Dealing in Futures: A Play in Three Acts

Jabez (Sips coffee, lights cigar, and turns chair to face audience). By the way, Rosie, I asked Charlie to come round after dinner and to bring his father.

Rosie (Interested). Oh! Why?

Jabez. I'm not satisfied with him. I want to have a chat with the pair of them to see if we can't get things on a better basis.

Rosie. What's the matter with Charlie?

Jabez. Oh, you wouldn't understand. It's a business question.

Rosie. I see. You'd rather I wasn't here?

Jabez. Yes. If you don't mind. We can't do better than stick to the rule even where Charlie's concerned, eh?

Rosie. Oh, I shan't intrude on a business talk.

Jabez. Thanks, my dear, thanks. (Encouraged to go on.) Do you know, Rosie, I'm not a bit happy over this engagement of yours to Charlie.

Rosie (Curtly). Why?

Jabez (Apologetically). He's a queer fellow. I can't size him up. I can't think why on earth you got engaged to him.

Rosie. That's my business, isn't it?

Jabez Yes, my dear. I suppose it is. But that doesn't stop me from wishing you'd taken a fancy to some one else.

Rosie. I've told you before I won't have you interfering in my affairs, father. I'm quite capable of managing them myself.

Jabez (Meekly). I try not to, my dear. I do try not to. Only this matter--it's not as if you had a mother, is it now?

Rosie. Oh, you can trust me to judge whether a man comes because he wants me or whether he's only a vulgar fortune-hunter. Whatever Charlie is or isn't, he's not after my money.

Jabez. No, Charlie never is after money. You're easily the better business man. He's always got his head full of ideas about pampering the men instead of thinking of the welfare of the firm.

Rosie (Snappishly). You needn't think you can get me to break it off, so don't try. You can say what you like to him so long as you remember I'm going to marry him.

Jabez. Well, well, I must see what I can make of Charlie. (Drinks.) I'll tell you one thing, my dear, you're a good deal more eager about it than he is.

Rosie. Possibly. You needn't worry about that.

Jabez. But I do worry, my dear. How can I help it? (Rosie moves impatiently.) Now don't fly in a temper. He is taking his time in coming up to scratch. Let me ask you one thing?

Rosie. Yes?

Jabez. When are you going to be married?

Rosie. I really don't know.

Jabez. No, and it's time you did. You've been engaged long enough.

Rosie. Is that what you are going to talk to him about to-night?

Jabez. Amongst other things. I'm tired of his playing about with the thing. If your mind's made up, what's there to wait for? People are beginning to talk.

Rosie. Let them.

Jabez. That's all very well, but people in our position must consider public opinion. You don't object to my settling it, do you?

Rosie. Oh, do what you want. But don't you dare to bully Charlie. I won't have him bullied.

Jabez. Oh, I shan't hurt him. A good talking to _'_ull do him no harm.

(Enter Butler, l.)

Butler (At door l.). Dr. Clavering has called, sir. Wishes to speak to you.

Jabez (Surprised) Clavering? Well, show him up.

Butler. Yes, sir.

(Exit Butler.)

Jabez. What's the matter with Clavering? He doesn't often condescend to leave his precious research work in the evenings. (Rosie shrugs her shoulders contemptuously. Enter Butler.)

Butler (Announcing). Dr. Clavering.

(Enter Clavering. Exit Butler. Clavering is a young doctor with keen clever face, clean-shaven, with a general air of self-reliance. He is a practical man of a fairs whose business happens to be doctoring.)

Clavering. Good evening, Mr. Thompson.