The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Thirteenth Chair, by Bayard Veiller

THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR

A Play in Three Acts

BY BAYARD VEILLER

LONDON
SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.

1922

All applications for a licence to perform this play, either by professional or amateur companies, must be made to—
Messrs. Samuel French, Ltd.,
26 Southampton Street,
Strand, London, W.C.2,
or their authorized representatives.

The fee for the representation by amateurs is Five Guineas.

In the event of more than one performance being given by amateurs, the fee for each and every representation subsequent to the first is Four Guineas. This reduction only applies when the performances are consecutive (evening following evening, or evening following matinée) and at the same theatre or hall.

Upon payment of the fee, a licence will be issued for the performance to take place, and no performance may be given unless this licence has been obtained.

Character costumes and wigs used in the performance of plays contained in French's Acting Edition may be obtained from Messrs. CHARLES H. FOX, Ltd., Acre House, 72 Long Acre, London, W.C.2.

THE ABOVE MENTIONED FEE IS
REDUCED NOW TO THREE GUINEAS
EACH PERFORMANCE.

Made and Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London.

[ACT I]
[ACT II]
[ACT III]

[!-- H2 anchor --]

THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR

Produced at The Duke of York's Theatre, London, on October the 16th, 1917, with the following cast of characters:—

The scene throughout the play is the Italian Room in Roscoe Crosby's House, New York. The time is evening. The second act takes place ten minutes later than the first and the third act half an hour later than the second.

[!--IMG--]

[!-- H2 anchor --]

THE THIRTEENTH CHAIR

ACT I

The SCENE is the Italian Room in ROSCOE CROSBY'S Home in New York. It is a handsome room. A plan of the setting will be found at the end of the play. As the curtain rises Miss HELEN O'NEILL and WILLIAM CROSBY are discovered standing R.C. They are in each other's arms, and the rising curtain discloses them as they kiss. The window blinds are drawn.

HELEN. I love you so.

WILLIAM. You are the most wonderful thing in all the world.

(She gives a little laugh and moves away from him a step right.)

HELEN. I can't believe it.

WILLIAM. That I love you?

HELEN. Oh, no, I'm sure of that.

WILLIAM. If there's any doubt in your mind, I'll prove it again.

HELEN. They'll see us. (He takes her in his arms again and kisses her. She laughs happily. And then turning a little stands with her cheek pressed against his.) Oh, my dear, my dear!

(MRS. CROSBY, a fashionably dressed and extremely attractive woman, enters from door down L. She closes the door. She stops for a moment and watches the lovers and then with a little laugh comes toward them. MRS. CROSBY is fifty-five and looks ten years younger. She has charm, beauty and kindliness.)

MRS. CROSBY (coming to C. a step). Don't move, you look so comfortable! (They separate quickly.) Well, are you happy? (To R.C.)

WILLIAM. Oh, mother!

HELEN. Happy!

(MRS. CROSBY crosses to HELEN, pats her hand and stands between WILLIAM and HELEN R.C.)

WILLIAM. Shall we tell 'em all?

MRS. CROSBY. Tell them? (She laughs.) What do you think they are? Blind and deaf? It's been a perfectly wonderful dinner. You were so blind to everything but each other. Oh, Billy, I thought your father would have a fit.

HELEN. I thought he had an awful cold, he was coughing terribly.

MRS. CROSBY. Coughing? He nearly choked to keep from laughing. I told him I'd send him from the table if he laughed at you.

WILLIAM. Why you never spoke to him once.

MRS. CROSBY. Child, explain to him that wives don't have to—Oh, I forget you haven't learned that yet. You know, Billy, I can talk to your father very effectively without words.

(Crosses to below table R.)

HELEN (turning to MRS. CROSBY). Mrs. Crosby—

WILLIAM. Mother, Nell's all fussed up because we've got money. She thinks you'll think—I'm—what in novels they call marrying beneath me.

(He and MRS. CROSBY laugh. HELEN looks a little hurt.)

HELEN. Well, he is.

MRS. CROSBY. Nonsense, child, don't be silly. (Sits down stage end of table.)

HELEN (moving a step to MRS. CROSBY). It's not silly, Mrs. Crosby. Everyone will say it, and they'll be right.

WILLIAM. Let's settle this thing now once and for all, then. In the first place it's all nonsense, and in the second it isn't true—

HELEN. Oh, yes, it is.

MRS. CROSBY. Oh, the first row! I'll settle this one. Nelly!

WILLIAM. Now then, Nell, out with it, get it all out of your system.

