General King and I -- Part One

ORTON: Hello, sonny.

LOUIS: How near are we to Louisville, Captain?

ORTON: See that cluster of lights along the river? That’s it. That’s Louisville.

LOUIS: Oh, look! All our boxes

ORTON: And a whopping lot they are.

LOUIS: We packed everything we had in our London house--furniture and everything.

ANNA: Louis! Where are you?

LOUIS: Mother! Mother, look! There’s Louisville! Do you see, Mother? That cluster of lights along the river. You see, Mother? That’s Louisville.

ANNA: I see, Louis. I see them. It’s exciting, isn’t it?

LOUIS: Will the General come down to the dock to meet us?

ANNA: The General himself? I don’t think so. Generals don’t as a rule.

ORTON: I wonder if you know what you’re facing, Ma’am--an Englishwoman here in Kentucky…

LOUIS: Look, Mother! Look at that boat! Do you suppose that’s the General, the man sitting under the red canopy?

ORTON: That’s Colonel Holmes. The General’s right-hand man, you might say.

ANNA: Do you suppose he’s coming out to meet us?

ORTON: No doubt of it. They’ll be waiting till we pass them. Then they’ll come around our stern. Ma’am…if I might offer you a word of warning…

ANNA: What is it, Captain?

ORTON: That man has power, and he can use it for you or against you.

ANNA: (Laughing) Oh.

ORTON: I think you should know.

(He goes off.)

LOUIS: Look, Mother! They’re closer! Mother! The colonel is completely bald!

ANNA: Hush, Louis, that’s not a nice word.

LOUIS: They all look rather horrible, don’t they, Mother? Father would not have liked us to be afraid would he?

ANNA: No, Louis. Father would not have liked us to be afraid.

LOUIS: Mother, does anything every frighten you?

ANNA: Sometimes.

LOUIS: What do you do?

ANNA: I whistle.

LOUIS: Oh, that’s why you whistle!

ANNA: Yes, that’s why I whistle
Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune,
So no one will suspect
I’m afraid

While shivering in my shoes
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune,
And no one ever knows
I’m afraid.

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell,
For when I fool the people I fear
I fool myself as well!

I whistle a happy tune,
And ev’ry single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m
Not afraid.

Make believe you’re brave
And the trick will take you far;
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.
(Louis whistles this strain, then they both sing)

ANNA and LOUIS:
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.

LOUIS: I think that’s a very good idea, Mother. A very good idea.

ANNA: It is a good idea, isn’t it?

LOUIS: I don’t think I shall ever be afraid again.

ANNA: Good!
(LOUIS resumes singing the refrain. ANNA joins in. They do not see four black slaves, naked from the waist up, with knives in their belts, come over the rail, down the gangway, and line up, center. They are accompanied by two SOLDIERS. As they are happily singing the last eight measures ANNA turns, LOUIS sees them, too, and clutches his mother’s arm. Then they face the men and whistle--as casually as they can)

ORTON: Clear that away! Ma’am, I wouldn’t whistle. He might think it disrespectful.

ANNA: Oh, was I whistling? Sorry, I didn’t realize.

(The LIEUTENANT comes over the rail and down the steps)

LIEUTENANT: (to ANNA) Good evening. Welcome to Louisville.

(COL. HOLMES comes over the rail slowly and with a terrifying presence.)

LIEUTENANT: Sir, the Colonel wants to know if you are Miss Leonowens, new schoolmistress for the general’s children?

ANNA: Yes.

LIEUTENANT: Have you friends in the city?

ANNA: I know no one in Louisville at all.

LIEUTENANT: Are you married, ma’am?

ANNA: I am a widow.

LIEUTENANT: What sort of man was your husband?

ANNA: My husband was an officer of Her Majesty’s Army in…Tell him his business with me is in my capacity of schoolteacher to the general’s children. He has no right to pry into my personal affairs. (ORTON tries to signal a warning, but she turns to him impatiently) Well, he hasn’t, Captain Orton!

LOUIS: I don’t like that man!

COL. HOLMES: In this country it’s best you like everyone--until you leave.

ANNA: Sir, my apologies.

COL. HOLMES: You can come with me now. Your boxes will be brought to the general’s mansion--later.

ANNA: No. Not the mansion. I am not living in the general‘s house.

COL. HOLMES: Who says?

ANNA: The general says! The general has promised me twenty dollars a month and a house of my own.

COL. HOLMES: The general does not always remember what he promises. If I tell him he broke his promise, It’ll make him angry. I think it’s better I make him angry about more important matters.

ANNA: But all I want is ten minutes audience with him.

COL. HOLMES: The general is very busy now. Independence Day celebrations just beginning. There’ll be fireworks all night.

ANNA: And what do I do in the meantime?

COL. HOLMES: In the meantime you wait--in the mansion.

ANNA: Sir, I will teach in the general’s mansion, but I must have a house of my own--where I can go at the end of the day when my duties are over.

COL. HOLMES: What is it that you want to do in evening that can’t be done at the mansion?

ANNA: How dare you? I’m sorry, but you don’t understand. I came here to work. I must support myself and my young son. And I shall take nothing less than what I have been promised.

COL. HOLMES: You will tell the general this?

ANNA: I will tell the general this.

(The faint suggestion of a smile curls the corner of COL. HOLMES’S mouth)

COL. HOLMES: It will be a very interesting meeting…Come on now? (ANNA does not answer) You come now, or you can stay on the boat. I don’t care! (He turns toward gangway and starts to go)

ORTON: If you wish to stay on my ship and return to New York, Ma’am…

ANNA: No, thank you, Captain Orton. I will go with you. I have made a bargain, and I shall live up to my part of it. But I expect a bargain to be kept on both sides. I shall go.

COL. HOLMES: To the mansion?

ANNA: For the time being. (COL. HOLMES exits)
ANNA: Good-bye, Captain Orton and thank you very much for everything. Louis!

LOUIS: (shaking hands) Good-bye, Captain.

