The girl with the green eyes

A few typographical errors have been corrected. They have been marked in the text with mouse-hover popups. All French and German words ("Wunderbaum!") are as in the original.

THE GIRL WITH THE
GREEN EYES

The Girl with the
Green Eyes

A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS

By

CLYDE FITCH

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
NEW YORK MCMV

LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd.

Copyright, 1905,
By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.
All Rights Reserved.

Set up and electrotyped. Published November, 1905.

Norwood Press

J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith Co.
Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

TO

CLARA BLOODGOOD

GOOD FRIEND AND IDEAL INTERPRETER
OF “JINNY”

THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN EYES

THE PERSONS MORE OR LESS
CONCERNED IN THE PLAY

Originally produced under the management of Charles Frohman at the Savoy Theatre, New York, on the 25th of December, 1902, with the following cast:—

[ACT I]

A charming room in the Tillmans' house. The walls are white woodwork, framing in old tapestries of deep foliage design, with here and there a flaming flamingo; white furniture with old, green brocade cushions. The room is in the purest Louis XVI. The noon sunlight streams through a window on the left. On the opposite side is a door to the hall. At back double doors open into a corridor which leads to the ballroom. At left centre are double doors to the front hall. A great, luxurious sofa is at the left, with chairs sociably near it, and on the other side of the room a table has chairs grouped about it. On floral small table are books and objets d'art, and everywhere there is a profusion of white roses and maidenhair fern.

In the stage directions Left and Right mean Left and Right of actor, as he faces audience.

Three smart-looking Servants are peering through the crack of the folding door, their backs to the audience. The pretty, slender Maid is on a chair. The elderly Butler dignifiedly stands on the floor. The plump, overfed little Housemaid is kneeling so as to see beneath the head of the Butler.

Housemaid. [Gasping.] Oh, ain't it a beautiful sight!

Butler. [Pompously.] Not to me who 'ave seen a Lord married in Hengland.

Maggie. Oh, you make me sick, Mr. Potts, always talking of your English Aristocracy! I'm sure there never was no prettier wedding than this. Nor as pretty a bride as Miss Jinny.

Butler. [Correcting her.] Mrs. Haustin!

Housemaid. She looks for all the world like one of them frosted angels on a Christmas card. My, I wish I could 'a' seen her go up the aisle with the organ going for all it was worth!

Maggie. It was a beautiful sight!

Butler. A good many 'appens to be 'aving the sense to be going now.

Housemaid. Could you hear Miss Jinny say "I do," and make them other remarks?

Maggie. Yes, plain, though her voice was trembly like. But Mr. Austin he almost shouted!

[Laughing nervously in excitement.

Butler. 'E's glad to get 'er!

Maggie. And her him!

Housemaid. Yes, that's what I likes about it. Did any one cry?

Maggie. Mrs. Tillman. Lots of people are going now.

Housemaid. What elegant clothes! Oh, gosh!

Butler. [Superciliously.] Mrs. Cullingham don't seem in no 'urry; she's a common lot!

Maggie. I don't care, she's rich and Miss Jinny likes her; she just throws money around to any poor person or church or hospital that wants it, or don't! So she can't be so very common neither, Mr. Potts!

Housemaid. Say, I catch on to something! Young Mr. Tillman's sweet on that there tall bridesmaid.

Maggie. [Sharply.] Who?

Butler. Miss Chester. I've seen there was something goin' hon between them whenever she's dined or lunched 'ere.

Maggie. [Angry.] 'Tain't true!

Butler. I'll bet my month's wages.

Maggie. I don't believe you!

Butler. Why, what's it to you, please?

Maggie. [Saving herself.] Nothing—

Housemaid. Well, I guess it's truth enough. That's the second time I've seen him squeeze her hand when no one wasn't lookin'.

Maggie. Here, change places with me! [Getting down from her chair.] If you was a gentleman, Mr. Potts, you'd have given me your place!

[Witheringly.

Butler. If I was a gentleman, miss, I wouldn't be here; I'd be on the other side of the door.

