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Nurse Cavell
a play in three acts
by C.S. Forester & C.E. Bechhofer Roberts
Act 1
The Matron's office in the Berkendael Nursing School, Brussels, early in August, 1914. The room is large, simple and light. The back wall consists chiefly of a frosted-glass partition, with a door in the centre separating it from the main hall of the building. There is another door in the left wall (as seen from the audience), also with frosted-glass panels. Both doors have white reversed letters on them, forming the word "bureau" and some smaller legend below. The third wall — on the audience's right — is hidden in this scene by a large builder's sheet, which hangs from a framework of two ladders and a plank. In the right centre of the stage is a large desk, and a Belgian telephone stands on it among quantities of papers. On the left of the stage is a smaller table, with various nursing periodicals and books of reference. Several chairs are placed round the wall.
As the curtain rises —
JOHNSON, in nurse's uniform, sits at the desk. A noise of hammering comes from behind the sheet. The telephone-bell rings shrilly. The hammering stops and someone taps at the middle door. DUBOIS, a pretty young Belgian nurse, also in uniform, enters left with a bundle of papers, which she places on the desk before JOHNSON.
DUBOIS covering her ears with her hands. Oh, lala! Quel bruit! Quel bruit!
The tapping at the middle door is heard again.
JOHNSON who speaks French with a very English accent. On-tray! Come in. She takes up the telephone receiver.
ADA GAUTIER, an Irishwoman in the middle thirties, enters with her son, PHILIP, a schoolboy of 13 dressed in Belgian boy's blouse, shorts and stockings.
JOHNSON At the telephone. Allo, oui? Hallo, yes? — Oh, this noise!! Good afternoon, Mrs. Gautier, just one moment. — Allo! Hal-lo!
ADA GAUTIER and PHILIP shake hands with DUBOIS.
JOHNSON Oh, they keep ringing and there's nobody there! Hangs up receiver.
ADA GAUTIER with a strong Irish accent. Good afternoon, Sister. — Say good afternoon to Sister, Philip.
PHILIP Good afternoon, Miss Johnson.
JOHNSON Good afternoon, Philip. — All right, Dubois. Exit DUBOIS, left. What is the matter with the telephone?
ADA GAUTIER It's this War. They've called up the operators to their regiments.
Violent hammering, right.
JOHNSON You wouldn't think half the builders had gone too.
Hammering ceases. Telephone rings again. She takes up receiver.
JOHNSON Hallo? Allo? Quoi? What? Qui? Oh, I can't hear a word.
ADA GAUTIER Let me do it for you, Sister. I'm used to these Belgian telephones. JOHNSON hands her the receiver. She speaks French fairly well. Eh bien alors, qui est-ce? — Oui, oui, c'est fa. Yes, this is the Berkendael Nursing School. To JOHNSON. It's the American Legation. Into telephone. No, no; Miss Cavell isn't here. She hasn't got back from England yet. — What? — One minute. To JOHNSON. Sister, when d'you think Miss Cavell will be back?
JOHNSON We're hoping that she'll come this afternoon.
ADA GAUTIER And praise the Lord for that! Into telephone. Miss Cavell may be back this afternoon. — What? — Yes, she's been on leave in England.
JOHNSON We've had a wire that she's on her way back now
ADA GAUTIER Still into telephone. She's on her way now. — Oh, well, of course; all the trains are running anyhow. — Yes, she was in England when it broke out. — What? — Of course there's someone in charge of the School. Would you like to speak to her? — To JOHNSON. Sister! Into telephone. — You'd rather come round? I don't blame you. I'll tell her. Hangs up receiver. It's someone from the American Legation, coming round to see you now. — These telephones bring the horror of war home to you!
JOHNSON Thank you very much. — What does he want?
ADA GAUTIER He didn't say. Maybe he's not trusting the telephone. They say there's German spies listening to every word you say.
PHILIP GAUTIER I saw people chasing a spy this morning, Sister.
JOHNSON Really, Philip?
PHILIP GAUTIER Ever so many people — right down the boulevard. You saw it, mother.
