He remembered a girl who was waiting for him down in the States—a young thing—and sent for her to come in. They were to be married as soon as she arrived. He has a cabin all ready. Well, that's Flossie. She is coming in over the ice now—he's told me all about it—and ought to be here any day. I've been looking for her, and looking for her, till I am almost sick. Then this Freda Moloof cast her spell upon him. I heard the gossip—
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
And proceeded to take a hand. I begin to understand.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
I did my best to break her influence. The time and thought I've wasted upon that man! It's almost scandalous the way I've devoted myself to him! Sitka Charley believes I am in love with him—told me so to my face. And it's all wasted, card parties and everything. What was I against the only woman in Klondike who possesses a piano and a maid? And to-night he runs away down the river with her.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
With Freda Moloof?
MRS. EPPINGWELL
With Freda Moloof. There she is now, buying things for the journey most probably.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Turning to look at Freda, and turning back again.)
I must say she couldn't have done better if he is worth all you say he is. I remember him now, a strapping fellow, brave as a lion and all that.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Yes, but he's caressed more shovel-handles than women's hands, and that's the trouble with him. And I don't know what I shall do.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
You could scarcely serve an injunction on him.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
I don't know what I'll do. Floyd Vanderlip is not the sort of man to appeal to. To try to impress him to do the right thing would be like setting fire to a powder mill. I wish I knew how near Flossie is. There hasn't been a courier or a mail carrier in for weeks and weeks. The mail from Dyea is twenty days overdue.
(Enter Mail Carrier, carrying leather mail-pouch. He is clad in a long squirrel-skin parka reaching to his knees, the hood drawn over his head and ears and leaving only jace exposed. Face and mouth are iced-up, making speech impossible. He does not stop to brush snow jrom moccasins, but proceeds rapidly to cross to stove.)
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
There is the man who can tell you about Flossie. Shall I ask him?
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Oh! the mail carrier? At last! And in the nick of time. Yes, do.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Stepping into the path of the Mail Carrier.)
What's the news?
(Mail Carrier makes dumb show that he cannot speak, waving his arms and pointing to his iced mouth and then to the stove.)
(Capt. Eppingwell laughs and lets him pass.)
(To Mrs. Eppingwell.)
He's so iced up he cannot speak. Wait till he thaws out, and then I'll get hold of him. In the meantime—
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Interrupting.)
In the meantime you must meet the Lisznayi.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
The Lisznayi!
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Yes, she is a fascinating woman, our latest acquisition. An Old World Hungarian with all the do and dare of the New World blood. She was a friend of the Queen of Roumania. Posed as a model for the Queen. Had cardinals and princes at her beck and call. Plenty of money, of course, position, and all that. Came into the Klondike out of sheer love of adventure, and possibly because she was bored. You'll enjoy her, I know. There she is over there. Do you care to?
(Mrs. Eppingwell and Capt. Eppingwell walk over to left rear to Loraine Lisznayi and Prince.)
(Mail Carrier tries to get to stove, but is blocked by miners, who are demanding: "What's the news?" "How's the trail?" "Any letters for me?" "And me?" "And me?" "Where did you meet O'Brien? He left ten days ago." "How's the ice on Thirty Mile River?" etc.y etc. To all of which Mail Carrier replies by waving his arms and thrusting through the crowd till he gets to stove, over which he holds his Face.)
(Dave Harney enters from left, still in towering rage, but his jace lights up, as though struck by a sudden thought when he catches sight oj Mail Carrier. He strides over, clutches Mail Carrier by the arm and draws him to one side.)
DAVE HARNEY
(In a whisper.)
Got a noospaper?
MAIL CARRIER
(Nods head.)
DAVE HARNEY
How many?
MAIL CARRIER
(Holds up one finger.)
DAVE HARNEY
I'll give you twenty dollars for it.
MAIL CARRIER
(Shakes head.)
DAVE HARNEY
(Bidding rapidly, each bid being met by a shake of Mail Carrier's head.) Twenty-five. Thirty. Thirty-five. Forty. Fifty.
MAIL CARRIER
(Nods head and goes back to stove.)
(Freda walks forward toward stove and beckons to Sitka Charley, who leaves group about stove and comes to her.)
FREDA
Tell the Mail Carrier I want to speak to him, Charley.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Obediently.)
Urn.
(Sitka Charley crosses to stove, where Mail Carrier is pulling the ice from his mouth.)
Freda want talk some with you.
