UNDER THE ROSE.
(A Story in Scenes.)
Scene VI.—The Breakfast-room at Hornbeam Lodge.
Time—8.40 A.M. on Saturday morning. Mrs. Toovey is alone, making the tea.
Mrs. Toovey (to herself). I cannot think what has come to Theophilus. He has come down late for prayers every morning this week. Such a bad example for any household, and Cook is beginning to notice it—I could see it in her eye as she came in. He is so strange in his manner, too; if I did not know he was absolutely incapable of—but why did he secrete that abominable programme of Charles's? He said he kept it with a view to making inquiries, but I have heard nothing about them since. (Aloud, to Phœbe, who brings in dishes and two letters.) Oh, the post, Phœbe? it's late this morning. (Phœbe goes out.) One for Pa, and one for me—from Althea—it was certainly time she wrote. (Reading her letter.) "Delightful visit ... the Merridews so kind ... so much to see and do ... back on Monday ... no time for more at present." Not a word of where she's been or what she's seen—not at all the letter a girl should write to her mother! I wonder whom Pa's letter is from? (She turns it over.) What's this? "Eldorado Palace of Varieties" printed on the flap! Why, that's Charles's music-hall! Then Pa has been making inquiries after all. As Charles's aunt I have a right to—— (She is about to open the envelope.) No, I'd better not, I hear Pa's hum—he will be sure to tell me what they say.
Mr. Toovey enters (humming, to give himself a countenance). Ha, so you've had prayers without me? Quite right—quite right.
Mrs. Toov. (severely). Anything but right, Pa. You ought to have been down long ago. I heard you brushing your hair as I went out.
Mr. Toov. (feebly). It was very tiresome, my love, but my collar-stud got under the wardrobe, and I couldn't get it out for ever so long.
Mrs. Toov. Your things have taken to behave in a very extraordinary manner, Pa. Yesterday it was your braces!
Mr. Toov. I—I believe it was my braces yesterday. Ah well, we must bear with these little vexations—bear with them! (To himself.) A letter for me? From the Eldorado! It's the box! I—I hoped Mr. Curphew had forgotten.
[He thrusts it into his pocket unopened, in a flurry.
Mrs. Toov. Is there any reason why you shouldn't read your letter, Pa? It may be of importance.
Mr. Toov. I—I don't think it is, my love—particularly. It—it will keep till after breakfast. What is this—kedgeree? Ha! I've come down with quite an appetite—quite a famous appetite!
[He pecks at his kedgeree ostentatiously.
Mrs. Toov. Perhaps I'd better ring and have two more eggs boiled if you're so hungry as all that, Pa?
Mr. Toov. (in terror at this suggestion). Not for me, my love, not for me. I—I've made an excellent breakfast!
Mrs. Toov. Then now, Pa, perhaps you will be at leisure to read your letter. I am curious to know what correspondence you can possibly have with an Eldorado Palace.
Mr. Toov. (to himself). Oh, dear me, she's seen the flap! Why do they put the name outside—so thoughtless of them! (He opens the letter.) Yes, it is the order. I can't show it to Cornelia! (Aloud.) I—I told you I was making inquiries.
Mrs. Toov. About Charles's habits? So you've written to the Manager, without consulting me! Well—what does he say?
Mr. Toov. (to himself). I don't like these deceptions—but I must consider poor Charles. (Aloud.) Oh—hum—very little, my love, very little indeed, but satisfactory—most satisfactory—he's no complaint to make of Charles—none whatever!
Mrs. Toov. As if it was likely you would get the truth from such a tainted source! Let me see his letter.
Mr. Toov. (pocketing the letter again, hastily). No, my dear love, you must excuse me—but this is a private and confidential communication, and—and, in common fairness to Charles—I'll trouble you for another cup of tea. (To himself.) It's for this very night. I've a great mind not to go. How am I to make an excuse for getting away? (Aloud.) I've half a mind to run up some time, and—and look in on Charles.
Mrs. Toov. (to herself). If Charles is misconducting himself, I ought to know—and I will, sooner or later. I'm sure Theophilus is keeping something from me. (Aloud.) I've only put in one lump, Pa. You may find him at home if you went up this afternoon.
Mr. Toov. (relieved). An excellent suggestion, my love. I will go this afternoon. He—he might ask me to stay and dine with him; so if—if I don't come back, you'll know where I am—eh? You won't be anxious?
Mrs. Toov. (to herself). He's trying to spare me, but I can see he's most uneasy about Charles. (Aloud.) Well, Pa, I don't like the idea of your dining out without me—it will be the first time for years—but still, I shall have to be away myself this evening; there's a special meeting of the Zenana Mission Committee, and Mrs. Cumberbatch made such a point of my attending—so, if you feel you really ought to see Charles——
Mr. Toov. Oh. I do, my dear. He—he wants looking after. And perhaps, if I could have a little quiet, serious talk with him, after dinner—or over a game of draughts. (To himself.) What a dissembler I've become; but I do mean to look in on Charles, before I go to this Eldorado place, and there may be time for a game of draughts!
Mrs. Toov. You would learn more, Theophilus, by putting a few questions to his landlady. But remember, when you come back, I shall insist on being told everything—everything, mind!
Mr. Toov. Oh, of course, my love, of course. (To himself.) If my visit proves satisfactory, I—I might tell her. It will depend on how I feel—entirely on how I feel.
