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_CARLYON SAHIB_
_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME
ANDROMACHE
A Play in Three Acts
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN
21 Bedford Street, W.C.
_CARLYON SAHIB_
_A DRAMA_
_In Four Acts_
_By_
_GILBERT MURRAY_
_LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN_
_MDCCCC_
_PREFATORY NOTE_
_This play was written at Viareggio in 1893, and passed an eventful
though not unchequered existence for six years before it was produced by
Mrs. Patrick Campbell at the Princess of Wales' Theatre, Kennington, on
June 19, 1899. The version here published is not exactly that which was
acted, though it is much nearer to the acted version than to the
original play as it stood before I had the benefit of Mrs. Campbell's
vivid and helpful criticism._
_I may remark here that the Play never had the ghost of a glimmer of a
conscious political allusion in it; nor did it occur to me, when I put
my Napoleonic hero in the surroundings which seemed to give most scope
to his autocratic and unscrupulous genius, that any sane person would
suppose that I wished to attack the Indian Civil Service. The plays on
my bookshelves teem with villains of the most diverse professions, from
kings and clergymen--chiefly, I must confess, Roman Catholics or
Dissenters--to lawyers and journalists. I do not think I should chafe at
the appearance of a villanous Professor of Greek. And on the whole I
cannot help hoping that those of my critics and friends who adopted a
high patriotic tone against this play, will upon reflection be inclined
to agree that their imperial sensitiveness was a little overstrained._
_GILBERT MURRAY._
_DRAMATIS PERSONAE_
THE RIGHT HON. SIR } _Sometime Chief Commissioner of Rajpor,_
DAVID CARLYON } _and formerly Political Agent in Bhojal._
VERA CARLYON _His daughter: student of Medicine at Zurich._
ELIZABETH _A friend, acting as housekeeper to the Carlyons._
ADENE _A young writer on philological subjects._
DR. RHEINHARDT _A medical professor at the University of Zurich._
SELIM _A former servant of Sir David Carlyon._
A TRAINED NURSE
A MANSERVANT
A PUNKAH-BOY
(CARLYON _is a man approaching sixty, strong, genial, eagle-eyed_;
ELIZABETH, _a nice-looking though slightly haggard elderly lady, with
white hair, very quiet in demeanour_; RHEINHARDT, _a short man with an
excitable manner and bristly iron-grey hair_.)
_The First Three Acts take place in Carlyon's country house in England._
_The Fourth Act in a bungalow in the Ghautgherry Hills, India._
_Carlyon is pronounced like the two words "car-lion," the accent being
on the_ i. _The Indian form Kaliena, has the_ i _long and accented, the
other syllables short_.
CARLYON SAHIB
THE FIRST ACT
SIR DAVID CARLYON'S _country house_; VERA'S _sitting-room. Window right,
behind window a curtain on a rod projecting into the room and forming a
recess. By window table strewn with books and papers. The books chiefly
foreign, with paper backs. On another table a very large birdcage
covered with a tablecloth. Doors in the left corner of the back wall,
and in the side wall, right._
ELIZABETH _discovered sitting in a large chair in the recess_. VERA
_holding an ophthalmoscope_.
ELIZABETH.
Am I sitting right, dear?
VERA.
Yes, that's it. Just the same as before. [_Drawing the curtain so as to
darken the recess._] Now, I must let the light fall full on your
eye--just for a minute. Don't wink. That's all; now you can go right
into the dark again, Elizabeth. [ELIZABETH _comes out rubbing her
eyes_.] I'm afraid it hurt; it is so kind of you!
ELIZABETH.
Not at all, dear. And it is all right as soon as I get into the dark
again.
VERA.
Should you like to see what the end of your optic nerve is like? There!
[_Showing plate in a book._
ELIZABETH.
Dear me, Vera; is there anything wrong with me?
VERA.
Not a thing! That's a picture of a typical healthy eye. You are quite
uninteresting, you and Father both!
ELIZABETH.
I don't see how _his_ eyes can be uninteresting.
VERA.
From Dr. Rheinhardt's point of view, quite. Here are two abnormal ones.
See how different they are from yours.
ELIZABETH.
[_Without interest._] Yes, dear. [_Hesitating._] I was wondering----
VERA.
You see the depression of that line? That man died insane in two years.
If ever one saw that, one would know---- [_Breaks off._] What did you
say?
ELIZABETH.
That poor bird: I wondered if I might feed him in here, where it's warm?
VERA.
[_Suspiciously._] What are you going to feed him with?
ELIZABETH.
[_Apologetically._] Well, you see, Vera, he is really ill. He won't eat
anything at all unless it's alive.
VERA.
Then you can't feed him in my room!
ELIZABETH.
Very well, dear. [_Goes and takes the great cage._] Do you know, Vera,
I think you are really a little unkind about my eagles.
VERA.
I can't think why father ever gave you such horrid things!
ELIZABETH.
I dare say I shouldn't care for them so much if he hadn't given them to
me. But really, Vera, they are such splendid great things, with their
fierce eyes----
VERA.
Oh, their looks are magnificent; it's their habits! But I must get to
work again.
[_Turns to the table and opens a book_; ELIZABETH _is moving towards the
door back, when enter_ SERVANT, U.L.
SERVANT.
If you please, ma'am, a gentleman asking for Sir David.
ELIZABETH.
Oh!
[_Moving towards door_ R. _with evident wish to escape_.
VERA.
Don't run away, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH.
I think I must, dear. [_Exit_ ELIZABETH.
VERA.
I cannot see any one till five.
[ADENE _appears behind_ SERVANT _in doorway_.
ADENE.
I beg your pardon, Miss Carlyon, I only wanted to ask----
VERA.
My father is not at home. Why, surely it isn't----? [_Rises._
ADENE.
Yes, it is!
VERA.
Mr. Adene! How stupid of me! But you've changed a great deal!
ADENE.
I wrote to Sir David. Didn't he tell you?
VERA.
Father has been away for three days. No doubt I forwarded your letter to
him.
ADENE.
Without recognising the handwriting? [VERA _motions him to a chair and
sits_.] When will he be back?
VERA.
This afternoon.