[He moves the chairs away.

Maggie. [To Housemaid.] Honest, you saw something between them?

Housemaid. Who?

Maggie. Him and her? Mr. Geoffrey and Miss Chester—

Housemaid. Cheese it! they're coming this way!

[She and the Maid and the Butler vanish through the door Right.

[Geoffrey and Ruth enter through the double doors quickly at back. Geoffrey is a young, good-looking man, but with a weak face. He is of course very smartly dressed. Ruth is a very serenely beautiful girl, rather noble in type, but unconscious and unpretending in manner. They close the doors quickly behind them.

Geoffrey. We'll not be interrupted here, and I must have a few words with you before you go.

[He follows her to the sofa where she sits, and leans over it, with his arm about her shoulder.

Ruth. Oh, Geof,—Geof, why weren't we married like this?

Geoffrey. It couldn't be helped, darling!

Ruth. It isn't the big wedding I miss, oh, no, it's only it seemed sweeter in a church. Why did we have to steal off to Brooklyn, to that poor, strange little preacher in his stuffy back parlour, and behave as if we were doing something of which we were ashamed?

Geoffrey. You love me, I love you,—isn't that the chief thing, dearest?

Ruth. But how much longer must we keep it secret?

Geoffrey. Till I can straighten my affairs out. I can't explain it all to you; there are terrible debts,—one more than all the others,—a debt I made when I was in college.

Ruth. If I could only help you! I have a little money.

Geoffrey. No, I love you too much; besides, this debt isn't money, and I hope to get rid of it somehow before long.

Ruth. Forgive me for worrying you. It is only that every one is so happy at this wedding except me,—dear Jinny brimming over with joy, as I would be,—and it's made me feel—a little—

Geoffrey. [Comes around the sofa and sits beside her.] I know, dear, and it's made me feel what a brute I am! Oh, if you knew how I hate myself for all I've done, and for the pain and trouble I cause you now!

[Maggie, her sharp features set tense, appears in the doorway on the left behind the curtains and listens.

Ruth. Never mind, we won't think of that any more.

Geoffrey. I can never throw it off, not for a minute! I'm a worthless fellow and how can you love me—

Ruth. [Interrupting him.] I do! You are worth everything to me, and you will be worth much to the world yet!

Geoffrey. I love you, Ruth—that's the one claim I can make to deserve you. But it's helped me to give up all the beastly pleasures I used to indulge in!

Ruth. [Softly.] Geof!

Geoffrey. Which I used to think the only things worth living for, and which now, thanks to you, I loathe,—every one of them.

Ruth. I'm so glad! I've been some help, then.

Geoffrey. If I'd only got you earlier, I'd have been a different man, Ruth!

Ruth. [Smiling and taking his nervous hand in hers.] Then I mightn't have fallen in love with you if you were a different man!

Geoffrey. Dear girl! Anyway, this is the good news that I want to tell you—I hope now to have things settled in a couple of weeks.

Ruth. [In glad relief.] Geoffrey!

Geoffrey. But—I mayn't be successful; it might be, Ruth—it might be, we would have to wait—for years—

Ruth. [Quietly.] I don't think I could bear that! It's not easy for me to lie and deceive as I've had to the last few months; I don't think I could keep it up.

[Peter Cullingham enters suddenly, from the ballroom, a pale young man, but, unlike Geoffrey, hard and virile.

Peter. Oh, here you are! I say, are you two spoony? Just the way I feel! [Laughing.] I caught and hugged old Mrs. Parmby just now! I think it's sort of in the air at weddings, don't you?

Geoffrey. [Rising.] I'm surprised to see you've left the refreshment table, Peter.

Peter. They sent me to find Miss Chester—they're going to cut the bridesmaid's cake, and if you two really are spoony, Miss Chester, you'd better not miss it—you might get the ring!

[They laugh as Peter takes out a bottle from which he takes a round, black tablet which he puts in his mouth.

Ruth. [Also rising.] I'd better go.

[Peter is making frantic efforts to swallow the tablet.

