A chapel in Scotland. Lord William is praying. The page enters.

Lord William: God bless you, my jolly boy! Have you seen my sweet May Margaret? Have you got any love-tokens for me?

Page: She sends you the rings from her fingers,

The garlands off her hair.

She’ll give you her heart in Scotland

And asks you to meet her there.

Lord William (to his knights): Come here, all my merry men,

And drink the good red wine.

For we must meet in fair Scotland

The lovely bride of mine.

(Appear May Margaret in the coffin and all her relatives.)

Lord William (grief-stricken): Set down, set down the coffin, I pray,

Till I look at the dead.

The last time that I saw her face,

She ruddy was and red.

(Kisses her.) Alas! Her cheeks are lily-white and as cold as marble.

May Margaret (opens her eyes): Give me a slice of bread, my love,

A bottle of your wine;

For I have fasted for your sake

These weary long days nine.

(To her relatives.) I came not here to fair Scotland

To lie among the dead;

But I came here to fair Scotland

With my true-love to wed.

Lord William (happily): A priest, a priest, send for a priest,

To marry my sweet-heart and me.

CURTAIN

JACK IN LOVE or MISS SNAKE'S FIASCO

(Level I)

CHARACTERS: Jack, a medical student, madly in love with Hatty.

Peter Winfield, a wealthy and respectable gentleman.

Fiona Winfield, his wife.

Emily Snake, Peter’s second cousin.

Sergeant Moon, a local policeman.

Hatty, his daughter.

Abbie, a maid in the Winfields’ house.

SCENE I

A small English town. Jack is standing in the High Street, near the house, where Hatty lives.

Jack (looks at his watch): Ten o’clock. Why isn’t she playing? It’s just her usual time for practising scales. (The music starts.) Oh, she is playing! Hatty, my darling! I am head over heels in love!

Sergeant Moon (leans out of the window): Damn! It’s you again! Go away, young man!

Jack (to the audience): Her father doesn’t like me.

Sergeant Moon (shaking his fist): Go away or I’ll open the door and let out forty-three dogs on you!

Jack: How could I see Hatty every day without seeing her father? I must think of a plan. (Sits down on the bench.)

(Miss Snake and Abbie appear from opposite ends of the High Street and go to meet each other. Abbie is carrying a big bag with shopping.)

Miss Snake (calling): Abbie, Abbie!

Abbie: Well, Miss Snake, he is married!

Miss Snake: Oh, no. No! It cannot be true!

Abbie: It’s true. He got married two months ago in London.

Miss Snake: Have you seen his wife?

Abbie: Yes. She arrived yesterday.

Miss Snake: What does she look like?

Abbie: A tall, slim, well-bred London girl with excellent manners. Too polite, too educated and loves him too much.

Miss Snake: And what about him?

Abbie: He simply adores her.

Miss Snake: You don’t like her, do you? You must help me, Abbie.

Abbie: I am with you, Miss Snake.

Miss Snake: He should have married me, not this silly girl!

Abbie: Yes, you would be such a good wife for Mr. Winfield!

Miss Snake: I want nothing in the world so much as to be his wife, Abbie. And I’ll be his wife! And you will help me!

Abbie: I’m glad to serve you.

Miss Snake: First of all I want to see this woman. What’s her name?

Abbie: Fiona. She is a real lady. I don’t like her, but she’s a real lady. Look! They are coming here.

(Miss Snake and Abbie hide behind the trees. Peter and Fiona come out of their house which is just opposite the house where Sergeant Moon and Hatty live. Jack is still sitting on the bench.)

Peter: How do you find my native town, dear?

Fiona: It’s charming. I’ve always wanted to live in an old English town like this one.

Peter: Don’t you feel lonely? We haven’t got noisy streets, theatres and parks here.

Fiona: You don’t need any parks if you live in the country. Oh, Peter, I’m so happy to be here with you!

Peter (kisses her): Well, well, my dear wife, it’s dinner time, let’s go home now. I put an advertisement in the paper this morning. And a new maid may come any minute.

