Book: A Family Man (Fifth Series Plays)
J >>
John Galsworthy >> A Family Man (Fifth Series Plays)
HARRIS. What--[Pause] Well, it's infernally awkward, Sergeant. . . .
The Mayor's in a regular stew. . . . [Listens] New constable?
I should think so! Young fool! Look here, Martin, the only thing to do
is to hear the charge here at once. I've sent for Mr Chantrey; he's on
his way. Bring Mr Builder and the witnesses round sharp. See? And, I
say, for God's sake keep it dark. Don't let the Press get on to it. Why
you didn't let him go home--! Black eye? The constable? Well, serve
him right. Blundering young ass! I mean, it's undermining all
authority. . . . Well, you oughtn't--at least, I . . . Damn it
all!--it's a nine days' wonder if it gets out--! All right! As soon as
you can. [He hangs up the receiver, puts a second chair behind the
bureau, and other chairs facing it.] [To himself] Here's a mess! Johnny
Builder, of all men! What price Mayors!
The telephone rings.
Hallo? . . . Poaching charge? Well, bring him too; only, I say, keep
him back till the other's over. By the way, Mr Chantrey's going
shooting. He'll want to get off by eleven. What? . . Righto !
As he hangs up the receiver the MAYOR enters. He looks worried, and
is still dressed with the indefinable wrongness of a burgher.
MAYOR. Well, 'Arris?
HARRIS. They'll be over in five minutes, Mr Mayor.
MAYOR. Mr Chantrey?
HARRIS. On his way, sir.
MAYOR. I've had some awkward things to deal with in my time, 'Arris, but
this is just about the [Sniffs] limit.
HARRIS. Most uncomfortable, Sir; most uncomfortable!
MAYOR. Put a book on the chair, 'Arris; I like to sit 'igh.
HARRIS puts a volume of Eneyclopaedia on the Mayor's chair behind
the bureau.
[Deeply] Our fellow-magistrate! A family man! In my shoes next year.
I suppose he won't be, now. You can't keep these things dark.
HARRIS. I've warned Martin, sir, to use the utmost discretion. Here's
Mr Chantrey.
By the door Left, a pleasant and comely gentleman has entered,
dressed with indefinable rightness in shooting clothes.
MAYOR. Ah, Chantrey!
CHANTREY. How de do, Mr Mayor? [Nodding to HARRIS] This is
extraordinarily unpleasant.
The MAYOR nods.
What on earth's he been doing?
HARRIS. Assaulting one of his own daughters with a stick; and resisting
the police.
CHANTREY. [With a low whistle] Daughter! Charity begins at home.
HARRIS. There's a black eye.
MAYOR. Whose?
HARRIS. The constable's.
CHANTREY. How did the police come into it?
HARRIS. I don't know, sir. The worst of it is he's been at the police
station since four o'clock yesterday. The Superintendent's away, and
Martin never will take responsibility.
CHANTREY. By George! he will be mad. John Builder's a choleric fellow.
MAYOR. [Nodding] He is. 'Ot temper, and an 'igh sense of duty.
HARRIS. There's one other charge, Mr Mayor--poaching. I told them to
keep that back till after.
CHANTREY. Oh, well, we'll make short work of that. I want to get off by
eleven, Harris. I shall be late for the first drive anyway. John
Builder! I say, Mayor--but for the grace of God, there go we!
MAYOR. Harris, go out and bring them in yourself; don't let the
servants--
HARRIS goes out Left. The MAYOR takes the upper chair behind the
bureau, sitting rather higher because of the book than CHANTREY, who
takes the lower. Now that they are in the seats of justice, a sort
of reticence falls on them, as if they were afraid of giving away
their attitudes of mind to some unseen presence.
MAYOR. [Suddenly] H'm!
CHANTREY. Touch of frost. Birds ought to come well to the guns--no
wind. I like these October days.
MAYOR. I think I 'ear them. H'm.
