xt7pzg6g260m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7pzg6g260m/data/mets.xml Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. 19201915 books b92-267-31959121v3 English Little, Brown, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Brummell, Beau, 1778-1840 Drama. Hale, Nathan, 1755-1776 Drama. Frietchie, Barbara, 1766-1862 Drama.Moses, Montrose Jonas, 1878-1934. Gerson, Virginia. Plays / by Clyde Fitch ; edited, with an introd., by Montrose J. Moses and Virginia Gerson. (vol. 3) text Plays / by Clyde Fitch ; edited, with an introd., by Montrose J. Moses and Virginia Gerson. (vol. 3) 1920 2002 true xt7pzg6g260m section xt7pzg6g260m flemorial Ebition PLAYS BY CLYDE FITCH IN FOUR VOLUMES VOLUME THREE CLYDE FITCH In His Study, East Fortieth Street. New York City PLAYS BY CLYDE FITCH IN FOUR VOLUMES VOLUME THREE THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE THE GlIlL WITH THE GREEN EYES HER OWN WAY EDITED BY MONTROSE J. MOSES AND VIRGINIA GERSON BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1920 fRimorial Zoition Copyright, 1915f, BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. PREFATORY NOTE THE first act of "The Stubbornness of Geral- dine" (a play which, much to the amusement of Mr. Fitch, was burlesqued by Weber and Fields as "The Stickiness of Gelatine ") is marked by two popular characteristics in the dramatist's work: a very clever and unusual stage set, and an easy handling of minor details, which served to bring into high light the human foibles of minor characters. In the reading-and much more so, in the acting -the spontaneity and genuine good-natured observation of Mr. Fitch are delightful, and contain a humor more search- ing than the mere external value of the details might suggest. In such a play as this one -- with a later extravagant piling up of detail in "Girls" - the dramatist called down upon him the censure of critics, who claimed that much of his serious intent was obscured by his refreshing habit - however provoking it might have been V PREFATORY NOTE to the Press -of marking time by the use of brilliant "slices of life ", having no inherent con- nection with the mainrplot or wIth the main char- acterization. Yet, though there may be critical justification for such an attitude, it would be dif- ficult for any stage manager to cut, for example, from "The Girl With the Green Eyes ", such an inimitable scene as that in the Vatican (Act II), with the tourists. Undoubtedly, the source of "The Stubbornness of Geraldine," as far as its opening act was con- cerned, lay in Mr. Fitch's own experiences as a bad sailor. The following reveals him in a typi- cal sailor mood. "Here I am in London again, but not right side up !-thanks to the awful channel, which turned me inside out! Ugh! Worse than ever-I came the long (cheap) way! Never again. As C. F. [Charles Frohman] says, I've been working like mad. I just stopped writing now, x :45, A.m. But I must at least start a letter before I go to my cold, damp bed (as it is in London in September !)...." There does not seem to have been any other evident desire on his part, in writing this light little com- edy, than to afford a pleasing vehicle for a defi- nite "star." From London, on May 24, I902, he wrote: "I have finished my Mannering play! . . . It seems to me all right, but I am too close vi PREFATORY NOTE vii to it as yet. I can tell better in a month's time. There is a very funny (I hope) young girl character [The Girl from Butte] in the piece, which ought to score almost as well as Mrs. Brown [Mrs. Gilbert's part in "The Girl and the Judge "J." In this same letter he wrote: "I have also finished, to-day, Act I of Mrs. Bloodgood's play" ["The Girl with the Green Eyes"]-a subject he continually referred to. An early reference is found in a note from London, September 26, i894. He wrote: "We'll have lots of fun this Winter (serious fun, because it's not altogether comedy), as I shall be writing on my 'jealousy' play. Wait till you hear the idea !" After "The Girl with the Green Eyes" was finished, there was some doubt as to whether or not the heroine should be called Jinny. Under date of July 3, 1902, we find this clear-cut com- ment: "You see I want a diminutive name that shall express affection from the speaker, and yet be a little strong. Jinny has a certain strength and character that Molly and Dolly or anything I can think