ORTON: Good-bye, sonny.

(As they turn from the captain, ANNA and LOUIS are confronted by the LIEUTENANT and the slaves standing in a stern line, their arms folded, their faces glowering in a most unfriendly manner. ANNA and LOUIS pause, then raise their chins and whistle “a happy tune” as they walk by the men and start to climb the gangway)

INTERMEDIATE SCENE

A Mansion corridor.
Several SOLDIERS hurry through the hallways. The LIEUTENANT enters speaking with the GENERAL’S SECRETARY. SGT. WEST enters with a large bundle of documents and salutes the LIEUTENANT. Without saying a word SGT. WEST hands the documents to the LIEUTENANT. He salutes once more and exits quickly. The LIEUTENANT examines the documents for only the briefest of moments. It is clear that he has just received very alarming news.

SCENE TWO
The GENERAL’S study in the royal palace.
As the curtain rises the GENERAL is seated at a long table, dictating letters to, his SECRETARY. At length he throws the last letter at the SECRETARY, rises and snaps his fingers. The SECRETARY and retires quickly. The GENERAL beckons to someone offstage. COL. HOLMES enters.

COL. HOLMES: Sir…

GEN: Well, well, well?

COL. HOLMES: I have been meaning to speak to you about the schoolteacher. She is waiting to see you.

GEN: She’s in Kentucky? How long?

COL. HOLMES: Two weeks, three weeks. She needed disciplining, sir. She objects to living in the mansion. Talks about a house she said you promised her.

GEN: I don’t recall such a promise. Tell her I’ll see her. I’ll see her in a moment. (The GENERAL sees LUCAS TAYLOR enter, preceded by a female slave) Who? Who? Who?

COL. HOLMES: Sir, this is Mr. Lucas Taylor, representative from the governor of Alabama.

GEN: Ah! You’re here to do research in our new library. (To COL. HOLMES) I have given my permission.

COL. HOLMES: (As THERESA is brought in by four soldiers) He’s brought you a present from the governor.

GEN: Am I to trust the governor of Alabama? Am I to trust this present they send me, or is she a spy?

THERESA: I am not a spy…My name is Theresa.

(The GENERAL looks at her appraisingly. COL. HOLMES signals for her to turn around. She does so. The GENERAL walks around her slowly, darts a brief enigmatic look at COL. HOLMES, and walks off.)

COL. HOLMES: The general is pleased with you. He likes you.

(He dismisses LUCAS and leaves. Before going out, LUCAS exchanges a worried, helpless look with THERESA. THERESA turns and looks forward where the GENERAL made his exit, bitterness and hatred in her eyes)

THERESA: Gen’ral is pleased!
He is pleased with me!
My lord and master
Declares he’s pleased with me--
What does he mean?
What does he know of me,
This lord and master?

When he has looked at me
What has he seen?
Something young,
Soft and slim,
Painted cheek
Tap’ring limb,
Smiling lips
All for him,
Eyes that shine
Just for him--
So he thinks…
Just for him!
Though the man may be
My lord and master,
Though he may study me
As hard as he can,
The smile beneath my smile
He’ll never see.
He’ll never know I love
Another man,
He’ll never know
I love another man!

(The GENERAL enters. THERESA immediately resumes her humble and obedient attitude) The General wants me to leave?

GEN: I will tell you when I want you to leave?

COL. HOLMES: (Entering, ushering in ANNA, who is followed by two soldiers) The schoolteacher. (ANNA curtseys) Madame Leonowens.

GEN: You are the schoolteacher?

ANNA: Yes, sir, I am the schoolteacher. When can I start my work?

GEN: You can start when I tell you to start.

ANNA: There is one matter we have to settle, sir…

GEN: (Interrupting) You are part of a general plan I have for bringing to Kentucky what is good in European culture and science. I’ve already brought a new rotary printing press and a series of type-o-writers from a gentleman in Denmark.

ANNA: Yes, I know, general.

GEN: How do you know?

ANNA: Before I singed our agreement, I found out all I could about your ambitions for Kentucky.

GEN: Ha! This is very scientific. Are you pleased with your rooms in the mansion?

ANNA: They…are quite comfortable, sir. For the time being. But my young son and I have found it rather…confining…not permitting us to leave the grounds.

GEN: Strangers can’t be allowed to roam around the city without a proper introduction. You could look out windows.

ANNA: Yes, sir, we have done that. We have seen Independence Day celebrations, boat races on the Ohio, etcetera, etcetera.

GEN: What is this “etcetera”?

ANNA: According to the dictionary, it means “and the rest.” Your Majesty. All the things you have been doing while we were waiting. The fireworks--

GEN: Best fireworks I ever seen on the Fourth of July.

ANNA: Splendid, sir.

GEN: Ha! (To COL. HOLMES) Have the children prepare for a presentation to the new schoolteacher.

ANNA: How many children do you have, sir?

GEN: I only have eleven, but I started very late.…(MISS LARA has entered.) Ah! Miss Lara. Madame Leonowens, this is Miss Lara my wife. Miss Lara, you will help Madame Leonowens with her schoolteaching. (LARA kneels down and kisses the GENERAL’S hand to ANNA’S surprise and horror. The GENERAL explains) She is grateful to me for my kindness.

ANNA: I see. Sir, in our agreement, you…

GEN: You, Theresa. (THERESA. The GENERAL turns to ANNA, pointing to THERESA) She arrived today. She is a present to me from the governor of Alabama.

ANNA: She is a present?

THERESA: Ma’am, you have books I can read? From the North?

ANNA: Of course I have.

THERESA: I wish to read a book called “The Small House of Uncle Thomas.” It’s by a lady, Harriet Beecher Stowe.

GEN: Ha, a book written by a woman?

ANNA: A very wonderful book, sir. All about slavery…

GEN: Ha! President Lincoln’s against slavery. Me, too. Slavery’s a very bad thing.
(ANNA looks significantly at THERESA. The GENERAL snaps his fingers and THERESA. The GENERAL paces thoughtfully, speaking half to himself, half to ANNA)
I think you will teach my sisters and their children also.

