SCENE 1 : The same. The next afternoon.
AT RISE. Tableau. MARGARET is downstage R.C., standing sideways to audience, holding camera.
Lined up around foot of TOMMY's bed are the six patients, U. R., furthest, is BLOSSOM. Next is KIWI. In front of KIWI is TOMMY. Next to TOMMY is LACHIE, dressed in his kilt with cap cocked over one eye, his arms folded. Next comes YANK, who is at the foot of the bed---and then DIGGER, who stands at L., foot of bed.
Their expressions are grim and tense. The screens are around LACHIE'S bed.
MARGARET. You look exactly like those living statues one used to see in the circus. (She gestures.) Can't you crowd in a little? (They do.) And look a little more pleasant?
TOMMY. I'm being squeezed now, I am.
KIWI. If you put Tommy in back, there'd be more room in front.
MARGARET. Kneel on the bed, Tommy. (TOMMY moves down and around the others, and climbs up on bed where he stands behind them.)
KIWI. That's a relief---to get him off my feet.
TOMMY. It's a relief to get off me own feet. (A minor giggle.)
MARGARET. (Looks into camera again. LACHIE has remained "frozen" throughout this.) Lachie---can you smile a little more?
LACHIE. I'm nae a cinema star. I can nae make an expression at will.
MARGARET. Well, if you can't smile a little more---can you frown a little less?
LACHIE. Will ye take the photo and be done wi' it?
MARGARET. All right---all right. Now this is a time exposure. You'll have to be very still. (They settle into a stance.) Ready? Smile. (Everyone breaks into a fixed smile---everyone but LACHIE.) One . . . two . . . three. . . (Se straightens up.) I think that will be a good one. (There is general relief that the ordeal is over. LACHIE crosses toward his screen, YANK sits on foot of his bed. TOMMY lies on his bed facing front. DIGGER stands at foot of his bed and takes out a cigarette. KIWI sits at head of YANK'S bed. BLOSSOM steps over YANK's bed and stands in front of MARGARET's office door. MARGARET stops LACHIE as he is about to get behind screens.) Lachie, we have a picture of everyone here now---but you. Let's take one of you by yourself.
DIGGER. Yeah!
LACHIE. Naw.
DIGGER. Go ahead, Lachie. Then we can all have a copy.
TOMMY. We've 'ad ours took.
MARGARET. You look so dashing in your kilt---won't you---please?
KIWI. It won't hurt you.
LACHIE. The film belongs to me and I'll nae dew it.
YANK. Give one g-g-good reason.
LACHIE. I could nae face it alone, (He starts again to enter behind screens. DIGGER lights cigarette.) I think I'll poot ma' kilt away, now.
MARGARET. There's only one exposure left. Pretend it's an X-ray.
YANK. We can't have any of them developed until that one is t-t-taken.
DIGGER. Go on.
LACHIE. Weel . . .
YANK. G-g-good. (He rises and grabs LACHIE---places him in c. runway near foot of YANK'S bed.)
MARGARET. Stand in the aisle.
LACHIE. I'm being hurried, but---let's get on wi' it. (YANK drops on his haunches just in front of MARGARET below camera. sits at foot of his bed. KIWI steps over TOMMY'S bed to U. L. window.)
YANK. Just pretend you're on your own l-l-land---in your -- d-down the road. (LACHIE has his R. foot forward ---L. back---his chin sticking out---one hand in front---the other behind his back.)
TOMMY. Up to your kilt in 'eather.
MARGARET. Let's make this one the best of the lot. (She looks into camera. LACHIE doesn't like his hands that way, and has switched them around.) Stand still, Lachie.
DIGGER. He ought to be smoking a crooked pipe.
TOMMY. 'E ought to have a sheep dog.
YANK. S-s-stop coaching from the side-lines. (LACHIE is still moving his hands around, trying to decide what to do with them.)
MARGARET. Don't wiggle, Lachie. I cant keep you in focus.