of haven't got." We refer to this, as having no vital bearing on the main theme of his play, but as distinctly pointing to the care he gave to minor values in characterization. "Her Own Way" was written expressly for Miss Maxine Elliott, as was also "Her Great viii PREFATORY NOTE Match," and it is an example of Mr. Fitch's adaptability to specific temperament. There is no concrete source for this play; there is only the popular fictionist's idea to blend sentiment with an entertaining story. Sam Coast, however, was definitely worked out and developed as evidence of Mr. Fitch's masculine touch - so persistently were critics scoring him for his clever manipula- tion of feminine detail. Those in correspondence with the dramatist at this time will recollect the Scotson-Clark picture postcard for " Her Own Way " - representing a striped sofa on which are seated the actress and the playwright - the latter reading aloud from the script of his drama. This third volume contains plays representative of Mr. Fitch's prolific period at its height. Yet it was temperamentally true of him that he was always "working like mad." On one of the very last trips he made to New York from Katonah, his mind full of the coming production of "The City ", and the future of a new comedy and a new "star", he was unable to see a friend, and wrote explaining why. This explanation consisted of an enumeration of eighteen engage- ments kept between 4: 45 one afternoon and 3: 30 the next afternoon. In that time he interviewed actors, engaged several players for the cast of "The City ", rehearsed members of "The Blue PREFATORY NOTE Mouse" company, which was scheduled to open in Chicago, had several business talks, arranged for the shipping of his motor-car to Europe, super- vised the scenery for "The City ", and finally visited his doctor and dentist. This was a typical routine day spent in town. Even then, Mr. Fitch's health was far from en- couraging, and the doctors were trying to persuade him to remain quietly at home. And there he would in all probability have remained, had it not been for the unprecedented London success of "The Woman in the Case ", and Mr. Arthur Bourchier's splendid cables regarding it. We mention this as indication of the extravagant use Mr. Fitch always made of his vitality. His inventive period reached its top speed about the time of the productions of the plays in this vol- ume -a speed sustained for many years; but his entire career was marked by a continuous expenditure of prolific vitality. He gave all thought to his plays, his public, and his friends; - little thought to himself. MONTROSE J. MosEs, VIRGINIA GERSON. NEW YORK, JULY, 1915. This page in the original text is blank. CONTENTS PREFATORY NOTE THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE . THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN EYES HER OWN WAY. . . . PAGE v I . 225 423 This page in the original text is blank. THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS COPYRIGHT, 1906, BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This play is fully protected by the copyright law, all requirements of which have been complied with. In its present printed form it is dedi- cated to the reading public only, and no performance of it, either pro- fessional or amateur, may be given without the written permission of the owner of the acting rights, who may be addressed in care of the publishers, Little, Brown, and Company. TO E. S. "THE ONLY WAY A FRIEND IS TO TO HAVE BE ONE" - EMERSON FOR MANY YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN THE BEST This page in the original text is blank. THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE ACT I. GERALDINE, TWVO DAYS FROM THE END OF HER VOYAGE HOME, FINDS LIFE SUDDENLY TAKING ON A NEW INTEREST. ACT II. GERALDINE, IN THE VERY HOUR OF HER ARRIVAL, STUMBLES ON THE OLD ADAGE, "THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH." ACT III. GERALDINE MEETS ONE OF THE BfrrER EPISODES OF LIFE WITH THE DETERMINATION TO LET NO ONE SOLVE HER PROBLEM FOR HER. ACT IV. THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE. "No woman can pretend she loves a man, unless she has faith in him, and the only one able to destroy that faith should be the man she loves."