## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

Scene - The same as Act One, Scene One - exterior of the Mannon house. It is around nine o'clock of a night a week later. The light of a half moon falls on the house, giving it an unreal, detached, eerie quality. The pure white temple front seems more than ever like an incongruous mask fixed on the somber, gray stone house. All the shutters are closed. The white columns of the portico cast black bars of shadow on the gray wall behind them. The trunk of the pine at right is an ebony pillar, its branches a mass of shade.

Lavinia is sitting on the top of the stairs to the portico. She is dressed, as before, severely in black. Her thin figure, seated stiffly upright, arms against her sides, the legs close together, the shoulders square, the head upright, is like that of an Egyptian statue. She is staring straight before her. The sound of Seth's thin aged baritone mournfully singing the chanty "Shenandoah" is heard from down the drive, off right front. He is approaching the house and the song draws quickly nearer:

> "Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
> A-way, my rolling river
> Oh Shenandoah, I can't get near you
> Away, I'm bound away
> Across the wide Missouri"
> 
> Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter
> A-way, my rolling river"

(He enters right front. He is a bit drunk but holding his liquor well. He walks up by the lilacs starting the next line "Oh Shenandoah" - then suddenly sees Lavinia on the steps and stops abruptly, a bit sheepish)

### Lavinia

(Disapprovingly)

Seth, I'm ashamed of you! This is the second time this week I've caught you coming home like this!

### Seth

(Unabashed, approaches the steps - with a grin)

I'm aimin' to do my patriotic duty, Vinnie. The first time was celebratin' Lee's surrender and this time is drownin' my sorrow for the President gittin' killed! And the third'll be when your Paw gits home!

2

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

### Lavinia

(Dryly)

Maybe this time can do for two. Father might arrive tonight.

### Seth

Gosh, Vinnie! I never calculated he could git here so soon.

### Lavinia

No, evidently you didn't. He would give you fits if he caught you drunk. Oh, I don't believe he will come, but it's possible he might.

### Seth

(Is evidently trying to pull himself together. He suddenly leans over toward her and, lowering his voice, asks quite soberly)

Did you find out anything about that Captain Brant, Vinnie -
I mean if he was any relation to - ?

### Lavinia

(Sharply)

No. There's no connection. It was just a silly idea of mine.

### Seth

(Stares at her - then understandingly)

Wal, if you want it left that way, I'll leave it that way.

(A pause. He continues to stand looking at her, while she stares in front of her. A wordless understanding seems to exist between them)

### Lavinia

(In a low voice)

I want you to tell me the truth about something, Seth.

(She hesitates - then slowly)

Was - was Grandfather Abe Mannon in love with that Marie Brantôme, too?

3

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Seth

(Stares at her uncertainly, takes off his hat, scratches his head embarrassedly - then suddenly makes up his mind - slowly)

Ayeh. He was. Some folks suspicioned it but I'm the only one knows it for sartin. I heard him talkin' to her one evenin' out by the barn. If I didn't know his voice so well I'd never believed it was him. Jiminy, how he took on! Told Marie how he loved her, said he'd leave his wife and children and all he'd got, and begged her to run off with him and sail to t' other side of the earth!

### Lavinia

(Strangely)

To the Blessed Isles?

### Seth

I dunno where.

### Lavinia

Are you sure, Seth? From what I remember of Grandfather it would be the last thing he would ever do.

### Seth

I wouldn't tell you if I wasn't sure! He hid his feelin's but they come out this once. But Marie wouldn't have none of him! She told him to go back to his wife and leave her alone. That got him wild, and he tells her his wife, your Grandmaw, had been spynin' on her and seen her sneakin' to David's room nights, and she'd told him. "She wanted me to throw you out in the gutter but I protected you", he says, "but now I'll throw you out myself and David along with you!"

### Lavinia

Ah! Then that was his real reason!

### Seth

(Garrulous, thanks to the liquor, now she has him started)

And I might as well tell you the rest now you've axed me. It'll show you why I've allus felt there's no peace nor home-feelin' about this house he built in hatred.

4

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING

### Lavinia

Go on, Seth. I want to hear it all.

### Seth

Wal, after your Grandpaw'd cussed her that way, Marie
turned on him - she was full o' spunk. She told him his
wife had it in fur her because she was gone on his brother,
David, too, but David didn't know it - he'd never looked at
her, and Marie says "That's the reason she hates me, 'cause
she's jealous of him lovin' me, and you can tell her so".
God A'mighty, Abe near went crazy at that! I think he'd
killed her if she hadn't run off!

### Lavinia

(With a horrified gasp)

Oh!

(Then, after a pause, staring before her as if she were
visualizing it all)

And then I suppose he accused Grandmother of loving David!
And she would never lie, you can tell that by her picture.
She confessed - and told him she knew about his loving Marie!

(She gives a shudder and gets to her feet and comes down the
steps)

Oh, how terrible it all is!

### Seth

(Grimly)

I calc'late you've guessed the way of it. I know they
never spoke to each other afterwards except before folks.
When they were alone she sat and stared at nothin' and he
sat and stared at her s'if he hated her. Then Ezra's
sister, that Marie took care of, she died sudden of cold.
Your Grandmaw didn't bear it long after. She sort of
withered away with him starin' at her and t'wasn't a year
after they'd moved in this new house afore she was dead too.

