Exiles

you landed on Kingstown pier. It all came back to me then. And you knew it. You saw it. Bertha No. Not that night. Robert When? Bertha The night we landed I felt very tired and dirty. Shaking her head. I did not see it in you that night. Robert Smiling. Tell me what did you see that night⁠—your very first impression. Bertha Knitting her brows. You were standing with your back to the gangway, talking to two ladies. Robert To two plain middleaged ladies, yes. Bertha I recognized you at once. And I saw that you had got fat. Robert Takes her hand. And this poor fat Robert⁠—do you dislike him then so much? Do you disbelieve all he says? Bertha I think men speak like that to all women whom they like or admire. What do you want me to believe? Robert All men, Bertha? Bertha With sudden sadness. I think so. Robert I too? Bertha Yes, Robert. I think you too. Robert All then⁠—without exception? Or with one exception? In a lower tone. Or is he too⁠—Richard too⁠—like us all⁠—in that at least? Or different? Bertha Looks into his eyes. Different. Robert Are you quite sure, Bertha? Bertha A little confused, tries to withdraw her hand. I have answered you. Robert Suddenly. Bertha, may I kiss your hand? Let me. May I? Bertha If you wish. He lifts her hand to his lips slowly. She rises suddenly and listens. Bertha Did you hear the garden gate? Robert Rising also. No. A short pause. The piano can be heard faintly from the upper room. Robert Pleading. Do not go away. You must never go away now. Your life is here. I came for that too today⁠—to speak to him⁠—to urge him to accept this position. He must. And you must persuade him to. You have a great influence over him. Bertha You want him to remain here. Robert Yes. Bertha Why? Robert For your sake because you are unhappy so far away. For his sake too because he should think of his future. Bertha Laughing. Do you remember what he said when you spoke to him last night? Robert About⁠ ⁠… ? Reflecting. Yes. He quoted the Our Father about our daily bread. He said that to take care for the future is to destroy hope and love in the world. Bertha Do you not think he is strange? Robert In that, yes. Bertha A little⁠—mad? Robert Comes closer. No. He is not. Perhaps we are. Why, do you⁠ ⁠… ? Bertha Laughs. I ask you because you are intelligent. Robert You must not go away. I will not let you. Bertha Looks full at him. You? Robert Those eyes must not go away. He takes her hands. May I kiss your eyes? Bertha Do so. He kisses her eyes and then passes his hand over her hair. Robert Little Bertha! Bertha Smiling. But I am not so little. Why do you call me little? Robert Little Bertha! One embrace? He puts his arm around her. Look into my eyes again. Bertha Looks. I can see the little gold spots. So many you have. Robert Delighted. Your voice! Give me a kiss, a kiss with your mouth. Bertha Take it. Robert I am afraid. He kisses her mouth and passes his hand many times over her hair. At last I hold you in my arms! Bertha And are you satisfied? Robert Let me feel your lips touch mine. Bertha And then you will be satisfied? Robert Murmurs. Your lips, Bertha! Bertha Closes her eyes and kisses him quickly. There. Puts her hands on his shoulders. Why don’t you say: thanks? Robert Sighs. My life is finished⁠—over. Bertha O, don’t speak like that now, Robert. Robert Over, over. I want to end it and have done with it. Bertha Concerned but lightly. You silly fellow! Robert Presses her to him. To end it all⁠—death. To fall from a great high cliff, down, right down into the sea. Bertha Please, Robert⁠ ⁠… Robert Listening to music and in the arms of the woman I love⁠—the sea, music and death. Bertha Looks at him for a moment. The woman you love? Robert Hurriedly. I want to speak to you, Bertha⁠—alone⁠—not here. Will you come? Bertha With downcast eyes. I too want to speak to you. Robert Tenderly. Yes, dear, I know. He kisses her again. I will speak to you; tell you all; then. I will kiss you, then, long long kisses⁠—when you come to me⁠—long long sweet kisses. Bertha Where? Robert In the tone of passion. Your eyes. Your lips. All your divine body. Bertha Repelling his embrace, confused. I meant where do you wish me to come. Robert To my house. Not my mother’s over there. I will write the address for you. Will you come? Bertha When? Robert Tonight. Between eight and nine. Come. I will wait for you tonight. And every night. You will? He kisses her with passion, holding her head between his hands. After a few instants she breaks from him. He sits down. Bertha Listening. The gate opened. Robert Intensely. I will wait for you. He takes the slip from the table. Bertha moves away from him slowly. Richard comes in from the garden. Richard Advancing, takes off his hat. Good afternoon. Robert Rises, with nervous friendliness. Good afternoon, Richard. Bertha At the table, taking the roses. Look what lovely roses Mr. Hand brought me. Robert I am afraid they are overblown. Richard Suddenly. Excuse me for a moment, will you? He turns and goes into his study quickly. Robert takes a pencil from his pocket and writes a few words on the slip; then hands it quickly to Bertha. Robert Rapidly. The address. Take the tram at Lansdowne Road and ask to be let down near there. Bertha Takes it. I promise nothing. Robert I will wait. Richard comes back from the study. Bertha Going. I must put these roses in water. Richard Handing her his hat. Yes, do. And please put my hat on the rack. Bertha Takes it. So I will leave you to yourselves for your talk. Looking round. Do you want