miss ; but he isn't generally late when he 
 dines out. He comes back to his writing. 
 
 MABJ. Thank you. [Exit SERVANT L. 
 
 (MABJOBIE puts paper on table down R., sits, and takes 
 up telephone receiver.)
 
 46 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MABJ. Two-seven-four-six Gerrard ! Two seven 
 f our six Gerrard ! (She waits with a smile, drumming 
 her fingers on the table till she is put through.} Oh ! is 
 that two-seven-four-six Gerrard ? Is that you, Parsons ? 
 Yes. Is Sir John in yet ? Well, I want you to tell him, 
 when he does come in, that I left a note for him in the 
 smoking room. Parsons, I don't want him to get it till- 
 wait a minute ! (She looks at clock on table R.) Till 
 about half-past eleven. Perhaps it would be better if 
 you gave it to him yourself. Do you quite understand ? 
 Not before half-past eleven. Thank you. (She rings off, 
 rises, and looks round the room, still humming to herself. 
 She glances at one or two books, moves up R., and then 
 comes down [door slam] and places her cloak on R. end of 
 settee, and then sits down at the piano and plays.) 
 
 Enter DICK, carrying his hat up L. He pauses, 
 astonished and pleased. MAKJORIE stops playing. 
 
 DICK. You ! 
 
 MARJ. Yes, I believe so. 
 
 (DiCK closes door and comes behind settee to L. of her, 
 to her.) 
 
 DICK. I'm delighted to see you, but . . . what 
 on earth are you doing here ? 
 
 MARJ. (simply). I've come to stay here. 
 
 DICK (puzzled}. Ah (Slight pause.) I'm afraid I 
 . . . I don't quite understand. 
 
 MARJ. (smiling). Don't you ? 
 
 DICK (looking round). Is Eosie at home ? 
 
 MARJ. I don't think so. I've not seen her. 
 
 DICK. How long have you been here ? 
 
 MARJ. Oh ! (looking at clock on table down R.) about 
 five minutes, I should think. Isn't this a pretty thing ? 
 I simply love it ! (She plays a few bars. DICK moves to 
 her and leans on piano.) 
 
 DICK. Just stop playing for a second, will you? (She 
 finishes off.) Thank you. Now, I love elaborate jokes 
 myself . . . but I do like to understand them. So 
 will you . . . ? 
 
 MARJ. But this isn't a joke. 
 
 DICK. Oh! Well, just tell me about it. Tell me 
 how long you propose to stop ? You say you've come to 
 stay here . . .
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 47 
 
 MARJ. Yes. I want to talk to you about that. I don'fc 
 quite know . . . How long does it take to become 
 compromised ? I'll stay as long as you like. I want to 
 be quite compromised. I didn't bring anything with me, 
 because I thought that would make it look so much worse. 
 So I just came away as I was. 
 
 DICK. I see. May one ask precisely why you did 
 this? 
 
 MARJ. (hesitating). Well, it's a little awkward to 
 explain I thought . . . 
 
 DICK (interrupting). Just half a minute. Tell me 
 something, will you ? Have you got some sort of plot 
 in your mind ? I mean this : Are you by any chance 
 trying to turn the tables on your father ? 
 
 MARJ. (simply). Yes. 
 
 DICK. I see. (Moves down R. and over to L.C. Turning 
 to her.) You've deliberately come here to put yourself in 
 my power ? 
 
 MARJ. Yes. 
 
 DICK. You heard what I said this morning? 
 (MARJORIE nods.) And did you think I should agree? 
 Did you think I should fall in with your plan ? (MARJORIE 
 runs her R. hand along the edge of the piano.) Tell me. 
 (Puts his hat down on L. end of settee.) 
 
 MARJ. Well (rises and comes down to c.), that's what I 
 wanted to ask you about. I didn't know. Why shouldn't 
 you agree ? 
 
 DICK. I'll tell you why. (Moves to her.) Do you 
 know, I've been in love with you for seven years ? 
 
 MARJ. Yes. 
 
 DICK (astonished. Steps back). Oh ! you do know that ? 
 
 MARJ. Do you know I've been in love with you for 
 seven years ? 
 
 DICK. No. 
 
 MARJ. Well, I have. 
 
 DICK. Well, I'm I suppose I'm awake. I feel rather 
 like a red-nosed clown in a circus. I presume that's the 
 effect of immense joy. 
 
 MARJ. Feel how my heart's beating. 
 
 (He takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately.) 
 
 DICK. " My princess ! My princess ! " 
 
 (He releases her, and she sinks doivn on R. end of settee.)
 
 48 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MARJ. I believe this is a dream. 
 
 DICK (looking round}. I say, we must pull ourselves 
 together. (She buries Tier face in the sofa cushions. DICK 
 stands looking at her vaguely.) Princess, this is serious. 
 (She takes no notice.) Princess, d'you hear what I'm 
 saying ? 
 
 MAEJ. (looking up and wiping her nose). What ? 
 
 DICK. You'll have to go home. Come along. I'll take 
 you. It's getting late. (Takes her L. hand and helps her 
 to her feet.) 
 
 MAEJ. But I'm not going home. 
 
 DICK. Oh, yes, you are. 
 
 MAEJ. Why? 
 
 DICK. Why, because I've been in love with you for 
 seven years. 
 
 MAEJ. That's why I'm going to stay. 
 
 DICK. No ; that's why you're going home. 
 
 MAEJ. Well, you'll see. 
 
 DICK (steps back). Are you going to defy me ? 
 
 MARJ. (simply). Yes, of course. 
 
 DICK. Oh ! 
 
 MAEJ. (moving to him). Don't you see what I'm driving 
 at ? I'm giving you a chance to save your sister. 
 
