The Thirteenth Chair | Page 7

will be glad to.
(WILLIAM and HELEN enter R.C.)
TRENT (down L. of arm-chair). And you're willing to submit to our
conditions?
ROSALIE. Of course, anything in reason--I--
HELEN (coming down R.C.). Why!
(At the sound of a new voice ROSALIE turns. She gives a little start,
and then moves quickly to HELEN C.)
ROSALIE. Wait! Something is coming to me. Please--not anyone to
speak!
(All laugh.)

(She is close to HELEN and looks at her.) It is a message. Give me
your 'and, mademoiselle.
(HELEN in a good deal of confusion gives ROSALIE her hand.
ROSALIE stands and holds it. Her eyes are closed.)
There is nothing but 'appiness coming to you. The spirits tell me you
are the favourite child of fortune.
(WILLIAM comes down to R.C.)
You will 'ave wealth and prosperity and 'appiness. You will marry the
man you love, and you will be 'appy all your life,
(WALES goes up L. TRENT comes to ROSALIE a step. ROSALIE
turns to the others.)
There is something I want to tell 'er just for 'erself. She is so young, we
must spare her modesty.
(MRS. TRENT goes up L. TRENT, MISS EASTWOOD, and WALES
go up L.C. ROSALIE brings HELEN down L. WILLIAM joins
CROSBY and MRS. CROSBY R. MISS ERSKINE and STANDISH
are at the back of table R.)
(The following lines are spoken by HELEN and ROSALIE in an
undertone.)
HELEN. Mother!
ROSALIE. My darling, I did not know. They just brought me here.
You know I would not 'ave come for anything in the world if I 'ad
known.
(HELEN starts to break away. ROSALIE clutches her.)
Don't tell them, dear, don't 'ave me shame you before all your
wonderful friends. I will go in one minute--I will get away from the
'ouse the first minute I can.

HELEN. But, mother, there's no shame. I'm proud--
ROSALIE. Tell them afterwards if you must tell them, but let me get
away before you do so. (In her normal voice again.) Remember now,
mademoiselle, all the love in the world is 'anging above you and
praying for your 'appiness. Do not let it go for the love of 'Eaven.
(Buzz of conversation. ROSALIE turns to WALES L. HELEN stands
looking after her. WILLIAM comes to HELEN B.C.)
WILLIAM. What did she tell you?
HELEN. You heard most of it. I'll tell you the rest later.
(WILLIAM and HELEN go up R.C.)
ROSALIE. I think I 'ad better go from 'ere.
(MISS EASTWOOD and TRENT come down L.)
WALES. That's absurd. (To the others.) Madame la Grange wants to
call off the seance.
MISS EASTWOOD (down L.). I thought she might.
(MASON above table R.)
ROSALIE. Did you really, miss?
MRS. CROSBY. Oh, won't you please stay?
(WILLIAM and HELEN R.C. MISS ERSKINE above table R.)
ROSALIE (coming C.). I am afraid I cannot, madame. I am not feeling
right. I am not just myself, madame.
WALES (L.C.). Really, Madame la Grange? I'm afraid under the
circumstances--

ROSALIE (getting hand-bag from chair). I am very sorry, but I must
go from 'ere.
MISS EASTWOOD (moving L. of ROSALIE). I think it's a shame to
bother her. And I think she's quite right to go. Her sort of tricks aren't
for people of intelligence.
HELEN. Oh, won't you please stay? (To ROSALIE now C.)
ROSALIE. I must not.
HELEN. Won't you as a great favour to me?
ROSALIE. Well, miss, since you ask it, I will stay.
(MISS EASTWOOD laughs. She and TRENT go up L. CROSBY is by
chesterfield C. MASON below table R. MRS. CROSBY is seated at
lower end of table. MRS. TRENT comes to arm-chair L.C. and sits.)
MRS. CROSBY. I'm very glad. Really I'm greatly interested.
ROSALIE (crosses R.). Thank you, madame.
CROSBY (coming down C.). I think after what we've seen, we must
ask Madame la Grange to submit to certain conditions.
ROSALIE. Anything at all, sir--anything at all.
MASON (down R.). I agree with you. Frankly this woman impresses
me. I think this test should be taken seriously.
(MISS EASTWOOD at the L. end of the chesterfield, laughs.)
WALES (L.C.). Just what I was going to say.
CROSBY (R.C.). If you will submit to the conditions we impose,
Madame la Grange, and then show us any manifestations, I will never
scoff at anything again.

ROSALIE. Scoffing is the easiest thing anybody can do.
(CROSBY crosses down R. below table.)
If I could stop that even in one person, it would be a good thing. What
is it that you do want?
CROSBY. I want the window fastened.
MASON. That's the idea.
CROSBY (coming in front of table R.). Then we will have the doors
locked. Will that be all right?
ROSALIE. Oh, certainly all right.
MISS EASTWOOD (coming down L.C.). At the risk of seeming