### Lavinia

(Glancing at the house - with a shudder)

It's horrible! I'm sorry now I asked you.

5

## Act Three

"HOMECOMING"

### Seth

(Patting her on the shoulder - uneasily)

Mebbe I shouldn't have told you. It's the durn licker gits my tongue waggin'. But they're all dead, Vinnie. It don't matter a durn to 'em now. But don't you let on to your Paw I ever told you nothin'! He'd give me a rakin' over the coals!

### Lavinia

Do you think he knows all this, Seth?

### Seth

Wal, he was only a boy but I calc'late he guessed somethin' hidden was goin' on. He was crazy 'bout Marie, too - like a youngster would be.

### Lavinia

(With a start)

Ah!

### Seth

His mother was stern with him, while Marie, she made a fuss and petted him. Oh, everyone took to Marie - couldn't help it. She was always laughin' and singin' - jokin' and makin' eyes. Frisky and strong and full of life - with somethin' free and wild about her like an animile. - Purty she was, too.

(Then he adds)

Hair the color of your mother's and your'n she had.

### Lavinia

(Brusquely)

I know!

(Then in a low voice, as if to herself, staring at the house)

It's queer. It's like an evil fate!

(She checks herself abruptly - turns to Seth, curtly)

6

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Lavinia (continued)

You're a great romancer, Seth. I don't believe any of this. You've had too much whiskey. Go to bed and sleep it off.

(She walks up the steps again and turns around - stands on the step next to the top)

### Seth

(Gazes at her with understanding - with a grin)

Sartin! That goes with me, Vinnie. It's only fairy tales I was tellin' you! Because I'm drunk. We'll leave it at that.

(Then warningly, making a surreptitious signal as he sees the front door opening behind her)

Ssstt!

(Christine appears outlined in the light from the hall. She is dressed in a gown of green velvet that sets off her hair. The light behind her glows along the edges of the dress and in the color of her hair. Then she closes the door behind her and comes through the shadow of the portico into the moonlight at the edge of the steps, standing above and a little to the right of Lavinia. The moonlight, falling full on them, accentuates strangely the striking resemblance between their faces and at the same time the equally striking hostile dissimilarity in body and dress. Lavinia does not turn or give any sign of knowing her mother is behind her. There is a second's uncomfortable silence. Seth moves off left)

Wal, I'll trot along!

(He disappears around the corner of the house. There is a pause. Then Christine speaks in a dry mocking tone)

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Christine (continued)

We haven't hardly spoken for a week, have we? But I think we ought to get back in practice. It will be wise to keep up a pretence of family feeling at least, so when your father comes he won't be suspicious.

(Lavinia is still silent)

What are you moongazing at? Puritan maidens shouldn't peer too inquisitively into Spring! Isn't beauty an abomination and love a vile thing?

(She laughs with bitter mockery - then tauntingly)

Why don't you marry Peter? He's not much of a catch, to be sure, but you're twenty-three and even Peter won't wait forever. You don't want to be left an old maid, do you?

### Lavinia

(Quietly)

You needn't hope to get rid of me that way. I'm not marrying anyone. I've got my duty to Father.

### Christine

Duty! How often I've heard that word in this house! Well, you can't say I didn't do mine for twenty-three years. But there comes an end!

### Lavinia

(Grimly)

And now there comes another end - and you must do your duty again!

### Christine

(Starts as if to retort defiantly - then says calmly)

Yes, I appreciate that.

### Lavinia

(After a pause - suspiciously)

What's going on at the bottom of your mind? I know you're plotting something!

8

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Christine

(Controlling a start)

Don't be ridiculous, please!

### Lavinia

Are you planning how you can manage to see Adam again?
You better not!

### Christine

(Calmly)

I'm not so foolish. I had said good'bye once. Do you think I want to make it harder for myself?

### Lavinia

Has it been hard for you? I'd never guess it - and I've been watching you.

### Christine

(After a pause)

When do you expect your father home? You want me to play
my part well when he comes, don't you? - for his sake. I'd
like to be forewarned.

### Lavinia

His last letter said he wouldn't wait until his brigade
was disbanded but would try to get leave at once and come
home - for a few days, anyway.

### Christine

Ah! That means your letter about Adam must have had the
effect you desired!

### Lavinia

He might arrive tonight - or tomorrow - or the next day.
I don't know.

9

## Act Three

"HOMECOMING"

### Christine

You think he might come tonight?

(Then with a mocking smile)

So he's the beau you're waiting for in the spring moonlight!

(Then after a pause)

But the night train got in long ago.

### Lavinia

Ssshh!

(She stares down the drive, left front - then starts to her feet excitedly)

Here's someone!

(Christine slowly rises. There is the sound of approaching footsteps. A moment later Ezra Mannon enters from left, front. He stops short in the shadow for a second and stands, erect and stiff, as if at attention, staring at his house, his wife and daughter. He is a tall, spare, big-boned man of fifty, dressed in the uniform of a Brigadier-General. One is immediately struck by the mask-like look of his face in repose, more pronounced in him than in the others. He is exactly like the portrait in his study, which we have seen in Act Two, except that his face is more lined and lean and the hair and beard are grizzled. His movements are exact and wooden and he has a mannerism of standing and sitting in stiff, posed, dignified attitudes that suggests the statues of military heroes. When he speaks his deep voice has a hollow repressed quality, as if he were continually withholding any expression of emotion from it. His air is brusque and authoritative)

### Lavinia

(Seeing the man's figure stop in the shadow - calls excitedly)

Who's that?

