Van Zorn : $b A comedy in three acts

_A diagonal view of a room in_ MRS. LOVETT’S _house. The right corner is revealed, with half of the right wall. In the corner is a small grand piano, and to the right is a window. To the left, half way down, is the entrance, a wide arched doorway with curtains. Well down in front, somewhat to the right, is a table, before which are two comfortable chairs that partly face each other. Against the wall, to the left and below the entrance, is a couch. There are several pictures on the walls, and over the piano is a portrait of_ MRS. LOVETT’S _late husband, showing the beardless face of a man of fifty, melancholy and rather glowering. The room has the unmistakable appearance of a place where people live and make themselves at home._

_As the curtain rises_, VILLA VANNEVAR _is at the piano, playing in a listless, abstracted manner the cantabile part of Chopin’s Nocturne, Op. 37, No. 2_. MRS. LOVETT, _sitting in the chair at the right of the table, listens, frowns, stamps her foot, and finally speaks out with evident impatience_.

Mrs. Lovett. Villa Vannevar, do for heaven’s sake keep still, or play something that has a little life in it. You play that thing as if you were crying through the ends of your fingers.

Villa. [_Turning about and facing_ MRS. LOVETT]

Would you have me always laughing, Auntie--like this?

[_She makes a ridiculous face and laughs_]

Mrs. Lovett. No, you silly child. But you needn’t look forever as if life were nothing but one long funeral. I don’t like funerals.

Villa. [_With a shrug_]

I don’t know about that. It seems to me sometimes that funerals are better than weddings. When we go to funerals, we know what has happened; but when we go to weddings, we don’t even pretend to know what is _going_ to happen.

[_Looking at her foot_]

I think I like funerals best.

Mrs. Lovett. You crazy child, you are positively wicked.

Villa. Oh no, I’m not, Auntie. I’m good.

[_Getting up with a sigh_]

I’m good enough to be a fool.

Mrs. Lovett. [_As if scared_]

Villa Vannevar!

Villa. [_Laughing_]

Yes, Auntie, that’s what’s the matter with me.

[_Wearily_]

Otto Mink and George Lucas believe already that I _am_ one.

Mrs. Lovett. Child! Do you know what you are saying?

Villa. [_Moving about with her hands behind her_]

I know perfectly well what I’m saying. They think I’m a fool for marrying Weldon Farnham--when he doesn’t more than half want me.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Significantly, after a pause_]

You haven’t married him yet.

Villa. [_Trying to laugh_]

No, I have not.

[_Pause_]

I wonder if the other man--Mr. What-you-call-him--thinks I’m a fool.

Mrs. Lovett. [_With excited sarcasm_]

Don’t you know what _he_ thinks?

Villa. How should I know what he thinks? I don’t even know that he thinks at all.

[_With a pleasant nervousness_]

Do _you_ know what he thinks?

Mrs. Lovett. I know that he considers you a very charming person, for one thing.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

How nice of him! He didn’t tell me so.

Mrs. Lovett. He may not have told _you_, but he did tell _me_. I am too old to be deceived.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

Then you must be the oldest woman in the world.

Mrs. Lovett. [_With decayed archness_]

Possibly I am. In any case, I am old enough to see that he considers you not only very charming, but exceedingly impertinent.

Villa. Then he must be a beast.

[_She laughs_]

Mrs. Lovett. He isn’t a beast. He’s a wonderful creature. And I am surprised out of my senses that he should be coming here to see you again this afternoon.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

If you don’t go away with your wonderful creatures, I shall throw things out of the window and shriek. For Mr. Van Zorn isn’t a wonderful creature in the least. He’s just a big overgrown man with a heap of money that he doesn’t know what to do with, and he’s coming to get you and carry you off in a taxicab.

[SHE _sits at_ MRS. LOVETT’S _feet and looks up into her face_]

And I’ll never see my Auntie any more. And then I suppose there’ll be nothing left for me to do but to go melancholy mad. I shall prowl around all by myself like a shut-up cat, and I’ll sit down in all sorts of corners and cry like anything.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Pleased_]

So you have found his name at last, have you?

Villa. I like his name. It sounds like a bassoon. But I don’t like his eyes as well as I do the other man’s.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Disturbed_]

Do you mean Weldon Farnham’s?

Villa. [_Calmly_]

No, I was thinking for the moment of George Lucas’s eyes. Mr. What’s-his-name’s are too much like blue search-lights.

Mrs. Lovett. You needn’t call him Mr. What’s-his-name--and you needn’t mention George Lucas. I am sorry that he has come to be what he is, but I don’t care to have his name mentioned in my house.

Villa. But you used to like him once, Auntie,--and this wonderful creature of yours liked him at first sight. As a matter of fact, he likes him better than he likes any of the rest of us.

Mrs. Lovett. Don’t talk such nonsense.

Villa. I’m not talking nonsense.

[_Laughing_]

Anyhow, Auntie, your wonderful creature has taken a wonderful fancy to George--I beg your pardon--and I don’t know how you are going to change the course of events, even if you tell me that I have a head like an Edam cheese--which I haven’t, in the least. My head makes Otto think of a very nice horse. He said so.

Mrs. Lovett. Otto may have said so because you act so much like a donkey.

Villa. I don’t act in any respect like a donkey, and I don’t think you ought to say such things. For I am an extremely well-behaved young lady--except at times.

[_Pause_]

If you look at me like that much longer, Auntie, I’ll say bow-bow; and then I’ll put both my paws on your shoulders, and then I’ll bite you.

[_She snaps her teeth and laughs_]

Mrs. Lovett. [_Reluctantly_]

My dear Villa, why did you bring up George Lucas’s name again?

