Three Lancashire Plays: The Game; The Northerners; ZackBrighouse, Harold
General
Three Lancashire Plays: The Game; The Northerners; Zack
Brighouse, Harold
English drama -- 20th century; Lancashire (England) -- Drama; Political plays
Paul. You a baby and me a little lad. No wonder I'd forgotten it.
Mrs. Munning. You've both come on a bit since then. Ring the bell for
tea, Paul.
(_Paul looks surprised, then rings._)
Virginia (_turning over leaves_). Is this Paul, too?
Mrs. Munning. Yes. Paul at five. (_Turning_). And there he is at ten,
and there at twelve and----
Virginia. Yes. But haven't I another cousin, Aunt Elizabeth?
Mrs. Munning. Yes. Yes, but----
Paul. He makes a bad photograph.
Virginia. Some people do. But they are often all the better in the
flesh. Will he be in to tea?
Mrs. Munning. Well----
Virginia. Isn't he at home?
(_Sally enters with tea, sandwiches, etc._)
Paul. Oh yes. But we're very busy in the joiner's shop just now.
(_Sally stops short and looks at him._)
Mrs. Munning. Come along, Sally.
Virginia. Oh, dear! But of course I'm glad to know your business does
so well. I mean I suppose it does if my cousin is too busy to come in to
tea.
Mrs. Munning. We'll send for him. Sally, tell Mr. Zachary to come.
Sally. Mr. Zachary?
Mrs. Munning. Yes.
Sally. Do you mean Zack?
Mrs Munning. Tell Mr. Zachary tea's ready and his cousin's come.
Sally. But I don't know where he is. He's such a one for getting into
holes and corners and----
Paul. You can find him, can't you?
Sally. I can try. And I'll start with his bed, and all. It's ten to one
he's lying on it.
Mrs. Munning. Sally, he's----
Sally. Are you finding him or am I? Because if it's me, I'll look in the
likeliest place first.
(_Exit Sally._)
Mrs. Munning. You mustn't expect town courtesy from our country
servants, Jenny. May I give you sugar? Virginia. One lump, please.
Mrs. Munning. And cream?
Virginia. Thanks.
Mrs. Munning. Paul, Jenny's cup.
(_Paul hands it clumsily. While they are occupied the door opens,
and Zack enters. He is younger than Paul, but neglect makes him look
middle-aged. He wears spectacles and a beard and is dressed shabbily
with a carpenter's apron on. Under his left arm is the wedding-cake
model._)
Zack. I knew that was the smell of tea-time, but what are we having it
in here for?
Mrs. Munning. Zack, don't you see your cousin?
(_Mrs. Munning pours tea, etc. Virginia rises._)
Zack. Why, if I'd not forgotten all about her. I am a careless chap.
Do you know, Miss Virginia, I forgot to come in to dinner one day last
week.
Paul. That doesn't often happen.
Zack. It _'_ud better not, neither. Gives you a nasty sinking feel
towards tea-time to go without your dinner. Well, how are you, Miss
Virginia? I'm pleased to meet you.
(_Till now Virginia has stood slightly embarrassed and amused. He comes
forward now, and Virginia puts out her hand._)
Mrs. Munning. You'll wash your hand before you touch Jenny's.
Zack. Maybe I ought. I'm not so frequent at the soap as I might be.
Virginia. I think we'll shake hands as you are.
Zack. Will you? That's hearty.
(_They shake hands. Virginia sits, Zack is about to._)
But----- Oh, Lord!
Virginia. What is it?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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