. Tell me more of your friend.

ALINE. She is outwardly hard, and a trifle bitter, but I fancy sunshine
would thaw her. There has not been much happiness in her life.

CROCKSTEAD. Would she marry a man she did not love?

ALINE. If she did you would not respect her?

CROCKSTEAD. I don't say that. She will be your choice; and therefore
deserving of confidence. Is she handsome?

ALINE. Well--no.

CROCKSTEAD. [_With a quick glance at her._] That's a pity. But we can't
have everything.

ALINE. No. There is one episode in her life that I feel she would like you
to know--

CROCKSTEAD. If you are not betraying a confidence--

ALINE. [_Looking down._] No. She loved a man, years ago, very dearly. They
were too poor to marry, but they vowed to wait. Within six months she
learned that he was engaged.

CROCKSTEAD. Ah!

ALINE. To a fat and wealthy widow--

CROCKSTEAD. The old story.

ALINE. Who was touring through India, and had been made love to by every
unmarried officer in the regiment. She chose him.

CROCKSTEAD. India? [_He moves towards her._]

ALINE. Yes.

CROCKSTEAD. I have an idea that I shall like your friend. [_He takes her
hand in his._]

ALINE. I shall be careful to tell her all that you said to me--at the
beginning--

CROCKSTEAD. It is quite possible that my remarks may not apply after all.

ALINE. But I believe myself from what I know of you both that--if she
marries you--it will not be--altogether--for your money.

CROCKSTEAD. Listen--they're playing "God Save the King." Will you be my
wife, Aline?

ALINE. Yes--Harry.

[_He takes her in his arms and kisses her._

CURTAIN

THE MAN ON THE KERB

A DUOLOGUE

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY

JOSEPH MATTHEWS
MARY (HIS WIFE)

TIME--_The present_

SCENE--_Their home in the West End_

_Produced at the
Aldwych Theatre
on March 24, 1908_

THE MAN ON THE KERB

SCENE: _An underground room, bare of any furniture except two or
three broken chairs, a tattered mattress on the stone floor and
an old trunk. On a packing-chest are a few pots and pans and a
kettle. A few sacks are spread over the floor, close to the empty
grate; the walls are discoloured, with plentiful signs of damp
oozing through. Close to the door, at back, is a window, looking
on to the area; two of the panes are broken and stuffed with
paper._

_On the mattress a child is sleeping, covered with a tattered old