 DICK. I know. 
 
 MAEJ. And aren't you going to take it ? 
 
 DICK. No. 
 
 MAEJ. But aren't you going to marry me ? 
 
 DICK. Oh yes, I'm going to do that. 
 
 MAEJ. (relieved). Oh ! all right then. I shall just go 
 to sleep till I'm compromised. (She curls herself lip on 
 the sofa and pretends to be sleepy.) [DiCK watches her 
 and moves down L.] Tell me if anyone comes. And I 
 like my tea at half-past seven, bath at eight. [DiCK goes 
 up L. to back.] (Pause.) This is a lovely sofa. I'm 
 going [DiCK goes down E.] to dream about you. (She 
 smiles up at him.) Lots of people know I'm here. [DiCK 
 goes up c. and looks out of windows.} (Pause.) I was 
 seen coming in. (Pause.) Everyone will know to-morrow 
 and they'll miss me at home. (Pause.) My father will 
 come aVid implore you to marry me to save my good 
 name. [DiCK comes down L. and sits on arm of armchair.'} 
 (Pause.) And you'll refuse. (Pause.) You'll refuse till
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 49 
 
 he lets my brother marry Eosie. (Pause.) And then 
 you'll marry me (pause) to save my reputation. Good 
 night. 
 
 DICK (incredulously). Have you thought all this out ? 
 
 MARJ. I'm asleep. 
 
 DICK. Princess ! 
 
 MARJ. What ? (Looks up.) 
 
 DICK. Have you thought all this out ? 
 
 MARJ. Yes, of course I have. 
 
 DICK (in astonishment). Whatever sort of girl are you ? 
 
 MARJ. I'm a woman. I grew up to-day this morning. 
 (DicK goes to back of settee, sits on it, and leans over 
 to her, greatly touched.) 
 
 DICK (takes her hand). Princess, it's magnificent of you ! 
 It's fine of you ! It's tremendous ! But of course you must 
 put all ideas of that sort out of your beloved little head. 
 Be a dear girl and let me take you home. I couldn't 
 save even Eosie like that. 
 
 MARJ. But you must. 
 
 DICK. I can't let you make yourself responsible for 
 Eosie's mistakes. I didn't mean what I said this morning. 
 
 MARJ. But I meant what I said this morning ; and I 
 mean what I'm saying NOW. 
 
 DICK. I know you do ; but you've got to be sensible. 
 If you go on like this (trying to appear stern) I won't 
 marry you. 
 
 MARJ. Oh yes you will. 
 
 DICK. How do you know ? 
 
 MARJ. You can't do without me. 
 
 DICK. Listen. Be serious. It'll be quite all right if 
 you go now. It isn't very late yet, and people will think 
 you came to see Eosie. 
 
 MARJ. She isn't here. 
 
 DICK. No. . . I wonder where she can be ? 
 
 MARJ. (reproachfully). I don't believe you care for me 
 a bit. 
 
 DICK. Don't you ? I care for you so much that this 
 plot of yours seems absolutely hideous. 
 
 MARJ. And doesn't Eosie's predicament seem abso- 
 lutely hideous too ?. 
 
 DICK (gravely). Yes. 
 
 MARJ. Now listen to me. (She puts her feet down.)
 
 60 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 This idea of mine is quite practical. Just think. Just 
 think how you could score off my father. Isn't it 
 tempting ? 
 
 DICK. Very. But I mustn't be tempted. 
 
 MART. But it doesn't really make me cheap not me, 
 myself. (Bell rings.) 
 
 DICK (rises). Confound it! Somebody's come. (Crosses 
 to L.) 
 
 MAEJ. You see, even Providence is against you. I shall 
 be compromised, in spite of you ! (He goes up L. and 
 down again.) I'm to be caught with you here, without 
 a chaperon, alone, in the middle of the night. I shan't 
 have a rag of reputation left. 
 
 DICK. Oh yes, you will. I shan't open the door. 
 
 MART. Your servant will do that. 
 
 DICK. She won't. (He rushes to the door and intercepts 
 AGNES in the hall, just as she is about to open the front 
 door.) Agnes, don't open the door, I'm not at home. 
 
 (MABJOBIE rises and gets R. of settee.) 
 
 AGNES. Very good, sir. (She retires, he closes door. 
 DICK remains at door.) 
 
 MABJ. (leaning on end of settee). And what do you 
 imagine Agnes thinks ? 
 
 DICK. I don't care a damn what she ^thinks ! I shall 
 give her the sack in the morning. 
 
 MABJ. That's just, isn't it? Still I daresay she'll 
 have a good gossip before she goes. 
 
 DICK. You must have a brain like you're a sort of 
 female Bismarck. (Bell. Comes down to c.) Now, look 
 here, if you'll promise to go now I'll marry you next week. 
 
 MABJ. (firmly). No. (Moves down R.) I'm not going 
 to marry you now at all. You're not the man I thought 
 you were. 
 
 DICK. What ! 
 
 MABJ. I won't marry a man I can't respect ever ! 
 
 DICK (goes to her). And don't you think you could 
 respect me if you tried very hard ? 
 
 MABJ. (turning to him). How can I respect you unless 
 you compromise me ? 
 
 DICK. Good Lord ! And you call this being a woman ! 
 
 MABJ. (stubbornly). You're simply trying to kill my 
 sense of honour.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 51 
 
 DICK. I'm not. Upon my soul I'm not. I'm only 
 trying to preserve my own. 
 
 MARJ. Then go and open that door. 
 
 DICK. I will not. (Bell rings again.) 
 
 MARJ. If you don't I shall. 
 