(During the ensuing dialogue, the GENERAL’S family peek in through the entrances and retreat, as if curious to hear and see, but afraid of the GENERAL’S mounting temper)

ANNA: I shall be most happy to teach your wife and your sisters and the rest of your family, even though that was not part of our agreement…Speaking of our agreement reminds me that there is one little matter, about my house…

GEN: Also, I will allow you to help me in my correspondence.

ANNA: Yes, sir. I don’t think you understand about the house. For the time being…

GEN: (Wheeling around suddenly) House? House? What is this about a house?

ANNA: (Startled, then recovering) I want my house! The house you promised me, General.

GEN: You’ll live in the mansion. You’ll teach in the mansion, you’ll live in the mansion. If you don’t live in the mansion, you don’t teach, and you can go--wherever you please. I don’t care. You understand this?

ANNA: I understand but, sir, if these are the only terms on which I…

GEN: Enough! I have no more time to talk. Talk to other women, my women.

(He snaps his fingers at THERESA, who follows him obediently as he exits. As soon as the GENERAL has left, the women rush on from all sides, chattering excitedly. They surround ANNA, taking her gloves and her reticule, fingering her clothes. Two on the floor try to lift up her skirt)

ANNA: For goodness’ sake! What is the matter? What are they trying to do to me?

LARA: They think you wear a big skirt like that because you’re shaped like that.

ANNA: Well, I’m not!

(She lifts her hoop skirt, revealing pantalettes.)

LARA: They wish to know, sir, if you have children?

ANNA: One little boy.

LARA: I have four boys--Charles Jr. is the oldest, he’ll take over for the general one day…(pleading) I would be happy if you would teach the children.

ANNA: I would like to very much. I came all the way here from London to do so, but I really cannot…

LARA: You could be a great help to all here, sir

ANNA: Miss Lara, why do you call me “sir”?

LARA: Because you’re scientific, as the general says. Not lowly, like a woman.

ANNA: Do you all think women are more lowly than men? (All of the women smile broadly and nod their heads, apparently quite happy with the idea of female inferiority. ANNA’s voice is indignant) Well, I don’t.

LARA: Please, sir, do not tell the general. It’ll make him very angry.

ANNA: The general seems to be angry already. That lovely girl. He said she was a present…

LARA: From the governor of Alabama. I think she loves another man. If so, she will never see that other man again.

ANNA: Poor child!

LARA: Oh, no, sir! She is a foolish child, to wish for another man when she can serve a master such as the general.

ANNA: But you can’t help wishing for a man, if he’s the man you want.

LARA: It’s strange for a schoolteacher to talk so--romantic

ANNA: Romantic! I suppose I am. I was very much in love with my husband, Tom.

LARA: Tom?

ANNA: Once a woman has loved like that, she understands all other women who are in love…and she’s on their side, even if she’s…schoolteacher.

(She opens the locket around her neck and shows it to MISS LARA)

LARA: He was handsome.

ANNA: Oh, dear, yes. He was very handsome. (She sings)

When I think of Tom
I think about a night
When the earth smelled of summer
And the sky was streaked with white,
And the soft mist of England
Was sleeping on a hill--
I remember this,
And I always will…

There are new lovers now on the same
Silent hill,
Looking on the same blue sea,
And I know Tom and I are a part of them
All
And they’re all a part of Tom and me.

Hello, young lovers, whoever you are,
I hope your troubles are few.
All my good wishes go with you tonight
I’ve been in love like you.
Be brave, young lovers, and follow your
Star
Be brave and faithful and true,
Cling very close to each other tonight--
I’ve been in love like you.
I know how it feels to have wings on
Your heels,
And to fly down a street in a trance.
You fly down a street on the chance
That you’ll meet,
And you meet --not really by chance.
Don’t cry, young lovers, whatever you
Do,
Don’t cry because I’m alone;
All of my memories are happy tonight,
I’ve had a love of my own,
I’ve had a love of my own, like yours
I’ve had a love of my own.

(The GENERAL enters)

GEN: The children! The children! They’ve come to be presented to the schoolteacher.

ANNA: But, sir, we have not solved my problem…

GEN: Quiet! You will stand here to meet the children. (He indicates a place for her)

ANNA: Very well, sir.

GEN: The King children….

(Now, to the strains of a march, the children enter, one by one, each advancing first to the GENERAL and saluting him, then moving over to ANNA, and greeting her, after which he backs away across the stage, and takes his place with the women and children who have previously entered. Each succeeding child enters at about the time that his predecessor has greeted ANNA and is backing across the stage. The twins enter together, and the GENERAL holds up two fingers to ANNA, so that she is sure to observe that they are twins. There are other variations. One little girl goes straight to her father, her arms outstretched, but he sternly points to her place in formation. She greets the GENERAL in the formal manner and, very much abashed, goes on to ANNA. One little girl, who had been delegated to give ANNA a rose, forgets it the first time and has run back to ANNA, disgraced by her absent mindedness. The most impressive moment is the entrance of, CHARLIE. The music becomes loud and brave at this point. Then, toward the end of the march, the music becomes softer and ends with the smallest children coming on, the last child backing up and saluting with the others on the last beat of the music. Throughout this procession, ANNA has obviously fallen more and more in love with the children. She is deeply touched by their courtesy, their charm, their sweetness. After they have all greeted her and the GENERAL, she slowly moves to the center of the room. She looks back at the GENERAL, who nods understandingly, and then slowly she starts to untie the ribbons of her bonnet off her head and the children with one accord all rush up to her and surround her. She leans over and hugs all those she can reach, and it is obvious that they are going to be fast friends as the curtain closes)

SCENE THREE

In the Palace grounds
A group of SOLDIERS walk by. From the other side the children enter singing “Home Sweet Home”. They walk two by two, in time to the music. The SOLDIERS exit. The GENERAL enters and gestures to CHARLIE to step out of line. The CHARLIE obeys. The other children continue offstage.