ADA GAUTIER Sure, and he wasn't a spy at all. He was Burgomaster Max — you know, the sort of Lord Mayor they have here. The silly people saw he had a fair beard — and he's a plump man — and they thought he must be a German spy.
JOHNSON Well, are there any spies about?
ADA GAUTIER Indeed there are. One of them was walking up and down outside the cafe next door to us this morning, and he was shouting, "Go on! Talk French all you can. You'll soon have to talk German!" They all but lynched him.
JOHNSON You don't think they will get here?
ADA GAUTIER The Germans? Of course they won't.
JOHNSON Thank goodness. Well, the Belgians called up everybody they can to stop them. Our concierge has gone, and the cook, and the man who brings the milk. Hammering. And half the workmen. — What about your husband?
ADA GAUTIER It's himself I've come to see you about. He's worse.
JOHNSON I am sorry.
ADA GAUTIER He's worrying his heart out, because he thinks he ought to be out in the streets, keeping order. And him hardly able to stand on his feet at all. You see, he belongs to the Garde Civile — you know, that funny uniform with the bowler-hat and feathers on it.
JOHNSON They stopped me four separate times this morning between here and the milk-shop. Wanted to see my passport.
PHILIP GAUTIER They thought you were a spy.
JOHNSON I gave them spy, before I finished with them. — What does the doctor say about Mr. Gautier?
ADA GAUTIER That's why I've come. He says we must have a trained nurse in the house, in case of — of emergencies.
PHILIP GAUTIER What's emergencies, mother?
ADA GAUTIER You mind your own affairs. Points to table, left. Go and look at those books while I talk to Sister.
PHILIP GAUTIER takes up a copy of the Nursing Mirror, and looks at it with interest.
JOHNSON I'm terribly sorry.
ADA GAUTIER He'd have been all right, if it hadn't been for all this fuss. But he wants to get out; he wants to do his bit; he can't lie quiet in bed, and he takes no notice of me and the doctor. But one of your nurses will keep him still. One look from her, and he'll do what he's told. You know how frightened he is of Miss Cavell.
JOHNSON Who isn't?
ADA GAUTIER Can you recommend me a nurse then?
JOHNSON handing her a list. Here's a list of the girls we've certified. But don't ask me to find one for you; I'm rushed off my feet as it is. I wish Miss Cavell was back!
ADA GAUTIER It's bad luck for her to have to break her holiday for this wretched war. Still, she can make up for it when it's over.
JOHNSON When will that be?
ADA GAUTIER Mr. Gautier says it can't last three months. He says we'll be making peace in Berlin by Christmas. The Russians will get there first, though, he says. — Oh, I'll tell you something if you promise not to tell a soul.
JOHNSON What is it?
ADA GAUTIER Promise?
JOHNSON Yes.
ADA GAUTIER looking round apprehensively. It's a dead secret, mind. A Russian army has marched through England!
JOHNSON No!
ADA GAUTIER Yes! They arrived in trains with the blinds down. Nobody saw them, but the snow was still on their boots. — Don't tell anybody!
PHILIP GAUTIER coming over with a paper. What's this, mother?
ADA GAUTIER What, Philip?
PHILIP GAUTIER pointing to the paper. This picture.
ADA GAUTIER taking the paper from him. Never you mind, my boy. Och, and the Nursing Mirror too. I always thought it was a decent paper. Why do you leave it lying around?
JOHNSON Miss Cavell is its Brussels correspondent.
ADA GAUTIER Then it's all right; but it's not a paper for boys. JOHNSON What do you think of the War, Philip?
PHILIP GAUTIER I've got a week's holiday from school, 'cause all the masters have gone. I'd like to go too.
ADA GAUTIER Did you ever hear the like o' that? And yourself with your exams to think of ! Hands back list to JOHNSON. Look now; I've taken three names — those three. Are they good nurses?
JOHNSON All Miss Cavell's nurses are good. And they're the only ones in Belgium that are.
ADA GAUTIER That's what my husband says. He says, till Miss Cavell came here, you couldn't get a trained nurse at all — except the nuns, and it's not properly trained they were.
JOHNSON She changed all that. There's not another person in the world can train a nurse the way Miss Cavell can.
