The Servant in the House Part 14

MANSON. You interest me intensely. Explain.

BISHOP. I will.

[He looks around to a.s.sure himself that they are alone.]

There is in existence a society, a very influential society, in which I happen to have an interest--very great interest. Hm! I am one of the directors.

I may say that it is already very well established, financially; but it is always open to consider the--extension of its influence in that way.

MANSON. And the name of the society?

BISHOP. Rather long, but I trust explicit. It is called "_The Society for the Promotion and Preservation of Emoluments for the Higher Clergy_."

MANSON. I do not seem to have heard it _named_ before.

BISHOP. Well, no: its movements have always been characterised by a certain modesty. It is an invisible society, so to speak; but I can a.s.sure you its principles are very clearly understood--among the parties most concerned.

MANSON. And your project?

BISHOP. Affiliate the subsidiary question of the building of the Church, with the larger interests of the Society.

MANSON. Yes, but since people have already refused to subscribe to the more trivial project . . .

BISHOP. They have not been properly approached. My dear sir, in order to awaken public generosity, It is necessary to act like men of the world: _we must have names_. People will subscribe to any amount, if you can only get the right names.

That Is where _you_ come in.

MANSON. I! Do you propose to place my name at the head of your--prospectus?

BISHOP. My dear sir, invaluable! Didn't you say yourself that you brought in numberless millions, on your own credit, out there in India? Why shouldn't you do the same in England? Think of your reputation, your achievements, your name for sanct.i.ty-- Not a word, sir: I _mean_ it! . . . Why, there's no end to the amount it would bring in: it would mean billions!

Well, what do you say?

MAMSON [slowly]. Let us clearly understand one another. I am to lend you my name--just my name--and you are to do all the rest.

BISHOP [quickly]. Oh yes: I'd _rather_ you kept out of the business negotiations!

MANSON. It is rather a dangerous name to play with!

BISHOP, I take that responsibility entirely upon myself!

MANSON. And when all's over and done with, what are we going to gain out of the transaction?

BISHOP. We shall have to come to some private settlement between ourselves.

MANSON. When?

BISHOP. Oh, hereafter.

MANSON. Hereafter, then.

[Enter AUNTIE and VICAR by door to right.]

AUNTIE [off]. Leave him to me, William! I'll soon settle the matter! [Entering.] The man must be possessed of some evil spirit! . . .

Why--it's my brother James! . . .

[MANSON has risen, and is now the butler once more. He speaks into the ear-trumpet.]

MANSON. Your sister and the vicar, my lord.

BISHOP [behind table, rising]. Ah! Well, Martha!--No, no, no, if you please! [He restrains her approach.] Observe the retribution of an unchastened will. You have never seen my face for sixteen years! However, like a cloud, I blot out your transgressions from this hour!

And so this is your husband ?--Not a word, sir; not a single word!--the sausages were delicious, and your place has been most agreeably occupied by your brother!

VICAR. My brother! Then you . . . What do you mean?

BISHOP [testily]. I mean what I say, sir! Your brother, _my_ brother, _our_ brother here, of course, our Oriental brother!

AUNTIE. James, you are making a mistake: this is our new butler--our _Indian_ butler.

BISHOP. Your Indian--WHAT?

[He stands cogitating horribly until the end of the act, facing towards MANSON.]

AUNTIE. What has made him like this? He seems possessed!

MANSON. He is! . . .

I have just been having some trouble with _another_ devil, ma'am.

AUNTIE. Meaning, of course . . . What has become of him?

MANSON [with his eye]. _He_ is cast out forever.

AUNTIE. Where is he now?

MANSON. He walks through dry places seeking--[he probes her soul]--_other_ habitations.

AUNTIE. Manson! This is your doing! Oh, you have saved us!

MANSON. I am trying to, ma'am; but, G.o.d knows, you make it rather difficult!

[A change comes over her face, as the curtain slowly falls.]

THE THIRD ACT