Complete Works of George Moore
Page 758
HARDMAN.
Well, you see that Millicent’s money —
(JASPER enters from the study. He watches them, an amused expression on his face for a second.)
DEAN.
Well, what secrets can you be telling each other? Such confidential mystery!
(HARDMAN, MILLICENT, and CAROLINE turn round.)
How d’ye do, Mr. Hardman. Your arrival is sudden, but not unexpected: Millicent told me my aunt had telegraphed for you.
HARDMAN.
Yes, Miss Dean telegraphed for me: the matter is serious. DEAN.
Very serious, to judge by your face.
HARDMAN.
I was just saying that it is impossible that you should remain at the head of this agitation.
DEAN.
(Incredulously.) How SO?
[Exeunt MILLICENT and CAROLINE. HARDMAN.
Well, it seems to me difficult for you to do so, for Millicent’s money is invested in our line of steamers and in Southhaven property. She will be a heavy loser if you succeed in enforcing your claim.
DEAN.
My money will compensate her.
HARDMAN.
She may not wish to lose her money, for all that.
(Enter MAID.)
MAID.
Lunch is ready, miss.
HARDMAN.
Let us go down. We will talk this matter over at lunch.
[Exeunt HARDMAN.
(Enter KIRWAN and MACNEE.)
KIRWAN.
I can see that all these ideas, that Dean and I have been talking, seem to you to be very much in the air.
(Cheers outside.)
MACNEE (going to window.)
There are the hillside men: some of them have walked twenty miles to cheer Mr. Dean. He must show himself at the window.
DEAN.
No. This is not a time for cheers. I can see them presently.
KIRWAN.
What is the trouble, Dean?
DEAN.
Merely a family matter.
(Enter MAID.)
MAID; Lunch is ready, sir. — [Exit ALL.
ACT THE FOURTH.
A SITTING-ROOM IN the principal hotel of the town. GEORGE HARDMAN anxious and restless. The WAITER enters.
WAITER.
Alderman Daniel Lawrence wants to see you, sir.
HARDMAN.
He has come at last. (To the WAITER.) Show him up.
(Exit the WAITER. DANIEL LAWRENCE enters.)
LAWRENCE.
My dear Mayor, I’m so glad to see you. How well you are looking! I never saw you looking better in my life.
HARDMAN.
Thank you, Alderman Lawrence, thank you. I am very glad to see you. I hope you are well!
LAWRENCE.
As well as can be expected in these anxious times, Mayor.
HARDMAN.
Beautiful weather, isn’t it? (Pause.) You will excuse me sending for you in this hurried way. I wish especially to consult you about the unjustifiable agitation that is going on in this town. You are an able man, Alderman Lawrence — a man of the world and of affairs. You know this town well. Tell me, how do you think this agitation will end?
LAWRENCE.
I think it will succeed.
HARDMAN.
You do?
LAWRENCE.
That is my opinion.
HARDMAN.
You are a staunch friend of ours. What is your advice?
LAWRENCE.
I advise payment before the law is set in motion; otherwise you will have to pay enormous costs in addition to the original payment.
HARDMAN.
Oh, this is impossible!
LAWRENCE.
Why?
HARDMAN.
No member of our Corporation could propose such a thing without being politically discredited for life.
LAWRENCE.
Well, I don’t see what else you can do.
HARDMAN.
You know this town well, Alderman Lawrence, cannot you think of some device?
LAWRENCE.
You set me a most difficult task.
HARDMAN.
Just consider. I always maintain that Southhaven has not appreciated your merits as it should have.
LAWRENCE.
Now that you have touched upon it, I will say it to you, as a friend, that Southhaven has done nothing to encourage me, considering the extremely unpopular part I play here from time to time in her interest.
HARDMAN.
You know the post of solicitor to our Corporation is just vacant. The emoluments are very handsome.
LAWRENCE.
I know, my dear Mayor, I know.
HARDMAN.
The appointment will surely be given to the lawyer who does the best service to our town.
LAWRENCE.
Quite so. I have often thought what a pleasant thing it would be to have that appointment.
HARDMAN.
Besides, remember there is a very handsome retiring pension.
LAWRENCE.
Yes; I have always considered a pension as the fine flower of an appointment.
HARDMAN.
And still with such a prize before you, can you not find a means of winning it?
LAWRENCE.
My dear Mayor, how you torture me!
HARDMAN.
Come, come, Alderman Lawrence, there must be some way out of this difficulty.
LAWRENCE.
Well, really I am put to the pin of my collar. Have you yet seen the Corporation?
HARDMAN.
Only a few of them, and then not in a business way.
LAWRENCE.
Perhaps it might come to something if you were to meet them in a body?
HARDMAN.
Or perhaps one by one — just casually, you know. Who are the most likely to be influenced?
LAWRENCE.
You see, popular excitement has risen to such a pitch that not one of them would dare, even if he were inclined, to take your advice. Moreover, the secession of an alderman would make little difference, but if Jasper could be induced to abandon the movement there would be such a scramble among the rest for leadership that everything else would be forgotten.
HARDMAN.