 DICK. You won't ! (He goes L.) 
 (She goes up R., and makes for the door. As she 
 reaches it, DICK seizes her by the wrist, brings 
 her down quickly, and pushes her to c.) 
 
 MARJ. That's right ! Be brutal ! I could divorce you 
 for that. (Puts her hands behind her back.) Very well, 
 then, I shall simply stand here and scream. (Bell.) 
 
 DICK (L.C. desperately). For God's sake don't be mad ! 
 Will you go and wait in another room while I see who 
 that is ? 
 
 MARJ. (doubtfully). I don't know. 
 
 DICK (earnestly). Please! 
 
 MARJ. Tell me what time it is. 
 
 DICK (looking at his watch). A quarter to twelve. 
 
 MARJ. Oh ! well, as it's only a quarter to twelve I 
 will wait in another room, because I'm sure I'm not 
 compromised yet. I feel too respectable. But I shall 
 come back whenever I want to and I must have a room 
 with a keyhole. Where shall I go ? (Bell.) 
 
 DICK (much relieved). Have any mortal thing you like, 
 only go in there ! (He points to room L. and moves 
 toivards it.) 
 
 MARJ. (pausing). No. On second thoughts, I think 
 I'll stay where I am. 
 
 DICK (desperately, taking a step towards her). Now, 
 look here. Unless you do what I tell you . . . 
 
 MARJ. (interrupting). I shall not do anything you tell 
 me unless . . . 
 
 DICK. Well, unless what ? 
 
 MARJ. Anyone can see you don't know much about 
 women. 
 
 DICK. Oh, don't I ? Come here. (She tiptoes towards 
 him and then stops.) (Savagely.) Come here ! (She moves 
 close to him. He kisses her vigorously and releases her.) 
 
 MARJ. Well, I never I How many women have you 
 kissed ? 
 
 DICK (scowling). Thousands ! 
 
 E 2
 
 52 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 MAEJ. You awful fibber ! I don't believe you've 
 kissed anyone except me. 
 
 DICK. And if you don't go into that room (points 
 to it] I'll never kiss you again. 
 
 MARJ. (easily}. Oh yes, you will. 
 
 DICK (savagely}. I won't. 
 
 MARJ. You'll kiss me now if I w r ant you to. 
 
 DICK. I won't ! I won't ! I will NOT ! 
 
 MARJ. You will. (He kisses her passionately again.) 
 
 DICK. Oh, you angel (Kiss) you vampire (Kiss) 
 you devil! (Kiss) you snake (Kiss). (Knocking 
 starts) you darling ! 
 
 MARJ. (laughing). Any more ? 
 
 DICK. No Yes. Go in. (Passes her over to door L.) 
 [Bell and knock] (She laughs and goes in.} (DICK goes 
 up and switches up lights by switch R. of door, then opens the 
 front door disclosing BLAGDEN, ivho is hanging on to the 
 knocker very drunk.) 
 
 BLAGDEN (thickly). Hullo! 
 
 DICK. Oh, it's you ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. Is your name Blair? Why don't you 
 invite me to cross the threshold ? 
 
 DICK. I'm very busy. 
 
 BLAGDEN. So'm I. Supremely important things to 
 say to you. 
 
 DICK. I'll give you two minutes. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Well, lemme come in. (He comes in. DICK 
 closes door and follows him in.) [Very drunk.] (Goes 
 behind settee to R.) 'Bandon hope all ye who enter here. 
 'Bandon hats all ye who enter here. (Takes off his 
 opera hat.) Beastly shame to 'bandon nice hat like that ! 
 (He crushes it against himself.) That's the hat trick. 
 Oh, drefful hiccups. (Comes round to c.) 
 
 DICK (sternly}. (Coming down to L.C.) What have 
 you come for, Blagden. What do you want ? 
 
 BLAGDEN (jovially}. I want " a jug of wine and thou 
 beside me in the wilderness." 
 
 DICK. I'm not going to give you any more liquor. 
 You've had enough. 
 
 BLAGDEN. No, not nearly enough, b'lieve me. I am 
 occupied in drowning dull care. Between ourselves, I 
 have very nearly succeeded.
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 53 
 
 DICK. You swore to me in this very room that you'd 
 leave whisky alone. 
 
 BLAGDEN. So I have, dear 'ole chap. I've been 
 drinking gin. 
 
 DICK. You've broken your word. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Prepared t' break anything, dear old chap. 
 If you want anything smashed jus' you give it to me. 
 (Puts his hat down on settee.) 
 
 DICK (coldly). I think you'd better go. 
 
 BLAGDEN. But I've only jus' come, old chap. Would 
 you like me to read you a sonnet? Jus' written it. 
 Beau-ful thing. " Hail to thee, bright spirit ! " No, 
 that's Wordsworth. Words not worth a damn ! (Laugh- 
 ing feebly.) I say that's a joke ! P'r'haps you don't 
 think it's much of a joke. If you were as drunk as I 
 am, you'd see how 'scrutiatingly hum'rous it really is. 
 
 DICK (going to him). Come along I'll get you a cab I 
 (Takes his arm.) 
 
 BLAGDEN (breaking away from him). No, I prefer nice 
 smelly omnibus. Omlibus with a nice smelly smell. 
 And I want to see your sister. 
 
 DICK. My sister isn't here. (Moves to L. a little.) 
 
 BLAGDEN. Nonsense ! Abs'lute nonsense ! She's the 
 sole objec' of my visit. 
 
 DICK (angrily). I tell you she isn't here. And I'm 
 busy I'm engaged. 
 
 BLAGDEN. That's jus' what 7 want to be. (Grows 
 serious.) Want to be engaged to your sister. (Bell 
 rings.) There she is. Let's go and open the door. 
 
