ink of your
reputation, your achievements, your name for sanctity-- Not a
word, sir: I _mean_ it! . . . Why, there's no end to the amount it
would bring in: it would mean billions!
Well, what do you say?
MAMSON [slowly]. Let us clearly understand one another. I am to
lend you my name--just my name--and you are to do all the rest.
BISHOP [quickly]. Oh yes: I'd _rather_ you kept out of the
business negotiations!
MANSON. It is rather a dangerous name to play with!
BISHOP, I take that responsibility entirely upon myself!
MANSON. And when all's over and done with, what are we going to
gain out of the transaction?
BISHOP. We shall have to come to some private settlement between
ourselves.
MANSON. When?
BISHOP. Oh, hereafter.
MANSON. Hereafter, then.
[Enter AUNTIE and VICAR by door to right.]
AUNTIE [off]. Leave him to me, William! I'll soon settle the
matter! [Entering.] The man must be possessed of some evil
spirit! . . .
Why--it's my brother James! . . .
[MANSON has risen, and is now the butler once more. He speaks into
the ear-trumpet.]
MANSON. Your sister and the vicar, my lord.
BISHOP [behind table, rising]. Ah! Well, Martha!--No, no, no, if
you please! [He restrains her approach.] Observe the retribution
of an unchastened will. You have never seen my face for sixteen
years! However, like a cloud, I blot out your transgressions from
this hour!
And so this is your husband ?--Not a word, sir; not a single
word!--the sausages were delicious, and your place has been most
agreeably occupied by your brother!
VICAR. My brother! Then you . . . What do you mean?
BISHOP [testily]. I mean what I say, sir! Your brother, _my_
brother, _our_ brother here, of course, our Oriental brother!
AUNTIE. James, you are making a mistake: this is our new
butler--our _Indian_ butler.
BISHOP. Your Indian--WHAT?
[He stands cogitating horribly until the end of the act, facing
towards MANSON.]
AUNTIE. What has made him like this? He seems possessed!
MANSON. He is! . . .
I have just been having some trouble with _another_ devil, ma'am.
AUNTIE. Meaning, of course . . . What has become of him?
MANSON [with his eye]. _He_ is cast out forever.
AUNTIE. Where is he now?
MANSON. He walks through dry places seeking--[he probes her
soul]--_other_ habitations.
AUNTIE. Manson! This is your doing! Oh, you have saved us!
MANSON. I am trying to, ma'am;
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