DOCTOR. (Savagely.) Hsh, you little fool!
JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. Let me do my work. Gadsby, stop a minute! (Edges after
G.)
DOCTOR. Wait till she sends for you at least--at least. Man alive, he'll
kill you if you go in there! What are you bothering him for?
JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. (Coming into veranda.) I've given him a stiff
brandy-peg. He wants it. You've forgotten him for the last ten hours
and--forgotten yourself too.
CAPT. G. enters bedroom, which is lit by one night-lamp. Ayak on the
floor pretending to be asleep.
VOICE. (From the bed.) All down the street--such bonfires! Ayah, go and
put them out! (Appealingly.) How can I sleep with an installation of the
C.I.E. in my room? No--not C.I.E. Something else. What was it?
CAPT. G. (Trying to control his voice.) Minnie, I'm here. (Bending over
bed.) Don't you know me, Minnie? It's me--it's Phil--it's your husband.
VOICE. (Mechanically.) It's me--it's Phil--it's your husband.
CAPT. G. She doesn't know mel--It's your own husband, darling.
VOICE. Your own husband, darling. AYAH. (With an inspiration.) Memsahib
understanding all I saying.
CAPT. G. Make her understand me then--quick!
AYAH. (Hand on MRS. G.'s forehead.) Memsahib! Captain Sahib here.
VOICE. Salaem do. (Fretfully.) I know I'm not fit to be seen.
AYAH. (Aside to G.) Say “marneen” same as breakfash.
CAPT. G. Good-morning, little woman. How are we to-day?
VOICE. That's Phil. Poor old Phil. (Viciously.) Phil, you fool, I can't
see you. Come nearer.
CAPT. G. Minnie! Minnie! It's me--you know me?
VOICE. (Mockingly.) Of course I do. Who does not know the man who was so
cruel to his wife--almost the only one he ever had?
CAPT. G. Yes, dear. Yes--of course, of course. But won't you speak to
him? He wants to speak to you so much.
VOICE. They'd never let him in. The Doctor would give darwaza bund even
if he were in the house. He'll never come. (Despairingly.) O Judas!
Judas! Judas!
CAPT. G. (Putting out his arms.) They have let him in, and he always was
in the house Oh, my love--don't you know me?
VOICE. (In a half chant.) “And it came to pass at the eleventh hour
that this poor soul repented.” It knocked at the gates, but they were
shut--tight as a plaster--a great, burning plaster They had pasted our
marriage certificate all across the door, and it was made of red-hot
iron--people really ought to be more careful, you know.
CAPT. G. What am I to do? (Taking her in his arms.) Minnie! speak to
me--to Phil.
VOICE. What shall I say? Oh, tell me what to say before it's too late!
They are all going away and I can't say anything.
CAPT. G. Say you know me! Only say you know me!
DOCTOR. (Who has entered quietly.) For pity's sake don't take it too
much to heart, Gadsby. It's this way sometimes. They won't recognize.
They say all sorts of queer things--don't you see?
CAPT. G. All right! All right! Go away now; she'll recognize me; you're
bothering her. She must--mustn't she?