That makes all the difference. When he recovered his composure, he was asked if he remembered singing with the company, and being presented to the strangers. He stared in astonishment; he no more knew what he had been doing than you did before I told you of the circumstances.
Godfrey. You astonish me!
Mr. Candy. Oh! the thing has happened before. A case of sleepwalking, under similar circumstances, occurred in the last century--the case of Dr. Blacklock, the poet. A morbid condition of the stomach produced in Dr. Blacklock. A morbid condition of the stomach produced in my young man. The brain affected by it in both cases. There's the explanation, to my mind! We shall hear what the London doctor says. If you'll excuse me, I'll just tell them to put my horse to in the gig. (He goes out by the hall door. RACHEL leads the way back to the front of the stage, followed by FRANKLIN. MISS CLACK stops at the library-table, and takes up an illustrated newspaper.)
Rachel (to GODFREY). Oh Godfrey! you don't know what you have missed! A perfectly unearthly light shines out of the diamond in the dark! (She turns to FRANKLIN.) What shall I do with it? (She looks round.) I'll put it in the cabinet.
Franklin. Don't go near the cabinet! I have been varnishing it, and it's not dry yet.
Rachel. You put it away for me. (She gives the diamond to FRANKLIN. GODFREY retires, and talks with MISS CLACK at the library-table.)
Franklin (going to the cabinet). I wonder whether the door locks? (He tries the key.) Like all old cabinets, the lock is out of order, of course. Rachel! the lock's rusty, and won't act.
Rachel. What does that matter?
Franklin. Are you aware that the Moonstone is valued at ten thousand pounds? Seriously, Rachel, am I to put such a valuable jewel as this in a place that won't lock up?
Rachel. You won't find a place that does lock up, belonging to me. I hate the worry of keeping keys! What use are they here? Is my house an hotel? Are my faithful old servants thieves? Don't make a fuss about nothing! Do as I tell you!
Franklin (opening the drawer in the cabinet). There it is, in the third drawer from the top. (Aside.) I must find a safer place for it than this--Betteredge will help me. (He closes the drawer and shuts the door of the cabinet, then examines the varnish carefully.) I haven't smeared the varnish, have I? No! The surface is as smooth as glass, and the effect will be beautiful to-morrow. (MR. CANDY re-enters.)
Rachel. Have you been ordering your gig, Mr. Candy? You are not going already?
Mr. Candy. It's late, Miss Rachel.
Rachel (looking at her watch). So it is! (calling to MISS CLACK). Drusilla, shall we say good-night?
Miss Clack. Certainly, Rachel. (She takes leave of GODFREY, who remains at the library-table, looking over an album of photographs. RACHEL shakes hands with FRANKLIN and MR. CANDY. At the same time BETTEREDGE enters with a kettle and a spirit-lamp. He is followed by PENELOPE with the bedroom candles. PENELOPE lights the candles at a side-table.)
Rachel (shaking hands with MR. CANDY). Mr. Candy, take something before you go.
Mr. Candy. Thank you, Miss Rachel. Good-night, Miss Clack.
Miss Clack. Good-night, Mr. Candy. I shall be at the town the first thing to-morrow, to start the new institution. (MR. CANDY goes to the supper-table and stands there mixing and sipping his grog. PENELOPE hands MISS CLACK her candle. MISS CLACK fixes her eyes sternly on PENELOPE'S smart cap ribbons.) Thank you, Penelope. Don't suppose I am admiring your cap ribbons--far from it! (She turns to RACHEL.) Good-night, love. (She kisses RACHEL, who wishes her good-night, and enters her room on the left. PENELOPE has previously gone out at the back, offended by MISS CLACK'S remarks on her ribbons. MISS CLACK, with a dignified bend of her head to FRANKLIN, ascends the stairs which lead to the gallery.)
Franklin. Good-night, Miss Clack! (Speaking to himself.) Oh, dear, how tired I am! (He drops wearily into an arm-chair on the right near the back of the stage, and calls to BETTEREDGE.) Betteredge, I want to speak to you.
Betteredge (approaching FRANKLIN). Yes, sir.
Franklin. Rachel insisted on my putting the diamond in the cabinet-drawer. It isn't safe there; the doors won't lock.
Miss Clack (stopping at the top of the gallery stairs). Mr. Betteredge!
Betteredge (aside, taking the bottle). More champagne? (He steps out, so as to be seen by MISS CLACK from the gallery.) Yes, miss!
Miss Clack. Tell Penelope I have a tract for her on vanity in dress. She is to read it to-morrow. You may mention the title--"A Word with You on Your Cap Ribbons." (She goes out by the gallery on the left.)
Betteredge. Thank you, miss! (To himself, as he returns to FRANKLIN.) My daughter's cap ribbons will be smarter than ever to-morrow! (To FRANKLIN.) Excuse me for remarking it, sir, you're a cup too low: you want rousing a bit. Try a drop of grog.
Franklin. I never tasted spirits in my life.
Betteredge. Lord, sir! what a pleasure you have got to come!
Mr. Candy. Mr. Blake, a little while since I warned you not to eat supper when you were not used to it.
Franklin. And I eat the supper, nevertheless.
Mr. Candy. I warn you again. In the present state of your health, don't drink grog if you are not used to it.
Franklin. More advice gratis! With a glass of grog in his own hand all the time! (Enter ANDREW by the hall door.)
Andrew (to MR. CANDY).Your gig is ready, sir.
Mr. Candy. Good-night, Mr. Blake, and don't forget my advice, though it is gratis! I have a patient in the town who never took supper and never tasted spirits, like you. He has reason now to regret having tried the experiment. Ask Mr. Ablewhite. (He turns to GODFREY.) Good-night, Mr. Ablewhite! (He takes leave of GODFREY, who is still occupied with the photographs at the library-table, and goes out, followed by ANDREW.)
Franklin. Mr. Candy is a little too fond of his profession. Why can't he leave it with his hat in the hall? Betteredge, you are the best doctor of the two. I feel wretchedly uncomfortable. Mix me some grog.
Betteredge. That's right, sir! Stick to your brandy-and-water, and never mind about the Moonstone! (He mixes the grog.)
Franklin (impatiently). But I do mind about the Moonstone! Other people put their jewels in the strong room at their banker's. Why shouldn't Rachel? (He calls.) Godfrey! (GODFREY rises and approaches FRANKLIN.) You are going to Frizinghall in the morning to see your father. I'm uneasy about the safety of the diamond. Take the Moonstone to-morrow to your father's bank.
Godfrey. With pleasure, dear Franklin, if Rachel will allow it.
Franklin. I will undertake to get Rachel's permission.
Betteredge (to FRANKLIN). Here is your nightcap, sir.
Franklin (drinking, and setting down his glass). Grog is an acquired taste, I suppose? I don't much like it.
Betteredge. Try again, sir, and you will find it grow on you. Shall I give you your candle?
Franklin. Thank you. (He rises.) My head feels heavy. I really believe I shall sleep to-night.