 DICK. Stay where you are. (DiCK goes up stage to 
 open the door.) 
 
 BLAGDEN. Most uncivil person. People are most 
 beastly rude to me t'night. (Crosses to B.) S'pose it's 
 the weather. Come in, 1'il woman. (Sits at table down B.) 
 (DiCK opens door, disclosing STUART.) 
 
 STUART. May I come in ? 
 
 DICK. No, you may not. 
 
 STUABT. You'd better let me. I've got something 
 to tell you. (Impatiently.) Let me in, man, let me in 1 
 (DiCK hesitates. BLAGDEN lifts up the telephone and holds 
 it to his ear. Enter STUABT. He comes down and sees 
 BLAGDEN.) Who's that ?
 
 54 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 DICK (closing door and standing R. of it.) Blagden, 
 He's tight. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Hullo ! What are you doing here ? 
 
 STUART (shortly). What's that got to do with you ? 
 
 BLAGDEN (thickly). If I wasn't so beastly drunk I'd 
 show you. 
 
 STUART (goes up to DICK). It's impossible to say any- 
 thing before him. Can't we chuck him out ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. Look here ! You mind my own business, 
 you 1'il barrister pup ! If you don't keep a civil tongue 
 in my head, I'll make your name stink worse'n it does 
 already. Going t'get even with you. P'r'aps you don't 
 know I'm the editor of sev'ral Lunnon daily papers. 
 
 STUART (coming down L. again). He's blind to the 
 world. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Oh, no, he isn't ! Extremely gifted man. 
 
 DICK (up L.C. to STUART). HE won't go while you're 
 here. 
 
 STUART. I tell you I MUST speak to you! It's 
 imperative. 
 
 BLAGDEN (to DICK). That's the fellow who's after your 
 sister. Think I'm going to leave him here ? Where is 
 the blush blushin' Eose ? 
 
 DICK (angrily}. I tell you she's not here. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Nonsense ! (Rises unsteadily.} If you 
 don't go and fetch her, I shall go myself. (Takes a step 
 up R.) 
 
 DICK (quickly going behind settee to above BLAGDEN). 
 If you move, I'll . . . 
 
 BLAGDEN. Thought you said she wasn't here ? 
 (STUART moves to L. end of settee.) 
 
 DICK. She's not here ! 
 
 BLAGDEN. Oh ! (He sees MARJORIE'S cloak.) Whose 
 cloak is that ? 
 
 DICK (shortly). That's my business. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Yes, I know, ole chap. But whose cloak 
 is it? 
 
 DICK (angrily). It's not my sister's cloak. 
 
 BLAGDEN (stupidly). Oh ! Then whose sister's cloak 
 is it ? It isn't my sister's cloak because I haven't got a 
 sister. That's abs'lute logic, isn't it? I say is it his 
 sister's cloak ? (A pause. STUART looks quickly at DICK.)
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 55 
 
 Have you got her here all lone by yourself in the m'il of 
 the night ? (Hakes a grab at MAEJORIE'S cloak, but DICK 
 seizes it first.) I'm going t'see. (He makes a movement 
 to the door L.) 
 
 DICK (throwing the cloak on to chair R. of window and 
 crossing L. at back}. Stop him, Capel ! 
 
 (STUART steps forward and throws BLAGDEN back on 
 the settee. DICK stands in front of the door 
 down L.) 
 
 STUART. Stay there ! (Steps back.) 
 
 BLAGDEN (slowly and intently). All right. You've 
 'suited me again. If your sister is in this house, I'll 
 make her wish she'd never been born. 'N you too. 'Cos 
 my influence with the presh. S'now you know. (A pause.) 
 
 STUART (steps to DICK). Is my sister here ? 
 
 DICK (coldly). My guests are no concern of yours. 
 
 STUART. Perhaps you'll be good enough to answer my 
 question. 
 
 DICK (scornfully). Perhaps you'll be good enough to 
 mind your own business. Do you really think I am to 
 be intimidated by you ? I'm proof against bluster. 
 
 STUART. So you may be, but I intend to know who's 
 in that room. 
 
 DICK. Oh ! How do you propose to find out ? 
 
 BLAGDEN. Most int'resting evening. 
 
 STUART (to DICK). I propose to find out, because I 
 begin to see your game. 
 
 DICK. Do you ? I'll bet you don't. D'you think the 
 whole world's like you ? 
 
 STUART (with suppressed anger). Are you going to tell 
 me who's behind that door ? 
 
 DICK. No, I'm not. It's no concern of yours. 
 
 STUART. I'm not so sure of that. 
 
 BLAGDEN (wildly. Picks up cushion). Bounce him, 
 Capel ! bounce him ! Smash his bally head off ! (Swings 
 cushion to L. end of settee.) 
 
 STUART. I recognise that cloak. 
 
 DICK. I don't care a curse if you do. 
 
 BLAGDEN (shouts). Smash the bally door down ! 
 
 DICK (angrily to BLAGDEN). Stop that shouting 1 Do 
 you want the whole neighbourhood to know you're 
 drunk?
 
 56 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 BLAGDEN. I don't care who knows, ole chap. What's 
 it matter to me ? 
 
 STUART (to DICK). If my sister's here with you, you're 
 a bigger cad than I took you for and, by God ! I believe 
 she is here! For the last time now, stand away from 
 that door. 
 
 (He grapples with DICK, and they struggle moving to c. 
 BLAGDEN mutters to himself, picks up cushion 
 and stands on settee waving it. DICK flings 
 STUART on to settee and stands R.C.) 
 
 ( In the middle of the row the door opens and 
 MARJORIE appears. They fall back. There is a 
 pause. STUART leans forward.) 
 