CHARLIE: Father, I’ll be late for school.

GEN: You wait! Please recite the proverb you learned yesterday and wrote down twelve times in your copybook.

CHARLIE: “A thought for the day: East or West, home is best.”

GEN: East, West, home best. Her house! Every day for months! Always something about that house! Are my children to be taught nothing more?

CHARLIE: Yesterday we were taught that the world is a round ball which spins on a stick through the middle and revolves around the sun. Everyone knows that God made the earth as the center of the heavens.

GEN: How can it be that everyone knows one thing, if many people believe another thing?

CHARLIE: Then which is true? (Pause)

GEN: The world is a ball with stick through it…I believe.

CHARLIE: You believe? Does that mean you do not know? (His father does not answer) But you must know, because you are a man.

GEN: Good. Some day you too, will be a man and you too will know everything..

CHARLIE: But how do I learn? And when do I know that I know everything?

GEN: When you are man. Now leave me.(CHARLIE exits. The GENERAL soliloquizes) When you are man. But I do not know. I am not sure of anything (He sings)
When I was a boy
The world was a better spot.
What was so was so,
What was not was not.
Now I am a man--
The world has changed a lot:
Some things nearly so,
Others nearly not.

There are times I almost think
I am not sure of what I absolutely know.
Very often find confusion
In conclusion I concluded long ago.
In my head are many facts
That, as a student, I have studied to procure
In my head are many facts
Of which I wish I was more certain I was sure!
It’s a Puzzlement! What to tell a growing son
What, what for instance, shall I say to him of women?
Shall I educate him on traditional lines?
Shall I tell the boy, as far as he is able,
To respect his wife and love his concubines?
Shall I tell him every one is like the other
And the better one of two is really neither?
If I tell him this I think he won’t believe it--
And I nearly think I don’t believe it either

When my father was a man
He was a man who knew exactly what he knew,
And his brain was not a thing
Forever swinging to and fro and fro and to.
And be willfully unmovable and strong?
Or is better to be right?
Or am I right when I believe I may be wrong?

Shall I join with other nations in alliance?
If allies are weak, am I not best alone?
If allies are strong with power to protect me,
Might they not protect me out of all I own?
Is a danger to be trusting one another,
One will seldom want to do what other wishes…
But unless some day somebody trust somebody,
There’ll be nothing left on earth excepting fishes!

There are times I almost think
Nobody sure of what he absolutely know
Everybody find confusion
In conclusion he concluded long ago,
And it puzzle me to learn
That though a man may be in doubt of what he know,
Very quickly will he fight,
He’ll fight to prove that what he does not know is so!

Oh-h-h-h-h-h!
Sometimes I think that people are going mad!
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!
Sometimes I think that people not so bad!
But no matter what I think
I must go on living life.
As leader of my kingdom I must go forth,
Be father to my children,
And husband to each wife--
Etcetera, etcetera, and forth.
(His arms and eyes raised in prayer)
If my Lord in Heaven, Jesus, shows the way,
Every day I try to live another day.
If my Lord in Heaven, Jesus, shows the way,
Every day I do my best--for one more day!
But…it is a puzzlement!
(The lights go out. The voices of the children are heard in the darkness, coming from the schoolroom)

Scene Four

The schoolroom. Up center is a large stand with a map hanging from it. This is a very old, outdated map. The children are lined up singing their school song. MISS LARA and THERESA stand a little apart from the group, as does LOUIS. CHARLIE is in the group with the children and the other women.

ANNA: Spread out children. That’s fine. Now take your places. Miss Lara will you start?
(ANNA hands the pointer to MISS LARA)

LARA: The blue is ocean. Atlantic in the east and the Pacific in the West. The red--Kentucky (Enthusiastic reaction from the children at KENTUCKY‘S size)

ANNA: Thank you, Miss Lara. Will you take my chair? (MISS LARA sits) The map you have been looking at is an old one. Today we have a surprise. Louis--(LOUIS rolls down an 1862 world map in Mercator projection.) A new map--just arrived from England. It is a gift to us from the general.

LOUIS: The white is Kentucky.
(There is a groan of disbelief and disappointment from the children and wives)

CHARLIE: Kentucky is not so small!

LOUIS: Wait! Let me show you England. (Pause) See! It is almost as small as Kentucky.
(Children indicate approval)

ANNA: For many years, before I came here, Kentucky was to me that little white spot. Now I have lived here for more than a year. I have met the people of Kentucky. And I am learning to understand them.

LUCY: You like us?

ANNA: I like you very much. Very much indeed. (The children express their delight. ANNA sings)
It’s a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That “if you become a teacher
By your pupils you’ll be taught.”
As a teacher I’ve been learning
(You’ll forgive me if I boast)
And I’ve now become an expert
On the subject I like most:
(She speaks)
Getting to know you…
(She sings)
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you,
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you--
Putting it my way, but nicely,
You are precisely
My cup of tea!
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy;
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say--
Haven’t you noticed?
Suddenly I’m bright and breezy
Because of
All the beautiful and new
Things I’m learning about you,
Day by day.
(The refrain is taken up by the women and children. At the finish they are all seated on the floor giggling. She rises suddenly, remembering her duties) My goodness! This started out to be a lesson! Now, let’s get back to work!

CHARLIE: (Pointing to the map) What is that green up there?

ANNA: That is Norway. Nor-way. Norway is a very cold place. It is sometimes so cold that all the lakes and rivers freeze, and the water becomes so hard that you can walk on it.

ANNA: And not only is it very cold in Norway, but there is a beautiful phenomenon called the Aurora Borealis that can only be seen in the most northern countries like Norway, Iceland and Finland.

THERESA (Fascinated) Aurora?

ANNA: Yes, Theresa. The Aurora Borealis. Class, repeat after me. Au-ror-a Bor-e-al-is.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN: Aurora Borealis.

