The Mousetrap

MEREDITH. You’re always bitter about Caroline. You used to be crazy about her once—don’t you remember? (He rises)

PHILIP. (turning; annoyed) A brief attack of calf love. It wasn’t serious.

MEREDITH. And then—you turned against her.

PHILIP. (exasperated) Let’s stick to the present, shall we?

MEREDITH. Yes. Yes, of course.

(CAROLINE enters up C)

CAROLINE. Hullo, Merry, stay to lunch, won’t you? It’ll be ready in a moment. (She moves to the french windows)

MEREDITH. Well, thanks.

(CAROLINE goes on to the terrace and stands by the easel, looking at Amyas)

ELSA. (to Amyas; as Caroline comes out) I shall have a break.

AMYAS. (rather indistinctly) Stop where you are, damn you.

MEREDITH. (to Philip) After lunch, I’ll take Caroline out in the garden and tackle her. All right?

(PHILIP nods, closes the door up C and moves to the french windows. ELSA rises and stretches. MEREDITH moves to the table R and picks up his half-finished lemonade)

CAROLINE. (urgently) Amyas . . .

PHILIP. (moving on to the terrace) You seem very preoccupied this morning, Caroline.

CAROLINE. (to Philip; over her shoulder) I? Oh, yes, I’m very busy getting Angela off. (To Amyas. Very urgently) You will do it, Amyas. You must. This afternoon.

(PHILIP moves above the bench. AMYAS passes his hand over his forehead. He has lost control of clear speech)

AMYAS. All ri-right. I’ll see—her packing . . .

CAROLINE. (turning to the french windows) We—we do want Angela to get off without too much fuss. (She goes into the room and stands above the stool)

(PHILIP crosses to the french windows. ELSA sits on the bench. AMYAS shakes his head to try and clear his brain)

PHILIP. (to Caroline) You spoil that brat.

CAROLINE. (plumping cushions on the sofa) We shall miss her terribly when she’s gone.

PHILIP. (stepping into the room) Where’s little Carla?

(MEREDITH crosses to the armchair L with his drink, and sits)

CAROLINE. She’s gone to stay with her godmother for a week. She’ll be home the day after tomorrow.

MEREDITH. What’s Miss Williams going to do with herself when Angela’s gone?

CAROLINE. She’s got a post at the Belgian Embassy. I shall miss her.

(A dinner gong sounds off in the hall)

Lunch.

(ANGELA bursts in up C)

ANGELA. (as she enters) I’m starving. (She runs on to the terrace. To Elsa and Amyas) Lunch, you two.

(MISS WILLIAMS appears in the doorway up C. CAROLINE crosses to the table RC and picks up her cigarette case)

ELSA. (rising and picking up her pullover) Coming.

(ANGELA goes into the room)

(To Amyas) Lunch?

AMYAS. I—ah!

MISSWILLIAMS. Do try not to shout so, Angela, it really isn’t necessary.

ANGELA. I’m not shouting.

(ANGELA exits up C. MISS WILLIAMS follows her off)

CAROLINE. (moving to the door upC; to Meredith) I should bring that in with you.

(MEREDITH rises)

PHILIP. (looking at Meredith) What—lemonade?

CAROLINE. (to Philip) For you, we’ve got a lovely bottle of . . .

PHILIP. Château Neuf du Pape? Good! Hasn’t Amyas finished it yet?

CAROLINE. (to Meredith) What a nice surprise to see you.

MEREDITH. I really came over to see Philip, but I’m always happy to stay to lunch.

(CAROLINE and PHILIP exit up C. ELSA comes into the room)

(He turns to Elsa) Amyas?

ELSA. (crossing to the door upC) There’s something he wants to finish.

(ELSA exits up C. MEREDITH follows her off)

ANGELA. (off) He hates stopping for lunch.