The Complete Plays of J. M. Barrie - 30 Titles in One Edition. Джеймс Барри

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СКАЧАТЬ of fixed bayonets!

      DAVIDSON. We had orders to threaten with our bayonets, but to use the butt end of our muskets only if they came to close quarters.

      HALLIWELL (TO DAVIDSON). They could not know that.

      DAVIDSON. They did know it. A woman told them.

      LORD RINTOUL. A woman!

      GAVIN. A gipsy?

      DAVIDSON. Yes.’ HALLIWELL. Damnation!

      LORD RINTOUL (GOING TO HIM, BITTERLY). Oh, Halliwell, Halliwell!

      (Shouts of triumph from town.)

      They have heard the news down there, you see. (JEERING) You have the weavers, so! (MAKING A HOOP OF HIS ARMS) You will be the laughing-stock of the country by tomorrow.

      HALLIWELL (FOLLOWING HIM, TESTILY). You failed yourself before.

      LORD RINTOUL. At least I was not fooled by a woman!

      (Exit LORD RINTOUL. CAPTAIN HALLIWELL is beside himself.)

      HALLIWELL. Davidson — this gipsy —

      DAVIDSON. She is in this part of the wood. (POINTING)

      We chased her into it.

      HALLIWELL. Then she at least shall not escape us. Bring up every man on this side. They are no longer needed there — and we shall hem her in.

      DAVIDSON. The wood is full of women looking for their men folk. What are we to do with them?

      HALLIWELL. Let not one pass until we have caught the gipsy.

      DAVIDSON. Yes, sir.

      (EXEUNT HALLIWELL AND DAVIDSON. GAVIN IS NOW ALONE, DOW CREEPS ON FROM BACK.)

      GAVIN. Rob, why did you not escape with the others?

      DOW. That Egyptian — she’s a terrible woman.

      GAVIN (WITH CONVICTION). Rob, I think she is the —

      (Pauses.)

      DOW. I think she is, sir. But there’s one she didna draw away frae you.

      GAVIN. Not one.

      DOW. I’m here to prove it — by offering mysel’ to the red-coats.

      GAVIN. Come BACK.

      DOW. You DINNA WANT IT!

      DAVIDSON (OFF). Open out, there, open out, extend in skirmishing order through the wood!

      GAVIN. Hide, Rob!

      (Soldiers enter with sergeant DAVIDson.)

      DAVIDSON. Search those clumps of whin. Into them — into them. (RUNS UP ON TO BANK AND EXITS.) Who goes there? (OFF)

      Up the bank; beat the bushes on both sides. See that she doesn’t break over. After her, after her!

      (gavin is selfconscious and looking pleased at dow’s escape. He moves; as he does so his foot strikes against something. He lifts it up; it is the horn. He flings it from him, then picks it up again, puts it on ground.

      babbie runs on. She is now wearing an old-fashioned poke-bonnet and a cloak which reaches to her feet. She is evidently pursued and desperate.)

      DAVIDSON (still off). There she goes! There! There! Hem her in!

      GAVIN. You! (Recoils from her as she goes towards him.)

      BABBIE. Help me! (Taking his right arm.)

      GAVIN. Avaunt, woman!

      DAVIDSON (off). This way — follow me — we have her now.

      (He enters with two Soldiers, and they are rushing off when he sees gavin and babbie.)

      Halt! It is you, Mr. Dishart — and — ?

      BABBIE (speaking in English voice). Introduce me, dear.

      (gavin gasps.)

      Ah, Sergeant, you may chide me for venturing here, but where should a woman be on such a night save by her husband’s side?

      (GIVES GAVIN’S ARM A TENDER SQUEEZE.)

      DAVIDSON. It is Mrs. Dishart?

      (babbie bows.)

      My service to you, ma’am.

      GAVIN (COMING TO HIMSELF). Sergeant, I must inform you —

      BABBIE. Yes, yes, love, about the woman in a gipsy dress.

      DAVIDSON. You saw her? Which way?

      BABBIE. She came stealing out here, and then ran back that way. (POINTING) A wild, dishevelled creature.

      DAVIDSON. That’s her! (TO SOLDIERS) She has doubled! After her!

      (Exeunt Soldiers.) I must follow them. You and your good lady will excuse me, sir.

      GAVIN. Sergeant, I must —

      BABBIE. Darling, let us go home.

      GAVIN (STUNG). Darling!

      BABBIE (as if he were addressing her). Yes, love?

      GAVIN. Sergeant —

      DAVIDSON (TURNING). Had you anything to say, sir?

      BABBIE (CHALLENGING). Have you?

      GAVIN (AFTER CRITICAL PAUSE). No.

      DAVIDSON. Then good night, Mrs. Dishart — your servant, sir.

      (Exit DAVIDSON.)

      (OFF) No, no. Back this way! Down that bank, as hard as you can! Follow me!

      (babbie looks quaintly at gavin and curtseys. Noise of the Soldiers dies away.)

      GAVIN (in horror — like one waking from a dream). You said you were my wife!

      BABBIE. You didn’t contradict me!

      GAVIN. No, I didn’t! Why?

      BABBIE. HOW can I tell? (JUMPS ON TREE STUMP.) I wish now I had said I was your mother. (JUMPS OFF STUMP. WITH FEELING) Ah, forgive me. You have saved me after the way I — (Goes up on rocks and climbs tree. Impulsively) I think you really are a very nice man.

      GAVIN. No, no, I had nothing to do with it! Yes, I had — and I am a minister!

      BABBIE. You can’t help that.

      GAVIN (ALMOST FIERCELY). How did you know that the bayonets would not be used? Ah, I see! That sweetheart you spoke of, I thought СКАЧАТЬ