by Edward Plunkett

“ JOHN
Really, I think it sometimes is. It's a mistake you make too often, Liza. You--you must be more careful.
LIZA
Very well, sir. Funny my thinking I 'ad an 'ammer in my 'and, though.
[She goes to tidy the little supper table. Enter MARY with food on a plate.]
MARY
I've brought you your supper, John.
JOHN
Thanks, Mary. I--I think I must have taken a nap.
MARY
Did you, dear? Thanks, Liza. Run along to bed now, Liza. Good gracious, it's half-past eleven.
[MARY makes final arrangements of supper table.]
LIZA
Thank you, mum. ”

“ There, there. I'm going to smash it, I am. These mascots! One's better without 'em. Your luck'll turn, never fear. And you've a nice supper coming.
[She puts it in a corner of the mantelpiece and hammers it. It smashes.
The photographs of the four children change slightly. The Colonel gives place to Aunt Martha. The green sofa turns red. JOHN's clothes become neat and tidy. The hammer in LIZA's hand turns to a feather duster. Nothing else changes.]
A VOICE [off, in agony]
Allah! Allah ! Allah!
LIZA
Some foreign gentleman must have hurt himself. ”

“ John shuffles on L. He is miserably dressed, an Englishman down on his luck. A nightingale sings far off.]
JOHN
A nightingale here. Well, I never.
Al Shaldomir, Al Shaldomir, The nightingales that guard thy ways Cease not to give thee, after God And after Paradise, all praise. . .
The infernal place! I wish I had never seen it! Wonder what set me thinking of that?
[The nightingale sings another bar. JOHN turns to his left and walks down the little path that leads to the door of the Acacias.]
I mustn't come here. Mustn't come to a fine house like this. Mustn't. Mustn't. ”