Oh, Adene knows of old how unregenerate I am. But I've said as much as that to an interviewer!
There are certainly people I should like to see removed----
Well, I'll tell you. Once when I was at---- I wish somebody would give me tea! Where's Elizabeth?
[_To_ CARLYON, _taking possession of the tea-table_.] Be patient! [_To_ ADENE.] Now you've done us a service. We can never make him talk about himself.
Well, I won't say where I was, it might implicate people; but there was a poor fellow, a villager, there, called Natthu, who was in the power of a money-lender. You know the sort of man?
_Enter_ ELIZABETH, R., _with her left hand wrapped, negligently in a handkerchief. She comes first up to the tea-table, and then retires to the back of the room._
The worst in the world! I admit occasional murdering may do them good. [_Takes tea._
It wasn't the money-lender this time! It was a policeman. Natthu had a wife and one daughter about twelve. Well, at last the money-lender was going to carry off his standing corn.
[ELIZABETH _comes forward so as to look at_ ADENE. VERA _beckons her to come and pour out the tea. She declines and retires back again._
Starvation. Natthu was in despair, when the policeman came round one night and offered to get the money-lender sent to prison if Natthu would let him have his daughter, and he gave her.
But he had no power to get the man imprisoned?
None in the world of course! In a few days down came the money-lender to cut the corn, and the policeman with him to see no resistance was made. Natthu reproached him; the policeman laughed, and said he could now have the girl back if he liked! Thank you! [_Receiving tea, from_ VERA.
Next day but one the brute was found in a ditch with his head off. And I don't mind telling you I smuggled Natthu and his wife out of the country.
[VERA _offers_ ELIZABETH _tea; she comes and takes it and retires again_.
Then why couldn't you let him take his trial?
He'd have been murdered by the policeman's relations, and his wife with him. They had a shot at me as it was. Now are you going to attack me?
I'm not sure. Couldn't you have had him tried first and then sent him off?
Too dangerous! And there were other reasons too. Anyhow I thought of it, and determined I had better not.