CHANTREY drops his eyeglass and puts on a pair of "grandfather"
spectacles. The MAYOR clears his throat and takes up a pen. They
neither of them look up as the door is opened and a little
procession files in. First HARRIS; then RALPH BUILDER, ATHENE,
HERRINGHAME, MAUD, MRS BUILDER, SERGEANT MARTIN, carrying a heavy
Malacca cane with a silver knob; JOHN BUILDER and the CONSTABLE
MOON, a young man with one black eye. No funeral was ever attended
by mutes so solemn and dejected. They stand in a sort of row.
MAYOR. [Without looking up] Sit down, ladies; sit down.
HARRIS and HERRINGHAME succeed in placing the three women in chairs.
RALPH BUILDER also sits. HERRINGHAME stands behind. JOHN BUILDER
remains standing between the two POLICEMEN. His face is unshaved
and menacing, but he stands erect staring straight at the MAYOR.
HARRIS goes to the side of the bureau, Back, to take down the
evidence.
MAYOR. Charges!
SERGEANT. John Builder, of The Cornerways, Breconridge, Contractor and
Justice of the Peace, charged with assaulting his daughter Maud Builder
by striking her with a stick in the presence of Constable Moon and two
other persons; also with resisting Constable Moon in the execution of his
duty, and injuring his eye. Constable Moon!
MOON. [Stepping forward-one, two--like an automaton, and saluting] In
River Road yesterday afternoon, Your Worship, about three-thirty p.m., I
was attracted by a young woman callin' "Constable" outside a courtyard.
On hearing the words "Follow me, quick," I followed her to a painter's
studio inside the courtyard, where I found three persons in the act of
disagreement. No sooner 'ad I appeared than the defendant, who was
engaged in draggin' a woman towards the door, turns to the young woman
who accompanied me, with violence. "You dare, father," she says;
whereupon he hit her twice with the stick the same which is produced, in
the presence of myself and the two other persons, which I'm given to
understand is his wife and other daughter.
MAYOR. Yes; never mind what you're given to understand.
MOON. No, sir. The party struck turns to me and says, "Come in. I give
this man in charge for assault." I moves accordingly with the words:
"I saw you. Come along with me." The defendant turns to me sharp and
says: "You stupid lout--I'm a magistrate." "Come off it," I says to the
best of my recollection. "You struck this woman in my presence," I says,
"and you come along!" We were then at close quarters. The defendant
gave me a push with the words: "Get out, you idiot!" "Not at all," I
replies, and took 'old of his arm. A struggle ensues, in the course of
which I receives the black eye which I herewith produce. [He touches his
eye with awful solemnity.]
The MAYOR clears his throat; CHANTREY'S eyes goggle; HARRIS bends
over and writes rapidly.
During the struggle, Your Worship, a young man has appeared on the scene,
and at the instigation of the young woman, the same who was assaulted,
assists me in securing the prisoner, whose language and resistance was
violent in the extreme. We placed him in a cab which we found outside,
and I conveyed him to the station.
CHANTREY. What was his--er--conduct in the--er--cab?
MOON. He sat quiet.
CHANTREY. That seems--
MOON. Seein' I had his further arm twisted behind him.
MAYOR [Looking at BUILDER] Any questions to ask him?
BUILDER makes not the faintest sign, and the MAYOR drops his glance.
MAYOR. Sergeant?
MOON steps back two paces, and the SERGEANT steps two paces forward.
SERGEANT. At ten minutes to four, Your Worship, yesterday afternoon,
Constable Moon brought the defendant to the station in a four-wheeled
cab. On his recounting the circumstances of the assault, they were
taken down and read over to the defendant with the usual warning. The
defendant said nothing. In view of the double assault and the condition
of the constable's eye, and in the absence of the Superintendent,
I thought it my duty to retain the defendant for the night.
MAYOR. The defendant said nothing?
SERGEANT. He 'as not opened his lips to my knowledge, Your Worship, from
that hour to this.
MAYOR. Any questions to ask the Sergeant?
BUILDER continues to stare at the MAYOR without a word.
MAYOR. Very well!
The MAYOR and CHANTREY now consult each other inaudibly, and the
Mayor nods.
MAYOR. Miss Maud Builder, will you tell us what you know of this--er--
occurrence?
MAUD. [Rising; with eyes turning here and there] Must I?
MAYOR. I'm afraid you must.
MAUD. [After a look at her father, who never turns his eyes from the
MAYOR's face] I--I wish to withdraw the charge of striking me, please.