 STUART. My God ! 
 
 BLAGDEN (standing). Lady Teazle by all that's won- 
 derful! 
 
 MARJ. What's all this about ? (BLAGDEN collapses on 
 to settee.) 
 
 STUART (fiercely). Then I was right ! I was right ! 
 (Turns to DICK.) So this is how you get back on me. 
 
 BLAGDEN. Quite right too ! An Englishman's house 
 is his castle Kenilworth Castle, Windsor Castle 
 
 STUART (angrily). Keep that drunken devil quiet ! 
 
 BLAGDEN. Three Castles ! (He begins to count castles 
 on his fingers.) 
 
 STUART (fiercely). We have an account to settle, you 
 and I, Mr. Blair. Perhaps you'll tell this friend of 
 yours to take himself off. (Goes up to L. of chair behind 
 settee.) 
 
 BLAGDEN (rises drunkenly). Yes, this is no place for 
 me in my wrong surroundings. (DiCK movesia fireplace.) 
 (To MARJORIE.) Oh, you drefful young woman! (Takes up 
 his hat.) Oh, you drefful old hat ! (Puts it on and 
 goes to door.) Oh, you suffragette! You Pharaoh's 
 daughter ! (To DICK.) An' you're a most drefful young 
 man ! 'Stonished at you ! Simply 'stonished ! Wicked, 
 drefful people ! 'Stonished ! Simply 'stonished ! Pros- 
 'perous, simply pros'perous ! [Exit BLAGDEN. 
 
 (Door bangs. DICK faces STUART.) 
 
 DICK (comes to R.C.) Now settle your account. 
 
 STUART (looks at him indignantly, holding himself in
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 57 
 
 with dignity. Comes down to c.) You blackguard ! (To 
 DICK.) Who knows my sister's here? Who knows? 
 Answer me one of you. 
 
 DICK (to MAEJORIE). Tell him. (Sits at table down R.) 
 MABJ. (coming to L.C.) Well, let me see who does 
 know ? Quite a lot of people the Macnaughtens on the 
 floor below I talked to them as I came up so they 
 know. Charlie Macnaughten's got a very talkative 
 w if e 8 he hates me. And then the Alexanders know 
 they saw me getting out of the car. Then Mr. Blair's 
 maid knows and of course she'll tell her friends. Then 
 
 Mr. Blagden knows, and 
 
 STUART. Have you gone clean off your head ? What 
 in the name of Hades do you think you've been doing ? 
 MARJ. I've been calling on Mr. Blair. 
 STUART (hotly). Have you ? (Moves over to DICK.) 
 Then I demand an explanation from Mr. Blair. 
 
 DICK (still seated). Ah ! A few hours ago I demanded 
 one from you. 
 
 STUART (roughly). And you got one. 
 DICK. Yes. And now you're getting one. (A pause.) 
 STUART. So you've taken a leaf out of my book, have 
 you ? You've taken a lesson from me. 
 
 DICK (cheerfully). Yes. One way and another I've 
 learned a good many things from you. I've learnt what 
 a hopeless fool a man can look without being in the least 
 aware of it. I've learnt, in the last few minutes, that as 
 a judge of character you're very nearly profound. 
 
 MARJ. (to STUART). What does all this righteous 
 indignation mean ? It seems to me a shade inconsistent. 
 STUART (quietly). Does it? Well, it means this. 
 (To DICK.) I came here to-night to play the game by 
 your sister and I find you're not playing the game by 
 mine. You're doing a low-down thing deliberately! 
 Well, I may be a waster, but at least I didn't do that ! 
 Whatever I may have done was justified, more or less, 
 byby affection. And that's about all there is to it. 
 I'm here now to ask your sister to marry me (DiCK rises, 
 surprised and pleased) if she will, out of hand. And 
 I'll clean chimneys or windows or boots, or some damned 
 thing, for a living. 
 DICK (to STUART). You came here for that ? (STUART
 
 58 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 looks at him steadily.) Shake hands. (Holds out his 
 hand). 
 
 STUART (with dignity). No. I'll do myself the 
 pleasure of refusing. 
 
 DICK (still holding out his hand). Why not do me the 
 pleasure of accepting ? 
 
 STUABT. Because when the place is clear of women 
 and drunkards I'm going to do my damndest to kick you 
 round your flat. 
 
 DICK. Oh! (Crosses to MARJORIE.) Now perhaps 
 you will go. (Stands slightly above her.) 
 
 STUART. If you care tuppence about your name at all. 
 
 MARJ. But I don't. I'm going to change it. (Places 
 Jier right arm in his left.) 
 
 DICK. She's decided to try mine in the morning. 
 
 STUART (pauses). Have you (They both laugh at him.) 
 Have you two blighters been pulling my leg ? 
 
 DICK. No ; but you haven't quite got the knack yet 
 of seeing what's going on in the region of your nose. 
 
 STUART (helplessly). Well, bless you, my children. 
 That's all I've got to say. Bless you, my . . . (He holds 
 out his hand to DICK.) She's a simple sort of child, isn't 
 she ? (Indicating MARJORIE.) 
 
 MARJ. (to STUART.) I'm a woman. I told you so this 
 morning, you dear old thing. 
 
 DICK. You're a Machiavelli. (He passes her over and 
 she sits R. end of settee.) (Bell rings, DICK goes to above L. 
 end of settee.) Hullo ! Here's somebody else come now. 
 I wonder who it is. (STUART goes R.) 
 
 MARJ. Oh, I think I can tell you who this is. 
 
 STUART. (R.) Who ? 
 
 MARJ. Ah, be patient, my dear ; keep calm. Never 
 get excited. 
 
 DICK. I wonder what mischief you're up to now ! 
 