Villa. [_With a kind of triumph_]

Why do _you_ bring it up again, Auntie?

[_Pause_]

At any rate, he never injured anybody.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Sharply_]

But he disappointed everybody--and that’s as bad as injuring them. I’m not sure that it isn’t worse.

Villa. But something may have happened.

Mrs. Lovett. Something always happens. What would be the use of living if things didn’t happen?

Villa. [_Slowly_]

I know. But if they happen at the wrong time, and under the wrong conditions....

Mrs. Lovett. [_With a sniff_]

Well, what do you mean? Do you mean that when a boy with more than ordinary brains chooses to make an utter fool of himself, and continues to do so until he grows up and everybody loses all patience with him....

[_She stops and looks angrily at her fingers_]

Villa. [_Getting up and speaking thoughtfully_]

No, I don’t mean just that ... George’s father must have been a very strange man.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Rapidly_]

It doesn’t make any difference what you mean. Besides

[_Slowly, with significant vagueness_]

if you consider yourself engaged to Weldon Farnham, you ought not to think of other men at all. And you are not supposed to know anything about men like George Lucas’s father.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

You did that very badly, Auntie.

[_With mock-deliberation_]

And so you want this new man with the queer name--this wonderful creature--all to yourself!

[_Going behind_ MRS. LOVETT _and putting her hands on her cheeks_]

And you’re a dear, and you’re a pig, and you want him all to yourself, and it’s nearly time for him to come.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Shaking her head free and looking over her shoulder_]

Do you know that you grow sillier and sillier every day of your life?

Villa. [_Drawing_ MRS. LOVETT _back and looking down into her eyes_]

Well, would you have me stay forever and ever the same?... If you will roll your eyes back just a little farther, Auntie, I shall see myself in them--as I did when I was a little girl.

[_Pause_]

THE MAID

[_In the doorway_]

There is a gentleman to see Miss Villa. He gave me this card.

Villa. [_Taking the card and examining it_]

But there’s nothing on it.

[_She gives the card to_ MRS. LOVETT _and laughs nervously_]

Mrs. Lovett. Dear me! I hope he isn’t going to be eccentric.

Villa. He may be an anarchist or something.

[_Shrugs and laughs_]

Go downstairs, Jenny, and find out the creature’s name, and what he wants. If he asks for fish, give him a serpent.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Reprovingly_]

Villa!

MAID

His name is Mr. Lucas.

Mrs. Lovett. Then why didn’t you say so?

Villa. Tell him to come upstairs, Jenny.

[_The_ MAID _goes out_]

Mrs. Lovett. [_Bewildered_]

What in the world does this mean? And what in the world do _you_ mean by asking him to come upstairs?

Villa. Heaven only knows, Auntie. I don’t seem to know what anything means today.

[MRS. LOVETT _sits and frowns, and looks at her hands_. VILLA VANNEVAR _goes to the window and stands with her hands behind her back. Presently_ MRS. LOVETT _turns and gazes at her, evidently much disturbed, and remains gazing at her until_ LUCAS _enters_. HE _is pale, and his manner shows a constraint that he cannot wholly conceal. His clothes have been through some process of hasty renovation since his appearance in Act I_]

Lucas. [_With a certain huskiness_]

I hope, Mrs. Lovett, that you will pardon this--I’ll say this last intrusion on my part.

[VILLA _comes to him and takes his hand cordially, looking at him as if disturbed and anxious_]

Mrs. Lovett. [_Without warmth_]

Are you leaving New York, Mr. Lucas?

Lucas. [_With assumed lightness_]

Yes; and it might have been better for me if I had gone long before this.

Mrs. Lovett. Indeed?

Lucas. [_With impulsive directness_]

I came in the hope of seeing Miss Villa for a few moments before going away.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Rising slowly_]

Oh, I understand.

[_Reluctantly_]

In that case, I will leave you two to yourselves.

[LUCAS _and_ VILLA _look at each other as she goes out. The faces of both are very serious and in hers there seems to be an expression of fear_]

Villa. [_After a pause_]

Why did you send me a blank card?

Lucas. [_With a thin laugh_]

Oh, I don’t know. Because I drew it, I suppose. It wasn’t a very brilliant performance on my part.

Villa. [_With feeling_]

I don’t think it was at all brilliant--or at all kind. You ought not to do such things, or say such things--to me.

Lucas. [_With weak humor_]

I knew it wasn’t brilliant as soon as I had done it.

[_At a venture_]

Your aunt was very good to leave us here together.

Villa. Auntie is always good--

[_Hesitating_]

or means to be.

Lucas. [_With a vague smile_]

I am glad to know that, for I should be sorry to leave you with an aunt who was not good. But I came only to say good-bye,--not to talk of family history, or of old times.

Villa. Would any harm come of it if we did talk of old times?

[_She sits down on the chair at the right of the table_]

Please sit down.

Lucas. No harm, I suppose, and not much good.

[_With a forced smile_]

No great good seems to have come of anything that I have done.

Villa. [_Frowning anxiously_]

But I don’t know what you have done.

[_Trying to laugh_]

You speak as mysteriously as Mr.--Mr. Van Zorn did this morning when he talked about his business.

Lucas. [_Sitting down_]

Yes, Van Zorn and I have a great deal in common.

[_He speaks and smiles with mild bitterness_]

Villa. [_Quickly_]

You may have. I couldn’t keep from seeing that he took a great interest in you this morning.

Lucas. [_As if tired, but still interested_]

If you could see that, you ought to be able to see almost anything. You ought even to be able to see what I have done.