Geoffrey. [Noticing him.] What's the matter with you?

Peter. O dear! I've eaten so many ices and fancy cakes, I've got awful indigestion, and I'm trying to swallow a charcoal tablet.

Ruth. Come with me and get a glass of water.

Peter. No, it's very bad to drink water with your meals; but I'll get a piece of bridesmaid's cake—that'll push it down!

[Peter and Ruth go out through the double doors.

[The moment they are out of the room, Maggie comes from behind the curtain and goes straight up to Geoffrey. He looks astonished and frightened.

Geoffrey. What do you want? Have you been listening?

Maggie. So that's it, is it? You want to marry her when you can get rid of me.

Geoffrey. [With relief.] What do you mean?

Maggie. Oh, I may not have heard everything, but I heard and saw enough to catch on that you're in love with Miss Chester.

Geoffrey. Well?

Maggie. Well, you won't marry her—I'll never set you free.

Geoffrey. Sh!

[Looking about and closing the doors.

Maggie. Oh, they're all in the dining room.

Geoffrey. [Angry.] What do you want, anyway?

Maggie. [She pleads a little.] When I came here to your house and got a position, it was because I loved you, if you had treated me bad, and I hoped by seeing you again, and being near you, you might come back to me and everything be made straight!

Geoffrey. Never! Never! It's impossible.

Maggie. [Angry again.] Oh, is it! Well, the dirty little money you give me now only holds my tongue quiet so long's you behave yourself and don't run after any other girls! But the minute you try to throw me down, I'll come out with the whole story.

Geoffrey. I was drunk when I married you!

Maggie. More shame to you!

Geoffrey. You're right. But I was only twenty—and you—led me on—

Maggie. [Interrupting him.] Me! led you on! me, as decent and nice a girl as there was in New Haven if I do do housework, and that's my wedding ring and you put it there, and mother's got the certificate locked up good and safe in her box with my dead baby sister's hair and the silver plate off my father's coffin!

Geoffrey. We mustn't talk here any more!

Maggie. You look out! If I wasn't so fond of your sister Miss Jinny, and if the old people weren't so good to me, I'd just show you right up here—now!

Geoffrey. I'll buy you off if I can't divorce you!

Maggie. You! Poof!

[Girls' voices are heard from the ballroom.

Geoffrey. Look out—some one's coming!

Maggie. [Going.] You haven't got a red cent; my cheque's always one of your father's!

[She goes out Right.

Geoffrey. Good God! what am I going to do—shoot myself, if I don't get out of this soon—I must get some air!

[He goes out Left.

[Jinny opens the double doors, looks in, and then enters. She is an adorable little human being, pretty, high-strung, temperamental, full of certain feminine fascination that defies analysis, which is partly due to the few faults she possesses. She is, of course, dressed in the conventional wedding-dress, a tulle veil thrown over her face.

Jinny. Not a soul! Come on!

[She is followed in by the four Bridesmaids—nice girls every one of them—and also, very slyly, by Susie, a very modern spoiled child, who sits unobserved out of the way at the back.

Now, my dears, I wish to say good-by all by ourselves so I can make you a little speech! [All laugh gently.] In the first place I want to tell you that there's nothing like marriage! And you must every one of you try it! Really, I was never so happy in my life!

Grace. Must we stand, or may we sit down?

Jinny. Oh, stand; it won't be long and you'll only crush your lovely frocks. In fact, I advise you not to lose any time sitting down again until you've got the happy day fixed!

Ruth. You know, Jinny darling, that there is no one so glad for your happiness as your four bridesmaids are—isn't that so, girls?

All. Yes!

[And they all together embrace Jinny, saying, "Dear old Jinny," "Darling Jinny," "We'll miss you dreadfully," etc., ad lib., till they get tearful.

Jinny. Good gracious, girls, we mustn't cry. I'll get red eyes, and Jack'll think what an awful difference just the marriage service makes in a woman.

[The doors at the back open, and Austin appears in the doorway.

[Austin is a typical New Yorker in appearance, thirty-two years old, good-looking, manly, self-poised, and somewhat phlegmatic in temperament.

