Quality Street Part 7

PHOEBE. What is it?

MISS SUSAN (_tragically_). William Smith! Phoebe, I tried to look ferocious, indeed I did, but he saw I was afraid, and before the whole school he put out his tongue at me.

PHOEBE. Susan!

(_She is lion-hearted; she remembers_ ARTHUR'S _instructions, and practises with the cane._)

MISS SUSAN (_frightened_). Phoebe, he is much too big. Let it pa.s.s.

PHOEBE. If I let it pa.s.s I am a stumbling-block in the way of true education.

MISS SUSAN. Sister.

PHOEBE (_grandly_). Susan, stand aside.

(_Giving the cane_ ARTHUR'S _most telling flick, she marches into the other room. Then, while_ MISS SUSAN _is listening nervously_, CAPTAIN VALENTINE BROWN _is ushered in by_ PATTY. _He is bronzed and soldierly. He wears the whiskers of the period, and is in uniform. He has lost his left hand, but this is not at first noticeable._)

PATTY. Miss Susan, 'tis Captain Brown!

MISS SUSAN. Captain Brown!

VALENTINE (_greeting her warmly_). Reports himself at home again.

MISS SUSAN (_gratified_). You call this home?

VALENTINE. When the other men talked of their homes, Miss Susan, I thought of this room. (_Looking about him._) Maps--desks--heigho!

But still it is the same dear room. I have often dreamt, Miss Susan, that I came back to it in muddy shoes. (_Seeing her alarm._) I have not, you know! Miss Susan, I rejoice to find no change in you; and Miss Phoebe--Miss Phoebe of the ringlets--I hope there be as little change in her?

MISS SUSAN (_painfully_). Phoebe of the ringlets! Ah, Captain Brown, you need not expect to see her.

VALENTINE. She is not here? I vow it spoils all my home-coming.

(_At this moment the door of the other room is filing open and_ PHOEBE _rushes out, followed by_ WILLIAM SMITH _who is brandis.h.i.+ng the cane_.

VALENTINE _takes in the situation, and without looking at_ PHOEBE _seizes_ WILLIAM _by the collar and marches him out of the school._)

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, did you see who it is?

PHOEBE. I saw. (_In a sudden tremor._) Susan, I have lost all my looks.

(_The pupils are crowding in from_ MISS SUSAN'S _room and she orders them back and goes with them_. VALENTINE _returns, and speaks as he enters, not recognising_ PHOEBE, _whose back is to him._)

VALENTINE. A young reprobate, madam, but I have deposited him on the causeway. I fear--

(_He stops, puzzled because the lady has covered her face with her hands._)

PHOEBE. Captain Brown.

VALENTINE. Miss Phoebe, it is you?

(_He goes to her, but he cannot help showing that her appearance is a shock to him._)

PHOEBE (_without bitterness_). Yes, I have changed very much, I have not worn well, Captain Brown.

VALENTINE (_awkwardly_). We--we are both older, Miss Phoebe.

(_He holds out his hand warmly, with affected high spirits._)

PHOEBE (_smiling reproachfully_). It was both hands when you went away. (_He has to show that his left hand is gone; she is overcome._) I did not know. (_She presses the empty sleeve in remorse._) You never mentioned it in your letters.

VALENTINE (_now grown rather stern_). Miss Phoebe, what did you omit from your letters that you had such young blackguards as that to terrify you?

PHOEBE. He is the only one. Most of them are dear children; and this is the last day of the term.

VALENTINE. Ah, ma'am, if only you had invested all your money as you laid out part by my advice. What a monstrous pity you did not.

PHOEBE. We never thought of it.

VALENTINE. You look so tired.

PHOEBE. I have the headache to-day.

VALENTINE. You did not use to have the headache. Curse those dear children.

PHOEBE (_bravely_). Nay, do not distress yourself about me. Tell me of yourself. We are so proud of the way in which you won your commission. Will you leave the army now?

VALENTINE. Yes; and I have some intention of pursuing again the old life in Quality Street. (_He is not a man who has reflected much. He has come back thinking that all the adventures have been his, and that the old life in Quality Street has waited, as in a sleep, to be resumed on the day of his return._) I came here in such high spirits, Miss Phoebe.

PHOEBE (_with a wry smile_). The change in me depresses you.

VALENTINE. I was in hopes that you and Miss Susan would be going to the ball. I had brought cards for you with me to make sure.

(_She is pleased and means to accept. He sighs, and she understands that he thinks her too old._)

PHOEBE. But now you see that my dancing days are done.

VALENTINE (_uncomfortably_). Ah, no.

PHOEBE (_taking care he shall not see that he has hurt her_). But you will find many charming partners. Some of them have been my pupils.

There was even a pupil of mine who fought at Waterloo.

VALENTINE. Young Blades; I have heard him on it. (_She puts her hand wearily to her head_). Miss Phoebe--what a dull grey world it is!

(_She turns away to hide her emotion, and_ MISS SUSAN _comes in._)

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, I have said that you will not take the Latin cla.s.s to-day, and I am dismissing them.

VALENTINE. Latin?

PHOEBE (_rather defiantly_). I am proud to teach it. (_Breaking down._) Susan--his arm--have you seen?