Villa. [_Angry with herself_]

But I didn’t mean to say that. You know I didn’t.

Lucas. You might as well have meant to say it, for you must see that I have done nothing. Even Van Zorn took the trouble--did me the honor, if you insist--to see as much as that.

Villa. [_Lamely_]

He saw that you were not--well, not quite satisfied. Isn’t that what you mean?

Lucas. Do you know anyone who is quite satisfied?

[_Pause_]

I know two or three who seem to be, but they are in asylums.

Villa. [_With a forced laugh and a shiver_]

Oh! So that’s where they are. I thought there must be something wrong.

Lucas. [_Standing up and speaking earnestly_]

You are quite right. There _is_ something wrong. We see it in the streets, we live it in our lives, we feel it in our hearts. And there you have my reason for coming to say good-bye to you.

Villa. [_Frightened_]

You mustn’t speak like that--as if we were never to see you again.

Lucas. [_As before_]

And there you have my reason for wanting to go away into--what shall I call it?--into another kind of life, and to make a new beginning. It seems to be absolutely necessary, for many reasons, that I should make a new beginning. Yes, I want to get away from all this dust and deceit and disillusion; I want to get away from all this noise and poison; I want a place where I can be quiet for a while, away from streets and faces; I want a place where there are no roofs between me and the sky; I want a place where the sun shines down on a fellow, and where the stars are.... Oh yes, I know well enough what I want, and I know that I’ve waited too long. I might as well have gone away years ago....

Villa. [_Looking down_]

Yes, it might perhaps have been as well.

Lucas. It would have been better--far better.

Villa. [_Looking up and hesitating_]

Won’t you tell me where you are going?

Lucas. [_After a pause_]

I am going--west.

Villa. You are not very confidential.

Lucas. I would be more so if I could.

Villa. Mightn’t it be better if you were to go in the other direction--towards the sunrise?... Was that a silly thing for me to say?

Lucas. It will come to the same thing, for I shall follow the sun.

[_Trying to laugh_]

Some people do that all their lives--in order to keep warm.

Villa. [_Also trying to laugh_]

Is that why you are going away? But you told me why you were going. I forgot.

Lucas. I don’t want you to forget that. What I want you to forget are some things that happened a long time ago.

Villa. [_As before_]

Do be careful. You speak as if I were a hundred years old.

Lucas. [_With strange earnestness_]

I’ll be very careful, or at least I’ll try to be. And will you be good enough to pardon me for not knowing at one time as much as I know now?--which God knows is little enough. I thought I knew myself then, but I’ve seen since that I was wrong. It was you who knew me. Yes, you knew me, then, and you know me still. And I am glad for that.

Villa. [_Doubtfully_]

You don’t speak as if you were glad.... And I wonder if it is really worth while for us to be so serious over a matter that is--past--and--

Lucas. Forgotten?

Villa. [_Slowly_]

No, there is nothing that I wish to forget. We all make mistakes, don’t we? How can we help ourselves?

[_She smiles sorrowfully_]

Lucas. We were younger then than we are now.

Villa. [_Forcing another laugh_]

I don’t know what I shall do if you keep on telling me how old I am. Do you know that I pulled three gray hairs out of my poor scalp this morning?

[_He looks at her solemnly, and her face becomes suddenly serious_]

How long do you intend to stay in--the west?

[_Her question is obviously a makeshift to break the silence_]

Lucas. There seems to be no answer to that question--for the present.

Villa. But you are coming back sometime?

Lucas. Who can tell? I may become so deeply attached to the region where I am going that I shall not wish to come back. Besides one has to consider the wisdom of his ways in this life--or he _should_ consider them.

[_He speaks with a rather disastrous attempt at lightness that serves only to make_ VILLA _more dissatisfied and unhappy than before_]

Villa. [_Troubled_]

I don’t understand what you mean.

Lucas. [_With an effort_]

I don’t mean very much.

[_Smiling faintly_]

But I came to say good-bye before going away--not to talk about wisdom.

Villa. [_Looking at him as she rises_]

It was good of you to come.

Lucas. [_Drearily_]

It was magnanimous of me.

[_With deep feeling_]

I wonder if you know how good you have been to me today?

Villa. [_Trying again to laugh_]

My aunt has just been telling me that I am wicked.

Lucas. [_After looking about the room_]

Well, good-bye.

[_He holds out his hand_]

Villa. [_Holding his hand and speaking as if unwillingly_]

Good-bye ... and I wish you every kind of good fortune.

[_Pause_]

And I shall remember you--always--if you care.

Lucas. [_With difficulty_]

Always?... Thank you.... Good-bye....

[_As they stand looking into each other’s eyes, the_ MAID _appears in the doorway and announces_ “MR. VAN ZORN”]

Villa. [_Dropping_ LUCAS’S _hand_]

Very well, Jenny. Tell him to come upstairs.

[_The_ MAID _disappears_, VILLA _and_ LUCAS _continue to look at each other, and both appear now to be embarrassed. She speaks again, after a pause_]

Please don’t go--quite yet.

Lucas. Why should I stay longer?

Villa. [_Trying to laugh_]

I suppose I ought to keep him waiting, but I won’t.

[_Seriously_]

For you are going away, and I feel sure that he would like to see you before you go.... Isn’t it odd that you two should be here together this afternoon?

Lucas. [_Drily_]

It may be odd.

Villa. [_Nervously_]

Or it may be fate. Anyhow, I shan’t let you go until you see him.

Lucas. [_With tightened lips_]

Apparently not, unless I run.

Villa. You aren’t angry with me, are you?