HELEN. In the first place, it's the money.

MRS. CROSBY. Yes, but—Helen—

HELEN. Please, let me say it all. You have social position, great wealth, charming friends, everything that makes life worth—Oh, what's the use? You know as well as I do the great difference between us, and—

MRS. CROSBY. My dear child, suppose we admit all that, what then?

HELEN. But don't you see—

WILLIAM (embracing her in front of table R.). You little idiot! I don't see anything but you.

MRS. CROSBY. You love each other, that's the whole of it, children. Suppose you listen to an old woman.

WILLIAM. Old! Huh!

MRS. CROSBY. Well, old enough. If Billy was the usual rich man's son it might be different. There might be something in what you say. But thank God he isn't. Mind you, I don't say he wasn't like most of them when he was younger. I dare say he was, I know he went to supper with a chorus girl once.

WILLIAM. Twice.

HELEN. What was she like?

WILLIAM. Like a chorus girl.

MRS. CROSBY. The trouble with you, my dear, is that you've been reading novels. When Billy's father married me, I was a school teacher, and he was a clerk. We didn't have any money, but we were awfully in love—we still rather like each other. Now just for the sake of argument, suppose we should have acted like stern parents, what would be the use? Billy's in business for himself, he's making his own money, he can marry when he wants to and as he wants to, and if you want my real opinion, I don't mind confessing that I think he's pretty lucky to get you.

WILLIAM. There!

HELEN. But you know so little about me.

WILLIAM. Oh, rot!

MRS. CROSBY (to WILLIAM). Thank you, Billy. I was trying to think of an effective word. (To HELEN.) You've been my private secretary for over a year, and no matter how much my looks belie it, I'm not a bit of a fool. I know a great deal about you.

HELEN. My family—

WILLIAM (C.). I'm not marrying your family!

HELEN. I'm afraid you are.

WILLIAM. Oh!

HELEN. There's only mother.

MRS. CROSBY (rising and moving to HELEN'S side in front of table R.). Oh, my dear, forgive me. Your mother should have been here to-night.

HELEN. No, my mother—Mrs. Crosby—mother doesn't go out—she'd be unhappy here, and you'd be uncomfortable if she came. You'll find her trying sometimes, you'll think she's common. Oh, don't misunderstand me. She's the most wonderful mother in the world. And she's—

MRS. CROSBY. Suppose, my dear, that we take your mother for granted. (She crosses to a position between WILLIAM and HELEN.) Take us as you find us and we will try to be happy.

(Enter CROSBY from door L. He is a fine-looking man of about sixty, with a pleasant personality, a good deal of charm and that masterful self-possession which sometimes marks the man of affairs. It is always evident that the most delightful intimacy exists between himself and his wife.)

MRS. CROSBY. Well, Roscoe?

CROSBY (moves to L.C.). Welcome, my dear. (HELEN crosses to him and he takes her in his arms.)

HELEN. Oh, Mr. Crosby—I—

CROSBY (placing HELEN L. of him with arm still around her, reaching his other hand to WILLIAM). Bill, shake!

(Father and son shake hands.)

(CROSBY looks at his wife and they laugh gently.)

Shall I tell 'em?

MRS. CROSBY (standing in front of table over R.). I would.

WILLIAM (R.C.) Tell us what?

CROSBY (C.). You did this just in time. To-morrow I was going to forbid you to have anything more to do with this young woman.

HELEN (L. of CROSBY). You see!

WILLIAM. What for?

CROSBY. Your mother and I felt that you were pretty slow with your love-making——

WILLIAM. Oh, mother!

CROSBY (continuing).—and I knew darned well that if I interfered, you'd take the girl out and marry her.

HELEN. Oh!

WILLIAM. You old schemer!

CROSBY (crossing over R.C. below MRS. CROSBY). I bet it would have worked.

WILLIAM (as CROSBY crosses R. WILLIAM slaps him on the back). It would. (Crosses behind HELEN to L.C.)

(The door down L. opens and EDWARD WALES enters.)

WALES. I came ahead of the others to tell you—

CROSBY. Why, Ned, old man, you came just in time to congratulate them. (He points toward WILLIAM and HELEN.)

WALES. On what? (L.C.)

MRS. CROSBY. They're going to be married: isn't it fine?

WALES. Oh!

(There is a long pause.)

WILLIAM. You don't congratulate us, Mr. Wales.

WALES. No, Will, I don't. I'm not sure that I can. (Down stage a step.)

CROSBY. Why, Ned?

