Delphi Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Illustrated) (1076 page)

(
ENID
goes out
.)

Well, what is it, then? Why have you upset her?

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: Why has she upset me? Why should I be always the last to be considered?

RYLOTT
: Why should you be considered at all?

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: You dare to say that to me — you that promised me marriage only a year ago. If I was what I should be, then there would be no talk as to who is the mistress of this house. I’ll put up with no more of her tantrums, talking to me as if I were the kitchen-maid. (
Turning from him
.)

RYLOTT
: You forget yourself.

MRS
STAUNTON
: I forget nothing. I don t forget your promise and it will be a bad day for you if you don’t keep it.

RYLOTT
: I’ll put you out on the roadside if you dare speak so to me.

MRS
STAUNTON
: You will, will you? Try it and see. I saved you once. Maybe I could do the other thing if I tried.

RYLOTT
: Saved me?

MRS
STAUNTON
: Yes saved you. If it hadn’t been for my evidence at that inquest that fellow Armitage would have taken the Jury with him. Yes he would. I’ve had it from them since.

RYLOTT
: Well you only spoke the truth.

MRS
STAUNTON
: The truth! Do you think I don’t know?

RYLOTT
: What do you know?

(
She is silent and looks hard at him
)

What do you know?

(
She is still silent
)

Don’t look at me like that woman. What do you know?

MRS
STAUNTON
: I know enough

(
Pause
)

RYLOTT
: Tell me then — how did she die?

MRS
STAUNTON
: Only you know that. I may not know how she died but I know very well —

RYLOTT
(
interrupting
): You were always fanciful Kate but I know very well that you have only my own interests at heart. Put it out of your head if I have said anything unkind. Don’t quarrel with this little fool, or you may interfere with my plans. Just wait a little longer and things will come straight with us. You know that I have a hasty temper but it is soon over.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: You can always talk me round, and you know it. Now, listen to me, for I am the only friend you’ve got. Don’t try it again. You’ve got clear once. But a second would be too dangerous.

RYLOTT
: They would make no more of the second than of the first. No one in the world can tell. It’s impossible, I tell you. If she marries, half my income is gone.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: Yes, I know. Couldn’t she sign it to you?

RYLOTT
: She can be strong enough when she likes. She would never sign it to me. I hinted at it once, and she talked of a lawyer. (
Pause
.) But if anything should happen to her — well, there’s an end to all our trouble.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: They must suspect.

RYLOTT
: Let them suspect. But they can prove nothing.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: Not yet.

RYLOTT
: On Wednesday she goes a-visiting, and who knows when she may return? No, it’s to-morrow or never.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: Then let it be never.

RYLOTT
: And lose half my income without a struggle? No, Kate, it’s all or nothing with me now.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: Well, look out for Armitage.

RYLOTT
: What about him?

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: He must have known something before he dared to come here.

RYLOTT
: What can he know of our affairs?

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: There’s Rodgers. You think he’s half-witted. So he is. But he may know more and say more than we think. He talks and Armitage talks. Maybe Armitage gets hold of him.

RYLOTT
: We’ll soon settle that. (
Crossing to bell-pull.
) I’ll twist the old rogue’s neck if he has dared to play me false. There’s one thing — he can’t hold anything in if I want it to come out. Did you ever see a snake and a white mouse? You just watch.

(
Enter
RODGERS
.)

Come here, Rodgers.

RODGERS
: Yes, sir.

RYLOTT
: Stand here, where the light falls on your face, Rodgers. I shall know then if you are telling me the truth.

RODGERS
: The truth, sir. Surely I would tell that.

RYLOTT
(
takes chair from behind settee
): Sit there! Don’t move! Now look at me. That’s right. You can’t lie to me now. You’ve been down to see Mr. Armitage.

RODGERS
: Sir — I hope — there was no harm in that.

RYLOTT
: How often?

RODGERS
: Two or three times.

RYLOTT
: How often?

RODGERS
: Two or three —

RYLOTT
: How often?

RODGERS
: When I go to the village I always see him.

MRS
STAUNTON
: That’s nearly every day.

RYLOTT
: What have you told him about me?

