THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF Kemaeth Macgowan JANE CLEGG JANE CLEGG: A PLAY IN THREE ACTS. BY ST JOHN G. ERVINE NEW YORK : HENRY HOLT & COMPANY LONDON: SIDGWICK & JACKSON, LTD. 1915 Copyright, 191$, by Sidgwick his children. JENNY CLEGG ) MRS CLEGG, his mother. MR MORRISON. MR MUNCB. Jane Clegg was performed for the first time at the Gaiety Theatre, Manchester, on April 21st, 1913, by Miss Horniman's Company, with the following cast : HENRY CLEGG . . MR BERNARD COPPING JANE CLEGG . . Miss SYBIL THORNDIKK MRS CLEGG . . Miss CLARE GREET JENNY CLEGG . . Miss MABEL SALKELD JOHNNIE CLEGG . MASTER TOMMY NICKSON MR MUNCE . . MR ELIOT MAKEHAM MR MORRISON . . MR ERNEST HAINES It was subsequently played by the same Company at the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, on May 19th, 1913. The play was produced by Mr Lewis Casson. JANE CLEGG ACT I JANE CLEGG, a tall, dark woman, aged thirty-two years, is seated at a large table, sewing. It is almost nine o'clock, and, as the evening is chilly, a bright fire burns in the grate. The room has a cosy air, although it is furnished in the undistinguished manner characteristic of the homes of lower middle-class people. A corner of the table is reserved for a meal for a late-comer. JOHNNIE and JENNY, aged ten and eight years respectively, are playing on a rug in front of the fire. The girl is impatient and sometimes knocks over the structures which her brother laboriously builds. MRS CLEGG, the grandmother of the children, is seated in a low rocking-chair, her arms folded across her breast, idly watching them. She is a stout, coarse, and very sentimental woman, and her voice has in it a continual note of querulousness. She glances at the clock and then speaks to her daughter-in-law. 2 JANE CLEGG [ACT i MRS CLEGG. I can't think wot's keepin' 'Enry. JANE CLEGG. [without looking up from her sewing.] Busy, I suppose. MRS CLEGG. 'E's always busy. I don't believe men are 'all so busy as they make out they are ! Besides I know 'Enry ! I 'aven't 'ad the motherin' of 'im for nothink. 'E don't kill 'imself with work, 'Enry don't. JANE CLEGG. [in an undertone.] Oh, hush, mother, before the children. MRS CLEGG. Oh, I daresay they know all about 'im. Children knows more about their parents nowadays than their parents knows about them, from wot I can see of it. JANE CLEGG. Henry's work keeps him out late\ It isn't as if he had regular hours like othei men. A traveller isn't like ordinary people. MRS CLEGG. No, that's true. It isn't a proper life for a man, not travellin' isn't. A married fnan, any'ow. They see too much. I don't be- 'lieve in men seein' too much. It unsettles 'em. JANE CLEGG. Oh, I don't know ! Some men are born to be unsettled and some aren't. I suppose that's the way with everything. MRS CLEGG. You take things too calm, you do. I 'aven't any patience with you ! Look ACT i] JANE CLEGG 3 at the way you took it when 'e went after that woman ! . . . JANE CLEGG. Oh, please, please ! MRS CLEGG. I'd 'ave tore 'er 'air off. That was the least you could 'ave done. JENNY, [knocking the bricks over.] Oh, I'm tired of this game. JOHNNIE. There ! You've gone and done it again. Why can't you play properly ? MRS CLEGG. Wot you playin' at, Johnnie ? JOHNNIE, [crossly.] A game, grannie ! MRS CLEGG. I know you're playin' a game ! What kind of a game ? JOHNNIE, [beginning to build up the bricks again.] Oh, only a game, grannie. I'm pre- tending to be mother, and Jenny's pretending to be father. We're building a house with these bricks, but it's no good. . . . Jenny keeps on knocking it all down. JANE CLEGG. Jenny, dear, that's very naughty ! JENNY. It takes so long, mother ! JOHNNIE. Well, you can't play this game unless you go slowly. It's awful responsibility building a house. MRS CLEGG. Don't use such big words, Johnnie. It isn't natural for a child your age to be talkin' like that. 4 JANE CLEGG [ACT i JENNY, laughing mischievously, scatters the bricks. Oh, oh, you naughty little girl ! 'Owever could you! JOHNNIE. Oh, don't, Jenny 1 You've spoilt it all. JENNY. It's such a silly game 1 Let's play something quick. JANE CLEGG. Jenny, you must go to bed. JENNY, [petulantly.] Oh, mother ! MRS CLEGG. You 'aven't no patience, young woman, that's wot you 'aven't. JOHNNIE. She spoils everything. JENNY. Well, I like quick games. Building houses takes an awful long time. Let's play something else ! JANE CLEGO. No, Jenny, you must go to bed. You can't play any more games to-night. JENNY. Mother ! JANE CLEGG. Run along, now 1 MRS CLEGG. See ! That's wot you get for bein' naughty. JENNY. I didn't mean to be naughty, mother. JOHNNIE. No, but you were. JENNY. Please, mother, I'm sorry. Let me stay up a little while longer. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 5 She puts her arms about her mother's neck affectionately. JANE CLEGG. That'll do, dear. Kiss grannie, and go to bed. JENNY, [beginning to whimper.] I didn't mean any harm ! JANE CLEGG. [kissing her.] Good-night, dear ! The child stands about reluctantly, rubbing her eyes. Now, run along quickly ! JENNY. I don't want to go yet. MRS CLEGG. Let 'er stay up a while longer, 'til 'er father comes 'ome. She didn't mean to be naughty, did you, dear ? She putts JENNY to her, and clasps her in her arms. JENNY, [still whimpering.] No, grannie. MRS CLEGG. There, you see, she didn't mean it. MRS CLEGG. Kiss your grannie good-night, Jenny, and go to bed. JENNY, [now crying loudly.] Father'd let me stay up. MRS CLEGG. You might as well let 'er stay now. You forgive 'er, don't you, Johnnie ? JANE CLEGG. [firmly.] Jenny, go to bed at once, dear. MRS CLEGG. [hurriedly and testily.] Oh, my 6 JANE CLEGG [ACT i dear Jane, don't lose your temper, wotever you do ! [to JENNY.] 'Ere, my sweet 'eart, gimme a kiss and say good-night. There, there, now ! You know it was your own fault, don't you ? You were a naughty girl, weren't you ? Now, now, stop cryin', do ! I can't bear to 'ear a child cryin'. 'Ere, 'ere's a penny for you ! JENNY, [putting up her lips to be kissed.] Good-night, grannie. MRS CLEGG. [kissing her warmly.] Good- night, my sweet'eart. JENNY goes sulkily towards the door. JANE CLEGG. Kiss your brother good-night, Jenny ! JENNY. No, I don't want to. JANE CLEGG. Kiss your brother good-night, Jenny ! JENNY stands irresolutely for a moment, and then goes toward her brother. She kisses him, and then, after a pause, gives him a push which knocks him over. JENNY. There, spiteful thing ! MRS CLEGG. Oh, you wicked little girl 1 JANE CLEGG. Jenny ! JENNY. What ? JANE CLEGG. Come here. JENNY. Yes, mother. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 7 She approaches her mother. JANE CLEGG. Why did you strike Johnnie like that ? JENNY. I don't know, mother. I just wanted to. MRS CLEGG. But you shouldn't just want to do things. JOHNNIE. She didn't hurt me, mother. You didn't mean to hurt me, did you, Jenny ? JENNY, [crying again]. No. JANE CLEGG. Well, say you're sorry, and go to bed. JENNY, [putting her arms round JOHNNIE'S neck.] I'm sorry, Johnnie. I didn't mean to be unkind. JOHNNIE kisses her ardently. JOHNNIE. I'll come to bed, too, Jenny, so's you shan't be lonely. MRS CLEGG. There, now ! Isn't that just like the Good Samaritan ? You are a good boy, Johnnie. 'Ere ! 'Ere's a kiss for you. She kisses him noisily. JOHNNIE. You gave Jenny a penny. MRS CLEGG. Oh, oh, that's wot it is, is it ? Well, 'ere you are then. Now run along the two of you, and don't get quarrellin' together, wot- ever you do. 8 JANE CLEGG [ACT i JOHNNIE. Thank you, grannie. He kisses her, and then kisses his mother. Good-night, mother. Oh, I forgot the bricks. I must put them away. Jenny, come and help. JENNY. No, I don't want to. MBS CLEGG. Oh, now, that is ungrateful of you. JENNY. I'm going to bed. Good-night ! She goes out. MRS CLEGG. That child gets more 'eadstrong every day. Jus' like 'er father was, bless 'er. And yet I can't help likin' 'er for it. It reminds me of 'im w'en 'e was 'er age ! JOHNNIE, [who has collected his toys and put them away.] Good-night, grannie and mother. He kisses them again and goes out. MRS CLEGG. You was a bit 'ard on 'er, Jane, I must say. JANE CLEGG. She must do what she is told. I wish you wouldn't intercede for her and give her pennies. It only makes her worse. MRS CLEGG. Well, well, I can't 'elp it. She's so like 'er poor father ! JANE CLEGG. I wish Henry would come home. It isn't often he's as late as this. MRS CLEGG. [sniffily.] Goodness only knows where 'e is ! Though 'e is my own son, 'e don't ACT i] JANE CLEGG 9 be'ave proper, and it's your fault for lettin' 'im. JANE CLEGG. I can't prevent him from doing what he likes. MRS CLEGG. Yes, you can. Any woman can. Watch 'im, that's wot you got to do. Never take your eyes off a them. That's wot I done with 'is father. 'E was the same, always wanted to be gallivantin' about. Busy, 'e said. I busied 'im. I never 'ardly let 'im out of my sight. JANE CLEGG. What's the good of talking like that. I can't follow Henry everywhere. Your husband's work was at home. It was easy for you to watch him. Besides, I don't want to watch Henry. I don't see any pleasure in being married to a man who has to be watched. MRS CLEGG. Oh, you're unnacherl, you are. I wouldn't 'ave felt 'appy if I didn't know all George was doin' of. It isn't as if you 'adn't no reason to watch 'im. JANE CLEGG. Well, that's all over now, isn't it. MRS CLEGG. I'm sure I 'ope so. It was a perfect scandal the way 'e went on with that . . . wot was 'er name ? JANE CLEGG. I don't know. Does it matter ? 10 JANE CLEGG [ACT i MRS CLEGG. No, I suppose it don't. The brazened 'ussy ! Wot I can't understand is why you was so calm about it. JANE CLEGG. You have to make allowances. MRS CLEGG. Allowances ! There's a limit to allowances. That's wot I think. JANE CLEGG. [rising and putting her sewing away.] Yes, I suppose so. MRS CLEGG. I suppose you must be fond of 'im, or you wouldn't 'ave married 'im. JANE CLEGG. I was very fond of him. MRS CLEGG. But you're not now, eh ? JANE CLEGG. [returning to her seat.] Oh, I don't know about that. I suppose I'm as fond of him as any woman is of her husband after she's been married to him twelve years. It's a long time, isn't it ? MRS CLEGG. 'Orrible ! JANE CLEGG. Do you know why I didn't leave Henry when that happened ? It was simply because I couldn't. MRS CLEGG. 'Ow du mean ? JANE CLEGG. Isn't it simple enough ? Johnnie was four and Jenny was two. Henry had a good situation. If I had left him, I should not have earned more than a pound a week at the best, and I couldn't have looked after the ACT il JANE CLEGG 11 children and worked as well. I don't suppose I should have got work at all here. A woman who leaves her husband on moral grounds is treated as badly as a woman who runs away with another man. MRS CLEGG. Well, of course, it isn't right to leave your 'usband. Till death do you part, that's wot the Bible says. I wasn't 'intin' at anythink of that sort. I only suggested that you should be firm with 'im. JANE CLEGG. Why shouldn't I leave him, if he isn't loyal ? MRS CLEGG. Oh, my dear, 'ow can you ask such a question ? Wotever would people say ? JANE CLEGG. But why shouldn't I leave him ? MRS CLEGG. Because it isn't right, that's why. JANE CLEGG. But why isn't it right. MRS CLEGG. You are a one for askin' ques- tions ! Nice thing it would be I'm sure if women started leavin' their 'usbands like that. JANE CLEGG. If I'd been able to, I should have left Henry then. I hadn't any money, so I couldn't. MRS CLEGG. This is wicked, this is. Doesn't the Bible say you should take 'im for better or worse ? 12 JANE CLEGG [ACT i JANE CLEGG. The Prayer Book ! MRS CLEGG. Well, it's the same thing. JANE CLEGG. I don't care what it says. It isn't right to ask a woman to take a man for worse. Or a man to take a woman. MRS CLEGG. But you promised. You knew wot you was doin' of. JANE CLEGG. No, I didn't. Do you think I knew that Henry did that sort of thing, or that I would have married him if I had ? He married me under false pretences, that's what he did. He knew that woman before he married me. If he told a lie about his samples, he'd be put in jail, but no one thinks anything of his lying to me. MRS CLEGG. Well, men is men, and there's an end of it. You just 'ave to put up with them. JANE CLEGG. I don't believe in putting up with things unless you can't help yourself. I couldn't help myself before, but I can now. Uncle Tom's money makes that possible. MRS CLEGG. That made 'im angry, that did. When you wouldn't let 'im 'ave the money to start for 'imself . JANE CLEGG. You know quite well he'd have lost it all. He's a good traveller, but he couldn't control a business of his own. He's not that ACT i] JANE CLEGG 13 sort. I made up my mind when I got the money that I would spend it on Johnny and Jenny. I want to give them both a good chance. You know how fond Johnny is of playing with engines and making things. I want to spend the money on making an engineer of him, if that's what he wants to be. I couldn't bear the thought of him becoming one of those little clerks ! . . . [She makes a shuddering gesture.] Oh ! MRS CLEGG. There's worse than clerks. JANE CLEGG. I daresay. Why should I give my money to Henry ? MRS CLEGG. 'E's your 'usband, isn't 'e ? JANE CLEGG. I don't see what that's got to do with it. MRS CLEGG. Well, that beats all. I thought you was a Christian, Jane. JANE CLEGG. [wearily.] Oh, I don't know what I am. I only know I'm made to do things that I can't understand for no earthly reason whatever. I must do this and I must do that, and no one tells me why, I wish I'd been well- educated. MRS CLEGG. Thank goodness you're not. I don't believe in all this education for women. It unsettles them. I've never been educated, and I'm 'appy enough. 