10

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

Mannon

(Stepping forward into the moonlight)

It's I.

Lavinia

(With a cry of joy)

Father!

(She runs to him and throws her arms around him and kisses him)

Oh, Father!

(She suddenly bursts into tears and hides her face against his shoulder)

Mannon

(Embarrassed - patting her head - gruffly)

Come! I thought I'd taught you never to cry.

Lavinia

(Obediently forcing back her tears)

I'm sorry, Father - but I'm so happy!

Mannon

(Awkwardly moved)

Tears are queer tokens of happiness! But I appreciate your - your feeling.

Christine

(Has slowly descended the steps, her eyes fixed on him - tensely)

Is it really you, Ezra? We had just given up hope of your coming tonight.

11

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

### Mannon

(Going stiffly to meet her)

Train was late. The railroad is jammed up. Everybody
has got leave.

(He meets her at the foot of the steps and kisses her with
a chill dignity - formally)

I am glad to see you, Christine. You are looking well.

(He steps back and stares at her - then in a voice that
betrays a deep undercurrent of suppressed feeling)

You have changed, somehow. You are prettier than ever --
But you always were pretty.

### Christine

(Forcing a light tone)

Compliments from one's husband! How gallant you've become,
Ezra! I think war is good for you.

### Mannon

(Sternly)

Don't joke about war! It's not a subject for frivolity!

### Christine

(Accepts the rebuke with a dangerous meekness)

I'm sorry if I've offended you. I didn't mean it the way
you have taken it.

(Then solicitously)

You must be terribly tired. Wouldn't you like to sit here
on the steps for a while? The moonlight is so beautiful.

### Lavinia

(Who has been hovering about jealously, now manages to
worm herself between them - sharply)

No. It's too chilly out here. And Father must be
hungry.

(Taking his arm)

Come inside with me and I'll get you something to eat. You

12

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Lavinia (continued)

poor darling! You must be starved.

### Mannon

(Really revelling in his daughter's coddling but embarrassed before his wife - pulling his arm back - brusquely)

No, thanks! I would rather rest here for a spell. Sit down, Vinnie!

(Christine sits on the top at center; he sits on the middle step, at right; Lavinia on the lowest step. While they are doing this he keeps on talking in his abrupt sentences, as if he were trying to cover up some hidden uneasiness)

I've got leave for a few days. Then I must go back.
Disband my brigade. There won't be any more fighting.
The Confederacy has shot its last bolt. Peace ought to
be signed soon. The President's assassination is a
frightful calamity. But it can't change the course of
events.

### Lavinia

Poor man! It's dreadful he should die just at his moment of victory.

### Mannon

Yes!

(Then after a pause - somberly)

All victory ends in the defeat of death. That's sure.
But does defeat end in the victory of death? That's
what I wonder!

(They both stare at him, Lavinia in surprise, Christine
in uneasy wonder. A pause)

### Christine

How is Orin? We haven't heard from him in months.
Couldn't you get leave for him too?

14

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Lavinia

(Simply but managing to convey a hidden meaning in her words)

Yes. Mother is restless.

(Mannon glances quickly at her, then at his wife suspiciously)

### Christine

(As if she hadn't heard or seen)

When will he be well enough to come home?

### Mannon

Soon. He was able enough to come with me but the doctor advised a few more days rest. He's still weak. He was out of his head for a long time. Didn't know me. Acted as if he were a little boy again. Seemed to think you were with him. That is, he kept talking to "Mother".

### Christine

(With a tense intake of breath)

Ah!

### Lavinia

(Pityingly - with a tinge of scorn in her voice)

Poor Orin!

### Mannon

I don't want you to baby him when he comes home, Christine. It would be bad for him to get tied to your apron strings again. Not that your influence isn't good, but mothers can't help spoiling children.

### Lavinia

(Bitterly)

Yes. Mothers spoil children.

15

## Act Three

"HOMECOMING"

### Christine

I will never baby Orin again. You needn't worry. That passed - when he left me.

(Then abruptly changing the subject)

How is the trouble with your heart, Ezra?

(Lavinia starts and stares at her mother)

I've been so afraid you might be making it out less serious than it really was to keep us from worrying.

### Mannon

(Gruffly)

If it was serious, I would tell you, so you'd be prepared. If you'd seen as much of death as I have in the past four years, you wouldn't be afraid of it.

### Christine

(Slowly)

I am not afraid of death.

### Mannon

(Suddenly jumping to his feet - brusquely)

Let's change the subject! I've had my fill of death. What I want now is to forget it.

(He turns and paces up and down to the right of steps. Lavinia watches him worriedly. Christine stares before her. Mannon speaks grumpily)

The doctor said it was nothing. But you can't tell by that. They all lie. Or they don't know. All I know is the pain is like a knife. It puts me out of commission while it lasts. The doctor gave me strict orders to avoid worry or any over-exertion or excitement.

### Christine

You don't look well. But probably that is because you are so tired. You must go to bed soon, Ezra.

