THE SECOND ACT
Scene:—The same, except for an extra ladder which Lady Patricia has had built up to the platform on the left. It is a beautiful night in early June. The full moon spreads a network of shadows on the platform, and a few large stars twinkle through the leaves. Suspended from the branches by pieces of silken string attached to nails driven into the trunk of the tree are several elaborate Chinese lanterns. Empty coffee-cups and liqueur glasses stand on two small tables in the background. There are one or two chairs about in addition to Lady Patricia’s deck-chair.
(When the curtain rises, Baldwin is seen slowly entering on the left. He has a bundle of small candles in his hand. He looks anxiously from lantern to lantern. Suddenly one of them goes out.)
Baldwin.
Ho! (He unfastens the string from the nail and lowers the lantern with deliberation, muttering.) Them little lanterns do burn uncommon quick.... Whoa! (Fixes fresh candle in the lantern.) Uncommon quick ... drat ’em.... (Pulls up the lantern.) Whoa!
(While he fastens the string on to the nail Lady Patricia’s voice is heard singing divinely in the distance. Baldwin listens for a moment. The singing ceases. He shakes his head gloomily, glances into the tree, and another lantern goes out.)
Ho!... (He lowers the lantern.) Whoa.... (Fixing the fresh candle.) They do burn oncommon quick—drat ’em.... (Pulls up the lantern.) Whoa....
(After fixing the string, he retires slowly into the shadowy background and stands motionless, staring from lantern to lantern. Suddenly Bill O’Farrel enters hurriedly by the ladder in the centre. He is in evening dress. He does not see Baldwin, who merely glances at him and then resumes his upward scrutiny. Bill throws himself into Lady Patricia’s deck-chair.)