by George Moore
LAWRENCE.
We are far too independent for that.
DEAN.
It is because we are becoming so independent that we understand the necessity of being united. (Cheers.) We are discovering that we can only escape from dependence on petty interests and petty animosities by sharing in the greater life of our race and of our town. We must cease to think of ourselves as individuals, and think of ourselves as so many members belonging to the body of our town.
(Gnat applause from behind. The members of the Corporation whisper together.)
DEAN.
It is very encouraging to know that you agree with me. The clause in our agreement referring to the harbour dues is loosely worded, but we have taken counsel’s opinion, and it has been held that our case is a good one. But this case has not been pressed because some think that if we did press it Southhaven might say, Take back your line of steamers and return those advantages and those sums of money which we have given you. Others hoped for posts in that wealthy municipality, or had vested money in its line of steamers. It has also been suggested that certain not very clearly defined social advantages which we are supposed to derive from our connection with Southhaven might be taken from us, and I have reason to believe that strong social influence has been exerted to prevent our claim from being pressed. Our women folk are particularly open to such influences, they understand better than we do the value of class prejudice and family interest. I have now sketched in outline the main facts of our case against Southhaven, and I think I have included nothing with which a single member of this Corporation will disagree. (Applause from the Corporation.)
LAWRENCE.
Mr. Mayor, I do not agree to it. I agree to nothing.
DEAN.
I will not question now the wisdom of the sale of our steamers. I will not go into the question whether or not we should, so soon as the money has been paid, close our agreement with Southhaven, and start our steamers again, as we have a right to do. Several of my colleagues and I myself do not agree with my friend Mr. Kirwan and with the majority of the members of the Corporation on this point. We have been opposed, for reasons which I need not enter into here, and we are still opposed to, the agitation for re-establishing our line of steamers. But we are all agreed, the most extreme of every section is agreed, that we should be paid our rightful percentages on the harbour dues of Southhaven.
LAWRENCE.
Indeed, sir, what is really owing ought to be paid. We are all agreed to that, but what is it that is really owing?
DEAN.
To hear Alderman Lawrence admit even so much is satisfactory. For many years Southhaven evaded the issue by furnishing no accounts. When the accounts were at last forced from her, our accountants perceived that she owed us a very large sum of money. It is most important, too, that, although Southhaven contested the results our accountants came to after an exhaustive examination, the accountants that she herself called in, after they had carefully checked every item, corroborated our accountants on almost every detail.
LAWRENCE.
But all the Southhaven accountants did not. There was one man who held out, who disputed the admission of certain items.
DEAN.
What would the evidence of one man against the evidence of ten amount to in a court of law? (Hear, hear, and a cheer from the crowd at the back.) Well, Mr. Mayor, we have made several appeals to our rich debtors for payment. In what spirit has she received our appeals? We have all heard her Town Clerk’s letter to-day. Is it a candid letter? Is it the answer of a town that wishes to act justly? Are we to be thus put off and played with while our town is impoverished by defalcations? (Tremendous cheers.) No, sir, we will not consent to such treatment. After all, what have we but our town? Do we not stand or fall together? If she is ruined shall not we — yes, every class among us — be ruined too? (Hear, hear.) We must cast to the winds the deference to Southhaven that makes us weak, and, above all, we must sink our personal and our class differences. We have only to agree upon taking legal proceedings, and the law will do the rest.
FERGUSON.
I’ll unite with any one on that.
A VOICE FROM THE BACK.
I’d like to see the man that wouldn’t.
DEAN.
I am overjoyed to hear it, for I look upon it as so necessary to obtain this subsidy that although, as you know, I am opposed to the restoration of the packet station and have always with my family been a staunch supporter of our connection with Southhaven; still, if the authorities of that port evade the law by any means and deny us justice and cast us back upon civic ruin, I for one do solemnly declare that I am prepared to advocate the buying of new vessels and to run them in defiance of all existing agreements. (Tremendous and prolonged cheering and enthusiasm.) Mr. Mayor, I beg to move that immediate legal proceedings be taken for the recovery of this debt of so many years’ accumulation.
FERGUSON.
I second that resolution. (Cheers.)
LAWRENCE.
Mr. Mayor, it is with very considerable pain that I have listened to the able speech of my respected and cultured young friend, Alderman Dean. I feel it is a disadvantage to all respectable people in our town and a disadvantage to his own family that such rare abilities as his should not be used in a cause more fit for the approbation of right-thinking people. Indeed, my ears could hardly make me believe it when I heard him wander to such an extent from right principles as to advocate action so discourteous towards a Corporation whose friendship is of paramount importance to us. (Murmurs.) I sincerely trust that our Corporation will do nothing to alienate the sympathy of our wealthy neighbours, (uproar.)
A VOICE.
Mr. Dean has answered the likes of you.
ANOTHER VOICE.
He’s speaking up for us now.
LAWRENCE.
Shall I not be listened to?
FERGUSON.
We have heard too much from you long ago.
LAWRENCE.
Mr. Mayor, I protest. (Uproar, during which he is forced to sit down.)
LEECH.
What can we do — after his speech to the hillside men?
POLLOCK.