ADENE.
I am glad. I want to ask him for some advice and some introductions. I'm
going to India.
VERA.
What!
ADENE.
The fact is, I feel rather run down, and I'm going to take a
holiday--with a little work to fill in spare moments.
VERA.
I know your idea of a holiday: twelve hours a day at a new subject
instead of ten at an old one!
ADENE.
I'm going to Rajpoor, your father's old province: and I want specially
to get up into the mountains, to the scene of his great exploits.
VERA.
To Bhojal! You'll find that difficult. But why in the world are you
going?
ADENE.
You know I've been working for some years at Indian dialects?
VERA.
Yes; you sent us your book. Father said he couldn't imagine where you
had learnt all those languages.
ADENE.
Where? Why at "Stratford-atte-Bow!" [VERA _looks inquiringly_.] More
precisely at Limehouse. All nationalities come in course of time to
London Docks. But Bhojali is my last acquisition--since my book. I came
across my Bhojali by accident a year ago. And now I can talk pretty well
with him.
VERA.
Then, all the more, why go to Bhojal?
ADENE.
Well, you see, it is history rather than philology that I have in mind
for the moment.
VERA.
Not the history of Bhojal?
ADENE.
The history of the Indian Frontier--from the native's point of view!
VERA.
Do you mean an account of the various small wars?
ADENE.
Well, chiefly all that came before the wars; the intrigues, and the
motives----
VERA.
Isn't it all in the Blue Books?
ADENE.
Of course, but the point is---- [_Pauses with a smile._
VERA.
Don't be afraid!
ADENE.
If you take the Blue Books, the natives always seem to be in the first
place treacherous criminals----
VERA.
Which savages often are.
ADENE.
And also insanely blind to their own interests; which even savages are
not! [VERA _laughs as if beaten_.] I know the English mind already; I
want to get inside the Bhojali mind.
VERA.
It is like the programme of a Baboo Protection Society. I hope the
officials will like it.
ADENE.
I have thought of that. But I know too much of India to be even
suspected of thinking ill of the officials. And Sir David's
recommendation will soften them.
VERA.
"Please give bearer every facility for attacking the reputation of my
late colleagues;" is that it?
ADENE.
[_Rising._] I don't want to attack any one! Of course there may be
cases. If I met an actual instance of foul play on our part----
VERA.
[_Mockingly._] "Foul play!" It is to be as bad as that?
ADENE.
I suppose even Englishmen have occasionally done wrong?
VERA.
And you go there expecting to find crimes committed by English officers?
ADENE.
In some cases, I am afraid--or if not crimes----
VERA.
How considerate of you to begin with Bhojal!
ADENE.
[_Sitting, in amused impatience._] Oh, let us start fair again! I begin
with Bhojal because a certain Sir David Carlyon was the Political Agent
there, a gentleman who was afterwards Chief Commissioner of the province
of Rajpoor.
VERA.
Don't be ironical!
ADENE.
Everybody who has heard of India has heard of his marvellous power of
governing; also, everybody knows that if ever there was a war forced
upon us against our will, it was the war of the annexation of Bhojal.
VERA.
And then?
ADENE.
Then, I want to begin my studies with the best possible instance.
VERA.
[_After fidgeting for a moment._] Well, it makes me somewhat impatient.
Suppose you do discover that in the summer of 1820 an English major
threw a bootjack at his syce?
ADENE.
Forcing an unjust war on a weak tribe is a different thing from
misdirecting a bootjack.
VERA.
How are you to know the war was unjust? The people who made it had full
knowledge. You come to judge them with very imperfect knowledge; and you
appeal to the public, which has no knowledge at all!
ADENE.
[_Shaking his head._] When I write a book there is no danger of its
appealing to the public.
VERA.
That is shirking! Besides, _I_ am the public and it _did_ appeal to me.
ADENE.
Let Sir David deal with me! He did more for the natives than I am likely
to ask.
VERA.
Agreed! But it's five o'clock.
[_Goes from table to small book-case with books._
ADENE.
[_Rising._] Let me help! Where does this go?
[_Touching the ophthalmoscope._
VERA.
That is very precious! [_Takes it and puts it down on table_ R.] But
I'll tell you one thing more. Father has made things harder for the
ordinary officials, especially for residents. It is practically
impossible to come up to his standard. A man who first conquered and
then ruled the most savage and turbulent tribes in India without ever
letting his lowest subordinate do an oppressive act, a man with that
extraordinary power of making others obey him----
[_She is now back again at the table and does not see_ CARLYON, _who
enters at this moment_.
CARLYON.
[_Genially._] Who is this paragon, Vera?
VERA.
Father! [_Goes to him._
CARLYON.
[_Continuing._] Ah, Adene, you are most welcome! So you've taken my
answer for granted. That's right.
ADENE.
I thought I might venture. I have so little time before starting for
India. [_They shake hands._
CARLYON.
You must give us all you can spare of it. It must be two years since we
were all at Rothesay.
ADENE.
Miss Carlyon actually did not know me.
VERA.
For the first instant!
CARLYON.
At any rate she has resumed the friendship where it was broken off.
Making you tidy her books, I see, and scolding you as you do it!
[ADENE _continues putting the books away_.
ADENE.
I interrupted her; and worse, she took me for a champion of the Baboo!
CARLYON.
She never forgives an interruption. That is why I always have the
general tea in her room. By-the-bye, Vera, before I forget, you're to
give away the prizes at the Y.M.C.A. Shooting Club.
VERA.
Oh, Father, when?
CARLYON.
Thursday next: eleven A.M. It'll take most of the day. But what is this
about India and the black man? I heard noble sentiments as I came in.
VERA.
Mr. Adene says that he expects to find----
ADENE.
That _if_ I find a British official guilty of unfair behaviour----
VERA.
Foul play!
ADENE.
I shall report the action.
VERA.
Attack the man.
ADENE.
You have heard us both.
VERA.
I want you to make him feel the difficulties.
ADENE.
And I claim that you for one have conquered the very worst difficulties
without ever acquiescing in wrong to a native.
CARLYON.
