The Missing Arm

Onyi Ugochuku Creative Writing Club 25 March 2023

The Missing Arm: A Play in Two Acts Cast of Characters

Lord Ervyne, Viscount Ellingham-the protagonist, he is nineteen at the beginning of the story. Ambitious and discontented, he aspires to become famous and well-loved. He enjoys his dishonestly-won glory, but is constantly afraid when people suspect him of lying.

Richmond- a woodcutter in his early forties, living at the edge of the forest near the village. He is greedy and unscrupulous, besides being a little unintelligent.

Mrs. Reet- a town gossip in her mid-forties.

Mr. Reet-the husband of Mrs. Reet, in his mid-forties.

Mildred Reet- a peasant girl, she is innocent, trustful, and caring. She is very simple, and cannot imagine that Ervyne is anything other than noble.

King- a generous but simple man, he enjoys honoring courage whenever he visits a village.

Old William-an old man, glorified in the village for fighting a bear. He is obsessed with his greatness and jealous of Ervyne’s popularity.

Other peasants, soldiers, etc.

Act 1

Time: Evening

Scene 1

Place: A forest. ERVYNE is chopping trees with an axe. He pauses, sits down, and tosses the axe away.

ERVYNE. What a wretched life this is! A woodcutter like my father, and his father, and his father! I would be great in this world—I would be a fine man like Old William, and everyone would bow to me and honor me...but they don’t! They never have, they never will! It’ll always be young Ervyne—the woodcutter! I will never be greater than that! (Footsteps offstage.) Who is it? (Jumps to his feet and grabs his axe.)

(Enter RICHMOND, carrying his own axe.)

RICHMOND. Young Ervyne! The woodcutter. (ERVYNE grimaces, but he does not appear to notice.) Good to see you, very nice indeed. I was chopping some wood north of here. Maybe you want some help?

ERVYNE. (Stiffly.) Thanks.

They begin to chop down limbs of trees.

RICHMOND. I thought I heard you say something about being like Old William. ERVYNE. Maybe you did.

RICHMOND. Well, that’s funny. I used to want to be like him when I was little. The thought— chasing a bear nine feet tall, and wrestling it with one’s bare hands, and thrusting it to the ground—ah, that’s lovely. Old William’s like the king of this place. You know, I think I heard that when the king makes his visit to this region in a month, he intends to give Old William some kind of reward for being the bravest man around.

ERVYNE. Is that so?

RICHMOND. Anyway, I was saying when I grew up, I was no Old William. Just Richmond the woodcutter. Nothing wrong with that, though.

ERVYNE. (Bitterly.) So you lost your ambition?

RICHMOND. Why, no. I’m actually going on a journey today. My distant great-aunt died, and I’m going to claim my inheritance from her. I leave this evening, once I’ve saddled my horse. I hope to come back a rich man.

ERVYNE. (Very bitterly) Glorified by all in the village.

RICHMOND. (Turns so that his back is to ERVYNE, lifts his axe in the air.) I can already see it. I come to my great-aunt’s house on a sagging horse, and leave on a stallion! I come to her house wearing a cloak, and leave in a cape! I come with a few coins, and leave with a fortune! Oh! (He tosses his axe behind him in his anticipation).

(ERVYNE collapses, the axe in his left arm, and lets out a cry of pain. RICHMOND wheels around.)

What’s the matter—oh! (Rushes to ERVYNE.) Oh! I’m sorry! What have I done! Can you hear me? Are you alive? (He glances around.) I’ll saddle my horse and hurry to my great-aunt’s house. I have slain a man!

(Exit RICHMOND, dashing through the forest. After a while, ERVYNE rises and looks around.)

ERVYNE. Oh, my arm! (Glances at it in panic.) It’s almost sawed off—that Richmond! Where is he? Must have fled the area...I shall have to walk to...the village alone. (Cries aloud.) The village! What am I to do there? They will bind up the wound, they will help me—but I have lost my livelihood...how am I to cut wood without my arm...oh, Richmond! Come back! (Paces a little, then suddenly smiles.) No...no don’t come back, Richmond. I see...I have a plan. (Begins to bind his coat around the wound with pain and grimacing, but a canny look.) The villagers will help a wounded woodcutter, but they will adore a wounded hero...what a lovely plan...