WILLIAM. I'm afraid that calls for an explanation.

WALES. Yes, I expect that it does.

(There is a long pause.)

WILLIAM. Well?

WALES. I'm sorry, but I can't explain anything until to-morrow.

MRS. CROSBY. But really, Mr. Wales, don't you think—

WALES. I think my action is almost indefensible. I'm admitting that. But I have very good reasons for what I am doing. (He turns to CROSBY.) Roscoe, I've been your close friend for a great many years. You've trusted me and believed in me. I'm going to ask you to wait. After all, twenty-four hours can't make any difference, and it may save you all a great deal of unhappiness.

WILLIAM (coming to WALES a step). This is intolerable.

CROSBY. Ned, I can't understand—

WILLIAM. Father, this is my affair.

WALES. I'm sorry.

WILLIAM. Sorry? I should think you would be.

HELEN. Billy, I told you what would happen. Mr. Wales, I don't know what you have discovered. But it's nothing of which I am ashamed, nothing.

WILLIAM. Dear, you mustn't mind what he says.

HELEN (crossing in front of WILLIAM and moving a few steps towards WALES). Oh, but I do, I can't bear it. Why, my mother is the most wonderful woman in the world. I won't have her attacked. Do you know what she did? When I was ten years old she sent me away from her. I was the one thing she had in the world to love and she gave me up because she thought—because she thought it was the best thing she could do for me. I was sent to a fine school, then to college, and then when I was nineteen, quite by accident, I found out that she wasn't dead, as they'd always told me, and when I went to her all she said was, "Well, my dear, I wanted to make a lady of you."

(Turns to WILLIAM C. He takes her in his arms, then HELEN moves over to R. of him.)

MRS. CROSBY (in front of table R.). I think she succeeded, my dear.

WALES (L.C.). Miss O'Neill, I didn't even know that you had a mother.

WILLIAM (C.). Then you'd better tell us now whatever your objection is.

WALES. I can tell you nothing until to-morrow. (He turns to WILLIAM.) Billy, I'd rather be shot than do what I'm doing. If I'm wrong I'll come to you gladly and eat dirt. I'll beg this young lady's pardon, on my knees if she likes. (Voices and laughter heard off L.) Now that's all I'm going to say about it until then. (Moves up L.)

(The door L. opens. MARY EASTWOOD, HELEN TRENT, ELIZABETH ERSKINE, GRACE STANDISH, HOWARD STANDISH, PHILIP MASON and BRADDISH TRENT enter laughing and talking.)

MISS EASTWOOD (at L.C. To crowd in doorway). And he said whose wife?

(All laugh.)

WILLIAM (C. HELEN in front of table R.). Quiet, quiet, everybody. I've got a surprise for you.

(From the people at the door come laughter and buzz of conversation.)

Nellie and I are going to be married.

(Girls rush C. and congratulate HELEN. Men and WILLIAM L.C. Business ad lib., congratulating him.)

MISS EASTWOOD (coming to WILLIAM C.). If you hadn't been engaged to her, she could have you arrested for the way you made eyes at her at dinner, Billy. But of course, if people will marry—why——(She turns away R.) I hope you will be awfully happy. (Crosses to MR. and MRS. CROSBY down R.)

MISS ERSKINE (coming to WILLIAM). Isn't it beautiful? (Moves up to L. of chesterfield sofa.)

MRS. TRENT (crossing to WILLIAM and kissing him). I'm glad, Billy, glad.

(Moves over to STANDISH, who is down L. with TRENT. MISS STANDISH moves to front of table R.)

(WILLIAM and HELEN look around—see that no one is paying attention to them—WILLIAM sneaks up to door R.C., opens it and he and HELEN exit quickly. MRS. CROSBY, MR. CROSBY and MISS EASTWOOD are in front of the table R.C. TRENT, STANDISH, MRS. TRENT, MASON talking together over L. WALES up L. Conversation ad lib. until MISS EASTWOOD speaks.)

MISS EASTWOOD (to MRS. CROSBY). Marriage is such an awful gamble. I know a girl who tried it four times. Billy, I do hope you—— (Turning to C., where WILLIAM was standing.) Why, they are gone!

(Laughter and buzz of conversation ad lib.)

(Miss EASTWOOD runs up to door R.C., opens it—looks in dining-room—gives a scream—closes door quickly, comes to right end of chesterfield. TRENT goes to console table L. of chesterfield, gets cigarette, lights it, and crosses to C. back of chesterfield in front of fireplace. STANDISH and MRS. TRENT move to table L. of chesterfield. WALES and MISS ERSKINE sit on chesterfield facing audience up C. MRS. CROSBY is still at upper end of table R. CROSBY talks with MISS EASTWOOD. MASON is the L. end of the chesterfield facing the audience.)