LACHIE. I dinna ken where tae poot ma' hands.
DIGGER. Put 'em in your pocket. (LACHIE reaches for non-existent Pockets, frowns deeper, and puts his hands at his sides. Tommy has had an idea and reaches for his fly-swatter. He crawls down his bed and across YANK'S, trying to lift the back of LACHIE's kilt with fly-swatter. DIGGER and KIWI watch with growing interest.)
MARGARET. Put your hands on your hips, Lachie. Let's see how that looks. (LACHIE complies.) No---that's not good.
DIGGER. How about a profile, with a hand shading his eyes, looking for his sheep?
MARGARET. Will you please be still---all of you. Don't listen to them, Lachie. (Noticing TOMMY for the first time, crosses to him and shoos him away---pointing to the camera.) Tommy---get out of the picture! (TOMMY, DIGGER and KIWI all spring back to former positions. and gets camera ready again. LACHIE meanwhile has decided on arms folded as the best pose. Tommy has moved as though he were going to lie down, but he's really trying to stalk the kilt from another angle.) Now, smile. Smile. (LACHIE's expression remains set.) Smile, Lachie.
LACHIE. (Breaking pose.) I CAN NAE SMILE! (His sudden gesture sends TOMMY, KIWI, and DIGGER back to their rightful positions.
YANK. (Rising to Put LACHIE back in place again.) He's getting m-m-mad. You better get it while you can, Sister. (TOMMY Puts fly-swatter in his mouth and starts crawling under his bed, commando fashion. YANK goes back to his place by MARGARET.)
MARGARET. Here we go. One . . . two . . . three. (She snaps picture and looks up laughing.) Oh, thank heaven that's over!
(LACHIE breaks to door L.---YANK rises and crosses to front of his own bed. Tommy has reached C. of under YANK's bed when LACHIE frustrates him by moving.)
YANK. (Laughing.) You're t-t-terrific.
LACHIE. I thought ye were ma' friends.
YANK. I'm sorry, Lachie, but a mad Scot in a kilt is t-t-terrific.
(Tommy rises and stands between his bed and YANK'S.)
MARGARET. Thank you, Lachie. You were patient and handsome. (She hands camera to YANK.) Yank, you might stop by the X-ray room and see if they'll develop our pictures. (She crosses D. L.)
BLOSSOM crosses to his own bed. LACHIE opens door for MARGARET as she comes toward him.)
YANK. Yas'm.
MARGARET. Now, will some of you men go over to Ward C and bring the bath-tub over here. They're going to let us use it for a week.
KIWI. Can I go, Sister? I'd like to stretch my legs.
MARGARET. I don't care who goes---just so you bring it back. (She exits. LACHIE starts for his screen.)
LACHIE. Weel---I'll poot ma' kilt away. TOMMY. Oh, Lachie!
LACHIE. (Stops.) Aye?
TOMMY. Do you mind waiting a moment or two? I 'aven't 'ad a real good look at you yet.
LACHIE. Ye'll have the photo tae study. (Starts for screen again.)
TOMMY. Just stand still a moment so we can admire the kilt.
KIWI. Walk around in 'em, Lachie. (TOMMY Sits foot of YANK's bed, KIWI Sits foot of TOMMY's bed, and DIGGER sits foot of his own bed. YANK stands between his bed and TOMMY's. DIGGER closes door.)
LACHIE. If ye wish it. (He proudly walks to door L., turns sharply and walks back. As he passes, each man tries to catch the back of the kilt and get a look under it.)
DIGGER. Ah, you've got the legs for 'em. (LACHIE turns at door and they all sit back. As he starts C., DIGGER reaches and misses.) Ah---don't they swish lovely. (Tommy and KIWI again reach and miss. LACHIE stops C. and faces them.)
TOMMY. (Trying to devise something else.) Let's see 'ow graceful they looks when you make a turn. Wot 'appens?
LACHIE. There's a wee flair. (He turns slowly and kilt flairs a bit. As he turns, all four men dip down and back simultaneously.)
