Jack Straw.
How do you do, Mrs. Withers?
Mrs. Withers.
It’s very good of your Royal Highness to remember me.
Jack Straw.
It’s one of the specialities of my profession, you know.
Mrs. Withers.
Are you going to favour us much longer with your presence in the neighbourhood, sir?
Jack Straw.
If Mrs. Jennings will keep me I don’t propose to make an immediate move.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
My house is at your disposal, sir, as long as you choose to honour it.
Jack Straw.
Mrs. Jennings is the most amiable hostess. Don’t you think it would be nice if we took a turn in the garden, Mrs. Jennings? I’m sure Lady Wanley would like you to show her your roses.
Lady Wanley.
Mrs. Jennings was good enough to show them to us yesterday.
Jack Straw.
We have it on good authority that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Mr. Jennings will show them to you again to-day.
Parker-Jennings.
I shall be very proud and ‘appy to carry out your Royal Highness’s wishes.
[Jack Straw stands at the door for Lady Wanley and Parker-Jennings to go out.
Jack Straw.
[To Vincent.] Won’t you come?
Vincent.
Certainly, sir.
[Mrs. Withers and Vincent go out.
Jack Straw.
I will join you in one moment. By the way, where is your daughter?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
She’s gone for a walk with Lord Serlo.
Jack Straw.
Be so good as to tell her the moment she comes in that I should be very grateful if I could see her.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
What about?
Jack Straw.
She’ll doubtless be able to tell you that herself after our interview.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
I’m not going to do anything of the kind.
Jack Straw.
You will be so good as to do what I ask, Mrs. Jennings.
[Exit.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
There, you see he actually orders me about now. I’m beginning to think we shall never get rid of him. I feel that he’ll stay on here always. I can see him growing old under this roof, eating my food and drinking my wine, and sending in his tailor’s bills for Jennings to pay. And it’s all your doing.
Holland.
I’m very sorry. I promise you that.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
What’s the good of being sorry? The only thing you can do is to ‘elp us to get rid of ’im. And it’s ruined Ethel’s chances with Serlo. He won’t look at her now.
Holland.
Well, I daresay that’s not much loss.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
I’m only thankful she wouldn’t ‘ave anything to do with that man when we thought ’e was an Archduke.
Holland.
Do you know, if I were you I’d let her see him. I have an idea that when he’s had a talk with her he’ll be quite willing to go.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
What do you mean by that?
Enter Ethel and Lord Serlo.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
[Very affably.] Has Ethel been taking you for a walk, dear Lord Serlo?
Serlo.
Yes, we’ve been for a little stroll, don’t you know.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
I do ‘ope she ‘asn’t tired you. She’s such a walker, ain’t you, my dear?
Serlo.
My idea of goin’ for a walk is sitting on a gate, don’t you know.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
And a very good idea too. That’s just what I like myself.
Serlo.
[Drily.] Change in the wind to-day, isn’t there?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
[Innocently.] Is there? I didn’t notice it.
[Parker-Jennings comes in frantically.
Parker-Jennings.
Maria, he’s cutting all our prize roses for the show and giving them to Fannie Withers.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Oh!
[She is just going to bolt out when Jack Straw appears with a handful of magnificent roses.
Jack Straw.
I say, you haven’t got a basket, have you?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
You — you — you perfect fool!
Jack Straw.
What have I done now?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
We were going to show those next week at the Crystal Palace.
Jack Straw.
I thought they were very nice. That’s why it struck me Mrs. Withers might like them.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
[Snatching them from him.] Oh!
[She flounces out, followed by Parker-Jennings.
Jack Straw.
[Coming into the room calmly.] I’m afraid I haven’t done the right thing.
Serlo.
You’ve put your foot right in it this time, old man.
Jack Straw.
I wish I had that little book of etiquette on me. I wonder if it says anything about prize roses. [To Ethel.] I haven’t had the pleasure of saying good-morning to you yet.
Serlo.
You know, old man, I don’t want to seem disagreeable, but when Miss Jennings and I went for a walk we had some sort of idea that by the time we came back you’d have hooked it, don’t you know.
Jack Straw.
My dear Holland, I wonder if you’d do me the service of telling Mrs. Withers that dear Mrs. Jennings is putting the roses into a basket for her.
Holland.
[Laughing against his will.] It’s not the least use being angry with you, Jack. I’ll go by all means.
[Exit.
Jack Straw.
There goes a man of tact. If I were a Sultan I’d make him my Grand Vizier.
[He looks reflectively, but very pointedly, at Serlo.
Serlo.
What are you starin’ at me for?
Jack Straw.
I was wondering how I could suggest to you with proper delicacy that you might conveniently follow his example.
Ethel.
I should much prefer Lord Serlo to stay here.
Jack Straw.
I have matters of some importance to discuss with you.
Ethel.
I am sure that you have nothing to say that Lord Serlo cannot hear.
Jack Straw.
Very well, I will make an effort to overcome my customary modesty.
