Arthur can’t conceal his envy as Ted has his hundred pounds counted into his outstretched hand.

Enter Albert.

Albert He’s sold him, han’t he? He’s sold Joey to the army? Joey is my ’orse!

Ted We got a hundred pounds, Albert.

Albert But he’s mine! Mum said if I won the ploughin’ I could keep –

Nicholls Steady on, young man.

Albert If Joey goes, I go. I’ll volunteer.

Ned (to Nicholls) He’s only just sixteen.

Nicholls You have to be seventeen.

Enter Rose.

Rose Albert?

Albert (to Rose) He’s sold him to the army –

Ted A hundred pounds, Rose –

Albert You said you’d speak ta him –

Rose I didn’t think you’d win –

Albert (to Ted) I promise he’ll never kick you again –

Ted He’s never kicked me –

Albert Yes he did – that means he’s not right for the army, don’t it? He’s got a nasty streak!

Nicholls Young man – come – that’s an order. If you ever want to serve you’d better get used to obeying orders.

Albert Sir.

Song: ‘Only Remembered’ (p. 93).

Freeze except for Nicholls and Albert.

Nicholls Has Joey kicked you? Has he?

Albert … No.

Nicholls And has he a nasty streak?

Albert … No. He is spirited, but that’s the best thing about him.

Nicholls I thought so. Don’t worry about your Joey. You’ve done a fine job on him – he’s a fine, fine horse. (He signals to batman for his sketchbook.) Have a look at this.

Albert Is that Joey? Is that me? You see him beautiful …

Nicholls He’ll be my mount. You’re helping us bring this war to a swift conclusion by letting us have Joey. Being upset that Joey is going to war is normal, and good. It’s understandable if you’re worried about what might become of him, just as a parent worries about a son, or a wife about a husband, or a girl about a sweetheart. Am I making sense to you, Albert?

Albert Yes, Major Nicholls.

Nicholls He’ll be away a few months at most. The war may well be over before he even finishes basic training – that’s three months – then the army will sell him back to you, I’m sure. You have my word as an officer that he’ll be well cared for. Doubtless your father was going to ask you if you’d let Joey join up, but as he didn’t get the chance, I shall. Will you let him?

Albert Can I say goodbye to him, sir?

Nicholls Of course you may.

Albert (to Joey) The thing is, Joey, that you’re going to have to go away with that man, Major Nicholls. I want you to do yourself proud. You go and drive those Germans back home, and then you come home. I promise you, Joey, that we will be together again. We will be reunited. I promise you. You understand that? I, Albert Narracott, do solemnly swear that we shall be together again.