ANNA: Aurora was the Roman goddess of the dawn and Boreas comes from the Greek name for the North Wind. The Aurora is a series of glowing lights that can be seen in the night sky. They shimmer and sparkle in all different colors. Like a beautiful twisting rainbow in the night sky.

PAUL: I don’t believe you.

JOSHUA: How come we’ve never seen the Roar O Borlis before?

ANNA: Well, Joshua the Aurora Borealis can only be seen in the very northernmost parts of the world.

CHARLIE: You’re playing a trick on us.

ALL CHILDREN: (Shouting) Yeah! That’s not fair! Why are you tricking us?

GEN: (Entering the schoolroom) What? What? What? What’s going on here. Is this how classes are taught in England?

ANNA: General, you’ve caught us in the middle of a heated discussion. I was describing the Aurora borealis and they refused to believe that there was such a thing.

GEN: Aurora?

ANNA: (Making Aurora gesture) Yes, the aurora.

GEN: Oh, yes…in the night sky.

CHARLIE: Sir, please tell us…how does it glow in the night sky?

GEN: It just does. Mrs. Anna is telling the truth…I’ve seen pictures.

ANNA: Thank you, sir. Class we’ll continue with our discussion of exactly how the Aurora works after lunch.

GEN: Who doesn’t believe Mrs. Anna?

ANNA: Well, sir, after all they have never seen it.

GEN: If they’ll only believe what they see, what’s the sense in having a schoolroom? Do not let me here you not believing your teacher…who I have brought here at a great expense. Children must learn and teachers must teach. Don’t waste time instructing children in silly English songs “Home Sweet House”--to remind me of breaking promises that I never made, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

ANNA: General…you did promise me a house. “A brick residence adjoining the main house” Those were your words in your letter.

GEN: I don’t remember such words.

ANNA: I remember them.

GEN: I will do the remembering. Who is in charge here? I’ll remind you--so you remember that! (Screaming) I do not know of any promises. I do not know anything but that you are my servant.

ANNA: Oh, no, sir!
(There is a gasp of astonishment from those in the schoolroom)

GEN: What? What? What? I say you are my servant!

ANNA: No, sir, that’s not true. I most certainly am not your servant!

CHARLIE: (To Louis) I would say your mother has bad manners.

LOUIS: You would, would you? Well, I’d say your father has no manners at all!

ANNA: Louis! (She takes his hand and turns to face the GENERAL) If you do not give me the house you promised, I shall return to England.

LUCY: No! No! No!

FRANKLIN: Don’t go to England!

ALBERT: We’ll learn. We’ll believe the schoolteacher.

ELIZABETH: I believe in the Northern Lights.

LARA: Do not let her go away.

GEN: I’ll let her do nothing, except what is my pleasure. It is my pleasure that you stay here. You’ll stay here in the mansion. In the mansion!

ANNA: No, sir!

GEN: I’ll give you servants. I’ll give you a bigger room.

ANNA: That is not the point, sir.

GEN: Why do you wish to leave these children, all of whom love you so extraordinarily?

ANNA: I don’t wish to leave them. I love them, too…quite extraordinarily. But I cannot stay in a place where a promise has no meaning.

GEN: I will hear no more about this promise…

ANNA: A land where there is talk of honor, and a wish for Louisville to take her place among the great modern cities of the world! Where there is talk of great changes, but where everything still remains according to the wishes of one man!

GEN: You will say no more!

ANNA: (On the edge of tears) I will say no more because I have no more to say. (She starts off) Come, Louis.
(He follows her out, as the women and children call after her: “Please don’t go, Mrs. Anna,” etc. But she goes! The GENERAL stamps his foot angrily to silence them all. Then he shouts a dismissal)

GEN: Out! Out! Out! (They scurry out. He paces up and down, then stops before the map. His voice is low and thoughtful) So big a world! Kentucky is very small… England is very small…all people are very small. No man’s big enough to be alone. No man is big enough! A general? A general’s different! He need’s no one…nobody at all! (Pause) I think!

(He leaves the room)
(In a moment THERESA comes in. She looks around cautiously, then sits on floor with a book. LUCAS enters, then stops quickly, surprised to find THERESA alone)
LUCAS: Where is Mrs. Anna?

THERESA: She will not be with us ever again. She has fought with the General

LUCAS: How can we meet if she is not with us? Mrs. Anna was our only friend, and…

THERESA: We can’t be seen talking like this. Anyone can come in. Pretend you’re waiting for her.

LUCAS (Bitterly) If only we could stop pretending! (He sings)
We kiss in a shadow,
We hide from the moon,
Our meetings are few,
And over too soon.
We speak in a whisper,
Afraid to be heard--
When people are near
We speak not a word!
Alone in our secret,
Together we sigh
For one smiling day to be free
To kiss in the sunlight
And say to the sky:
“Behold and believe what you see!
Behold how my lover loves me!”
(He speaks) Theresa, when can we meet? When?

THERESA: It’s not possible. We can’t meet alone ever--not ever.

(MISS LARA enters at the back, sees the two lovers together, and goes off, unseen by them)

LUCAS (As THERESA suddenly breaks away) What is it?

THERESA: Someone was here! (She looks around fearfully) I had a feeling someone was watching us…Please go!
Please! (He leaves. THERESA sings sadly)
To kiss in the sunlight
And say to the sky:
“Behold and believe what you see!
Behold how my lover loves me!”

INTERMEDIATE SCENE
The Mansion corridor.
LOUIS and CHARLIE enter from opposite sides. After passing each other in unfriendly silence, each repents and turns at about the same time. Then with a common impulse, they rush toward each other and shake hands.

CHARLIE: I’m sorry we almost fought just now.

LOUIS: I am too.

CHARLIE: Are you really going away?

LOUIS: Mother plans to leave on the next steamboat.

CHARLIE: I’m not sure my father will let your mother go.

LOUIS: I am not sure whether my mother will allow your father not to allow her to go.