-ACT III. This page in the original text is blank. CHARACTERS GERALDINE LANG. VI TOMPSON. MRS. WRIGHTON. FRAULEIN IIANDT. MRS. JARS. MRS. MATHEWSON. MRS. DREED. FIRST LADY PASSENGER-MRS. WHIPPLL. SECOND LADY PASSENGER -MISS PINEY. THIRD LADY PASSENGER-MISS LANSING. STEWARDESS. ANOTHER LADY PASSENGER. COUNT CARLOS KINSEY. MR. WRIGHTON. LORD TILBURY. MR. CRAGER. JARS. STEWARD. THORNTON. MAN PASSENGER. EXPRESSMAN. THE SHIP'S DOCTOR. OTHER GUESTS AND PASSENGERS. This page in the original text is blank. Originally produced at the Hyperion Theatre, New Haven, and on November 3, 1902, at the Gar- rick Theatre, New York, with the following cast: - Geraldine Lang . Vi Tompson . Mrs. Wrighton . . . . Friulein Handt .... Mrs. Jars . Mrs. Mathewson Mrs. Dreed. Mrs. [larry K. Whipple Miss Piney Molly Lansing . . Stewardess Another Lady Passenger Count Carlos Kinsey . Mr. Wrighton Lord Tilbury . Mr. Crager Jars. Steward Thornton. Man Passenger . Expressman The Ship's Doctor Mary Mannering . ... . . . Amy Ricard ......... ..... Mrs. Hone ... . . . .Anita Rothe ... . . . . Rosa Cooke Marian Gardiner Kathleen Chambers ... . . .Dene Woodruff Florence Stewart . . . Florence Breed .... . . Carolyn James ... . . . .Anna Archer Arthur Byron ... . . . .John Saville ...........H.H a s s a r d - S h o r t .Albert S. Howson ... . . .Herbert Ayling ... . . .Charles Martin Sidney Mansfield ... . . .Charles Haskins David Proctor . . . . George Elwood This page in the original text is blank. ACT I The deck of a ship. The railing is at the footlights, and beyond it, against the cabin's sides, are rows of steamer chairs facing the audience. At Right of the Centre are double doors to the principal gangway; at Left of the Centre is a gangway through to the other side of the ship, where the audience sees the rail- ing and the sea and sky beyond. A long this gangway promenaders are constantly passing. Most of the steamer chairs have their bored occupants in them, and scattered about there is still the paraphernalia of a voyage two- thirds finished. There are hal/-empty lemonade glasses perilously placed beside chairs, remnants of once white grapes, like tawdry boarding- house keepers who have seen better days, on l 12 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE while plates tucked into out-of-the-way corners. A conversational child is conspicuous. It is late afternoon. There is a few moments' silence; then a MAN PASSENGER, reading, turns a page. The CHILD drops her doll and picks it up. A MAN, on his way around the ship, walks rapidly from Right to Left in a businesslike manner of taking exer- cise. Alter him Two GIRLS, arm in arm, walk more slowly, talking, and disappear at Right. WOMAN PASSENGER. [Querulously.] Steward! STEWARD. [Off stage, Right.] Coming, madam! [He enters. MAN PASSENGER. Steward! STEWARD. [Hesitates at centre.] Yes, sir! WOMAN PASSENGER. Steward/I STEWARD. Yes, madam. [Going to the WOMAN and tucking in her shawl. THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 13 WOMAN PASSENGER. I want some lemonade, steward ! STEWARD. [Going toward Right.] Yes, miss. WOMAN PASSENGER. [Calls alter him.] With ice, plenty of ice, steward! STEWARD. Yes, miss. [Going. MAN PASSENGER. Steward! STEWARD. [Stopping near him.] Yes, sir. MAN PASSENGER. Can you tell me if this damned boat is ever going to get across STEWARD. Yes, sir, we ought to land in another day, sir. [MAN PASSENGER grunts. [STEWARD goes out at Right. [The MAN again walks rapidly by from Right to Left on his fourteenth lap and passes out of sight. FRAULEIN. [A thin, sweet-/aced German woman, 14 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINVE wearing glasses, and inappropriately dressed for a voyage.] A loafly day, not Yust ass glass, only for de pig swells dat come efery leetle once. Here comes one now! THE LADY WITH THE CHILD. Take care, Rosalie! [The STEWARD at the same time comes out of door with lemonade, and the ship rolls heavily forward, then back. Each motion is accom- panied by loud screams, shouts, and laughter, and a great clatter of crockery and glass. Oranges and empty glasses and cups roll down to the footlights, and some of the passen- gers are almost thrown ofi their chairs. The STEWARD is obliged to hang on to the doorway. When the lztr h is over, a great sigh of relief goes uip from those on the deck. MAN PASSENGER. Steward! Is that going to happen again THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDfA7E 15 STEWARD. I don't know, sir. [The STEWARD goes to the WOMAN