14 JANE CLEGG [ACT i JANE CLEGG. So's a worm, I suppose. MRS CLEGG. [bridling.] Of course, if you're going to insult me ! . . . JANE CLEGG. No, I don't want to do that. I only mean that being content isn't everything. I want to know things. I hate being told to do things without knowing why I should do them. It doesn't seem right somehow to have a mind and not use it. MRS CLEGG. Well, I don't know wot you mean. I believe in bein' 'appy no matter wot 'appens. That's good enough for me. I don't want to know things. I want to be let alone, an' be 'appy. JANE CLEGG. Mebbe you're right. [They are quiet for a moment.] Oh, isn't it just awful to think that I shall sit here always, mending things and waiting for Henry to come home ! MRS CLEGG. No, it isn't awful at all. It's nacherl. It's always bin like that, and it always will. It's no good flyin' in the face of Providence. JANE CLEGG. I never see anything or go any- where. I have to cook and wash and nurse and mend and teach ! . . . And then I'm not certain of Henry. That's what's so hard. I give him everything, and he isn't faithful. MRS CLEGG. 'E was always a man for women. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 15 There's a lot like that. They don't mean no 'arm, but some'ow they do it. I 'eard tell once of someone that said it was silly of women to complain about things like that, and mebbe 'e was right. They're not made like us, men aren't. I never wanted but one man in my life, but my 'usband, bless 'im, 'e was never satisfied. 'E used to say it near broke 'is 'eart to be a Christian ! 'E 'ad a great respect for Turks an' foreigners. 'Enry takes after 'im. [She pauses for a moment.} I dunno ! Men's a funny lot wotever way you take them, an' it's my belief a wise woman shuts 'er eyes to more'n 'alf wot goes on in the world. She'd be un'appy if she didn't, an' it's no good bein' un'appy. JANE CLEGG. I'm not like that. I demand as much as I give. It isn't fair to take all and give nothing. MRS CLEGG. [impatiently.] But ! . . . JANE CLEGG. Oh, I know what you're going to say. I don't care what men say or what anybody says ; Henry must give me as much as I give to him. That's only decent. MRS CLEGG. Well, I'm sure I 'ope you get it. There's few women does. Men is guilty sinners. You can't get over that. If they ain't sinnin' one way, they're sinnin' another, an' you can't 16 JANE CLEGG [ACT i stop 'em. The Lord can't do it, an' it ain't likely you can. The street door is opened and slammed to. JANE CLEGG. I suppose this is him ! The door opens, and HENRY CLEGG, a middle- sized man, good-natured, genial, fairly hand- some, though a little fleshly and somewhat weak -looking, ENTERS. His manner is brisk. He has a quick way of speaking, and his actions are rapid. He is a man of nervous temperament, to whom repose is impossible. Although he is superficially open and frank, there is about him an air of furtiveness, almost meanness, and he will turn away quickly from a steady look. He goes to his wife and kisses her. HENRY CLEGG. Well, old girl, feeling anxious, eh ? [He goes to his mother and kisses her.] JANE CLEGG. I thought you were probably working late. MRS CLEGG. You didden ought to be so late, 'Enry, you know you oughtn't. HENRY CLEGG. I had to go into the country this morning about a big order. Hadn't time to look round or do anything. [He goes to the table.] Is this my supper ? JANE CLEGG. Yes. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 17 HENRY CLEGG. Any letters ? JANE CLEGG. [taking a letter off the fireplace and handing it to him.] Yes, this one was brought round from the office this afternoon by a boy. I've not seen him before. HENRY CLEGG. [taking the letter, and opening it] Thanks. Oh, yes, they got a new boy in a day or two ago. [He glances hastily through the Utter.] What'd they send it to me for ? [He looks at a cheque which is enclosed with the letter.] Now, there's a dam silly thing ! JANE CLEGG. What IS ? HENRY CLEGG. Armstrong & Brown have settled their account and the cheque's made payable to me. Someb'dy ought to get the sack for that ! MRS CLEGG. Why ? You're honest, aren't you? HENRY CLEGG. Yes, mother, but supposing I wasn't, eh ? MRS CLEGG. 'Ow can you talk like that, 'Enry, an' you brought up the way you was. HENRY CLEGG. All very fine, mother. If I wasn't honest, and was to hop round to the bank to-morrow morning, and cash this well, it 'ud be all umpydoodelum with some chap's job, that's all. [He puts the letter and cheque in his 18 JANE CLEGG [ACT i pocket-book, and sitting down, commences to eat his meal.] I'm done up. Absolutely. Worn- out with work. The chaps at the office are all cursing and swearing at the amount they have to do. MRS CLEGG. [becoming concerned.] Poor 'Enry ! 'E ought to get more 'elp, Mr 'Arper ought. It ain't right to work people so 'ard. HENRY CLEGG. He'll never get any more help. He's not that sort. Work the life and soul out of you, he will. It's enough to make a chap turn Socialist. MRS CLEGG. Oh, don't you go an' get mixed up with none of them. I've 'card some 'orrible things about them. JANE CLEGG. Why don't you and the others refuse to be overworked ? He'd have to give in if you stood up to him. HENRY CLEGG. Stand up to him ! Fancy a lot of mouldy clerks standin' up to anyone. It's no good me standin' up by myself : the others wouldn't support me, and I'd get the sack. Jolly glad some of 'em would be to get my job. MRS CLEGG. If there was a woman or two in your office, I bet you they'd soon show Mr 'Arper they wouldn't be treated the way 'e treats you men. HENRY CLEGG. Yes, I daresay. It's all very ACT i] JANE CLEGG 19 well for a lot of women to talk. They haven't got any responsibilities. [JANE CLEGG laughs.] Oh, you can laugh. These young girls comin' into offices, what responsibility have they got, eh ? Live on their fathers they do, and then go and take low salaries and do their fathers out of jobs. It's easy enough to be independent when you've got someone to fall back on. Who could I fall back on if I got the sack, eh ? MRS CLEGG. Well, you'd be all right. Jane wouldn't see you go short if you was to lose your place, not with all that money of hers. HENRY CLEGG. Her money ! Huh ! Fat lot of good it is to me. JANE CLEGG. Shall I get you some more meat, Henry ? HENRY CLEGG. [stretching himself in the manner of a replete animal.] No, thanks. I've had enough ! He rises and crosses to the fire, and sits down beside his mother. He lights a pipe JANE removes the remnants of the meal. MRS CLEGG. [taking a cushion from behind her.] 'Ere, 'Enry, put that be'ind you. You must be wore out. She rises and puts the cushion behind his head. He settles himself into it comfortably. 20 JANE CLEGG [ACT i HENRY CLEGG. I could have done well for my- self with that money if Jane had let me have it. MRS CLEGG. I know you could, 'Enry. I've often told her that. [JANE re-enters the room.] 'Aven't I, Jane ? JANE CLEGG. What, mother ? MRS CLEGG. 