MAIL CARRIER
(Turning to look at Freda, nods head and mumbles incoherently, at same time starting to go to Freda and still pulling ice jrom mouth. He shakes hands with Freda and speaks thickly at first.)
How do do, Freda.
FREDA
How do you do, Joe. What kind of a trip did you have?
MAIL CARRIER
Pretty rough, but I made good time just the same. Passed everything in sight.
FREDA
That is what I wanted to ask you about. Did you pass the outfit of a girl, or, rather, of a young woman?
MAIL CARRIER
Coming in by herself, with a dog-puncher and an Indian?
FREDA
Yes. Where did you pass her?
MAIL CARRIER
Yesterday afternoon, about three o'clock. They were making camp early. She was pretty tired from the looks of her.
FREDA
When should she get in?
MAIL CARRIER
I talked with the dog-puncher. He said they'd camp to-night at Mooseback and come in tomorrow. That's twenty-five miles, and if they don't start too late, they'll make Dawson by the middle of the day.
FREDA
What kind of a girl is she?
MAIL CARRIER
Good. How do you mean?
FREDA
I mean what kind of a looking girl is she? How did she strike you?
MAIL CARRIER
Oh, one of the soft and clingy kind, I guess I'd call her. You know, the kind that needs lots of cuddling and petting. Pretty, yes, danged pretty. Blue eyes, wavy hair, and all the rest—trembly lips and teary eyes—smily and weepy, you know, all in the same moment. But, gee! Freda, I can't stand here gassin' all day. I got about a thousand dollars' worth of letters to deliver—a dollar apiece and cheap at the price. I'll see you later. So long.
FREDA
All right, Joe. Tell Sitka Charley I want to see him, will you?
(Mail Carrier returns to stove, picks up mail pouch, and sends Sitka Charley to Freda.)
(Capt. Eppingwell comes to Mail Carrier, and is leading him off to Mrs. Eppingwell when Dave Harney interposes.)
DAVE HARNEY
Hold your hosses, Joe. How about that dicker for the noospaper? You said Yes to fifty.
MAIL CARRIER
(Pulling out his gold sack and drawing newspaper from pocket and giving both to Dave Harney.)
All right. Just weigh the fifty into that.
(Dave Harney takes gold sack over to scales, produces his own gold sack, and a clerk weighs from one sack into the other.)
(Mail Carrier accompanies Capt. Eppingwell to Mrs. Eppingwell.)
(Capt. Eppingwell, Loraine Lisznayi, and Prince move along counter toward right and inspect mittens and moccasins.)
FREDA
What time to-morrow has he decided upon starting?
SITKA CHARLEY
No to-morrow. To-day, to-night, twelve o'clock to-night.
FREDA
(Startled.)
To-night! Are you sure?
Um.
SITKA CHARLEY
FREDA
You said to-morrow.
SITKA CHARLEY
Vanderlip um change mind. Look like much hurry.
FREDA
And the Lisznayi woman?
SITKA CHARLEY
She wait water-hole. Um meet her there. One Indian drive her dogs. Me drive Vanderlip's dogs.
FREDA
But Vanderlip mustn't go to-night.
Charley, he simply mustn't.
I tell you,
SITKA CHARLEY
(Incredulously.)
Um.
FREDA
Not only that, but you must help me to keep him from going.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Angrily.)
What for, Freda? I am Sitka Charley. I buy dogs, I sell dogs, I drive dogs. I help you dogs, yes. What for I help you other things? Vanderlip all the same one big chief. Um womans like um.
(Holding up fingers.)
One, two, three womans like um. That um womans' trouble. No Sitka Charley's trouble. What for, Freda?
FREDA
Why, what are you thinking about?
Sitka Charley I think you one big fool, Freda.
FREDA
(Smiling sadly.)
And I think you are right, Charley, when I look back.
SITKA CHARLEY
No look back. Right now. What for you make fool with Vanderlip? Him no good. Him big fool too.
FREDA
Oh, I see. You think I am in love with him.
Sitka Charley (With satisfaction.)
Um.
FREDA
You really think so?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. What for you say he must no go to-night? Um?
FREDA
Listen, Charley. You must help me, and I'll tell you all about it. There is a little girl coming in over the ice to marry Vanderlip—
SITKA CHARLEY
(Interrupting excitedly.)
One more woman! Um Vanderlip one dam big chief.
(Holding up fingers.)
One woman, two woman, three woman, four womans.
FREDA
(Surprised.) Four women?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. Four womans.
FREDA
Who are they?
SITKA CHARLEY
(Holding up fingers.)
