Nn224f gaa (oage 1 of4 Fanny's First Play \ ——- ©) mv ae” css This play was written in 1911. It is an interesting comment on the society of the time; what is acceptable and what is not. The younger characters enjoy rebelling against “correct” behaviour. Bobby and Margaret exchange some surprising news in this scene which takes place in a sitting room in the final act of the play. MARGARET: Hello Bobby. Still grinding away for that Society of Arts examination? You'll never pass. BOBBY: (rising) No, I was just writing to you. MARGARET: What about? BOBBY: Ob, nothing, At least... How are you? MARGARET: (passing round the other end of the table and putting down on it a copy of Lloyd's Weekly and her purse-bag) Quite well, thank you. How did you enjoy Brighton? BOBBY: Brighton! I wasn’t at... Oh yes, of course. Oh, pretty well. Is your aunt all right? MARGARET: My aunt! I suppose so. I haven’t seen her for a month, BOBBY: I thought you were down staying with her. MARGARET: yh! Was that what they told you? BOBBY: Yes. Why? Weren't you really? MARGARET: No. I’ve something to tell you. Sit down and let's be comfortable. (They sit together and he puts an arm around her waist cautiously)n224f (page 2 of 4) MARGARET: You needn’t do that if you don’t like, Bobby. Suppose we get off-duty for the day, just to see what its like. BOBBY: Off-duty? What do you mean? MARGARET: You know very well what I mean, Bobby: did you ever care one little scrap for me in that sort of way? I don’t care a bit for you that way. BOBBY: (removing his arm rather hugfily) I beg your pardon, 'm sure. I thought you did. MARGARET: Well, did you? Don’t be mean. I’ve owned up. I don’t believe you care any more than I do. BOBBY: You mean we've been shoved into it rather by our mothers and fathers. MARGARET: Yes. BOBBY: Well, it’s not that I don’t care for you. In fact, no girl can ever be to me exactly what you are; but we've been brought up so much together that it feels more like brother and sister. MARGARET: Just so. BOBBY: What do you know about all this sort of thing? MARGARET: What sort of thing, Bobby? BOBBY: Well, about life. MARGARET: I’ve lived a lot since I saw you last. I wasn’t at my aunt's, All that time that you were in Brighton, I mean. BOBBY: I wasn’t at Brighton, Meg, I'd better tell you: you're bound to find out sooner or later. (He stands and begins his confession humbly, avoiding her gaze). Meg, it's rather awful, you'll think me no end of a beast. I've been in prison. aeNn224f (page 3 of 4) MARGARET: You! BOBBY: Yes, me. For being drunk and assaulting the police. MARGARET: Do you mean to say that you... Oh! This is a real disappointment. BOBBY: Of course I couldn't hold you to our engagement after that. I was writing to you to break it off. You must think me an utter rotter. MARGARET: Oh, has everybody been in prison for being drunk and assaulting the police? How long were you in? BOBBY: A fortnight. MARGARET: That’s what I was in for. BOBBY: What are you talking about? In where? MARGARET: In prison!. BOBBY: But I'm serious. I'm not lying. Really and truly. MARGARET: What did you do to the copper? BOBBY: Nothing, absolutely nothing. He exaggerated grossly. I only laughed at him. MARGARET: (jumping up, triumphant) I've beaten you hollow. Tknocked out two of his teeth. Pye got one of them, He sold it to me for ten shillings. BOBBY: Now please do stop fooling, Meg. I tell you I'm not lying, (He sits down again rather sulkily) MARGARET: (taking up the copy of Lloyd's Weekly and going to him) And 1 tell you I'm not either. Look! Here’s a report of it. The daily papers are no good; but the Sunday papers are splendid. (She sits on the arm of the chair). See! (Reading): "Hardened at Eighteen. A quietly dressed, respectable-looking girl who refuses to say her name” — that’s me.N224f page 4 of 4) BOBBY: (pausing a moment with surprise) Do you mean to say that you went on the loose out, of pure devilment? MARGARET: I did no harm. I went to see a lovely dance. I can’t imagine anything more innocent and more happy. All the bad part was done by other people: they did it out of pure devilment if you like. Anyhow, (with a sense of fun) here we are, two jailbirds, Bobby, disgraced forever, isn’t it a relief?