POLICEMAN (_brightening_). You’ve kept it?
CINDERELLA. I have it here.
POLICEMAN. I could let you see the word if it’s convenient to you
to get the letter out of your pocket.
CINDERELLA. It’s not in my pocket.
POLICEMAN. Is it under the pillow?
CINDERELLA. No.
POLICEMAN (_puzzled_). Where, then?
(CINDERELLA, _with charming modesty, takes the letter from
her bodice. Her lover is thunderstruck._)
What made you think of keeping it there?
CINDERELLA. I didn’t think, David; it just came to me.
POLICEMAN (_elate_). It’s infall_ay_able! I’ll let you see the word.
CINDERELLA (_smiling at the ridiculous man_). You don’t need to
bother, David. Fine I know what the word is.
POLICEMAN (_anxious_). And you like it?
CINDERELLA. If you like it.
POLICEMAN. That emboldens me tremendous.
CINDERELLA. I don’t like that so much. If there’s one thing I like
more than any other thing in the world—
POLICEMAN (_eager_). Yes?
CINDERELLA. It’s seeing you, David, tremendous bold before all
other folk, and just in a quake before me.
POLICEMAN (_astounded_). It’s what I am! And yet there’s something
bold I must say to you.
CINDERELLA (_faltering genteelly_). Is there?
POLICEMAN. It’ll be a staggering surprise to you.
(CINDERELLA _giggles discreetly_.)
I promised the Doctor as I came in not to tire you. (_With some
awe._) She’s a powerful woman that.
CINDERELLA. If you tire me I’ll hold up my hand just like you do to
stop the traffic. Go on, David. Just wait a moment. (_She takes off
his helmet and holds it to her thin breast._) Here’s a friend of
mine. Now?
POLICEMAN (_despairing of himself_). I wish I was a man in a
book. It’s pretty the way they say it; and if ever there was a
woman that deserved to have it said pretty to her it’s you. I’ve
been reading the books. There was one chap that could speak six
languages. Jane, I wish I could say it to you in six languages, one
down and another come up, till you had to take me in the end.
CINDERELLA. To take you?
POLICEMAN (_in woe_). Now I’ve gone and said it in the poorest,
silliest way! Did you hold up your hand to stop me, Jane?
CINDERELLA. No.
POLICEMAN (_encouraged_). But I’ve said it. Will you, Jane?
CINDERELLA (_doggedly_). Will I what?
POLICEMAN. Do you not see what I’m driving at?
CINDERELLA. Fine I see what you’re driving at.
POLICEMAN. Then won’t you help me out?
CINDERELLA. No.
POLICEMAN. If you could just give me a shove.
CINDERELLA (_sympathetically_). Try Badgery.
POLICEMAN (_brightening_). Have you forgotten that pool in Badgery
Water where the half-pounder used—No, you never was there! Jane,
the heart of me is crying out to walk with you by Badgery Water.
CINDERELLA. That’s better!
POLICEMAN. I would never think of comparing Mrs. Bodie to you. For
my part I think nothing of uppers. Feet for me.
(_She gives him her hand to hold._)
My dear!
CINDERELLA. You said _that_ was only a beginning!
POLICEMAN. My dearest!
CINDERELLA (_glistening_). I’m not feeling none tired, David.
POLICEMAN. My pretty!
CINDERELLA. Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
POLICEMAN. I don’t set up to be a prince, Jane; but I love you in a
princely way, and if you would marry me, you wonder, I’ll be a true
man to you till death us do part. Come on, Cinders. (_Pause._) It’s
the only chance that belt of mine has.
CINDERELLA. No, no, I haven’t took you yet! There’s a thing you
could do for me, that would gratify me tremendous.
POLICEMAN. It’s done.
CINDERELLA. I want you to let me have the satisfaction, David, of
having refused you once.
POLICEMAN. Willingly; but what for?
CINDERELLA. I couldn’t say. Just because I’m a woman. Mind you, I
daresay I’ll cast it up at you in the future.
POLICEMAN. I’ll risk that. Will you be my princess, Jane?
CINDERELLA. You promise to ask again? At once?
POLICEMAN. Yes.
CINDERELLA. Say—I do.
POLICEMAN. I do.
CINDERELLA (_firmly_). It’s a honour you do me, policeman, to which
I am not distasteful. But I don’t care for you in that way, so let
there be no more on the subject. (_Anxiously._) Quick, David!
POLICEMAN. For the second time, will you marry me, Jane?
CINDERELLA (_who has been thinking out the answer for several
days_). David, I love thee, even as the stars shining on the
parched earth, even as the flowers opening their petals to the sun;
even as mighty ocean with its billows; even so do I love thee,
David. (_She nestles her head on his shoulder._)
POLICEMAN. If only I could have said it like that!
CINDERELLA (_happily_). That’s just a bit I was keeping handy.
(_Almost in a whisper._) David, do you think I could have a
engagement ring?
POLICEMAN (_squaring his shoulders_). As to that, Jane, first tell
me frankly, do you think the Police Force is romantical?