'Aven't I often tole you wot good use 'Enry could 'ave made of your money if you'd on'y let 'im 'ave it ? JANE CLEGG. Yes, mother, you have. MRS CLEGG. See ! But she don't take no interest in wot I say. Says you're not fit to 'ave charge of it ! HENRY CLEGG. [angrily.] Who's not fit to have charge of it ? JANE CLEGG. I didn't say that. I said you were not so good at managing a business of your own, as you are at being a traveller. That was all. HENRY CLEGG. How do you know, eh ? JANE CLEGG. I just knOW. She brings a chair up to the fire, and sits down between her husband and her mother- in-law. HENRY CLEGG. [surlily.] Blasted fine thing, I must say, when a man's own wife makes little of him. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 21 JANE CLEGG. I don't make little of you, Henry. I just treat you as you are. HENRY CLEGG. I could have doubled that money three times over. I could still do it. I heard to-day about something ! . . . Look here, Jane, if you would let me have two hundred of it, I could pull off a good thing in about six months. Straight, I could. JANE CLEGG. What could you pull off ? HENRY CLEGG. Well, I can't give many par- ticulars about it, because I told the chap I wouldn't say a word to anyone, not even to you. He knew you'd come in for a bit of money, and he mentioned it himself. He naturally thought I could get the money easy enough. I didn't like to tell him you'd got it, and wouldn't let me have any of it. Makes a man look such a damned fool, that sort of thing. It's a bit of a spec, at present, of course, and there's one or two's after it. That's why he told me not to tell anyone. MRS CLEGG. I should think you could tell Jane. That's on'y nacherel, she bein' your wife. HENRY CLEGG. No, I promised I wouldn't. JANE CLEGG. Don't bother, Henry. I know you don't like breaking promises. Your friend 22 JANE CLEGG [ACT i won't get my money. I've made up my mind that I shall keep it for Johnnie and Jenny. HENRY CLEGG. [with great fury.] There, you hear that, mother ! That's the sort of woman she is. Not a spark of love for me in her. JANE CLEGG. You know, Henry I ... HENRY CLEGG. Don't talk to me. I don't want to hear what you've got to say. He begins to stride up and down the room, puffing quickly at his pipe. JANE sits still, MRS CLEGG WCCpS. MRS CLEGG. It's no pleasure to me to sit 'ere an' 'ear all this. HENRY CLEGG. Oh, shut your silly mouth. I've enough on my mind without you adding to it. MRS CLEGG. That's not the way to speak to your mother, 'Enry. HENRY CLEGG. [snapping at her.] Isn't it ? Well, it's the only way I'm going to speak to her, see ! Nice thing when a man's chances in life are spoiled by his wife. MRS CLEGG. I'd let you 'ave the money soon enough if it was mine. You know I would, 'Enry. [She becomes inaudible through weeping.] HENRY, tiring of walking up and down the room, returns to his seat in front of the fire, and sits down moodily. JANE continues ACT i] JANE CLEGG 23 sewing. There is quiet for a moment, except for MRS CLEGG'S weeping. JANE CLEGG. Perhaps you'd better go to bed, mother. You're tired. MRS CLEGG. I don't want to go to bed. I'm not tired. I'm 'urt, that's wot I am. 'Urt. HENRY CLEGG. I should think so too. So'd anybody be. Seven hundred pounds she has eating its head off in a bank, and won't lend me two hundred of it. Lend it, mind you. I don't want her to give it to me, though I don't see why she shouldn't. MRS CLEGG. [tearfully.] It says in the Bible wot's 'ers is yours ! JANE CLEGG. [getting up and moving towards the door.] Come, mother, it's time you went to bed. You've worn yourself out to-day. MRS CLEGG. I'm not goin' to bed yet. I've a right to sit up with my own son, 'aven't I ? I'm not goin' to be ordered about. JANE CLEGG. I'm not ordering you about. I'm going to bed myself. It's no good sitting here talking like this. Henry wants me to give him money which I want to keep for Johnnie and Jenny. He doesn't tell me what he wants it for. He expects me to hand it over to him without any questions ! . . . 24 JANE CLEGG [ACT i HENRY CLEGG. I can't tell you what it is yet. I promised the chap ! . . . MRS CLEGG. You wouldn't 'ave 'im break 'is word, would you ? JANE CLEGG. It wouldn't be the first time he broke his word. HENRY CLEGG. [pettishly.] There ! There she goes again ! Haven't I apologised for that, and said I was sorry ? Haven't I ? And swore I'd never do it again ? Can't you let bygones be bygones ? Unforgiving spirit, you have. MRS CLEGG. I didden think you'd go an' rake things up like that, Jane. 'E said 'e was sorry, didden 'e ? JANE CLEGG. Well, it doesn't matter very much about that. I don't care now. You shall not have a farthing until I know what you want it for, and only then if I think it's worth while. Aren't you coming, mother ? MRS CLEGG. [fractiousty .] In a minute, Jane. JANE CLEGG. I'm going now. Good-night. MRS CLEGG. [getting up from her seat labori- ously.] All right, I'll come too. JANE is standing in the doorway. HENRY CLEGG is seated before the fire. MRS CLEGG moves towards her daughter-in-law. There is a knock at the door. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 25 'Ooever can that be at this time of night ? JANE goes to the door and opens it. MR MUNCE appears. He asks if HENRY is at home, and is informed that he is. HENRY CLEGG. [hastily.] Hilloa, Munce, is that you ? MUNCE. [entering the hall.] Yes, ole man. I want to see you partickler. HENRY CLEGG. Come on in, will you. MUNCE, a weedy person of the race-course type, ENTERS the room. JANE, who has closed the street-door, follows him. Introduc- ing JANE to MUNCE. My wife. JANE CLEGG. How do you do. MUNCE. Pleased to meet you. HENRY CLEGG. My mother. MRS CLEGG. Glad to 'ave the pleasure. MUNCE. Same 'ere. I'm sorry to come in so late, but I wanted to discuss a bit of business with your 'usband, Mrs Clegg. Very important. JANE CLEGG. Oh, yes. You'd like to be left alone with Henry ? MUNCE. [very affably.] If you don't mind. JANE CLEGG. No, not at all. I was just going to bed. MUNCE. Ah, I know. Early to bed and early 26 JANE CLEGG [ACT i to rise, makes a man 'ealthy, wealthy, an' wise. Quite right, Mrs Clegg. 'Ear, 'ear. JANE CLEGG. Good-night, Mr Munce. MUNCE. Good-night, Mrs Clegg. Pleased to 'ave the pleasure of your acquaintance, I'm sure. [to MRS CLEGG.] Good-night, ma'am, Glad to 'ave met you. MRS CLEGG. Good-night, sir. Good-night, 'Enry. HENRY CLEGG. Good-night, mother. [He kisses her and she goes out.] I shan't be long, Jane. JANE goes out. MUNCE. Well, ole chap, 'ow goes it ? HENRY CLEGG. Rotten ! MUNCE. Sorry to 'ear that. Bidden expec' to see me roun' 'ere to-night, eih ? I bin lookin' for you bes' part the dy ! HENRY CLEGG. I've been busy, old chap ! . . . MUNCE. Yes, I know all about that. Thought I'd catch you about now. You know wot I come about, don't you ? HENRY CLEGG. [desperately.] I'm sorry, Munce, I can't let you have it just yet. MUNCE. Wot you mean you can't let me 'ave it ? You gotta let me 'ave it, see ! HENRY CLEGG. Don't speak so loudly, old ACT i] JANE CLEGG 27 chap. You see I've had rotten luck lately. Haven't pulled off a single winner. Not one. MUNCE. That's not my fault, is it ? HENRY CLEGG. No, of course not, only it means I can't pay up just now. MUNCE. Well, that's a nice thing I must say. 