Marie Carmichael Stopes

“ What are you dreaming about, Loveday?
Loveday.
Before ever I met you all—for months past—I have been thinking about Gordon’s problem. What is one who cannot fight to do for our country?
Nora.
Save, as you said yourself.
Loveday.
It isn’t only fighting and saving the nation’s needs. It needs thinking. Wouldn’t it be splendid to see a man’s strength and his brains put into thinking that might save thousands of lives in the time to come.
Varlie.
People who talk about thinking are generally fools. The wise man thinks his hardest how to conceal what he is thinking. ”

“ Thank God, no mortal woman can rack my heart. My vision Queen has my heart and my dreams.
(Loveday looks bright—then a little mischievous. Varlie returns, strolling round the room, unnoticed by them. He starts somewhat at seeing them talking together so deeply and nods as if recognising something and saying “ha ha” to himself. He studies the angle of the room and places himself back of the piano, turning towards the wall and pretending to examine a picture. Meanwhile Loveday and Gordon continue, unaware, to talk.) ”

“ Varlie.
(Cheerily.) Waal, and how have you been making time fly since I was here last?
Nora.
Much as usual, only we work harder and— (laughs) —Gordon moons more than ever now he has someone to encourage him!
Varlie.
Ah, writes poetry, does he, poor chap?
Gordon.
No. I don’t.
Nora.
Well, what you do is just as useless.
Loveday.
It isn’t! He is working out ideas of great practical use—immense—there is nothing more important in the world.
Varlie.
So that’s how the land lies! (Twinkling a knowing look at Loveday’s unconscious face.) And what is the great idea, if I don’t intrude? ”

“ The path of glory for Britons to pave.
(Loveday and Gordon stand a little apart and are talking.)
Gordon.
Ah, this stirs one! I wonder if this is what I ought to do?
Loveday.
(Smilingly shakes her head.) I don’t know.
Gordon.
A man has only one life. That’s all he can give to his country.
Loveday.
But the thousands of sheep you raise may be even more useful! (mischievously) . It is a question you know—is one man as much use to his country as his ten thousand sheep?
Gordon.
Old men can raise sheep. ”

“ Varlie.
Waal, that may not be so easy.
Loveday.
Then all the more need for Gordon’s scheme. It is the only way to destroy militarism.
Gordon.
Without some such plan the nations will all be burdened beyond endurance, with armament making and the upkeep of armies.
Loveday.
And all the lovely face of England will be scarred with factories and works, and her people go grey and weary under roofs instead of singing while they work under the blue sky. And not only in England but everywhere, machines, machines, machines will sap the vitals of men and women and make life a grey and sordid fear!
Nora. ”

“ Loveday.
Because when a man is a man he should respect himself as one man respects another.
Gordon.
You are wonderful—women generally try to make a man feel a worm.
Loveday.
(Hastily.) What I like best about this splendid scheme of yours is, that even Germany will have to accept it when it is proposed to her, because she is all the while demanding “only her own national safety,” and pretending she has no aggressive desires, so she can’t have the face to refuse to join in—and yet when she does her militarism will be choked. Nothing could destroy all militarism more completely than this! ”

“ Loveday.
Very well. Heroes have to be humoured, I suppose. Come along, it’s getting late!
(They follow the others, as she is going off she looks back and sends a compassionate glance towards Gordon.
The sky rapidly darkens. Gordon stays behind, waits till they are all out of sight, then he throws himself face down on the ground, clenching his hands and moving as though in pain. The bell bird’s clear sweet note is heard. He lies in silence then groans aloud.)
Gordon.
To both my country and the woman I love, I’m not a man. I’m lumber—useless lumber! Nora! Nora! ”

“ Loveday.
(Holding out her hands to him appealingly.) You are the most powerful man in England, it is for you to initiate this new era, of international safety and peace. Whatever the terms of an ordinary peace, militarism will spring up again to ravage the world. Let Britain lead in this new enlargement of law and freedom, for this is the only way to bring security to the world. ”

