The Mousetrap

ELSA. (movingR) I don’t see why there should be scenes and hysterics. Caroline should have too much dignity and pride for that. (She pivots around)

AMYAS. (absorbed in painting) Should she? You don’t know Caroline.

ELSA. When a marriage has gone wrong, it’s only sensible to face the fact calmly.AMYAS. (turning to look at her) Advice from our marriage counsellor. Caroline loves me and she’ll kick up the hell of a row.

ELSA. (moving downR) If she really loved you, she’d want you to be happy.

AMYAS. (grinning) With somebody else? She’ll probably poison you and stick a knife into me.

ELSA. Don’t be ridiculous!

AMYAS. (wiping his hands and nodding at the picture) Well, that’s that. Nothing doing until tomorrow morning. (He drops the rag, rises and moves to Elsa) Lovely, lovely Elsa. (He takes her face in his hands) What a lot of bloody nonsense you talk. (He kisses her)

(ANGELA rushes in up C, runs on to the terrace and exits down L. ELSA and AMYAS break apart. MISS WILLIAMS enters up C, goes on to the terrace and looks off L)

MISSWILLIAMS. (calling) Angela!

AMYAS. (crossing downL) She went this-a-way. Shall I catch her for you?

MISSWILLIAMS. (moving downLC) No, it’s all right. She’ll come back of her own accord as soon as she sees nobody is paying any attention to her.

(ELSA goes into the room, picks up a magazine from the sofa and sits in the armchair R)

AMYAS. There’s something in that.

MISSWILLIAMS. She’s young for her age, you know. Growing up is a difficult business. Angela is at the prickly stage.

AMYAS. (moving upL) Don’t talk to me of prickles. Reminds me too much of that ruddy hedgehog.

MISSWILLIAMS. That was very naughty of Angela.

AMYAS. (moving to the french windows) Sometimes I wonder how you can stick her.

MISSWILLIAMS. (turning to face Amyas) I can see ahead. Angela will be a fine woman one day, and a distinguished one.

AMYAS. I still say Caroline spoils her. (He goes into the room and crosses toCof it)

(MISS WILLIAMS moves to the french windows and listens)

ELSA. (in a whisper) Did she see us?

AMYAS. Who can say? I suppose I’ve got lipstick on my face now as well as paint.

(AMYAS glances off L and exits quickly up C. MISS WILLIAMS comes into the room and moves above the stool, uncertain whether to go or not. She decides to stay)

MISSWILLIAMS. You haven’t been over to Mr. Blake’s house yet, have you, Miss Greer?

ELSA. (flatly) No.

MISSWILLIAMS. It’s a delightful walk there. You can go by the shore or through the woods.

(CAROLINE and PHILIP enter up C. CAROLINE glances around the room, then goes to the french windows and looks on to the terrace. PHILIP closes the door and looks at the carved head on the table up LC)

CAROLINE. Are we all ready? Amyas has gone to clean the paint off himself.

ELSA. He needn’t. Artists aren’t like other people.

(CAROLINE pays no attention to Elsa)

CAROLINE. (moving to the armchairL; to Philip) You haven’t been down here since Merry started on his lily pond, have you, Phil? (She sits)

PHILIP. Don’t think so.

ELSA. People in the country talk of nothing but their gardens.

(There is a pause. CAROLINE takes her spectacles from her handbag and puts them on. PHILIP looks at Elsa, and then sits on the stool facing the head)

CAROLINE. (to Miss Williams) Did you ring up the vet about Toby?

MISSWILLIAMS. Yes, Mrs. Crale. He’ll come first thing tomorrow.

CAROLINE. (to Philip) Do you like that head, Phil? Amyas bought it last month.

PHILIP. Yes. It’s good.