Act 3 - Page 2

BRIGID(Is silent for a moment: then says kindly:) Would you like a cup of tea, ma'am? That would make you all right.

BERTHAYes, I would. But the milkman has not come yet.

BRIGIDNo. Master Archie told me to wake him before he came. He's going out for a jaunt in the car. But I've a cup left overnight. I'll have the kettle boiling in a jiffy. Would you like a nice egg with it?

BERTHANo, thanks.

BRIGIDOr a nice bit of toast?

BERTHANo, Brigid, thanks. Just a cup of tea.

BRIGID(Crossing to the folding doors.) I won't be a moment. (She stops, turns back and goes towards the door on the left.) But first I must waken Master Archie or there'll be ructions.

(She goes out by the door on the left. After a few moments Bertha rises and goes over to the study. She opens the door wide and looks in. One can see a small untidy room with many bookshelves and a large writingtable with papers and an extinguished lamp and before it a padded chair. She remains standing for some time in the doorway, then closes the door again without entering the room. She returns to her chair by the window and sits down. Archie, dressed as before, comes in by the door on the right, followed by Brigid.)

ARCHIE(Comes to her and, putting up his face to be kissed, says:) Buon giorno, mamma!

BERTHA(Kissing him.) Buon giorno, Archie! (To Brigid.) Did you put another vest on him under that one?

BRIGIDHe wouldn't let me, ma'am.

ARCHIEI'm not cold, mamma.

BERTHAI said you were to put it on, didn't I?

ARCHIEBut where is the cold?

BERTHA(Takes a comb from her head and combs his hair back at both sides.) And the sleep is in your eyes still.

BRIGIDHe went to bed immediately after you went out last night, ma'am.

ARCHIEYou know he's going to let me drive, mamma.

BERTHA(Replacing the comb in her hair, embraces him suddenly.) O, what a big man to drive a horse!

BRIGIDWell, he's daft on horses, anyhow.

ARCHIE(Releasing himself.) I'll make him go quick. You will see from the window, mamma. With the whip. (He makes the gesture of cracking a whip and shouts at the top of his voice.) Avanti!

BRIGIDBeat the poor horse, is it?

BERTHACome here till I clean your mouth. (She takes her handkerchief from the pocket of her gown, wets it with her tongue and cleans his mouth.) You're all smudges or something, dirty little creature you are.

ARCHIE(Repeats, laughing.) Smudges! What is smudges?

(The noise is heard of a milkcan rattled on the railings before the window.)

BRIGID(Draws aside the curtains and looks out.) Here he is!

ARCHIE(Rapidly.) Wait. I'm ready. Goodbye, mamma! (He kisses her hastily and turns to go.) Is pappie up?

BRIGID(Takes him by the arm.) Come on with you now.

BERTHAMind yourself, Archie, and don't be long