The Gardener's Son(2)
MR MCEVOY Well dont get everbody stirred up.
MARTHA Mama said not to tell Bobby.
MR MCEVOY Well maybe his leg is caused him to go deaf and he aint heard yet.
Exterior. Evening. The doctor's carriage arriving at the house of William Gregg. A boy comes to take the horses in hand.
Interior. The doctor in the hallway of the house handing off his coat and hat to the servant Daphne. His bag sits on the floor. Mrs Gregg comes down the stairway and greets him.
MRS GREGG Good evening Dr Perceval. Thank you for coming.
DR PERCEVAL Not at all. How is your husband?
MRS GREGG I’m afraid he’s much the same.
The doctor frowns and mutters.
MRS GREGG You didnt come by yourself?
DR PERCEVAL Yes. That is, my man is with me.
MRS GREGG (to Daphne) Tell Cleitus to go and take the doctor’s man to the kitchen.
DR PERCEVAL Thank you.
The servant takes the doctor's things away. The doctor takes up his satchel and nods toward the stairs.
They ascend the stairs.
Interior. Door opening in the bedroom of William Gregg. The old man is lying on his back and he appears to be all but dead. Mrs Gregg enters followed by the doctor. She lights a lamp. The doctor sets his bag on the bed and takes the lamp and holds it up and lifts the old man's eyelids each and peers at his eyes. He sets the lamp down and takes a stethoscope from his bag and pulls back the counterpane and listens to the old mans chest.
DR PERCEVAL Does he know you?
MRS GREGG Sometimes.
DR PERCEVAL Yes.
MRS GREGG I’m afraid they grow less frequent.
Dr Perceval folds the covers back and takes the stethoscope from his ears.
DR PERCEVAL He always had the constitution of an ox.
MRS GREGG I always ask you and you always say no. But is there any chance ... of a reversal?
The doctor turns and looks at her.
DR PERCEVAL I’m sorry, Mrs Gregg.
Mrs Gregg nods her head.
DR PERCEVAL He’s beyond my or any man’s practice.
MRS GREGG I prayed to God to take him. Is that wrong?
DR PERCEVAL No. That’s not wrong.
MRS GREGG He hated sickness.
DR PERCEVAL I guess he despised any kind of idleness.
MRS GREGG Yes. Wouldnt tolerate it.
The doctor folds his stethoscope into his hag.
DR PERCEVAL What about that boy in the village?
MRS GREGG Did you want to see him this evening?
DR PERCEVAL Your note said it was urgent.
MRS GREGG That is what was relayed to me. I havent seen the boy myself.
DR PERCEVAL Then I’ll not stay upon the order of my going.
MRS GREGG Let me get my things.
DR PERCEVAL It’s a bad night out.
MRS GREGG It’s a bad night for them.
DR PERCEVAL Yes, of course.
MRS GREGG Have you had your supper?
DR PERCEVAL No, I’ll not be taking any. A clear head wants an empty stomach. People eat too damned much anyway.
Interior. McEvoy kitchen. The family is seated at the table. A kerosene lamp is lit and they have just finished their supper. There is a knock at the front door and Martha leaves the table and goes along the hall to the door to open it. Dr Perceval and Mrs Gregg are standing in the door and she admits them and they follow her to the kitchen. When the doctor and Mrs Gregg enter the kitchen Mr McEvoy rises, Mrs McEvoy pushes at her chair and struggles to her feet.
MRS GREGG Mr McEvoy this is Dr Perceval.
Mr McEvoy extends his hand. 'The doctor gives it a perfunctory shake. They nod mutely at each other.
MRS MCEVOY Lord Mrs Gregg you ort not to of come. What with the trouble in your own house. Martha, put the kettle on.
MRS GREGG Please dont trouble yourself Mrs McEvoy. I only came to see about the boy.
DR PERCEVAL Where is the boy?
MR MCEVOY I’ll show him, Mama.
He leaves the room, looking after at the doctor for him to follow. The doctor shifts his bag from one hand to the other and leaves the kitchen.
Mrs McEvoy comes around the table toward Mrs Gregg.
MRS MCEVOY Let me take your coat, Mrs Gregg.
MRS GREGG Thank you.
Mrs McEvoy takes her coat, helping her out of it.
MRS MCEVOY Just get ye a chair.
MRS GREGG Thank you.
Mrs Gregg sits in the chair nearest the hallway door. Maryellen McEvoy is seated next to her and looks up at her with wide eyes. The table is littered with dishes. Martha is standing by the stove watching her. Mrs McEvoy takes the coat and hangs it from a nail in the back door. She turns and looks back at the table and she goes to the stove and pokes up the fire.
MRS MCEVOY (to Martha) Scoot girl.
Martha moves to one side. She does not take her eyes from Mrs Gregg.
MRS GREGG Is this all of your family, Mrs McEvoy?
MRS GREGG (to Maryellen) What is your name?
MARYELLEN Maryellen.
MRS GREGG Yes.
She turns to Martha.
MRS GREGG And Martha.
MARTHA Yes Mam.
MRS GREGG Please dont bother with anything, Mrs McEvoy.
Mrs McEvoy comes to the table, wiping her hands on her apron. She takes a chair. Silence.