16

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Mannon

(Comes to a stop in his pacing directly before her and looks into her eyes - a pause - then he says in a voice that he tries to make ordinary to hide his desire)

Yes, I want to - soon.

### Lavinia

(Who has been watching him jealously - suddenly pulling him by the arm - with a childish volubility)

No! Not yet! Please, Father! You've only just come! It's such a beautiful night! We've hardly talked at all.

(Defiantly to her mother)

How can you tell him he looks tired? He doesn't! He looks as well as I've ever seen him!

(Then to her father, with a vindictive look at her mother)

We've so much to tell you. All about Captain Brant. You tell him, Mother.

(If she has expected her mother to flinch at this, she is disappointed. Christine is prepared and remains unmoved beneath the searching, suspicious glance her husband now directs at her)

### Mannon

Yes, Vinnie wrote me you'd had company. I never heard of him. What business had he here?

### Christine

(With an easy smile and a teasing motherly air)

You had better ask Vinnie! He's her newest beau!

### Lavinia

(With a gasp at being defied so brazenly)

Oh!

### Christine

Now you know you went walking in the moonlight with him -

17

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Mannon

(Now jealous and suspicious of his daughter)

I notice you didn't mention that in your letter, young lady!

### Lavinia

(Furious at her mother - and at the same time pleased by his jealousy)

I did go walking - but that was before -

(She checks herself abruptly)

### Mannon

Before what?

### Lavinia

Before I realized what a low scoundrel he is - the type of man who thinks he's romantic and irresistible and chases after every woman he sees.

### Mannon

(Angrily to Christine)

A fine guest to receive in my absence!

### Lavinia

I believe he even thought Mother was flirting with him. That's why I felt it my duty to write you - because he's the kind who would lie about his conquests in bar-rooms -

### Christine

(Losing her control at this)

Vinnie!

### Lavinia

You know how folks in town gossip about us Mannons, Father. I thought you ought to warn Mother that she was foolish to be seen with him.

18

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

Mannon

Foolish! It was a downright - !

Christine

I would prefer not to discuss this until we are alone, if you don't mind! And I think Vinnie is extremely inconsiderate the first night you're home - and when you are ill - to annoy you with such ridiculous nonsense!

(She turns on her daughter - coldly)

I think you've done enough mischief for one night. Will you kindly leave us?

Lavinia

No!

Mannon

(Sharply)

Stop your squabbling, both of you! I hoped you had grown out of that nonsense! I won't have it in my house!

Lavinia

(Obediently)

Yes, Father.

Mannon

It must be your bedtime, Vinnie.

Lavinia

Yes, Father.

(She comes and kisses him - excitedly)

Oh, I'm so happy you are here! Don't let Mother make you believe - You are the only man I will ever love! I am going to stay with you! I will never marry anyone! I told Peter I wouldn't marry him!

19

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

Mannon

(Jealously)

Has he had the impudence to propose without consulting me?

Lavinia

(Delighted - egging him on)

Poor Peter can't help it if he loves me, Father.

Mannon

Love!

Moonshine!

I won't have it, do you hear?

Lavinia

(Sweetly submissive)

Yes, Father.

Mannon

(Patting her hair - with gruff tenderness)

I want you to remain my little girl for a while longer.

(Then suddenly catching Christine's scornful glance - pushes Lavinia away - brusquely)

March now!

Lavinia

Yes, Father.

(She goes up the steps past her mother without a look. Behind her mother, in the portico, she stops and turns)

Don't let anyone worry you, Father. I'll always take care of you.

(She goes in. Mannon looks at his wife who stares before her. Mannon clears his throat as if he were about to say something - then starts pacing self-consciously up and down again at the right of steps)

21

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

### Christine

Are you sure that's all you have in your heart against
me?

### Mannon

Yes! What else?

(Patting her head embarrassedly)

We'll say no more about it.

(Then he adds gruffly)

But I would like you to explain how this Brant happened -

### Christine

I'm only too glad to! I met him at Father's. Father
had taken a fancy to him for some reason. So when he
called here I couldn't be rude, could I? I hinted that
his visits were not welcome, but men of his type don't
understand hints. Vinnie encouraged him to come again,
not me!

### Mannon

Ha! She did, eh?

### Christine

But he's only been here four times in all, I think.
And as for there having been gossip, that's nonsense!
The only talk has been that he came to court Vinnie!
You can ask anyone in town.

### Mannon

Court Vinnie! Damn his impudence! It was your duty
to her to tell him flatly he wasn't wanted! You should
have ordered her not to see him.

### Christine

(Dryly)

You are forgetting that for many years Vinnie has only
obeyed orders from you.

(Then forcing a contrite air)

22

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Christine (continued)

And I must confess I didn't mind his coming as much as I might have - for one reason. He always brought me news of Father. Father's been sick off and on for the past year, as I wrote you.

(Then with a twitch of the lips as if she were restraining a derisive smile)

You can't realize, Ezra, what a strain I've been under down here - worrying about Father being ill and about you.

### Mannon

(Deeply moved, turns to her and takes her hand in both of his - awkwardly)

Christine - I deeply regret - being unjust.

(He kisses her hand impulsively - then embarrassed by this show of emotion, adds in a gruff, joking tone)

Afraid old Johnny Reb would pick me off, were you?

