Chapter 7

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

Knowing Good and Evil.

SCENE.-The GADSBYS' bungalow in the Plains, in June.
Punkah-coolies asleep in veranda where Captain GADBY is
walking up and down. DOCTOR'S trap in porch. JUNIOR
CHAPLAIN drifting generally and uneasily through the house.
Time, 3:4O A. M. Heat 94 degrees in veranda.

DOCTOR. (Coming into veranda and touching G. on the
shoulder.) You had better go in and see her now.

CAPT. G. (The color of good cigar-ash.) Eb, wha-at? Oh, yes, of
course. What did you say?

DOCTOR. (Syllable by syllable.) Go -in-to-the -room -and- see-
her. She wants to speak to you. (Aside, testily.) I shall have him
on my hands next.

JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. (In half-lighted dining room.) Isn't there
any?-

DOCTOR. (Savagely.) Hsb, you little fool!

JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. Let me do my work. Gadsby, stop a minute
I (Edges after G.)

DOCTOR. Wait till she sends for you at least-at least. Man alive,
he'll kill you if you go in there! What are you bothering him for?

JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. (Coming into veranda.) I've given him a
stiff brandy-peg. He wants it. You've forgotten him for the last
ten hours and-forgotten yourself too.

CAPT. G. enters bedroom, which is lit by one night-lamp. Ayak on
the
floor pretending to be asleep.

VOICE. (From the bed.) All down the street-such bonfires! Ayah,
go and put them out! (Appealingly.) How can I sleep with an
installation of the C.I.E. in my room? No-not C.I.E. Something
else. What was it?

CAPT. G. (Trying to control his voice.) Minnie, I'm here.
(Bending over bed.) Don't you know me, Mmnie? It's me-it's
Phil-it's your husband.

VOICE. (Mechanically.) It's me-it's Phil-it's your husband.

CAPT. G. She doesn't know mel-It's your own husband, darling.

VOICE. Your own husband, darling. AYAH. (With an inspiration.)
Memsahib understanding all I saying.

CAPT. G. Make her understand me then-quick!

AYAH. (Hand on Mas. G.'s fore-head.) Memsahib! Captain Sahib
here.

VOICE. Salaem do. (Fretfully.) I know I'm not fit to be seen.

AYAH. (Aside to G.) Say "marneen" same as breakfash.

CAPT. G. Good-morning, little woman. How are we to-day?

VOICE. That's Phil. Poor old Phil. (Viciously.) Phil, you fool, I
can't see you. Come nearer.

CAPT. G. Minnie! Minnie! It's me -you know me?

VOICE. (Mockingly.) Of course I do. Who does not know the
man who was so cruel to his wife-almost the only one he ever had?

CAPT. G. Yes, dear. Yes-of course, of course. But won't you
speak to bim? He wants to speak to you so much.

VOICE. They'd never let him in. The Doctor would give darwaza
bund even if he were in the