CHARLIE: Why won’t your mother admit she was wrong?

LOUIS: I don’t believe that Mother thinks she was wrong.

CHARLIE: It’s beginning to look like people don’t know when they are right or wrong--even after they’ve grown up.

LOUIS: I have noticed that, too.

CHARLIE: A puzzlement!…When I left my father a little while ago, I heard him talking to himself. He seemed unsure about many things.

LOUIS: I don’t believe grownups are ever certain--they only talk as if they are certain.

CHARLIE: (Singing)
There are times I almost think
They are not sure of what they absolutely know.

LOUIS:
I believe they are confused
About conclusions they concluded long ago

CHARLIE:
If my father and your mother are not sure of what they absolutely know,
Can you tell me why they fight?

LOUIS:
They fight to prove that what they do not know is so!

CHARLIE: (With the mannerisms of his father)
Oh-h-h-h-h-h!
Sometimes I think that people going mad

LOUIS:
Ah-h-h-h-h-h
Sometimes I think that people aren’t so bad

CHARLIE:
But no matter what I think,
I must go on living life
And some day as a leader I must go forth
Be father to my children
And husband to my wife
Etcetera, etcetera, and so forth.
(His eyes and arms uplifted)
If my Lord in Heaven, Jesus, shows the way
Every day I try to live another day,
If my Lord in Heaven, Jesus, shows the way
Every day I do my best--for one more day.
But--

LOUIS:
It’s a puzzlement.
(The two boys walk off together thoughtfully)

SCENE FIVE

ANNA’s bedroom.
ANNA is sitting on the bed. She has started to undress, but apparently has stopped, engrossed in her thoughts. Her brows knit. She glares at an imaginary adversary. Her nostrils dilate with scorn. Then she starts to let him have it:

ANNA:
Your servant! Your servant!
Indeed I’m not your servant
(Although you give me less than servant’s pay)
I’m a free and independent employee…
Employee
Because I’m a woman
You think, like every woman,
I have to be a slave or concubine--
You conceited, self-indulgent libertine--
Libertine.
How I wish I’d called him that! Right to his face!
Libertine! And while we’re on the subject, sire,
There are certain goings on around this place
That I wish to tell you I do not admire:

I do not like adultery
Or even moderate cuckoldry
(I realize
That in your eyes
That clearly makes a prig o’me)
But I am from a civilized land called Wales,
Where men like you are kept in county gaols.

In your pursuit of pleasure, you
Have mistresses who treasure you
(They have no ken
Of other men
Beside whom they can measure you)
A flock of sheep, and you the only ram--
No wonder you’re the wonder of the land!
(At first elated by this sally a frightened, embarrassed look comes into her eyes. She speaks.)I’m rather glad I didn’t say that…Not with the women right there…and the children.
(She sings wistfully)The children, the children,
I’ll not forget the children.
No matter where I go I’ll always see
Those little faces looking up at me…

At first, when I started to teach
They were shy and remained out of reach
But lately I’ve thought
One or two have been caught
By a word I have said
Or a sentence I’ve read,
And I’ve heard an occasional question
That implied, at least, a suggestion
That the work I was trying to do
Was beginning to show with a few…

That oldest boy Charlie
Is very like his father,
He’s stubborn--but inquisitive and smart
(Sudden tears)
I must leave this place before they break my heart,
I must leave this place before they break my heart!
(She stops, picks up the watch that is on her pillow and looks down at it)
Goodness! I had no idea it was so late.
(She resumes undressing)
Shall I tell you what I think of you?
You’re spoiled!
You’re a conscientious worker
But you’re spoiled.
Giving credit where it’s due
There is much I like in you
But it’s also very true
That you’re spoiled!
(She struts up and down, imitating him)
Everybody’s always saluting
To the Gen’ral,
Everybody has to grovel
To the Gen’ral.
By your Lord you are blessed,
By your ladies you’re caressed
But the one who loves you best
Is the Gen’ral!

How would you like it if you were a man
Playing the part of a toad?
Crawling around on your elbows and knees,
Eating the dust in the road!…
Toads! Toads! All of your people are toads!
Yes, Sir General; No, Sir General.
Tell us how low to go please, General
Don’t let us up off our knees my General.
Give us a kick, if it please you General,
Give us a kick if you would please General--
(Taking an imaginary kick)
Oh! That was good, sir, general!…
(LARA enters and knocks at the door)

ANNA: Who is it?

LARA: Mrs. Anna, it’s me, Lara.

ANNA: At this hour of the night! Come in, Lara.

LARA: Mrs. Anna, will you go to the general?

ANNA: Now? Has he sent for me?

LARA: No. But he would be glad to see you. He is a deeply wounded man. No one has ever spoken to him like you did today in the schoolroom.

ANNA: Miss Lara, no one has ever behaved to me as the general did today in the schoolroom.

LARA: And there are more distressing matters. Our people in Washington have found letters to the White House, from people whose greedy eyes are on our beloved commonwealth. They describe the general as a barbarian, and suggest annexing Kentucky into the Union.

ANNA: That is outrageous! He is many things I do not like, but he is not a barbarian.

LARA: Then you will help him?

ANNA: You mean--advise him?

LARA: It can’t sound like advice. A general cannot take advice. And if you go to him, he will not bring up the subject. You must bring it up.

ANNA: I cannot go to him. It’s against all my principles. Certainly not without his having asked for me.

LARA: He wants to be a new-blooded leader with progressive ideas. But it is hard for him, Mrs. Anna. And there is something else--Theresa. I haven’t told him--for his sake. I’ll deal with this my own way. But for these other things, he needs help, Mrs. Anna.

ANNA: He has you.

LARA: I am not equal to his special needs. He could be a great man. But he needs special help. He needs you.

ANNA: Miss Lara, please don’t think I am being stubborn. But I simply cannot go to him. I will not.

