The Mousetrap

(LENNOX and RAYMOND move to the lift door. The lift descends and the door opens. LADY WESTHOLME, LENNOX and RAYMOND exit to the lift. The door closes and the lift ascends. MRS. BOYNTON smiles to herself, then turns her head and looks at NADINE.)

HIGGS. (To theCLERK) ’Ere! What floor’s ’er ladyship goin’ oop to?

CLERK. Second floor, sir.

HIGGS. Ho! And another thing. I’m goin’ on this trip to Petra. There’s room in the car?

CLERK. Yes, sir. I’ve a seat reserved for you.

HIGGS. Ho! And is ’er ladyship comin’?

CLERK. Yes, sir.

HIGGS. Ho! Well, I’m not ridin’ on t’roof, see.

(HIGGS exits up Right.)

MRS. BOYNTON. Nadine.

NADINE. (Moving to Right ofMRS. BOYNTON) Yes, Mother?

MRS. BOYNTON. My spectacles.

(The lift descends and the door opens. COPE enters from the lift and goes to the desk.)

NADINE. (Holding out the spectacles) They were on the table.

MRS. BOYNTON. Don’t give them to me. Take them upstairs. And will you see that Jinny has some hot milk?

NADINE. She doesn’t like hot milk.

MRS. BOYNTON. It’s good for her. Go along, my dear. I’ll just have a little talk with your friend Mr. Cope.

(NADINE exits to the lift. The door closes and the lift ascends.)

COPE. (Moving Left Centre) Delighted, Mrs. Boynton.

MRS. BOYNTON. Such a good daughter to me—quite like a real daughter. I don’t know what we should all do without Nadine.

COPE. Yes, indeed, I can quite appreciate how you rely upon her.

(The CLERK exits up Left.)

MRS. BOYNTON. We’re a very devoted family.

COPE. I know—I know . . .

MRS. BOYNTON. (Looking sharply at him) What’s on your mind?

COPE. Why—nothing.

MRS. BOYNTON. Don’t mind saying it.

COPE. Well—maybe you’ll think it great cheek on my part . . .

MRS. BOYNTON. I like frankness.

COPE. Well, frankly, then, I just wondered . . . Oh, don’t misunderstand me—I only meant that—well—one can shield people too much from the outside world.

MRS. BOYNTON. You mean—(She smiles) I’m too fond of my children?

COPE. Let’s say—you’re over-anxious about them. They—they’ve got to learn to stand on their own feet sometime, you know. (He sits Left of the table Centre.)

MRS. BOYNTON. You’re probably quite right. That’s partly, you know, why I brought them abroad. I didn’t want them to become provincial. Travel, they say, broadens the mind.

COPE. Yes, indeed.

MRS. BOYNTON. It was very dull. (Reminiscently) Day after day—no savour to things. Yes, it was dull. (She chuckles) It’s not dull here.

COPE. No, Jerusalem is a mighty interesting place.

MRS. BOYNTON. And I’ve been thinking of what you said earlier—about Petra.

COPE. Yes?

MRS. BOYNTON. I feel—the children ought to see Petra.

COPE. (Rising) Why, that’s grand. You’ll do as I suggested, split up. Someone’s got to stay and look after you, of course.

MRS. BOYNTON. No, I’m going to Petra, too.

COPE. Oh, but really, Mrs. Boynton, I don’t think you realize the difficulties. It’s right off the beaten track. Two long days motoring and the last stage is on horses or mules.

MRS. BOYNTON. I’m an old woman with many physical disabilities, but I don’t allow that to interfere with my—(She pauses) pleasures. These things can be arranged—by the expenditure of money. The last stage can be done in a carrying chair with bearers or a kind of litter.

COPE. It sounds quite biblical.

MRS. BOYNTON. Yes—quite biblical.

COPE. But really, you know, I don’t think you’re wise. Your health isn’t too good, you know. Your heart . . .

MRS. BOYNTON. I don’t take my heart into account when I’m planning a pleasure party for other people. It’s a bad plan to think too much of oneself. One should think of others. That’s settled, then?

COPE. Well, I do really take my hat off to you, Mrs. Boynton. You’re the most unselfish woman. Always thinking of the youngsters.

MRS. BOYNTON. It wouldn’t be the same for them if I wasn’t there. You’ll travel with us?

COPE. Why, certainly, I shall be delighted.

MRS. BOYNTON. That will give Nadine great pleasure, I’m sure. You’re very fond of Nadine, aren’t you?

COPE. (Moving a little down Left; embarrassed) Well, I . . .

MRS. BOYNTON. You’ll make the arrangements, won’t you?