Part 78 (2/2)

_Marian._ Don't say that, Doctor. It will kill me. You don't know what John means to me.

(_The Doctor a.s.sures her that he has done his best, and the patient is now in the hands of G.o.d. He's sorry but in all honesty he believes the man will die._

_Marian refuses to believe, and maintains that her husband will not die. No doubt he's a very sick man, but he will live. She declares she has sent for a man who can save him._)

_Marian._ You've been good, Doctor, and G.o.d will bless you. But you won't blame me for saying that perhaps some one else might look at the case differently. You don't feel hurt? Don't blame me, but I've sent for Dr. Crawford, so you can have--what do you call it?--a consultation. I know he can save my husband's life.

_Dr. Wells._ (_Surprised_.) You mean Dr. William Crawford, the famous specialist?

_Marian._ Yes. Oh, Doctor, he's so wonderful!

_Dr. Wells._ (_Enthusiastically._) Wonderful? I should say so. He's one of the most remarkable men in the profession. If there's any one in the world who can save your husband's life, he is the man.

(_Doubtfully._) But can you pay his fee?

SCENARIO

THE WINNING OF GENERAL JANE

(_A farce of three persons, a dog, and a gun ”that wasn't loaded”_)

_Cast_

_Jane, about twenty.

Aunt Sophy, her maiden aunt, about 45.

Bobby Holloway, a lodger, about 23._

_Place, Jane's bedroom. Time about 11 at night_

SETTING. _Lower left a closet, door opening inward. Upper left a door leading to Aunt Sophy's room, opening inward. Rear centre, double-windows set in a shallow alcove. The curtains are draped to right and left. Right, up stage, a fireplace without a fire. Left, down stage, a dressing-table with mirror. A low stool stands before it. Against rear wall to left a washstand half-hidden by a j.a.panese screen, shoulder height. Against right wall and about halfway down stage a bed. It is low and preferably wooden._

[Diagram of Setting]

_At rise Jane is discovered at dressing-table occupied in braiding her hair. Enter Aunt Sophy. She asks Jane if Mr. Holloway, their single lodger, is in for the night. Jane replies with some petulance that she does not know. A dissection of that gentleman's character ensues in which Jane anathematizes him, while Aunt Sophy, despite her avowed dislike for all things masculine, champions his cause. At last Jane intimates that in all probability Mr. Holloway will propose to Aunt Sophy at a very early date. The latter cannot conceal her delight. She is not content with Jane's a.s.surance on this point but must know how she discovered the state of Bobby's affections. Jane finally admits that she bases her deduction upon the fact that he ”proposes to everybody, in season and out!”--that he has proposed to her, Jane, no less than 237 times._

_Aunt Sophy is hurt and shocked at this revelation of perfidy and immediately sides with Jane, declaring that she will oust Mr.

Holloway on the following morning. Jane however does not want to be sided with. With true feminine variability she s.h.i.+fts her att.i.tude as completely as Aunt Sophy has hers, and pleads with the outraged old maid to reverse her decision. She shows that she really cares for Bobby more than at first appeared. Aunt Sophy however is obdurate, and departs, leaving Jane almost dissolved in tears._

_At this juncture a racket arises outside Jane's window. It is a mixture of blasphemous English, growls and hurried footsteps. Jane starts to investigate, but seeing an arm and a leg thrust hastily over the sill, retreats to the door in alarm. Immediately Bobby climbs in, and a smothered exclamation from Jane identifies him. He glances about hurriedly, and not perceiving her, turns his attention to the dog who still growls below. He epitomizes him with surprising fluency, until Jane, unable to stand more, interrupts. This precipitates a profuse apology for the intrusion and other things, an explanation, and later a proposal._

_Jane is angered beyond measure not only at this invasion of her privacy but also at Bobby's att.i.tude towards the whole affair. She orders him to leave. He attempts to do so by way of the door._

_Jane._ (_Frightened._) W-w-where are you going?

_Bobby._ (_Shrugging._) Hump!--to heaven--eventually!

_Jane._ (_Barring way._) N-n-not through Aunt Sophy's room!

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