We are the representatives of the people.
LEECH.
It wouldn’t be safe. It wouldn’t be safe.
MAYOR.
Let all who are in favour of the resolution say “Aye.”
SEVERAL VOICES.
Aye! Aye!
MAYOR.
The contrary say “No.”
LAWRENCE.
No! (Laughter.)
MAYOR.
The “ayes” have it (taking out his watch). We shall catch the four o’clock train after all.
(Laughter and wild excitement. Several gather with congratulations around JASPER DEAN, while all move out of the room.)
ACT THE SECOND.
DRAWING-ROOM IN JASPER DEAN’S house. Miss CAROLINE and Miss ARABELLA DEAN are seated by an afternoon tea-table.
ARABELLA.
Well, Caroline, our task is ended. Jasper is now a man. To-day he enters public life, and is going to be married.
CAROLINE.
I am anxious for him to be here to meet Miss Fell. I told him not to be later than three.
ARABELLA.
So the little boy who came to us sixteen years ago, when our brother died, is now a man, and passes beyond our keeping.
CAROLINE.
Our every thought has been for him; and if he should leave us it will be with a sense of gratitude, for Jasper is not ungrateful.
ARABELLA.
I am sure he is not. We have done the best we could, and it is a satisfaction to know that.
CAROLINE.
And to know that, whatever may happen, our teaching will survive in him, and restrain him in moments when he may be tempted to say or do things which he will afterwards regret. It is, as you say, a great consolation to know that we have done our best.
ARABELLA.
It is strange to
look back upon it all — our bickerings about what he should eat and what he should wear, when he should get up and when he should go to sleep. It was a pleasant task, and I am sorry it is ended.
(Enter MAID.)
MAID.
Mrs. Pollock and Mrs. Leech. — [Exit MAID.
CAROLINE.
She has not arrived. But sit down. She is afraid of the sea, and is coming round by train; she missed the connection at Rossborough, but she telegraphed that she was coming by a later one. We’re expecting her every minute.
ARABELLA.
We were talking about dear Jasper. In a moment like the present one looks back; the simplest things seem so wonderful, and we see the hand of Providence in all things.
MRS. LEECH.
You’ve been two devoted aunts; I will say that.
ARABELLA.
I’m glad you think so, Sarah.
CAROLINE.
We brought him up conscientiously, according to our lights.
MRS. POLLOCK.
I’m sure you’ve every reason to be satisfied with the result. He’s all you could wish him to be.
CAROLINE.
Well, I hope so. I think our teaching has not been wasted — not altogether wasted.
MRS. LEECH.
You’re a little anxious, Caroline, about the line in politics that Jasper has taken. Have you read the speech he made in the mountains the other day?
CAROLINE.
When I don’t approve I say so.
MRS. LEECH (looking round).
I see you’ve got the paper. He said some very violent things.
MRS. POLLOCK.
Things that will do us a great deal of harm in Southhaven. I think his speeches most injudicious.
MRS. LEECH.
Every one is talking about these speeches, they say; well —
CAROLINE.
That if he had stood for any other ward he would not have been elected.
ARABELLA.
You’re all jealous of Jasper, that’s what it is. You don’t deceive me.
MRS. POLLOCK.
It is very unfortunate that he should have taken up this man’s ideas. In Southhaven, Kirwan is understood to be the irreconcilable enemy.
CAROLINE.
We don’t pretend that in bringing up Jasper we reached perfection. We hope that your little boy will turn out as satisfactorily.
ARABELLA.
Jasper may have used a few wild words. They will be quickly forgotten.
MRS. POLLOCK.
I’m sure I hope so. It will be very unfortunate if anything happens to put us on bad terms with our neighbours, especially just at present. Pollock is hoping to receive news every day about that appointment.
ARABELLA.
Jasper’s views will undergo modifications; he is very young, and does not yet know his own mind.
CAROLINE.
The Corporation has a very steadying effect on a man.
MRS. LEECH.
There I agree with you, Caroline. When they hear in Southhaven that he has been elected member of the Corporation they will know that it is all right.
CAROLINE.
I have always told him that when in doubt he should consult Alderman Lawrence.
MRS. POLLOCK.
He is very highly thought of in Southhaven. He is an intimate friend of Mr. Hardman. He often goes to stop with the Hardmans, and the descriptions he gives of the money they spend — six footmen waiting to open the door!
MRS. LEECH.
Anyhow, it is lucky that Jasper is going to marry George Hardman’s niece. Once he’s married he’ll have to choose between Kirwan and Southhaven.
CAROLINE.
Yes; the Hardmans will have a steadying effect upon him. It is fortunate.
MRS. LEECH.
We’ve heard that she has a large fortune.
MRS. POLLOCK.
And is a notable figure in Southhaven society. We’ve taken a house there for the season. It really will be very unlucky if anything happens to disturb our relations.
ARABELLA.
Well, we’ll hope that nothing will. We’re most anxious to become acquainted with her. That is why Jasper has asked her to stay with us.
MRS. LEECH and MRS. POLLOCK put down their teacups and get up to go.
CAROLINE.
