(_Loud noise of struggle._)
Hold on, damn it! don’t hit me on the head! Do you want to STUN me?
Jack!
(_A loud cry and two thumps, then the cupboard door slowly opens,
AUTOMATON puts head out--the actor having had time to change into
the black coat before entering as the automaton. It creeps out, not
opening the door more than necessary--business, tries to re-open
door by hitting it. It wears the black bowler set to one side of
head. Comes down C., stiffly, and remarks, “Yow,” then goes up. MRS.
ANDERSON enters D. in F. with dishes and sets table in recess with
back to audience. He goes towards MRS. ANDERSON. She starts on seeing
his strange manner. He turns and goes across and straight off D. in
F., she goes after him._)
MRS. ANDERSON (_calling after him_). Mr. Everest, sir!
(_Exit AUTOMATON D. in F._)
(_Exit MRS. ANDERSON D. in F._)
(_JACK and STELLA enter from R._)
JACK. I left him changing his coat.
STELLA (_looking out of window_). There he is turning the corner; he
_has_ changed his coat.
JACK. Let’s have a proper look at this wonderful thing before the old
lady comes.
(_They fetch out chair with WALTER seated on it and bring it down
stage, where they wheel the chair right round so that the stunned
WALTER faces audience. He is hatless._)
STELLA. Hasn’t it slipped down in the chair since we saw it last?
JACK. I don’t think so.
STELLA. Look at its eyes--Jack, they’re opening--it’s moving!
JACK. Great Heavens! it’s being born!
WALTER (_half stunned and waking_). Where am I?
STELLA. It speaks!
JACK. It’s living!
WALTER. I want a drink!
JACK. Good lord! It drinks!
(_STELLA screams and falls on seat. Bell again rings loudly off R._)
Hullo! there’s Mrs. Everest! (_He takes WALTER, who has risen, by the
arm._) Come with me, sir (_leads him to bedroom L._). In there with
you, quick!
(_Kicks him in quickly, and locks door._)
(_STELLA meantime has hurried up with the chair and put it in cupboard
and closes door._)
Phew! this is the most extraordinary thing! (_Hurries down, saying:_)
Where are the telegraph forms?
(_As he snatches them from nail on wall, and sits to write R., MRS.
ANDERSON enters D. in F. out of breath and with a telegram; she is
in process of dressing, her hair being in disorder, and she wears a
dressing jacket._)