Exiles

epub:type="z3998:persona">Bertha He put his arm round me. Richard Stares at the floor for a moment, then looks at her again. And then? Bertha He said I had beautiful eyes. And asked could he kiss them. With a gesture. I said: Do so. Richard And he did? Bertha Yes. First one and then the other. She breaks off suddenly. Tell me, Dick, does all this disturb you? Because I told you I don’t want that. I think you are only pretending you don’t mind. I don’t mind. Richard Quietly. I know, dear. But I want to find out what he means or feels just as you do. Bertha Points at him. Remember, you allowed me to go on. I told you the whole thing from the beginning. Richard As before. I know, dear⁠ ⁠… And then? Bertha He asked for a kiss. I said: Take it. Richard And then? Bertha Crumpling a handful of petals. He kissed me. Richard Your mouth? Bertha Once or twice. Richard Long kisses? Bertha Fairly long. Reflects. Yes, the last time. Richard Rubs his hands slowly; then. With his lips? Or⁠ ⁠… the other way? Bertha Yes, the last time. Richard Did he ask you to kiss him? Bertha He did. Richard Did you? Bertha Hesitates, then looking straight at him. I did. I kissed him. Richard What way? Bertha With a shrug. O simply. Richard Were you excited? Bertha Well, you can imagine. Frowning suddenly. Not much. He has not nice lips⁠ ⁠… Still I was excited, of course. But not like with you, Dick. Richard Was he? Bertha Excited? Yes, I think he was. He sighed. He was dreadfully nervous. Richard Resting his forehead on his hand. I see. Bertha Crosses towards the lounge and stands near him. Are you jealous? Richard As before. No. Bertha Quietly. You are, Dick. Richard I am not. Jealous of what? Bertha Because he kissed me. Richard Looks up. Is that all? Bertha Yes, that’s all. Except that he asked me would I meet him. Richard Out somewhere? Bertha No. In his house. Richard Surprised. Over there with his mother, is it? Bertha No, a house he has. He wrote the address for me. She goes to the desk, takes the key from the flower vase, unlocks the drawer and returns to him with the slip of paper. Richard Half to himself. Our cottage. Bertha Hands him the slip. Here. Richard Reads it. Yes. Our cottage. Bertha Your⁠ ⁠… ? Richard No, his. I call it ours. Looking at her. The cottage I told you about so often⁠—that we had the two keys for, he and I. It is his now. Where we used to hold our wild nights, talking, drinking, planning⁠—at that time. Wild nights; yes. He and I together. He throws the slip on the couch and rises suddenly. And sometimes I alone. Stares at her. But not quite alone. I told you. You remember? Bertha Shocked. That place? Richard Walks away from her a few paces and stands still, thinking, holding his chin. Yes. Bertha Taking up the slip again. Where is it? Richard Do you not know? Bertha He told me to take the tram at Lansdowne Road and to ask the man to let me down there. Is it⁠ ⁠… is it a bad place? Richard O no, cottages. He returns to the lounge and sits down. What answer did you give? Bertha No answer. He said he would wait. Richard Tonight? Bertha Every night, he said. Between eight and nine. Richard And so I am to go tonight to interview⁠—the professor. About the appointment I am to beg for. Looking at her. The interview is arranged for tonight by him⁠—between eight and nine. Curious, isn’t it? The same hour. Bertha Very. Richard Did he ask you had I any suspicion? Bertha No. Richard Did he mention my name? Bertha No. Richard Not once? Bertha Not that I remember. Richard Bounding to his feet. O yes! Quite clear! Bertha What? Richard Striding to and fro. A liar, a thief, and a fool! Quite clear! A common thief! What else? With a harsh laugh. My great friend! A patriot too! A thief⁠—nothing else! He halts, thrusting his hands into his pockets. But a fool also! Bertha Looking at him. What are you going to do? Richard Shortly. Follow him. Find him. Tell him. Calmly. A few words will do. Thief and fool. Bertha Flings the slip on the couch. I see it all! Richard Turning. Eh! Bertha Hotly. The work of a devil. Richard He? Bertha Turning on him. No, you! The work of a devil to turn him against me as you tried to turn my own child against me. Only you did not succeed. Richard How? In God’s name, how? Bertha Excitedly. Yes, yes. What I say. Everyone saw it. Whenever I tried to correct him for the least thing you went on with your folly, speaking to him as if he were a grown-up man. Ruining the poor child, or trying to. Then, of course, I was the cruel mother and only you loved him. With growing excitement. But you did not turn him against me⁠—against his own mother. Because why? Because the child has too much nature in him. Richard I never tried to do such a thing, Bertha. You know I cannot be severe with a child. Bertha Because you never loved your own mother. A mother is always a mother, no matter what. I never heard of any human being that did not love the mother that brought him into the world, except you. Richard Approaching her quietly. Bertha, do not say things you will be sorry for. Are you not glad my son is fond of me? Bertha Who taught him to be? Who taught him to run to meet you? Who told him you would bring him home toys when you were out on your rambles in the rain, forgetting all about him⁠—and me? I did. I taught him to love you. Richard Yes, dear. I know it was you. Bertha Almost crying. And then you try to turn everyone against me. All is to be for you. I am to appear false and cruel to everyone