(Enter BUTLER from down L.)

BUTLER. Mrs. Crosby, the person you sent the car for has arrived.

(All turn eagerly toward him.)

WALES (rises and moves down L.C.). Can we see her now, Mrs. Crosby?

MRS. CROSBY. Certainly—Pollock, ask Madame la Grange if she will come in, please.

BUTLER. Yes, madame.

(He exits and closes the door after him.)

MISS EASTWOOD (coming down between the large table and the chesterfield). I'm perfectly thrilled. Do you suppose she expects to be taken seriously?

MISS ERSKINE. Of course.

MISS EASTWOOD (at table R.). How funny! If you don't laugh at her, we can have no end of fun. I'll guy her terribly and she'll never know it.

MRS. CROSBY (at table R.). Oh, I wouldn't do that, Mary. She may be quite in earnest.

MISS EASTWOOD. Oh, I can't believe that. Madame la Grange! I can see her now. Tall, black-haired creature, regular adventuress, see if she isn't. Isn't she, Mr. Wales?

WALES (in front of chesterfield). She's the most remarkable woman I have ever known.

(Enter BUTLER from door L., coming well on stage).

BUTLER. Madame la Grange.

(Enter MADAME ROSALIE LA GRANGE. She is a woman of about fifty. She speaks with a marked French accent.)

ROSALIE. Good evening everybody. (The men all rise.)

MRS. CROSBY. How do you do, Madame la Grange?

ROSALIE. I am well, I thank you, madame.

MRS. CROSBY. Do come in.

ROSALIE. Thank you, madame. (She sees WALES L.C., and goes to him.) Good evening, Mister Wales. It was kind of you to send the motor-car for me.

WALES. We wanted you to be comfortable.

ROSALIE. And I was. (She laughs and turns to MRS. CROSBY R.C.) Do you know, madame, when the gentleman in uniform come for me, I thought at first it was a policeman.

MRS. CROSBY. I hope you weren't frightened.

(The positions now are: ROSALIE C., CROSBY R. end of chesterfield C. MRS. TRENT and STANDISH have moved down L. TRENT comes to L. of arm-chair. Miss ERSKINE seated on chesterfield up C. MRS. CROSBY at table R. WALES L.C. and MASON L.C.)

ROSALIE. Oh, no, madame. I should like to see the policeman that could frighten me. They are nice boys, the policemen.

MISS EASTWOOD (on the R. side of ROSALIE). Mr. Wales tells us you are wonderful.

ROSALIE. All women are.

MISS EASTWOOD (with a meaning glance at the others). So you tell fortunes?

ROSALIE. No, mademoiselle, I do not. I get messages from those of us that 'ave passed on. I do not 'old at all with the cards nor tea-leaves nor any of those tricks.

(All laugh—MISS EASTWOOD loudest.)

Once in a while I give advice. (She turns to MISS EASTWOOD.) If I was you, mademoiselle, I would not meet Jimmy at the Ritz at three o'clock to-morrow.

(All laugh. MISS STANDISH crosses to chesterfield C. and sits. Miss ERSKINE rises and crosses to table R. and sits in arm-chair upper end. MASON moves up and sits on up stage chesterfield. TRENT goes to L. end of chesterfield. MISS EASTWOOD is in front of table R. ROSALIE goes to WALES L.C. CROSBY seats MRS. CROSBY down stage end of table R., then crosses back of MISS ERSKINE to upper end of table.)

Well, sir, and how are you?

WALES. We're expecting great things from you to-night, Madame la Grange.

ROSALIE. Bien! I hope you will not be disappointed.

CROSBY (above table R., coming C. a step). I suppose there are a lot of tricks that——

ROSALIE (interrupting him). I suppose mine is the only trade in the world in which there are tricks, eh, monsieur?

MISS EASTWOOD (coming to ROSALIE C.). Why shouldn't I meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow?

ROSALIE. If you do, something awful may 'appen to 'im.

MISS EASTWOOD. What?

ROSALIE. If you keep meeting Jimmy 'e may marry you.

(MISS EASTWOOD moves up stage a step.)

CROSBY (upper end of table R.). Would you mind telling me how you know this young lady was going to meet Jimmy at the Ritz to-morrow afternoon?