'Ow do you think I'm going to live, eih ? I can't afford to lie out of my money like that. I've got bills of my own to meet. HENEY CLEGG. I know, old chap. Of course, I'm very sorry. MUNCE. Sorry ! What's the good of bein' sorry. That don't 'elp matters. Do you know 'ow much you owe me, eih ? HENRY CLEGG. You haven't given me much chance to forget it, have you ? MUNCE. Twenty-five pounds. That's what it is, and then you 'ave the cheek to tell me you can't pay. That's cool, that is. What've you done with all that money your wife 'ad left to 'er. HENRY CLEGG. Nothing. MUNCE. Well, then, why can't you pay up ? Look 'ere, Clegg, I'm not jokin'. I'm in a mess. Straight ! I must 'ave the money this week. Absolute ! HENRY CLEGG. What's the good of talking 28 JANE CLEGG [ACT i like that ! If I can't let you have it, I can't, can I? MUNCE. But you can. You've jus' told me you still got your wife's money. HENRY CLEGG. Oh, I knOW ! . . . MUNCE. Look 'ere, what you done with it, eih ? HENRY CLEGG. I haven't done anything with it. MUNCE. You know you're not actin' straight, you aren't. I saw you the other day, you know. HENRY CLEGG. Oh ! Where ? MUNCE. Yes, an' you 'ad a nice bit o' skirt with you, too. HENRY CLEGG. I say, shut up, you fool. MUNCE. Oh, it's all right. I know all about it. I never give a pal away. No fear. HENRY CLEGG. [airily.] Oh, there's nothing to give away. I only met her by accident. MUNCE. Yes, I do not think ? Oh, ho, ho, ho ! Excuse me laughin', ole chap, won't you ? Accident ! Oh, ho, ho, ho ! ... HENRY CLEGG. I say, don't make so much noise. They went upstairs to sleep, you know. MUNCE. Sorry, ole man, but look 'ere you know, puttin' all jokes aside, when can you let me 'ave the money ? HENRY CLEGG. I don't know 1 ACT i] JANE CLEGG 29 MUNCE. Don't know ! But you oughta know. What am I goin' to do, eih ? HENRY CLEGG. Perhaps it'll be all right next week. MUNCE. Yes, an' per'aps not. I know. What you done with your ole woman's money ? HENRY CLEGG. I tell you I haven't done any- thing with it ! MUNCE. Don't you tell me. I know. You bin spendin' it on that bit of skirt I saw you with this afternoon, that's what you bin doin', 'stead o' payin' your debts. HENRY CLEGG. [anxiously.] Don't shout, old chap. MUNCE. It's enough to make a chap shout ain't it ? Goin' an' bluein' all your money on a tart, an' you owes me twenty-five poun's. Twenty-five poun's. An' 'ere's me don't know where to turn for money. HENRY CLEGG. I tell you I haven't spent it on her. Straight, I haven't. Look here, I may as well be honest with you. The girl you saw me with this afternoon, she's a friend of mine, see ! MUNCE. Yes, I thought so. Fine lookin' bit o' goods, too ! HENRY CLEGG. [proudly.] Not bad, is she ? 30 JANE CLEGG [ACT i MUNCE. I s'pose your missus don't know about 'er, e$i ? Ho, ho, ho, ho 1 HENRY CLEGG. Don't laugh so loud, old chap. My wife and me don't get on very well. You know 1 MUNCE. [sympathetically.] I know, old chap. Funny, ain't it, 'ow the one you're married to ain't 'all so nice as the one you keep. HENRY CLEGG. And you see, well, things haven't been going right with me lately. Of course, Kitty, that's her name, not my wife, the other one, she's always hard up ! ... MUNCE. Just what I said, didden I ? Spendin' all your blinkin' money on a tart 'stead o' payin' your debts of honour. Debts of honour, mind you ! That's wot I call doin' the dirty ! HENRY CLEGG. I'm in a rare old mess, that's wot I am. Kitty's bin to the doctor this mornin' ! She's not sure ! . . . MUNCE. [after a prolonged whistle.] Oh, ho ! So's that's 'ow the land lays, is it ? So 'elp me ! HENRY CLEGG. I don't know what the devil to do. There's you and Kitty . . . she'll want a bit of money to keep her mouth shut. If I could only raise a bit, I'd take her off to Canada or somewhere. I'm damned fond of her, that's ACT i] JANE CLEGG 31 what I am. I can't stick my wife. She's hard, Munce, hard as hell. MUNCE. I 'ope you won't do nothink rash, not afore you've paid me my whack. HENRY CLEGG. I haven't got the money to be rash. I wish I had. MUNCE. Well, I dunno. Seems t' me I shall lose what you owe me. I shall 'ave to do some- think Absolute ! [He gets up, twirls round on his foot, and then sits down again.] What I can't make out is, what you done with your wife's money. HENRY CLEGG. [angrily.] I tell you I haven't done anything with it. MUNCE. Well, why can't you pay me then ? HENRY CLEGG. I haven't had it. She's got it! MUNCE. Well, tell her to give it to you. HENRY CLEGG. She won't let me have it, not a blasted farthing of it ! MUNCE. What ! [He gapes at CLEGG in aston- ishment, and then goes off into helpless roars of laughter.] Oh, you bloomin' fool ! Ho, ho, ho, ho ! Excuse me laughin', won't you ? Oh, ho, ho, ho ! Won't let you 'ave it ? So 'elp me ! 'Ere I 'Ere, I say, are you 'er 'usband, or 'er little blue-eyed lad, eih ? Oh, ho ho, ho ! 32 JANE CLEGG [ACT i HENRY CLEGG. Shut Up, yOU fool ! MUNCE. 'Ere, not so much o' that, if you please. A man what owes what you owe me, an' runs a tart ! . . . HENRY CLEGG. [piteousty .] Do keep quiet, old chap. I didn't mean to cut up rough. MUNCE. I should think not, indeed. He lies back in his chair, looking a little sulky. Gradually however, his features relax and he gives way to his sense of the ridiculousness of CLEGG'S position. HENRY CLEGG. They'll hear you, if you don't stop it. MUNCE. You're a nice one, I must say. Fancy, a man lettin' a woman treat 'im like that. Be a man, old chap ; be a man ! HENRY CLEGG. That's all very fine, but you're not married to her. MUNCE. No, but I'd bloomin soon make 'er change 'er toon if I was. HENRY CLEGG. Yes, you'd do a lot. MUNCE. The idea ! Du meana say she ain't let you 'ave some of it ? HENRY CLEGG. Not a SOU. MUNCE. Gawblimey ! Seven 'undred quid, wassen it ? HENRY CLEGG. YeS. ACT i] JANE CLEGG 83 MUNCE. You know you didden oughta be a man, you didden. I mean t' say, ole chap, it ain't right. You oughtn't t' let 'er do it, y' know ! HENRY CLEGG. How the hell can I help it. It's her money, isn't it ? Her old fool of an uncle left it to her. MUNCE. But you're 'er 'usband, ole man. You're the 'ead o' the fam'ly. You oughta be lookin' after it for 'er. HENRY CLEGG. Well, she won't let me. MUNCE. Let you ! Make 'er, man. Give 'er a clout aside the 'ead if she gives you any lip. Don't 'ave no 'umbug ! HENRY CLEGG. That wouldn't do any good. I've begged her to let me have a couple of hundred of it, but she won't. I could have cleared you off, and seen Kitty didn't come to any harm ! . . . Oh, doesn't it make you sick, Munce, to think you've got to go with your cap in your hand to your wife, and be refused ? MUNCE. But why be refused ? I wouldn't. HENRY CLEGG. I don't know what to do. [He buries his head in his hands for a while, and then sits up again in his chair.] You see, old chap, I can't pay at present, so it's no good keeping you up any longer. 