### Christine

(Controlling a wild impulse to burst into derisive laughter)

Do you need to ask that?

(A pause. He stares at her, fascinated and stirred)

### Mannon

(Finally blurts out)

I've dreamed of coming home to you - for so long!

(Leans toward her, his voice trembling with desire and a feeling of strangeness and awe - touching her hair with an awkward caress)

You're beautiful! You look more beautiful than ever - and strange to me. I don't know you. You're younger. I feel like an old man beside you. Only your hair is the same - your strange golden hair I always -

23

## Act Three

"HOMECOMING"

### Christine

(With a start of repulsion, shrinking from his hand)

Don't! Don't touch my hair! Don't look like that! You make me think of your father -

(Then as he turns away, hurt and resentful at this rebuff - hastily)

I'm sorry, Ezra. I didn't mean - I - I'm nervous tonight.

### Mannon

(Pacing back and forth again moodily - suddenly)

Queer - that name Brant. It keeps putting me in mind of another. I don't know why - except it's unusual. You remember my telling you about Marie Brantôme.

### Christine

(Controlling a start - carelessly)

You mean the story about your uncle. But surely you can't imagine there is any connection.

### Mannon

No. I simply meant one name puts me in mind of the other - and of her.

(He pauses a moment - then with strange bitterness)

I was only a boy but I remember her well. She pretended to make a great fuss over me - for her own ends, of course. It was a hard blow for me when she was caught for what she really was - a harlot. I wouldn't believe it at first. When I did, I hated her.

(He pauses)

She was pretty - seemed so gay and innocent.

(Then harshly)

A few years ago she had the impudence to write me begging for money. Said she was starving. A lying schemer to the end! And if it had been true, it served her right. I tore the letter up.

24

## Act Three

## "HOMECOMING"

### Christine

(As he starts pacing back and forth again)

But she loved your uncle, didn't she? - and he loved her!

### Mannon

And what of that? Does love make wrong right? Most of the evil in life is done in the name of love!

(A pause. He stops at the end of his pacing, right, and stands looking up at the pines. Christine stares at him - a faint cruel smile on her lips)

### Christine

Oh, before I forget it you must tell me about your medicine, Ezra - so I can remind you when to take it - or give it to you.

### Mannon

I only have some pills to relieve the pain in case of an attack.

### Christine

But tell me where you are going to keep them so I will know without having to look, in case of emergency, if you had an attack in the middle of the night.

(He turns and looks at her uneasily. She adds hastily to reassure him)

Oh! I'm sure you won't have - but as you said, it's only common sense to be prepared.

### Mannon

(Reassured)

I'll keep it on the stand by the bed. That's handiest, I guess. But I won't have any attacks - if I can have rest and peace and nothing to worry me!

(Again there is a pause. She sighs with affected weariness and leans back and closes her eyes)

### Christine

I'm tired, Ezra.

25

## Act Three

"HOME COMING"

Mannon

(Blurts out)

I shouldn't have bothered you with that foolishness about
Brant tonight.

(He forces a strained smile)

But I was jealous a mite, to tell you the truth.

(She makes no reply. He forces himself to turn and, seeing
her eyes are shut, is suddenly emboldened, comes to her and
leans over her awkwardly as if to kiss her, then is stopped
by some strangeness he feels about her still face with its
blank eyes. He turns his back on her and gazes at the
moon - haltingly)

Queer thing - looking at the moon and trees now makes me
think - that night in your father's garden - twenty-four
years ago - when I asked you - do you remember?

Christine

(Slowly)

Yes! I remember.

(He turns to her, again emboldened, and bends over her
again, tense with the restrain he is putting on himself)

Mannon

(Stammers)

Must be getting late.

Christine

(Feeling his desire and instinctively shrinking - without
opening her eyes)

Why do you look at me like that?

Mannon

(Turns away guiltily)

Like that?

(Uneasily)

26

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

Mannon (continued)

How do you know? Your eyes were shut.

(She doesn't answer. He stares at her again, then as if some burden of depression were on him that he had to throw off, he blurts out heavily)

I've been away too long. I can't get used to home yet.
It's so still and lonely. I've got used to the feel of
camps with thousands of men around me at night - A sense
of protection, maybe!

(Then suddenly uneasy again)

Don't keep your eyes shut like that! Don't be so still!

(Then as she opens her eyes - with a sudden explosive appeal)

God, I want to talk to you, Christine! It's been so long!
I've got to explain some things - inside me - to my wife -
that's right and proper - try to, anyway!

(He sits down beside her. She stares at him. He can't
bear it)

Shut your eyes again! I can talk better. It has always
been hard for me to talk - about feelings. I never could
when you looked at me. Your eyes were always so - so full
of silence! That is, since we've been married. Not before
when I was courting you. They used to speak then. They
made me talk - because they answered.

Christine

(Her eyes closed - tensely)

Don't talk, Ezra.

Mannon

(As if he had determined, once started, to go on doggedly
without heeding any interruption)

It was seeing death all the time in this war got me to
thinking these things. Death became so common it didn't
mean anything. That freed me to think of life. Queer,
isn't it? Death made me think of life. Before that life
had only made me think of death!

27

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Christine

(Without opening her eyes)

Why are you talking of death?