I--I never meant to make it. I was in a temper--I saw red.
MAYOR. I see. A--a domestic disagreement. Very well, that charge is
withdrawn. You do not appear to have been hurt, and that seems to me
quite proper. Now, tell me what you know of the assault on the
constable. Is his account correct?
MAUD. [Timidly] Ye-yes. Only--
MAYOR. Yes? Tell us the truth.
MAUD. [Resolutely] Only, I don't think my father hit the constable.
I think the stick did that.
MAYOR. Oh, the stick? But--er--the stick was in 'is 'and, wasn't it?
MAUD. Yes; but I mean, my father saw red, and the constable saw red, and
the stick flew up between them and hit him in the eye.
CHANTREY. And then he saw black?
MAYOR. [With corrective severity] But did 'e 'it 'im with the stick?
MAUD. No--no. I don't think he did.
MAYOR. Then who supplied the--er--momentum?
MAUD. I think there was a struggle for the cane, and it flew up.
MAYOR. Hand up the cane.
The SERGEANT hands up the cane. The MAYOR and CHANTREY examine it.
MAYOR. Which end--do you suggest--inflicted this injury?
MAUD. Oh! the knob end, sir.
MAYOR. What do you say to that, constable?
MOON. [Stepping the mechanical two paces] I don't deny there was a
struggle, Your Worship, but it's my impression I was 'it.
CHANTREY. Of course you were bit; we can see that. But with the cane or
with the fist?
MOON. [A little flurried] I--I--with the fist, sir.
MAYOR. Be careful. Will you swear to that?
MOON. [With that sudden uncertainty which comes over the most honest in
such circumstances] Not--not so to speak in black and white, Your
Worship; but that was my idea at the time.
MAYOR. You won't swear to it?
MOON. I'll swear he called me an idiot and a lout; the words made a deep
impression on me.
CHANTREY. [To himself] Mort aux vaches!
MAYOR. Eh? That'll do, constable; stand back. Now, who else saw the
struggle? Mrs Builder. You're not obliged to say anything unless you
like. That's your privilege as his wife.
While he is speaking the door has been opened, and HARRIS has gone
swiftly to it, spoken to someone and returned. He leans forward to
the MAYOR.
Eh? Wait a minute. Mrs Builder, do you wish to give evidence?
MRS BUILDER. [Rising] No, Mr Mayor.
MRS BUILDER Sits.
MAYOR. Very good. [To HARRIS] Now then, what is it?
HARRIS says something in a low and concerned voice. The MAYOR'S face
lengthens. He leans to his right and consults CHANTREY, who gives a
faint and deprecating shrug. A moment's silence.
MAYOR. This is an open Court. The Press have the right to attend if
they wish.
HARRIS goes to the door and admits a young man in glasses, of a
pleasant appearance, and indicates to him a chair at the back. At
this untimely happening BUILDER's eyes have moved from side to side,
but now he regains his intent and bull-like stare at his
fellow-justices.
MAYOR. [To Maud] You can sit down, Miss Builder.
MAUD resumes her seat.
Miss Athene Builder, you were present, I think?
ATHENE. [Rising] Yes, Sir.
MAYOR. What do you say to this matter?
ATHENE. I didn't see anything very clearly, but I think my sister's
account is correct, sir.
MAYOR. Is it your impression that the cane inflicted the injury?
ATHENE. [In a low voice] Yes.
MAYOR. With or without deliberate intent?
ATHENE. Oh! without.
BUILDER looks at her.
MAYOR. But you were not in a position to see very well?
ATHENE. No, Sir.
MAYOR. Your sister having withdrawn her charge, we needn't go into that.
Very good!
He motions her to sit down. ATHENE, turning her eyes on her
Father's impassive figure, sits.
MAYOR. Now, there was a young man. [Pointing to HERRINGHAME] Is this
the young man?
MOON. Yes, Your Worship.
MAYOR. What's your name?
GUY. Guy Herringhame.
MAYOR. Address?
GUY. Er--the Aerodrome, Sir. MAYOR. Private, I mean?
The moment is one of considerable tension.