84 JANE CLEGG [ACT i MUNCE. That's all very fine, Clegg, but it don't 'elp me out of my difficulty, do it ? I'm in a nole, an' you're the one that'll 'ave to get me out of it. [Angrily.] You don't think I'm goin' to be bust up when you owe me money enough to clear me, an' your wife's got seven 'undred in the bank, do you ? You got to get it, my boy, that's what you got to do, an' jolly slippy too. HENRY CLEGG. [weakly.] How can I get it ? MUNCE . I dunno, bt you got to get it some'ow. I must 'ave it by nex' Thursday, that's all. HENRY CLEGG. [shrugging his shoulders.] You might as well say you want it in five minutes. MUNCE. No good talkin' like that. You got to get it, or there'll be trouble. See I I don't want to be nasty, you know, but I could be nasty if I wanted to, couldn't I ? HENRY CLEGG. Eh ? MUNCE. Your missus would be interested to 'ear about Kitty an' the interestin' event, eih, woulden she ? HENRY CLEGG. You wouldn't give me away, would you ? I told you in confidence. MUNCE. An' 'ow about my twenty-five quid, eih ? Mebbe she'd like to 'ear about that. An' ole 'Arper, Vd be delighted to 'ear as 'ow 'is ACT i] JANE CLEGG 85 traveller owed a bookie twenty-five quid, an' didden know 'ow to pay it, eih ? HENRY CLEGG. You wouldn't do a dirty trick like that, would you ? MUNCE. You pay me me money, an' I won't. 'Ang it all, why should I consider you w'en you don't care a dam about me ? I'll be ruined if I don't get the money this week, but you don't think about that. It's all you with you. HENRY CLEGG. Don't be hard, old chap. I'll do my best, I promise you, I will. Only give me a chance. I'll see if I can get it for you this week. I will, straight. I'll make her give it to me, somehow. MUNCE. That's right. You stuff 'er up with some yarn or other, an' if she don't give it to you then, make 'er give it to you. [He rises and prepares to go.] HENRY CLEGG. I'll do my best. MUNCE. [holding out his hand.] You'll 'ave to. I'm about desprit, an' that's the God's truth. 'Ere, buck up, ole chap. You'll be all right. She'll pay up right enough. You kiss 'er a bit ; that'll put 'er in a good temper. You on'y got to treat 'em reasonable, an' they're all right. Give 'er a bit of a kiss now an' again, an' she'll be like a lamb. You bin runnin' too much 36 JANE CLEGG [ACT i after that Kitty, y' know, an' neglectin' your missus, an' o' course that gets their backs up. You got to yoomer 'em. I expec' it'll be all right. I woulden feel so perky about it, if I didden know she 'ad that money. Straight, I woulden ! Goo'-night, ole chap. [He shakes hands with CLEGG.] HENRY CLEGG. Good-night, old chap. MUNCE. You be all right, you see ! They go into the hall together, CLEGG opens the door, and MUNCE passes out. Goo'-night, ole chap. Remember me to the missus ! HENRY CLEGG. Good-night ! He shuts the street-door and returns to the sitting-room. He stands in front of the fire for a few moments in an undecided manner. He puts his hand in his pocket and takes out the cheque from Armstrong <& Brown. He fingers it for a while, gazing abstractedly at the fire. Then he puts the cheque back into his pocket, turns down the lamps, and GOES our of the room, shutting the door behind him. ACT II It is two days later, and JANE CLEGG is seated alone in front of the fire. The table is set for the evening meal. A loud continuous knocking is heard on the street door. She goes to the door and opens it. JENNY, who has been lying against the door, stumbles in as it is opened, and collides with her mother. JANE CLEGG. My darling, what a noise to make. JENNY. I wanted to be in first, mother. I couldn't wait for grannie and Johnnie. They're just coming. [She goes into the street and calls out.] Come on, grannie ! You are a long time. JANE CLEGG. [returning to the room.] It was naughty of you to run away from them like that, Jenny. MES CLEGG and JOHNNIE appear in the doorway. MRS CLEGG. [out of breath.] Oh, you young terror, you ! Out o' breath, I am ! JENNY. I was first, wasn't I, grannie ? 87 88 JANE CLEGG [ACT n MRS CLEGG. You was, my chickabiddy. They all come into the sitting-room. JENNY. I was the first, mother. I betted Johnnie I would. JOHNNIE, [removing his coat.} Bet, Jenny, not betted. JENNY. It's all the same. MRS CLEGG. Come along, now, and take off your things, there's a dear. You can take off my boots for me [in a sort of whisper] and p'raps I'll give you a penny. JENNY. Oh, thank you, grannie. [She hugs the old lady, who bends down and kisses her.] JANE CLEGG. Run along, dear, and you, too, Johnnie. Supper'll be ready very soon. JOHNNIE. Has daddy come home yet, mother ? JANE CLEGG. No, dear, not yet, but perhaps he'll come in in a minute or two. Now, run along. MRS CLEGG and JOHNNIE go out and are seen climbing the stairs. JENNY. Can I sit next to daddy, mother ? JANE CLEGG. Yes, dear, if he comes. JENNY. Why doesn't he come ? He's always late. JANE CLEGG. Daddy has a lot to do, dear. ACT n] JANE CLEGG 39 [She sits down, and the child comes to her and rubs her face against her.] JENNY. I like when daddy's here. JANE CLEGG. Do you, darling ? JENNY. Yes, and so does grannie. JANE CLEGG. That's right, dear. JENNY. Johnnie likes it too, but he likes being with you best. JANE CLEGG. You like being with me, too, don't you, Jenny ? JENNY, [emphatically.] Of course, mother, dear. [She puts her arms about her mother's neck, and kisses her.] I do love you, mother. JANE CLEGG. My dear ! JOHNNIE, [from above.] Jenny ! JENNY. Ye-es ! JOHNNIE. Come on ! Grannie's waiting. [He is seen looking over the banisters.] She says she gave you a penny to take off her boots, and you haven't done it. JENNY. Oh, you do it, Johnnie ! JOHNNIE. Shan't ! JENNY. Beast, beast ! JANE CLEGG. Jenny, dear, you mustn't talk like that. [She kisses JENNY, and pats her on the head.] Now, run along, dear, and help your grannie, and when you're ready we'll have supper. 40 JANE CLEGG [ACT n JOHNNIE. Come on, Jenny. JENNY. Oh, you ! She runs to the foot of the stairs, and pursues her brother. They are heard scuffling and laughing on the stairs. MRS CLEGG is heard saying, " Oh, you naughty little girl ! " and " Do give over, do ! " JANE CLEGG. [calling out to them.] Johnnie ! JOHNNIE. Yes, mother ! JANE CLEGG. I want you. JOHNNIE. All right, mother. No, Jenny, don't ! Oh ! [He shouts with laughter.] JANE CLEGG. Come along, dear ! JOHNNIE, [running quickly down the stairs.] Yes, mother. He enters the room, shutting the door behind him. Yes, mother ! JANE CLEGG. Come and sit here. [He sits down in front of the fire at her feet.] JOHNNIE. Can I read again to-night, mother ? JANE CLEGG. It'll soon be supper-time. JOHNNIE. Just a little while, please. The door opens and MRS CLEGG and JENNY return. Jenny, you would like me to read again, wouldn't you ? ACT n] JANE CLEGG 41 MRS CLEGG seats herself on the opposite side of the fire to that at which JANE CLEGG is seated. JENNY, [impetuously.] Oh, yes, Johnnie. [She throws herself down beside him.] JOHNNIE. Please, mother ! JANE CLEGG. All right, then. You can read for a little while. I expect your father will be in presently, and then you will have to put the book away ! JOHNNIE, [rising and going towards the book- shelf.] Oh, thank you, mother ! MRS CLEGG. 