 MARJ. Do you ? Well, you'll see. 
 Enter AGNES. 
 
 AGNES. Sir John Capel ! 
 
 Enter SIR JOHN, he comes down L. 
 
 STUART (amazed). What on earth's the meaning of this ? 
 
 SIR J. You may well ask that, sir. I am here to ask 
 the same question of Mr. Blair. Why is my daughter 
 in your house unknown to me at night ?
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 59 
 
 DICK. Well, to tell you the truth, Sir John, it isn't 
 altogether easy to explain. 
 
 MABJ. Oh, yes, it is, it's quite easy. I came here to 
 propose to Mr. Blair. 
 
 STUART (doivn R.). That's pretty useful. 
 
 DICK (to MABJORIE). Here steady 
 
 MARJ. Well, it's true. 
 
 SIR J. Then this letter you left for me was also true? 
 
 MARJ. I didn't intend it as a joke. 
 
 SIR J. Are you in your senses ? Am I awake ? 
 
 DICK. Perhaps I can explain, Sir John. Your daughter 
 came here to-night hoping that by doing so she might be 
 able to force your hand by placing herself in a difficult 
 position. 
 
 SIR J. And are you willing to profit by that ? Are 
 you willing to profit by a young girl's chivalry ? 
 
 DICK. No, Sir John, I am not. Have I ever said so ? 
 
 SIR J. You threatened it, this morning. 
 
 DICK. Excuse me, I suggested it, as a hypothetical 
 case. As a matter of fact I have proposed to your 
 daughter with my every homage and respect. I might 
 add that your daughter has accepted me. (Goes at back 
 to B. of settee, sits on edge, and leans over and takes 
 MARJOHIE'S hand.) 
 
 MARJ. So it comes to much the same thing. 
 
 STUART. And in either case loud cheers. (Sits on 
 edge of table down B.) 
 
 SIR J. You do not know my daughter, sir. 
 
 DICK. I know her well enough for that, Sir John. 
 
 STUABT. Ah ! you don't always see what's going on 
 in the region of your nose, sir. 
 
 SIE J. (taking a step to down L.). What are you doing 
 here? 
 
 STUABT. Well, sir, my mission is constructive too. 
 
 SIR J. You have made your plans in spite of me ? 
 
 STUART. No, sir, but I'm here to make 'em, and 
 they're on the complex (rises) side, and if you want 
 your windows cleaned or your boots blacked I shall be 
 delighted to secure your custom. I've suddenly grown 
 up, sir, and that is about the most marked difference 
 between us. I'm here to ask Miss Blair to be my wife. 
 
 SIB J. You defy me ?
 
 60 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 STUART. Well, sir, the little birdies will leave the 
 nest. 
 
 SIE J. I do not understand this tomfoolery. 
 
 STUART. And if you take my tip, sir, you won't try. 
 It's outside your range. 
 
 SIR J. Where is your sister, Mr. Blair? Let me see her. 
 
 STUART. Yes, where is your sister, Blair ? (Moves up 
 between chair and table R.) 
 
 DICK (rises). Good God ! I was forgetting all about 
 her. 
 
 STUART. What d'you mean ? Don't you know where 
 she is ? 
 
 DICK. No. 
 . STUART. Well, but where do you think she is ? 
 
 DICK. I'm wondering. 
 
 STUART. Wondering ? D'you mean you're anxious ? 
 
 DICK. Aren't you ? (MARJORIE rises.) She isn't here, 
 and she ought to be. I haven't seen her for hours. 
 
 STUART. Well, but . . . where do you think she's gone? 
 
 DICK. How can I tell where she's gone ? Where do 
 hopeless women go sometimes ? 
 
 STUART (shocked). Good God ! 
 
 DICK (bitterly). Well, had she very much to hope for 
 this morning? Use your imagination. Has it struck 
 you that you may have come too late ? (Suddenly.) Wait ! 
 (He rings the bell and goes behind the settee to door L.C.). 
 (SiR JOHN sits down L., MARJORIE moves to R. of settee.) 
 It is just possible that someone knows. (A paitse. 
 Enter AGNES.) Agnes, have you any idea where Miss 
 Eosie is? 
 
 AGNES. No, sir. 
 
 DICK. She didn't say where she was going ? 
 
 AGNES. No, sir. 
 
 DICK. What time did she go out ? 
 
 AGNES. Soon after lunch, sir. 
 
 DICK. Did she seem at all unlike herself ? 
 
 AGNES. I thought she was looking very pale, sir. 
 
 DICK. And she didn't leave any message ? 
 
 AGNES. No, sir. 
 
 DICK. All right, Agnes. You'd better go to bed ; it's 
 getting late. 
 
 AGNES. Is anything the matter, sir ?
 
 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 61 
 
 DICK. I I don't know ! (Goes down to L.C.) [Exit 
 AGNES.] DICK makes a despairing gesture. Goes up to 
 
 behind settee.) You see 
 
 (MARJORIE goes slowly up to back.) 
 
 SIB J. Let us hope you are putting too grave a con- 
 struction on your sister's absence, Mr. Blair. 
 
 (DiCK becomes drawn and tense. He speaks brokenly 
 and loses his control.) 
 