GUY. [With an effort] At the moment, sir, I haven't one. I've just
left my diggings, and haven't yet got any others.
MAYOR. H'm! The Aerodrome. How did you come to be present?
GUY. I--er
BUILDER's eyes go round and rest on him for a moment.
It's in my sister's studio that Miss Athene Builder is at present
working, sir. I just happened to--to turn up.
MAYOR. Did you appear on the scene, as the constable says, during the
struggle?
GUY. Yes, sir.
MAYOR. Did he summon you to his aid?
GUY. Yes--No, sir. Miss Maud Builder did that.
MAYOR. What do you say to this blow?
GUY. [Jerking his chin up a little] Oh! I saw that clearly.
MAYOR. Well, let us hear.
GUY. The constable's arm struck the cane violently and it flew up and
landed him in the eye.
MAYOR. [With a little grunt] You are sure of that?
GUY. Quite sure, sir.
MAYOR. Did you hear any language?
GUY. Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. One or two damns and blasts.
MAYOR. You call that ordinary?
GUY. Well, he's a--magistrate, sir.
The MAYOR utters a profound grunt. CHANTREY smiles. There is a
silence. Then the MAYOR leans over to CHANTREY for a short
colloquy.
CHANTREY. Did you witness any particular violence other than a
resistance to arrest?
GUY. No, sir.
MAYOR. [With a gesture of dismissal] Very well, That seems to be the
evidence. Defendant John Builder--what do you say to all this?
BUILDER. [In a voice different from any we have heard from him] Say!
What business had he to touch me, a magistrate? I gave my daughter two
taps with a cane in a private house, for interfering with me for taking
my wife home--
MAYOR. That charge is not pressed, and we can't go into the
circumstances. What do you wish to say about your conduct towards
the constable?
BUILDER. [In his throat] Not a damned thing!
MAYOR. [Embarrassed] I--I didn't catch.
CHANTREY. Nothing--nothing, he said, Mr Mayor.
MAYOR. [Clearing his throat] I understand, then, that you do not wish to
offer any explanation?
BUILDER. I consider myself abominably treated, and I refuse to say
another word.
MAYOR. [Drily] Very good. Miss Maud Builder.
MAUD stands up.
MAYOR. When you spoke of the defendant seeing red, what exactly did you
mean?
MAUD. I mean that my father was so angry that he didn't know what he was
doing.
CHANTREY. Would you say as angry as he--er--is now?
MAUD. [With a faint smile] Oh! much more angry.
RALPH BUILDER stands up.
RALPH. Would you allow me to say a word, Mr Mayor?
MAYOR. Speaking of your own knowledge, Mr Builder?
RALPH. In regard to the state of my brother's mind--yes, Mr Mayor. He
was undoubtedly under great strain yesterday; certain circumstances,
domestic and otherwise--
MAYOR. You mean that he might have been, as one might say, beside
himself?
RALPH. Exactly, Sir.
MAYOR. Had you seen your brother?
RALPH. I had seen him shortly before this unhappy business.
The MAYOR nods and makes a gesture, so that MAUD and RALPH sit down;
then, leaning over, he confers in a low voice with CHANTREY. The
rest all sit or stand exactly as if each was the only person in the
room, except the JOURNALIST, who is writing busily and rather
obviously making a sketch of BUILDER.
MAYOR. Miss Athene Builder.
ATHENE stands up.
This young man, Mr Herringhame, I take it, is a friend of the family's?
A moment of some tension.
ATHENE. N--no, Mr Mayor, not of my father or mother.
CHANTREY. An acquaintance of yours?
ATHENE. Yes.
MAYOR. Very good. [He clears his throat] As the defendant, wrongly, we
think, refuses to offer his explanation of this matter, the Bench has to
decide on the evidence as given. There seems to be some discrepancy as
to the blow which the constable undoubtedly received. In view of this,
we incline to take the testimony of Mr--
HARRIS prompts him.
Mr 'Erringhame--as the party least implicated personally in the affair,
and most likely to 'ave a cool and impartial view. That evidence is to
the effect that the blow was accidental. There is no doubt, however,
that the defendant used reprehensible language, and offered some
resistance to the constable in the execution of his duty. Evidence 'as
been offered that he was in an excited state of mind; and it is possible
--I don't say that this is any palliation--but it is possible that he may
have thought his position as magistrate made him--er--
CHANTREY. [Prompting] Caesar's wife.
