RAIN
Reading edition
PERSONS
Charles Everitt
Mary, his wife
Walter, seventeen
Alice, fifteen
Harold, five
The scene shows a hotel "parlor" in the White Mountains. Beneath the flashy ugliness of its modern wall paper and upholstery, a certain refinement persists from an older generation. The room itself is well proportioned, with a very good hearth. The parlor might once have been the ball room in a squire's mansion.
It is about seven o'clock of an August evening, the room feebly lighted by a flickering acetylene burner. One feels the commencement of rain. A door to the rear opens and the Everitts enter, the younger children first.
Harold
She didn't give me any toast. I want some toast!
Walter
A rotten supper!
Mrs. Everitt
Never mind, Harold, you had two cups of that beautiful milk.
Alice
Of course it was rotten. Everything's second rate here. Ugh! what a musty smell!
Walter
I told father we ought to go ahead. The car could have done another six miles easily. And we'd have reached the Mountain Inn.
Alice
I'm sure there's a dance there to-night!
Everitt
The car could not have done the six miles. We were lucky to make that last hill. You might have had to walk the whole way.
Alice
Well, we always start too soon or too late. For goodness sake let's at least have some light. There's no use having it as dark inside as out. (Everitt goes about lighting all the burners)
Harold
Hear the rain, rain, rain!
Walter
It is coming down. I never heard it make so much noise.
Mrs. Everitt
That's because city people never have a roof over their heads!
Alice
Why, mother, the rain makes your voice vibrate like—
Walter
Like a fire engine. I stood right by one, once.
Mrs. Everitt
Come, Harold, sit on my lap.
Everitt
Shall I close the blinds?
Alice
Yes.
Mrs. Everitt
No, don't. Nobody's about on a night like this.
Harold
Wish I could see rain. What it like?
Everitt
What's what like?
Harold
Rain—rain.
Alice
Like shower baths.
Harold
Oh. Mother, tell me story about rain. I like rain! (Everitt feels about for his cigar case. A letter falls from his pocket which he picks up hurriedly)
Everitt
I'm going for a cigar.
Walter
It's like being in a submarine!
Harold
Mother, tell me story!
Mrs. Everitt
Once upon a time—
Walter
I'm going out for a minute.
Alice
I wish....
Harold
Once on a time!
Mrs. Everitt
Oh, yes. Once there was a little girl who lived in the country.
Harold
What country?
Mrs. Everitt
A country something like this. She and her mother lived in a little house beside a brook. The little girl loved to listen to the brook outside her window at night. One day she asked her mother where the brook went to. She didn't want her brook to run away. And what do you suppose her mother said?
Harold
What her mother say?
Mrs. Everitt
She said the brook didn't really run away, when it got out of sight across the fields it turned into rain. So then the little girl was glad whenever it rained, because she knew it was the little brook coming back to her.
Harold
Oh. And is this rain the brook coming back? The little girl's brook?
Mrs. Everitt
The little girl grew up and went away. But it's some little girl's brook. (Walter comes in with sticks)
Walter
I thought we'd have a fire.
Alice
Good! Make a big one.
Mrs. Everitt
Now, Harold, mother is going to put you in a nice bed, right under the roof where the rain-drops whisper and sing. (She takes Harold out)
Alice
Where'd father go?
Walter
He said he wanted a cigar.
Alice
He's been a long time.
Walter
Perhaps he's gone to look at the engine.
Alice
Walter, what's the matter with them? Last night....
Walter
I don't know. I heard them, too. It isn't the first time they have quarreled.
Alice
It's terrible!
Walter
Father's got a rotten temper, lately.
Alice
I thought she wanted him—
Walter
She did, but he had no business to get so angry about it.
Alice
But why did she want to change our plans at the last minute and go into Connecticut? Everything was arranged to come here.
Walter.
She said he had arranged it without speaking to her. She said—there's something about it I don't understand.
Alice
I don't either. I—(Mrs. Everitt enters)
Walter
Did he go to sleep?
Mrs. Everitt
No. He is talking to the rain. I never heard him say such odd things. I hated to leave him. It seemed as if he heard voices....
Walter
Sit down, mother. It's very jolly here.
Mrs. Everitt
Thank you, Walter. How many years since I've enjoyed a real fire, like this!
Walter
Oh, there isn't enough wood. Just a minute—(He goes out)
Alice
You look tired.