“ But—when—when once Nora sees how the great world honours you for these ideas (taps papers on his knee) she will love you, she must. All women will love you and bless you—for you will be the saviour of their sons!
Gordon.
But Nora is so living—so—feminine. I don’t think dreamy things like ideas appeal to her. Oh, how well I remember her as a girl with her golden hair flying! We three were brought up together, she and Robert and I. She never cared about reading, but always played some real game.
Loveday.
As she gets older she will see that ideas are real. ”

“ Duchess.
(Laughing delightedly and pulling Loveday down again beside her.) Oh, so it is us?
Loveday.
Only for this piece of work, till his idea is launched, of course. What do you suppose I came across from New Zealand for?
Duchess.
(Chuckling.) I wondered.
Loveday.
Don’t you care a bit for a big idea that will help the world? Can’t you imagine a woman gladly crossing the world to have even a small share in helping it forward? ”

“ Nora.
(Fiercely.) He wouldn’t! He never cared for me. And I loved him—and I hate you. Go away!
(She pushes him roughly from her so that, on his knees, still, he scarcely keeps his balance. She turns and weeps fiercely in Loveday’s arms. Loveday, soothing her, really watches and feels for Gordon. As he staggers blindly to his feet, she looks with infinite tenderness and pity towards him and stretches out a hand to steady him. He takes it, and clasps it for a moment.)
Roto.
(Wailing.) What’ll happen? What’ll happen now Mister Robert won’t come back? ”

“ It is all a pretence too about his being an American. He is an out and out German, sir, and I make no doubt the young lady was right about his attempt on your life, sir. I expect you have had a narrow escape. We won’t trouble you any further to-night. Take him off, men. I’ve got all the addresses. Good-night, ladies—good-night, sir, good-night, sir. (Goes out after Varlie, led by the men, unresisting now.)
(Loveday and Gordon look at each other. Duchess subsides into sofa by the Minister.)
Duchess.
As I said, even London is an adventure for the right man. (Fans herself.) Loveday, come here. ”

“ Duchess.
Modern women are all clever, and cleverness kills wit as a magnifying glass kills a complexion.
Minister.
Good, good.
(Loveday and Gordon, observing their nearness, rise and stand a little way off. The Duchess signals imperiously to Loveday, but she makes a determined grimace and slips round the left side of the sofa. As she leaves Gordon she whispers “The great moment is coming—Good Luck.” Gordon stands hesitating. The Duchess signs to him to come forward.) ”

“ Varlie glances stealthily round the room, and sees that no one is looking at him, for Loveday pretends not to see him; she then turns her head just in time to see him drop a drop of the poison into the coffee cup on the piano, and quickly to turn away, his back to the group, and go to another picture, hanging down right front of the piano. Varlie calmly pretends to be absorbed in examining the picture. Loveday is for a moment weak with amazement and anxiety, and is evidently hesitating as to what course to follow, by the time the Minister says, “Good-bye, good luck.” ”

“ Nora.
It would be a joke if you were a German, wouldn’t it?
Varlie.
(Cheerfully.) I’d be taking risks, wouldn’t I? But let’s hear more of this idea. It’s a great idea if it’ll kill German militarism! Why (looking at Gordon) , I’d no idea you were such a top hole genius.
Loveday.
Now you’re laughing, too. None of you seem to think war can be made impossible.
Roto.
That it can’t, Missy. Not while men are men. ”

“ The Hyde’s Homestead, S. Island, New Zealand. Left back, one end of the low homestead with its broad, creeper-covered verandah abuts on to the garden. A rough piece of road runs across right back of stage. Back cloth painted with luxurious vegetation and vivid blue sky. Mixture of common English fruit trees and Eucalyptus, the lily-palm, masses of crimson ratas in flower.
Gordon Hyde and Loveday discovered sitting together in garden, down right. Gordon has a sheaf of papers and writing pad on his knee, pen in hand. Loveday is chewing the end of a flower stalk as though thinking. ”

“ Gordon.
Robert left me here on trust. I must keep his sheep going, at any rate till I can get a responsible manager. Then I’ll go to London.
Nora.
London has got too many ideas of its own to listen to an utterly unknown New Zealand sheep farmer.
Gordon.
(Sighing.) It may take time!
Nora.
(Laughing.) Time! It’ll take more than time. You don’t know a soul in London.
Gordon.
I don’t, that’s flat.
Loveday.
I do.
Nora.
You do? Of course you do. You will have to write him introductions. How will you begin? “A young genius, called Gordon Hyde, has ideas to set the Thames on fire. ”