PASSENGER. FRAULEIN. [To anybody, laughing.] Dat vas ein corker! STEWARD. Lemonade, madam. WOMAN PASSENGER. Thanks. [The STEWARD tucks up her shawl and makes her more rorn- /orlable.] I'd like some prunes for my dinner, steward. STEWARD. [Starting to go.] Very good, madam. WOMAN PASSENGER. Steward! STEWARD. [Stopping.] Yes, madam. WOMAN PASSENGER. When will we get in STEWARD. Couldn't say, madam. WOMAN PASSENGER. Well, I wish you'd go to the captain of this boat and say that Mrs. Harry K. Whipple, of Salem, Mlass., would like to know just when we do get there! i6 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE STEWARD. Yes, madam. [Going toward Right, stops to tuck in a passenger. [The MAN, the amateur pedestrian, walks rapidly by Irom Right to Left again. The Two GIRLS pass him and join the FR.AULEIN. One of these is VI TOMPSON, a breezy, natural, whole- souled, perfectly untrammelled girl of the soil - a western Eve. Her companion is a more colourless young person, the sort of girl that would be content to rest in the contrasted shade o/ Vi's vivacious spirits. Vi. It would be a perfect day, wouldn't it, if it weren't for these awful swells every little while - they make you feel just like express elevators, don't they FRAULEIN. Vere iss Mees Geraldine VI. Oh, she's all right! She's playing thing- um-bob-you know that game-in the bow with THE ST UBB ORANNESS OF GERALDINE 17 the English Lord. My dear I It's such a case ! I think you're the sweetest chaperon, or com- panion, or whatever you are, that ever was I Really, I do! FRAULEIN. Oh, Mees Geraldine iss quite safe. She nefer need no chaperong! Vi. Well, I only wish mamma was like you! I tell you it's lucky for me she's so seasick, or I shouldn't be having any fun with the Doctor at all! [This latter added in a more confidential manner and amusedly.l ISN'T he handsome! Oh, my! And when we walk, you know, he goes so fast I have to take his arm to keep up with him! - have to I/I [Laughs.] Well! I think he's perfectly lovely - that's all! Perfectly I FRAULEIN. And where iss your fader - that he haf not see- [Interrupted. i8 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE Vi. Oh, popper never sees anything, even on shore, except figures and numbers. And on board he lies in the smoking room all day. He's made all our fees at poker, and won three pools besides! Popper's awfully clever! [The MAN walks by again from Right to Left, and Vi's friend pulls her arm to notice him. Vi. [Looks at him, and then turns to FRXULEIN.] I don't think he's so good-looking, do you Jess is crazy about him. But of course I'm colour blind, anyway; all I can see just now is brass buttons I HE'S going to give me one for a hat-pin! Reallyl [They start to walk again, and she calls back over her shoulder.] Won't that be perfectly lovely! [A STEWARDESS, carrying a hot-water bag, fol- lowed by a STEWARD, lead ozu from the double doorway the figure of a pale woman, pretty well enveloped in wraps of an indiscriminate sort. THE STUBBORNAWESS OF GERALDINE i9 They place her care/ully in an empty chair Left of FRAULEIN. Vi. [Stopping.] Oh, here's Miss Piney! I'm so glad you're feeling better. STEWARDESS. Oh, yes, she'll be hall right now she's hup and hout in the hair! Vi. Yes, indeed! And it's a beautiful day! [MISS PINEY rolls her eyes, as much as to say at present there can be no beauty in any day for her. FRAULEIN. Unt de sea yust like a mill pond -parfecdly smoot except yust every leetle once ! Vi. You look splendidly, Miss Piney, not at all ill! [MISS PINEY is sale in her chair by now, and well wrapped, /rom her /eet with overshoes, 20 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERA LDINE to her head in its baby-blue crocheted arrange- ment. The hot-water bag is at her feet. She gives a long sigh, and lies quite still with her eyes shut. [The STEWARDESS goes back, downstairs. STEWARD. [To Vi.] Excuse me, miss, your mother asked me to tell you she wanted to see you. [He ,follows the STEWARDESS. Vi. Oh, pshaw! Mamma's too boring! She's always sending for me to ask if I've found out when we land, or if popper's drinking too much. And how can I tell [To FRAULEIN.] Say, if the Doctor should come by here alone, won't you grab him, please, and try to keep him till I come back I just hate to leave the deck for five minutes -because, of course, every other girl on this boat, not to mention the five widows, crape