No, don’t go. She cannot be long now, and Jasper will be sure to bring back James and Michael after the meeting, so she will be introduced to quite a number of the family.
MRS. LEECH.
We’re all cousins. I’m my husband’s first cousin, and sister to Bessie’s husband, so what relation is Jasper to me?
CAROLINE.
Don’t let us go into cousinships and aunts, or it will never end.
(The MAID enters.)
MAID.
Miss Fell.
(Miss MILLICENT FELL enters. Exit the MAID.)
CAROLINE.
(To MILLICENT.) We’re delighted to see you, my dear.
MILLICENT.
Thank you. (To ARABELLA.) HOW do you do?
ARABELLA.
These are our cousins, Mrs. James Pollock and Mrs. Michael Leech... You will have some tea? I’m sure you’d like some.
MILLICENT.
Thank you, I should like some very much. I ought to have been here two hours ago.
ARABELLA.
Oh, it does not matter in the least. Will you have some sugar — two lumps? You missed the connection at Rossborough? How tiresome waiting at a station is! I hope you had something to read.
MILLICENT.
I was not bored a bit. The country is so beautiful. I love landscapes.
ARABELLA.
Jasper said once that you took a great interest in this country.
MILLICENT.
The mountains are so beautiful, and I love the rock-like castles which jut out of the landscape here like sentinels. They suggest a life very different from the prosy manufactories of Southhaven.
CAROLINE.
We’re so sorry that Jasper is not here to meet you. We were saying so when you arrived.
MILLICENT.
Where is Jasper?
CAROLINE.
He’s at a meeting of the Corporation. He has just been elected Alderman, and he takes his seat to-day for the first time.
MILLICENT.
Then he has been elected! He was afraid that the line of politics he was going in for would place him beyond the pale of municipal life; at least, that is what I understood from his letters.
(Enter ALDERMAN JAMES POLLOCK and ALDERMAN MICHAEL LEECH.)
CAROLINE.
James, this is Miss Millicent Fell.
LEECH.
I suppose you’ve only just arrived, Miss Fell?
MILLUCENT.
A few minutes ago.
CAROLINE.
James, you’ll have some tea? Michael, you’ll have some tea?
LEECH.
Then you came by the three o’clock train from Rossborough?
MILLICENT.
Yes, I had nearly two hours to wait at Rossborough. But there’s a river there, and I went for a walk by the river. I love a river and I love the sea.
LEECH.
But you came round by rail.
MILLICENT.
I love the sea from the shore.
LEECH.
May I get you some more tea?
(They walk up to the tea-table and mix with the others. MRS. POLLOCK comes down the stage with her husband.)
MRS. POLLOCK.
Did Ferguson carry his resolution?
POLLOCK.
No, no — but —
MRS. POLLOCK.
I’m so glad.
POLLOCK.
But Jasper carried his, which was just as dangerous.
MRS. POLLOCK.
What resolution? (ARABELLA comes down the stage.) ARABELLA.
I wonder Jasper is not here.
LEECH.
Oh, Jasper has been carrying all before him.
; MILLICENT.
Really!
POLLOCK.
Yes; he has succeeded in uniting the whole Corporation.
CAROLINE.
Has he? But you don’t seemed pleased, James.
POLLOCK.
Well, it is on a point on which we are not all agreed. MILLICENT.
I thought you said that Jasper had succeeded in uniting the whole Corporation.
LEECH.
I am not at all sure that I wholly approve, but in the face of such an outburst of popular opinion as his speech evoked, we didn’t dare to offer any opposition.
MRS. POLLOCK.
I do not understand, to vote for a resolution which you don’t approve. James, did you vote for this resolution?
POLLOCK.
My dear Bessie, we must not weary Miss Fell with local politics.
MRS. POLLOCK.
I only want to know how it was that you all voted for a resolution of which you did not approve.
POLLOCK.
Well, it so happened that we did, but this is an unusual case. (To MILLICENT.) YOU have had many opportunities of judging of Jasper’s abilities, Miss Fell?
MILLICENT.
How long is required before one can judge the abilities of a man one is going to marry? I have known Jasper about a year. We met at Oxford. He is a great friend of my cousin George Hardman, jun., and he came to stay one vacation at my uncle’s house.
CAROLINE.
You live at Southhaven with your uncle?
MILLICENT.
I’m there a great deal — he is like a father to me.
(There is a noise of voices outside.)
ARABELLA.
Here is Jasper coming.
(Enter ALDERMAN JASPER DEAN and RALPH KIKWAN.)
DEAN (at the door to KlRWAN).
That is just it; the man who is at once polite and firm is irresistible in diplomacy. Diplomacy is the union of these qualities.
(Perceives MILLICENT, and advances.)
Oh, Millicent; so you have come at last.
MILLICENT.
Yes, here I am, Jasper; and how are you? I hear that you are carrying all before you, and it must have been very difficult to do that, for you don’t seem agreed even now.
DEAN.
I’ll tell you all about it presently. This is my friend, Alderman Kirwan.
KIRWAN.
He has exceeded our expectations. We had hoped by a series of meetings to interest the people so much in this question that it would become an election test question. But he has carried the Corporation with him at the first attempt.