(Curtain)

Time: The night of the same day

Scene 2

Place: A house in the village. MRS. REET and MR. REET, with their daughter MILDRED are seated at the table. There is a knocking offstage.

MRS. REET. What’s that noise?

MR. REET. I’ve no idea, my dear.

MRS. REET. Mildred, go look, please.

MILDRED (Rises and goes to the door. She peeks out and gasps.) Mother, look! MRS. REET, MR. REET. What?

MILDRED. He’s hurt! Oh mother!

MRS. REET (Hurries to her daughter’s side, glances at who it is and pulls him inside. She looks him over.) Young Ervyne—the woodcutter!

(ERVYNE has only one arm-his right, and seems to have lost the other. He is bleeding, but has bound up much of the wound with his coat.)

MR. REET (Rises and approaches). Why, what happened, Ervyne?

ERVYNE (lays his good hand on MR. REET’S shoulder.) I was beset by thieves. THE REETS. Thieves?

ERVYNE. Seven of them seized me, and tried to take me. They told me they might leave me alone, if I told them when the king was passing through the area, for they intended to rob him. I knew, of course, that the king comes within a month, but I refused to tell them. I took one of their swords, and cut him severely, and began to run, yet there was a scuffle.

MRS. REET. Quite a scuffle, from the look of your arm!

ERVYNE. The result is that the thieves have fled (badly wounded) and I have returned. (THE REETS stare at each other.)

MRS. REET. Who would have believed it? Who would have believed that poor Ervyne could ever be great in this world? You must lie down, and I must tell my friends what has happened. Oh! Mildred, you care for him.

(Exit MRS. REET.)

MILDRED. I’m so sorry, Ervyne. You should sit down. (She lets him sit in her chair.) Were the

thieves very rough?

ERVYNE. Ah, those thieves...very rough. MILDRED. I’m proud of you.

ERVYNE. I did nothing deserving praise.

MILDRED. But you’ll be famous now. You’ll be the talk of the village!

ERVYNE. Yet all I did was defend my king. Who could do less?

MILDRED. Oh, Ervyne, you sound so brave.

ERVYNE. Indeed, I was a coward. Yet a sense of duty overwhelmed me, and I fought the thieves as well as I could.

MR. REET. Well, rest, sir. Mildred shall make you tea, and find you some relief for your pain.

(MILDRED exits.)

ERVYNE (aside). Sir, sir! No longer am I poor Ervyne, young Ervyne, but sir! How strange to think!

(Enter MILDRED again. She hands him a cup of tea and bandages his wound better, then sits down by her father.)

MR. REET. (Aside to MILDRED.) What are you thinking of, my dear?

MILDRED. (Aside to her father.) I was thinking that he is so brave and good, and he wasn’t afraid of opposition. I’m proud of him.

MR. REET. Well, he did his best. To be sure, I think better of him than before. He’ll be famous before the week is over—might even surpass Old William.

MILDRED. That’s not what I mean. I mean, even if he didn’t get famous, I’d be proud of him, for being brave and doing what was right. He’s always been a bit sullen if you ask me, but now he’s so noble and upright.

MR. REET. I suppose.

(Enter MRS. REET and a group of villagers, bustling and talking eagerly.)

FIRST VILLAGER. So Ervyne’s a hero! How are you, sir? ERVYNE. In great pain. But Mildred’s bandaged my arm.

FIRST VILLAGER. Tell us about the thieves. I hear you fought them off alone! And that some thieves said he wished he had half your bravery! What a story.

MILDRED. Did they say so? You didn’t tell me about that.

ERVYNE. Yes, they did, but I smiled and thrust my sword at him, making that my answer, and said as well, “Get away, and don’t think to compliment me till you have got back to your hideaway.”

SECOND VILLAGER. What courage from one so young!

THIRD VILLAGER. Tell us about—

MRS. REET. Remember, he’s my guest! Let me ask the questions.

FOURTH VILLAGER. You’ll be famous yet!

(Curtain falls on villagers clamoring and shouting eagerly, while ERVYNE watches them with a smug smile, and MILDRED watches ERVYNE with admiration.)

Scene 2

Time: two weeks after the events in scene 1

Place: the REET’s house. ERVYNE is sitting on a chair. Where his left arm was is a bandage.

Enter MILDRED, carrying a meal.

MILDRED. (Sets the meal on the table.) There’s your lunch, Ervyne.