A knock on the door. Your American, I suppose. — Come in!
Enter BAUCQ, a plump, cheerful Belgian of 34, He is dressed in well-pressed sponge-bag trousers of the type affected in Belgium, a frock-coat, a smart cravat, and a bowler-hat. He takes off his hat, and discloses a crop of black hair and long black moustaches.
ADA GAUTIER It's no American. It's M'sieur Baucq.
BAUCQ Tiens! Madame Gautier! 'Ow do you do, chere madame? Et le petit Philip! Comment sa va, my dear boy?
ADA GAUTIER Say "Bon jour," Philip!
PHILIP GAUTIER Bon jour, m'sieur.
BAUCQ I know — 'e prefers to speak English. But you are a Belge — don't forget that, Philip! But now the English are with us, it is all the same. Vive la Belgique! Vive Angleterre! He bows to JOHNSON. Oh, pardon, madame.
ADA GAUTIER Sister, this is M'sieur Baucq, a friend of my husband. — Sister Johnson is Miss Cavell's assistant.
BAUCQ Enchanté, madame.
JOHNSON How do you do? The hammering again. That dreadful noise!
BAUCQ You don't like it? I like it ver' much. It means work, and I too am an architect. Beesiness is beesiness, huh?
JOHNSON You wouldn't like it if you'd listened to it for six months, ever since they began the new wing.
BAUCQ "Weeng"? Oh yes; aile. But it is nearly finish' now.
JOHNSON Is it?
BAUCQ The War will make it longer per'aps — a month or two; but what is a month?
ADA GAUTIER You don't think it will last more, m'sieur? BAUCQ Comment? — Oh, I see. A month is plenty for a war nowadays. 'Ow can the world fight longer? — it will starve.
JOHNSON I never thought of that. ADA GAUTIER M'sieur Baucq's a very clever man, Sister.
BAUCQ Ah, non, non, non. A clever architect, per'aps, but — To JOHNSON. Excuse me, please; I come to see my friend, your architect. Will you permit? Is 'e 'ere?
DUBOIS re-enters left with more papers, which she puts on the table. She goes out again, watched with gallant interest by BAUCQ.
BAUCQIs she Belge? Ver' pretty. All Mees Cavell's nurses are good, but not all are so pretty.
JOHNSON Thank goodness!
BAUCQ But why?
JOHNSON It's not a nurse's business to be pretty. I'm not pretty. BAUCQ Oh, but you are the English type of pretty. If you was my nurse Chokes and winks at ADA GAUTIER I would wish to get well quick. To ADA GAUTIER. Oh, mille pardons, madame, I forget. 'Ow is your 'usband?
DUBOIS runs in left. She speaks English fluently, but with an accent.
DUBOIS Sister, the German nurses are disgusting. They will not work any more.
JOHNSON What's that?
BAUCQ and the GAUTIERS draw aside, and the former is seen to receive with dumb-show the bad news of his friend's health. NURSE KNOLL, a young, blonde, determined German enters, left, and advances towards the desk.
DUBOIS This Knoll is the worst of them.
JOHNSON What's this, Knoll? You won't do your work?
KNOLL speaks a careful guttural English. What she says is no matter. Why are we kept here?
JOHNSON I'm not keeping you.
KNOLL You know we received an order four days ago to go back to Germany at once. We are ready to go. Each German nurse is ready to go.
JOHNSON It's not my fault
KNOLL Then whose fault is it?
JOHNSON The — the Belgians', I suppose.
KNOLL The Belgians! Wait till our good German army comes! DUBOIS Jamais! Jamais!
KNOLL disdainfully. I do not understand French any more. — Not even Belgian!
DUBOIS Sale Boche!
BAUCQ breaking away from the GAUTIERS. Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?
ADA GAUTIER hastily. M'sieur Baucq!
BAUCQ, Oh, pardon! Retires again.
KNOLL And I will not be insulted by a Belgian sister — especially one who does the thing she does. Imitates someone injecting herself with a hypodermic syringe.
DUBOIS Ohhh!
KNOLL to JOHNSON. You must arrange for us to go.
JOHNSON I've done my best.
KNOLL Miss Cavell She accentuates the second syllable. would have done it at once.