Mrs. Everitt
I'm all right, dear.
Alice
No you're not. Why won't you tell me?
Mrs. Everitt
But Alice, there's nothing to tell. I do feel a little tired, but then, I shall be all right in the morning.
Alice
I wish—(Walter enters with more wood)
Walter
Well, Alice, are you still thinking about that dance?
Alice
Why no, I'd forgotten all about it. Who could dance in such a rain? It would make the music seem artificial. I'm getting tired of boys, too. They don't really feel things—like rain, and fire.
Mrs. Everitt
What's that noise,—Harold?
Walter
No. It's the men in the bar room.
Mrs. Everitt
I'm sure it's Harold.
Alice
I'll go see. (She goes out)
Walter
Mother.
Mrs. Everitt
What, Walter?
Walter
I must be an awful coward—
Mrs. Everitt
Why, what do you mean?
Walter
I mean that when I really want something, and ought to say so, I go along without saying it. I don't mean that I'm really afraid to say it, but I always feel somehow that other people ought to know what I want, and save me the trouble of asking it. No, not trouble exactly—but you know what I mean.
Mrs. Everitt
Yes, Walter, I'm afraid I know exactly what you mean. Lots of us are cursed with the same instinct. I am, and sometimes I believe your father is, too. It ought to be that when one sees a thing clearly in his own mind, and knows it is best, others—at least those near to him—should somehow be aware of it. But they usually are not.
Walter
No. And it's those nearest one that it's hardest to say things to. But to-night, somehow, I don't feel that way.
Mrs. Everitt
Tell me.
Walter
It's this architecture. You remember when I used to play with water colors all the while, and say I was going to be an artist?
Mrs. Everitt
Yes, but—
Walter
Father always said I would get over it. But when I didn't, then it occurred to him that if I learned architecture I could help him in his building.... I thought architecture would be the same. But it isn't. I can't see any art in it at all—it's nothing but engineering.
Mrs. Everitt
But Walter, you haven't gone far enough in it. The art will come later.
Walter
No it won't! At least not with father. He never builds anything that lets me imagine. You don't know how I hate those blue prints. I've been worrying along so far because I didn't want to disappoint father, though every day I hoped he would see what I really felt. But to-night I know I can't go on any longer without having it out. If he will let me follow my own idea he will be better pleased in the end than if I stick at this business of his. It will require one good fight, and then I shall be free to show what I can do.
Mrs. Everitt
But Walter, what is it exactly you want to do?
Walter.
I suppose I ought to say that I want to be an artist rather than a builder's draughtsman, but that isn't really it. I mean that behind the brain I think with every day there is another brain, bigger and wiser, that keeps asking the chance to show the rest of me what and how to act. In ordinary things the everyday mind gets along by itself all right, but I feel the other self there all the while, wanting me to begin something different, something to let it escape from dreaming to doing. And it keeps threatening that some day it will he too late. Only begin, begin!... Yes, I have worried along so far, but just to-night, for some reason or other, I seem to be standing on the brink. I won't go another step. It's in the rain now—I hear it. Oh, the pictures I could paint if we lived in the country!
Mrs. Everitt
In the country!
Walter
Yes. It comes over me here how much these hills mean. Oh! and there's another thing, mother.... I thought I was born in New York, I thought we always lived there, but just a while ago I ran onto your old family Bible, and it had the records in it. I—
Mrs. Everitt
Oh, Walter!
Walter
It seems queer that neither of you said anything about it, if I was really born in this very town.... I might never have thought much about it, but to-night everything seems to be stirred up. Tell me, mother—
Mrs. Everitt
We lived here only a little while. We didn't like it, so your father sold his farm and we went away to New York.
Walter
Yes, but why wasn't something said about it when we came here this afternoon? It seems funny, not to.
Mrs. Everitt
Dear, there was a little family trouble, long ago, which is best forgotten.
Walter
Oh.
Alice (entering)
It wasn't Harold, after all, but I just had to stay and listen to him. He tried over and over to tell me something. I couldn't make out what it was until he showed me with his hands—you know that funny little way he has—and what do you suppose it was?
Mrs. Everitt
The dear child. What was it?
Alice
Why, he remembered the big drum he saw once in a parade, and he was trying to explain that he was inside a drum. The rain, you know.
Everitt (entering)
We had to jack up the car. The barn is flooding with water.