Austin. Hello! May a mere man come in to this delectable tea party?

Jinny. No, Jack! But wait—by the door till I call you!

Austin. [Amused.] Thank you!

[He goes out, closing the door.

Gertrude. We'll miss you so awfully, Jinny.

Jinny. Just what I say! Get a man to keep you company, and then you won't miss any one.

Belle. Yes, but attractive men with lots of money don't come into the Grand Central Station by every train!

Jinny. [Putting her arm about her.] You want too much, my dear Belle! And you aren't watching the Grand Central Station either half so much as you are the steamer docks for a suitable person. Now don't be angry; you know you want a good big title, and you've got the money to pay, but, my dear Belle, it's those ideas of yours that have kept you single till—twenty-six!—now that you must confess was nice of me, to take off three years!

Belle. [Laughing.] Jinny, you're horrid!

Jinny. No, I'm not! You know I'm really fond of you, or you wouldn't be my bridesmaid to-day; it's only that I want your wedding to be as happy as mine—that's all, and here's a little gift for you to remember your disagreeable but loving friend by!

[Giving her a small jewelry box.

Belle. Thank you, Jinny! Thank you!

[A little moved.

Grace. Mercy! I hope you're not going to take each one of us!

Jinny. I am, and come here, you're next!

Grace. I'll swear I don't want to get married at all!

Jinny. Don't be silly, you icicle! Of course you don't; you freeze all the men away, so that you've no idea how nice and comfy they can be! My advice to you, Grace darling,—and I love you, or I wouldn't bother,—is to thaw! [Laughs.] I used to be awfully jealous of you—

Grace. [Interrupting.] Oh!

Jinny. Yes, I was! You're lots prettier than I am.

Grace. Jinny!

Jinny. You are! But I got over it because I soon saw you were so cold, there was no danger of any conflagration near you! Oh, I've watched your eyes often to see if any man had lighted the fires in them yet. And now I'm determined they shall be lighted. You're too cold! Thaw, dear,—not to everybody,—that would be like slushy weather, but don't keep yourself so continually so far below zero that you won't have time to strike—well—say eighty-five in the shade, when the right bit of masculine sunshine does come along! Here—with my best love!

[Giving her a small jewelry box.

[Grace kisses Jinny.

Gertrude. I am the next victim, I believe!

Jinny. All I've got to say to you, Miss, is, that if you don't decide pretty soon on one of the half dozen men you are flirting with disgracefully at present, they'll every one find you out and you'll have to go in for widowers.

Gertrude. [Mockingly.] Horrors!

Jinny. Oh, I don't know! I suppose a widower is sort of broken in and would be more likely to put up with your caprices! For the sake of your charm and wit and true heart underneath it all, you dear old girl you!

[Giving her a small jewel box.

Gertrude. Thank you, Jinny. I'm only afraid I will do the wrong thing with you away! You know you're always my ballast!

Jinny. Nonsense! Female ballast is no good; masculine ballast is the only kind that's safe if you want to make life's journey in a love balloon. [She turns to Ruth Chester.] Ruth—the trouble with you is, you're too sad lately, and show such a lack of interest. I should think you might be in love, only I haven't been able to find the man. Anyway, if you aren't in love, you must pretend an interest in things. Of course, men's affairs are awfully dull, but they don't like you to talk about them, so it's really very easy. All you have to do is listen, stare them straight in the eyes, think of whatever you like, and look pleased! It does flatter them, and they think they are interesting, and you charming! Wear this, and think of me! [Giving her a box.] and be happy! I want you to be happy—and I can see you aren't!

Ruth. [Kissing her.] Thank you, dear!

Jinny. There, that's all!—except—when I come home from abroad in October, if every one of you aren't engaged to be married, I'll wash my hands of you—

[They all laugh.

[Susie, sliding off her chair at back, comes forward.

Susie. Now, it's my turn! You can't chuck me!

Jinny. [Trying not to laugh.] Susie! where did you come from and what do you mean?