(Peter and Fiona go back into their house. Miss Snake and Abbie appear from behind the trees. Jack is still sitting.)

Miss Snake: He’ll be mine, I dare swear, he’ll be my husband. Come back home and keep a sharp eye on her.

Abbie: Yes, Miss Snake.

(Abbie comes into the house Peter and Fiona have just entered. Miss Snake goes away. Jack stands up.)

Jack: I’ve got an idea! A very good idea! (Points to the Winfields’ and the Moons’ houses.) Their house is opposite Hatty’s one, and its windows face her window. Now I know how I can see my dear girl all day long!

SCENE II

A room in the Winfields’ house. Peter is packing his things. Fiona is helping him.

Fiona: When does your train for London leave?

Peter: At 2.30. What’s the time?

Fiona: Half past one. You have an hour.

Peter: It’ll take me fifteen minutes to get to the station. I have enough time.

Fiona: Is it necessary to go to London?

Peter: Absolutely.

Fiona: It’s a business trip, then?

Peter: No, not a business trip.

Fiona: What are you going to London for, Peter?

Peter: It’s a secret. Some kind of surprise for you.

Fiona: What kind of surprise?

Peter: You’ll see it soon.

Fiona: Can I go with you?

Peter: No, it is out of the question. But where are my keys? I can’t find them.

Fiona: Here they are.

Peter: Thank you, darling. (Kisses her.)

Fiona: Oh, Peter… (Kisses him.)

Jack (enters in woman’s clothes): Ahem! (Changes his voice.) I’m sorry, sir, madam.

Peter (looks at him in surprise): Who are you?

Jack (makes a curtsey): I’m your new maid, I hope. You need a maid, don’t you? My name is Jenny. My references, please, sir, madam. (Gives Peter some papers.)

Peter (looks the papers through): Well, that’s all settled then. Oh, it’s two fifteen! I must hurry!

Fiona: Here is you small travel bag. Goodbye. (Kisses him and sees him to the door.)

Peter: Goodbye, dear. I’ll ring you up, when I’m in London. (Kisses her and goes off.)

Fiona: I’ll be waiting. (Wipes her eyes with a handkerchief. To Abbie, who enters the room.) This young girl is our new maid. Her name is Jenny. She will help you with the work about the house.

Jack (giving her a hand): How do you do?

Abbie: Go to the kitchen. Your place is there, not in the living-room.

Jack (to the audience): Nasty old rat.

SCENE III

Fiona’s sitting-room. She is reading a fashion-magazine. The door-bell rings.

Fiona: Open the door, Abbie.

Abbie: A minute, please, I’m going. (Opens the door and sees Miss Snake on the threshold.) Oh, it’s you!

Miss Snake (comes in): Yes, it’s me. But don’t show that you know me.

Abbie: I see.

Fiona: Who’s there, Abbie?

Abbie: It’s… It’s…

Miss Snake (pushes Abbie aside and enters the room): I’m your husband’s second cousin. My name is Emily.

Fiona (advancing to meet her): I’m Fiona. Glad to meet you.

Miss Snake (moving to her and shaking hands): Something tells me that we are going to be friends. But where is Peter? Is he at home?

Fiona: I’m sorry, Peter isn’t here. He’s left for London.

Miss Snake: That’s a pity! What shall I do? I came from Canada to see my dear cousin and I don’t know anyone in this town.

Fiona: You’ll stay with us and wait for Peter’s return. He’ll come back by the end of the day.

Miss Snake: You are very kind.

Fiona: Sit down, please, and have tea with me.

Miss Snake: Thank you.

(Enter Jack with a tea-tray in his hands. Abbie follows him.)

Jack: Tea, please.

Abbie (takes the tray from Jack): It’s my duty to make tea. (Puts the tray on a coffee-table near the sofa.)

Fiona: Thank you, Abbie.

Miss Snake (to Fiona): Will you let me help you with the tea?

Fiona: Be so kind.

