Exiles

a cup of tea, ma’am? That would make you all right. Bertha Yes, I would. But the milkman has not come yet. Brigid No. Master Archie told me to wake him before he came. He’s going out for a jaunt in the car. But I’ve a cup left overnight. I’ll have the kettle boiling in a jiffy. Would you like a nice egg with it? Bertha No, thanks. Brigid Or a nice bit of toast? Bertha No, Brigid, thanks. Just a cup of tea. Brigid Crossing to the folding doors. I won’t be a moment. She stops, turns back and goes towards the door on the left. But first I must waken Master Archie or there’ll be ructions. She goes out by the door on the left. After a few moments Bertha rises and goes over to the study. She opens the door wide and looks in. One can see a small untidy room with many bookshelves and a large writingtable with papers and an extinguished lamp and before it a padded chair. She remains standing for some time in the doorway, then closes the door again without entering the room. She returns to her chair by the window and sits down. Archie, dressed as before, comes in by the door on the right, followed by Brigid. Archie Comes to her and, putting up his face to be kissed, says: Buon giorno, mamma! Bertha Kissing him. Buon giorno, Archie! To Brigid. Did you put another vest on him under that one? Brigid He wouldn’t let me, ma’am. Archie I’m not cold, mamma. Bertha I said you were to put it on, didn’t I? Archie But where is the cold? Bertha Takes a comb from her head and combs his hair back at both sides. And the sleep is in your eyes still. Brigid He went to bed immediately after you went out last night, ma’am. Archie You know he’s going to let me drive, mamma. Bertha Replacing the comb in her hair, embraces him suddenly. O, what a big man to drive a horse! Brigid Well, he’s daft on horses, anyhow. Archie Releasing himself. I’ll make him go quick. You will see from the window, mamma. With the whip. He makes the gesture of cracking a whip and shouts at the top of his voice. Avanti! Brigid Beat the poor horse, is it? Bertha Come here till I clean your mouth. She takes her handkerchief from the pocket of her gown, wets it with her tongue and cleans his mouth. You’re all smudges or something, dirty little creature you are. Archie Repeats, laughing. Smudges! What is smudges? The noise is heard of a milkcan rattled on the railings before the window. Brigid Draws aside the curtains and looks out. Here he is! Archie Rapidly. Wait. I’m ready. Goodbye, mamma! He kisses her hastily and turns to go. Is pappie up? Brigid Takes him by the arm. Come on with you now. Bertha Mind yourself, Archie, and don’t be long or I won’t let you go any more. Archie All right. Look out of the window and you’ll see me. Goodbye. Brigid and Archie go out by the door on the left. Bertha stands up and, drawing aside the curtains still more, stands in the embrasure of the window looking out. The hall door is heard opening: then a slight noise of voices and cans is heard. The door is closed. After a moment or two Bertha is seen waving her hand gaily in a salute. Brigid enters and stands behind her, looking over her shoulder. Brigid Look at the sit of him! As serious as you like. Bertha Suddenly withdrawing from her post. Stand out of the window. I don’t want to be seen. Brigid Why, ma’am, what is it? Bertha Crossing towards the folding doors. Say I’m not up, that I’m not well. I can’t see anyone. Brigid Follows her. Who is it, ma’am? Bertha Halting. Wait a moment. She listens. A knock is heard at the hall door. Bertha Stands a moment in doubt, then. No, say I’m in. Brigid In doubt. Here? Bertha Hurriedly. Yes. Say I have just got up. Brigid goes out on the left. Bertha goes towards the double doors and fingers the curtains nervously, as if settling them. The hall door is heard to open. Then Beatrice Justice enters and, as Bertha does not turn at once, stands in hesitation near the door on the left. She is dressed as before and has a newspaper in her hand. Beatrice Advances rapidly. Mrs. Rowan, excuse me for coming at such an hour. Bertha Turns. Good morning, Miss Justice. She comes towards her. Is anything the matter? Beatrice Nervously. I don’t know. That is what I wanted to ask you. Bertha Looks curiously at her. You are out of breath. Won’t you sit down? Beatrice Sitting down. Thank you. Bertha Sits opposite her, pointing to her paper. Is there something in the paper? Beatrice Laughs nervously: opens the paper. Yes. Bertha About Dick? Beatrice Yes. Here it is. A long article, a leading article, by my cousin. All his life is here. Do you wish to see it? Bertha Takes the paper, and opens it. Where is it? Beatrice In the middle. It is headed: A Distinguished Irishman. Bertha Is it⁠ ⁠… for Dick or against him? Beatrice Warmly. O, for him! You can read what he says about Mr. Rowan. And I know that Robert stayed in town very late last night to write it. Bertha Nervously. Yes. Are you sure? Beatrice Yes. Very late. I heard him come home. It was long after two. Bertha Watching her. It alarmed you? I mean to be awakened at that hour of the morning. Beatrice I am a light sleeper. But I knew he had come from the office and then⁠ ⁠… I suspected he had written an article about Mr. Rowan and that was why he came so late. Bertha How quick you were to think of