Susie. Oh, you give me a pain!—I went up the aisle with you to-day, too—what's the matter with telling me how to get married!

Jinny. I'll tell you this, your language is dreadful; where do you get all the boy's slang? You don't talk like a lady.

Susie. I'm not a lady. I'm a little girl!

Jinny. You talk much more like a common boy.

Susie. Well, I'd rather be a boy!

Jinny. Susie, I shall tell Aunt Laura her daughter needs looking after.

Susie. Oh, very well, cousin Jinny. If you're going to make trouble, why, forget it!

[Turns and goes out haughtily, Right.

Jinny. [Going to the double doors, calls.] Now you can come in, Jack.

[Austin enters.

Austin. And now I've only time to say good-by. All your guests have gone except the Cullinghams, who are upstairs with your mother, looking at the presents.

Gertrude. Come! All hands around him!

[The five Girls join hands, with Austin in the centre.

Belle. We don't care if every one else has gone or not, we're here yet!

Austin. So I see! But I am ordered by my father-in-law—ahem! [all laugh] —to go to my room, or he thinks there will be danger of our losing our train.

All the Bridesmaids. [Ad lib.] Where are you going? Where are you going? We won't let you out till you tell us.

Austin. I daren't—I'm afraid of my wife!

Jinny. Bravo, Jack!

Grace. Very well, then, we'll let you out, on one condition, that you kiss us all in turn.

[The Girls laugh.

Jinny. No! No! [Breaking away.] He shan't do any such thing!

[They all laugh and break up the ring.

Gertrude. Dear me, isn't she jealous!

Belle. Yes, it is evidently time we all went! Good-by, Jinny! [Kissing her.] A happy journey to Washington!

Jinny. No, it isn't!

[General good-bys. Jinny begins with Ruth at one end, and Austin at the other; he says good-by and shakes hands with each girl.

Gertrude. [Kissing Jinny.] Good-by, and a pleasant trip to Niagara Falls!

Jinny. Not a bit!

Grace. [Kissing Jinny.] Good-by, I believe it's Boston or Chicago!

Jinny. Neither!

Ruth. Good-by, dear, and all the happiness in the world!

[Kisses her.

Jinny. Thank you.

[She turns and goes with the other three girls to the double doors at back, where they are heard talking.

Ruth. Mr. Austin?

Austin. Yes?

[Joining her.

Ruth. [Embarrassed.] You like your new brother, don't you?

Austin. Geof? most certainly I do, and Jinny adores him.

Ruth. I know, then, you'll be a good friend to him if he needs one.

Austin. Surely I will.

Ruth. I think he does need one.

Austin. Really—

[The Girls are passing out through the doors.

Belle. Come along, Ruth.

[They pass out and Jinny stands in the doorway talking to them till they are out of hearing.

Ruth. Sh! please don't tell any one, not even Jinny, what I've said! I may be betraying something I've no right to do, and don't tell him I've spoken to you.

Austin. All right!

[Jinny turns around in the doorway.

Ruth. Thank you—and good-by.

[Shaking his hand again.

[Jinny notices that they shake hands twice. A queer little look comes into her face.

Austin. Good-by.

Ruth. Have they gone?—Oh! [Hurrying past Jinny.] Good-by, dear.

[She goes out through the double doors.

Jinny. [In a curious little voice.] Good-by....

[

She comes slowly down the room toward Austin, and smiles at him quizzically.

] What were you two saying?

Austin. Good-by!

Jinny. But you'd said it once to her already! Why did you have to say good-by twice to Ruth? Once was enough for all the other girls!

Austin. [Banteringly.] The first time I said good-by to her, and the second time she said good-by to me!

Jinny. Do you know what I believe—Ruth Chester's in love with you!

Austin. Oh, darling!

[Laughs.

Jinny. Yes, that explains the whole thing. No wonder she was triste to-day.

Austin. [Laughing.] Jinny, sweetheart, don't get such an absurd notion into your head.

Jinny. [Looks straight at him a moment, then speaks tenderly.] No—no—I know it's not your fault. There was no other woman in this house for you to-day but me, was there?

