SUD [_aside_]. That"s merely to show the girl has a father.
MISS IVORY. No, he is talking business with Mr. Inkwell.
MRS. PENCIL [_starting_]. Inkwell!
MISS IVORY. Yes, do you know him?
MRS. PENCIL [_evasively_]. I? Oh--no.
MISS IVORY. You"ve heard of him?
MRS. PENCIL. Yes--of course----
SUD [_aside_]. Do you catch it? Do you see how her nervousness and her few words at once suggest that there is a link between Mrs. Pencil and Inkwell? That"s where I show my technique.
WOULDBY [_scratching his head_]. Technique! How can I learn it?
SUD. It is the secret that every playwright locks in his breast. Keep the young ones out! _Mum_ is the word!
MISS IVORY. I am so sorry father has all this trouble with the brick-layers. They shouldn"t have gone on a strike--just now--when you are visiting us.
SUD [_to Wouldby_]. That tells that Mrs. Pencil is a guest in Miss Ivory"s house.
MISS IVORY. When you were here last year my mother----
SUD [_aside_]. The girl hesitates--they both look sorrowful; we had to cut down the cast, so I killed off her mother.
MRS. PENCIL [_sadly, with foreign accent_]. Ah, my dear--we were such close friends--since my arrival in this country----
SUD [_aside_]. You see, I had to make her a foreigner. A villainess always talks with a foreign accent.
MRS. PENCIL. I haven"t had much time to read particulars about the strike. Does your father still refuse to arbitrate?
MISS IVORY [_haughtily_]. What right have brick-layers to make rules for my father? He would show his weakness if he gave in--I have faith that what he does is right.
SUD [_to Wouldby_]. The innocent heroine, so cool and pure and white.
[_The right door opens and Inkwell enters--he starts as he sees Mrs. Pencil; there is a straight look of recognition between them which Miss Ivory does not see._]
SUD [_aside_]. That"s a dramatic scene. Doesn"t it thrill your spine?
MISS IVORY. Mrs. Pencil, may I introduce Mr. Inkwell--[_Inkwell and Mrs.
Pencil bow slightly._] Will you have a dish of tea?
SUD. Cup, cup of tea.
MISS IVORY. Dish; _dish_ of tea, or I quit. [_Pause._] Which is it?
SUD. Oh, very well, dish if you like.
[_Sud"s manner indicates he gives in simply to let the rehearsal progress, but that he will settle with Miss Ivory later._]
MISS IVORY. Please tell me that you have ordered the strikers to come to father"s terms?
MR. INKWELL [_at right of table_]. He is looking through his safe for more papers so he asked me to wait in here.
SUD. That"s an explanation why he came in.
MISS IVORY [_offering cup_]. How many lumps?
SUD [_aside_]. That question of the number of lumps is very important; it gives a natural air to the scene.
MISS IVORY. I am going to the dining-room to get some arrack for your tea.
MR. INKWELL [_nervously_]. Oh, please don"t trouble----
MISS IVORY. No trouble at all.
[_Exit right._]
SUD. When you want to get a character out, you"ve got to get "em out.
MR. INKWELL [_at right of table, to Mrs. Pencil_]. You here!
MRS. PENCIL [_at left of table_]. Sch! I had to come! I couldn"t live without you any longer----
INKWELL. But in this house?
MRS. PENCIL. I was her mother"s friend.
INKWELL. You are indiscreet----
MRS. PENCIL. I was desperate for you! You kept putting me off--when I read about this strike I had to come.
SUD. Mrs. Pencil is the dreadful woman! A play can"t exist without her----
WOULDBY. You mean she was his----
SUD [_seriously_]. Oh, yes--the more fuss we make about her the better.
MRS. PENCIL. Oh! Clem! You aren"t glad to see me! Oh! that I have lived for this!!!
[_She tears around the stage waving her hands in grief--making faces of agony. Sud rises in astonishment and follows her left._]
SUD [_shrieks in anger_]. Idiot! Can"t you talk! Do you think I write lines to be cut? How dare you cut my lines!!!
MRS. PENCIL. I"ve done just what it says. [_She takes her part from table, reads from it and shows it to him._] "Mrs. Pencil shows extreme despair and pa.s.sionately----"