Part 14

HYACINTH—Oh, yes; he was here.

DOMINICA—Well?

HYACINTH—And he has gone away. [_A long silence._]

DOMINICA—What does this silence mean? Why don’t you speak? [_Another silence during which BEATRICE enters._]

BEATRICE—[_Regards the silent group; terror seizes her; she cries out._] Merciful heaven! Has something happened again?

HYACINTH—The professor was kissed.

BEATRICE—[_In alarm._] By whom?

HYACINTH—By Albert.

BEATRICE—[_With a sigh of relief._] Oh!

DOMINICA—What does this mean? One after another, you are all kissing this person. What sort of man is he?

HYACINTH—A most admirable man.

BEATRICE—Did you kiss him, too?

HYACINTH—Yesterday. But I shall kiss him again before he goes away.

DOMINICA—There appears to be no further need for me to talk to him. The young man has had his reward.

ALBERT—It seems to me, mother, that a man who had performed such a great service for the family deserved it. Not only from the bride but also from the bridegroom. [_DOMINICA nods assent._]

HYACINTH—Especially from the bridegroom.

DOMINICA—Quite right.

BEATRICE—If he hasn’t gone yet ... perhaps I ought to kiss him too ... what?

DOMINICA—I fancy he has had enough. But I shall kiss ... your daughter.

ALEXANDRA—Dear Aunt ... if you deem me worthy....

DOMINICA—Entirely, my dear daughter, with only this suggestion: That you remember now and again that your sainted father used to call you his swan. Think often of what it means to be a swan ... gliding proudly ... majestically ... where the moon gleams on the mirror of the water ... gliding always in that purple radiance ... and never coming ashore. For when a swan walks, my daughter ... when she waddles up the bank ... then she painfully resembles another bird.

ALEXANDRA—[_Softly ironical at her own expense._] A goose?

DOMINICA—Almost, my girl. Natural history teaches that the swan is nothing but an aristocratic duck. That is why she must stay on the mirror of the water. She is a bird, but she may never fly. She knows a song, but she may never sing until she is about to die. Yes, dear, glide on the water ... head high ... stately silence ... and the song—never! [_There is a pause._]

CÆSAR—[_Entering at right._] Breakfast is served. [_HYACINTH proffers DOMINICA his arm. Next goes BEATRICE alone. Then ALBERT and ALEXANDRA arm in arm. They exit. CÆSAR strides majestically after them as_]

THE CURTAIN FALLS