MAYOR. Eh? We think, considering all the circumstances, and the fact
that he has spent a night in a cell, that justice will be met by--er--
discharging him with a caution.
BUILDER. [With a deeply muttered] The devil you do!
Walks out of the room. The JOURNALIST, grabbing his pad, starts up
and follows. The BUILDERS rise and huddle, and, with HERRINGHAME,
are ushered out by HARRIS.
MAYOR. [Pulling out a large handkerchief and wiping his forehead]
My Aunt!
CHANTREY. These new constables, Mayor! I say, Builder'll have to go!
Damn the Press, how they nose everything out! The Great Unpaid!--
We shall get it again! [He suddenly goes off into a fit of laughter]
"Come off it," I says, "to the best of my recollection." Oh! Oh!
I shan't hit a bird all day! That poor devil Builder! It's no joke for
him. You did it well, Mayor; you did it well. British justice is safe
in your hands. He blacked the fellow's eye all right. "Which I herewith
produce." Oh! my golly! It beats the band!
His uncontrollable laughter and the MAYOR'S rueful appreciation are
exchanged with lightning rapidity for a preternatural solemnity, as
the door opens, admitting SERGEANT MARTIN and the lugubrious object
of their next attentions.
MAYOR. Charges.
SERGEANT steps forward to read the charge as
The CURTAIN falls.
SCENE II
Noon the same day.
BUILDER'S study. TOPPING is standing by the open window, looking up
and down the street. A newspaper boy's voice is heard calling the
first edition of his wares. It approaches from the Right.
TOPPING. Here!
BOY'S VOICE. Right, guv'nor! Johnny Builder up before the beaks!
[A paper is pushed up].
TOPPING. [Extending a penny] What's that you're sayin'? You take care!
BOY'S VOICE. It's all 'ere. Johnny Builder--beatin' his wife!
Dischawged.
TOPPING. Stop it, you young limb!
BOY'S VOICE. 'Allo! What's the matter wiv you? Why, it's Johnny
Builder's house! [Gives a cat-call] 'Ere, buy anuvver! 'E'll want to
read about 'isself. [Appealing] Buy anuvver, guv'nor!
TOPPING. Move on!
He retreats from the window, opening the paper.
BOY'S VOICE. [Receding] Payper! First edition! J.P. chawged! Payper!
TOPPING. [To himself as he reads] Crimes! Phew! That accounts for them
bein' away all night.
While he is reading, CAMILLE enters from the hall. Here! Have you
seen this, Camel--in the Stop Press?
CAMILLE. No.
They read eagerly side by side.
TOPPING. [Finishing aloud] "Tried to prevent her father from forcing her
mother to return home with him, and he struck her for so doing. She did
not press the charge. The arrested gentleman, who said he acted under
great provocation, was discharged with a caution." Well, I'm blowed!
He has gone and done it!
CAMILLE. A black eye!
TOPPING. [Gazing at her] Have you had any hand in this? I've seen you
making your lovely black eyes at him. You foreigners--you're a loose
lot!
CAMILLE. You are drunk!
TOPPING. Not yet, my dear. [Reverting to the paper; philosophically]
Well, this little lot's bust up! The favourites will fall down. Johnny
Builder! Who'd have thought it?
CAMILLE. He is an obstinate man.
TOPPING. Ah! He's right up against it now. Comes of not knowin' when
to stop bein' firm. If you meet a wall with your 'ead, it's any odds on
the wall, Camel. Though, if you listened to some, you wouldn't think it.
What'll he do now, I wonder? Any news of the mistress?
CAMILLE. [Shaking her head] I have pack her tr-runks.
TOPPING. Why?
CAMILLE. Because she take her jewels yesterday.
TOPPING. Deuce she did! They generally leave 'em. Take back yer gifts!
She throws the baubles at 'is 'ead. [Again staring at her] You're a
deep one, you know!
There is the sound of a cab stopping.
Wonder if that's him! [He goes towards the hall. CAMILLE watchfully
shifts towards the diningroom door. MAUD enters.]