TOMMY. (Frustrated but not discouraged.) Wot would 'appen, if you 'ad to whirl?
LACHIE. Naught.
TOMMY. Ah---it should be graceful as a fountain. Let's see ye whirl, Lachie. (TOMMY gets down on one knee. LACHIE makes a fast whirl. ----all the heads go down again, but just as they come up MARGARET opens door D.L.)
MARGARET. Are you boys going to get that tub or not? (TOMMY stays in his squatting position, staring at the kilt.)
KIWI. Right away! (KIWI and YANK start---MARGARET exits.)
LACHIE. (To YANK.) Yank, cuid ye wait? I've something I'd like tae ask ye.
YANK. S-s-sure. (To others.) You can manage without me.
DIGGER. (Exiting. AS TOMMY rises.) Come on, you dirty old man ---you'll use the, tub, too.
TOMMY. It's a plot to keep me ignorant. (He exits and closes door. Only BLOSSOM is left D. R., staring out window---sitting on cabinet.)
YANK. Wh-what's on your m-mind?
LACHIE. (Frowns deeply-and begins.) I believe ye said ye were getting wed when ye gae home?
YANK. Bang bang.
LACHIE. Whin were ye sure that ye wanted a wife?
YANK. The first time I kissed my g-g-gal.
LACHIE. Ah---when ye kissed.
YANK. That's the way it was with m-me.
LACHIE. If a guid girl kisses ye---it's an encouraging sign, is it nawt?
YANK. Good or bad, it's encouraging any way you look at it.
LACHIE. And something happens that ye can nae explain away?
YANK. Oh, I could explain it all right---but it doesn't help.
LACHIE. (Sits foot of YANK's bed.) I think I'd like tae wed. I think.
YANK. Aren't you sure?
LACHIE. Aye---that's ma' problem. Do ye think I've a right tae ask a lass tae be ma' wife? Now---wi' things like they are? (YANK does not answer.) Why do ye hesitate?
YANK. What do you mean by---" with things like they are " ?
LACHIE. Weel, if I was tae wed now, I'd hae tae return tae ma' regiment. Wuid that be fair tae ma' bride?
YANK. L-look, B-buster---you mean (He points toward door L.)
LACHIE. Aye. Bonnie Sister Margaret.
YANK. B-but you can't!
LACHIE. She's nae married.
YANK. L-look, Lachie--everybody falls in love with his nurse---it's natural. I'll bet every patient that's been in this ward has fallen in love with Sister Margaret, for a while. She l-looks after us and she's g-good to us. But that doesn't mean she loves us. You might be making a mistake to think it means anything else. (He wanders D. L.)
LACHIE. Aye---that's why I wanted your advice. You're a fellow Scot. (YANK turns in amazement.) Did ye ever hear of Sister Margaret kissing a patient?
YANK. (Crossing back to LACHIE.) Well, she hasn't k-k-kissed me.
LACHIE. Then if she kissed a man of her own free will, it wuid mean she meant tae encourage him?
YANK. Did she kiss you?
LACHIE. Aye.
YANK. Oh.
LACHIE. (Softly.) She cupped ma' face in her tew soft hands---and she kissed me.
YANK. Lachie---women k-k-kiss lots of men without having it mean m-marriage.
LACHIE. But dew ye think Sister Margaret is sae free?
YANK. (Reluctantly---sits foot of TOMMY's bed.) No.
LACHIE. Sae if she kissed me---and she did---it moost mean something?
YANK. S-something.
LACHIE. I lay awake the whole nicht wondering how ma' fortune cuid be sae great. Still---I've nae wish tae make a fool of ma'self. (Turns to YANK.) Dew ye think I'd be unwise tae risk a proposal?
YANK. I d-d-don't know.
LACHIE. But the facts are in me favor.
YANK. (Pause.) H-h-hell, go ahead. If it's worth having---it's worth sticking your neck out for.
LACHIE. Aye. Then I will. I've ma' proposal prepared.
