If I Had a Father

epub:type="z3998:persona">Thomas Retiring behind the Psyche. Aw’re noan likely to goo, maister. Enter Mrs. Clifford Crosses to room door. Enter Waterfield. They talk. Gervaise William! I don’t want them. Retreats towards the Psyche. Col. Gervaise Sit here one moment, sir. Leads him to the dais. Advances to Mrs. Clifford. Mrs. Clifford Trying to pass him. Arthur, what can⁠—? Col. Gervaise Intercepting her. Let him rest a bit, ma’am, if you please. He’s been out for the first time. Mrs. Clifford At night! and in a fog! A pretty nurse you are! Poor boy! Col. Gervaise Mr. Waterfield, sir, would you mind stepping into the room again for a moment? Exit Waterfield. Mrs. Clifford, ma’am, would you please get a glass of wine for master? Exit Mrs. Clifford into the house. Gervaise William! William! Col. Gervaise Yes, sir. Gervaise Send him away. Don’t let him stop there. I have nothing to say to him. Col. Gervaise He shan’t trouble you, sir. I’ll take care of that. Goes behind the Psyche to Thomas, but keeps watching the door of the room.⁠—Did you see the man that went in there just now? Thomas With anxiety. He winnot joomp eawt ov th’ window, dosto thenk, lad? Reenter Mrs. Clifford with wine. Gervaise drinks. Col. Gervaise Why should he do that? Do you know anything about him? Thomas Aw do. Col. Gervaise Has he seen you here? Thomas No. Aw’re afeard he’d roon away, and aw keepet snoog. Col. Gervaise I needn’t ask who it is, then? Thomas Yo needn’t, lad. Enter Waterfield. Thomas Mo conscience! he’ll pike eawt afoor aw geet howd on him! Rushes out and seizes Waterfield. Enter Mattie and Bill. Thomas Thae’rt a domned villain! Wheer’s mo Mattie? Waterfield knocks Thomas down. Bill O Lord! the swell’s murdered old daddy! All but Gervaise rush together. Colonel Gervaise seizes Waterfield. Mattie throws herself on her knees beside Thomas and lifts his head. Mattie Father! father! Look at me! It’s Mattie!⁠—your own wicked Mattie! Look at her once, father dear! Lays down his head in despair, and rises. Who struck the good old man? Bill He did⁠—the swell as give me the gold sov. Mattie Mr. Watkins!⁠— Waterfield I haven’t the honour of the gentleman’s acquaintance. I’m not Mr. Watkins. Am I now? To Col. Gervaise. Ha! ha!⁠—Let go, I say. I’m not the man. It’s all a mistake, you see. Col. Gervaise In good time. I might make a worse. Watkins mayn’t be your name, but Watkins is your nature. Waterfield Damn your insolence! Let me go, I tell you! Struggles threatening. Col. Gervaise Gently, gently, young man!⁠—If I give your neckcloth a twist now⁠—! Mattie Yes, there is a mistake⁠—and a sad one for me! A wretch that would strike an old man! Indeed you are not what I took you for. Waterfield You hear the young woman! She says it’s all a mistake.⁠—My good girl, I’m sorry for the old gentleman; but he oughtn’t to behave like a ruffian. Really, now, you know, a fellow can’t stand that sort of thing! A downright assault! I’m sorry I struck him, though⁠—devilish sorry! I’ll pay the damage with pleasure. Puts his hand in his pocket. Mattie Turning away. And not a gentleman! Kneels by Thomas and weeps. Thomas Feebly. Dunnot greight, Mattie, mo chylt. Aw’m o’ reet. Let th’ mon goo. What’s he to tho or mo?⁠—By th’ mass! aw’m strung enough to lick him yet trying to rise, but falling back. Eigh! eigh! mo owd boans ’ud rayther not. It’s noan blame sure to an owd mon to fo’ tired o’ feightin! Mattie Taking’ his head on her lap. Father! father! forgive me! I’m all yours.⁠—I’ll go home with you, and work for you till I drop. O father! how could I leave you for him? I don’t care one bit for him now⁠—I don’t indeed. You’ll forgive me⁠—won’t you, father? Sobs. Thomas Aw wull, aw do, mo Mattie. Coom whoam⁠—coom whoam. Mattie Will mother forgive me, father? Thomas Thi mother, chylt? Hoo’s forgiven tho lung afoor⁠—ivver so lung agoo, chylt! Thi mother may talk leawd, but her heart is as soft as parritch.⁠—Thae knows it, Mattie. Waterfield All this is very interesting⁠—only you see it’s the wrong man, and I can’t say he enjoys it. Take your hand off my collar⁠—will you? I’m not the man, I tell you! Bill All I says is⁠—it’s the same swell as guv me the skid to find her. I’ll kiss the book on that! Gervaise Coming forward. Mr. Waterfield, on your honour, do you know this girl? Waterfield Come! you ain’t goin’ to put me to my catechism! Gervaise You must allow appearances are against you. Waterfield Damn your appearances! What do I care? Gervaise If you will not answer my question, I must beg you to leave the place. Waterfield My own desire! Will you oblige me by ordering this bulldog of yours to take his paws off me? What the devil is he keeping me here for? Col. Gervaise I’ve a great mind to give you in charge. Waterfield The old codger assaulted me first. Col. Gervaise True; but the whole affair would come to light. That’s what I would have. Miss Pearson, what am I to do with this man? Enter Susan at the back door. Behind her, Constance peeps in. Mattie Let him go.⁠—Father! Father! Kisses him. Susan That can never be Mattie’s gentleman, sure‑ly! Hm! I don’t think much of him. I knew he had ugly eyes! I told you so, Mattie! I wouldn’t break my heart for him⁠—no, nor for twenty of him⁠—I wouldn’t! He looks like a drowned cat. Waterfield What the devil have you got to do with it? Susan Nothing. You shut up. Waterfield Well, I’m damned if I know whether I’m on my head or my heels. Susan ’Tain’t no count which. Bill Aside to Col. Gervaise. She’s at the back door, Mr. William. Col. Gervaise Who is, Bill? Miss Lacordère? Bill Right you air! Col. Gervaise hastens to the door.