Serlo.
I don’t know where that comes in. You’ve got about the biggest cheek that I’ve ever come across.
Jack Straw.
To tell you the truth, it has been my only means of livelihood for the last four years.
Ethel.
What have you to say to me?
Jack Straw.
Couldn’t you give me a slight smile just to encourage me a little?
Ethel.
You force me to say what I would rather have left unsaid. I’m horrified that you should be so hatefully cruel. I think it’s infamous that you should lend yourself to a stupid practical joke.
Jack Straw.
My dear Serlo, won’t you — hook it?
Ethel.
I want him to stay.
Jack Straw.
It makes him feel very uncomfortable. He’s full of tact too — I’ll make him a grand vizier — and he’s feeling awfully de trop.
Serlo.
You needn’t bother about my feelings so much as all that, you know.
Jack Straw.
[To Ethel.] Won’t you hear what I’ve got to say for myself? You don’t think I care twopence about their practical joke? I came here because it was my only chance of seeing you.
Ethel.
What you’ve done fills me with horror and di
sgust.
Jack Straw.
Didn’t you see from the first minute that I was desperately in love with you?
Serlo.
I say, this really is very awkward for me.
Jack Straw.
You told me not to bother about your feelings.
Ethel.
[Unable to prevent a laugh.] You know, you’re too absurd. I know I ought to be very angry with you, but I can’t.
Jack Straw.
Do you remember what you said to me yesterday?
Ethel.
No.
Jack Straw.
Then I’ll remind you. You asked me to go away — because I was a royal personage. Do you still want me to go if I’m only a waiter?
Ethel.
I might have known that you were laughing at me all the time.
Jack Straw.
You know, if I had been a royal personage and disguised myself as a waiter in order to be by your side you’d have thought it very romantic. Why should it shock you when it is a waiter who for the same reason assumes the royal personage?
Ethel.
If you can’t see the difference it’s useless for me to tell you.
Jack Straw.
Won’t you marry me, Ethel?
Serlo.
I say, I’ve got a good mind to kick you out of the house.
Jack Straw.
Have you? In that case I can only congratulate myself that I’m the champion amateur boxer in Pomerania.
Serlo.
That complicates matters a bit, don’t it?
Jack Straw.
Upon my soul, I’ve never made a proposal of marriage under such embarrassing circumstances. [To Ethel.] Now, my dear, don’t be unreasonable. You practically refused me yesterday because I was an Archduke. You’re not going to refuse me now because I’m nobody in particular?
Ethel.
[Frigidly.] And can you give me any reason why I should accept you?
Jack Straw.
Well, it may have escaped your notice, but there’s the very good reason that you’re just as much in love with me as I am with you.
Ethel.
I?
Jack Straw.
Can you honestly deny it? But if you do I shall venture to disbelieve you.
Ethel.
It’s very easy to convince you. Lord Serlo, you were good enough to tell me yesterday that....
[She stops with a little tremor of hesitation.
Serlo.
By Jove, d’you mean it?
Ethel.
[Smiling.] I mean anything you like.
Serlo.
[With a low bow.] Mr. Straw, I beg to announce to you my engagement with Miss Ethel Parker-Jennings.
Jack Straw.
I’m still unconvinced. I’m afraid you’re incorrigibly romantic, my dear, and I’m certain your mamma will be very much annoyed.
Ethel.
Oh, you are too exasperating. I wish I could make you really angry.
Holland runs in.
Holland.
I say, Jack, look out.
Jack Straw.
What’s the matter?
Enter Mrs. Parker-Jennings, much agitated, and Parker-Jennings.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
The game’s up. It’s too late now to do anything.
Holland.
Von Bremer has come again.
Parker-Jennings.
And he’s got some one with him in his motor, who looks suspiciously like a policeman in plain clothes.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
What’s to be done? For ‘eaven’s sake, don’t stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Ethel.
[Quickly.] You won’t be arrested?
Holland.
Look here, there’s still time for you to get out.
Enter Vincent.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Well?
Vincent.
Lady Wanley’s talking to him. She’ll detain him as long as she can.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Blessings on her! I’ll forgive ‘er everything.
Ethel.
Oh, please go while you have a chance. I couldn’t bear to see you arrested.
Jack Straw.
Why should you care?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Now, look here. You’ve played a nasty trick on me, but you’ve got the cheek of the devil. I don’t want you to get into trouble. I don’t know what there is about you, but I can’t ‘elp liking you.
Jack Straw.
Madam, only the importunate presence of your lord and master prevents me from hurling myself at your feet.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Oh, don’t talk stuff. I want to ‘elp you to get away.
Jack Straw.
[With a dramatic gesture.] Madam, my mother’s only son has never fled before a foe. I will stay and face the music.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
I’m not thinking of myself now. If there is a scandal I’m rich enough to make people forget it.
Serlo.
I say, old man, you’d better hook it. England’s no place for you just now.
Ethel.