Lucas. I’m never angry, except with myself.

[_There is another pause, and_ VAN ZORN _enters. He looks at_ VILLA VANNEVAR _and at_ LUCAS, _but shows no surprise. He smiles pleasantly and shakes hands with_ VILLA]

Van Zorn. Ah! I’m very glad to see you again.

[_Shaking hands with_ LUCAS]

And I’m very glad to see Mr. Lucas again.

Villa. [_Quickly_]

I thought you would be glad to see him--for he is going away.

Van Zorn. [_With a slight frown_]

May I ask when he is going?

[_He turns to_ LUCAS _inquiringly_]

Lucas. [_Rather thickly_]

I was on the point of going when you came.

Van Zorn. [_Seriously_]

May I ask how long you intend to stay away?

Lucas. I expect to be gone indefinitely.

Van Zorn. [_With a friendly smile_]

You may shake down one of my best castles if you do that.

Lucas. I should be sorry to shake down any man’s castle.

Van Zorn. I’m sure of that.

[_Stroking his chin thoughtfully_]

I wonder, Miss Vannevar, if you would pardon me if I were to make a somewhat surprising request. You may think it even eccentric.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Who enters while he speaks_]

We like eccentric people.

[_Beaming and holding out her hand_]

I’m so glad to see you.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

But what is this awful request of yours?

Van Zorn. I was going to ask

[_Smiling at_ MRS. LOVETT, _who smiles in return_]

if you would be kind enough to leave Mr. Lucas alone here with me for a few minutes. I fear that he is plotting against me, and I should like to know, before he leaves this house, that his plot has been abandoned.

[_With another smile_]

I am quite well aware that this request is unusual.

Villa. [_Taking_ MRS. LOVETT _by the arm and laughing_]

Oh, that’s nothing! Everything is unusual today, and it’s all the fault of Weldon’s picture. Come along, Auntie, and we two will wait for what happens.

Mrs. Lovett. [_Beaming, but bewildered_]

I’m sure I don’t know what any of you are talking about, but of course I’ll do as I’m told.

Villa. [_Drawing her towards the door_]

Of course you will. What else can you do when two conspirators drive you out of your own room?

Van Zorn. [_Pleased_]

Thank you. And when we have conspired sufficiently, I will play on the piano. Then you may come back.

[_The two women go out_, VILLA VANNEVAR _singing “Quand on Conspire” and laughing at the same time_]

Van Zorn. [_Still smiling_]

Do you object to being corralled in this unconventional manner, Mr. Lucas?

Lucas. [_Puzzled_]

I am entirely at your service.

Van Zorn. [_In a very friendly voice_]

Well, to begin, it may possibly make you feel better to know that your friends have been talking about you behind your back.

[_He sits down on the piano stool, with his back to the keyboard_]

I refer to Farnham and myself.

[LUCAS _looks more puzzled_]

I’ll be quite honest with you and tell you that I began it; and I may as well come to the point at once and tell you that I shall probably need you in my business,--assuming, you understand, that you are available. I have had three or four schemes in my head for some time, and I’m sure that you will find at least one of them congenial. Are you interested?

Lucas. [_Taking an ivory paper cutter from the table_]

Yes, I am interested, but I don’t want you to make a mistake.

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

I shall make mistakes, whether you want me to or not. And as for what Farnham said--to go back for a little....

Lucas. [_Drily_]

Let us go back, by all means. What Farnham said about me ought to make rather good copy.

[_Curiously_]

What sort of stuff has he been telling you?

Van Zorn. He didn’t tell me much. In fact, far less than I hoped for.

[_Laughing a little_]

So you needn’t worry about Farnham.

Lucas. [_Looking at something on the wall and breaking the ivory paper cutter in his abstraction_]

I wasn’t worrying about Farnham.

[_Fitting the pieces together_]

I was wondering about you.

[_Pause_]

Do you know what you are doing?... Do you know that you are taking me seriously?

Van Zorn. [_With a friendly smile_]

If I were not taking you seriously, I should hardly have resorted, in a strange house, to this method of getting hold of you.

[_Half laughing_]

Don’t you care to be taken seriously? Or do you prefer to be taken as a joke?

Lucas. [_Hesitating_]

Why do you ask me if I care?

Van Zorn. [_Pleasantly_]

Partly for the sake of saying something, and partly because I should like to know.

Lucas. [_With tightened lips_]

Why don’t you ask me the other question--and have it off your mind?

Van Zorn. [_Indulgently_]

At your own suggestion, I will. I will ask if you care enough to begin the game all over again, and let the past sink.

Lucas. [_Cynically_]

The past ought to be pretty well drowned by this time.

Van Zorn. [_Kindly, but very distinctly_]

On the contrary, I have been led to infer that you have put yourself to a great deal of trouble and expense to keep it floating, so to speak. As a rule, I don’t mean to meddle with other people’s affairs, but in your case....

[_With a laugh_]

I’m sure you understand me. You have a head of your own.

Lucas. [_Nodding it slowly_]

Yes; and only one.

Van Zorn. Do you think it worth saving?

Lucas. [_Embarrassed_]

If you insist, I--well, I suppose I do. It’s a fairly good head, in some respects. But why should we talk about it now?

[_He looks about him uneasily_]

Van Zorn. [_Standing up and gazing at Lucas_]

Because you told me you were going away. Now I will be as frank as possible with you and tell you that I didn’t like your way of saying it, or your way of looking when you said it.

Lucas. [_Wetting his lips_]

You are not very clear.

Van Zorn. [_Seriously_]

I am as clear as I can be, without having more specific information.