### Mannon

That's always been the Mannon's way of thinking. They went to the white meeting house on Sabbaths and meditated on death. Life was a dying. Being born was starting to die. Death was being born to live.

(Shaking his head with a dogged bewilderment)

How in hell people ever get such notions! That white meeting house. It stuck in my mind - clean-scrubbed and whitewashed - a temple of death! But in this war I've seen too many white walls splattered with blood that counted no more than dirty water. I've seen dead men scattered about no more important than rubbish to be got rid of. That made the white meeting house seem meaningless - making so much solemn fuss over death - when death didn't matter!

### Christine

(Opens her eyes and stares at him with a strange terror)

What has this talk of death to do with me?

### Mannon

(Avoiding her glance - insistently)

Shut your eyes again. Listen and you'll know.

(She shuts her eyes. He plods on with a note of desperation in his voice)

I thought about my life - lying awake nights - and about your life. In the middle of battle I'd think maybe in a minute I'll be dead. But my life as just me ending, that didn't appear worth a thought one way or another. A Mannon to die fighting for his country - that seemed as natural and proper as a horse dying of old age! But listen, me as your husband being killed, that seemed queer and wrong - like something dying that had never lived. Then all the twenty odd years we've been man and wife would rise up in my mind and I would try to look at them. But nothing was

29

## Act Three

"HOMECOMING"

### Christine

(With a shudder - stammers)

No, no, I - . What makes you say such things?

### Mannon

When I came back you had turned to your new baby, Orin.
I was hardly alive for you anymore. I saw that. I
tried not to hate Orin. Maybe I've never been fair to
him. Maybe I couldn't be. I turned to Vinnie, but a
daughter's not a wife. I didn't let you see how hurt I
was. I made up my mind I would do my work in the world
and leave you alone in your life and not care. That's
why the shipping wasn't enough - why I studied law and
became a judge and a mayor and such vain truck, and why
folks in town look on me as so able! Ha! Able for what?
Not for what I wanted most in life! Not for your love!
No! Able only to keep my mind from thinking of what I'd
lost!

(He stares at her - then asks pleadingly)

For you did love me before we were married. You won't
deny that, will you?

### Christine

(Desperately)

I don't deny anything!

### Mannon

(Drawing himself up with a stern pride and dignity and
surrendering himself like a commander against hopeless
odds)

All right then. I came home to surrender to you - what's
inside me - give you that. I love you. I loved you
then, and all the years in between, and I love you now.

### Christine

(Opens her eyes and stares at him distractedly)

Ezra! Please!

30

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Mannon

I want that said! Maybe you have forgotten it. I wouldn't blame you. I guess I haven't said it or showed it much - ever. Something queer in me keeps me mum about the things I'd like most to say - keeps me hiding the things I'd like to show. Something keeps me sitting numb in my own heart - like a statue of a dead man in a town square.

(Suddenly he reaches over and takes her hand - with awkward feeling)

I want you to love me! I want to find what that wall is marriage put between us! You've got to tell me! You've got to help me smash it down! We have twenty good years of life still before us! I've been thinking and planning what we could do to get back to each other. I've a notion if we would leave the children and go off on a voyage together - to the other side of the world - find some island where we could be alone awhile and maybe have the honeymoon now we never had. You'll find I have changed, Christine. I'm sick of death! I want life! Maybe you could love me now!

(In a note of final desperate pleading)

I've got to make you love me!

### Christine

(Pulls her hand away from him and springs to her feet, glaring at him wildly like a cornered animal)

For God's sake, stop talking! I don't know what you are saying. Leave me alone! What must be, must be! You make me weak!

(Then abruptly)

It's getting late.

### Mannon

(Terribly wounded, withdrawn into his stiff soldier armor - avoids her eyes and takes out his watch mechanically - dully)

Yes - six past eleven. Time to turn in.

31

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

Mannon (continued)

(He ascends two steps, his face toward the door. He says harshly)

You tell me to stop talking! By God, that's funny!

Christine

(Collected now and calculating - takes hold of his arm, seductively)

I meant - what is the good of words! There is no wall between us. I love you.

Mannon

(Grabs her by the shoulders and stares into her face - intensely)

Christine! I'd give my soul to believe that - but - I'm afraid!

(She kisses him. He presses her fiercely in his arms - passionately)

Christine!

(The door behind him is opened and Lavinia appears at the edge of the portico behind and above him. She wears slippers over her bare feet and has a dark dressing gown wrapped round her over her night dress. She shrinks back from their embrace with a startled cry of aversion and disgust. They separate, startled)

Mannon

(Embarrassed - irritably)

Thought you'd gone to bed, young lady!

Lavinia

(Stiffens into her rigid square-shouldered pose - woodenly)

I didn't feel sleepy. I thought I'd walk a little. It's such a fine night.

32

## Act Three

## "HOME COMING"

### Christine

(Coldly)

We are just going to bed. Your father is tired.

(She moves up, past her daughter, taking Mannon's hand, leading him after her)

### Mannon

(As he passes Lavinia - still irritable)

No time for a walk, if you ask me. See you turn in soon.

### Lavinia

(Woodenly)

Yes, Father.

### Mannon

(As they go in the door, calls over his shoulder)

Good night.

