Conquest; Or, A Piece of Jade; a New Play in Three Acts. Marie Carmichael Stopes

are boulders and groups of luxuriant trees. The grass is trampled under foot. Right centre is an open fire with cooking utensils. Back right the corner of sheep enclosures. On LEFT is a temporary cover, part canvas, part tree branches.

      Two Shepherds are DISCOVERED near the fire, binding up the leg of a sheep. The collie dogs prowl and lie around.

      1st Shep.

      (An old, wiry man.) A fine muster, this year.

      2nd Shep.

      (A dour man, about 45 years old.) Aye.

      1st Shep.

      The best season I mind for ten years. (Working with sheep’s leg.) Plague take it, it’s slipped. Lie still you bleatin’ fule ye! And sheep s’d fetch a guid price this year and all.

      2nd Shep.

      Aye.

      1st Shep.

      I’m thinkin’ these sheep will be making the fortune of the young masters, but they do nought but make work for us.

      2nd Shep.

      (Spits.) Aye.

      1st Shep.

      The young masters must get an extra man, we never had to handle so many sheep.

      2nd Shep.

      Men’ll be scarce now.

      1st Shep.

      They will that. Do you hear they recruitin’ fellows are scourin’ the country for likely lads?

      2nd Shep.

      Aye.

      1st Shep.

      When did you know it?

      2nd Shep.

      ’Bout a week ago.

      1st Shep.

      (Reproachfully.) And ye kept a tale like that from me—and me that glad of any bit of news in this lonesomeness. I call that nasty of ye.

      (2nd Shepherd is silent; spits slowly.)

      I call that nasty of ye.

      2nd Shep.

      Aye.

      1st Shep.

      And what else do ye know ye might tell me if—if, well, if I had a wee drop of something to loosen your lips—(Pulls out a flask and a tin cup and pours a small drink—the dogs come up.) Down Jock—get out Scottie. What news have ye for this, eh?

      (2nd Shepherd reaches out his hand.)

      1st Shep.

      Na-na. News first. It mayn’t be worth it all.

      2nd Shep.

      The new young lady from England is comin’ this afternoon.

      1st Shep.

      What young lady? Why don’t I know a’ these wild doin’s? What’s she like. Who’s she stayin’ with?

      2nd Shep.

      Old man Lee and his daughter.

      1st Shep.

      Have you seen her? What’s she like?

      2nd Shep.

      (Stretching out his hand for his drink.) I’ve earned it.

      1st Shep.

      (Drawing it away.) Ye’ll tell me what she’s like first.

      2nd Shep.

      A flower. You give it to me now.

      1st Shep.

      (Hands it grudgingly.) Well, perhaps you desarve it. That’s news.

      (He slowly fills a kettle out of a pail of water which he observes with annoyance is nearly empty and puts kettle on the fire.)

      For why is she coming here?

      2nd Shep.

      London city was killin’ her. The doctor ordered six months of healin’ air.

      1st Shep.

      If she’s as bonny as you say it’ll be joyful doings for the young masters. Lasses are scarce here.

      2nd Shep.

      There’s Nora Lee.

      1st Shep.

      Well, fule. She’s only one. We’ve got two young masters, let alone the other young chaps hereby.

      2nd Shep.

      Mister Gordon’s lame. What’d he do with a girl?

      1st Shep.

      Only a bit lame, only a wee bit lame, like—and he’s got a rare brain—look at the exchange o’ reapers and such like he rigged up for the freeholders around here. He’s just chock full o’ ideas and always dreamin’ and readin’ and talkin’ about ’em. That’s what girls like. He’ll be as good in a girl’s eyes as his brother—better I shouldn’t wonder.

      2nd Shep.

      He’s no good for the war.

      1st Shep.

      And what matters that? Am I any good for the war? Down Scottie, down will ye! Yourself is not much good for the war, and yet a pretty girl or two don’t come amiss to your eyes even though they never looked at ye. War! You’re crazy on the war. Why man it’s more’n ten thousand miles off and it’s a game for the young chaps anyway.

      2nd Shep.

      It’s no game.

      1st Shep.

      It’ll raise the price of sheep. That’s one thing I’m thinking. And we have more sheep on this station to-day than there have been in my memory. Aren’t there now?

      2nd Shep.

      Aye.

      (Gordon Hyde comes slowly on from right wing, a fishing rod and bag of fish on his shoulder. He is slight, bronzed, and with a fine noble face. He limps, his leg dragging. 1st Shepherd takes up a tin of salmon and slowly begins to prepare to open it.)

      Gordon.

      There’s a good haul for supper, lads. (Throws down fish.)

      (The Shepherds move a little from the fire respectfully, but don’t touch their hats or get up.)

      1st Shep.

      Aye, aye, Boss.

      (He is just about to insert the tin opener, Gordon suddenly notices him.)

      Gordon.

      What have you got there?

      1st Shep.

      A tin of salmon, Boss.

      Gordon.

      Stop opening it then. Use that fresh fish instead. Tinned stuff is extra valuable nowadays. It can be sent to the front. We have time to think out here on these hills. I have thought till my head reeled and not yet found out what big things we can do for our country, but the little duties are clear enough, and one of ’em is not to be wasteful.

      2nd Shep.

      Aye, Boss. That’s true.

      (1st Shepherd shamefacedly lays down the tin.)

      1st Shep.

      Eh, Boss, the sheep’s fine this year.

      Gordon.

      What is the full tally?

      1st Shep.

      Mr.