Nothing can be done with Jasper. I’ve never seen any one so determined. Millicent’s money is invested in Southhaven house property and in our steamers. I put it to Jasper. I said, “It is quite impossible for you to continue at the head of an agitation which will reduce the value of her property.”
LAWRENCE.
I quite understand; and Jasper, what did he say?
HARDMAN.
He spoke of private interests clashing with public interests, and that if each individual case were to be considered the State could not exist, and so on.
LAWRENCE.
Ah, I think he must be a little mad, I’ve often thought so. Such a thing was never heard of before. A crusade to reduce the value of your wife’s property! Good Heavens! And then I’ve always heard that he was deeply attached to Miss Fell.
HARDMAN.
I believe he is, but for the moment he is so carried away by popular enthusiasm, he is like a cork on a wave. He was of course very much shocked when I told him, and he said that it made his position very difficult.
LAWRENCE.
But he remained firm. Ahem!
HARDMAN.
Is there no one who is shaky in his convictions regarding this unfortunate business?
LAWRENCE.
There is a certain erratic creature called Foley, who is not of much account, however, except for his newspaper.
Yes, now I remember, my niece told me that he seems doubtful of the justice of Dean’s action, and that she thought she might have influenced him.
LAWRENCE.
I have no doubt of it. He is one of those people who have a difficulty in not going over to the side of any sympathetic person they meet. Ferguson says of him that “everybody he talks to leaves the mark of his five fingers on his fac
e.” If only Miss Fell could see her way — to — well, a little flirtation — ever so little — just a little sympathy in her voice, you know — it might do wonders.
HARDMAN.
My dear Alderman, you don’t know what you are talking about. My niece flirt with Foley! Quite impossible!
LAWRENCE.
Quite so, quite so, I am trying to think of a way out of this difficulty. Perhaps after all it is not necessary. The tender spot in Foley’s heart is Miss Caroline Dean’s fortune. I think if Dean shows even the least sign of wavering, and above all, if he can suggest some literary or economic idea which will not be injurious to Southhaven, and may help to preserve Foley’s good name with the mob, I think he will come over to our side — to Miss Caroline Dean’s side. Her politics are fortunately very decided.
HARDMAN.
Is he, then, incarnate insincerity?
LAWRENCE.
On the contrary, he finds it so easy to be sincere about any idea, that he sees no reason why he should not prefer the ideas which suit his interests best. Why, he is sincerity itself; sincerity is a prevalent vice in this town, and Foley is a striking example. Our public life would be much more continuous if there were more people with sufficient strength of will to say one thing and believe another. (They walk to and fro.) Here is an idea! If you were to meet the Corporation in a body you might reason with them, and in the course of the argument the weak spots would begin to appear; you might put your views to them quietly and with tact.
HARDMAN.
They are as obdurate —
LAWRENCE.
I have never seen them so obdurate.
HARDMAN.
But this matter, like every other matter, is a question of compromise.
LAWRENCE.
If you have anything to propose.
HARDMAN.
What would they take?
LAWRENCE.
If I could only think of something that you might offer!
HARDMAN.
I wish you could. (They walk up and down thinking.)
LAWRENCE.
What do you think, my dear Mayor, if you were to — well, to buy a house here, and grounds, and to say that you would stay part of the year with them, and spend money in entertaining?
HARDMAN.
I’d willingly do that (looking round), for I like the place; but I don’t think they’d accept my company as an equivalent for the supposed debt.
LAWRENCE.
No, perhaps not! (Sits, and falls into an attitude of deep thought.) Anything to be done in the tourist line? Excursion steamers! No, you think not. Very likely not. The opening up of the country! (Changes his position. Pause.) Let me see, what are the questions that have been agitated lately? There has been, among other things, a good deal of talk about a tramway line running from the centre of the poorer parts of the town. What do you think of that?
HARDMAN.
I should be very glad to supply the capital. Ah! if they would accept a tramway, if that could be arranged! That’s a very happy thought of yours, my dear Alderman! And I can send them some cart-loads of seed potatoes — an early kind, you know — for those impoverished nursery gardens to the west of your town.
LAWRENCE.
That will do nicely, my dear Mayor. Potatoes do not stir up any dangerous fermentation of ideas. The tramway is very much needed, and you could weigh the certain advantages of the tramway with the risk of long legal proceedings. After all, nothing is certain in law. Now let me see, the Corporation is sitting at present. Supposing I were to go now, and ask all the members to meet you here when their business is finished?
HARDMAN.
Or do you think it would be better if I were to go and meet them? What do you think?
LAWRENCE.
Oh no, that would be too public and formal. The meeting ought to be friendly, convivial — you understand. You know all our Corporation, don’t you, my dear Mayor?
HARDMAN.
Yes, I think I have met them all.
LAWRENCE.
And have no doubt come to an opinion as to their abilities. There is Ferguson, a lawyer: he considers himself a veritable Blackstone on legal procedure. He and Foley have always been at each other’s throats, and the marvel is how Jasper ever induced them to unite in a common policy.
HARDMAN.
I quite understand.
LAWRENCE.
