Doubtless.
PATRICK
You’re going to expatriate yourself—?
LOUISA
I’ll follow my mistress.
PATRICK
You will follow your mistress—that’s well said that is.
LOUISA
Is it not the duty of a good servant to follow their masters?
PATRICK
Doubtless when the change of residence is reasonable; but when the master’s change residence to go establish themselves in the Antipodes, that’s another matter. Do you know where these Antipodes are, Miss Louisa?
LOUISA
No.
PATRICK
Well, I’ve informed myself about it. It’s exactly 3,000 leagues beneath my feet—directly—in a country where men walk with their heads down and their feet in the air—where day is night and night is day—where they burn in winter and freeze in summer—Come on! Does one go to such an unreasonable country?
LOUISA
Apparently since we are going there.
PATRICK
But you’ll never come back from there.
LOUISA
Then say your goodbyes to me.
PATRICK
What! Goodbye—
LOUISA
Yes—goodbye.
PATRICK
Anyway, you aren’t going tomorrow.
LOUISA
Who knows?
PATRICK
And you are telling me all this for true,— plainly?
LOUISA
Without any doubt.
PATRICK
Why there’s a way to kill a man on the spot.
LOUISA
Bah! You will do as Mr. Williams, you will resign yourself.
PATRICK
Mr. Williams resigned! Why that means that he’s like me—not quite like me—he’s in despair.
LOUISA
Ah! Now there’s someone who, if he were free to come as you are, wouldn’t beg—he doesn’t compromise with those he loves.
PATRICK
Excuse me, I seldom compromise with those I don’t love—and I have my reasons for that—if you were to know.
LOUISA
I ask nothing better.
PATRICK
Have you ever made a crossing—you who speak?
LOUISA
Never—
PATRICK
Well—as for me, I made one—not very long—from Dover to Calais—I am only telling you that—and yet I am a man—!
LOUISA
A bad sailor, that’s all.
PATRICK
Ah, yes—I am subject to attacks of giddiness, only looking at waves; I prefer turf to the sea; earthquakes are rare unlike big boats bearing immigrants where it’s a perpetual uproar! The wind blows, the ropes screech, the boards crack, everyone is complaining—and when the weather is calm—you see them following you opening their jaws to swallow the boat! I get ill just to think of it—I was at the point that if I could do without fog, I’d never go back to England. But what do you want? I’m a true Englishman, I cannot do without fog—that’s what make us so gay.
LOUISA
Well—don’t leave your fog—and wish me bon voyage. Hey, someone’s knocking.
PATRICK
I hear, I hear.
LOUISA
Then go open.
PATRICK
Fine! Why rush? You can plainly hear—it’s some common person—the knock of a servant probably—
LOUISA
Perhaps the one rapping so humbly is coming to seek help for some poor sick person or some injured worker! You know Doctor Ivans’ orders are to open quickly—whatever may be the manner of the person knocking.
(two small knocks)
Go ahead, Patrick, go ahead!
(Patrick heads out.)
PATRICK
Coming—ah, I don’t know if it’s the sorrow of leaving you or the memory of the sea—but I don’t feel well.
(Exit Patrick.)
LOUISA
I’m beginning to think it’s really lucky I’m leaving. I might have been mad enough to marry that boy—I’d noticed he had no wit, but now I begin to see he has no heart.
(Enter Robinson with the Doctor.)
ROBINSON
Word of honor—of an honest man, Doctor Ivans, I cannot give you more than 200 pounds sterling for all this.
DOCTOR
(aside)
He ought to say—word of a trickster.
(aloud)
Anyway, can I have the money tonight by ten o’clock?
ROBINSON
I need to prepare a bill of sale.
DOCTOR
That’s very true—but it will be ready in twenty minutes. Send it to me.
ROBINSON
The Bill, together with 200 pounds will be delivered to you by six o’clock, Dr. Ivans.
DOCTOR
You always have to be careful about people who give their word about everything.
(noticing the Parisian in the antechamber)
Ah! Ah! There’s someone waiting for me in the antechamber, and you didn’t tell me about him, Louisa?
LOUISA
I didn’t know it, sir. It’s that imbecile of a Patrick; he is so upset about our departure that under the pretext of helping me, he messes up everything.
DOCTOR
It’s to me you wish to speak, young man?
PARISIAN
Yes, Doctor, with your permission, if it doesn’t disturb you.
DOCTOR
Not in the least. Come in: I am yours.
(to Mr. Robinson)
So, at six o’clock, Mr. Robinson?
(The Parisian enters.)
ROBINSON
At six.
(He leaves.)
LOUISA
Should I tell Miss Melida to come make tea?
DOCTOR
If you like.
(Louisa leaves.)
DOCTOR