[_Coolly; sitting down in chair by the tea-table._] Both of you wrong,
quite wrong. I never knew any real difficulties, and I often wrong
people--natives and others. What do you call a wrong?
ADENE.
Roughly, anything you wouldn't do to an Englishman in England.
CARLYON.
Any objection to murder, for instance?
ADENE.
[_Smiling._] Ah, but seriously, a general attitude----
CARLYON.
I have condoned murders occasionally. On the whole I am not sure we have
enough of them. I have often wished to see a man knocked on the head
when nobody would do it.
[_Turns chair facing_ ADENE.
_Enter_ SERVANT _with tea, and exit again_.
VERA.
[_To_ ADENE, _laughing_.] Prepare to receive shocks!
CARLYON.
Oh, Adene knows of old how unregenerate I am. But I've said as much as
that to an interviewer!
ADENE.
There are certainly people I should like to see removed----
CARLYON.
Well, I'll tell you. Once when I was at---- I wish somebody would give
me tea! Where's Elizabeth?
VERA.
[_To_ CARLYON, _taking possession of the tea-table_.] Be patient! [_To_
ADENE.] Now you've done us a service. We can never make him talk about
himself.
CARLYON.
Well, I won't say where I was, it might implicate people; but there was
a poor fellow, a villager, there, called Natthu, who was in the power of
a money-lender. You know the sort of man?
_Enter_ ELIZABETH, R., _with her left hand wrapped, negligently in a
handkerchief. She comes first up to the tea-table, and then retires to
the back of the room._
ADENE.
The worst in the world! I admit occasional murdering may do them good.
[_Takes tea._
CARLYON.
It wasn't the money-lender this time! It was a policeman. Natthu had a
wife and one daughter about twelve. Well, at last the money-lender was
going to carry off his standing corn.
[ELIZABETH _comes forward so as to look at_ ADENE. VERA _beckons her to
come and pour out the tea. She declines and retires back again._
ADENE.
Sheer ruin, of course.
CARLYON.
Starvation. Natthu was in despair, when the policeman came round one
night and offered to get the money-lender sent to prison if Natthu would
let him have his daughter, and he gave her.
ADENE.
But he had no power to get the man imprisoned?
CARLYON.
None in the world of course! In a few days down came the money-lender
to cut the corn, and the policeman with him to see no resistance was
made. Natthu reproached him; the policeman laughed, and said he could
now have the girl back if he liked! Thank you! [_Receiving tea, from_
VERA.
ADENE.
The brute!
CARLYON.
Next day but one the brute was found in a ditch with his head off. And I
don't mind telling you I smuggled Natthu and his wife out of the
country.
ADENE.
He could hardly have been hanged.
CARLYON.
Possibly not.
[VERA _offers_ ELIZABETH _tea; she comes and takes it and retires
again_.
ADENE.
Then why couldn't you let him take his trial?
CARLYON.
He'd have been murdered by the policeman's relations, and his wife with
him. They had a shot at me as it was. Now are you going to attack me?
ADENE.
I'm not sure. Couldn't you have had him tried first and then sent him
off?
CARLYON.
Too dangerous! And there were other reasons too. Anyhow I thought of it,
and determined I had better not.
ADENE.
I'm not clear that you were right.
CARLYON.
Well, they'll finish your education in Rajpoor.
ADENE.
I don't mean to stay in Rajpoor, it is too English. I want to get into
Upper Bhojal among the hills.
CARLYON.
[_Looking hard at him, then turning a little towards_ ELIZABETH.]
Capital! Capital! My pet tribes! Yes, I wondered if you meant that in
your letter.
ELIZABETH.
[_Calmly, as though to herself and stating a fact._] You will never be
able to get there.
VERA.
Have you met my Aunt Elizabeth, Mr. Adene. [_To_ ELIZABETH.] Or am I to
say "Cousin"?
ELIZABETH.
Well, I'm only a second or third cousin at the best, dear.
[_Comes down and shakes hands with_ ADENE _who rises_.
ADENE.
[_To_ ELIZABETH.] I have a Bhojali acquaintance who will go with me.
CARLYON.
You realise the geography, do you? Lower Bhojal of course, is British,
and part of the province of Rajpoor.
ADENE.
Annexed by you! Yes, that is where my man comes from.
CARLYON.
The Upper Country is almost inaccessible, and quite cut off from
communication. Koreb's rebels fled there.
ADENE.
My man has relations in the Upper Country.
CARLYON.
I shouldn't depend much on that. However, if you're only well disguised
and avoid speaking----
ADENE.
I must _speak_! It is information I go for!
CARLYON.
Oh, it is not the place for information. They have no writings, and no
one village knows anything of another.
ADENE.
There must be local traditions, and if I question them----
CARLYON.
If you question them they will shoot you. I knew an American killed
there for pressing a Bhojali to tell his children's names.
VERA.
[_Coming across to him._] But, Father, you've travelled over all that
country yourself!
ADENE.
And unarmed, wasn't it?
CARLYON.
[_To_ VERA.] Yes, child, but it does not follow that another man can!
[_Turning to_ ADENE _with change of manner from proud to pleasant_.]
Perhaps you've not heard how they have shrines built to me there and
offer sacrifices to one of my old swords.
ADENE.
Yes, I know. Like Nicholson in the Mutiny. Had you to persecute your
worshippers as he did?
CARLYON.
No; froze the heresy by neglect.
ADENE.
Well, you will give me letters?
CARLYON.
[_Laughing._] Yes, of course I will, and tokens to the tribesmen too,
which will be more to the purpose.
ADENE.
Then I will risk the rest.
CARLYON.
Oh! The recklessness of youth!
ADENE.
Well, with your letters and tokens, when they had that devotion to
you----
CARLYON.
[_Turning sharply._] Do you think it was from love they didn't touch me?
The account you will get of me there is not what you'll get at Exeter
Hall.
ADENE.
Surely it was at bottom because of your fairness, because you stood by
the weak?
CARLYON.
Much those savages care for that! It was not my fairness that saved me!
Do you know the Bhojali song, "Said the tiger to Carlyon?"
ELIZABETH.
[_Above table_ L.] Will no one have some more tea?
ADENE.
I know a proverb--No thank you--about you. "He has no fear and his
justice is----"
CARLYON.