Kirwan you know about. He is at the bottom of the whole mischief. It was he who set Jasper’s imagination aflame. He is a compound of literature, patriotism, and belief in what he calls the spiritual inheritance of the race.
HARDMAN.
Nothing to be done with him?
LAWRENCE.
Nothing. Pollock and Leech support Jasper because the second cousin of one married the third cousin of Jasper’s mother, and they take the opinion of the family, and like to support what they call their class.
HARDMAN.
The weakest point is the natural antagonism of Foley and Ferguson. I see, I see.
(The WAITER enters.)
WAITER.
The Misses Dean. — [Exit WAITER
(Enter Miss CAROLINE and Miss ARABELLA DEAN.)
CAROLINE.
Mr. Hardman, how is your dear niece? How do you do, Alderman Lawrence?
(HARDMAN goes to the WAITER and speaks to him in dumb show.)
LAWRENCE.
How do you do, Miss Dean? How well you’re looking! I never saw you looking better in my life.
CAROLINE.
Don’t say that, Alderman Lawrence, I feel ten years older. I am sure I’m looking wretched, and not without sufficient reason. This has been a terrible blow to me, as you may easily imagine. After all my teaching — no one ever was brought up more carefully than Jasper — to see Jasper turn against his family and his class. Oh, it is very sad! Within the last few days my whole life seems to have crumbled before my eyes.
LAWRENCE.
Kirwan —
CAROLINE.
It was all his doing. He is the origin of it all. Don’t mention the man’s name. I abhor the man himself — his literature, his politics, and his religion, if you can call such beliefs as his a religion.
ARABELLA.
Our life since Millicent left us has been most wretched.
CAROLINE.
Jasper does not speak to me when we meet; we sit down to meals in silence. I must say, though, that Arabella has supported me; she had the strength to tell Jasper that although she would always love him, she could not entirely approve of an agitation which would reduce the value of Miss Fell’s property.
ARABELLA.
It is this that Jasper feels most sorely; if it had not been for this he would not have cared —
CAROLINE.
If he never spoke to another respectable person. And that odious man coming about the house! Alderman Lawrence, can you not help us?
LAWRENCE.
That is exactly what I’m trying to do, Miss Dean. I’m going to bring the Corporation here for a conference with Mr. Hardman.
CAROLINE.
If they would only listen to reason! But I’ve lost hope.
LAWRENCE.
I’ve great hopes of success. — [Exit.
CAROLINE.
How is Millicent? Shan’t we see her?
HARDMAN.
Won’t you sit down, Miss Dean?
CAROLINE.
I’m so excited and worried that I’m better standing up. But Arabella might like to sit down. Well — I’ll sit down. I should like to see Millicent.
HARDMAN.
She is in her room. I don’t think she is feeling very well. Perhaps you will excuse her.
CAROLINE.
She knows it was not our fault.
HARDMAN.
She knows that.
CAROLINE.
The mistake was her leaving us. If she had only remained I am sure she would have succeeded in winning Jasper over. You see, we know Jasper better than you can know him. You and she
take Jasper to be a determined, strong-minded man; he is not in the least that.
HARDMAN.
I’ve noticed no signs of weakness in Jasper; there is more grit in him than I thought. He is against me, I do not approve; he is as wrong-headed as you like, but he is not weak.
ARABELLA.
He is deeply attached to Millicent; there can be no question about that.
CAROLINE.
Yet he is more than ever determined in his politics. For her to leave us was a mistake; I’m convinced of it. She ought not to have broken off her engagement.
HARDMAN.
But what else could she do? She was asked not only to give up all her friends, her social position in Southhaven, but also to consent to lose a considerable portion of her property. Really, Miss Dean, I don’t think that I need insist further.
CAROLINE.
I know all that; but if she had remained with us she might have persuaded him.
HARDMAN.
He did not flinch, he told her to her face.
CAROLINE.
I know, I know. But if Millicent would consent to marry Jasper she would soon get her way with him. Once he was removed from the influence of this maleficent Kirwan —— —
HARDMAN.
The risk is really too great; I could not advise such a course.
ARABELLA.
I’ve always thought that I understood Jasper, but in the last few days he speaks with a strange voice that I do not recognise at all.
HARDMAN.
Quite so; I confess I was taken by surprise.
CAROLINE.
Jasper is a rich man. Unless the loss to her property be very considerable he could compensate her.
HARDMAN.
Only by diminishing his own income.
ARABELLA.
Caroline and I would make sacrifices.
CAROLINE.
My dear Arabella, our incomes would not suffice, and Jasper would not allow us.
(WAITER enters.)
WAITER.
Alderman Jasper Dean.
(Enter DEAN.)
DEAN.
Oh, I do not find you alone. You have invited the Corporation to meet you, and I thought that I would come over before our business was finished. I did not expect to meet my aunts here.
CAROLINE.
We will go.
ARABELLA.
Jasper, have you come to see Millicent?
DEAN.
Yes, I hope to see her.
HARDMAN.
Millicent is in her room; she is not very well to-day and does not propose to receive visitors.
DEAN.
I hoped, Mr. Hardman — I came here in hopes —