Little girl come in over ice—one. Lisznayi woman go 'way with um—two. Freda no want Lisznayi woman go 'way with um—three. Mrs. Eppingwell—four. One—two—three—four—womans.
FREDA
(Surprised.)
Mrs. Eppingwell! Oh, you told me about her once. She was the woman who was with you on that trip through the Hills of Silence. She is a very brave woman. I have heard much of her, and I like her. If I were a man, I could love her. She must be very good, and sweet, and kind.
SITKA CHARLEY
Sure. And um hard like iron sometimes. But um no like you. Um say so. What for um no like you?
FREDA
(Gently.)
No woman likes me, Charley.
SITKA CHARLEY
All men like you.
FREDA
(With touch of anger.)
All men are fools.
SITKA CHARLEY
What for womans no like you?
FREDA
(Meditatively).
And she likes Vanderlip. How do you know? What do you know?
SITKA CHARLEY
No can tell. I promise.
FREDA
Promised whom?
SITKA CHARLEY
Mrs. Eppingwell. Um Mrs. Eppingwell very good woman.
FREDA
But she has a husband. It is not good for her to like another man. What do you think?
SITKA CHARLEY
(Perplexedly.)
I think I don't know. I think all um womans crazy. What for all um womans like this Vanderlip man?
FREDA
(Decisively.)
Well, I don't.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Sceptically.)
Um.
FREDA
Let me show you, Charley, and then you will know why I want you to help me. And, remember, you mustn't tell a word of any of this to any one.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Debating the proposition.)
Um—maybe I tell Mrs. Eppingwell.
FREDA
(Angrily.)
Don't be silly, Charley. You mustn't tell anybody. Promise me now.
SITKA CHARLEY
(With despairing perplexity.) All right, I no tell.
FREDA
Now this little girl is coming in over the ice—her name is Flossie. She has lived a soft life down in California, where the sun is warm and there is no snow. She does not know hardship, nor the trail, and she is having a hard time now on the trail. Think of it!—sixty-five degrees below zero this morning, and she is out in it, walking, walking, walking, her breath freezing, her mouth icing up, her eyebrows rimed with frost. And she is very stiff, and sore, and tired. Every step of the trail she takes in pain. It is like a bad dream to her, Charley. But she sees, always before her, at the end of the dream, an awakening at Dawson, in the arms of the man who is to marry her. But, Charley, what if when she gets to Dawson there is no Floyd Vanderlip? no man to marry her? It will break her heart. It will be no happy awakening from a bad dream, but the beginning of a worse dream. And she is a little girl, Charley—not a strong woman like me who does not care. She will care, and she will know nobody, and she will cry, and cry, and cry. Did you ever hear a woman cry, Charley? Think of it, she is only a little girl.
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. More like baby.
FREDA
Yes, put it that way, more like a baby. She cannot stand pain.
SITKA CHARLEY
Oh, on trail, too much walk make um hurt.
FREDA
No, no.
(Holds hand to heart.)
Pain here.
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. I know. Um sick. What um call heart disease. I see one man sick that way. Um fall down dead, just like that.
FREDA
(Irritably.)
Oh, you don't understand.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Puzzled.)
I don't know. Womans all crazy.
FREDA
(Smiling.)
I think I can explain. Last summer you were in a canoe race on the river. You paddled very hard, but you lost.
(Putting hand to heart.)
And it hurt you—
SITKA CHARLEY
(Interrupting.)
Um. Um. Paddle like hell. No win race. (Stroking first one arm and then the other.) Much tired right here.
(Putting hand over heart.)
And um much hurt right here, no tired, just hurt like rheumatism, because I am sorry I lose race.
(Nods head repeatedly.)
Um. Um.
FREDA
The very thing. She doesn't know it, but she is racing against this Lisznayi woman. Flossie must get here before the other woman steals her man. And you must help her win the race. Will you?
SITKA CHARLEY
You know this Flossie girl?
FREDA
No.
SITKA CHARLEY
No?
FREDA
Never saw her in my life. But she is coming into a strange country without a friend or a dollar when she gets here. She will have great trouble. And you know, Charley, it is not good for a woman to be without friends or money in this country.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Puzzled as much as ever.)
Don't know Flossie girl. No like Vanderlip man. What for you care?... Much foolishness. All womans crazy.... All right, I help.
(Mail Carrier has-finished interview with Mrs. Eppingwell, received gold sack back from Dave Harney, and gone out with mail pouch to left. Capt. Eppingwell and Loraine Lisznayi have rejoined Mrs. Eppingwell.)