ERVYNE. Thank you. (Smiles.) You said you wanted to see me?

MILDRED. When you’re done with your lunch, though. You must regain your strength.

ERVYNE. No, no, Mildred. If you need to say something, say it.

MILDRED. But—it’s not something I can say very quickly.

ERVYNE. Well, I don’t mind.

MILDRED. (Stammers.) Can I—tell you?

ERVYNE. Yes, yes.

MILDRED. You see, Ervyne, everyone in the village loves you now...because you’re a hero. And I’m not criticizing them...but I don’t feel the same way about you.

ERVYNE. (Startled.) No?

MILDRED. No, Ervyne. What I admire about you is that you’ve changed so much. You’re not so sullen and discontented anymore. You’ve changed...now you think about what’s best for others, and you’re brave and kind, and I...I...I’ve always hoped that you would change and become more selfless.

ERVYNE. (Uncomfortably.) I should hope so.

MILDRED. I know that’s so, Ervyne. Ervyne...I wanted to say...I’ve come to admire you even more than before...

ERVYNE. Oh, Mildred, I am not the good man you think I am.

MILDRED. You are, Ervyne, I know it. And I...love you. (She watches ERVYNE with an innocent smile.)

ERVYNE. (Aside.) Well, I expected prestige would come with these tales, but not a wife! I don’t care to deceive those poor villagers, but Mildred is different...poor girl! If she knew the truth...but I can’t tell it now, can I? There’s nothing I can do about this...(To Mildred.) I...suppose...if you think so well of me...that we can...(Takes her hand.)

MILDRED. Oh, Ervyne! Oh! Thank you!

(Curtain.)

Time: a week after the events in scene 1

Scene 3

Place: a building in the village. The KING is seated on a decorated chair. At his sides are soldiers. Most of the village is gathered before him. Among the villagers are OLD WILLIAM, MR. REET, MRS. REET, and MILDRED. ERVYNE sits next to them, and it is clear that the village is watching him with admiration and pride. A HERALD comes onto a raised platform.

MILDRED. (Aside to ERVYNE.) Oh husband, I feel a little sorry for Old William. ERVYNE. (Aside to MILDRED.) Why?

MILDRED. (Aside to ERVYNE.) Well, you see, everyone expected him to be honored by the king until you fought the thieves. Old William’s been so unhappy for the past few weeks. Poor man.

ERVYNE. (Shrugs.) Poor man indeed.

HERALD. Citizens, it is always the king’s joy to speak to his beloved people when he can. And today, he honors your village with a visit. Let us welcome, citizens, our excellent King! Thank you!

(Applause. The KING mounts the platform.)

KING. Good people, we are seeing you for the first time, but we have always had you in our mind. (More applause. The King smiles.) As in other villages, we are accustomed to giving out rewards for bravery. Acts of courage will not go unrewarded in our kingdom. Therefore, when we arrived in this village, we took care to learn who was the bravest and noblest here. (More applause.) And we have found many examples of courage, but one stood out most. We heard that thieves were planning to rob us, but one young man fought them off—at least half a dozen— with his bare hands. He lost an arm for his action, but he shall gain much more than that! Will the young man called Ervyne show himself now? (Applause. All the villagers except OLD WILLIAM rise to their feet. ERVYNE mounts the platform, then kneels. The KING takes his hand.) You have saved our life, Ervyne. And now we will honor you greatly. Bow your head. (There is a hush in the room. Everyone remains standing.) Ervyne, we grant you the title Viscount Ellingham, and the lands of this county including the forest.

(ERVYNE looks shocked. There is wild applause from the crowd.)

ERVYNE. Your Majesty, I...I am honored.

KING. Rise, Lord Ellingham. (More briskly.) The old castle of the man who once owned that title is vacant, that man long dead. Our guards will lead you there.

(ERVYNE rises. Suddenly there is a shriek from the crowd. OLD WILLIAM bursts forward, and runs up to the KING in rage.)

OLD WILLIAM. Your Majesty, there’s something strange happening! I was supposed to get that honor, Your Majesty. I—not he!

KING. What is this?

OLD WILLIAM. Ervyne! I don’t believe a word he’s saying about those thieves. He’s a liar— that boy is lying! It’s a convenient lie, isn’t it, Ervyne? It means you get glory, and honor—even a wife, now money and lands and a title! You always had ambition. Ervyne!