LARA: What more can I say to you?
(She sings)
This is a man who thinks with his heart,
His heart is not always wise.
This is a man who stumble and falls,
But this is a man who tries.
This is a man you’ll forgive and forgive,
And help and protect, as long as you live

He will not always say
What you would have him say,
But now and then he’ll say
Something wonderful.
The thoughtless things he’ll do
Will hurt and worry you--
Then all at once he’ll do
Something wonderful.
He has a thousand dreams
That won’t come true.
You know that he believes in them
And that’s enough for you.
You’ll always go along,
Defend him when he’s wrong
And tell him, when he’s strong
He is wonderful
He’ll always need your love--
And so he’ll get your love--
A man who needs your love
Can be wonderful!
(As she finishes she kneels and looks up at ANNA. ANNA takes her hand and helps her rise. Then she crosses to the bed, picks up her jacket and starts to put it on. LARA, taking this as a sign that her mission is successful, smiles gratefully and leaves ANNA to finish dressing)

INTERMEDIATE SCENE

The Mansion corridor
COL. HOLMES enters and meets MISS LARA.

COL. HOLMES: Did you succeed? Will she go to him?

LARA: She will go. She knows he needs her. Tell him.

COL. HOLMES: I will tell him she is anxious to come. I will tell him it is she who needs him.

LARA: That also will be true. (COL. HOLMES exits) This woman knows many things, but this, I think she does not know…(She sings)
She’ll always go along.
Defend him when he’s wrong
And tell him when he’s strong
He is wonderful
He’ll always need her love
And so he’ll get her love
A man who needs your love
Can be wonderful!

SCENE SIX

The GENERAL’S study.
The GENERAL has been reading a large Bible, which lies open on the desk before him. There are some newspapers also on the floor. The GENERAL is walking up and down impatiently. He goes up and out to the terrace, looks off let, sees something, and hurries down to the Bible and resumes reading it. Presently, ANNA enters on the terrace.

ANNA: (Making a curtsey) Sir. (She comes into the room) Sir. (No answer. She looks down over his shoulder) You’re reading the Bible.

GEN: Mrs. Anna, I think Moses must’ve been a fool.

ANNA: Moses!

GEN: Moses! Moses! Moses! I think he was a fool. Right here it’s written by him that the world was created in six days. You know and I know it took many ages to create the world. I think he must have been a fool to have written so. What’s your opinion?

ANNA: General, the Bible was not written by men of science, but by men of faith. It was their explanation of the miracle of creation, which is the same miracle--whether it took six days or many centuries.

GEN: (Rising) Hm. (He is impressed by her explanation but, of course, would not say so) You have come to apologize?

ANNA: I am sorry, sir, but..

GEN: Good! Apologize.

ANNA: General, I…

GEN: I accept!

ANNA: General, nothing that has been said can alter the fact that in my country, anyone who makes a promise must…

GEN: Silence! Tell me what you think of President Lincoln. Will Mr. Lincoln win this war we have found ourselves in at the present?

ANNA: No one knows, sir.

GEN: Does he have enough guns and ammunition for the Northern armies?

ANNA: I wouldn’t know, sir. I’m afraid military matters are not my area of expertise. Surely, you must know, General.

GEN: I think he could use our help. I shall send him supplies. (Handing her a notebook and pencil) Write a letter to Mr. Lincoln.

ANNA: Now?

GEN: Now! When else! Now is always the best time. (He sits on the floor)

ANNA: Very well, sir.

GEN: (Dictating) From General Charles King… Do you not have any respect for me? (ANNA looks up from her notebook having no idea what he means) Why do you sit when I stand. It is not polite for you to sit while the General stands. In this house, no one sits unless I do. From now on in my presence you shall conduct yourself like everyone else.

ANNA: I shall try very hard sir--but I make no promises.

GEN: (He rises and studies her before he speaks) You are very difficult woman. But you will observe care that you are never seated if I am standing. If I stand you stand. Understood?
(Pause)

ANNA: Very well, General.

GEN: Promise?

ANNA: I promise.

GEN: Good. (He sits and gestures for ANNA to do the same. She does so) To the President of the United States of America. It has occurred to us…(He quickly rises out of his chair) It has occurred to us--(He gives ANNA a significant look, and she reluctantly keeps her promise, rising out of her seat) It has occurred to us that if we were to deliver to you certain ammunitions and supplies that you might be able to…You can fill in the details. (He sits and quickly rises, ANNA does the same) Tonight my mind is on another matter--a very important matter.

ANNA: Anything you want to discuss with me?

GEN: Why would I discuss important matters with a woman?

ANNA: Very well, sir. Then I will say good night.

GEN: Good night!
(ANNA goes up toward the terrace, then turns, to give him another chance)

ANNA: General…

GEN: What, what, what?

ANNA: I was wondering--When the train arrived from Washington yesterday…

GEN: Washington! Hmph!

ANNA: Was there any news about the war?

GEN: News! Yes, there is news! They call me a barbarian.

ANNA: Who?

GEN: Certain parties who would use this as excuse to commandeer this commonwealth. Suppose you were President Lincoln and somebody told you General King is a barbarian. Would you believe them?

ANNA: Well, sir…

GEN: You would! You would! You would believe I am a barbarian because there is no one to speak otherwise.

ANNA: But this is a lie!

GEN: It’s more than a lie!

ANNA: What have you decided to do about it?

GEN: (After a pause) What do you think I’ll do!

ANNA: Well, if someone were sending a big lie about me to Washington, I should do my best to send the truth to Washington…Is that what you have decided to do, sir?

GEN: Yes. That is what I’ve decided to do. (To himself) But how? Guess how I’ll do it!

ANNA: Well, my guess would be that when Edward Ramsay arrives here…

GEN: Ramsay? Ramsay?

ANNA: The Secretary of War.

GEN: Ah, yes-on his way from Pittsburgh.

ANNA: We wrote to him last month.

GEN: When he is here, I shall take the opportunity to express my opinion on Yankee thieves who wish to steal Kentucky. I’ll show him who the barbarian is! What’s that face for?

