Margaret And what would you do in Selberawawa?

David Wash the skins. Herd the goats. Make cheese. Tristram has asked me out a dozen times. He’d be thrilled to have us. He has the most enormous farm; thousands of acres. And an entire tribe of two hundred natives are tenants on this estate: wonderful workers, the sweetest people. And he’s married to a Kikuyu warrior – the gentlest woman imaginable. She speaks only Bantu, but she’s picking up some English words – in a Warwickshire accent! It will be a wonderful adventure and a wonderful new beginning. I love you so much, Maggie.

Margaret You have got to stop talking about running away.

David So very much. Oh, God.

Margaret Your family has been here in The Lodge for centuries. This is your home.

David With Father? Who keeps humiliating me?

Margaret And you’re going to be here for the rest of your life.

David How can you make a prediction like that? You know what the locals call us? The Lodgers. And you see father’s cruelties. Of course you do. I think he humiliates me because he’s in love with you.

Margaret David.

David You know he is.

Margaret He’s a very lonely man.

David Can’t hide it any more.

Margaret The only people he meets around here are –

David Oh yes – he’s in love with you.

Margaret That’s ridiculous, David.

David And I always hoped that maybe you could come to love me. For as long as I can remember that’s what I hoped. Even away back when I was playing the cello! That was my hope.

Margaret I do, David.

David Maybe not now, not at this very moment as Father might say; but in time – maybe in time.

Margaret Yes.

David And that sometime, someday to come, maybe you would consider marrying me.

Margaret Yes, I do.

David Do what?

Margaret Love you.

David You don’t.

Margaret Yes.

David No, you don’t, Margaret.

Margaret Yes.

David Me?

Margaret You.

David Oh, my God. (Pause. He stares at her.) You never said that before.

Margaret You don’t listen to me.

Pause.

David Say it again.

Margaret I love you.

Pause.

David No, you don’t.

Margaret I love you, David.

Pause. Now he is convinced.

David Yes, I’m listening! Yes, you do! Oh, my God! This is just awful! I’ll be a superb goat-skinner! I’ll be a brilliant cellist. I’ll hoke tatties as they were never hoked before! I’ll treat you like a queen.

Margaret Keep your voice –

David Yes – yes – yes – yes – yes!

As he releases this exuberant cry, he catches her in his arms and dances with her and sings at the top of his voice. At some point during this singing/dancing, Sally enters the breakfast room to pick up a tray. She observes them for a few seconds and then exits.

‘The young May moon is beaming, love –’

Margaret David –

David

‘The glowworm’s lamp is gleaming, love –’