'E's late again ! JANE CLEGG. [glancing at the clock.] Oh, no. He seldom comes in before this time. MRS CLEGG. Well, of course, if you call this early ! . . . [to JENNY.] 'Ere, come an' sit on my knee. 'Ave you got your book, Johnnie ? JENNY climbs on to her grannies knee. JOHNNIE, [returning to his seat on the floor.] Yes, grannie ! MRS CLEGG. Weil, now you can read to us, can't you ? We'll keep as quiet as quiet, won't we, Jenny, eh ? [She hugs the child to her.] JENNY. Yes, grannie. What is the book, Johnnie ? JOHNNIE. "The History of the Steam Engine." 42 JANE CLEGG [ACT n JENNY, [petulantly.] Oh, no, I don't want to hear that. I want to hear a story. JOHNNIE. But it's awfully interesting, Jenny. JENNY. No, I don't like it. [She climbs off her grannie's knee and goes to her mother, coax- ingly] Please, mother, can't I have a story read to me ? JOHNNIE. But, mother, I want to read about steam engines ! MRS CLEGG. You can't 'ave everythink. You ought to be a little gentleman and read what the lady wants ! JANE CLEGG. What kind of a story do you want, dear ? JENNY. You know, mother. A real story, not about steam engines. JOHNNIE. But that's real, Jenny. Steam engines is real ! JENNY. Are, silly, are \ E-h-h-h 1 Caught you that time, clever ! A knock on the street door is heard. JANE CLEGG. There's your father. Johnnie, go and open the door. JENNY, [quickly, running to the door.] No, let me, mother. I'll open it. JANE CLEGG. All right. Go along. JENNY runs down the passage leading to the ACT nj JANE CLEGG 43 door, and after fumbling with the handle, opens the door. JENNY. Oh, it isn't daddy ! MR MORRISON. Is Mr Clegg in ? JENNY. No. JANE CLEGG. Who is it, dear ? JENNY. It's a gentleman, mother ! JANE CLEGG. All right. [She rises and goes to the door.] MR MORRISON. Good-evening, Mrs Clegg ! JANE CLEGG. Good-evening ! Oh, it's you, Mr Morrison ! Come in, will you. We're just going to have supper. She returns to the room, followed by MORRISON. JENNY shuts the street-door, and also returns to the room, closing the door leading to the passage after her. This is my mother-in-law [introducing them.] Mr Morrison. MR MORRISON. Pleased to meet you ! Hope you're quite well. MRS CLEGG. I'm very well, thanks. I hope you are too. MR MORRISON. Yes, thanks. JANE CLEGG. Johnnie, bring a chair for Mr Morrison ! JOHNNIE. Yes, mother. 44 JANE CLEGG [ACT n MR MORRISON. Oh, please don't trouble. JOHNNIE brings a chair forward. JANE CLEGG. Won't you take off your coat ? Let me take your hat ! MR MORRISON. Oh, no, thanks. JANE CLEGG. Perhaps you'll have some supper with us. MR MORRISON. No, I won't have anything, thanks. Is Clegg at home ? JANE CLEGG. No, he hasn't come in yet. MR MORRISON. Oh ! I wanted to see him particularly. JANE CLEGG. He ought to be here by now. What time did he leave the office ? MR MORRISON. He hasn't been to-day. JANE CLEGG. Hasn't been ! . . . MRS CLEGG. Why 'e left 'smornin' same time's usual. JANE CLEGG. You're sure he hasn't been. MR MORRISON. I've only just left, and he hadn't arrived then. The guv'nor sent me round to make enquiries about him. JANE CLEGG. But how odd ! MRS CLEGG. I do 'ope nothhik 'asn't 'appened to 'im. MR MORRISON, {endeavouring to be consolatory.'] Oh, I don't suppose so. He's probably all right. ACT n] JANE CLEGG 45 JANE CLEGG. He said he'd be at the office the whole of the morning ! ... [to the children.] You'd better have your supper, now, and go to bed. JENNY. Oh, please, mother, let me stay up a little longer. JANE CLEGG. Come along. [She goes to the table and prepares the children's food.] JOHNNIE. Can't I read some of the " History of the Steam Engine," mother ? JENNY. Yes, please, mother. JANE CLEGG. No, you must have your supper. Sit down, both of you. [The children begin their meal.] MRS CLEGG. Ah, you're very anxious to hear about the steam engine, now, my lady, but you wasn't so anxious a minute or two ago. JENNY, [her mouth full.] Oh, I was, grannie ! MRS CLEGG. Now, there's a wicked story for you. [to MR MORRISON.] What do you think of a little girl that doesn't tell the truth, Mr Morrison ? MR MORRISON, [with heavy jocularity.] Oh, but nice little girls don't tell fibs, do they ? JENNY. I didn't tell fibs, and I only wanted . . . JANE CLEGG. [sharply.] Eat your supper, Jenny, quickly. 46 JANE CLEGG [ACT n JENNY, [reproachfully.] Mother ! JANE CLEGG. [to MR MORRISON.] Something must have happened to him. Have you made any enquiries ? He may have been run over. MR MORRISON. No, I shouldn't think that. I expect he's all right. JANE CLEGG. But why should you think that ? You don't know. MR MORRISON. No, of course, I don't know, but I should think he's probably all right. JANE CLEGG. I'll go and enquire at the police- station. They may have some information about him there. MRS CLEGG. I'm sure I 'ope nothink 'asn't 'appened to 'im. I do 'ate accidents. MR MORRISON. I don't think I should go if I were you, Mrs Clegg. JANE CLEGG. Why ? [She looks at him for a moment as if she understands what is in his mind.] Mr Morrison, you ! . . . [She turns to the children.] Have you finished your supper yet? JOHNNIE. Oh, no, mother, not nearly. JANE CLEGG. Well, you must go to bed now. JENNY. Oh, mother ! JANE CLEGG. Yes, run along ! You can finish your supper in bed. ACT n] JANE CLEGG 47 JOHNNIE. Can't we have it here ? JANE CLEGG. No, Mr Morrison has some- thing to say to us, so you must run along. You can pretend you're having a picnic or something. JENNY. Oh, yes, Johnnie, let's ! JOHNNIE. Can I read the " History of the Steam Engine " for a little while in bed ? JANE CLEGG. Yes, but only for a little while. Promise. JOHNNIE. I promise, mother. JANE CLEGG. [bending down and kissing him.] That's a good boy. Run along now, and take your supper with you. Say good-night to grannie and Mr Morrison. Come along, Jenny. JOHNNIE. Good-night, Mr Morrison. MR MORRISON, [in a manner of a man unaccus- tomed to children]. Oh ! Ah ! Good-night ! JOHNNIE, [going to his grandmother.] Good- night, grannie. MRS CLEGG. Good-night, my dear ! [She kisses him.] He collects his book and his supper. JENNY, [holding up her face to MR MORRISON to be kissed.] Good-night, Mr Morrison. MRS CLEGG. Oh, oh, oh, There's a forward young woman for you. 48 JANE CLEGG [ACT n MR MORRISON, [kissing JENNY in some em- barrassment.] Good-night, Jenny. MRS