(Loraine Lisznayi says good-by to them, and starts to make exit to right, passing close to Freda and Sitka Charley. She pauses one or two paces away.)
LORAINE
(Favoring Freda with a quick but sweeping, scornful glance.)
Come here, Charley. I want to speak to you a moment.
(Her conduct angers Sitka Charley, who grows stolid and refuses to move or reply.)
FREDA
Speak with her, Charley.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Sullenly.)
No speak.
(Loraine Lisznayi, scornful expression on face, proceeds on her way, and makes exit to right.)
FREDA
Why didn't you, Charley?
SITKA CHARLEY
(Angrily.)
What for she look at you that way?
FREDA
(Ignoring the question.)
They say she is a rich woman in her own country. But I don't believe it. I think she is after Vanderlip's money.
SITKA CHARLEY
Lisznayi woman no got money. I know. I sell her dogs—eight hundred dollars. She pay me three hundred. Two weeks, three weeks, I no get other five hundred dollars. Um no got five hundred. I say, "My dogs, give me back." She give back. Me have fur robe. Good fur robe. She buy, two hundred dollar. Um no pay. Um have good fur robe. Me no have nothing. Um have cabin. Um no pay rent to Johnson. Um smile very nice, um Johnson wait. I know, I see. Um dogs she got now, Vanderlip give, make present. Um no pay firewood. Um no pay many things.
FREDA
I thought so. And now to win the race. Dogs first of all. Flossie must be brought in to-night. I want you here in Dawson, Charley. So you must send some Indian up the trail with a fresh team of dogs. Flossie camps at Mooseback tonight. He is to let her think that Vanderlip has sent the dogs, and that Vanderlip wants her to come right on to-night. Understand?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. Sure.
FREDA
(Preparing to start toward door at right.)
Start the dogs right away with a man you can trust. And he must be sure to let Flossie think that Vanderlip sent him. At the best, Flossie can't arrive until late to-night. And there may be delays. You keep on Vanderlip's trail so that you will know always where he is.
(Freda and Sitka Charley start to walk toward the door at right.)
When I send for him you must bring him to me, and I'll hold him till Flossie gets in.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Touching Freda's arm.)
No very strong, Freda.
FREDA
(Tapping her forehead.)
Vanderlip no very strong, Charley.
(Both cover ears, pull on mittens, and go out.)
(Dave Harney, unobserved, has been squatting on hams in front of counter to right, intently reading newspaper. He is making dumb show of excited interest. One of the miners discovers him, runs over to him, and starts to read newspaper over his shoulder. Dave Harney folds newspaper across, resting it on his knee, and looks up coolly into face of Miner.)
MINER
(In hurt voice.)
Can't you give a fellow a squint at your paper?
DAVE HARNEY
Got any sugar?
Sure.
MINER
DAVE HARNEY
Give me a whack at your sugar barrel?
MINER
(Surprised and shocked.)
No.
DAVE HARNEY
Then nary squint at my noospaper.
(In meantime other miners and clerks have surrounded him, all demanding to see his newspaper. Whereupon he puts paper in his pocket, rises to his feet, and starts toward door to right, miners and clerks following him and grumbling at his meanness.)
DAVE HARNEY
(Pausing with his hand on door.)
You think you're smart, don't you? Got a corner on sugar, eh? And poor Dave Harney left without no sweetenin' for his coffee an' mush. Well, poor Dave Harney's got a corner on noos. When you want noos, come an' see him, an' be sure an bring your sugar along.
(Goes out, followed by miners.)
(Mrs. Eppingwell and Capt. Eppingwell come forward to stove and warm their hands.)
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Continuing conversation.)
Perhaps Freda doesn't know about Flossie. I always thought her a good girl at heart.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Why this haste then? Why are they running away to-night instead of to-morrow as they had planned? They must have received information somehow, even before the mail carrier arrived. (Enter Mail Carrier from left.)
And look how she captured the mail carrier at once, and for one thing, I know, to learn Flossie's whereabouts.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Here he is now. Let's ask him.
(Beckons Mail Carrier over to him.)
You were talking with Freda a little while ago. What did she want to learn?
MAIL CARRIER
(Pausing only long enough to reply, and then going on to make exit to right.) Same thing as your wife—where I passed that girl's outfit.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Quietly.)
I knew it.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
But why couldn't I go around, or you, and talk with Freda, explain the situation fully to her, and make an appeal to whatever good is in her?
Mrs. Eppingwell (Smiling.)