Mrs. Everitt
Is that where you were?
Everitt
Yes.... How strange you look in that light, Alice! I never saw you look like that before. (He kisses her)
Alice
Oh!
Mrs. Everitt
What is it, Alice?
Alice
Why ... I thought his cigar was going to burn me.
Mrs. Everitt
Oh.
Everitt
Alice, you jumped because you didn't like my breath. I'm sorry, I did take a drink, and I shouldn't have kissed you, only....
Walter
Only what?
Everitt
She looked just as Mary did when I first knew her. It startled me.
Alice
Do I?
Mrs. Everitt
Was I like that?
Everitt
Of course you were.
Alice
Oh, I'm glad!
Mrs. Everitt
Thank you, dear, but you're not half so glad as I am.
Everitt
It's queer, there used to be a fine old stock up in this country. It seems to have died out. The people here don't half appreciate the place.
Mrs. Everitt
But you haven't seen many of them, have you?
Everitt
No, I talked with some in the bar room.
Alice
Oh, the bar room?
Everitt
Yes, I know. One can't judge from that. A filthy place—it made me ashamed of drinking. I only went in hoping to see some of the people I used to know.
Mrs. Everitt
Oh!
Walter
Where's my portfolio?
Mrs. Everitt
In the office, with those hand bags we decided not to open.
Walter
I'm going to get it. I just had an idea.... (He goes out)
Everitt
It's only ten o'clock, but it seems like midnight.
Alice
So it does. Are we going on to-morrow? Will the car be all right?
Everitt
George says so. To-morrow? I suppose so.
Alice
Well, I'm going to bed.
Mrs. Everitt
I hope Harold is asleep. Good night, dear.
Everitt
Good night, Mary.
Alice
You said "Mary."
Everitt
Did I? Well, you might be, for all that.
Alice (leaving)
Good night.
Everitt
If she had on that blue dress you used to wear, your own mother couldn't tell you apart.
Mrs. Everitt
Charles.
Everitt
What?
Mrs. Everitt
Walter knows he was born here. He wants to know why we didn't mention it to-day.
Everitt
So do I! So do I want to know why we didn't mention it! It's been between us all these years! (Walter enters with his portfolio. He stands unnoticed at the door)
Mrs. Everitt
You want to know? You know very well yourself! It's I who ought to ask what the matter is!
Everitt
You? Good heavens! Wasn't it you who suddenly made up your mind we had to leave this town, and insisted and insisted until I sold the house? Didn't I do that to please you, because you went into hysterics about it, and I had to think of Walter? I didn't want to go. It isn't every man who would change his whole life for a woman's unreasonable whim!
Mrs. Everitt
Whim! It isn't every wife who—Oh! Oh!
Everitt
Yes whim! And haven't I stayed away all these years from my people because you wouldn't hear to our coming back even for a visit?
Mrs. Everitt
No you didn't stay away! You sneaked up here the very next year when you made that trip to Boston. And you can't deny it, because Janet Richardson wrote me.
Everitt
Sneaked up here! Deny it! Are you mad? The only reason I didn't mention it was because I never understood your positive hatred for the place. What harm was there in coming back for a day or two? On every other subject you are all right, but whenever we get within a mile of mentioning this town I feel your hysteria, so I have kept still. But if there's anything you can say to explain yourself, for goodness sake say it! This nightmare has been between us long enough.
Mrs. Everitt
Yes, it has! Too long! And I like your way of saying you had to think of Walter! It was I had to think of my baby! If it hadn't been for Walter, I wouldn't have lived with you another day! I kept on at first so that he might be born with a father to look out for him, and then I kept on so that he needn't grow up in the shame of a divorce. But oh, the pain of it! To keep silent, year after year!
Everitt
Look here, are we both crazy? Out with it!
Mrs. Everitt
Annie Pratt!
Everitt
What? Who?
Mrs. Everitt
Annie Pratt!
Everitt
Who the devil's Annie Pratt? What's she got to do with it?
Mrs. Everitt
Ha! Not faithful even to her! Or are you trying to lie out of it? You can't, because I've still got the letter.
Everitt
What letter? I'm not going to stand these hysterics any longer!
Mrs. Everitt
You needn't. But you've got to stand the truth, do you hear me? I found the letter in your pocket. We hadn't been married a year. I was so happy! Oh! Oh!
Everitt
So was I happy, Oh! Oh!
