If I Had a Father

epub:type="z3998:persona">Constance peeps in and draws back. Col. Gervaise follows her. Waterfield approaches Mattie. Waterfield Miss Pearson, if that’s⁠— Mattie I don’t know you⁠—don’t even know your name. Waterfield Looking round. You hear her say it! She don’t know me! Mattie Could you try and rise, father? I want to get out of this. There’s a lady here says I’m a thief! Thomas Nea, that she connot say, Mattie! Thae cooms ov honest folk. Aw’ll geet oop direckly. Attempts to rise. Eigh! eigh! aw connot! aw connot! Mrs. Clifford If I have been unjust to you, Miss Pearson, I shall not fail to make amends. Susan It’s time you did then, ma’am. You’ve murdered her, and all but murdered me. That’s how your little bill stands. Gervaise To Waterfield. Leave the place, Mr. Waterfield. Waterfield You shall answer for this, Gervaise. Gervaise Leave the study at once. Waterfield Tut! tut! I’ll make it up to them. A bank note’s a good plaster. Bill Pleasir, shall I run and fetch a bobby? I likes to see a swell wanted. Gervaise You hold your tongue. Retires to the dais and sits down. Mrs. Clifford follows him. Waterfield Taking out his pocketbook, and approaching Mattie. I didn’t think you’d have served me so, Mattie! Indeed I didn’t! It’s not kind after what’s been between you and me. Mattie rises and stands staring at him. You’ve ruined my prospects⁠—you have! But I don’t want to bear malice: take that.⁠—Old times, you know!⁠—Take it. You’re welcome. Forces the note on her. She steps back. It drops. Mattie This is a humiliation! Will nobody take him away? Susan Rushing at him. You be off! An’ them goggle eyes o’ yours, or I’ll goggle ’em! I can’t bear the sight on ’em. I should never ha’ taken you for a gentleman. You don’t look it. You slope, I say! Hustles him. Waterfield picks up the note, and exit. Mattie Bursting into tears. Father! father! don’t hate me; don’t despise me. Thomas tries to get up, but falls back. Bill Don’t be in no hurry, Daddy. There’s none but friends here now⁠—’cep’ the old lady;⁠—she do look glum. Susan I’ll soon settle her hash! Mattie Susie! Susie! Don’t⁠—there’s a dear! Susan What business has she here then! She’s not a doin’ of nothink. Mattie Don’t you see she’s looking after the poor gentleman there? Gervaise William!⁠—William!⁠—Gone again! What a fellow he is! The best servant in the world, but always vanishing! Call your James⁠—will you, aunt? We must have the old man put to bed. But the poor girl looks the worse of the two! She can have the spare room, and William can sleep on the sofa in mine. Mrs. Clifford I’ll see to it. Exit. Gervaise goes towards Thomas. Thomas Coom whoam⁠—coom whoam, Mattie! Thi mother, hoo’s cryin’ her eighes eawt to whoam. Mattie I’ll run for a doctor first, father. Thomas No, no, chylt! Aw’re only a bit stonned, like. Aw’ll be o’ reet in a smo’ bit. Aw dunnot want no doctor. Aw’m a coomin’ reawnd. Gervaise Neither of you shall stir tonight. Your rooms will be ready in a few minutes. Mattie Thank you, sir! I don’t know what I should have done with him.⁠—Susan, you wouldn’t mind going home without me? You know Miss Lacordère⁠— Gervaise Miss Lacordère! What do you know of her? Mattie Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I oughtn’t to have mentioned her. But my poor head!⁠— Gervaise What of Miss Lacordère? For God’s sake, tell me. Enter Mrs. Clifford with James. Susan Oh, nothing, sir! nothing at all! Only Miss Lacordère has been good to us⁠—which it’s more than can be said for everybody! Scowls at Mrs. Clifford James proceeds to lift Thomas. She flies at him. Put the old gentleman down, you sneakin’ reptile! How many doors have you been a hearkenin’ at since mornin’⁠—eh, putty-lump? You touch the old man again, and I’ll mark you! Here, Bill! I’ll take his head⁠—you take his feet. We’ll carry him between us like a feather. Mattie O Susan! do hold your tongue. Susan It’s my only weapon, my dear. If I was a man⁠—see if I’d talk then. James It’s a providence you ain’t a man, young woman! Susan Right you are! Them’s my werry motives. I ain’t a makin’ of no complaint on that score, young Plush! I wouldn’t be a man for⁠—no, not for⁠—not even for sich a pair o’ calves as yourn! Susan and Bill carry Thomas out. Mattie follows. Gervaise is going after them. Mrs. Clifford Don’t you go, Arthur. They can manage quite well. I will go if you like. Gervaise They know something about Constance. Mrs. Clifford Pray give yourself no anxiety about her. Gervaise What do you mean, aunt? Mrs. Clifford I will be responsible for her. Gervaise Where is she then? Exit Mrs. Clifford. William!⁠—If he doesn’t come in one minute more, I’ll go after her myself. Those girls know where she is. I am as strong as a giant.⁠—O God! All but married to that infamous fellow!⁠—That he should ever have touched the tip of one of her fingers! What a sunrise of hope! Psyche may yet fold her wings to my prayer! William! William!⁠—Where can the fellow be? Enter Col. Gervaise in uniform and star, leading Constance. Gervaise Hurrying to meet them. Constance! Constance! forgive me. Oh my God! You will when you know all. Col. Gervaise She knows enough for that already, my boy, or she wouldn’t be here. Take her⁠—and me for her sake. Gervaise What! who⁠—? Constance!⁠—What does it all mean?⁠—It must be⁠—can it be⁠—my father?⁠—William⁠—It is William!⁠—William my father!⁠—O father! father! Throwing his arms about him. it was you all the time then! Col. Gervaise My boy! my boy! There!⁠—take Constance, and let me go. I did want to do something for you⁠—but⁠—There! I’m too much ashamed to look at you in my own person. Gervaise Kneeling. Father! father! don’t talk like that! O father! my father! Col. Gervaise Raising him. My boy! my boy! I