[_More seriously_]

I knew another fellow once who--went away; and you made me think of him.

Lucas. [_Drily_]

How far did he go?

Van Zorn. [_Firmly_]

How far did you intend to go?

Lucas. [_Nervously_]

You seem to have it settled that I am not going.

Van Zorn. [_Smiling again_]

You are not going if I can keep you in New York.

Lucas. [_Throwing the broken paper cutter down on the table and putting his hands in his pockets_]

I thought I was going.

Van Zorn. [_Frowning as he watches him_]

You speak as if you had made some final preparations. Sometimes they are very final indeed--preparations.

[_Pause_]

Will you give me an answer to my question if I ask you just what preparations you have made?

Lucas. [_Slowly_]

Yes, and I will give you more than that.

Van Zorn. [_Relieved_]

Good. But I’m not going to be satisfied even then. I am going to ask you, in addition, to dine with me this evening at the Knickerbocker, and I am going

[_He returns to the piano stool_]

to ask you to take a small advance.

[_Taking a check book and a pen from his pocket_]

If you don’t happen to need this

[_He writes as he speaks_]

you needn’t use it, but I want you to take it, all the same.

[_Handing him the check_]

Will you?

Lucas. [_Slowly_]

Yes, I will take it. And I will see you at--seven o’clock?

Van Zorn. Thank you.

[_He toys with his pen as if he were waiting_]

Lucas. And you may do whatever you like with this.

[_He takes a small vial from his waistcoat and gives it to_ VAN ZORN, _who takes it slowly_]

Van Zorn. [_Looking at the vial and scowling_]

Cyanide of potassium?

[_He smiles grimly and shakes his head as he looks up_]

That isn’t what you need.

[_He looks again at the vial_]

K C N ... do you know what that makes me think of?

[_He looks up again and laughs drily_]

Lucas. [_Uncomfortably_]

Yes, I suppose I know.

Van Zorn. [_Putting the vial in his pocket_]

No, I don’t believe you do.

[_Smiling_]

It makes me think of Sir Joseph Porter, K. C. B.--in _Pinafore_. The last letter is different, however. How does that thing go?

Lucas. [_With sardonic distinctness_]

“When I was a lad, I served a term.” You may not believe it, but I did.

Van Zorn. Yes, I believe it. But I was thinking of the tune.

[_He turns on the stool and begins to drum with his right forefinger on the piano_]

Is that the way it goes?

Lucas. [_With grateful impatience to get away_]

Yes--and this is the way I go.

[_Grasping_ VAN ZORN’S _hand quickly_]

You will say something.

[_As if he had made a discovery_]

and _I_ will say something.

[_Trying to hide his emotion in his voice_]

I’ll make some sort of explanation.

[LUCAS _disappears quickly into the hall and_ VAN ZORN _begins to drum “When I was a lad” once more on the piano_. VILLA VANNEVAR _appears in the doorway and watches him unseen. Finally she laughs and begins to clap her hands_]

Van Zorn. [_Getting up_]

Mr. Lucas has gone.

[_Distinctly_]

But not so far as he thought he was going.

Villa. [_Looking about_]

Did he go through the roof?

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

No, he went by the way of the stairs--and rather suddenly.

Villa. [_Puzzled_]

Did he leave any word behind him?

Van Zorn. Well, yes. He told me to say something.

Villa. What did he tell you to say?

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

That was all--something.

Villa. Please don’t laugh at me.

Van Zorn. Should I be likely to do that? Especially on so slight an acquaintance?

[_He laughs a little as he speaks, but_ VILLA _remains serious_]

Villa. [_Slowly_]

It doesn’t seem to be slight--somehow.

Van Zorn. [_With a touch of mystery_]

Perhaps it isn’t, really. We mortals know very little of ourselves, and far less of each other. As a consequence, we make mistakes.

Villa. [_Still puzzled_]

Do _you_ make mistakes?

Van Zorn. Frequently.

Villa. [_With a nervous laugh_]

I’m so glad.

Van Zorn. Do you know that many of us waste large fractions of our short lives in being sorry for our mistakes--and oftentimes when we should be glad for them?

Villa. [_Puzzled_]

You said that as if you meant something.

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

It is possible that I did mean something.

Villa. Now you are laughing at me again.

Van Zorn. [_Easily_]

Why should I laugh at you when I know that you are not happy?

Villa. [_Puzzled_]

Do I look as if I were not happy?

Van Zorn. Something has troubled you for a long time.

Villa. Why do you say that?

Van Zorn. If I had not known it, I should not have come to this house.

Villa. [_Trying to laugh again_]

Did I look so utterly miserable this morning that you took pity on me? Was it the picture? Or did you think I took too much trouble to see that Weldon laughed at Mr. Lucas?

Van Zorn. [_Frowning strangely_]

No, it was not that.

Villa. You seem to know something about him.

Van Zorn. About Lucas?

Villa. Yes. You have kept him from going away. I am sure that he wished to go.

Van Zorn. And I am sure that he intended to go. But I ventured to put the matter in a different light, and he has agreed to give New York another chance. New York, as I told him, is not in all respects the worst place in the world.

Villa. [_Laughing as before_]

Weldon thinks it is. But I forgot to offer you a chair.

[_Takes the chair at the left of the table_]

I don’t wonder that Auntie calls me all sorts of things.

Van Zorn. Thank you.

[_He puts his hands on the back of the chair at the left and looks at her as if waiting for her to say more_]

Villa. [_Looking up at him_]

Yes, he thinks New York is the very worst. And that, I suppose, is one of the reasons why we are going to Damascus.

[_She laughs again, nervously_]

Van Zorn. [_Slowly_]

Damascus?... Why Damascus?