and grass, THE STUBBORNNVESS OF GERALDINE 21 are all dying to get him away from me! But I'm not afraid of you! - You know what I mean! [And with her arm about her friend, she goes out through the double doors. FR-ULEIN. [To Miss PINEY.] I hope dat yer vas feeling much better as already! [MISS PINEY opens her eyes to give FRAULEIN one miserable and speechless glance, and then closes them again. [The MAN walks on fromn Right, but as the ship sways far forward, stops, with his legs wide apart to steady himself. Again there are cries and laughter, the noise of crockery and glass colliding; several people slide from their chairs. Down the passageway Lefl, half run, half fall LORD TILBURY and GERALDINE. [GERALDINE is a very handsome girl, with the love of life in her face and speech and tanner; 22 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE like Vi, she is whole-souled and unaffected, bul she is more cultivated than Vi, more emotional, and with a more tender sense of humour. [TILBURY is a very good-looking, very smart- looking young Englishman, a "good sort, " who needs, however, more experience and more years than the average man to get him out of his salad days. GERALDINE. [Cries out.] Lord Tilbury! [She clutches him to save herself from falling. He falls, but she remains standing, and all brace themselves for the return roll of the ship. This being duly accomplished, the travellers settle down again. The STEWARDS run hither and thither, and GERALDINE helps LORD TILBURY to rise. TILBURY. Thanks awfully. So glad it wasn't you ! THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 23 GERALDINE. [Laughing.] So am I! [MISS PINEY slowly rises, feebly, and with diffi- culty extricates herself from, her belongings. GERALDINE and TILBURY hurry to assist her to the doorway, where the STEWARDESS takes her and she retires. GERALDINE. Miss Piney's even a worse sailor than you, Lord Tilbury. TILBURY. But really - I haven't been seasick. Really! Really! It was only a cold with dizziness. GERALDINE. [Laughs pleasantly at him.] I know that cold! And Miss Piney, she has heart weakness, that's all - she's not seasick. 0 dear, no! Only heart weakness! TILBURY. And what is your pet illness GERALDINE. I love the sea, and never am ill on it. TILBURY. And on the land GERALDINE. I never am ill on the land, either! 24 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE TILBURY. Really !what a beastly healthy person! GERALDINE. Oh, do hit some wood quick or my luck may change. [She stamps on the deck with her right heel. lie jollows her action.] Thank you! I think I'll sit down. [Sitting on the arm oj FRiULEIN'S chair.] Do you know my friend, Fraulein Handt [She introduces them. FRAULEIN. I 'ave knowed your fader at sight, Lord Tilbury. I vas one time governess in de Austro-Hungary Embassy, unt he vas often to de house. TILBURY. Really! I don't know my father very well! FRAULEIN. Ah, but dat vas ven you vas at school. [She settles back in her chair to let them talk together without her. THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 25 GERALDINE. Are you coming down to dinner, Friulein FRXULEIN. I tink not, I go sleeping now. [Closes her eyes. GERALDINE. [Amused, aside to TILBURY.] The dear creature thinks that's lact! [Both laugh gently. TILBURY. She's an awfully good sort, isn't she How long have you been abroad, Miss Lang GERALDINE. One hundred years! TILBURY. Really!! GERALDINE. Well, it seems that! Ever since I can remember; I came over here at the age of five! TILBURY. Really! GERALDINE. I haven't a relative in the world, but I've some property in New York, and that is my home, and I'm happy to say at last I'm going back! TILBURY. Really ! 26 THE STUBBORNNESS oF GERALDINE GERALDINE. [Laughingly.] Ij you say "really" again, I think I shall die!! TILBURY. I beg your pardon- [Interrupted. GERALDINE. I'm sure it must sound very strange to you, but it's really very simple! At the age of four I was left to my last relative, an uncle, a - I have gathered and imagined and intuitived- rather gay person, who wouldn't accept a little girl niece as a gift! TILBURY. You might be in the way, I sup- pose! GERALDINE. Exactly! Who says Englishmen are dense!! So he railroaded me off to Stuttgart- of all dull places !