YANK. I wish you'd sleep more and think less. (MARGARET enters with bottle of pills and a glass of water. LACHIE rises.)
MARGARET. (As she crosses to cabinet R.) Lachie, I've some medicine for you. (To BLOSSOM.) Deserted, Blossom? (BLOSSOM rises from cabinet and smiles at her. MARGARET opens bottle and takes out a pill.)
YANK. (Rising.) You c-c-couldn't want a better chance.
LACHIE. Ye mean now?
YANK. R-right now.
LACHIE. Aye. I'm glad I kept ma' kilt on. It'll na hert ma' purpose.
YANK. By all means---keep your k-kilt on.
MARGARET. (Crosses to LACHIE with glass of water and pill.) The M.O. wants you to take these.
LACHIE. It's a wilful waste of pills. (He takes pill and glass reluctantly.)
YANK. (Starting off.) I'll see you later, Lachie. (Calls to BLOSSOM.) Hey, Blossom! Come on. (BLOSSOM starts over. YANK takes him by hand.) I'll take you out and teach you another word---one s-s-suitable for all occasions. (They exit L.)
MARGARET. Well?
LACHIE. Wi' guid men ill---he orders the pills tae molest me.
MARGARET. Why don't you humor him---poor old Colonel!
LACHIE. Aye---I will. I'll na admit to him I mind. (He takes pill and downs it. MARGARET takes glass and starts to leave.) Have you a minute tae spare, Sister?
MARGARET. (Stops-turns.) Well---I was going over to see the matron, but what did you want?
LACHIE. I was thinking of making a proposal of marriage. I think ye'd best be seated.
MARGARET. (Sits on TOMMY'S bed-promptly, leaving glass on bed.) Good gracious----yes! (Pause.) Just a moment, Lachie, is this proposal of marriage directed at me?
LACHIE. Aye, who else?
MARGARET. Oh!
LACHIE. (Crosses u. between YANK's bed and TOMMY'S.) I told ye once that I had nae plans fur marriage in ma' future. Ye may recall.
MARGARET. Vividly.
LACHIE. (Drops down to foot of aisle.) Well, I've said some things I've cause tae regret. Among them was ma' attitude on marriage.
MARGARET. (She frowns and takes a deep breath.) Lachie, you mustn't feel that
LACHIE. Please dinnae interrupt me. I'm nae much of a man on the surface but I've a great and powerful will tae work. I've a wee butt-n-ben in Scotland---which ye know aboot. Ma' health is guid, regardless of the Colonel's spite. I've a fearful temper---but I dinna think I'll ever make ye suffer fur it. I'll dew ma' best. Until I get out of the army, I've ma' pay. Ye know wot it is and I'll sign it over tae ye. I'll gie ye all I can. Ye'll never want fur food and ye'll never worry aboot rent. I've wurked since I was seven. I've been a cabin boy, a seaman, a carpenter, a farmer, a miner, a stevedore and a staff sergeant. I can always wurk fur ye. I'm twenty-one. I'm nae legitimate. Ma' mother was nae wed. I've good teeth. I'm nae tatooed. I hope ye'll nae be hasty in considering ma' proposal.
MARGARET. (Sits with hands over her eyes.) Lachie, are you offering me your life because you think you owe me something?
LACHIE. I offer ye ma' he'rt, because it does me nae guid wi'out ye.
MARGARET. (Rises and turns away from him. Crosses to foot of DIGGER's bed.) Oh, Lachie---it isn't simple.
LACHIE. There's anoother in yur life?
MARGARET. It isn't that.
LACHIE. Ye dinna share ma' feeling? (He waits. Drops down.) I've made ye unhappy. I presumed tae much. Can ye forgae me?
MARGARET. (Turns on him as her confused emotions pour forth.) Oh, you wretched, stubborn little man! Why must I love you?
LACHIE. Please---ye confuse me. Do ye---or don't ye?
MARGARET. God help us---I do.