No, no, no! Not that absurd thing!
VERA.
You are quite right, Mr. Adene! He brought it on himself, pretending to
be such a reprobate: "His justice is the justice of a god."
CARLYON.
If people took there opinion of me from you, Vera. No, my song is a very
different thing: "Said the tiger to Carlyon as they hunted together:
'Let us kill no more. My hunger is dead and my limbs are weary.' And
Carlyon answered the tiger: 'Out of my body I will give thee hunger and
strength, for my hunger dies not and my limbs are never tired.' Said the
death-snake to Carlyon----"
VERA.
[_Rising and putting her arms round his neck and her hands over his
month from behind._] That's quite enough! We don't admire your song.
ELIZABETH.
Oh, you don't understand.
CARLYON.
It goes on to tell how the cobra had spent all its poison till I gave it
of the venom of my heart, and we all went on killing together. Upon my
word, it's what they believe of me!
VERA.
It was just a wild angry song of the rebels!
ELIZABETH.
Don't you see, child? The tiger was the noblest of beasts for them;
there was nothing else so royal and terrible. They meant that he was
nobler than the noblest! [_She speaks with quiet emotion._
CARLYON.
Exactly! Exactly! And they happened to be fond of snakes, so they said I
was like one! [_Satirically._
ELIZABETH.
Of course they only saw him as a deadly fighter; that was as much as
they could understand! They never dreamed of the heights and depths----
CARLYON.
_You_ would have made me one of your invalid fowls, Elizabeth, wouldn't
you? Hullo, has one of them been biting you?
[_Pointing to her hand in the handkerchief._
VERA.
Why, Elizabeth!
ELIZABETH.
Oh, it's nothing at all.
VERA.
Let me see. [ELIZABETH _tries to put her off_.] No, I _will_ see! Why,
it is right to the bone both sides! That creature ought really----
ELIZABETH.
[_With mild annoyance._] Dear me, Vera, it's really nothing at all! The
chicken I put in was frightened and lay still, so the poor fellow
wouldn't look at it. So I just put my hand in and was stirring the
chicken up----
CARLYON.
And he swooped upon you! Go away at once, Elizabeth; and never say I'm
like those eagles again!
[ADENE _opens the door for_ ELIZABETH.
ELIZABETH.
[_To_ VERA.] No, you shan't come with me, dear! I am quite ashamed, Mr.
Adene, to make such a fuss!
ADENE.
My dear lady, it is the absence of fuss that strikes me! [_Exit_
ELIZABETH.] Well, if I had had my hand bitten right through by a
Himalayan eagle----
VERA.
It's a frightful bite!
CARLYON.
[_Carelessly._] Oh, that's Elizabeth all over! It is true, though, in
the main, what she was saying. The thing those people care for is
fighting-power. They like a conqueror to enjoy his conquering, the
trampling and slaughtering and all the rest of it.
ADENE.
What did they make of your hospitals and your care for the wounded?
CARLYON.
Didn't like it! Too inconsistent altogether!
VERA.
In fact, Mr. Adene, if you want to be popular in Bhojal, get a
certificate from a clergyman stating that you are a professional robber,
and have burnt alive all your female relations!
ADENE.
Well, you've rather staggered me. But I can't give up Bhojal. It is my
work.
CARLYON.
[_Rises._] You young people and your work! I suppose I am growing
decrepit. I would sooner keep a whole skin than even know about the
dialects. It is to be the dialects? Or is it the history?--of Bhojal.
[_Near_ ADENE.
ADENE.
History first.
CARLYON.
Ah well, there isn't any! So even the dialects are more important.
Forgive me, Adene! I am far from depreciating your work, but you're like
Vera. She thinks the world would stand still if a particular medical
treatise were not ready by November, and you---- Ah, I prefer to take
things easily! [_Goes towards door. To_ VERA _who follows him_.] Mr.
Adene may have letters to write. You'll ring when he wants to be shown
his room.
[ADENE _rises. Exit_ CARLYON; VERA _goes with him to the door_.
VERA.
Shall I ring now? Post at six.
ADENE.
Not unless you wish to be rid of me. I suppose this is the medical
treatise?
[_Pointing to MS. on table._
VERA.
That is what he meant. It is only a thesis for my degree.
ADENE.
So you're at Zurich under my old friend Rheinhardt! I saw him in London,
by the way.
VERA.
Is he over in England? I wonder if he would come here?
ADENE.
Judging from what he said, he'd go to the North Pole if you asked him.
VERA.
[_With interest._] Did he speak of me?
ADENE.
Of almost nothing else--you and his enemy Steinmetz; but he forbade me
to repeat a word of it. Would you much like to know?
VERA.
Of course I should, immensely. But I'm not going to try and find out if
he doesn't want me to.
ADENE.
That's what he said you would say! [_Touching the MS._] When is it to be
sent in?
VERA.
I have only a month left, and look what I have to get through! [_Goes to
revolving case._
ADENE.
You can't possibly read all these?
[_Goes to her up_ R.
VERA.
I just glance through them. They are reports of foreign hospitals, and
I want to see if there is anything on my subjects.
ADENE.
[_Handling one of the volumes._] No index?
VERA.
No such concession to weak human nature! Hardly any headings and no
capital letters. It is only mechanical work, looking through them. I do
it at night when I am tired.
ADENE.
What is your subject? [_Picking up several volumes._] I'll do these for
you.
VERA.
You, Mr. Adene! Your time is ever so much too valuable!
ADENE.
I'm having holidays now, and this is just what I like. What is your
subject?
VERA.
No, I can't let you know!
ADENE.
If you don't tell me, I shall make a table of contents all through.
VERA.
I never knew anything so kind. It will take days! [_Rises._
ADENE.
I've spent many happy weeks making indexes. What did you say the subject
was?
VERA.
The relation of the brain and the optic nerve, but any brain thing may
come in.
ADENE.
Diseases of the brain--very good. I'll have them all marked for you.
VERA.
Many, many thanks. [_He drops a book._] But you need not destroy the
ophthalmoscope.
ADENE.
What is it?
VERA.
My favourite toy!