END OF SCENE VI.
SCENE VII.—The Drawing-room. It is after luncheon. Mrs. Toovey is sitting knitting.
Mr. Toovey (entering, in a frock-coat, carrying a tall hat). Er—Cornelia, my love, you don't happen to know where the—the latchkey is kept, do you?
Mrs. Toovey. The latchkey, Theophilus! One has never been required in this house yet. What can you possibly want with a latchkey?
Mr. Toov. (to himself). These performances go on till a somewhat advanced hour, I've no doubt, and I might feel it my duty to stay as long as—— (Aloud.) I—I only thought it would save Phœbe sitting up for me, my dear.
"Eldorado Palace of Varieties. Admit Mr. Toovey and Party to Box C. This portion to be retained."
Mrs. Toov. You need not trouble yourself about that, Theophilus. I will sit up for you, if necessary.
Mr. Toov. (quaking). But you forget your Zenana Mission, my love; you will be out yourself this evening!
Mrs. Toov. (severely). I shall be back by a reasonable hour, Pa,—and so will you, I should hope.
Mr. Toov. I hope so, my love, I'm sure, but—but I may have a good deal to say to Charles, you know.
Mrs. Toov. (to herself). There's some mystery about that wretched boy, I'm certain. If I could only find out what was in that letter. I wonder if it's in Pa's pocket—I'll soon see. (Aloud.) Turn round, Pa. Ah, I thought as much; one of your coat-tail buttons is as nearly off as it can be!
Mr. Toov. (innocently). Dear me! My Sunday coat, too. I never observed it. Could you just fasten it on a little more securely?
Mrs. Toov. If you take off your coat. I can't do it with you prancing about in front of me, Pa. (Mr. T. takes off his coat.) Now, I can't have you in my drawing-room in your shirtsleeves—suppose somebody called! Go into your study and wait there till I've done. (Mr. T. departs submissively.) Now if the letter isn't in one of these pockets, it must be in—— (She discovers the envelope.) There it is. Now I shall know what Charles—— I'm sure his poor dear mother would wish to be informed. (She opens the letter.) "Eldorado Palace of Varieties. Admit Mr. Toovey and party to Box C. This portion to be retained." (She tears off a perforated slip.) I will retain it! So Theophilus has been deceiving me—this is his business with Charles! This is why he kept that programme! And he's allowing himself to be misled by his own nephew! They're going to this music-hall to-night, together! He shall not go—never while I—stop, let me think—yes, he shall go—he shall fill up the measure of his iniquity, little dreaming that I have the clear proof of his deceit! (She thrusts the slip she has torn off into her workbox, and replaces the envelope with the remainder of the order in the pocket.) There. He won't notice that anything is missing. He's coming back. I must control myself, or he will be on his guard.
[She pretends to secure the button with unsteady fingers.
Mr. Toov. (entering). Cornelia, my love, don't trouble to do more than is absolutely necessary to keep the button secure—because I'm rather in a hurry. It doesn't matter, so long as it looks respectable!
Mrs. Toov. (with an effort to restrain her feelings). I daresay it is quite respectable enough, Pa, for where you are going.
Mr. Toov. Quite, indeed, my dear. But it would never have done to go and call on Charles with a button off the back of my coat—no, no. It was fortunate you noticed it in time, my love.
Mrs. Toov. I hope it will prove so, Theophilus. (To herself.) And this monster of duplicity is Pa! Oh, I wish I could tell him what I thought of him, but not yet—we will have our reckoning later!
Mr. Toov. (after putting on his coat). Then I think I must be going. Any message I can take to Charles?
Mrs. Toov. Yes, tell him that I trust he will profit by his good Uncle's example, and that I expect him to dinner on Monday. I may require to have a serious talk with him myself, if your account of this evening is not perfectly satisfactory.
Mr. Toov. I'll tell him, my love, but there's no reason to make yourself uneasy about Charles—he'll behave himself—he'll behave himself. (To himself, as he goes out.) I must go and see Charles now. Oh dear, I do feel so apprehensive about this visit to the Eldorado.—If I could put it off.—But I can't continue to hold those shares without some knowledge—— And Mr. Curphew made such a point of my going. No, I must go. I—I don't see how I can get out of it!
Mrs. Toov. (alone). There he goes, looking so meek and lamblike! Who would suspect, to see him, that that black coat of his was buttoned round a whited sepulchre? Oh, Pa, Pa! That after all these years of blameless life you should suddenly be seized with a depraved desire for unhallowed amusement like this! While I am at the Cumberbatches, engaged in discussing the affairs of the Zenana Mission, you and Charles will be—— Stop. How do I know he is going with Charles at all? If he is capable of deceiving me in one respect, why not in all? (She takes out the slip and looks at it.) Mr. Toovey and party! What party? May not Pa have been leading a—a double life all these years for anything I can tell? He is going to the Eldorado to-night with somebody—that's clear. Who is it? I shall never be easy till I know. And why should I not? There's the meeting, though. I might have a headache. Yes, that will do. (She goes to her writing-table.) No, I won't write. I can make some excuse to Eliza when I see her. And instead of going to the Cumberbatches this evening, I can easily slip up to Waterloo and ask my way to this place. There will be no difficulty in that. Yes, I will go, whatever it costs me. And when Pa goes into this Box C of his, he will find his "party" is larger than he expected!
End of Scene VII.