(Miss Snake starts pouring the tea. While doing it she puts something into Fiona’s cup. Jack notices it.)

Jack (to himself): What is she doing? I’m afraid, I must interfere. (Knocks the coffee-table over.) Oh, sorry, madam. I’m so clumsy.

Fiona (helping him to pick up the tea-things): It’s all right, Jenny. You’re a perfect maid, I’m sure.

(The telephone rings. Abbie picks up the receiver.)

Abbie: Hello, yes, yes. She’s at home. (To Fiona.) It’s Mr.Winfield.

Fiona (takes the receiver): Peter, my love!

Peter’s voice: Yes, darling! I’m so happy to hear your sweet voice.

Fiona: Where’re you?

Peter: In London.

Fiona: Do you still love me?

Peter: With all my heart. Goodbye, my dear little girl. I’ll be back very soon.

Fiona: Oh, Peter, wait a moment. Your cousin Emily has come. Peter, are you still there? He’s rung off…

(Fiona replaces the receiver and, lost in thought, goes out of the room. Miss Snake and Abbie follow her. Jack stays alone. He sits down on the sofa.)

SCENE IV

The same room. Jack is still sitting on the sofa.

Jack (to himself): There’s something wrong in the house. What, may I ask? I’m going to find it out. This young lady, Fiona, she is so lovely and so helpless. I must take care of her. She is in danger, I’m sure. (The clock strikes six.) Six o’clock. It’s time for Hatty’s evening piano lesson. (Goes to the window and opens it.) Hatty! My Hatty! I’m dying to see her! (Hatty appears in the opposite window.) Good evening, miss.

Hatty (smiles at him): Good evening, my dear girl.

Jack (starts the phrase in “Jenny’s” voice and finishes it in his own one): Don’t call me “your dear girl”, you’d better call me “your dear boy”.

Hatty (surprised): Jack! It’s you!

Jack: Yes, it’s me.

Hatty: But why are you in this house?

Jack: To see you, my love.

Hatty: And why are you wearing such strange clothes?

Jack (with a curtsey): I’m your neighbours new maid.

Hatty: Jack, you are something!

Jack: What do you mean?

Hatty: You are wonderful!

Jack: I’ve known it for years and I’m glad that now you know it too. (Becomes serious.) Look here, Hatty. What do you think about the Winfields?

Hatty: One of the oldest families in the county. Peter Winfield is a decent gentleman.

Jack: And his wife?

Hatty: I don’t know her very well, but she seems to be a charming young lady.

Jack: And someone wants to get rid of her.

Hatty: What?

Jack: To kill her.

Hatty: Good heavens! Who wants?

Sergeant Moon’s voice from the house: Hatty! Why aren’t you practising your scales? Start them right now!

Hatty: Yes, Daddy! (To Jack.) Can I help you, Jack?

Jack: Watch the rooms, please.

Hatty: Sure. (Sits down at the piano and starts playing but keeps her eye on the windows of the house, opposite.)

SCENE V

The same room. Jack is sitting in an arm-chair near the window. Hatty is playing the piano in the opposite house.

Jack: It’s so cold in this room! How can women wear light frocks, I wonder? What is it? A shawl? I think, I may use it. That’s right. It’s so warm. You are playing splendid, my love. Darling Hatty! My dear Hatty! (In a sleepy voice.) Hatty, my darling… Hatty, Hatty, Hatty… (Falls asleep.)

Miss Snake (creeps soundlessly into the room): Fiona! Sleeping! Alone! It’s your last minute, girl. (Takes a cushion from the sofa and tries to smother Jack with it.)

Jack (fighting with her): Stop it! Stop it! What are you doing?

Miss Snake (very much surprised): You? Oh, I … I didn’t notice you. I thought the chair was empty.

Jack: But it wasn’t! There was somebody in it. Someone, who had Fiona’s shawl round the shoulders. So you thought it was Fiona and wanted to kill her! It was your second attempt!

Miss Snake (indignantly): You are mad!