KING. How dare you insult Lord Ellingham?

OLD WILLIAM. Lord Ellingham—it’s young Ervyne, the woodcutter! He’s lying, I tell you! Anyone can make this sort of tale up! And as for his injury, for all we know maybe he hurt himself with an axe! I don’t believe this story at all!

ERVYNE. (Noticeably pale.) Your Majesty, this man speaks lies.

KING. Then throw him in prison.

ERVYNE. (Watches the king in shock.) What?

KING. You’re a viscount now. Throw this liar in prison.

ERVYNE. (Trembles, and glances at MILDRED.) I—I order you guards to take him—to—to— prison...

(Two soldiers seize OLD WILLIAM, who is still screaming with anger, and drag him offstage.)

KING. We are sorry that such a man came to our party. Yet he will learn not to slander after some time in prison. It’ll be good for him.

ERVYNE. Yes, Your Majesty.

KING. And now, we shall leave. Villagers, here is Lord Ellingham. Goodbye, and may you have a good leader who rules with truth and wisdom!

(He exits with his retinue. The villagers begin to mill around and talk)

ERVYNE. (Aside.) Truth—no. Wisdom—I hope so. I have gone too far. I did not expect to become this great—but what am I to do...

MILDRED. (Approaches.) Ervyne, don’t let yourself be bothered by Old William. He’s just been very angry. He’ll be all right, won’t he?

ERVYNE. I don’t know.

MILDRED. Well, what he said doesn’t change the truth about my Ervyne, does it?

ERVYNE. You see everything so simply, my dear.

MILDRED. Well, I know you wouldn’t lie, Ervyne. Old William’s just jealous. No one believes him. I don’t, anyway.

ERVYNE. Please, Mildred— MILDRED. What?

ERVYNE. Nothing, just...let’s discuss something else, like our castle or our lands. I don’t want to talk about Old William anymore.

(Curtain.)

Act 2

Scene 1

Time: some months after the events of Act 1, Scene 3

Place: the castle of Lord Ellingham. ERVYNE paces about in the room, looking impatient and worried. He is dressed in his aristocratic clothes, with a sword dangling at his side.

ERVYNE (Glances offstage.) Oh, look at those woodcutters. To think that I was once among them, young Ervyne...oh those days. They were good, in their way. They were days in which I could look a man in the eye...I could look Mildred in the eye...and speak the truth! I was happier in those days! I was Ervyne—I was the poor, despised, miserable Ervyne, but I was Ervyne. Those were the best days of my life. (Sighs.) Oh—how horrible it would be, if for one moment the villagers suspected—if they knew! If...Mildred knew...But I have already lied, and there is nothing I can do further. I am trapped... (Enter a MAID.) What do you want?

MAID. Excuse me, Lord Ellingham, but there’s a man who wants to speak to you. ERVYNE. What sort of man?

MAID. A poor man, sir. He come from afar. He won’t give his name, but he insists on seeing you.

ERVYNE. I—I suppose you may bring him in. By the way, where’s my wife? MAID. Lady Ellingham is visiting the village for a few days.

ERVYNE. I see. Well, bring him in.

MAID. Yes, sir.

(She exits, then returns with RICHMOND before leaving. ERVYNE is startled.) RICHMOND. (Smiles and bows.) Sir? Ah, things have changed a good deal, a good deal. ERVYNE. What—what are you doing here?

RICHMOND. I told you, long ago, when you and I were chopping wood together—remember? I was going to the house of a distant great-aunt, who lived very far away. I was going to get my inheritance, remember?

ERVYNE. And—

RICHMOND. Well, it didn’t happen. There was a lot of bickering among all these relatives, and I’ve been there all these months, trying to get my fair share of money. But it was split up, and taken, and divided again, until I had barely enough money to buy a horse and leave the area. I decided I should see how home was, and if it was all right for me to come back.

ERVYNE. Oh?

RICHMOND. And then I come here yesterday, and what do I hear but Ervyne, Ervyne, Ervyne? All this talk (he smiles) of a young man who fought off some thieves with his bare hands and saved the king!

ERVYNE. (Pales.) I—I—

RICHMOND. Oh, yes! It was a fine story! You told the king about it, you told them all! Ha! Now you’re a high lord with lots of money, and property! What an excellent story, sir! Trouble is—it’s not true, is it?