ROSALIE. She did leave 'is letter in 'er bag in the 'all, and while I wait I 'ave read it.

MISS EASTWOOD (C.). How did you know it was my bag?

ROSALIE. The stuff of the bag matches the stuff of your dress.

MRS. CROSBY (seated below table R.). Then it is all trickery?

ROSALIE. It is, madame, and it is not. I tell you, madame, most of the time it is tricks, with even the best of us. But there 'ave been times in my life when it was not tricks. There 'ave been things I could not understand myself, messages from them that 'ave passed on, madame. There is a power—a wonderful power—that come to us. But you never can tell when it is coming. And if you waited for it you would starve to death. So when it is not there we use tricks.

MRS. CROSBY (seated at lower end of table at R.). I think I understand.

ROSALIE. Do you, madame? I thought you would.

(She moves to and puts her hand-bag on the table R. MRS. TRENT, seated below door down L., is joined by WALES. MASON is standing in front of the fireplace.)

MISS EASTWOOD (coming to R.C.). Don't you think all this is dishonest!

ROSALIE (in front of table R., turning to her). What is dishonest in it?

MISS EASTWOOD. Tricking a lot of poor ignorant people.

ROSALIE. It is all in the way you look at it. A widow woman came to me this mornin' with a breaking 'eart for the man that was gone. I went into a trance and Laughing Eyes, my spirit control, came with a message from 'im. She said 'e was in heaven with the angels, and there was no cold nor 'unger; and the streets were paved with gold, and there was music and 'appiness everywhere. She told 'er he was thinking of 'er every day and every hour and watching and waiting for the day she would come to 'im. Now wasn't that worth fifty cents of any woman's money? And the man may be in 'ell for all I know!

TRENT (L.C. by arm-chair). What I can't understand is why you are telling us all this.

(MISS EASTWOOD moves to the chesterfield C.)

MRS. TRENT (seated over L. by door). If we know you are fooling——

ROSALIE (going to TRENT). Did not Mr. Wales tell you?

WALES (L.C.). I've told them nothing.

(MASON drops down R. of chesterfield, STANDISH down L. CROSBY is R. end of chesterfield C.)

ROSALIE (C.). Well, tell them now, if you please, sir. (Moves to and sits upper end of table and takes off her gloves.)

WALES (down L.). As I told you some time ago, Madame la Grange has done a lot of things that we can't explain—-when I asked her to come here to-night, she said she would under certain conditions.

MASON (between chesterfield and table). You mean test conditions?

WALES. Not exactly. What she said was that no money should pass between us, and that whatever she did, she would be honest.

MASON (very eagerly, and moving towards ROSALIE). You mean that you won't play any tricks?

ROSALIE. If I do, I will tell you.

MISS EASTWOOD (seated on chesterfield C.). Of course we understand all about spirit rappings.

ROSALIE. You do, eh?

STANDISH (down L.). Well, rather.

(CROSBY sits R. end of chesterfield.)

ROSALIE. Well, well, what do you think of that?

MISS EASTWOOD. You have to be near a table or something like that and——

ROSALIE. Maybe a chair or a desk would do?

MISS EASTWOOD. And then in the dark——

ROSALIE. But of course in the dark. And you get one rap for yes and two raps for no. (There is a short pause. ROSALIE rises, comes down C. and says:) Are those spirits near?

(All laugh.)

STANDISH. Oh, no, don't.

(One rap is heard from the back of the fireplace.)

(Little laugh.)

MISS EASTWOOD. But—(Rising and coming down L.C. a step.)

MASON. Oh, please keep still—

(They gather a little closer around ROSALIE.)

ROSALIE. Is it Laughing Eyes?

(One rap is heard—still louder.)

And you cannot talk to me in the light?

(One rap.)

Are you 'appy?

(MRS. TRENT rises.)

(Two raps again.)

Is there someone here you do not like?

(One rap.)

A gentleman?

(Two raps.)

Dear, dear, a lady?

(One rap.)

(She points to MISS EASTWOOD.)

Is it that one?

(One rap.)

Laughing Eyes she do not like you.

(General laugh.)

MASON (R.C.). That's the most wonderful thing I ever heard.

STANDISH (down L.). Oh, I don't think——

MASON. It couldn't be a trick. She just stood there. I watched her hands every minute.

(TRENT goes to arm-chair L.C.)

ROSALIE. You did watch the wrong end of me. I 'ave a wooden sole in my shoe. (She lifts her skirt and shows that she has taken one foot from her slipper.) You do it with your foot. Like this. (Laughingly.) It is a trick.