ADENE.
How do you play with it?
VERA.
I examine everybody's eyes. I've tried all the eyes in the house, nearly
all in the village, and any others that would submit to be made victims
of.
ADENE.
[_Rises._] Here are two, if you will condescend to them.
VERA.
[_Goes up to window to ring bell._] Not now, though I should like to
look at you. You have read so much you ought to have something or other
the matter with you. [_Laughing._] The village children are all as
normal as ninepins. Now you must go and write.
ADENE.
[_Sitting in the chair by the curtain._] I must be paid beforehand for
all these catalogues. Now!
VERA.
No, you're frivolous! Well, you've taken the right chair. I can't ever
resist.
[_She arranges the curtain, &c., while he talks._
ADENE.
I begin to repent: it is so like a dentist's. Is it going to hurt? You
must tell me when to grip the arms of the chair and keep myself
violently still. Now what am I to do?
VERA.
Look at my finger and don't talk. [_Examines eyes. With sudden change of
expression and voice._] Now down!
[ADENE _gets up as she puts the instrument down_.
ADENE.
Not the other too? I can bear it. Or wasn't I quiet enough? You seem
disappointed in me.
[_Rises._
VERA.
[_With forced gaiety._] No, no! There's nothing at all to see. You're
perfectly normal, ridiculously normal: not worth looking at!
ADENE.
[_Coming down to the table for books._] As bad as the children--and the
ninepins?
_Enter_ SERVANT.
VERA.
Will you show Mr. Adene his room? [_Suddenly showing anxiety, and then
repressing it._] Oh, you mustn't take those books! Yes, keep them if you
like.
ADENE.
[_Taking the books over and laughing._] Would it be any improvement if I
cultivated a squint?
[_Exeunt_ ADENE _and_ SERVANT R.
[VERA _stands for a moment by the table, then covers her face with her
hands_.
VERA.
His eyes were like a child's eyes, and then that frightful thing! Heaven
help me! What am I to do?
END OF THE FIRST ACT
THE SECOND ACT
_The lawn of_ CARLYON'S _house. Wall of house at left and back; steps in
left back corner. A French window in the wall to the left. In front
right centre garden-seat with bushes behind, concealing seat from main
steps in the corner; to the right a garden with trees. Time. After
lunch._
_Enter down the big steps_ CARLYON, ADENE _and_ RHEINHARDT.
CARLYON.
Yes, it would be a grand undertaking. But upon my word your recklessness
is infectious. I give notice, "All recent remarks are against my better
judgment."
ADENE.
I'm so grateful for your encouragement, I don't mind what has brought it
about.
CARLYON.
I don't encourage you. The best I hope for is that they will only cut
off your ears. Bear witness, Dr. Rheinhardt, have I encouraged him?
ADENE.
Yes, hasn't he?
RHEINHARDT.
I comprehend this way his position. Primo, you cannot get into Bhojal;
secundo, you can never come again out; tertio, there is nothing to be
learned there; conclusion, you had better try it!
CARLYON.
I admit the premises.
ADENE.
And I claim the conclusion! Were you going down the garden?
CARLYON.
I must just get my hat.
ADENE.
Let me fetch it for you.
CARLYON.
Nonsense, I am not reduced to that.
[_Exit_ CARLYON _up big steps_ L.
RHEINHARDT.
Gott im Himmel! why do you offer to fetch that man's hat?
ADENE.
Fetch his hat? Oh, I'd do more than that for him! I think him a really
great man, you know.
RHEINHARDT.
There it comes. Gott im Himmel, there it comes. Your great men! Sit down
and do not excite yourself. You are much too excitable.
ADENE.
[_Sitting down._] Don't you feel something in his manner yourself? He is
so strong, and seems so confident that he is right in all he does; that
his word----
RHEINHARDT.
Do I feel something in his manner? Yes, I feel great solid block
rudeness in his manner. He is confident he is right? Yes, when he is
very likely wrong!
ADENE.
But seriously, don't you feel that he is a big man, and a man who can do
whatever he means to do, however difficult?
RHEINHARDT.
Bah! and however bad. I do not like your great men; I am not a world
conqueror. I am just like other people, and I expect other people to be
just like me. I do not overcrush my fellow creatures. A fool contradicts
me, and I submit to the argumentation of that fool! [ADENE _tries to
speak, but_ RHEINHARDT _checks him with a gesture_.] A cow charges upon
me, and I run myself away from that cow; I do not say, "I, Rheinhardt,
am Almighty!" You say this Sir Carlyon is a great man; you will say
Steinmetz is a great man----
ADENE.
No, I won't, I'll believe anything you like to tell me about Steinmetz.
RHEINHARDT.
You contradict me flatly when I speak! I tell you Steinmetz is an
arrogant man, a rash man, an ingenious man, a clumsy man. You show me
what you call his road-making experimentations! I tell you that I behold
so many miserable assassinates! If he is a great man, I am a great man
myself!
_Re-enter_ CARLYON _with_ VERA, _her arm round his waist_, L.
ADENE.
I am sure you are.
RHEINHARDT.
Sir, you insult me!
CARLYON.
Here I am! Will you come too, Rheinhardt?
RHEINHARDT.
No, I will not! I will talk to my pupil. Go!
[_Exeunt_ CARLYON _and_ ADENE _down garden right_. ELIZABETH _appears on
the steps, looking after_ CARLYON, _then withdraws again_.
RHEINHARDT.
So you see I have come. I started so soon as I got your letter.
VERA.
I am very, very grateful to you. I do so hope I may be wrong.
RHEINHARDT.
He does not show much sign of it.
VERA.
He has such self-command.
RHEINHARDT.
Not at all! He is irritable and contradicts me much.
VERA.
I had not noticed him irritable. He is sometimes depressed.
RHEINHARDT.
I tell you he is irritable. You must be careful not to excite him, not
to contradict him; bah, let little things pass! [_With a sweep of the
hand._
VERA.
Then you think from what I have told you that it really is so?
RHEINHARDT.
How can I say? The evidences are much too small. Have you examined him
again?
VERA.
I managed it again yesterday. I think it's even clearer; of course I
can't be sure.
RHEINHARDT.