You don't know women, Archie,
(Adding as an afterthought.)
Well as women know women. No, she must be beaten at her own game. Flossie must arrive before midnight to-night.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
But she camps at Mooseback.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
There are dogs in Dawson. Now, Archie, this is for you to do. Borrow a team of fresh dogs somewhere, put your Indian in charge of it, that one-eyed man, he's faithful, and start him up the trail to Flossie. Let her think Floyd Vanderlip has sent the dogs to bring her in right away.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Smiling.)
Ah, I see. The impatience of the ardent and long-denied lover.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Smiling in return.)
And once Flossie is here and gets her arms around Floyd Vanderlip's neck, Freda Moloof will wait in vain at the water-hole.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
That will settle it. Freda's not the woman to stand knocking her feet around a water-hole very long for any man.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Good-naturedly. )
You seem to know a great deal about what kind of a woman this dancer is.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
I know enough about her, when it comes to Vanderlip and Flossie, to think her the best of the boiling... and to have a sneaking regret for her being beaten this way.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
You may be kind-hearted, Archie, but you are unwise.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Sighing.)
Oh, well, after the manner of civilized man I submit to my womenkind. All right, I'll send the dogs at once.
(Makes a movement to start toward door to right, and Mrs. Eppingwell starts with him.)
(Mrs. Eppingwell, struck suddenly by a new idea, pauses. Capt. Eppingwell pauses a step in advance and looks at her.)
What's wrong now?
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Suppose there is some mischance, a delay, and Flossie doesn't get in by midnight?
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Then Freda wins.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Decisively.)
No, she doesn't.
(Thinks for a moment.)
Floyd Vanderlip is coming to the ball. I'll see that he comes. I'll be very nice to him and watch him closely so that he does not sneak away. If Flossie fails to arrive, say by half-past eleven, I'll be taken ill, and I'll ask Vanderlip to take me home; and I'll hold him, no matter how terribly ill or terribly nice I have to be, until midnight is well past or until Flossie arrives.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Then it's my duty to disappear about the time you are taken ill.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Archie, though I tell you for the thousandth time, you are a perfect dear. And I can be as terribly nice as I please to Floyd Vanderlip?
(Capt. Eppingwell laughs and nods, and they continue toward door.)
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(While they are pulling on mittens, etc.)
And now the dogs. Don't delay a moment, Archie, please.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
The one-eyed man and the six dogs start at once.
(They go out.)
(Only clerks behind counter are left on the stage.)
(Nothing happens for a full minute, when Mrs. McFee appears at right, peeping through door, which she holds ajar. She peers cautiously about, enters, and sniffs the air several times. Then she smiles a sour smile of satisfaction.)
MRS. McFEE
And now a decent body can make her purchases.
CURTAIN
ACT II—ANTEROOM OF PIONEER HALL
Scene. Anteroom of Pioneer Hall. It is ten-thirty P.M. The room is large and bare. Its walls are of logs, stuffed between with brown moss. Street door to rear, in centre. Doors, window-frames, and sashes of rough, unstained pine boards. At one side of door is wisp-broom for brushing snow from moccasins. On either side of door is an ordinary small-paned window, and beneath either window is a rough wooden bench. Under benches are large out-door moccasins, left there after the manner of overshoes, by their owners. In available space on rear wall, many wooden pegs, on which are hanging furs, parkas, hats, wraps, etc. Midway between front and rear, and at equal distances between centre and sides, running at full blast, are two large wood-burning stoves. Alongside each stove is a wood-box filled with firewood. On right, a window. On left, wide doorway, open, connecting with ballroom. Through doorway come occasional snatches of dance-music, bursts of laughter and of voices. Because it is very cold, street door is kept closed, and is opened by doorkeeper only when some one knocks, and then only long enough for that one to enter. All parleying is done on inside with door closed. Prince, as doorkeeper, is standing at rear by street door. Men and women, in costume, are disappearing through door to left, from where come strains of a waltz.
PRINCE
(Drawing up his shoulders, as if cold.) B-r-r!
(Crosses rapidly to lejt and peers through doorway into ballroom, looking jor somebody. Holds up his finger and beckons.) Here, you, Billy! More fire! Hi yu skookum fire!
(Enter Indian, who proceeds to fire up both stoves.)
(Prince stands looking into ballroom. A knock is heard at street door. He returns and opens door.)
(A Man enters, masked and in heavy fur overcoat.)
PRINCE
(Hastily closing door.)
Hello.
(The Man hesitates, looks around, and starts to cross to left.)
