The Mortal Gods and Other Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_Drives them out. Famette slips into her hut. Chartrien joins the men and follows last with Coquriez. They stop left_]
_Coq._ Won't see the show?
_Cha._ I'll not go on.
_Coq._ Come then.
I'll lock you up. [_They turn back_]
We'll have an early march To-morrow, mate. Must hit the brush by dawn.
There's little sleep for me.
_Cha._ Shall I have more In that hot pen?
_Coq._ [_Laughs_] You'll make it up, I guess.
_Cha._ I understand. You'll murder me.
_Coq._ My soul!
Let's keep our manners, though we sit in h.e.l.l, My occupation's decent, nothing said.
The silent deed is clean, but mouth it once, The hands will smell. Pah!
[_Famette steps out of hut_]
Here's my kitten!
A kiss, my honey-pot!
_Fam._ I've better for you.
[_Gives him a bottle of wine_]
_Coq._ My ducky! From the master's cellar!
... How----
_Fam._ No matter. It is good.
_Coq._ Thief of my soul, A kiss!
[_As he attempts to embrace her she springs back, pointing left_]
_Fam._ Look, look! He's gone! The Gringo flies!
O, Coquriez, you'll be shot!
_Coq._ [_Stunned for a moment, springs off shouting_]
Help! Stop him! Help! [_Exit left, firing his pistol_]
The Gringo! Stop him!
[_Famette runs to gate right, where Chartrien is removing bar_]
_Cha._ Come! Fly with me! Now!
I can not leave you here!
_Fam._ Go! Do not stop, However weary, till you're safe in Quito.
The wounded hare, remember, takes no nap.
_Cha._ Come, come!
_Fam._ No, I am safe. And there's more work For me. They'll come back here to search. Nay, go!
Another moment and we both shall die!
_Cha._ [_Kissing her_] I'll wait in Quito,--then a husband's kiss!
[_Goes. Famette puts up bar, then returns to her hut and sinks at door_]
_Fam._ If I could pray! If I could pray! How far Seems that old G.o.d I knew! A playhouse G.o.d Who never saw the world! [_Leaps up_]
They're coming back!
[_Sits again, abjectly, her shawl over her head. Megario, Coquriez, and peons, enter_]
_Meg._ Where is the woman?
_Coq._ There she sits,--the witch!
_Meg._ Stand up! Take off that shawl!
[_Famette stands up. A man s.n.a.t.c.hes the shawl from her head_]
_Meg._ Famette! Not you?
_Fam._ [_Cowering_] I, master.
_Meg._ [_To men_] Search the yard. Turn every leaf And stone.
[_The men scatter_]
_Mas._ I'll give that gate a look. [_Crosses to gate right_]
_Meg._ This was Your drooping modesty! [_Turns on Coquriez_]
You fool!--to let The man escape! By Heaven, you might have burnt The hacienda down and not have made My blood so hot!
_Coq._ It was the woman, sir.
She jumped before me, smiling like a devil, And when I tried to pa.s.s she caught my knees And held this thing up, saying 'twas for me.
I kicked her off----
_Meg._ No doubt!
_Coq._ And when I turned The prisoner was gone.
_Meg._ [_To Famette_] You saw him go?
_Fam._ Yes, master. Through the gate, like wings. And then I gave the warning. Coquriez knows I did.
_Meg._ What did she say?