You have watched him in daily life? Yes?
VERA.
Of course. I have a good many notes for you to see.
RHEINHARDT.
He does not suspect anything?
VERA.
Nothing. He says he is overworked; but you would never know from himself
that he was at all ill.
RHEINHARDT.
That is right, of course he must not be told.
VERA.
It has no effect on a glioma, has it? For the patient to know?
RHEINHARDT.
What do _you_ know about gliomas? What do you know about any tumour on
the brain at all?
VERA.
I only asked.
RHEINHARDT.
Of course he must not know!---- You say his knowledge does not make the
glioma worse. No, but it makes the effects worse! It strikes the man
down; it is a moral paralysis, when he knows he has a mortal disease.
You say it does not bring death nearer? What do you call it if a man has
no spirit left in him, no courage, no interest in life? You say it is
not important----
VERA.
Please, I never said so.
RHEINHARDT.
You contradict me flatly when I speak! I tell you it robs a man of all
that is living in him. It makes him at once half dead.
VERA.
Would even a very strong-minded man?----
RHEINHARDT.
Hut! You have been reading Steinmetz. Is a strong-minded man immortal?
Will a strong-minded man stand up when I knock him with a
sledging-hammer down? There is no such person as Steinmetz's
strong-minded man. Take me in. [_Going to the door._] Show me your
notes! Most likely you were wrong from the beginning.
[_During this speech re-enter_ CARLYON _and_ ADENE _from back_. VERA
_and_ RHEINHARDT _are by the steps_ L.
ADENE.
[_To_ CARLYON.] Well, I shall be in the library, and am ready whenever
you are.
[_Goes off by the steps at the back._
CARLYON.
What, doctor, is she upholding your vanquished opponents? Be severe with
her. She would be merciless to us for half such a crime!
VERA.
I'll be back in a moment, father.
[_Exeunt_ VERA _and_, RHEINHARDT, RHEINHARDT _making impatient gestures
without answering_. VERA _kisses her hand to_ CARLYON. CARLYON _sits
down_ R., _but gets up again as_ ELIZABETH _comes in from the French
window_ L.
CARLYON.
Well, out with it! [ELIZABETH _looks surprised._] You've been following
me about for two days now, so I suppose there's some mystery coming.
ELIZABETH.
You sometimes speak as if I were no help to you at all!
CARLYON.
Do I? Well, I think I know what you are going to say this time.
ELIZABETH.
What?
CARLYON.
First that I was reckless the other day to talk as I did, and quote that
tiger song.
ELIZABETH.
Yes.
CARLYON.
Well, I wasn't. I knew what I was doing.
ELIZABETH.
That was not the chief thing.
CARLYON.
Next, that Adene, of all men in the world, must not be sent researching
in Bhojal.
ELIZABETH.
Yes.
CARLYON.
And, thirdly, that there is a way of stopping him.
ELIZABETH.
You mean that he cares for Vera? [CARLYON _nods_.] That is just it! Do
not put too much on her. She is more than half in love with him, too.
CARLYON.
[_Rather irritably._] Oh, that's nonsense.
ELIZABETH.
Haven't you seen how she is always watching him? Her face clouds at once
if you speak of him suddenly; she has grown quite pensive.
CARLYON.
Why, she'd sooner buckle my shoes than have him at her feet!
ELIZABETH.
Oh, of course. I didn't mean as much as that. But I do wish you would
find some safer way.
CARLYON.
[_Ironically._] Explain matters to the present Rajpoor Government, eh?
H'm, well, now it's off your mind, Elizabeth. You must feel better?
ELIZABETH.
You _will_ be careful about her?
CARLYON.
I will tell her as much as ever she can bear! However, you have been of
some use this time.
[_Rises; nods kindly to her. Enter_ VERA _by the steps_; ELIZABETH
_moves off towards the French window_.
VERA.
Where are you going, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH.
Just to look at my birds. [_Exit_ ELIZABETH.
CARLYON.
Vera, I am going to confide in you. Will you help me?
VERA.
Oh, father, if you will only let me try! I have longed for you to try
me; but you never seemed to have any difficulties.
CARLYON.
As a soldier, you know! Absolute obedience!
VERA.
How could I ever disobey you?
CARLYON.
It is not really that. Only I have never felt sure that you were strong
enough. You have grown up in such seclusion, such entire ignorance of
the world.
VERA.
I have done men's work at the University.
CARLYON.
Students' work! A student is as ignorant as a woman. I doubt still if
the rude facts of life will not be too great a shock for you to face.
VERA.
Not with you, father.
CARLYON.
You know, Vera, a man's conscience and a woman's conscience are
different things. A man has greater difficulties to face, and must risk
doing greater wrongs, just as he is called upon to make greater
sacrifices for his duty--things that a woman knows nothing of.
[_Takes_ VERA _to the seat_ L., _and brings a chair near her_.
VERA.
Don't say a woman, say a child! I know this, and I am ready for the
bigger life. It is the lesson you have always taught me.
CARLYON.
Have you learned it?
VERA.
I learned it when I learned to honour you. I always thought of you----
may I say what I thought?
CARLYON.
Go on?
VERA.
Just what I always felt about the sea. It is so deep, so great, so far
beyond everything else, that though all the waste things of the world
are cast upon it, it takes no stain from them, it is always pure and
strong. I thought you were like that.
CARLYON.
You think in poetry, child. But I believe you know me. What I have to
say is this: You must prevent young Adene from going to Bhojal.
VERA.
But I was glad he was going! And I thought he had convinced you he would
succeed.
CARLYON.
That is why he must not go. I have done things there which will never be
forgotten in Bhojal, and which must never be known in England.
VERA.
I don't understand. You can't have done anything bad?
CARLYON.
Nothing that causes me remorse. Nothing that I would not do again. But
you know how these things are judged.
VERA.
I know the public might misunderstand; but Mr. Adene, he has travelled
so much----
CARLYON.
Adene has the conscience of a child.
VERA.
[_As if involuntarily, with pain._] His eyes are just like a child's
eyes.
CARLYON.
[_Rises, walks away, and then turns._] I will not have Adene in his
study and the public in their arm chairs judging the desperate things I
did when I was face to face with death!