(MISS EASTWOOD goes to WALES L.C. MRS. TRENT moves up to armchair L.C. STANDISH up to L. end of chesterfield, and then by the back of chesterfield to R.C., CROSBY C. MRS. CROSBY is seated at table R.)

MASON (R.C.). Then if we get any messages—

ROSALIE. If you get any messages? Well, sir, I am telling you the truth now. Most of the time it is a fake. With me as with the others. But to-night there will be no fake. I am a stranger to all of you except to Mr. Wales. I do not know who live in this 'ouse. I do not know the name of any one of you. Mr. Wales told me he wanted me to come 'ere, he said he would send for me. (Moves to R. end of chesterfield.) But 'e did not tell me one word about any of you;

WALES (down L.). That is quite true.

TRENT (by arm-chair L.C.). You haven't given her a hint of any sort?

WALES (L.). On my word of honour.

MASON (above table R.). Madame la Grange.

ROSALIE. Yes, sir?

MASON. I know a man who saw Palladino lift a table just by putting her hands on it.

(ROSALIE points to a small console table R. end of settee—it has a lamp on it. MISS EASTWOOD is at the L. end of chesterfield.)

ROSALIE (putting hand-bag on chair above table R.). Will someone please take the lamp off that table? And will you bring it to me 'ere?

(MISS STANDISH moves to and takes the lamp and holds it. MASON brings console table to ROSALIE who comes down C.—the wide side of the table to audience. ROSALIE puts her hands on table with her thumbs under its edge and lifts the table and turns right and left.)

You mean like that?

MASON. Yes, I suppose that was it.

ROSALIE. In the dark you would not 'ave noticed my thumbs.

(All laugh. Miss ERSKINE is seated at the back of the table over R.)

But it can be done, it can be done. I do not say that I can do it in the light, but if you want I will try.

ALL. Oh, yes, yes, of course, please do—yes, yes!

MASON. You mean without any trickery?

ROSALIE (getting back of console table. Turning table around—narrow side to audience). I mean like this.

(She places the tips of the fingers of both hands on the C. of the table and stands rigid for a few moments. No one speaks. All watch her with breathless interest. Slowly the table tips a little to one side, and then tips in the opposite direction. Then it slowly rises about a foot from the floor, and then drops suddenly and falls over. There is a long pause.)

MASON (R. of small table). Good Lord!

WALES (L.C., quietly). What did I tell you?

(There is a long pause, all turn towards ROSALIE to see what she will do next. MASON takes console table back to its place to the R. end of the chesterfield. TRENT and MRS. TRENT are over L. STANDISH and CROSBY C.)

ROSALIE (C.). Now you all do know what I can do, but I can trick you too; so you will 'ave to take my word for it that I will not. I am not making to you any promises. I will go into the trance for you and it will be the real trance and not a fake. My spirit does control a little girl named Laughing Eyes.

CROSBY. Are you asking us to believe that the spirit of a dead child——

ROSALIE (C.). To them that believe there is no death. Your own religion teaches you that.

CROSBY. But not that the spirits of the dead can come back to earth.

ROSALIE (moves to chair upper end of table R. CROSBY crosses to R. end of chesterfield). Monsieur should go and read the Bible. I am not going to argue with any of you. I did not come 'ere for argument. Most of you do not believe. You are all of little faith; it is 'ard to get messages then. Perhaps it would be best if I did go. (Crosses to L.C. STANDISH has moved to the back of table R.)

MRS. CROSBY (at table R.). Oh, no, please stay.

ROSALIE (after hesitating). Madame, I will be glad to.

(WILLIAM and HELEN enter R.C.)

TRENT (down L. of arm-chair). And you're willing to submit to our conditions?

ROSALIE. Of course, anything in reason—I——

HELEN (coming down R.C.). Why!

(At the sound of a new voice ROSALIE turns. She gives a little start, and then moves quickly to HELEN C.)

ROSALIE. Wait! Something is coming to me. Please—not anyone to speak!

(All laugh.)

(She is close to HELEN and looks at her.) It is a message. Give me your 'and, mademoiselle.

(HELEN in a good deal of confusion gives ROSALIE her hand. ROSALIE stands and holds it. Her eyes are closed.)

There is nothing but 'appiness coming to you. The spirits tell me you are the favourite child of fortune.

(WILLIAM comes down to R.C.)

You will 'ave wealth and prosperity and 'appiness. You will marry the man you love, and you will be 'appy all your life,