JOHNSON She'll be back soon.
KNOLL But you can do something. These Belgians are your sneering brave allies. Tell them to behave like men. They tell us to go, and will not let us go.
DUBOIS We shall send you back after the War.
KNOLL After the War we shall be here.
DUBOIS As prisoners.
KNOLL As conquerors.
DUBOIS Barbarians!
KNOLL Degenerates!
BAUCQ advances towards them. ADA GAUTIER calls him back.p
ADA GAUTIER M'sieur Baucq!
BAUCQ Quoi? Shrugs his shoulders and returns. Bien!
JOHNSON Nurses, nurses, you mustn't quarrel here.
KNOLL These Belgians are frightened of German women. knock on the door Oh! On-tray!
An AMERICAN enters, a man of early middle-age, thin, clean-shaven, in well-cut flannel suit. He speaks with a slight American accent.
AMERICAN to JOHNSON. Are you Miss Cavell's deputy?
JOHNSON Yes; I'm acting matron.
AMERICAN I spoke to you just now on the telephone. Miss Cavell hasn't come back yet?
JOHNSON She ought to be here any moment. Can I do anything?
AMERICAN It's about your German nurses. Since the German Minister went away, we're in charge of the interests of German subjects in Belgium, and we've had a request to help these young women.
KNOLL Sir, we are all ready to go. We want to go.
DUBOIS They want to help the brutes who have invaded our country and . . .
AMERICAN Quite, quite. — It's odd the Belgians won't give them passes. They let all the German men go back.
KNOLL I tell you, the Belgians are frightened even of women.
JOHNSON to AMERICAN. Won't you sit down?
AMERICAN I can't stop long. I've got to go around to the German Legation. There's half a dozen of the staff inside; they're not allowed to go out, and no one's let in without I'm there to hold off the Gardes Civiles. I even have to go in with their dinners, and I guess they're getting sort of hungry.
JOHNSON Oh, I wish this war was over.
AMERICAN Who doesn't? — Can you give me a list of these German nurses' names, and I'll have another try at the Ministry.
KNOLL handing him a paper. Here is a list. We are six. AMERICAN Thank you. I'll do my best, but I can't promise anything.
A shout can be heard, off. PHILIP GAUTIER opens the door at back, and listens.
ADA GAUTIER Philip, come here! PHILIP GAUTIER One minute, mamma! Exit.
KNOLL to AMERICAN. These Belgians should be ashamed.
DUBOIS We do not invade a friendly country and shoot innocent villagers!
KNOLL But you shoot our brave soldiers from your windows and torture the . . . PHILIP GAUTIER re-enters hurriedly at back.
PHILIP GAUTIER A Garde Civile is shouting that the German spies have poisoned all the water. No one is to drink water.
JOHNSON Dubois, go and tell the sister in charge to take all the water out of the wards, and to warn everybody. Quick! Exit DUBOIS.
KNOLL Why should we poison your water? In a few days our own Army will be here in Brussels.
BAUCQ Never! No! Mademoiselle, respect for your sex.
KNOLL Not respect. Cowardice!
BAUCQ What is that? "Co-ward-eece"? "Co-ward-eece"? What is that?
PHILIP GAUTIER I know.
ADA GAUTIER as BAUCQ turns to him. Be quiet, Philip!
BAUCQ I understand! Lachete! 'Ow dare you, mademoiselle? 'Ow dare you?
DUBOIS re-enters and confronts KNOLL.
DUBOIS Huns! Goths! Visigoth!
KNOLL Fools! Cowards!
JOHNSON Nurses! Nurses! Nurses!
KNOLL You will see!
BAUCQ Yes; we will see!
AMERICAN sardonically watching them. This is war.
JOHNSON I wish Miss Cavell was here!
DUBOIS, KNOLL and BAUCQ shout at each other. ADA GAUTIER restrains her son, who wishes to join in. The hammering starts again, and the telephone rings. In the midst of the pandemonium the door at back opens and a short, slight woman in nurse's uniform and bonnet enters, carrying an umbrella. They all stop at sight of her.
JOHNSON Oh, Miss Cavell!