 DICK. I hope I may be but I've never known her 
 to do such a thing as this before. It's utterly unlike her. 
 And in these particular circumstances can't you see ? 
 When one remembers what was in her mind when 
 one remembers what she had to face! I was obliged 
 to be out all day myself. I couldn't stay with her 
 here or look after her. So she . . . (In a changed 
 voice, deliberately, to STUART.) If Eosie's dead, I'll kill 
 you. You taught her to cheat and lie i You put decep- 
 tion into her. Till she met you, her soul was as white 
 as snow. YOU'VE turned her life into a blistering horror ! 
 Damn you for what you've done ! Damn you ! (DiCK 
 pulls himself together and continues brokenly. MARJORIE 
 buries her face in her hands.) She's the only thing I've ever 
 had to love or to love me. She's been with me ever 
 since I can remember. All the time I was working, 
 struggling to get on, we've been together. I've taught 
 her, educated her myself. And now you've brought her 
 to this ! (Breaking dotvn.) God ! I can't bear it ! I 
 can't bear it ! (Sinks into chair behind settee, his back to 
 audience. STUABT, after a moment, takes up the telephone. 
 Door slam and is just going to speak when a door bangs. 
 Starting.) What's that! (Enter ROSE. DICK goes to her 
 in a passion of relief.) Eosie ! Eosie ! (EosE throws 
 herself into his arms and clings to him, half sobbing.) 
 
 EOSE. Dick ! Dick ! 
 
 DICK (clinging to her). Eosie ! where have you been, 
 dear ? Why do you torture me like this ? Where have you 
 been, dear? Tell me. (STUART comes to R.C. EOSE is 
 shaking with sobs. DICK soothes her.) There, there ; it's 
 all right, sweetheart. It's all right, darling. Where 
 have you been, dear? Tell me. 
 
 EOSE (brokenly). I went I went to Eichmond. 
 
 DICK. To Eichmond ? Why did you go there ?
 
 62 A PLACE IN THE SUN. 
 
 KOBE. I went to look I wanted to be alone. 
 (DiCK gives a swift, confirmatory look at STUART.) 
 
 STUART (coming to c. Quietly.) Eosie, will you will 
 you marry me? Will you marry me on a couple of 
 hundred a year ? It's all the money I've got. 
 
 (EosE looks at him incredulously. Then she looks at 
 DICK.) 
 
 DICK. It's all right, Kiddie it's all right. (L.) 
 (EosE goes shyly to STUART.) 
 
 STUART (holds out his hands to her). Will you, Eosie ? 
 
 EOSE. Yes. 
 
 STUART. That's right. (SiR JOHN rises.) Forgive 
 your enemies. This is my father, Eosie. 
 
 (DiCK closes door, which EOSE has left open.) 
 
 SIR J. (crosses to EOSE). So you're going to marry my 
 son? 
 
 STUART. Yes, sir, but don't you come butting in. 
 (MARJORIE joins DICK, and they come doivn L.C.) I've told 
 Miss Blair myself she's quite mad to take on with me as 
 it is. 
 
 SIR J. Then for once in my life I agree with you. 
 (To DICK.) And you've carried off my daughter without 
 my consent. 
 
 DICK (L. of SIR JOHN). Well, by the modern standard, 
 Sir John, it seemed more important to obtain hers. 
 
 SIR J. Then perhaps you'll be good enough to see my 
 daughter home if that is included in the modern method 
 too. 
 
 DICK. It is, Sir John, quite. And I shall probably 
 kiss her in the cab in the old-fashioned method. 
 
 SIR J. Miss Blair, they tell me my son is a cubist cub, 
 or nut whatever that may mean. However, if you can 
 induce him to WORK, I suppose I must open an account 
 for you at Coutts' Bank. Your brother informs me it's 
 the proper thing. 
 
 STUART. Well, upon my soul, sir, you're the most 
 extraordinary man. I shall live to be proud of you yet. 
 
 SIR J. Tcha ! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 (As curtain falls, DICK takes SIR JOHN up L.C. , saying) 
 DICK. Let me see you out, Sir John.
 
 Plays for Amateur Representation. 
 
 ONE ACT PLAYS (without Vocal Numbers). 
 
 . d. 
 
 *A Born Nurse (Humorous Duologue) 
 
 2F. 
 
 Blanche Wills-Chandler 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 *A Bouquet 
 
 3 F. 
 
 Edith Wheeler . . _ 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 A Bright Idea 
 
 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law . . ^. 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 A Day in Boulogne 
 
 3 M. F. 
 
 Arthur Law . . .. 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 
 2 F. 
 
 Edith Wheeler 
 
 
 6 
 
 A Flying Visit 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 A Happy Bungalow 
 
 3 M. 3 F. 
 
 Arthur Law . . . . 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 A Merry Christmas 
 
 4 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 A Moss-Rose Rent 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 t 
 
 o 
 
 A Nice Little Supper (Duologue) 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 Edith Wheeler . 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 A Night Surprise 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 A Peculiar Case 
 
 2 M. i F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 A Pretty Bequest 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Malcolm Watson . . 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 A Strange Host 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law . . . . 
 
 I 
 
 c 
 
 A Terrible Fright 
 
 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 A United Pair 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Comyns Carr 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 A Woman's Way .. 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Edith Wheeler .. 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Afterwards . . . . . . . . . . 
 
 3 F - 
 
 Marion Roberton . . 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Augustus in search of a Father 
 
 3 M. .. 
 
 Harold Chapin 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 All at Sea 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 An Academy Picture 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Ethel Chillingworth . . 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 An Artful Automaton 
 
 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 An Unrehearsed Comedy (Duologue) 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 At the Play 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 Edward E. Piag"io 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Before the Dawn 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Henry Byatt 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Bet, The (Comedy) 
 
 5 M. 2 F. 
 
 Darcy Leverson 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 Better Half The, (Humorous Duologue) 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 Frank Runchman 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 ICall of Duty, The 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 Chas. Beatty. 
 
 M 
 
 S. 
 
 Castle Botherem 
 
 3 M. 3 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Cherry Tree Farm 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 a 
 
 Cressmans Entertain, The 
 
 5 M. 7 F. 
 
 M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 Doings of Jane, The 
 
 2F. 
 