VERA.
Yes, I can see that. But tell me what it was.
CARLYON.
You know how I stand. I have already more influence in India than any
living man. And here--well, I am not free to speak of it yet; but if I
accept what is offered me, my power here will be very great. If this is
once known, good-bye to everything, here or there.
VERA.
It can be nothing that would bring you dishonour.
CARLYON.
Dishonour? Public infamy!
VERA.
I _know_ that what you did was not dishonourable.
CARLYON.
I will tell you the worst at once.
[_He places the chair nearer her._
VERA.
[_Forcing a smile._] I am not afraid.
CARLYON.
I believe you have enough knowledge of me, and enough courage, to see
that what I did was right.
VERA.
Thank you for trusting me, father.
CARLYON.
It was when I was in Koreb's town, almost alone, just before the war.
The place was full of his men; they came streaming in every day.
VERA.
It was in time of peace, was it?
CARLYON.
It was called peace, but we all knew what was coming. War would have
been better. A frank declaration of war was the one thing wanted;
but--[_watching her keenly_]--of course it was my duty to avoid war as
long as possible.
VERA.
[_Simply._] Of course.
[CARLYON _seems about to speak angrily, but changes his mind_.
CARLYON.
I sent to Government for advice and Government advised--our waiting
patiently to have our throats cut.
VERA.
[_Shuddering._] Poor father, what did you do?
CARLYON.
[_Darkly._] You remember the little hospital I had there?
VERA.
Yes.
CARLYON.
I utilised my infectious cases.
VERA.
[_After a moment's pause._] What do you mean?
CARLYON.
You know the natives have no idea about infection and that sort of
thing.
VERA.
Of course. You used to have such trouble to get even the infected
clothes burnt.
CARLYON.
Exactly, in ordinary times. Well, at this time I didn't take so much
trouble, I took a little trouble the other way.
VERA.
But--What do you mean? What did you want?
CARLYON.
[_Harshly._] I wanted the tribes who were crowding round us to disperse.
And I knew that cholera would disperse them.
VERA.
Do you mean that you deliberately----?
CARLYON.
Don't trouble about the details. My servant Selim did most of it. There
was always a case or two of cholera in Bhojal, and it's not hard to make
such things spread if you want to.
VERA.
I don't understand. What did you do?
CARLYON.
I poisoned the well. It only took ten days and the tribes began to
disperse. It was a regular panic. So we took our opportunity and cut our
way back to Rajpoor. I only lost two men; and Selim for a third.
[_Rising, with a sigh of relief._] Then the war broke out.
VERA.
[_Shuddering uneasily._] Of course you were right! But there was always
cholera there. It may not have come from anything you did.
CARLYON.
I don't know about that. [_Grimly._] I think Selim understood his
business.
VERA.
[_Shuddering again._] How horrible! But of course you were right. All
the women and children, too?
CARLYON.
Naturally; I couldn't isolate the non-combatants. There weren't very
many. I saved my own men. [_He pauses, takes a step or two_ L. _and
breaks out_.] I deceived the Government, disobeyed the Government, and
saved the whole of Rajpoor! I shut the war up in the Bhojali country,
conquered Bhojal, annexed half of it, and drove the rebellious element
beyond the frontier.
VERA.
[_Shuddering and cowed._] It was very horrible!
CARLYON.
Horrible! And what if Koreb had been let loose upon Rajpoor? If you had
ever seen the sacked villages and the torture stakes----
VERA.
Oh I know, I know. I didn't mean anything _you_ did was horrible.
CARLYON.
[_With emotion._] If some chance, some supernatural stroke had done what
I did, there would be no horror at the sacrifice, there would be nothing
but hymns and thanksgivings. They all prayed to God that this might come
to pass! Who dares to blame me because I did the thing they prayed for?
VERA.
[_Rising, after a moment's silence._] But how will _his_ going do any
harm? Surely it is known already; the others knew it?
CARLYON.
No one but old Selim and I. [_With a curious smile._] And afterwards the
chief--Koreb.
VERA.
Koreb? How did he know?
CARLYON.
There must have been a rumour among his people, but somehow he knew
more.
VERA.
Didn't Koreb speak when he was taken prisoner?
CARLYON.
[_Looking at her._] Don't you remember what happened to him? He didn't
know how to write.
VERA.
Oh, they cut his tongue out--his own people! I remember. [_She
shudders._
CARLYON.
[_Pacing the room._] There are many nasty things to rake up in the past
if we let Adene go. [VERA _silent_.] Can you stop him?
VERA.
I?
CARLYON.
You!
VERA.
I don't know. I don't see how I can. [_With horror._] Why, yes, I could!
But it would be--Oh, no, it would be too wicked!
CARLYON.
[_Coming to her._] What is it? Wouldn't he stay if you asked him?
VERA.
No, not unless----
CARLYON.
Unless you promised to marry him! If that too much?
VERA.
Oh, no, no, no! That never entered my head. I could do that. I could do
anything myself, but----
CARLYON.
Am I not first, after all?
VERA.
[_Not noticing what he says._] I tell you _I_ can do anything; but I
cannot sacrifice _him_!
CARLYON.
If you care for him so much----
VERA.
[_Turning quickly._] I care nothing for him, nothing! Of course you are
first. I will do anything in the world for you---- only this is so
terrible! I can't tell him.
CARLYON.
Tell him! Of course you can't!
VERA.
Oh, not that! I did not mean that!
CARLYON.
Then what can't you tell him?
VERA.
I can't tell him that he's a dying man--that he has a mortal disease of
the brain.
CARLYON.
[_After a moment of silence._] There was never any one who could really
stand against me! How long do you give him? [_He sits down with an air
of relief._
VERA.
It may be a long time. I can't say.
CARLYON.
I must have some idea; say what you think. Afterwards we can find some
one who knows.
VERA.
I think probably he will be blind in a year, and paralysed in two years,
and then----
CARLYON.
Blind in a year, paralysed in two!
VERA.
But I may be utterly wrong; I know so little and I have only had a few
stolen opportunities of observing him.
CARLYON.
Have you told Rheinhardt?