PRINCE
(Plucking him by the arm.)
Well?
MAN
(Pausing, and then, as if discovering reason for his detention.)
Oh!
(Sits down on bench and proceeds to remove moccasins.)
PRINCE
Masks must be lifted at the door, you know.
MAN
(In muffled voice.)
And give myself away? Oh, no.
PRINCE
The doorkeeper's lips are sealed. I give nobody's identity away. Come on, let's see who you are.
(Reaches out and lifts mask.)
Jack Denison!
MAN
(In clear voice.)
Yours truly, Prince, my boy.
PRINCE
But you can't come in here, old man.
MAN
And why not?
PRINCE
(Stuttering and stammering.)
Why—I—they're damned select—it's the women, you know—and I—they—well, they made me doorkeeper, and—
(Breaking down.)
—you know well enough yourself, Jack.
MAN
(Rising as though to go, and in angry tones.) By God, you can come down to Jack Denison's joint all right, and buck Jack Denison's faro layout all right, and have a social drink with him all right; but when Jack Denison comes up to your doings, you turn'm down like he had smallpox.
PRINCE
It's not my fault. It's the women, I tell you. They're running the show.
MAN
(Wheedlingly.)
You might let a fellow in just for a peep. Nobody'll know. I'll clear out before they unmask.
PRINCE
(Pleadingly.)
I can't really, old man, I—
(Catches sight oj Mrs. McFee, who appears in doorway to left.)
Look at her! Get out quick!
(Places hand on his shoulder in friendly way and starts to shove him out.)
MAN
(Catching sight of Mrs. McFee.)
Wow!
(With bodily expression of fear, shrinks behind Prince and allows himself to be shoved out.)
MRS. McFEE
(Crossing over to Prince, and suspiciously.) Who might that body be?
PRINCE
(Wiping his brow.)
One of the unelect, I am sorry to say, Mrs. McFee.
MRS. McFEE
A gambler man, I take it?
(Prince nods.)
But I can no see, Mr. Prince, why you should conduct negotiations inside the door, contameenating the air with the bodily presence of the children of sin.
PRINCE
(Slight note of anger in his voice.)
Do you know how cold it is, Mrs. McFee?
MRS. MCFEE
I have no given it a thought.
PRINCE
Well, it's seventy degrees below zero, and still going down. If that door is open one minute, a refrigerator would be comfortable alongside that ballroom. And if you don't like the way I'm doing things—
(A knock is heard, and he opens door. Sitka Charley squeezes in.)
PRINCE
(Very politely.)
Can Sitka Charley come in, Mrs. McFee?
MRS. McFEE
(Turning to go.)
He is a good body. There is no reason why he should not bide a wee.
(To Sitka Charley.)
But you must go right away again, Charley.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Nods his head, and then to Prince.) Where um Vanderlip?
PRINCE
He's here somewhere. Go and find him.
(Laughter and voices, and many couples enter from lejt, some in costume, several in hooded dominos.)
SITKA CHARLEY
(Recoiling, startled and excited.)
What that?
(Prince laughs.)
What for? Everybody crazy?
PRINCE
(Laughing.)
Button, button, who's got the button. Go and find him.
(Sitka Charley, walking stealthily, like a wild animal in dangerous territory, goes adventuring amongst the maskers.) (After some time, a domino takes Sitka Charley by the arm and leads him apart.)
SITKA CHARLEY
(Dragging back and struggling to escape.) What for, crazymans?
VANDERLIP
Shut up! It's me, Vanderlip. Looking for me?
SITKA CHARLEY
(With relief.)
Um.
VANDERLIP
Anything wrong?
SITKA CHARLEY
(Shaking head.)
No wrong. All right. Um Freda want you come right away.
VANDERLIP
(Surprised.)
Freda! What's she want with me?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um no tell. Um say: "Charley, you go Pioneer Hall quick. All the same one big dance. You catch um Vanderlip. You make um come right away."
VANDERLIP
(Puzzled.)
Where?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um Freda's cabin. You come now?
VANDERLIP
(Thinks for a minute, with a bothered air.) I'll come in a little while. You tell her.
(Turns to rejoin dancers, and speaks over shoulder.)
Dogs all right?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um.
VANDERLIP
Be at the water-hole at twelve o'clock?
SITKA CHARLEY
Um. Sure.
(Sitka Charley gains street door and goes out.)
