BELDON (_up C._). Oh, I say--that'll do.
(_OMNES laugh._)
LEEK. Yes, I think you all look as if you'd heard enough ghost stories
to do you the rest of your lives. And you're not all as anxious to see
the real article as the old gentleman who's just gone.
HIRST (_looking to L._). Old humbug! I should like to put him to the
test. (_C._) (_Bus._) I say, suppose I dress up as Jerry Bundler and go
and give him a chance of displaying his courage? I bet I'd make the old
party sit up.
MALCOLM. Capital!
BELDON. A good idea.
LEEK. I shouldn't, if I were you.
HIRST. Just for the joke, gentlemen (_C._).
SOMERS. No, no--drop it, Hirst.
HIRST. Only for the joke. Look here, I've got some things that'll do
very well. We're going to have some amateur theatricals at my house.
We're doing a couple of scenes from "The Rivals," Somers, (_pointing to
SOMERS_) and I have been up to town to get the costumes, wigs, etc.,
to-day. I've got them up-stairs--knee-breeches, stockings, buckled
shoes, and all that sort of thing. It's a rare chance. If you wait a
bit, I'll give you a full dress rehearsal, entitled "Jerry Bundler, or
the Nocturnal Stranger." (_At door L._).
LEEK (_sneeringly_). You won't frighten us, will you?
HIRST. I don't know so much about that--it's a question of acting,
that's all.
MALCOLM. I'll bet you a level sov, you don't frighten me.
HIRST (_quietly_). A level sov. (_Pauses._) Done. I'll take the bet to
frighten you first, and the old boy afterwards. These gentlemen shall be
the judges. (_Points to LEEK and BELDON._)
BELDON (_up C._). You won't frighten us because we're prepared for you,
but you'd better leave the old man alone. It's dangerous play. (_Appeals
to LEEK_).
HIRST. Well, I'll try you first. (_Moves to door and pauses._) No gas,
mind.
OMNES. No! no!
HIRST (_laughs_). I'll give you a run for your money.
(_GEORGE enters, holds door open._)
(_Exit HIRST._)
(_GEORGE passes drinks round. Five drinks. SOMERS takes the one ordered
for HIRST and puts it on the table R. BELDON sits R. C. GEORGE crosses
to table, puts two drinks down, goes to fire and gives drinks, then up
to table, puts tray down, takes up glass and begins to wipe it, gets
down L. for lines._)
LEEK (_to MALCOLM_). I think you'll win your bet, sir, but I vote we
give him a chance. Suppose we have cigars round, and if he's not back by
the time we've finished them I must be off, as I have a quarter of an
hour's walk before me. (_Looks at watch._) He's a friend of yours, isn't
he?
SOMERS. Yes, I have known him a good many years now, and I must say he's
a rum chap; just crazy about acting and practical joking, though I've
often told him he carries the latter too far at times. In this case it
doesn't matter, but I won't let him try it on the _old gentleman_. You
see we know what he's going to do, and are prepared, but he doesn't, and
it might lead to illness or worse; the old chap's sixty-two and such a
shock might have serious consequences. But Hirst won't mind giving up
that part of it, so long as he gets an opportunity of acting to us.
LEEK (_knocks pipe on grate_). Well, I hope he'll hurry up. It's getting
pretty late. (_To SOMERS._)
MALCOLM. Well, gentlemen, your health!
SOMERS. Good luck.
LEEK. Hurrah!
BELDON. Chin-chin!
LEEK. By the way, how is it you happen to be here to-night?
SOMERS. Oh, we missed the connection at Tolleston Junction and as the
accommodation at the Railway Arms there was rather meagre, the Station
Master advised us to drive on here, put up for the night, and catch the
Great Northern express from Exton in the morning. (_Rises, crosses to
L._) Oh, George, that reminds me--you might see that 'Boots' calls us at
7 sharp.
(_BELDON rises, goes up to them to fire._)
GEORGE. Certainly, sir. What are your numbers?
SOMERS. 13 and 14.