Villa. Heaven only knows. And I am stupid enough to like New York. I like even the ferry whistles.

Van Zorn. Should you care to stay here forever?

Villa. No, I don’t say that. I want to go to Egypt sometime and see the Sphynx. There are no sphynxes in New York.

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

Are you sure of that?

[_She laughs_]

There are no ferry whistles in Damascus.

Villa. Why do you object to my going?

Van Zorn. Why should I?

Villa. Why do you object to George Lucas’s going--west?

Van Zorn. Because I have taken a particular interest in him.

Villa. [_Quickly_]

I’m glad of that.

[_With a slight constraint_]

For I have known him all my life--and I like him.

[VAN ZORN, _who has been looking from time to time at the portrait over the piano, is now gazing at it with apparently unconscious intentness_]

Villa. [_Glancing over her shoulder_]

Did you know _him_--my uncle?

Van Zorn. [_Looking at her and shaking his head_]

I did not.

Villa. My poor uncle Lovett was unfortunate, and I am glad for his sake that he is dead. Does that sound hard?

Van Zorn. Far from it. I have known such cases.

Villa. He died in this room.

Van Zorn. I am not superstitious.

Villa. He drank himself to death.

Van Zorn. I am not uncharitable.

Villa. He was a good man.

Van Zorn. I have no doubt of it.

[_Pause_]

Lucas is a good man.

Villa. [_Earnestly_]

He _is_ good. And I hope his meeting with you may prove to be fortunate.

Van Zorn. [_Steadily_]

Lucas may prove to be the most fortunate of us all. Don’t you think it would be well for at least one of us to be fortunate, even if the others are not?

Villa. [_Half-frightened_]

The others? You say such unexpected things.

Van Zorn. [_Still with his hands on the back of the chair_]

Yes, the others. The others who are not going to be fortunate.

Villa. [_With a shrug_]

You speak like a wizard. If you are trying to cast a spell over me, you might as well let me know beforehand.

[_Laughing thinly_]

All good wizards should do that, I think.

Van Zorn. [_Firmly but rather sadly_]

I should say that the spell had already been cast.

Villa. But what manner of spell do you mean?

[_Nervously_]

There are spells and spells, I suppose. Aren’t there?

Van Zorn. I might say the spell that compels you to take so much apparent satisfaction in being insincere.

Villa. [_Looking at him_]

Insincere?

Van Zorn. [_Nods slowly_]

To yourself and to the others. To the others who are not going to be fortunate.

Villa. [_Biting her lip_]

Did you come to tell me this?

Van Zorn. I came because I was called. You may be surprised, but there is no reason why you should be offended.

Villa. [_With a cold but artificial laugh_]

Amused, you mean.

Van Zorn. [_Calmly and distinctly_]

No, that is not what I mean. For you cannot possibly find it amusing to know that you have the happiness of at least three lives at your disposal.... Yes, in your power.... Do you believe, really, that it would be amusing to make three new contributions to the world’s unhappiness--much of which, from any finite point of view, is already unnecessary?

Villa. [_Her lips tightening_]

I don’t believe you realize what you are saying.

[_She rises_]

No, I don’t mean that you are to go.

Villa. [_She goes to the table and looks aimlessly at some objects that are on it_]

Will you tell me something?

Van Zorn. [_Now at the right of the table, near the chair_]

Willingly, if I can.

Villa. [_Toying with the broken paper cutter_]

What did you say to Weldon Farnham about--about this? And what did he say to you?

Van Zorn. I asked him for one interview.

Villa. And where do you intend to go at the end of this--one interview?

Van Zorn. My own way, wherever that may lie.

[_Very distinctly_]

You may never see me again, but you will kindly believe me when I assure you that the situation before you is not--amusing.

Villa. [_With half-hearted authority_]

Under ordinary conditions, you must see that I could not listen any longer to what you are saying.

Van Zorn. I understand you perfectly.

[_Slowly, with a strange confidence_]

I understand at the same time that these are not ordinary conditions, and that you and I are not ordinary people.

Villa. [_With a shrug_]

I am beginning to think that we are not.

[_With a reluctant smile_]

Do you think we are so very important?

Van Zorn. [_With his hands on the back of the chair_]

Is anything important?

Villa. [_Slowly_]

I wonder--sometimes. And I thought

[_Rather feebly_]

that you were a friend of Weldon Farnham’s.

Van Zorn. His best friend, so far as I know.

Villa. Does a man’s best friend try to....

[_She stops as if frightened_]

Van Zorn. Yes.... If it is written so, yes.

Villa. [_As if compelled_]

Do you mean--“destiny?”

Van Zorn. You may give it whatever name you choose. May I ask you another question?

Villa. I suppose so.

[_With another shrug_]

But you needn’t scare me.

Van Zorn. [_With a melancholy smile_]

That is the last thing that I could possibly wish to do. What I have now to ask is this: Is it your unalterable will to deprive three people, including yourself, of the happiness that might as well be theirs?

Villa. [_Trying to laugh_]

Why do you speak of my “will” and of your “destiny?” Mayn’t I have a destiny as well as you?

Van Zorn. [_Looking at the portrait_]

You have one undoubtedly. And I have one interview.

[_He stands as before with his hands on the back of the chair and watches her while she examines various objects on the table_]

Are you sure that you know what it would mean if you were to make a mistake now?

[_She gives him a bewildered look that is meant to be resentful, but he does not seem to notice it_]

Are you sure that you are thinking of the years, and the darkness, and the long roads that lie in the darkness--and end there? Are such things important, or are they still--amusing?