LACHIE. (Stares at her.) I can nae believe it. (He takes her hands.) Ye'll marry me?
MARGARET. If you want me. Must I always kiss you first?
LACHIE cups his R. hand around her face.)
LACHIE. (Kisses her gently---a little awkwardly, then seizes her in an embrace of emotional release. He breaks away and holds her at arm's length.) Ah---ma' Bonnie Maggie.
MARGARET. (Laughs.) Oh, dear---not Maggie. (Both sit foot of TOMMY'S bed.)
LACHIE. I'll dew naught tae displease.
MARGARET. No need for promises.
LACHIE. (Suddenly.) But how can ye care fur me!
MARGARET. And no doubts!
LACHIE. Ah---nae. Just so ye dew. Just so ye dew.
(There is a bang on door.)
TOMMY. (Backing in through door, carrying a bath stool.) Mind the frame, you'll knock the whole basha down. Easy.
DIGGER. (Enters with front end of tub.) I'll bet this is the tub they boil the tea in.
KIWI. (Carrying other end.) That's a good bet---I'll take it. (They all cross to washroom, led by TOMMY.)
TOMMY. I think I'll sit in the tub and do me laundry. (He and DIGGER are off.)
KIWI. If you sit in it, you'll wear it for life. (They exit.)
MARGARET. (Rises and kisses LACHIE.) The matron's waiting for me.
LACHIE. (Catching her hand.) I've waited for ye---all ma' life. Ah---dinna gae fur.
MARGARET. Lachie---there are many things I'd like to say to you---and I probably never shall. We've suddenly crossed many rivers. Let's not waste time looking back. (YANK whistles off stage. MARGARET straightens up and exits---passing YANK as he enters. YANK closes door. LACHIE has risen, puts on his cap, and is striding D. R., and back.)
YANK. Well?
LACHIE. If ye didnae despise it sae, I'd play ma' bagpipe.
YANK. I n-n-know the answer.
LACHIE. (Wonderingly.) She loves me, Yank.
YANK. When do you get married?
LACHIE. We've nae set the date. I'll want ye tae stand up fur me.
YANK. Be your b-best man? Sure.
LACHIE. Thank you, Yank. (Awkwardly, LACHIE shakes hands.) Thank ye kindly. And now, if ye'll excuse me, I'll put ma' kilt away. (Crosses to screens.)
YANK. (Following him.) I'll s-sit here with you.
LACHIE. I think I'll rest a bit, if ye dinna mind. (YANK nods.) Thank ye. (LACHIE closes screen. YANK is standing L. of it in C. runway. DIGGER, TOMMY and KIWI enter. They cross from washroom toward L. C.)
DIGGER. (TO TOMMY.) When you go in to bathe, take a towel, some scented soap, and a can-opener! (BLOSSOM enters. as TOMMY passes the screen, he notices YANK.)
TOMMY. Is 'e changing? (YANK nods. TOMMY snaps his fingers in a come-on signal to the others. DIGGER and KIWI crowd behind TOMMY. BLOSSOM joins crowd kneeling on YANK'S bed. TOMMY stoops down---peering in the crack of the screens. DIGGER taps Tommy on shoulder to find out what is happening. TOMMY makes motion of peeling off a shirt. KIWI can stand it no longer and leans over to tap TOMMY. TOMMY slowly pantomimes that LACHIE is scratching himself. The COLONEL enters. He stands D. L., a little puzzled by the group. TOMMY signals that the moment has come---starts to motion taking off the kilt, when the COLONEL speaks.)
COLONEL. Just what is this all about! (The men straighten out of their confusion, TOMMY and DIGGER hurry to their beds. DIGGER at foot of his bed. TOMMY foot of his. YANK L. of screens. KIWI L. of YANK, and BLOSSOM behind KIWI.)
TOMMY. (As he scrambles to place.) We was settling a bet, Sir. It's kilts---kilts, Sir. (At attention.)
COLONEL. Where is the Orderly? Where is the Sister?