(The door closes behind them. Lavinia stands staring before her - then walks stiffly down the steps and stands again. Light appears between the chinks of the shutters in the bedroom on the second floor to the left. She looks up)

### Lavinia

(In an anguish of jealous hatred)

I hate you! You steal even Father's love from me again! You stole all love from me when I was born!

(Then almost with a sob, hiding her face in her hands)

Oh Mother! Why have you done this to me? What harm had I done you? I didn't want to be born!

(Then looking up at the window again - with passionate disgust)

Father, how can you love that shameless harlot? Why don't you see the ugliness behind her beauty? How can you be such a lustful old fool?

2

## Act Four

# "HOME COMING"

Mannon

I haven't been able to sleep. I've been lying here thinking and listening to you moving around in the dark, like an animal in a cage. What is it makes you so uneasy?

Christine

I haven't been able to sleep either.

Mannon

You slunk out of bed so quiet.

Christine

I didn't want to wake you.

Mannon

(Bitterly)

Couldn't you bear it - lying close to me?

Christine

I didn't want to disturb you by tossing around.

Mannon

We'd better light the light and talk a while.

Christine

(With dread)

I don't want to talk! I prefer the dark.

Mannon

I want to see you.

(He takes matches from the stand by the bed and lights the candle on it. Christine hastily sits down in the chair by the table, pushing it so she sits facing left, front, with her face turned three-quarters away from him. He pushes his back up against the head of the bed in a half-sitting position. His face with the flickering candle light on its side has a grim bitter expression. His eyes stare at her - he speaks bitterly)

You like the dark where you can't see your old man of a husband, is that it?

3

## Act Four

"HOMECOMING"

### Christine

I wish you wouldn't talk like that, Ezra. If you are
going to say stupid things, I will go in my own room.

(She gets to her feet but keeps her face turned away from
him)

### Mannon

Wait!

(Then a note of pleading in his voice)

Don't go. I don't want to be alone.

(She sits again in the same position as before. He goes
on humbly)

I didn't mean to say those things. I guess there's
bitterness inside me - my own cussedness, maybe - and some-
times it gets out before I can stop it.

### Christine

You have always been bitter.

### Mannon

Before we married?

### Christine

I don't remember.

### Mannon

You don't want to remember you ever loved me!

### Christine

(Tensely)

I don't want to talk of the past!

(Abruptly changing the subject)

Did you hear Vinnie the first part of the night? She was
pacing up and down before the house like a sentry guarding
you. She didn't go to bed until two. I heard the clock
strike.

4

## Act Four

## "HOME COMING"

Mannon

There is one that loves me, at least!

(Then after a pause)

I feel strange, Christine.

Christine

You mean - your heart?

(After a pause)

Do you feel sick? taken ill, do you?

You don't think you are going to be -

Mannon

No!

(A pause - then harshly)

Is that what you're waiting for?

(Accusingly)

Is that why you were so willing to give yourself tonight?
Were you hoping - ?

Christine

(Springing up)

Ezra! Stop talking like that! I can't stand it!

(She moves as if to go into her own room)

Mannon

Wait! I'm sorry I said that. I can't help feeling
bitter -

(Then as she sits down again, he goes on gloomily)

It isn't my heart - though it's in my heart. It's some-
thing uneasy troubling my mind - as if something in me was
listening, watching, waiting for something to happen.

5

## Act Four

"HOME COMING"

### Christine

Waiting for what to happen?

### Mannon

I don't know.

(A pause - then he goes on somberly)

This house is not my house. This is not my room nor my bed. They are empty - waiting for someone to move in! And you are not my wife! You are waiting for something!

### Christine

(Beginning to snap under the strain - jumps to her feet again)

What would I be waiting for?

### Mannon

For death - to set you free!

### Christine

Leave me alone! Stop nagging at me with your crazy suspicions!

(Then anger and hatred come into her voice)

Not your wife! You acted as if I were your wife - your property - not so long ago!

### Mannon

(With bitter scorn)

Your body? What are bodies to me? I've seen too many thousands rotting in the sun to make grass greener! Ashes to ashes, dirt to dirt! Is that your notion of love? Do you think I married a body?

(Then as if all the bitterness and hurt in him had suddenly burst its dam)

You were lying to me tonight as you've always lied! You were only pretending love! You let me take you as if you were a nigger slave I had bought at auction! You made me appear a lustful beast in my own eyes! - as you have always done since our first marriage night! I would feel cleaner now if I had gone to a brothel! Cleaner and more honest! I would feel more honor between myself and life!

6

## Act Four

"HOME COMING"

Christine

(In a stifled voice)

Look out, Ezra! I won't stand -

Mannon

(With a harsh laugh)

And I had hoped my homecoming would mark a new beginning -
new love between us! I told you my secret feelings. I
tore my insides out for you - thinking you'd understand!
By God, I'm an old fool!

Christine

(Her voice grown strident)

Did you think you could make me weak - make me forget all
the years? Oh no, Ezra! It's too late!

(Then her voice changes, as if she had suddenly resolved
on a course of action, and becomes deliberately taunting)

You want the truth? You've guessed it! You've used me,
you've given me children, but I've never once been yours!
I never could be! And whose fault is it? I loved you
when I married you! I wanted to give myself! But you
made me so I couldn't give! You filled me with disgust!