-with a dear old German lady, the aunt of Fraulein. Didn't he, Fraiulein FRXULEIN. Yah! GERALDINE. [Amused, to TILBURY.] Not asleep THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 27 yet! Well, when she followed all my other rela- tives, except Uncle Ray, she left me in charge of my friend here, who is the dearest thing in the world - aren't you, Fraulein [FRXULEIN snores.] She's only pretending! She's too modest to answer that question. [FR.XULEIN giggles.] I told you! [They stroll down to the rail and lean on it, looking over.] Well - now my uncle died last month, and he's left me a big fortune and a magnificent new house. TILBURY. He left you everything! GERALDINE. Everything!! TILBURY. He never married, then GERALDINE. No; they say he never could decide on which! TILBURY. Isn't there any one there you know GERALDINE. Yes, the old housekeeper, and 28 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE her husband, who is butler. I have childish memories about them both. Mrs. Jars was a dear, fat, jolly woman, with a pocket never empty of sweets -Oh, I loved her! TILBURY. Are you glad to be going back to America GERALDINE. Glad!! Glad!! Surely an Eng- lishman knows what love of one's country means ! - how it's born in one, and nothing ever gets it out! Let me tell you something! The day I sailed, a pale, small, timid girl, this same uncle gave me, to wave from the boat, a little stars and stripes; Uncle Ray DID love his country - as well as a few other things! Perhaps you'll think it silly of me, but from that day to this I've never let go that lit- tle flag. I've travelled all over Europe, but never went to sleep one night without it under my pil- low at first, and afterward in a little sort of amulet THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 29 about my neck [Taking hold of a chain she wears.], when it threatened to become rags! Glad to go back to America It's what I've been dreaming of, longing for, waiting for on tiptoe since the very hour I left fourteen years ago! Glad//! I don't pretend to explain; I can only tell you that even to speak of going back fills me with an emotion I don't understand. I feel it here! [Her hand over her bosom.] And here! [.At her throat.] It's- why -it's home, you know, that's all! TILBURY. I know what you mean. I felt it in South Africa. GERALDINE. [1With quick interest and sympathy.] Were you in many battles there TILBURY. No, but I was in all the hospitals! GERALDINE. [She laughs.] Let's wvalk. [To FRAULEIN.] We're going to walk up and down a little, just here in front of you. 30 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE FRAULEIN. [Without opening her eyes.] Oh! I vas not afraid ven you vill be lost! But don't forget dat a long time de first horn for tinner have tooted ! GERALDINE. [As they begin to walk.] Now I've told you the story of my life. Tell me yours! Is this your first visit to America TILBURY. Yes, I've been to Ireland and Paris, besides South Africa, but of course New York is different. GERALDINE. But New York isn't America! TILBURY. No, I suppose not - there's Chicago, isn't there, and Washington -[Stops walking.] - only I hear that's very cosmopolitan,-and there used to be a Boston, didn't there GERALDINE. Horrors!! TILBURY. Across a bridge GERALDINE. [With relie/.] Oh! you're mixed; THE STUBBORA'ESS OF GERALDINE 31 there used to be Brooklyn, but now it's greater New York! [They start to move on again and meet VI coming with the DOCTOR from the opposite direction. As they pass, VI catches hold of GERALDINE'S arm, holding her back, and speaks in her ear, the DOCTOR standing a step or two in advance of her, and TILBURY discreetly waiting a few steps in front of GERALDINE. VI. I think you're just too mean for anything to keep a real live lord all alone to yourself. Still, I'm not mad, because I'VE got second prize! Don't you think he's perfectly lovely! GERALDINE. [Amused.] Who Vi. Why, the Doctorl GERALDINE. Perfectly. VI. [Going on with the DOCTOR, calls back.] I'll exchange! 32 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE GERALDINE. [Calls over her shoulder.] All right ! TILBURY. She's a jolly sort of girl. Where does she come from GERALDINE. Her home is in Butte City, Mon- tana. TILBURY. Really! GERALDINE. 