YANK. I d-don't know. She just stepped out, Sir.
COLONEL. Well, where's Sgt. McLachlen?
KIWI. (Motioning to screen.) He's in there, Sir.
COLONEL. (To YANK.) Move the screen away. I want to talk to him.
YANK. Yes, Sir. (He moves R. screen away to KIWI'S bed. KIWI Pulls L. screen u. into runway C. LACHIE turns around to face them. He is in his blues by now.) The Colonel to see you, Lachie.
LACHIE. (Buttoning his blue jacket quickly.) I was just changing, Sir.
COLONEL. Quite all right. (Crosses to LACHIE.) Did you take the pills I sent you?
LACHIE. Aye. I took them. But ye can nae force me tae take any more.
COLONEL. What's that?
LACHIE. May I be sae bauld as tae remind ye, Sir, that, as a British soldier, I've a right tae refuse them.
COLONEL. (Turns to others.) You men wait outside. (They go out quickly, YANK last, and closing door behind him. The COLONEL turns to LACHIE.) I've just come from talking to the DMS about you.
LACHIE. Is it a charge ye're bringing agaen me?
COLONEL. Sit down. (LACHIE sits at foot of his bed.) Before I moved you over here, I called GHQ about the possibility of having you flown back.
LACHIE. Back where, Sir?
COLONEL. I thought you might want to go back to Scotland---might have some matters there you'd want to attend to. But I was told by GHQ that the request was " preposterous "---"too many Priorities." It seems that a hundred and eight Brigadiers were on the waiting list.
LACHIE. (Suspiciously.) I dinna ken why ye shuid dew that fur me.
COLONEL. When we were turned down, I decided to keep you here. (He pulls at his nose.) Ah---have you got along all right? Satisfied?
LACHIE. Aye. There's guid men here, sir.
COLONEL. (Sits foot of YANK's bed.) Well, I've just had a call from Army. Some one at GHQ has decided you're more important than the waiting list.
LACHIE. Ye moost be joking, sir. I'm a sergeant. Of course, in the Camerons.
COLONEL. Sergeant or Brigadier, there's a passage booked for you tomorrow, if I can get you to the Wing Commander. You're being given an A-1 priority. You can be in Scotland inside of three days. Do you want to go?
LACHIE. It's a great temptation. Whin cuid I return? COLONEL. (Hesitates a beat.) You wouldn't return.
LACHIE. Ye mean I'd nae be permitted tae return tae ma' regiment?
COLONEL. Sergeant---I've been given a direct order. I disagree with that order, but I'm a soldier. I argued against it for half an hour. Well, I've no choice. There seems to be a regulation somewhere---probably dates from the Boer War,---anyhow the DMS remembers it and says you must be given the full facts of your case.
LACHIE. But I've been gaen the facts.
COLONEL. When you came in here with that shrapnel in your kidney, there was a chance you'd recover.
LACHIE. Aye. I have.
COLONEL. You recovered from the operation---yes. But you've one kidney left---a bad one. I know you feel quite well but that one kidney is destined to collapse.
LACHIE. Aye. Then wot dew ye dew?
COLONEL. Nothing. We can't give a man a new kidney. There's nothing that surgery or medicine can do to help. Do you understand?
LACHIE. Aye. And the mon?
COLONEL. Waits.
LACHIE. How long?
COLONEL. A week or two more.
LACHIE. (Is silent for a moment.) That's nae much time.
COLONEL. I didn't tell you, Sergeant, because there seemed nothing to gain. Now---I've been ordered to tell you.
LACHIE. I thought ye had a spite on me.
COLONEL. Hardly. I wish I could give you a kidney of mine. I've damned little use for two. Would you like to go back?
LACHIE. Ma' brain is numb, and I must think.
COLONEL. GHQ feels that you can do your country a further service. They'll make a hero of you. Fly you back with a great deal of fanfare. I know that part of it won't mean anything to you. But you'll see Scotland again. The alternative is to stay with us---stay here with your friends. (At the word " friends," a bitter suspicion comes to LACHIE. He lifts his head slowly---and speaks---dreading to hear the answer to his question.)