Mannon

(Furiously)

You say that to me!

(Then trying to calm himself - stammers)

No! Be quiet! We mustn't fight! I mustn't lose my
temper! It will bring on - !

8

## Act Four

## "HOME COMING"

### Christine (continued)

(She hurries through the doorway into her room and immediately returns with a small box in her hand. He is facing away from her door, and even if the intense pain left him any perception, he could not notice her departure and return, she moves so silently)

### Mannon

(Gaspingly)

Quick - medicine!

### Christine

(Taking a pellet from her box, but pretending she takes it from his - holding it and a glass of water to wash it down)

Here you are!

(He opens his mouth and she puts it in and presses the glass immediately to his lips)

Now drink!

### Mannon

(Takes a swallow of water. Suddenly a wild look of terror comes on his face. He gasps)

Not - my medicine!

(He glares at her. She shrinks back. He tries to call for help but his voice fades to a wheezy whisper)

Help! Vinnie!

(He falls back in a sort of coma, breathing stertorously. Christine hurriedly takes the little box back to her room. The door from the hall, at right, is opened and Lavinia appears in the doorway. She is dressed as at the end of Act Three, in nightgown, wrapper and slippers. She stands, dazed and frightened and hesitating as if she had just awakened, just as Christine returns hurriedly from her room, having thrust the poison into the first hiding place)

9

## Act Four

"HOME COMING"

Lavinia

I was dozing off - I dreamed Father was calling me -

Christine

(Starts with guilty terror as she sees her - stammers)

He just had - an attack.

Lavinia

(Hurries to the bed)

Father!

(She puts her arms around him)

He's fainted!

Christine

No. He's all right now. Leave him alone. Let him sleep.

(At this moment Mannon straightens up in a sitting position in Lavinia's arms, his eyes glaring at his wife and manages to raise his arm and point an accusing finger at her)

Mannon

(Gasps)

She's guilty - not medicine - !

(He falls back limply)

Lavinia

Father!

(She feels for his pulse, puts her ear against his chest to listen for a heartbeat)

Christine

(Stupidly)

Let him alone. He is asleep.

10

## Act Four

"HOMECOMING"

### Lavinia

(Looking up - with wild despair)

He's dead!

### Christine

(Repeats mechanically)

Dead?

(Then in a strange flat tone)

I hope - he rests in peace.

### Lavinia

(Turning on her with hatred)

Don't you dare pretend you are sorry! You wanted him to die! You -

(She stops, stares at her mother with a horrified suspicion, then rushes over and grabs her by the shoulders - shaking her)

Why did he point at you like that? Why did he say you were guilty? Answer me!

### Christine

(Lets herself be shaken - her body limp and without resistance - stammers)

He meant - my loving Adam. I told him - Adam was my lover.

### Lavinia

(Aghast, dropping her hands from her mother's shoulders)

You told him that - when you knew his heart - Oh! You did it on purpose to kill him! You murdered him!

### Christine

No - it was your fault - you made him too suspicious - he knew I - he kept talking of love and death - he forced me to tell him!

(Her voice becomes faint and thick as if she were drowsy and fighting off sleep. Her eyes half close)

11

## Act Four

"HOME COMING"

### Lavinia

(Grabbing her shoulders again - fiercely)

Listen! Look at me! He said "not medicine"! What did he mean?

### Christine

I - I don't know.

### Lavinia

You do know! He meant something you must have done!
What was it? Tell me!

### Christine

(With a last determined effort of will manages to draw
herself up and speak with a simulation of outraged in-
dignation)

Are you daring to accuse your mother - of poisoning him?

### Lavinia

I haven't said a word about poison! What makes you - ?
(Then distractedly)

No - you can't be that evil - I won't believe that - my
mother!

(Then fiercely accusing her)

But you deliberately killed him just the same - by telling
him about your adultery! You're guilty of murder, even if
the law can't touch you! I suppose you think you will be
free to mary Adam now? But you won't - not while I'm
alive! I will make you pay for your crime! I will find a
way to punish you!

### Christine

(Her strength gone - swaying weakly)

I don't know what - you're talking about.

12

## Act Four

"HOMECOMING"

### Lavinia

(Struck suddenly by renewed suspicion)

Oh! I've just remembered - as I came in - you came out of your room! Why did you go in there - when Father was dying?

### Christine

(Stammers stupidly)

To get - my slippers.

(Then edging away from Vinnie toward her bedroom door - weakly)

I - feel faint. Don't talk - now. I must go - in my room - and lie down. I -

(She turns as if to run into the room, takes a tottering step - then her knees suddenly buckle under her and she falls in a dead faint at the foot of the bed. Lavinia bends over her for a moment, sees it is only a faint and straightens up. She stares before her, the look of horrified suspicion growing in her eyes. Then she suddenly turns and rushes into her mother's room. There is a pause. Then she returns with the little box of poison in her hands. She holds it in the light of the candle and stares at it with horrified dread. Then with a shuddering sob she sinks on her knees, the box clutched in her hand, and flings her arms around the dead man)

### Lavinia

(With anguished beseeching)

Father! Don't leave me alone! Come back to me! Tell me what to do!

### Curtain

END OF "HOMECOMING" - PART ONE OF THE TRILOGY

"MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA"