Andersen's English

  Catherine What is it that offends you, what is it?

  Dickens Nothing, nothing, I do not know. If I had the words to tell you, I would tell you.

  Catherine I have no one to turn to for advice.

  Dickens Look, look, I believe they have discovered the summit. At last.

  He pulls away from her. She is left bewildered.

  Catherine (to herself) I will always love you. But who is this ‘I’? I, Catherine Dickens? I feel as if I have left my body, and am looking down on myself. Give mercy to me, dear Christ, give mercy.

  Georgie comes back to her.

  Georgie Are you all right, Catherine? You seem much distressed.

  Catherine I am much distressed. I do not just seem it.

  Georgie We can enjoy the pleasant sunlight, can we not, as of old?

  Catherine Georgie, it is not as of old. In all honesty you have done something to me that is so grievous I cannot find a phrase for it in English, or any other language. Is it true that you thought it a good thing that Walter would go away?

  Georgie If only to answer the awful struggle of his father to find a place for him in the world.

  Catherine Georgie, I must be plain and clear. There is something deeply amiss. I will write to Mama and ask her might she not take you back. I do not want to uproot you, I am so so grateful to you, and I love you, but we cannot go on like this, or I will die.

  Georgie I am so unhappy to hear you say this. I would not hurt you, Catherine, I would not.

  Catherine (touching her arm) But you are hurting me, Georgie. And I can see that it is I who must make it stop.

  The summit.

  In the distance there is the crump of artillery shells.

  Andersen What is that, Dickens?

  Dickens It is the guns of the Earl of Ulster’s Regiment, practising in the hills.

  Walter Ah, ah, Sebastopol.

  Dickens Yes, yes. (He is moved.) Poor Jerrold.

  Andersen lays a hand on Dickens’ shoulder a moment.

  Music.

  Walter again with Aggie.

  Walter Aggie, Aggie – I need to say – I love you.

  Aggie You love me? (After a moment, fiercely.) I am in the family way, do you know what that is?

  Walter Oh, I … (He opens and closes his mouth.)

  Aggie (imitating him) ‘Oh, I … ’ You look like a dying trout. You’re only a baby yourself. (Contemptuously.)

  You needn’t be worrying, Master Dickens. I will see to myself. I am not an amadán.

  The sound of the crickets in the grass, the burning sunlight. Walter thinking hard.

  Walter (very genuinely) I do not think you understand me, Aggie, when I say I love you. If I am old enough to be a soldier in India, then I am old enough for you to believe me. I will find a cottage for us, at, at Broadstairs, yes, by the sea, where we used to play as children, and you and I will live there with the baby.

  Aggie And what will you feed us with, and what will you clothe us with? And will we be having a marriage, in the church in Rochester, and will that be a Catholic marriage, pray, good sir, or an English one? And will your people sit on one side, and mine on the other, if I had any? Maybe the bishop would like to marry us?

  Walter I have seen the Broadstairs folk there picking winkles when the tide is out. I am sure I can pick winkles. (Realising that sounds absurd.) Or some kind of work.

  Aggie stares at him a moment, shaking her head, and moving away.

  Dickens walks away a little apart now with Georgie. Kate and Walter are playing at shuttlecock. Aggie busied with the picnic things. Andersen watching, applauding, trying to be helpful.

  Dickens I want to rush out on the landscape with my dogs, and forge ahead alone, faster and faster, to make this strange turmoil drop from me.

  Georgie These are troubled times.

  Dickens She is my mirror and I have the urge to smash it in pieces.

  Georgie Who is your mirror?

  Dickens Your sister. Her face is my mirror, I peer in there and see my face.

  Georgie How do you mean, to smash it, Charles?

  Dickens If it means choosing between myself and your own sister, I will understand if you must side with her. You have been her helpmeet, after all, these many years.

  Georgie (fearfully) What do you intend, Charles?

  Dickens I hardly know. You have been mother de facto to the children. Of course, it is evident, she has grown madder these last years. It began in those exhausting days when Dora was born, and then when the little one died …

  Georgie I know, I know. But what are you going to do?

  Dickens Wilkie, he has been advising me, of course. He knows these subtle matters. What a perfect friend he is. (A moment.) I want to suggest to her that she lives here while I am in London, and in London while I am here.

  Georgie Oh, Charles. Are you not fearful of the response of all those who love you?

  Dickens Fearful? It is all fear. But I am in the right. They will see that. If they truly love me, they will see that. (A moment.) When there are dinners, of course she must preside, to present a united face to the world.

  Georgie I think that would be a terrifying thought for her. I must be honest in my response to you. I do not think you should send her away. That would be a disaster for us all. (A moment.) And you will want to send me away also?

  Dickens Never, Georgie, never. Unless you wish to go?

  Georgie (a moment) Whatever happens, I will wish to stay at your side, and do my work as always, the children, and the house.

  Dickens But do you understand, Georgie, the depth of that wish? Would it not in all truth serve your own life better if you were to find a loving husband? I cannot obviously offer myself in that role. This is a thought that nearly drives me to madness. Do you understand?

  Georgie There are many forms of living. I would gladly, in every sense, give myself to you.

  Dickens In English law, that would be given a very black character, I am afraid.

  Georgie I am quite capable of loving you without that aspect.

  Dickens Do you truly say that?

  Georgie I do. There are many forms of love not scorned by God.

  Dickens Then I will believe it. I need you now, I will not deny it. If Catherine has grown mad, I am also nearly mad. My head aches as if struck and struck again with hammers.

  Dickens grips her hands.

  But you relieve me of a profound disquiet. Thank you, thank you.

  Georgie I am ever in your service, Charles. Indeed, to be separated from you would be like a death to me.

  Dickens Faithful, faithful girl.

  There is a moment when he might kiss her. Andersen boisterously laughing.

  Georgie Charles, when is Andersen to leave us?

  Dickens Oh, that is an even greater mystery. His letter said two weeks, but it is now, two, three? To test him out the other day I asked him to stay for the opening performance of The Frozen Deep, thinking he would graciously decline and reveal his departure date. But he graciously extended his stay instead.

  Andersen looking his way innocently, smiling.

  Georgie He was due home yesterday, and arrived very late, in tears, with these extraordinary bulges in his stockings. He had been in Rochester, and had hired a jarvey to bring him back, and it took a road he did not know, so he assumed the jarveyman was going to bring him to a quiet spot and rob and murder him.

  Aggie, apart from everyone, sitting stooped on the ground, distressed and quietly crying.

  So he put everything into his stockings, his moneybook, his diary, any books he had, for their safety I presume. The poor jarveyman, a perfectly respectable example of his trade, said his passenger began to scream, just beyond Higham.

  Andersen observing Aggie.

  Dickens He has the habit of kissing me on the lips, which is frightful. Surely there should be a law against that. He is a most profound, original and wonderful artist, but a spectacular nuisance of a man. He loves being here, and I grow a little
fearful that he may stay for ever.

  Andersen approaching.

  Like another child – an elderly, lunatic child. He has nothing else to do, besides visit the ghastly princes of Europe in their crumbling castles. It is no wonder to me that no woman has ever attached herself to him.

  Georgie Charles, Charles.

  Now Andersen reaches him, smiling.

  Andersen (scanning Dickens’ face) You are perfect well, Dicken?

  Dickens Dear Andersen. I am well.

  Andersen You look tired, Dicken.

  Georgie (to Andersen, sharply) It is customary in England, sir, to make no reference to a person’s state of well-being.

  Andersen Excuse, madam? How strange. (Nearly touching Dickens.) Your eyes, sir?

  Dickens My eyes?

  Andersen There is – ghost in eyes.

  Dickens Andersen, that is upsetting. What do you see?

  Andersen (very sincerely) Young boy in rags, weeping and afraid.

  Dickens I have no ghost in my eyes. When I was a little boy, Andersen, and the days of my life seemed bleak, I ordered things about me as if I were the stage manager of my own fate, and improved everything by conferring upon it the lie of romance. But no ghosts.

  Andersen Dicken, I also child sit in ruin of life, and make play.

  Dickens We were brothers then, and did not know. We have come up this hill, let us go down it. We have money to gather for a widow and her babes, in the real world of England below, which is a mighty serious business.

  Walter comes up with Kate.

  Catherine (at a distance, hopelessly) Charles, Charles.

  Kate Papa, what is going on? Remember what I said to you.

  Dickens Yes, yes.

  Kate I will hate you, Papa, bit by bit.

  Walter Mama is on her own.

  Georgie She is not on her own, she is with us all.

  While the house and rest are re-established by light, Dickens in the garden. Catherine reaches him.

  Dickens My dear, this is what used to be termed a spectacle.

  Catherine I am quite composed. (Fixing her hair with effort.) It is the sultry air and the walk has affected me. I am quite myself, and full of plans. Charles, I am resolved on a transformation. I intend henceforth to be forthright, active, living.

  Dickens That is admirable, of course.

  Catherine In furtherance of this plan, and believe me for the greater good of yourself, myself, and the children, I wish sincerely to ask if Georgina might not be sent back to our mother Mrs Hogarth, having done most wonderful service to me, to us …

  Dickens says nothing.

  Dickens I cannot in all conscience just at present see the purpose or good in that, Catherine. But, I will think on it.

  Catherine You will think on it?

  Dickens I will.

  Catherine Thank you. Most obliged to you, Charles. I am most obliged – and happy. And I will always revere what she has done for us here. Always. I do thank you, Charles.

  She goes.

  Walter comes to him.

  Walter Father –

  Dickens Now I think I get the speech where you remark upon your great unwillingness to leave us, and the great injustice of my sending you out so far.

  Walter No, Father, it is not that matter. It is another matter.

  Dickens That is a little phrase which a parent does not like to hear.

  Walter It is Aggie, sir.

  Dickens Aggie, sir?

  Walter She is, I do not know the proper word for it, is it enceinte?

  Dickens Enceinte?

  Walter Yes, sir, and it is my fault, and I wish to ask your permission to take a little cottage in Broadstairs, perhaps, and to take up employment there, that will support her. When I am put up against necessity, I am sure I will meet the challenge.

  Dickens What? (A moment.) You fool. All my sons are fools.

  Walter I am very fond of her, Father. I love her.

  Dickens You are not the father, Walter. I have already spoken to Aggie. She was very clear about it.

  Walter That is not true, sir. There is no one else. She has told you something that you have chosen to believe. If you believe it, you choose to believe a fiction.

  Dickens (great anger) I do not, sir. Allow me to be an expert in that department.

  Walter is close to weeping.

  You have let yourself down. You are in disgrace with yourself and your God. We will not speak of this again. You will go to India.

  Dickens walks away from him.

  Walter goes off disconsolate.

  A few moments without light, then slowly a tableau downstage. Theatrical light. Andersen sits watching ‘the play’.

  Andersen (to himself, correcting his English) The Frozen Deep, The Frozen Deep …

  Dickens lies on the ground as Wardour with a webbing of rags over his clothes. Kate in character, wearing a shawl, as Wardour’s lost love, kneels to him, weeping. Dickens is giving his last speech but there is no sound. Catherine comes on, but dressed as Queen Victoria.

  Walter (in the audience) The Queen, the Queen, Mr Andersen …

  Andersen bows to her, she sits, watches. Then the last sentences of the play become audible:

  Dickens … Nearer, Clara – I want to look my last at you. My sister, Clara! – Kiss me, sister, kiss me before I die!