LACHIE. (Slowly.) Did the lads in the ward know aboot me, sir?
COLONEL. Yes. I wanted things made as pleasant as possible for you. I asked them to help you.
LACHIE. And the Sister?
COLONEL. Naturally, she had to know.
LACHIE. I'd like tae go back tae Scotland, sir.
COLONEL. (Rising.) I can get you down to Calcutta in the morning in plenty of time---if that's your decision.
LACHIE. (Rises with determination---faces window D. R.) That's ma' choice.
COLONEL. (Rising.) In the meantime-?
LACHIE. I'd like tae be left tae ma'self.
COLONEL. Certainly---certainly. (Takes a step toward LACHIE'S unrelenting back.) I wish I could say something wise and warm and reassuring.
LACHIE. (Whirling on him.) Ye can spare me that. I've had enough pity, thank ye!
COLONEL. If I can be of service to you, call on me ---- (He turns, crossing L.) I'll take care of your papers and arrange for your transport. (Exits D. L. LACHIE starts to pull the two screens around his bed. DIGGER, TOMMY, KIWI and YANK re-enter.)
DIGGER. What did old Cobwebs want, Lachie? (He sits on foot of TOMMY'S bed.)
TOMMY. 'E ticked Lachie off about the pills. (He goes up between his bed and YANK'S.)
KIWI. I liked the way our Lachie stood up to him. (He goes up to window U. L.)
YANK. (Crossing to his own bed and picking up camera---removing film.) D-don't pay any attention to old Cobwebs, Lachie. He likes to throw his weight around. (BLOSSOM enters---stays below DIGGER's bed. YANK drops down-holding film.) I'll take these over to be developed now. (LACHIE steps over and snatches film. He unrolls it and throws it to floor.)
DIGGER. (Rising.) Hey---what are you doing?
YANK. Hey, Lachie! Don't ruin 'em.
LACHIE. (Threateningly.) Wuid ye mind going back tae yur own bed!
YANK. What's the matter, Lachie?
LACHIE. I'll nae ask ye agaen. (He steps inside screens and closes them. The boys look from one to the other. MARGARET enters.)
MARGARET. Did you talk to him?
YANK. (Crosses to her D. L. at door.) He spoilt the pictures. What's wrong with him, Sister?
MARGARET. The Colonel told him everything.
YANK. Why?
MARGARET. Orders from the DMS. (Crossing to LACHIE's screen L.) Oh, I do think they were wrong.
DIGGER. Gawd---what good will it do him? (DIGGER Sits on foot of TOMMY's bed. LACHIE comes out from behind screens. He carries box in which are piled the kilt and presents. He crosses and places them on YANK's bed.)
LACHIE. I'll return these tae ye. (DIGGER rises.)
MARGARET. (Stepping D. C. R. of LACHIE.) Lachie!
LACHIE. (Turning on her. There is pain in his eyes.) I'll be gaen away in the morning. If ye've any decency in ye, will ye kindly nae speak tae me. Leave me in peace behind ma' screen. I've nae wish tae see ye---any of ye. (He is now facing the men.)
YANK. (Crossing to him with his hand outstretched.) Now, wait a m-minute, Lachie.
LACHIE. I'll break yur face if ye poot a hand on me.
MARGARET. You'll need us, Lachie. You'll need us.
LACHIE. (To MARGARET.) I'll need nae one. (Turns and faces others.) I shuid hae known ye'd be like all the rest. Well, ye bought ma' friendship cheaply---fur the price of a kilt. (Crossing to the screens.) I shuid hae poot a higher value on ma' pride. ,How righteous ye must hae felt in yur pity and guidness. (He steps inside the screen---holding it open with one hand.) I'll nae let ye hurt me agaen. (He closes himself in. They stand silent and stunned as...)