(A knock is heard at door. Enter Dave Harney, costumed as a Scotch minister. He passes Prince's inspection, removes street moccasins and parka, and walks to the front. His shambling, loose-jointed gait discovers him. There is hand-clapping and laughter, and there are cries of "Harney! Harney!" "Dave Harney!" Crowd singsy "For the sugar-man will catch you if you don't watch out." He accepts the discovery, goes over to stove at right, pulls newspaper out of pocket, and begins to read. The dancers crowd about him, demanding the news. He makes to be offended by them and walks away, reading paper. They follow behind him, still clamoring for the news. He promenades about stage and then makes exit to left, followed by the whole crew, with the exception of one domino and a Court Lady of the time of Louis XVI, who linger by stove to left.)
COURT LADY
Mrs. Eppingwell I haven't seen your make-up, Archie.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Domino,
(In disguised voice, declaiming.)
Would that I might claim Archie for myself, there is such affectionate possession in the way you say it. Who is this Archie, sweet lady?
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Come, come, Archie, a truce to fooling. Besides, you can't fool me anyway. Did you get the dogs off?
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(In natural voice.)
Promptly, and with the one-eyed man. Also a spare man to come back post-haste and let us know their progress.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Then when should Flossie arrive?
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
We figured it out. Barring accidents, or the unusual, she'll be here by eleven-thirty—at any rate, not later than midnight.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Considering.)
Not later than midnight.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Of course, after all, one can't tell within an hour.
Mrs. Eppingwell And she is to be brought here?
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
She'll ride the sled right up to the door. A knock, and then, enter Flossie.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(With gratified smile.)
And then all our troubles will be over. And now for your make-up. I insist.
(Capt. Eppingwell slips off domino and stands forth a faithful copy of Sitka Charley.)
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Sitka Charley!
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Imitating Sitka Charley's voice.)
Um wantum dogs? I sell um dogs, much good dogs.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Clapping her hands.)
Excellent!
(She catches sight of Sitka Charley, who is entering through street door at rear.)
Quick!
(Helps Capt. Eppingwell on with domino.)
Now let us return to the ballroom and find Floyd Vanderlip. I'm pretty sure of him. He's in a domino, too.
(They start for exit to left. Sitka Charley, mistaking Capt. Eppingwell for Vanderlip, signals to him a desire to speak with him, but is ignored. Exit Mrs. Eppingwell and Capt. Eppingwell. Sitka Charley stands a moment, puzzled, watching them go, then follows after them. Makes, exit, and a moment later enters with Vanderlip, who is still in domino.)
VANDERLIP
(Testily.)
What do you want now?
SITKA CHARLEY
Me no want. Freda want.
VANDERLIP
What's she want?
SITKA CHARLEY
Want you.
VANDERLIP
I haven't anything to do with her. She can keep on wanting. I'm busy.
SITKA CHARLEY
Um want you now, right away, quick.
VANDERLIP
(Angrily.)
You go to the devil. And she can go, too, for all I care.
(Enter Dave Harney from left, still reading newspaper, and followed by the dancers.)
SITKA CHARLEY
I tell Freda you say go to devil?
VANDERLIP
(Flinging away angrily.)
Tell her! Tell her! Just as long as you quit bothering me.
(And then, seriously.)
And when you've told her you'd better go and see everything's in shape.
SITKA CHARLEY
(Starting for street door.)
Dogs, sleds, everything all right.
(Exit Sitka Charley.)
DAVE HARNEY
(In centre of stage, turning suddenly upon rout at his heels.)
Well? What d'ye want?
(The rout gathers about him, facing him. There are cries of: "The news! The news!" "What's happening down in God's country?" "Who won the championship?" "How'd the election turn out?" "Was Tammany downed?" "Is it true the United States is fighting Germany?" "Is war really declared?" etc.)
DAVE HARNEY
Got any sugar?
(Groans, cat-calls, and laughter.)
A Voice
The meanest man in the Klondike.
DAVE HARNEY
So you'd be, dodgast you, if you hadn't no sweetenin' for your coffee and mush.
Another Voice Speech! Speech!
Voices
Speech! Speech!
DAVE HARNEY
All right, consarn you, I'll speechify.
(Clears his throat.)
Ladies an' gentlemen—ahem—
(Stops to clear throat.)
A VOICE
Bring him some water. A glass of water, please, for the speaker.
ANOTHER VOICE
Get a box for him.
(The firewood is dumped out of the wood-box, which is placed before Dave Harney upside down. He is helped upon it.)
A VOICE
Now he's going to read us all the news. (Cheers and hand-clapping.)
DAVE HARNEY
(Folding newspaper and putting it in his pocket.)
