Exiles

anything? Cigarettes? Richard Thanks. We have them here. Bertha Then I can go? She goes out on the left with Richard’s hat, which she leaves in the hall, and returns at once; she stops for a moment at the davenport, replaces the slip in the drawer, locks it, and replaces the key, and, taking the roses, goes towards the right. Robert precedes her to open the door for her. She bows and goes out. Richard Points to the chair near the little table on the right. Your place of honour. Robert Sits down. Thanks. Passing his hand over his brow. Good Lord, how warm it is today! The heat pains me here in the eye. The glare. Richard The room is rather dark, I think, with the blind down but if you wish⁠ ⁠… Robert Quickly. Not at all. I know what it is⁠—the result of night work. Richard Sits on the lounge. Must you? Robert Sighs. Eh, yes. I must see part of the paper through every night. And then my leading articles. We are approaching a difficult moment. And not only here. Richard After a slight pause. Have you any news? Robert In a different voice. Yes. I want to speak to you seriously. Today may be an important day for you⁠—or rather, tonight. I saw the vicechancellor this morning. He has the highest opinion of you, Richard. He has read your book, he said. Richard Did he buy it or borrow it? Robert Bought it, I hope. Richard I shall smoke a cigarette. Thirtyseven copies have now been sold in Dublin. He takes a cigarette from the box on the table, and lights it. Robert Suavely, hopelessly. Well, the matter is closed for the present. You have your iron mask on today. Richard Smoking. Let me hear the rest. Robert Again seriously. Richard, you are too suspicious. It is a defect in you. He assured me he has the highest possible opinion of you, as everyone has. You are the man for the post, he says. In fact, he told me that, if your name goes forward, he will work might and main for you with the senate and I⁠ ⁠… will do my part, of course, in the press and privately. I regard it as a public duty. The chair of romance literature is yours by right, as a scholar, as a literary personality. Richard The conditions? Robert Conditions? You mean about the future? Richard I mean about the past. Robert Easily. That episode in your past is forgotten. An act of impulse. We are all impulsive. Richard Looks fixedly at him. You called it an act of folly, then⁠—nine years ago. You told me I was hanging a weight about my neck. Robert I was wrong. Suavely. Here is how the matter stands, Richard. Everyone knows that you ran away years ago with a young girl⁠ ⁠… How shall I put it?⁠ ⁠… with a young girl not exactly your equal. Kindly. Excuse me, Richard, that is not my opinion nor my language. I am simply using the language of people whose opinions I don’t share. Richard Writing one of your leading articles, in fact. Robert Put it so. Well, it made a great sensation at the time. A mysterious disappearance. My name was involved too, as best man, let us say, on that famous occasion. Of course, they think I acted from a mistaken sense of friendship. Well, all that is known. With some hesitation. But what happened afterwards is not known. Richard No? Robert Of course, it is your affair, Richard. However, you are not so young now as you were then. The expression is quite in the style of my leading articles, isn’t it? Richard Do you, or do you not, want me to give the lie to my past life? Robert I am thinking of your future life⁠—here. I understand your pride and your sense of liberty. I understand their point of view also. However, there is a way out; it is simply this. Refrain from contradicting any rumours you may hear concerning what happened⁠ ⁠… or did not happen after you went away. Leave the rest to me. Richard You will set these rumours afloat? Robert I will. God help me. Richard Observing him. For the sake of social conventions? Robert For the sake of something else too⁠—our friendship, our lifelong friendship. Richard Thanks. Robert Slightly wounded. And I will tell you the whole truth. Richard Smiles and bows. Yes. Do, please. Robert Not only for your sake. Also for the sake of⁠—your present partner in life. Richard I see. He crushes his cigarette softly on the ashtray and then leans forward, rubbing his hands slowly. Richard Why for her sake? Robert Also leans forward, quietly. Richard, have you been quite fair to her? It was her own free choice, you will say. But was she really free to choose? She was a mere girl. She accepted all that you proposed. Richard Smiles. That is your way of saying that she proposed what I would not accept. Robert Nods. I remember. And she went away with you. But was it of her own free choice? Answer me frankly. Richard Turns to him, calmly. I played for her against all that you say or can say; and I won. Robert Nodding again. Yes, you won. Richard Rises. Excuse me for forgetting. Will you have some whisky? Robert All things come to those who wait. Richard goes to the sideboard and brings a small tray with the decanter and glasses to the table where he sets it down. Richard Sits down again, leaning back on the lounge. Will you please help yourself? Robert Does so. And you? Steadfast? Richard shakes his head. Lord, when I think of our wild nights long ago⁠—talks by the hour, plans, carouses, revelry⁠ ⁠… Richard In our house. Robert It is mine now. I have kept it ever since though I don’t go there often. Whenever you like to come let me know. You must come some night. It will be old times again. He lifts his glass and