  Then Kate lowers her face to the face of her father; he has died. After a moment, the weeping Queen begins to applaud. A weeping Andersen follows in the applause.

  Queen Such a beautiful illustration of the English character. To die with the woman he loves weeping upon his breast.

  Andersen (to the Queen) Bualadh bos, bualadh bos.

  Queen What do you say, sir, what do you say?

  Andersen It is Irish, Majesty. Applause, applause.

  Queen Ah, the Irish, sir. The Irish.

  All suddenly dispersed. Kate leaves shawl.

  Andersen alone, downstage now in his shadows.

  Andersen Gods of this England, protect me. Queen of this England, pray for me. Let not the great expanse of Dickens quite occlude me, let there be a niche of fame for me, so then I can love him with a free heart. And as I fear God’s opinion, so I fear Dickens, and his rejection of me. I pray, I pray. And may God forgive me for my terrible vanity.

  Andersen away.

  Some days later. Dickens pacing in the garden.

  Kate comes out to him, holding the page of a letter. She hands it to him. He reads it. Looks at her.

  Dickens This is a different letter to the letter we discussed. In this letter you intimate you will accept Charles Collins. This is not part of my friendship with Wilkie. You cannot accept him without my permission.

  Kate You will give it.

  Dickens How will I give it? Am I to see my daughter dressed in a wedding dress, an item just the same to me as a foul outfit of mourning, and to take all her beauty and life and wonder out of my house?

  Kate Yes.

  Dickens I know for a certainty he has no money.

  Kate I will make my way as a painter. And if I fail in that, I will go on the stage.

  Dickens You will find the professional stage a great change from our pleasant little enterprises. The theatre is full of people so terrible they will make your hair stand on end.

  Kate Then I will go about so – (She plucks up her hair.)

  Dickens What causes this change?

  Kate All that you are, all that you have done, all that you are going to do.

  Kate takes her letter and goes.

  The sound of the Thomas Moore song played somewhere in the house on the piano.

  The sitting room of the house. Catherine, and Kate coming in with the letter, weeping. Andersen overhearing.

  Catherine Kate. Will I ring for some tea?

  Kate No, Mama, no tea. Oh, forgive me. I am a ninny. But the tears will not stop.

  Catherine Dear Kate – I am sorry you are so distressed. Sit down, my dearest, sit down and tell me what has upset you.

/>   Kate Oh, I cannot stop crying, Mama. (Suddenly.) I was leaving for Higham in the carriage yesterday. Something stopped me, Mama, something made me want to return. I turned the carriage back in a strange desperation and rushed into the house, flew through the hall, feeling that I would never see him again if I did not fly, fly, and stood in the door. I watched him as you might a person in a dream, not certain that I could truly reach him, or ever make him hear me. He was bent over his work as always, writing in that same dark ink, line after line, like a voyage. After a long moment he turned, but said not a word. I ran to him. He opened his arms, like a father, and caught me in his arms, and embraced me, and kissed me.

  She breaks down even further.

  Catherine Oh, Kate. But, he is your father.

  Kate Oh, Mama, Mama, what is wrong with me? I do not weep like this except when I play that stupid part in Wilkie’s play, as Papa’s lost love.

  Catherine Kate. You are wonderful in that, and not at all stupid.

  Kate It is terrible to see Wardour die. It is terrible to see Papa die. My papa.

  Catherine It is like a true bereavement. It wrenches the heart.

  Kate Now. I will dry my tears. I must be sensible.

  Catherine He just does not understand how everyone and everything depends on him.

  Kate Who? Papa?

  Catherine Yes. Kate, let me just say, let me just say, in truth and simplicity, I love you. My daughter. Everyone here loves you.

  Kate (laughing) Even Andersen?

  Catherine In particular Andersen. He is not so strange as others make out. He is a fine and feeling man.

  Andersen’s face hearing this.