MAUD. Is my father back, Topping?
TOPPING. Not yet, Miss.
MAUD. I've come for mother's things.
CAMILLE. They are r-ready.
MAUD. [Eyeing her] Topping, get them down, please.
TOPPING, after a look at them both, goes out into the hall.
Very clever of you to have got them ready.
CAMILLE. I am clevare.
MAUD. [Almost to herself] Yes--father may, and he may not.
CAMILLE. Look! If you think I am a designing woman, you are mistook.
I know when things are too 'ot. I am not sorry to go.
MAUD. Oh! you are going?
CAMILLE. Yes, I am going. How can I stay when there is no lady in the
'ouse?
MAUD. Not even if you're asked to?
CAMILLE. Who will ask me?
MAUD. That we shall see.
CAMILLE. Well, you will see I have an opinion of my own.
MAUD. Oh! yes, you're clear-headed enough.
CAMILLE. I am not arguing. Good-morning!
Exits up Left.
MAUD regards her stolidly as she goes out into the dining-room, then
takes up the paper and reads.
MAUD. Horrible!
TOPPING re-enters from the hall.
TOPPING. I've got 'em on the cab, Miss. I didn't put your ten bob on
yesterday, because the animal finished last. You cant depend on horses.
MAUD. [Touching the newspaper] This is a frightful business, Topping.
TOPPING. Ah! However did it happen, Miss Maud?
MAUD. [Tapping the newspaper] It's all true. He came after my mother
to Miss Athene's, and I--I couldn't stand it. I did what it says here;
and now I'm sorry. Mother's dreadfully upset. You know father as well
as anyone, Topping; what do you think he'll do now?
TOPPING. [Sucking in his cheeks] Well, you see, Miss, it's like this:
Up to now Mr Builder's always had the respect of everybody--
MAUD moves her head impatiently.
outside his own house, of course. Well, now he hasn't got it.
Pishchologically that's bound to touch him.
MAUD. Of course; but which way? Will he throw up the sponge, or try and
stick it out here?
TOPPING. He won't throw up the sponge, Miss; more likely to squeeze it
down the back of their necks.
MAUD. He'll be asked to resign, of course.
The NEWSPAPER BOY'S VOICE is heard again approaching: "First
edition! Great sensation! Local magistrate before the Bench!
Pay-per!"
Oh, dear! I wish I hadn't! But I couldn't see mother being--
TOPPING. Don't you fret, Miss; he'll come through. His jaw's above his
brow, as you might say.
MAUD. What?
TOPPING. [Nodding] Phreenology, Miss. I rather follow that. When the
jaw's big and the brow is small, it's a sign of character. I always
think the master might have been a Scotchman, except for his fishionomy.
MAUD. A Scotsman?
TOPPING. So down on anything soft, Miss. Haven't you noticed whenever
one of these 'Umanitarians writes to the papers, there's always a
Scotchman after him next morning. Seems to be a fact of 'uman nature,
like introducin' rabbits into a new country and then weasels to get rid
of 'em. And then something to keep down the weasels. But I never can
see what could keep down a Scotchman! You seem to reach the hapex there!
MAUD. Miss Athene was married this morning, Topping. We've just come
from the Registrar's.
TOPPING. [Immovably] Indeed, Miss. I thought perhaps she was about to
be.
MAUD. Oh!
TOPPING. Comin' events. I saw the shadder yesterday.
MAUD. Well, it's all right. She's coming on here with my uncle.
A cab is heard driving up.
That's them, I expect. We all feel awful about father.
TOPPING. Ah! I shouldn't be surprised if he feels awful about you,
Miss.
MAUD. [At the window] It is them.
TOPPING goes out into the hall; ATHENE and RALPH enter Right.
MAUD. Where's father, Uncle Ralph?
RALPH. With his solicitor.
ATHENE. We left Guy with mother at the studio. She still thinks she
ought to come. She keeps on saying she must, now father's in a hole.
MAUD. I've got her things on the cab; she ought to be perfectly free to
choose.
RALPH. You've got freedom on the brain, Maud.
MAUD. So would you, Uncle Ralph, if you had father about.