ERVYNE. It—

RICHMOND. Oh, how the people will be horrified! To think that the viscount—their own brave Ervyne—lied to them all! Oh! Oh!

ERVYNE. Silence!

RICHMOND. And the king—what will he think of this? He bestowed these titles on a liar? Oh, he’ll be angry. Shouldn’t wonder if he’ll order imprisonment, eh?

ERVYNE. How dare you! The people listen to me. They respect me. So does the king!

RICHMOND. But I, sir, know the truth. They know me. If someone tells me your story, I can say, “Ah, I’ve been away for so long. I didn’t know this lie spread. Why, I cut his arm.” They’ll say, “What? You lie.” Then I’ll tell them the story—I know you, Ervyne, you ambitious knave. I’ll tell the story, and we’ll see who the people believe when I’m done with you! (Smiles.) I would love to see that Mildred’s face when she finds who her hero really is!

ERVYNE (In horror.) Please! Please! Do not—do not shame me this way!

RICHMOND. (Leans back.) Well, we could reach an agreement of some sort.

ERVYNE. Like what?

RICHMOND. Money. I didn’t get it from my distant great-aunt, but I’ll get it from you, or it will all be known!

ERVYNE. How much? I’ll pay you right now.

RICHMOND. Oh no, sir. Not one round sum. An income.

ERVYNE. Tell me how much, and I’ll pay you every month. Quickly! And speak lower so that the servants don’t hear. (RICHMOND walks up to ERVYNE and whispers in his ear. ERVYNE looks horrified.) I haven’t got that much.

RICHMOND. You’ll pay it, or I’ll tell.

ERVYNE. I can’t pay it!

RICHMOND. Well then, I must leave.

(He turns away with a smile. Suddenly ERVYNE leaps after him and draws his sword in anger.)

ERVYNE. No, you shall not! (Slays RICHMOND. Glances about the room and calls for SERVANTS.)

(Enter two SERVANTS.)

FIRST SERVANT. What—oh, sir!

ERVYNE. My guest Richmond was a violent man, and coming to high words with me, attempted to strike me. And I slew him. Take his body away.

FIRST SERVANT. Yes, sir.

(They carry out the body of RICHMOND.) (Curtain.)

Scene 2

Time: a day after the events in Scene 1

Place: the local prison. OLD WILLIAM is sitting on a bench in a cell.

Enter MILDRED, with a basket on her arm.

OLD WILLIAM. (Looks at her with displeasure.) Why, it’s our own Lady Ellingham.

MILDRED. Old William, it’s nice to see you. I have been visiting the village, and I thought I would stop by and see you.

OLD WILLIAM. I’ve been getting quite enough visits, thank you. MILDRED. Really? I’m glad to know that you aren’t forgotten.

OLD WILLIAM. (Looks at her maliciously.) Oh, it was quite a nice visit! You remember Richmond?

MILDRED. Not very well. Didn’t he leave town the day Ervyne—

OLD WILLIAM. (Harshly.) Don’t mention that man’s name to me again!

MILDRED. You mustn’t hate my husband! How would you like being slandered in front of you whole village? You did wrong, Old William.

OLD WILLIAM. I spoke the truth. Richmond knew that, anyway. MILDRED. When did he return?

OLD WILLIAM. Two days ago. He visited me, and we talked about...that man. Richmond was shocked when he heard the sort of lies that man was telling.

MILDRED. (Rises.) Please, I won’t listen to you slandering my husband.

OLD WILLIAM. Slander! (MILDRED prepares to leave.). Richmond saw your husband get wounded! He knows what happened! It’s just as I predicted—your husband was wounded by an axe!

MILDRED. You are lying, Old William, and I’m sorry, but I have to leave.

OLD WILLIAM. Ask your husband if he knows a man named Richmond! See his reaction!

(MILDRED exits, stopping her ears, while Old William continues to shout from his cell. Curtain.)

Scene 3

Time: The day after the events of Scene 1 Place: the castle of Lord Ellingham. Enter MILDRED, twisting her hands.

MILDRED. Ervyne is honest. I know he wouldn’t lie to me about something like this, but...then again...no. I must trust Ervyne. But I will ask him about Richmond, just to prove to myself, because it isn’t possible that Old William is totally wrong...but Ervyne can’t have lied.