Austin. There was no other woman in the world for me since the first week I knew you.

[Taking her into his arms.

Jinny. This is good-by to Jinny Tillman!

[He kisses her.

Jack, darling, do you think I could sit on your knee like a little child and put my arm around your neck and rest my head on your shoulder for just five seconds—I'm so tired!

[Mrs. Cullingham opens the door.

Mrs. Cullingham. Oh!

[Shuts the door very quickly and knocks.

[Jinny and Austin laugh.

Jinny. Yes, yes—come in!

[Mrs. Cullingham enters. She is a handsome, whole-souled, florid woman; one of those creatures of inexhaustible vitality who make people of a nervous temperament tired almost on contact by sheer contrast. She is the kindest, best meaning creature in the world.

Mrs. Cullingham. Oh, do excuse me! I haven't any more tact!—and I hate to interrupt you, but I must say good-by. [Calls.] Peter!

Peter. Yes'm.

[Entering with a glass of water and a powder. He sits in the arm-chair at right, and constantly looks at his watch.

Austin. I'm much obliged to you, Mrs. Cullingham, for the interruption, as I was sent long ago to make myself ready for the train, if you'll excuse me!

Mrs. Cullingham. Certainly!

Jinny. Good-by!

[Taking his hand as he passes her.

Austin. Good-by!

[He goes out Right.

Mrs. Cullingham. If it's time for him, it's certainly time for you. I won't keep you a minute!

Jinny. No, really we've plenty of time,— [both sit on sofa.] Wasn't it a lovely wedding!

Mrs. Cullingham. I never saw a sweeter, my dear! And it was perfectly elegant! Simply great!

Jinny. And isn't Jack—

Mrs. Cullingham. He is! And so are you! In fact I've been telling your mother I don't know how to thank you both. You've asked me to-day to meet the swellest crowd I've ever been in where I was invited, and didn't have to buy tickets, and felt I had a right to say something besides "excuse me," and "I beg your pardon." Of course, I've sat next to them all before in restaurants and at concerts, but this time I felt like the real thing myself, and I shall never forget it! If you or your husband ever want any mining tips, come to me; what my husband don't know about mines isn't worth knowing!

Jinny. I'm as glad as I can be if you've had a good time, and you mustn't feel indebted to us. Ever since we met in Egypt that winter, mamma and I have always felt you were one of our best friends.

Mrs. Cullingham. Of course you know it isn't for my own sake I'm doing these stunts to get into Society. It's all for my boy. He's got to have the best—or the worst, however you look at it! [Laughing.] Anyway, I want him to have a chance at it, and it belongs to him through his father, for my first husband was a real swell!

[Looking at Peter lovingly.

[At this moment, Peter, having again looked at his watch, tips up the powder on his tongue, and swallows it down with the water.

Mrs. Cullingham. Poor darling! He suffers terribly from indigestion. That's an alkali powder he takes twenty minutes after eating. Peter, we must say good-by now.

Peter. [Coming up.] Good-by, Miss Jinny.

Mrs. Cullingham. Mrs. Austin!

Jinny. Oh, I'll always be "Miss Jinny" to Peter!

Peter. Thank you! We've had a great time at your wedding! Bully food! But I'm feeling it! [He turns aside.] Excuse me!

Mrs. Cullingham. I was just telling Mrs. Austin—

[Interrupted.

Jinny. "Jinny"—don't change.

Mrs. Cullingham. Thank you— [Rises to go.] I was just saying we won't forget in our social life, will we, Peter, that Miss Jinny gave us the biggest boost up we've had yet?

[Jinny also rises.

Peter. Well, you know, mother, I don't think the game's worth the candle. It's begun to pall on me already.

Mrs. Cullingham. I really think he's going to be superior to it!

Peter. I only go now for your sake.

[Mrs. Tillman, coming from Right, speaks off stage.

Mrs. Tillman. Jinny! Jinny!

Jinny. Mother!

[Mrs. Tillman enters.

Jinny. I ought to dress?