0 dear, that awful word's come back! Are you coming over to us to get mar- ried TILBURY. No, just the opposite. [They stop walking.] So as not to get married. GERALDINE. [Opening her eyes wide.] "Really! I'm afraid you're going to the wrong place! You ought to have gone to where I've been-Stutt- gart! Somebody's SURE to marry You in America! [They go on. TILBURY. No; you see it's this way. I'm THE STUBBORNNrESS Oh GERALDINE 33 awfully keen to marry Rosy Boggs. She's in the Gaiety. Maybe you've seen her in the Toreador. She's the third from the end on the right all through the first act, and is the one that says, "lHe didn't go this way!" [Eagerly.] Do you remember her GERALDINE. I don't think so. TILBURY. Perhaps you remember her in the last act. She's on the opposite side in that act, and she substitutes in the octette when any one of the other girls are ill. [Stops.] But perhaps you don't go every night. I've only missed two per- formances, and one was a matin6e. GERALDINE. No, I wasn't in London long, and I didn't go to the Gaiety regularly. TILBURY. Well, you'd have seen she's a lady born, only her parents are a bit offish; the father keeps a public house, and Rosy began behind his bar, but she was too refined and couldn't stand it. 34 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE My governor's so obtuse he won't see Rosy a little bit, and threatens to cut me off with a ha'penny - isn't it awful ! GERALDINE. If I loved her, I'd marry her anyway. TILBURY. But Rosy won' I GERALDINE. Oh, then, Rosy doesn't love you. TILBURY. Yes, she does! She's aw/ul gone on me, but she's so noble! She says she won't marry me unless my father relents, because she couldn't bear to have me cut off with a ha'penny, - don't you see, - on her account GERALDINE. Oh, yes, I think I do see! [Laughing. [GERALDINE sings a couple o/ lines o/ "Rosy, you are my Posy." TILBURY. I say, you're awfully sympathetic. I've been awful keen to talk to somebody about it. TH/E STUBBORNVNESS OF GER'ALDINE 35 We're all in hopes I'll forget Rosy over here, but I'm afraid I won't. [Bugle call /or dinner, in the distance. GERALDINE. Just wait! You've no idea what damage American girls can do to a little memory like that. TILBURY. You know you remind me a little of Rosy - if you won't mind my saying it. GERALDINE. Goodness - already! If I've shaken your precious souvenir the least little bit, Miss Vi Tompson of Butte City, in her own language, "won't do a thing to it! " [A STEWARD appears and gives loud bugle call /or dinner. Many more people have been promenading during the end of this scene, and the speeches have been broken, interrupted, and continued, etc., as GERALDINE and TILBURY have made way jor the others to pass them. The THE S7TUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE sun has also sunk; there is the clear light without the yellow of the sun, leaving only red and gold seen in the clouds over the horizon. At the sound of the call all rise /rom their chairs except WOMAN PASSENGER and F.AiULEIN. A STEWARD hurries in, and is busy helping the women, while another with the menu card waits on FRAULEIN and WOMAN PASSENGER. There is a general crowd walking about on the deck. GERALDINE. [Casually.] The last call. I suppose we must go down! [They move on and meet Vi. GERALDINE, with TILBURY, pauses and stops Vi. GERALDINE. Miss Tompson. Vi. My dear, aren't you going down GERALDINE. I want to present Lord Tilbury to you. VI. How do you do, Lord Tilbury. [TILBURY 36 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERALDINE 37 bows.] I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I saw you the first day out, and I wanted to know you then, you had such a perfectly lovely suit of clothes on. Didn't he, Miss Lang! It was the sweetest suit on the boat! But you disappeared for several days, till this morning! TILBURY. Yes, I caught a bad cold. VI. [Laughs.] Oh, come! It's been terribly rough! I don't mind confessing that I was awfully seasick. I wanted to go straight down to the bot- tomr, Paris clothes and all! Which reminds me of the killingest story popper told us he heard from the second officer. Oh, but I don't know Lord Tilbury well enough to tell him funny stories yet. TILBURY. I hope after dinner we may become much better acquainted, and shall look forward with pleasure to the story. You will be on deck after dinner 38 THE STUBBORNNESS OF GERAALDINrE Vi. Oh, yes, I think it's perfectly lovely on deck at night! I just adore the stars and the moon- light, don't you! It makes you feel so happy and sociable. Oh, I just think it's too lovely for any- thing. Yes, siree! TILBURY. Till after dinner