[VILLA _stands looking vacantly at a picture post-card that is in her hand and finally turns the card towards_ VAN ZORN, _speaking with a trace of injured and half-frightened humor in her voice and eyes_]

Villa. [_Irrelevantly_]

Did you ever see the Lion of Lucerne?

Van Zorn. [_Suddenly inclined to laugh_]

No.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

I thought you had seen everything.

Van Zorn. [_Shaking his head slowly_]

I haven’t. I have never seen you but once, until today.

Villa. [_Laughing nervously_]

I don’t see what the Lion of Lucerne has to do with your seeing me.

Van Zorn. [_Smiling_]

I don’t see what the Lion of Lucerne has to do with any of us.

[_He looks at the card and then at her, with the same melancholy and inquiring smile_]

I dare say that he has his good points.

Villa. [_Throwing down the card and putting her hands behind her_]

I still think that I ought to be angry with you.

[_Ruefully_]

Every nerve and fibre tells me so.

Van Zorn. You are too healthy to have nerves and fibres. And if you knew yourself better, you could not even think of being angry with _me_.

Villa. [_With humor and self-assertion_]

You are not an absolute mystery, and I know a great deal about you, and about myself--that is, for a girl who has never seen the Sphynx.

[_Taking up the card again and looking at it_]

I’ll tell you something else that I know--something that I’ve known for a long time.

[_He nods slowly_]

I have known for a long time that our ways,

[_Quickly_]

Weldon’s way and mine, I mean,--have been leading us just where you have said they are leading us--into the dark.

[_Looking down_]

And I have always been afraid of the dark.

[_With a shrug and a laugh_]

I wonder whether your coming to make me tell you this may not be “destiny” after all.

Van Zorn. [_Looking at her fixedly_]

There can be no doubt about that.

[_They stand looking at each other, she with her hands behind her, and he with his hands on the back of the chair. After a pause she turns quietly toward the door, where the maid is seen standing_]

THE MAID

Mr. Mink would like to see you, Miss Villa.

Villa. [_Biting her lip to keep from laughing at_ VAN ZORN’S _augmented solemnity_]

Tell him to come up, Jenny.

[_To_ VAN ZORN]

You don’t look as if you were going to be glad to see Otto. You ought to be, for he is a very nice boy.

Van Zorn. [_Forcing a smile_]

So I have been told.

[OTTO _enters briskly, with a book in his hand. Being a child of nature he does not attempt to conceal his surprise at discovering_ VAN ZORN _in the room_]

Otto. [_Blankly_]

Oh! How do you do?... I’m afraid I’m in the way.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

Of what, Otto? You foolish child, you are never in the way.

Otto. [_Doubtfully_]

I don’t know about that. But I have come, anyhow, as I said I would. And here, my adorable young lady, is a copy of my latest abhorred twitterings. Does it look wicked?

Villa. [_Taking the book and laughing at_ OTTO]

It looks lovely. But why do you call it _Au Cinquième_? You don’t live on the fifth floor.

Otto. [_Briskly_]

That isn’t necessary. All you have to do is to shut yourself up in almost any kind of place, have in a barrel of mangoes, and let imagination do the rest.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

Mangoes?

Otto. [_Cheerfully_]

Mangoes. The mango has the flavor of all the fruits. If you eat a barrel of ’em, you will have the wisdom of all the ages.

[_With a grimace_]

Unhappily, I didn’t eat my barrel quite fast enough, and so I lost some of it.

Villa. [_Laughing_]

That was too bad.

[_Looking at the book_]

But I hope the critics will be good to _Au Cinquième_.

Otto. [_Shaking his head sorrowfully_]

They won’t.

[_Brightening_]

Do you remember my last book--_Huîtres et Chablis_?

[_She nods and laughs_]

Thank you for remembering it. Well,

[_Putting his hands into his trousers pockets_]

one inky-fingered imbecile advised me to write one more book as an antidote and to call it _Huile de Foie de Morue_, or Cod-liver-oil,--that being his private idea of humor. No, my dear young lady, Posterity is the only judge. Sometime, therefore, when I am gone--sometime when you are old and full of wrinkles--and rheumatism, if God wills it so--some far-off winter evening, for example, when you sit by the fire, with your cat in your lap,--say to yourself that Mink, who was always delicate, once took you out canoeing and contrived somehow to spill you into the beautiful Hudson, and that you swam ashore.

Villa. And nearly died laughing.

Otto. Oh, very well. But I can assure you both

[_Looking at_ VAN ZORN, _who has been listening rather wearily_]

that my neglected afflatus is of no manner of importance when compared with a bit of history that occurred about half an hour ago on Broadway, not far from Forty-second Street. It will do no good for me to tell it, for neither of you will believe it,--unless you believe in Noah’s Ark, and such like.

Villa. [_Quickly_]

We do believe in Noah’s Ark, and you will please go on. Sit down and tell us about it.

[_She sits on the piano stool_]

Otto. I’d better not. I might not be able to get up again. Well then, it’s about Phœbus--Old Hundred--Lucas.... O Lord!

Van Zorn. [_With a quick frown of inquiry_]

Has anything happened to Lucas?

Otto. [_Looking from one to the other_]

It isn’t easy to talk about.

Villa. [_Impatiently_]

But tell me what you mean, Otto.

Otto. I mean

[_Folding his arms_]

that Old Hundred has refused a gin-rickey.

Villa. [_Forgetting herself_]

Oh!... But after all, was that so very wonderful?

[_Her manner reveals her suppressed excitement_]

Otto. [_Innocently_]

You speak as if you thought so.