[In an undertone.] If you care for me at all, don’t run this horrible risk.
Jack Straw.
If you were only pressing me to stay this unanimity would be extremely flattering.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
The man’s mad. The man’s as mad as a March ‘are. He ought to be shut up in a lunatic asylum.
Jack Straw.
I forget if Napoleon was one of my ancestors, but I feel just like him at this moment. “J’y suis, j’y reste.”
Serlo.
In point of fact it was MacMahon who said that.
Jack Straw.
[With a noble flourish.] I prefer to think it was Napoleon.
Parker-Jennings.
They’re just strolling along.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Then it’s too late. And it’s all got to come out before Florrie Withers.
Vincent.
[From the window.] I say, Lady Wanley is making him look at the roses.
Holland.
She is a brick; she’s gaining every moment she can.
Jack Straw.
By the way, talking about roses, have you had that bunch put in a basket that I cut for Mrs. Withers?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Oh, I should like to take you by the neck and strangle you.
Parker-Jennings.
Look out.
[They all stop for a moment in a state of breathless expectation. Lady Wanley comes in with Mrs. Withers. She gasps as she sees Jack Straw.
Lady Wanley.
Oh, I thought you’d gone.
[She is immediately followed by Adrian von Bremer. Jack Straw goes up to him very cordially.
Jack Straw.
Ah, my dear friend, I’ve been expecting you all the morning.
[They all start. As the scene proceeds there is in every one increasing astonishment and perplexity.
Von Bremer.
I couldn’t come before. I have only just received the answer to my telegram.
Jack Straw.
Have you good news for me?
Von Bremer.
The best. The Emperor agrees to all your wishes.
Jack Straw.
Bless his old head.
Von Bremer.
His Majesty is all eagerness to see you again. He is expecting a letter from you by every post. [He goes up to Ethel.] Madam, I am commanded by my august master to offer you his most cordial greeting.
Ethel.
Me?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
I don’t know if I’m standing on my ‘ead or my ‘eels.
Jack Straw.
Then nothing remains but for me to make my declaration in due form. Mrs. Jennings, I have my grandfather’s permission to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage.
&
nbsp; Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
[Breaking out.] But the man’s an impostor. He’s no more the Archduke Sebastian than I am.
Mrs. Withers.
What do you mean?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Oh, well, if you like you can ‘ave it. You were there when it all started. I suppose I got out the wrong side of bed that morning, and when Mrs. Thing-a-magig, the Vicar’s wife, come up to me at the Grand Babylon Hotel, I snubbed her. I’ve been very sorry for it since, and I’ve been punished for it. They knew I was an old snob — like you, Florrie — they thought they’d pay me out. They got one of the waiters from the ‘otel to dress up like a gentleman, and they introduced him as the Archduke Sebastian.
Mrs. Withers.
[Pointing to Jack Straw.] That?
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
Yes, that! He’s a waiter, that’s what he is. And for the last week I’ve been making a perfect fool of myself over ’im.
Von Bremer.
[Much mystified.] But — I don’t understand. I’ve known the Archduke Sebastian since he was born.
Holland.
You’re mistaken. This person and I were in America together. I lived with him for two years. I don’t know his real name, but he passes under that of Jack Straw.
Von Bremer.
But what you say is absurd. I know him as well as my own son.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
D’you mean to say he really is an Archduke?
Von Bremer.
Of course he is. The only mystery is how he turned up here when we’ve been hunting the whole world for the last four years to find him.
Holland.
But are you the Jack Straw who was with me in the States?
Jack Straw.
Yes.
Lady Wanley.
And are you the waiter of the Grand Babylon Hotel?
Jack Straw.
Yes.
Mrs. Parker-Jennings.
And are you the Archduke Sebastian of Pomerania?
Jack Straw.
Yes.
Serlo.
Well, I’m jiggered.
Jack Straw.
Perhaps you will allow me to explain. Four years ago I fell desperately in love with a lady whose speciality it was to kick higher than any one else in the world. She could kick a man’s tall hat off his head with such grace that I asked her to marry me. My grandfather refused to consent, and the lady was hurried over the frontier. [With a glance at Ethel.] I was a romantic dog myself in those days, and I followed her, only to find that she had already three more or less lawful husbands. The sight of them, and the conviction that her peculiar talent would not greatly add to the felicity of domestic life, cured me of my passion. But the world did seem a bit hollow and empty, and I thought I’d see how it looked from the point of view of a man who had nothing but his wits to live on. After trying it, I tell you frankly that I much prefer living on the revenues which rise from the strength of arm of my ancestors. When you saw me at the Grand Babylon Hotel I was preparing to return to the bosom of my family, but I saw this young lady, and the chance offering, decided to come down here. It was not unnatural that when I was asked to assume a grandiloquent name I should assume my own. Yesterday, when I met Count von Bremer, I begged him to wire to the Emperor, asking for his consent to my marriage with Miss Ethel Jennings.
Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated) Page 335