Mrs. Everitt
Hypocrite! "Dearest Charlie: You said it is I who am your wife really, because it's I who make you happy." Vile cat!
Everitt
Annie Pratt, Annie Pratt. I remember her....
Mrs. Everitt
I should think you would! But any man who will—
Everitt
Look here! I've got the whole thing! You found that letter in my pocket?
Mrs. Everitt
Yes I did.
Everitt
Well, do you remember my quarrel with Charlie Fisher?
Mrs. Everitt
Yes. Why?
Everitt
Because, you poor child, that letter was written to him.
Mrs. Everitt
To him!
Everitt
Yes, Charlie Fisher. I found that he was going with Annie Pratt and I had it out with him one day in the barn. I told him if he didn't quit his foolishness I'd tell his people. We nearly came to blows—he was drinking too much, too—and I found that letter on the floor afterwards. I meant to burn it up, but I forgot it. And you thought I was the Charlie!
Mrs. Everitt
God forgive me!
Everitt
But why on earth didn't you come right out with it?
Mrs. Everitt
Oh! You can't realize how crushed I felt. I wanted only to run away, like a wounded animal.... And then I couldn't bear to quarrel, for the sake of Walter. So it's been festering in me all this time.
Everitt
So that's it. Well, thank heaven! (He starts to embrace her)
Mrs. Everitt
But that letter you picked up so quickly to-night—was that from somebody else?
Everitt
Lord, I'd almost forgotten it.
Mrs. Everitt
There! And I was almost happy!
Everitt
For goodness sake, read it!
Mrs. Everitt
From your bank.... I don't understand it.
Everitt
It's simple enough. They won't make me another loan.
Mrs. Everitt
Well?
Everitt
Between the unions and the new inspection—well, I can't finish the Broadway contract on time, and I'm done.
Mrs. Everitt
Done?
Everitt
Done. Smashed. I might save ten thousand dollars, that's all. My life's work....
Mrs. Everitt
You mean money?
Everitt
I mean the lack of it.
Mrs. Everitt
Is that all? Thank heaven!
Everitt
All! But do you realize it means giving up the house, and beginning all over again on ten thousand dollars?
Mrs. Everitt
I don't care. I was never happy there anyhow. And now I could be happy doing my own work in a tenement.
Everitt
I think I could be happy as a carpenter again by the day. But the children. It's going to be hard for them. Walter's architecture.
Walter
Father!
Everitt
Good gracious! Where did you come from?
Walter
I came back from the office.... I heard what you were saying. So that's all right. But you needn't worry about my architecture. I was telling mother to-night. I don't like it—it isn't my work. I only wanted you to feel as I do about it. Just feel that I really want to paint—to be an artist. Even if I have to work at something else for a long time, I'll feel easier, knowing you realize what I want. I love color so. And I want to let my imagination go. I'll help in any way I can, naturally. I'm glad too. I mean, I had rather live in the country like this than in New York.
Everitt
Good Lord! (Alice appears in the doorway holding Harold)
Walter
It seems to me that none of us has been really satisfied, so it isn't so bad after all. We can begin on something real to us all. Mother said she would be happy in a tenement. Well, maybe she would, but why not come up here?
Mrs. Everitt
Oh, Charles!
Everitt
Well ... but Alice.
Alice
Mother.
Mrs. Everitt
You, too! What is it? What's the matter with Harold?
Alice
Nothing. He wouldn't go to sleep, and wouldn't. He said he wanted to sit in your lap. I never saw him so. I had to bring him.
Mrs. Everitt
Give him to me, dear.
Alice
And I knew something was going on down here... I could feel it. I don't know what it was, but there's one thing I do know.
Mrs. Everitt
What?
Alice
Why, ever since father said I looked as you used to I've been thinking about what you must have been like as a girl, and it came over me how useless I am. I've never done anything. And you must have done a lot.
Everitt
I should say she did!
Walter
There! Say, Alice, how'd you like to live in that white house we passed, the one with the orchard?
Alice
Really? And do things?
Mrs. Everitt
Charles!
Everitt
This is the most extraordinary night I ever heard of. Here I was, feeling like a condemned criminal because I'd lost my business, afraid to tell Mary and you children, and now you all seem positively glad of it. I expected all kinds of trouble, and all at once.... What the deuce is it?
Harold
Rain—rain.... Mother, why can't the brook come back to the same little girl?