RODGERS
: Oh, sir, nothing.

RYLOTT
: What have you told him?

RODGERS
: Just the news of the house sir.

RYLOTT
: What news?

RODGERS
: Well, about Miss Enid’s engagement, and Siva biting the gardener and the cook giving notice and the like.

RYLOTT
: Nothing more than this?

RODGERS
: No sir.

RYLOTT
: Nothing more about Miss Enid?

RODGERS
: No sir.

RYLOTT
You swear it?

RODGERS
: No, sir, no. I said nothing more.

RYLOTT
(
springing up catching him by the neck shaking him
): You doddering old rascal how came you to say anything at all? I kept you here out of charity and you dare to gossip about my affairs. I’ve had enough of you — (
Throwing him off
): I’ll go to London tomorrow and get a younger man. You pack up your things and go. Do you hear?

RODGERS
: Won’t you look it over sir? I’m an old man sir. I have no place to go to. Where am I to go?

RYLOTT
: You can go to the devil for all I care, or to your friend Armitage the grocer. There is no place for you here. Get out of the room.

RODGERS
: Yes sir. You won’t reconsider it?

RYLOTT
: Get out. And tell Miss Enid I want her.

RODGERS
: Yes, sir.

(
RODGERS
goes out
)

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: You have done wisely. He was not safe.

RYLOTT
: The old devil suited me too in a way. A younger man may give more trouble.

MRS
STAUNTON
: You’ll soon break him in.

RYLOTT
: Yes, I expect I will. (
Crossing to her
.) Now, make it right with
ENID
for my sake. You must play the game to the end.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: It’s all right. I’m ready for her.

(
Enter
ENID
.)

RYLOTT
: My dear, Mrs. Staunton is very sorry if she has given you any annoyance. I hope you will accept her apology in the same spirit that it is offered.

MRS
.
STAUNTON
: I meant no harm, Miss Enid, and I was only thinking of the master’s interests. I hope you’ll forgive me.

ENID
: Certainly, I forgive you, Mrs. Staunton.

RYLOTT
: There’s a good little girl. Now, Mrs. Staunton, you had better leave us.

(
MRS
.
STAUNTON
goes out.
)

Now, my dear, you must not be vexed with poor Mrs. Staunton, for she is a very hard-working woman and devoted to her duty, though, of course, her manners are often wanting in polish. Come now, dear, say that it is All right.

(
ENID
sits on settee
.)

ENID
: I have said that I forgive her.

RYLOTT
: You must tell me anything I can do, to make you happier. Of course, you have some one else now, but I would not like you to forget your old stepfather altogether. Until the day when you have to leave me, I wish to do the very best for you.

ENID
: You are very kind.

RYLOTT
: Can you suggest anything that I can do?

ENID
: No, no, there is nothing.

RYLOTT
: I was a little too rough last week. I am sorry for that. I should wish your future husband to like me. You will tell him, when you see him, that I have done what I could to make you happy?

ENID
: Yes, yes.

RYLOTT
: You see him to-morrow?

ENID
: Yes.

RYLOTT
: And he leaves us to-morrow evening? (
Sitting beside her on settee.
)

ENID
: Yes.

RYLOTT
: You have all my sympathy, dear. But he will soon back again, and then, of course, you will part no more. You will be sorry to hear that old Rodgers has been behaving badly, and that I must get rid of him.

ENID
(
rising
): Rodgers! What has he done?

RYLOTT
: He grows more foolish and incompetent every day. I propose to go to London myself tomorrow to get a new butler. Would you send a line in my name to the agents to say that I shall call about two o clock?

ENID
: I will do so.

RYLOTT
: There’s a good little girl (
Pause. Crossing to her and placing his hand on her shoulder
) There’s nothing on your mind, is there?

ENID
: Oh no.

RYLOTT
: Well then run away and get your letter written. I dare bet you have another of your own to write. One a day — or two a day? — what is his Allowance? Well, well, we have All done it at some time.

(
Enter
ALI
with milk jug glass and saucer on a tray
)

ALI
: I beg pardon Sahib, I go.

RYLOTT
: Come in! Come in! Put my milk down on the table.