A country cemetery.

Ada [1] (appears with a few flowers in her hand; comes up to one of the graves, puts her flowers on it and sits down on the bench near the grave. On the tombstone the audience can read the words “John Grey, Professor of Physiology, 1853 –1896. Rest in Peace”): This story began on that very day when Professor John Grey, my poor brother, didn’t come down to breakfast at the usual hour. It was an unprecedented occurrence. During the twelve years that I had kept house for him, I had never known him a second behind his time.

SCENE I

A morning-room in Professor Grey’s house[2]. Ada is waiting for her brother and reading a newspaper. In the next room Sarah, their maid, is dusting the furniture and singing. Professor Grey enters.

Grey (sits down at the table): Those maids are very noisy.

Ada (pours him a cup of coffee): It is Sarah, I shall speak about it. (Looks at her watch.) You were late this morning, John.

Grey: Yes, Ada, I slept badly. I have been a little disturbed in my mind. You are surprised, Ada. Well, I cannot wonder at all. I should have been surprised myself I had been told that I couldn’t sleep thinking of getting married.

Ada (looks at him in amazement): Not Mrs. O’James?

Grey: Yes, my dear. Mrs. O’James is the lady in question.

Ada: But you know so little of her.

Grey: I know enough. She will be a suitable helpmate. I have, as you know, been so engaged in academical and other work, that I have had no time to devote to merely personal questions. It is different now.

Ada: And you are engaged?

Grey: Hardly that, Ada. I am going to propose to her after my morning lecture. But you frown, Ada!

Ada: I am sure, John, that I wish you happiness which you deserve. If I hesitated at all, it is because I know how much is at stake, and because the thing is so sudden, so unexpected.

Grey: If I am not mistaken, there is some possibility of another matrimonial event occurring in the family. Ey, Ada? What! Dr. James M’Murdo O’Brien…

Ada (a little embarrassed): Don’t, John, don’t!

Grey: Dr. James M’Murdo O’Brien is a man who has already made his mark upon the science of the day. He is my first and my most distinguished pupils. He has a brilliant future before him. You know his feeling towards you.

Ada: He has not spoken to me.

Grey: Ah, there are signs which are more subtle than speech. But you are pale. Let me entreat you to compose yourself. I think I hear a carriage. I fancy that you may have a visitor this morning, Ada. You will excuse me now. (Leaves the room. Ada goes to the mirror to smooth her hair.)

SCENE II

Ada’s drawing-room. She is sewing near the window. Dr. James M’Murdo O’Brien enters the room carrying a small bunch of flowers. He gives it to Ada.

O’Brien: I’m so glad you are at home, Miss Grey, I wanted to see you.

Ada: What! Me? Not my brother?

O’Brien: I’ve come to have a talk with you.

Ada: Then, sit down, please, Mr. O’Brien. I’m listening.

O’Brien: Miss Grey, I have, as you know, the offer of the physiological chair at Melbourne. In two months’ time I go out to take over my new duties. It rests with you as to whether I go out alone. In other words I ask you to be my wife.

Ada: I’m afraid I can’t say “Yes” or “No” now. You’re going to Edinburgh today?

O’Brien: Yes.

Ada: I prefer to leave the matter open until your return from Scotland.

O’Brien (after a pause): But before I enter your family, you have a right to know everything about me – you and your brother.

Ada: I believe, we know you perfectly well.

O’Brien: There is only one point which I have omitted to mention. I am a widower.

Ada: This is news indeed!

O’Brien: Poor Jenny was the best woman but she was untrue to me. It is a hard thing to say of the dead, but she was untrue to me. She fled with a man whom she had known before our marriage. There was a railway accident and they both were killed.

Ada: This is very painful, Mr. O’Brien.

O’Brien: Poor girl! God help me, I love her still! (Covers his face with his hands.) Excuse me…

Ada (doesn’t know what to say): Will you have lunch with us?

O’Brien: No, Miss Grey, I cannot stay, I must go. My carriage is waiting. On returning I hope to hear your answer.

Grey (enters the room): Leaving us, O’Brien? (They shake hands.)

O’Brien: Yes, I have my packing still to do. I have already bade Miss Grey adieu. In two months I shall see you again.

Grey: You will probably find me a married man.

O’Brien: Married!

Grey: Yes, I have been thinking of it.

O’Brien: My dear Professor, I had no idea. Who is the lady?

Grey: Mrs. O’James is her name – a widow.

O’Brien: Let me congratulate you with all my heart. (Goes off.)

SCENE III

The garden at the Greys’ house. Ada is watering flowers. Enter Professor Grey from the house.

Grey: She is coming to have lunch with us.

Ada: Who?

Grey: Mrs. O’James.

Ada: I’m sorry, John, but I have a terrible headache.

Grey: You lie down for a while.

(Ada leaves. Professor Grey goes forward to meet Mrs. O’James, who appears at the back.)

Grey: Come in, please, Mrs. O’James. Pray take a seat.

Jeannette: And where is your sister?

Grey: She is not well.

Jeannette: What a pity! Nothing serious, I hope?

Grey: Only a headache.

Jeannette: What are the students to do without their Professor?

Grey: I have already completed my academic duties. Take my arm, and we shall walk in the sunshine. Have you thought at all of the matter upon which I spoke to you last night? I am not an emotional man… but… I …

Jeannette: You believe in love?

Grey: I am forced to. May I ask now whether you see your way to accepting my proposal?

Jeannette: I accept.

Grey: I trust that you may never have cause to regret your decision.

Jeannette: I trust that you never may.

Grey (takes her hand): You are shivering. Your nerves are shaken. Come into the sun again.

Jeannette: You are right, it is very wise to stay out here on so lovely a day!

Grey: It is certainly very fine weather.

Jeannette: Listen to the wind sighing in the trees! It is Nature’s lullaby.

Grey: The idea had not occurred to me, madam.

Jeannette: See the rich greens!

Grey: Chlorophyll.

Jeannette: Science is so hopelessly prosaic. (They go to the house.)

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