Jack: Not me! You are madly in love with Peter Winfield!

Peter (returns home from London): Fiona! Darling! I’m here. I’ve come back!

Jack: Mr. Winfield!

Miss Snake: Peter! (To herself.) He’s returned just at the wrong moment! (Goes out.)

Fiona (runs forward to meet him): My Peter!

Peter (embraces her): Fiona, are you crying?

Fiona (still crying): No, I’m not. But please, never leave me again.

Peter: I promise. Wipe your eyes, dear. I’ve got a present for you.

Fiona: What is it, Peter? I’m eager to see it.

Peter: Wait a moment. Close your eyes and count from one to ten. (Starts unwrapping the present.)

Fiona (covers her eyes with her hands): One, two, three, four, five…

Miss Snake (comes from the next room with a gun in her right hand): I hate you like poison, Fiona. Now, you are lost. (Takes aim at her, only Jack can see it.)

Jack (trying to disarm her): Nothing of the kind! Help me! Help!

Peter (stops unpacking his suitcase and turns round): What’s the matter? (Recognizes Miss Snake.) Emily? What are you doing here?

Jack (doesn’t let Miss Snake go): She wants to kill your wife!

Peter (amazed): To kill Fiona? Why?

Miss Snake (trying to free herself): Because I love you, idiot! And hate her!

Fiona (frightened): Oh, Peter, Peter.

Jack (to Miss Snake): Claws in! (Binds her with his belt.) Don’t move. (To Peter.) Call the police!

(Hatty has already understood what is happening and called her father for help. Sergeant Moon runs into the room. Hatty follows him.)

Sergeant Moon: The police are here in the person of Sergeant Moon. I am Sergeant Moon. What’s up?

Peter: This lady, Emily Snake, tried to kill my wife, Sergeant.

Jack: And I’m the witness.

Sergeant Moon (to Jack): Who are you?

Fiona: She’s our maid, Jenny.

Sergeant Moon: Are you sure of it? Your maid Jenny, you said? (Snatches a wig off Jack’s head.) It’s you again, young man?

Jack (trying to be calm): Well, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jack. I’m a medical student and your future son-in-law, Sergeant.

Sergeant Moon (beside himself with rage): Oh, no! Not mine! (Wants to catch Jack, who escapes from his grasp.)

Hatty (stands between her father and Jack): Daddy! I love him!

Jack (takes her by the hand): We love each other, sir.

Fiona: They are such a good pair.

Hatty: We’re going to get married. Say you are not against it, father.

Sergeant Moon: Hm-m!

Hatty: Daddy!

Jack: Sir!

Peter: Sergeant!

Fiona: Mr. Moon!

Sergeant Moon: All right. I agree.

Jack and Hatty (speaking together): Thank you, Daddy! (Both kiss him.)

Sergeant Moon: Well, well, that’s enough. (Points to Miss Snake.) As for this woman… (To Miss Snake.) I arrest you in the Queen’s name for the attempted murder of Mrs. Winfield. Follow me!

Miss Snake: All my trouble was lost. It’s a real fiasco.

(Sergeant Moon goes out and takes Miss Snake with him. Abbie, with suitcases in her hands, leaves the Winfields forever. Jack and Hatty retire into the Moons’ house, kissing each other on their way.)

Peter (hands Fiona a box): It’s my present, darling.

Fiona (opens it): What a beautiful hat! (Tries it on.)

Peter: It suits you perfectly. You look smart in it.

Fiona (kisses him): Thank you for your wonderful present.

Peter (kisses her): Christmas present, Fiona.

Fiona: Merry Christmas, Peter.

Peter: Merry Christmas, love.

CURTAIN

A PHYSIOLOGIST’S WIFE

(after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

(Level II)

CHARACTERS: Professor John Grey.

Ada Grey, his sister.

Dr. James M’Murdo O’Brien, the Professor’s assistant.

Mrs. O’James (Jeannette), young widow.

Sarah, a maid in the Greys’ house.

Physicians.

INTRODUCTION

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04