(Enter ERVYNE, in his aristocratic clothes, wearing the ornamental sword.)

Oh, good! Ervyne, dear, I needed to ask you something. ERVYNE. (Starts.) Oh?

MILDRED. I was in the village these past few days. ERVYNE. How was the visit?

MILDRED. Very nice. I have a question, however. ERVYNE. What is it, my dear?

Ugochuku 19 MILDRED. But, Ervyne, promise me that you won’t...doubt how much I trust and love you.

ERVYNE. (Suspiciously.) Why would I do that?

MILDRED. Because it’s a strange question.

ERVYNE. Ask it.

MILDRED. All right, then...who is Richmond?

ERVYNE. (Pales.) Who told you to ask that?

MILDRED. Someone in the village. But who is he, dear? I don’t really remember him, but I think he lived by the forest near the village, and left around the same time you got injured.

ERVYNE. I don’t remember him either.

MILDRED. But weren’t you both woodcutters?

ERVYNE. Yes...I...

MILDRED. (Looks concerned.) Then why won’t you tell me who he is?

ERVYNE. Mildred, leave me alone! (He races out of the room in terror.)

MILDRED. I hope I haven’t worried him! Ervyne! Ervyne!

(Enter a SERVANT.)

SERVANT. Lady Ellingham, is anything wrong?

MILDRED. No...no...Ervyne got upset when I mentioned a person named Richmond. SERVANT. Oh, that man? He tried to attack Lord Ellingham.

MILDRED. Attack Ervyne?

SERVANT. He had an audience with Lord Ellingham, and I believe he became violent. When he summoned me, the man was dead. We buried him yesterday. I believe that’s why Lord Ellingham would not like to discuss that man with you.

MILDRED. (Looks horrified.) You may go, now. Could you call Ervyne as you go? (Exit SERVANT. A few minutes later, enter ERVYNE.)

ERVYNE. Mildred...I don’t want to talk about Richmond.

MILDRED. You don’t need to.

ERVYNE. Then why did you call me?

MILDRED. Let’s stand away from the door, where servants can’t hear us speak.

ERVYNE. My dear, have you—

MILDRED. Please, Ervyne. Let me speak. I have been speaking to Old William.

ERVYNE. Stay away from that man.

MILDRED. We spoke for a while, and he encouraged me to learn about a man named Richmond. That’s why I asked you about him.

ERVYNE. And I told you I didn’t want to talk about him. MILDRED. You don’t need to. He’s dead, isn’t he? ERVYNE. (Starts.) Did the servants tell you anything? MILDRED. That’s not the point.

ERVYNE. (Trembles.) Then what is?

MILDRED. I see it now, Ervyne! How could you deceive me? How could you lie to me?

ERVYNE. Mildred, my dear, don’t accuse me!

MILDRED. It’s obvious, Ervyne! You murdered Richmond, didn’t you? You killed him before he could expose you! Expose that you never fought a thief in your life! Expose that you lost your arm in a woodcutting accident!

ERVYNE (Snatches his sword and holds it over her head.) That’s right. I slew him; and I will slay the next person who tries to ruin me!

(MILDRED crumples to the ground in a faint. ERVYNE, terrified, drops his sword, and falls on his knees.)

Mildred, my dear! Mildred, forgive me! Oh, my wife, what have I become? MILDRED. (Stands up shakily.) Ervyne—Ervyne!

ERVYNE. (Crying.) What have I become?

MILDRED. Oh, Ervyne, oh Ervyne! It was all a lie.

ERVYNE. It was, Mildred! I hated deceiving you. I hated deceiving everyone. But I was greedy, and ambitious, and you see what’s happened now. I imprisoned Old William. I slew Richmond. I almost slew you.

(The two embrace, MILDRED hugging the weeping ERVYNE.)

MILDRED. What will you do next?

ERVYNE. I shall need to confess—oh the disgrace of telling the whole village! They will strip

MILDRED. But you will still confess? ERVYNE. Yes.

MILDRED. (Smiles.) Then I have married a brave man. You are still my hero, Ervyne, even if you are not Lord Ellingham.

ERVYNE. Then you won’t mind if I change my name? MILDRED. To what?

ERVYNE. Young Ervyne, the woodcutter.

MILDRED. Not at all.

(Curtain.)