 M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Dolly's Week-end; or, The Tale of a Speaking- 
 
 
 
 
 
 tube (Comedy) 
 
 4 M. 4 F. 
 
 Florence Warden 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Doorway, The 
 
 2 M. i F. 
 
 Harold Bnghouse . . 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Enchantment (a Fairy Tale) 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Feminine Strategy .. 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 CatherineAdams 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Lazinella, or, The Enchanted Princess (a Fairy 
 
 
 
 
 
 Extravaganza. Three Scenes) 
 
 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 E. L. Blanchard 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Little Stone House, The 
 
 4 M. 2 F. 
 
 George Calderon 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Magic in the Qarden 
 
 2 M. 3 F. 
 
 M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Makeshifts 
 
 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 Misfits and Muddlewits (Humorous Duologue) 
 
 i M. i F. 
 
 Edith Wheeler .. 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Mrs. Hazenby's Health 
 
 i M. 3 F. 
 
 Curtis Brown . . 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Mushroom Prince, The (for Children) 
 
 i M. 3 F. 
 
 B. Rideaux & M. Derwent 
 
 o 
 
 4 
 
 Naturalist, The (a Comedy) 
 
 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Comyns Carr . . . . 
 
 I 
 

 
 ONE ACT PLAYS (with< 
 
 A 000 775 873 3 
 
 Nobody's Fault 
 
 .. 3 M. 2 . F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 s ; 
 
 d. 
 
 
 
 Necklace (a Charade. Three Scenes) . . 
 
 . .. 3 M. 3 F. 
 
 Mrs. H. Mackarness . 
 
 . 
 
 4 
 
 Old Knockles 
 
 . . 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 One Hundred Pounds Reward 
 
 .. 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 . i 
 
 
 
 One Too Many (a Comedietta) 
 
 . . 4 M. 2 F. 
 
 F. C. Burnand . . 
 
 . i 
 
 C 
 
 Realities 
 
 .. 2 M. 2 F. 
 
 Gertrude Robins 
 
 
 
 Red Riding Hood (a Rhymed Play) .. 
 
 .. 3 M. i F. 
 
 William Yardley 
 
 . o 
 
 4 
 
 Sentence, The 
 
 .. 2M. i F 
 
 Edith Wheeler 
 
 
 , 
 
 Spring in Bloomsbury 
 
 . . 3 M. i F. 
 
 Harold Brighousc 
 
 
 . 
 
 Susannah 
 
 . . i M. 2 F. 
 
 
 
 
 Three Tenants (a Comedy) 
 
 . . 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Gilbert A'Beckett 
 
 . t 
 
 a 
 
 Treasure Trove 
 
 . . 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Arthur Law 
 
 , I 
 
 
 
 Two Men and a Maid 
 
 . . 2 M. i F. 
 
 W. L. Wade-Dalton . 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Verger, The 
 
 . . 3 M. 2 F. 
 
 Walter Frith .. 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 Wanted: a Housekeeper 
 
 . . i M. 3 F. 
 
 Clement O'Neill 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 TWO ACT PLAYS (without Vocal Numbers). 
 
 Efficiency of Man, The (in Three Scenes) 
 
 Head of the Poll 
 
 Lady Barbara's Birthday (Comedietta) 
 'When Woman Rules (Comedy for Girls) 
 
 8 M. . . M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 3 M. 2 F. Arthur Law 
 
 3 M. 4 F. A. E. Barker . . 
 
 14 F. M. F. Hutcbinson 
 
 THREE ACT PLAYS (without Vocal Numbers). 
 
 Art and Opportunity (Comedy) ( 4 M. 
 
 2 F.) . . . . (on loan) Harold Chapin . . 
 
 MS. 
 
 At the Barn 
 
 . (stiff boards) 7 M. 5 F. Anthony P. Wharton . . 
 
 2 6 
 
 ! Better Not Enquire (Comedy) .. 
 
 7 M. 7 F. and supers. Alfred Capus 
 
 MS. 
 
 Dicky's Luck (Comedy) 
 
 .'adapted by Gladys Unger) 
 7 M. 6 F. Robert & Julian Hay . . 
 
 i 6 
 
 *Man Next Door, The (Comedy in Three Scenes) . . 4 F. M. F. Hutchinson 
 
 I O 
 
 Rutherford & Son 
 
 .. (stiff boards) 4 M. 4 F. Githa Sowerby . . 
 
 2 6 
 
 The Fountain 
 
 7 M. 4 F. Geo. Calderon . . 
 
 o 6 
 
 The Probationer (4 acts) 
 
 6 M. 4 F. Anthony Rowley 
 
 o 6 
 
 The Weaver's Shuttle .. 
 
 6 M. 4 F. Anthony Rowley 
 
 o 6 
 
 David Ballard 
 
 6 M. 4 F. Chas. McEvoy . . 
 
 I 
 
 A Place in the Sun 
 
 5 M. 4 F. Cyril Harcourt 
 
 a 6 
 
 Jane Clegg 
 
 
 MS. 
 
 Barbara Grows Up 
 
 (on loan) 3 M. 4 F. Geo. J. Hamlen 
 
 MS. 
 
 Plays marked with an asterisk * thus, are for female characters only. 
 I MS. on hire. M Male. F Female. 
 
 N.B. All particulars, including Synopsis, Length of Performance, Compass of 
 Vocal Numbers, Author's Fees, etc., will be found in "THUMB-NAIL PLOTS," 
 a descriptive guide of 200 pages, post free, 6d. 
 
 London : Joseph Williams, Limited, 32, Great Portland Street, W.