Villa. [_More naturally_]

I spoke because I was glad. It was the only thing for him to do, and I was afraid that he could never do it.

[_Eagerly again_]

Are you sure that he has done it, Otto,--or is this only once?

Otto. [_With a queer smile of reminiscence_]

He has done it fast enough, if I know anything about him.

[_To_ VAN ZORN, _with sudden expansion_]

You see, this friend of ours fills himself with fluid extract of early death for certain years, and then, all of a sudden, on Broadway, not far from Forty-second Street, he slaps a fellow kindly on the shoulder and tells a fellow that he, Phœbus, has been born again. That was it,--“born again.”

[_To_ VILLA, _who has risen to her feet in her excitement_]

The man is illuminated, I tell you. There is something in his eyes.

Van Zorn. [_With tightening lips_]

Let us hope it is not dust.

Otto. [_Standing on his toes_]

No, the dust is in _our_ eyes, if anywhere. Or it was.

Villa. [_To_ VAN ZORN, _gratefully_]

Not in _yours_, at any rate.... And you have been the cause of it all!

[OTTO _looks at_ VAN ZORN _in amazement_]

Van Zorn. [_As before_]

On the contrary, I don’t know that I have ever been the cause of anything. But I agree with you in saying that this was the only course for him to take, although I have never shared your fear that he would not take it.

Villa. [_Still wondering_]

But how did you know anything about him?

Van Zorn. [_Smiling faintly_]

Oh, there are signs. Moreover, I permitted Farnham to tell me as much as he would about Lucas’s early life.

Villa. But he cannot possibly know much about it.

Van Zorn. [_Thoughtfully_]

He spoke, I think, of an eccentric father.

[_He glances at the portrait of_ LOVETT]

Villa. Weldon was not here in those days and perhaps it was as well that he was not,--for he might not have understood.

[_As if to correct herself_]

I mean that men like Weldon find it hard to measure the importance of things that happen in other people’s lives. They can’t do otherwise, I suppose.

Van Zorn. All of which being granted, there still remains no room for doubt as to Farnham’s friendliness towards Lucas.

Villa. [_Vexed_]

I didn’t mean that. I don’t see how I came to speak as I did.

Otto. [_Going to_ VILLA]

I’m very much afraid that you must put _me_ down as the tender and innocent cause. Pardon my interruption, and--beware the book.

[_After a somewhat bewildered pause_]

Good afternoon.

Villa. [_As he is going_]

Is there very much about Nineveh in it?

[_She laughs rather thinly_]

Otto. [_With a grimace_]

Nineveh occurs but twice, and Babylon has disappeared entirely.

[_He bows with exaggerated deference and disappears_]

[_After_ OTTO’S _departure there is a pause_. VILLA _sits down in the large chair at the left of the table, while_ VAN ZORN _stands looking at the portrait. Both have become very serious, and_ VILLA’S _voice and manner reveal more and more constraint and emotion during the following scene_]

Villa. [_Trying to smile_]

What do you think of Otto, now?

[_Pause_]

Wasn’t it strange--what he told us about George?

Van Zorn. [_Standing near his chair_]

Was it any stranger than my coming to this house?

Villa. [_Embarrassed_]

But your coming was different, and I knew just when to expect you.

Van Zorn. Did you know just _why_ you were to expect me?

Villa. Well, no,--not quite.

Van Zorn. Were you a little offended at my request to see you?

Villa. [_Slowly_]

No.

Van Zorn. You must at least have thought it very unusual.

Villa. Possibly.

[_With a faint smile_]

But one looks for unusual things from you, somehow.... But I shouldn’t have said that. I beg your pardon.

Van Zorn. I am asking myself whether or not I should beg _your_ pardon.

Villa. [_Her voice trembling_]

For telling me the truth?

Van Zorn. No; but for remaining here when you must be wishing that I would go away.

[_She pauses, rises quickly from her chair, and stands before him. She can hardly control herself. He looks into her eyes and then turns away_]

Villa. [_Almost beseeching him_]

No, you must not do that! You must not go yet!... I can’t let you go until I tell you something.

[_She moves back to her chair and sits down slowly_]

Van Zorn. [_Unhappily, but with dignity_]

I don’t wish you to tell me anything unless you are sure that I should hear it; and I don’t wish to take advantage of your perplexity--or of your unhappiness. You will understand that, I am sure; and you will agree with me, no doubt, when I say that my position has already become rather--well, say strange, to use your own word.

[_With unconscious bitterness_]

It will serve as well as another.

Villa. [_Impulsively_]

I don’t care how strange it is, or how strange you are, so long as I know that I can trust you. If you were not strange, I might not have the courage to ask you to help me.... I wonder if I ought to wait until I know you better.

Van Zorn. [_With deep feeling_]

You will never know me better, and I shall be always at your service.

[_With a bitter smile_]

“They also serve who only stand and wait.”

[_Pause_]

Even the blind can serve, in their limited way.

Villa. [_Choking_]

You must not say that again. You must not....

[_Her voice breaks completely. She throws herself forward, laying her head and arms upon the table. Her whole body shakes, as if the prisoned emotion of years were finally asserting itself._ VAN ZORN _stands with his hands on the back of his chair and looks down at her with a great sorrow in his eyes. Finally he turns from her to the part of the table that is near him and absently picks up the pieces of ivory that_ LUCAS _has broken_]

Van Zorn. [_Fitting the pieces together, and speaking with difficulty_]

Then you are not going to Damascus, after all.

[VILLA’S _body still shakes with her emotion, and she makes no sign to show that she has heard him. He looks down at her as the curtain falls_]

CURTAIN