VERA.
Yes, that is why I asked him here----
CARLYON.
[_Observing that she is hurt._] A dying man can be as dangerous as
another. How can you stop him?
VERA.
By telling him.
CARLYON.
And he'll spend the rest of his life in getting doctored; yes. At any
rate he isn't likely to go travelling in Bhojal. I should think he was a
brave man too.
VERA.
He won't be brave any more! Dr. Rheinhardt has told me all about it--it
crushes a man, breaks his nerve, takes away all his spirit.
CARLYON.
[_Who has not been listening to her--pacing the room again._] Yes, that
is evidently the plan. It is as simple as daylight. Poor fellow, he had
the makings of a fine man.
VERA.
Oh, don't pity him. I can't do it if you pity him.
CARLYON.
You're not going to give him his disease!
VERA.
No, but to tell him----
CARLYON.
You'll have to tell your patients things.
VERA.
If there was any hope of curing him----
CARLYON.
So there is! There _must_ be--_some_ hope, unless you send him off to
Bhojal in ignorance. Then I agree there is none. [VERA _looks at him
with suspicion_.] It happens to be dangerous to me, certainly, but that
doesn't make it prudent for him.
VERA.
Father, don't try to make little of it. I will do what you ask; but I
must do it by breaking his spirit. I shall tell him suddenly,
brutally--so as to crush him once for all. Oh, how I shall loathe
myself! [_After a pause._] Only the last few months of his life!
CARLYON.
[_Coming up to her._] There speaks my brave girl again! What could he do
with that crippled life? And think of the long years that lie before
me--and you with me.
[_He turns and walks a little way up the garden._
VERA.
If it were any one but you!
_Re-enter_ RHEINHARDT _down the steps; he sees_ VERA _but not_ CARLYON.
RHEINHARDT.
You were quite right, quite right! You have seen at a glance what it
would take weeks and weeks--Of course it was just a piece of luck; it
was not any skill--you have none. [_To_ CARLYON.] Ah, I did not see you!
I was talking of your daughter's work.
CARLYON.
[_Coming down to_ RHEINHARDT.] Ah, Dr. Rheinhardt, I know the sad piece
of work you are referring to. Is there no hope?
RHEINHARDT.
[_To_ VERA.] Did you speak hereof to another person?
VERA.
Only my father, Dr. Rheinhardt.
RHEINHARDT.
"Only"! "Only"! And you wish to be a doctor!
CARLYON.
Come, Doctor, you mustn't be hard upon her. I extorted the facts.
RHEINHARDT.
A professional secret cannot be extorted! Miss Carlyon has only one
apology: she is not yet even in name a physician, and has time to
reflect before she attempts it to become.
CARLYON.
Well, I will leave her to be scolded alone. It is worse before
witnesses! Unless you would care to say anything to me?
RHEINHARDT.
That is not my affair.
[_Exit_ CARLYON, _with a sort of stern, humorous defiance_, L.]
So it was an extortion, eh? A compulsion?
VERA.
Yes.
RHEINHARDT.
And now you are sorry for what you have done? eh? and you pray
forgiveness, and you will never do it again?
VERA.
No, I had to. I would always do the same.
RHEINHARDT.
Gott im Himmel! Then I blame you no more! If you can show courage to
Rheinhardt!--You may have had reasons. Well, well, I trust you.
VERA.
Don't do that.
RHEINHARDT.
I will put you to a test. Your conclusions are right, if your
observations are right. That is what I must see.
VERA.
Are _you_ going to tell him?
RHEINHARDT.
Tell him? Am I mad? And what is more, he must not know that you have
watched him. You understand?
VERA.
Oh, yes! [_She sits down, dispiritedly._
RHEINHARDT.
This diagnosis, you are proud of it, eh? Well, we shall say nothing
about it. [VERA _nods_.] I will speak of his headaches; he will let me
treat them. Then I will watch! I will watch!
VERA.
You don't think--there couldn't be any chance of an operation?
RHEINHARDT.
Not the faintest! Not the ghost! Operation? Bah! it would be criminal,
it would be an assassinate! [_With a climax of contempt._] Ugh! it is
what Steinmetz would do!
VERA.
[_Rising._] Would Steinmetz try it? He is coming over here for the
Medical Congress.
RHEINHARDT.
Gott im Himmel! Would Steinmetz ever refuse an assassinate? He would
just kill him one year sooner, that is all. He is dying fast enough for
me.
VERA.
[_To herself._] Is it worth while to be so long dying?
RHEINHARDT.
Are you coming in?
VERA.
No, I want to sit out in the air. [_She sits again._
RHEINHARDT.
Ah, then the thesis is finished: or is it given up?
VERA.
Doctor, don't be angry with me for little things, when there may come
great ones. [_Shakes his hand._] Just to show that you forgive me this
time for telling father. I expect some day you will never forgive me.
[RHEINHARDT _looks curiously at her, and exit_. VERA _waits motionless
for an instant, then rises with a hard laugh_.] Well, the sooner the
better. [_Going across to window back._] Mr. Adene! Mr. Adene!
ADENE.
[_From inside._] Miss Carlyon! Yes, I am coming at once.
_Enter_ ELIZABETH _hurriedly from the house_.
ELIZABETH.
What is it? Why do you call him?
VERA.
I have something to say to him.
ELIZABETH.
Vera, Vera, have you thought well what you are doing?
VERA.
No, and I won't think!
ELIZABETH.
You must not betray your father!
[_Holding her arm._
VERA.
[_Throwing her off._] It is not my father I am betraying!
ELIZABETH.
[_Letting go._] Thank Heaven for that! Oh, child! put all your faith in
him, and, whatever you suffer, you will never be lonely or forsaken!
[_Exit_ ELIZABETH, _as_ ADENE _appears on the steps, pen in hand_.
ADENE.
I have just been writing----
VERA.
You are perfectly determined to go?
ADENE.
Of course. Why?
VERA.
Is there nothing you could think of that would turn you back?
ADENE.
No; especially now that your father approves.
VERA.
But will you go on to other places after Bhojal?
ADENE.
Naturally. Why are you cross-examining me? I will confess everything.
VERA.