Hamilton

all that supper, and I’m going to finish this bottle of wine. Picking up decanter. Zekiel Don’ yo’ drink it on an empty stomach; it’ll go straight to yo’ haid. An’ dere’s noder bottle ain’ been touched, an’ de corkscrew a-lyin’ close ’longside. Hamilton Zekiel, there’s a conspiracy amongst you to lead me into temptation. Goes up to escritoire in L. corner, sits, and is putting away papers. You go to bed. Zekiel Yes, Marse Hamilton. Yessah. Goes to bookcase C. at back and picking up an extinguisher begins to put out the four lighted candles; lights go down. Zekiel giggles audibly two or three times. Hamilton What is it, Zekiel? What’s the matter? Zekiel Giggling. ‘Scuse me, Marse Hamilton, but I jes’ couldn’t help heah what Cunnel Coun’ Tallyran’ say to yo’ ’bout goin’ on a little spree. Hamilton Ah, you mustn’t be shocked, Uncle. He didn’t mean it. Coming down to table L., sitting and putting papers away in drawers. Zekiel Law, no, I ain’ shocked! I think him right, Mars’ Ham’ton, quite right. Hamilton What? Zekiel Working to door up R. at back. Yo’-all been stickin’ too close to wo’k. Leetle spree do yo’ sight ob good. Hamilton Uncle! Zekiel If I been a-wo’kin’ night an’ day, same’s yo’ been a-doin’, reckon I’d lak a leetle spree myself. Opens door R. Hamilton Why, you black rascal, at your age! Zekiel Well, sah, dat am de on’y thing ’at ’ud pavent it, Marse Cunnel. Hamilton Laughing and going quickly toward door R.; shouts. Get off to bed! Zekiel exits R. laughing; closes door. Hamilton laughs, walks over to table C., sits, looks at food, feels loneliness, feels heat⁠—rises⁠—opens window L. onto balcony. Takes out handkerchief and wipes brow. Returning to C. table he chuckles at Bill on table L. as he passes. Sits down behind C. table and is pouring out a glass of wine when there is faint knocking at outer door, which he hardly hears and attaches no importance to. He is about to drink the wine when the knocking repeated louder. He puts down the glass and opens room-door and listens. It comes again. He goes out and unbolts street-door and opens it. Mrs. Reynolds Outside. Is this Alexander Hamilton’s house? Hamilton Yes, this is Mr. Hamilton’s house. Mrs. Reynolds Is he at home? Hamilton Yes, he is at home. What do you want? Mrs. Reynolds I want to see him. Hamilton Won’t it do tomorrow? Mrs. Reynolds Oh, no. I must see him tonight. Hamilton Come in. Enter Mrs. Reynolds. He closes street door but not room door. Mrs. Reynolds wears a short, white muslin dress, filmy and simple. It is short-waisted, and cut low. Over this a straight, blue cape, with a little hood on back. Her hair is in ringlets. She looks like a sweet little schoolgirl. Her slippers are black, with white stockings and with black ribbons crossed over ankle. She comes to C. above table, taking in the room with a glance. Hamilton follows and is on her R. Mrs. Reynolds May I see him? Hamilton I am Mr. Hamilton. Mrs. Reynolds Wide-eyed. Oh-h⁠—are you Alexander Hamilton? I thought he was quite old. Why, you’re young, aren’t you? Hamilton Smiling. Not very young. Mrs. Reynolds Why, you are. You look quite boyish. It’s very late, isn’t it? Hamilton It is rather late for business hours. Mrs. Reynolds Were you just going to bed? Hamilton I think I was. Mrs. Reynolds Oh, then I ought not to have disturbed you. When I got to your door I thought perhaps it might be too late. That’s why I knocked with my knuckles instead of with the knocker. Looking at her fingers and half holding them out but withdrawing them when he shows no particular interest. Hamilton Yes, I wondered why you did that. Mrs. Reynolds Smiling sweetly. Yes, it hurt them too. It was mighty nice of you to let me in. Hamilton Smiling. What do you want? Mrs. Reynolds I hardly like to tell you. Moving down a step. Hamilton A little nonplussed. What’s your name? Mrs. Reynolds Reynolds⁠—my name is. Hamilton Reynolds? Mrs. Reynolds Yes. I’m related to the Livingstons of New York State. Hamilton Warmly. Oh! Mrs. Reynolds Yes. I’ve so often heard of you from the Livingstons. Hamilton Shaking hands with her. Yes, the Livingstons are very old friends of mine. Won’t you sit down? Indicates chair R. of C. table; she sits demurely but with a “so far so good” look in her eye. He seats himsself on the end of the sofa facing her. Well now, what can I do for you? Mrs. Reynolds I want money. Hamilton Astonished. Money? But⁠—why did you come to me? Mrs. Reynolds Innocently. Why, I’m an American. I’m in need of money. I thought it the place of the Secretary of the Treasury of my own country to help me. Hamilton Turning away for a moment amused. But, my child, I have no money. Why don’t you go to Robert Livingston? He’s in Philadelphia now. Mrs. Reynolds With a quick look away. Oh, is he? But my people are the Henry Livingstons. Hamilton Oh! Mrs. Reynolds Quickly. My father was in the Commissary Department during the war. Hamilton Was he? Mrs. Reynolds Yes. Mr. Lewis, his name was. Hamilton Interestedly. Well, now, what do you want this money for? Mrs. Reynolds With a faltering voice. I want to run away. Hamilton To run away! From whom? Mrs. Reynolds My husband. Hamilton Your husband? Why, you’re a child! Mrs. Reynolds I’m twenty-six. I don’t look it, do I? Oh, he’s been nothing to me for a long time, but tonight he came to my lodgings where I’ve been living and he struck me, here. Touching her breast. So I thought you could give me the money that tomorrow I’d go to New York. Hamilton And tonight? Mrs. Reynolds Oh, I can go back to my lodgings. With a Madonna-like simplicity. He won’t come there again tonight. Hamilton Leaning forward. What did you