ANNA: Well, General, my guess is that you will not fight with Secretary Ramsay.

GEN: I won’t?

ANNA: No, sir. You will entertain him and his party in an especially grand manner. In this way you will make them all witnesses in your favor. They will return to Washington and report to the President that you are not a barbarian.

GEN: Naturally…naturally! This is what I intended to do.

ANNA: This is the only way to get the better of them. Stand up to them. Put your best foot forward. Dress up in your best clothes. Show them your most intelligent men, your most beautiful women. Edward admires beautiful women.

GEN: Edward? You’re on a first name basis?

ANNA: We are old friends. I knew him, before I was married, in London when he worked for the American Embassy (Suddenly inspired) We shall dress them up in European fashion.

GEN: You mean dress them in… dresses like yours?
(ANNA nods)

ANNA: How many women can I have to sew for me?

GEN: All the women in the family. How many dresses?

ANNA: That depends on how many ladies are chosen by you, sir.

GEN: You shall tell me which of my women are most like Europeans, for dressing up. (He crosses quickly to a table, rings a bell and shouts) Wake up! Wake up, everybody! Women! Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera! You shall educate them in European custom and manners for presentation.

ANNA: I wonder how much time we shall have.

GEN: Secretary Ramsay’s party last reported just outside of Wheeling. How long he takes depend on how many ports he calls into. Let us say we have one week.

ANNA: One week! But, sir, I don’t think…one week!

GEN: The whole world was created in this time--Moses says so!…Are there any details I haven’t thought of so far?

ANNA: You must give them a fine dinner--a European dinner.

GEN: I was going to.

ANNA: And a ball. With music.

GEN: Music (His face lights up) And dancing!

ANNA: That’s right! Dancing!

GEN: Why didn’t you not think of dancing?

ANNA: It was an inspired idea, sir. (Wives enter in nightdress. THERESA is first. LARA also enters, but not in nightdress) We can give them a theatrical performance. Theresa has written a play, a version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

GEN: Ha! We shall give them a theatrical performance. We’ll show them who is a barbarian! Line up! Line up! Line up! Miss Lara! On Saturday next, at nine o’clock post meridian, we shall give fine dinner--European dinner, for probably thirty people. (LARA salutes) You are to instruct the steward during the week he will make European dishes for tasting. I will taste and the schoolteacher here will taste. (The children begin coming in, with the women. They rub their eyes and yawn. The GENERAL turns to ANNA) You say who is most European lady for dressing like same. (The GENERAL continues his orders to LARA) You are to make tablecloth of finest white silk for very long table. Also instruct the musicians to learn music of Europe for dancing, etcetera. (The TWINS enter) What? What? What? Am I to be annoyed by children at this moment? (A NURSE, having lost her charge, comes running around him, clapping her hands) Who? Who? Who? (All drop to the floor at his angry tones. Then the object of the NURSE’s solicitude, a very tiny boy, crawls between the GENERAL’s legs and crouches in front of him.) Mrs. Anna, we must be more scientific with children! For the next week, the men and women of my house will work without sleeping until all is ready, and for what is not done, each man and woman shall be beaten a hundred strokes. Everyone must know this, Miss Lara. Tell this to everyone! Above all, I must not be worried by anything…
(There is a tremendous report the sound of a cannon. Discipline is immediately abandoned, and there are shrieks and cries of fear. The children huddle together with the women. The GENERAL and ANNA run up to the terrace)

GEN: What can this be?
(Another terrifying report)

ANNA: Look, sir!

GEN: Cannon fire! (The children move forward) Cannon fire at this hour in the morning! No one may order cannon fire but me.

COL. HOLMES: (Rushing in) General--Secretary Ramsay has arrived from Pittsburgh.

COL. HOLMES: They salute, and we answer with the cannon. It is Edward Ramsay and his party.

ANNA: Now?

COL. HOLMES: Now! They must have come direct from Wheeling. No stops.

ANNA: No stops!

GEN: Tell them to go back! We’re not ready!

COL. HOLMES: Not ready, sir?

GEN: You don’t know, you don’t know. I planned best idea I’ve ever had.

ANNA: We can still do it, sir--you can do it.

GEN: Ha! When the party arrives we will put them to bed. Tomorrow morning we’ll send them on a sightseeing trip.

ANNA: We shall start now, this minute. Work! Work! We have only eighteen hours, but I shall do it somehow!

GEN: I will do it. You will help me. No one will sleep tonight or tomorrow. We’ll work even when the sun shines in the middle of the day. We will…Ah! (suddenly inspired) First we shall ask help from our Lord Jesus. Pray to him! Pray! Pray! Pray! (They all sink to their knees, the GENERAL included, and raise their hands in prayerful attitude. ANNA remains standing but bows her head. The GENERAL prays aloud) Oh, Jesus, give us the aid of your strength and your wisdom.

ALL: Oh, Jesus, give us the aid of your strength and your wisdom
(The KING sits back on his heels)

GEN: And help us to prove to the visiting Yankees that we are extraordinary and remarkable people.

ALL: And help us to prove to our visitors that we are extraordinary and remarkable people.

GEN: Help also Mrs. Anna to keep awake for the sewing of dresses, even though she is only a woman and an Episcopalian, and therefore unworthy of your interest.

(ANNA looks up in surprise at the mention of her name, and comes to the GENERAL in protest)

ALL: Help also Mrs. Anna to keep awake for the sewing of dresses, even though she is only a woman and an Episcopalian, and therefore unworthy of your interest.

GEN: And Jesus, I promise you I shall give this unworthy woman a house--a house of her own--a brick residence adjoining the mansion, according to agreement, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

ALL: And Jesus, I promise you I shall give this unworthy woman a house--a house of her own--a brick residence adjoining the mansion, according to agreement, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

(As they repeat his word, the GENERAL watches to make sure that ANNA imitates him. ANNA and the GENERAL regard each other warily. Who is taming whom?)
Curtain