My friend, you've got another guess comin'. I'm goin' to read you the riot act. An' here it is, short an' simple. You've got all the sugar, an' I've got all the noos. Nothin' to it but a dicker. We'll swop. That's what we'll do, we'll swop. (Cheers.)
An' I say again, for them as is dull of hearin', we'll swop. After the unmaskin', you all will assemble here in this here room an' hear the noospaper read, advertisements an' all.
(Cheers.)
An' in the meantime, I'm open to subscriptions in the form of promissory notes. Said notes shall be for the sum of one heapin', large tin cup of sugar, white or brown, to be paid to party of the first part—you all is party to the second part—to be paid to party of the first part inside twenty-four hours after the delivery of the goods, to wit, the noos. Said party of the first part hereby agreein' to send a man with a sack around to the cabins of said party of the second part an' collect face value of promissory note, to wit, one heapin', large tin cup of sugar, white or brown. Them that signs notes hears the noospaper read, them that don't, don't. Thankin' you kindly, one an' all, I remain, yours truly, an' am ready to take promissory notes here an' now.
(Cheers, laughter, and consent.)
A VOICE
But we haven't any pen or ink, Dave.
DAVE HARNEY
You've got to sit up all night to get up earlier than Dave Harney in the mornin'. Here you are.
(Draws pen, inkstand, and paper pad from pockets.)
An' you might as well sign first, young feller.
(The signing of notes begins, Dave Harney, with ink and paper, passing from one to another as the rout breaks up and starts back to ballroom for next dance.)
(Pausing in doorway to left.)
Just as easy—like shooting fish in a bucket.
(Goes out.)
(Enter Mrs. Eppingwell on arm of Vanderlip, who is still in domino. They promenade, talking, about room. They are followed by Loraine Lisznayi, masked and magnificently costumed, who keeps her eyes on them and betrays keen interest in them.)
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Wasn't it funny I guessed you, Mr. Vanderlip, in that first dance?
VANDERLIP
You have a good eye.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
And possibly I really wanted to find you, you know.
VANDERLIP
(Awkwardly, but pleased.)
Hum, yes, I suppose so. And I was looking for you, too, hard as I could.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
You'd never guess how I guessed you.
(He shakes his head.)
It is very simple. You are the same height as Captain Eppingwell.
(She laughs merrily.)
VANDERLIP
(Looking at dance-card.)
Hello, I haven't the next dance with you!
MRS. EPPINGWELL
No, that's promised to—well, to somebody else.
VANDERLIP
But the next after is mine.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
(Looking at dance-card.)
And the next after that. I'm almost afraid I'm dancing too much with you. What will people say?
VANDERLIP
(Pleased, and eagerly.)
Ah, but they don't know who we are.
MRS. EPPINGWELL
They will after the unmasking. Then they will remember us together so much.
VANDERLIP
(As though struck by a thought of something else.)
What time will they unmask?
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Two o'clock. And (Looks at card.) there is a waltz after that I should like. You do waltz so well, Mr. Vanderlip.
VANDERLIP
I won't be able to make that waltz, I—(Breaks off suddenly.)
MRS. EPPINGWELL
Why, you, of all men, are not going home early?
VANDERLIP
No—I—that is—
(Looks at card, studies it profoundly, as though it would get him out of his difficulty.)
Why, yes, of course we can have that waltz together. I thought it was already engaged, that was all.
(Enter Capt. Eppingwell, who comes up to them, still in domino.)
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
(Disguising voice.)
The next is mine, I believe, fair lady.
(Vanderlip ranges up alongside of him and measures height of shoulders. Capt. Eppingwell curiously observes the action, and speaks with gruff voice.)
Well, stranger, what's up?
VANDERLIP
We're both up.
CAPT. EPPINGWELL
Up to what?
VANDERLIP
Up to each other. We're the same height, and I've guessed you, Captain Eppingwell.
(All laugh together, and Capt. Eppingwell bears Mrs. Eppingwell away. They make exit to left.)
(Loraine accosts Vanderlip.)
LORAINE
(In disguised voice.)
A word in your ear, sir.
(Vanderlip is politely agreeable, and listens.)
All is discovered.
(He starts.)
Your actions have betrayed you.
VANDERLIP
Who are you?
LORAINE
Never mind who I am. I know.
(Takes his hand and looks at palm.) You are about to make a long journey.
(He starts.)
I see a water-hole.
(He starts.)
I hear a clock strike twelve.
(He starts.)
She is a dark woman, a foreigner.
(He starts.)