“ We are going to put a larger number of troops in the field than [Pg 29] the British had in the great battle of Waterloo!
(All at first incredulous, then wildly enthusiastic.)
Re. Off.
Aye, Aye, lads. Well may you shout. That’s what comes of being New Zealand Britons. But we are going to do more. We are going to do what the experts tell us is the most possible that any nation can do; in three years we are going to have ten per cent. of our total population in the field! That’s the maximum, the absolute scientific limit of what any nation can put in. ”

“ Gordon.
You’re welcome. We’ll show you off. Miss Loveday Lewisham is fresh out from home and wants to see all the native sights. Miss Loveday, this is Mr. John Varlie, the universal provider. A regular conjurer who wafts the appliances of civilisation into our rude wilderness.
Varlie.
Miss Lewisham, I’m proud to make your acquaintance. Say, cut that Hyde. I’m no conjurer. I’m a plain business man, and only doing what any other business man could do if he had the brains.
Robert.
That’s it. It takes a Yankee to think of selling the goods we want in this part of the British Empire. ”

“ Varlie.
(Laughing reassuringly and sitting a little nearer Loveday.) These queer old curios get me every time. I’ll test a drop of his precious poison on a mangy old dog I have, and if it is as he says, I’ll wash it out and keep eau de cologne in it. The jade is a pretty shape.
Loveday.
Yes, it is. And it is quite a good bit of jade, too. It is worth money. But do be careful with the stuff. I more than half believe what he says.
Varlie.
An old hand like I am at life, don’t run no risks with a bit of jade. I’ve seen too much of the world. ”

“ Varlie.
Smart! It ’ud tickle a racer to get ahead of me. I’m out to bring this country up to date. Why, you folk would go on sleeping here same as if automobiles had never been invented.
Loveday.
And I wish they hadn’t!
Varlie.
You just say that, Miss Loveday, because you are a beautiful English girl—for England’s so small it is most over-run with automobiles, that drop off it into the sea—but you wait till you see what this little roundabout can do for these God-forsaken stations.
Gordon.
(Grinning amiably.) Don’t you lay it on too thick if you want to sell your car. ”

“ Nora.
(To Varlie.) Men are vain.
Varlie.
Take one of my buttons! (Holds out his coat.)
Nora.
(Eyes flashing.) When you’re in khaki!
Gordon.
(Pulling himself together, holds out his hand to Robert, speaks huskily.) Good luck, old chap, the best of luck!
(Loveday looks proudly at Gordon.)
Robert.
(Claps Gordon’s shoulder with his free hand.) Keep the station going till I come back, sonny.
Gordon.
I will, Robert.
Robert.
If I come back!
Nora.
(Excitedly.) Of course you will. You’ll come back with a V.C., won’t he, lads?
All.
Of course. He’s just the make of a hero. Hurrah! Bravo! ”

“ Loveday.
Nora, you are a tease! It’s nothing of the sort, Mr. Varlie. Gordon’s idea is to have an international parliament, a super-parliament, and for that to have complete control of an international army, and also—what is very important—complete control of all armament making.
Gordon.
Then any nation would have all the rest of the world against it directly it tried to do anything aggressive.
[Pg 53]
Loveday.
Yes. That’s where it will get Germany so splendidly. Germany pretends she goes in for her militarism only for self-preservation. ”

“ Look at this.
(Smithers comes forward and looks at pot as she indicates.)
Smithers.
I see nothing there, Miss.
Loveday.
The earth has been disturbed here—look, the rest of the pot is covered with moss.
Duchess.
Oh, Loveday, Loveday. The gardener has pulled up a weed, I suppose. Pulling up weeds always does disturb the moss. Even the Government knows that.
Loveday.
Gordon, Mr. Smithers—haven’t you a penknife one of you? Dig just there for me, please do.
Varlie.
(Gets suddenly restive in his keepers’ hands.) This is the limit! This beats everything. She put it there herself.
Smithers. ”