CLEGG. You're a one, you are. Settin' your cap at the gentleman like that. JENNY. What's setting your cap, grannie ? [She climbs on to MRS CLEGG'S knee, and hugs her tightly.] MRS CLEGG. You don't need to be told, you young rogue. [Hugs the child.] Good-night, my dear. Um, um, um, um 1 Good-night, bless you ! JENNY. Good-night, dear grannie. JANE CLEGG. Come and get your supper, dear. Good-night, Johnnie. [She bends down and kisses him.] JOHNNIE. Good-night, mother ! [He goes into the passage.] JENNY, [carrying her supper.] Good-night, mother ! JANE CLEGG. Good-night, my darling. [Kisses her affectionately.] JENNY. Good-night, all ! MR MORRISON. Oh, ah, good-night ! MRS CLEGG. Good-night, my sweet'eart ! JENNY. Come to bed soon, grannie. MRS CLEGG. All right, my dearie. JANE CLEGG. Run along now, Jenny. JENNY. All right, mother ! [She goes into ACT n] JANE CLEGG 49 the passage, and then returns to the room.] Oh, can Johnnie read a story to me mother, a real story ! . . . JOHNNIE, [from the stairs.] No, I want to read about the steam engine. JENNY. You shut up ! JANE CLEGG. Jenny, Jenny ! You must go to bed. Johnnie'll read his book to you, and if you don't want to hear it you can go to sleep. JENNY. Oh, mother ! [She goes slowly to the foot of the stairs.] 'Night, all ! JANE CLEGG. Good-night, dear. JENNY, [to JOHNNIE.] Beast, beast ! She runs up the stairs after him. JANE CLEGG. NOW, nOW 1 There is a scuffle, and then a shout of laughter. JANE CLEGG listens for a moment, and then shuts the door. MRS CLEGG. She's a caution that child is. Just like 'er father was at 'er age, bless 'er. MR MORRISON. She must liven up the house ! MRS CLEGG. She does indeed. JANE CLEGG. Mr Morrison, you know some- thing about my husband ! MR MORRISON, [startled.] Oh, no, Mrs Clegg ; that is to say, I've really come to find out 1 ... JANE CLEGG. What is it ? 50 JANE CLEGG [ACT n MR MORRISON. Well, the truth of the matter is, I'm afraid mind you, I don't know ! . . . JANE CLEGG. Yes ! MRS CLEGG. Is there anythink wrong ? MR MORRISON. I'm afraid Clegg may have made a mistake. Of course, I don't know. That's why I came round, just to find out. MRS CLEGG. Mistake ! Wot mistake ! JANE CLEGG. What kind of a mistake, Mr Morrison ? MR MORRISON. Well, you see, a cheque ! . . . JANE CLEGG. Yes ? MR MORRISON. Of course, it may be a mistake, as I say, only it's odd. MRS CLEGG. I dunno wot you're talkin' about. JANE CLEGG. Go on, Mr Morrison, explain it all, please. MR MORRISON. Well, you see a firm that owes us some money, rather a big amount, sent the cheque in after a lot of bother, and it appears they made it payable to Clegg and sent it to him at the office two or three days ago. JANE CLEGG. Yes. MRS CLEGG. Yes, that's right. A boy brought the letter 'ere. I saw 'Enry openin' the letter meself. It was a cheque all right. You needn't be alarmed, Mr Morrison. 'Enry'll 'ave it safe 1 ACT 11] JANE CLEGG 51 MR MORRISON. That's just the point, Mrs Clegg. You see he didn't say anything about it. I'm cashier. He ought to have told me. I sent a reminder to the firm, and last night they telephoned through to say they'd sent it, and explained what had happened. Of course, I thought it was odd Clegg hadn't said any- thing, or given me the cheque, only I thought he'd forgotten it, and I meant to ask him about it this morning. But he never turned up. MRS CLEGG. Well ? MR MORRISON, [very embarrassed.] Well ! [laughing nervously.] It's funny, isn't it ? MRS CLEGG. I don't see the joke myself. Of course, 'Enry's forgot about it. It'll be all right. You put yourself to a lot of trouble, sir, for nothink wot I can see of it. MR MORRISON. I'm sure I hope so. MRS CLEGG. 'Ope so ! Of course you 'ave. 'Ere, Jane, let's 'ave supper. I'm starvin', and I expect 'Enry'll be late again. JANE CLEGG. You have something, mother. I'll wait for Henry. MRS CLEGG. [Rising and going to the table.] You look quite upset. Anyone 'ud think you believed 'Enry'd took the money. 52 JANE CLEGG [ACT n JANE CLEGG. [wearily.] I don't know ! . . . MRS CLEGG. [angrily.] Don't know ! But you ought to know. 'E's your 'usban'. If the 'ole world believed 'im guilty, you oughtn't. It isn't nice of you. Besides, anyone with any sense 'ud know 'Enry wouldn't do such a thing. I know 'e was always one for goin' on, but 'e never done nothink wrong, not really wrong, I mean, like stealing money or anythink. [She leans over to JANE and pats her hands.] There, there, see ! 'E'll explain it all right. ME MORRISON. I hope SO. MRS CLEGG. You seem to 'ave made up your mind already Mr Morrison. Jane, why don't you say somethink. 'Owever you can sit there an' 'ear your 'usban's good name took away, I don't know 1 JANE CLEGG. How much is it, Mr Morrison ? MR MORRISON. I don't know quite. There's this cheque for one hundred and forty pounds, but there may be more. MRS CLEGG. 'Ow can you say such things. JANE CLEGG. Of course, Mr Morrison, if what you say is true, the money will be repaid. MRS CLEGG. Of course, it will. I dessay 'Enry didn't mean to take the money, that is if 'e did take it, which I don't believe, not really ACT n] JANE CLEGG 53 take it, I mean, but if 'e did, if mind you, of course it'll be paid. 'E'd be the first to say that 'imself. 'Enry never done nothink under- 'and, not really under'and. MR MORRISON. [to JANE CLEGG.] You SCC, Mrs Clegg, all our staff is insured against acci- dents of this sort, and the difficulty is that the policy contains a clause to the effect that the defaulter must be prosecuted and convicted before the insurance company pays up, other- wise there's no proof of embezzlement. MRS CLEGG. I've always 'card them insurance companies was tricky. MR MORRISON. Of course, if the money is paid back, the insurance company won't want to prosecute. In fact, I don't suppose the guv'nor'll say anything about it. As a matter of fact, he doesn't know yet. I'm the only one that knows. MRS CLEGG. Well, that's fortunate, any'ow. Isn't it, Jane ? It's lucky it 'appened just now, if it 'as 'appened. Jane'll be able to pay it all back as easy as anythink. You see 'er uncle died a little while back an' left 'er seven 'undred poun's. Jus' convenient, I call it. MR MORRISON. Very. JANE CLEGG. If my husband has defaulted, 54 JANE CLEGG [ACT n Mr Morrison, I shall let you have the money immediately. MR MORRISON. I'm very glad, Mrs Clegg. I'm sorry it should have happened. Clegg and I have worked together a good many years now. I shouldn't like to think ! . . . JANE CLEGG. I suppose, Mr Morrison, if the money is repaid instantly, there is no reason why the story should be repeated to anyone else. MR MORRISON. Well, it's rather hard to decide. The guv'nor ought to know. It's hardly fair to him. Supposing it was to happen again. MRS CLEGG. It won't 'appen again. We don' don't know that it's 'appened at all. We on'y got your word for it, an' you might 'ave made a mistake. You ain't the Lord God Almighty. MR MORRISON. [