The Bakehouse

Ciw-restr ar gyfer Desc

(1, 0) 1 SCENE.─A Bakehouse; on the right {From stage to audience.} in the middle of wall, the oven.
(1, 0) 2 Left back, in corner, a door.
(1, 0) 3 Middle of back, a window.
(1, 0) 4 Right front corner, upturned wooden box.
(1, 0) 5 Table at back, a foot or two away from wall─while being scrubbed.
(1, 0) 6 Left of this table a chair.
(1, 0) 7 Table against left wall; chair at end of this table near front of stage.
(1, 0) 8 In back right hand corner stand a sweeping brush and a short-handled bake-house shovel.
(1, 0) 9 Near by, on nails, hang two pieces of white cloth.
(1, 0) 10 On table at back are a lighted candle and four or five empty bread tins.
(1, 0) 11 On table to left are three or four loaves of bread.
(1, 0) 12 On wall, near oven, hangs a cheap clock.
(1, 0) 13 ~
(1, 0) 14 Stage in half-darkness with faint red glow about oven.
(1, 0) 15 Bakehouse is lit either by oil lamp on wall, or by electric lamp.
(1, 0) 16 ~
(1, 0) 17 Mrs. BETSI EVANS, with a bucket of hot water and a scrubbing brush, is busily washing table at back.
(1, 0) 18 There is a knock at a door off left.
(1, 0) 19 BETSI goes quietly to bakehouse door and listens.
(1, 0) 20 Door without opens.
(Mrs Morgan) {Without.}
 
(Mrs Morgan) Thank you.
(1, 0) 30 Knock at bake-house door.
(Mrs Evans) Dewch mewn!
 
(Mrs Evans) Dewch mewn!
(1, 0) 32 Enter MRS. MORGAN with a tea-tray and teacloth.
(Mrs Morgan) Oh, Mrs. Evans─
 
(Mrs Evans) I'll just turn up the light.
(1, 0) 38 She crosses, turns up the light, blows out candle.
(1, 0) 39 Full light on stage.
(1, 0) 40 MRS. MORGAN comes in and stands close to table at back.
(1, 0) 41 She is a pretty young woman of twenty-one, neatly and daintily dressed.
(1, 0) 42 Betsi is seen to be a work-worn woman of about fifty-five.
(Mrs Morgan) {With great anxiety.}
 
(Mrs Evans) But sit down you.
(1, 0) 54 MRS. MORGAN takes chair front left corner.
(Mrs Morgan) {Nervously.}
 
(Mrs Evans) About ten.
(1, 0) 182 As MRS. MORGAN goes out, MRS. MARY ANN HOWELLS comes in, to MRS. MORGAN's left.
(1, 0) 183 She is a woman of about fifty, poorly dressed and wearing an old apron.
(1, 0) 184 Her face preserves the suggestion of by-gone good looks.
(1, 0) 185 Her speech is slow and pleasant; with a certain reflectiveness in it.
(1, 0) 186 There is a lurking humour in her eyes.
(1, 0) 187 She has a copy of the "South Wales Echo" in her hand.}:
(Mrs Howells) {Nodding genially to MRS. MORGAN.}
 
(Mrs Evans) I didn't quite understand when your Maggie brought five loaves instead of three, as usual.
(1, 0) 198 Saying this, takes up bucket and crosses towards door.
(1, 0) 199 Then pauses to listen to MRS. HOWELLS.
(Mrs Howells) Yes.
 
(Mrs Howells) I'd be glad if he put a bit by for her to fall back on after my days.
(1, 0) 213 MRS. EVANS pushes table at back to wall, puts bucket in right hand corner at back, and, taking broom, begins to sweep the floor, but breaks off repeatedly to enjoy the conversation.
(Mrs Evans) So, after all, in a way of speaking, Mary Ann, it was a good thing Richards the Checkweigher brought your Evan before the Chapel?
 
(Mrs Howells) Yes, quick.
(1, 0) 264 Betsi replaces broom, hurries off, and returns with two large pictures wrapped in brown paper.
(1, 0) 265 MRS. HOWELLS shows signs of great interest.
(1, 0) 266 MRS. EVANS, having unwrapped the first, stands it on table at back against the wall.
(1, 0) 267 The portrait, badly done in crayon, is of a careless, happy-looking man.
(Mrs Howells) Well, tan i marw!
 
(Mrs Evans) And here's Zachariah.
(1, 0) 274 Stands picture of Zachariah on table.
(1, 0) 275 It shows a thin-faced, severe-looking man with side-whiskers.
(Mrs Howells) Well, diwedd annwyl, Betsi fach!
 
(Mrs Evans) {Takes pictures out.}
(1, 0) 290 MRS. HOWELLS smiles reflectively and sighs to herself.
(1, 0) 291 Then she crosses to table on left and examines bread with a critical eye.
(1, 0) 292 She goes back to the box as Mrs. Evans comes in.
(1, 0) 293 Re-enter Mrs. Evans with a stocking she is knitting.
(Mrs Evans) I was thinking just now about those old days when Mrs. Morgan was in.
 
(Mrs Howells) They thought a lot of his wife down there at the Paris House, and I'll say this for her whatever─that bonnet she made for our Sarah when Matthew died was almost enough to make a woman thankful to be a widow.
(1, 0) 319 MRS. MORGAN is seen passing the window.
(Mrs Evans) H'sh!
 
(Mrs Morgan) I go it at the Top Shop last night─
(1, 0) 393 Mrs. Howells and Mrs Evans together:
(Mrs Howells) {Rising.}
 
(Mrs Morgan) I thought I'd keep it for next time.
(1, 0) 420 Mrs. Howells and Mrs Evans together:
(Mrs Howells) Keep it?
 
(Mrs Evans) Keep yeast?
(1, 0) 423 They exchange glances.
(Mrs Howells) You'd better run home quick, and bring me a bit to look at.
 
(Mrs Evans) Quick!
(1, 0) 430 MRS. MORGAN goes off, leaving tray and cloth on table at back, and is seen hurrying past the window.
(1, 0) 431 MRS. HOWELLS and MRS. EVANS stand looking at ach other in astonishment and dismay.
(Mrs Howells) Betsi?
 
(Mrs Howells) I don't like to think of her looking simple before all the others, and her only newly married.
(1, 0) 441 Voices are heard without.
(Mrs Evans) H'sh!
 
(Mrs Evans) {Standing right side of table at back, begins to polish tins on table.}
(1, 0) 449 MRS. HOWELLS stiffens involuntarily as MRS. RICHARDS and JINNIE come in.
(1, 0) 450 The atmosphere: becomes frigid and formal.
(1, 0) 451 MRS RICHARDS is a middle-aged woman, sharp-visaged and angular.
(1, 0) 452 JINNIE is a fairly good-looking girl of twenty-five.
(1, 0) 453 She carries a tray.
(Mrs Richards) Noswath dda 'chi, Mrs. Evans.
 
(Mrs Evans) {Pointing to chair left of table at back.}
(1, 0) 466 JINNIE takes seat.
(Mrs Richards) I was just saying to Jinnie─
 
(Mrs Richards) I was just saying to Jinnie─
(1, 0) 468 Enter Mrs. Price Shop Loshin, carrying tray.
(Mrs Price) Noswath dda 'chi i gyd!
 
(Mrs Evans) Pretty near now, Mrs. Price.
(1, 0) 473 MRS. PRICE, after a curt nod towards MRS. HOWELLS, turns to JINNIE and whispers to her.)
(Mrs Evans) {To MRS. HOWELLS aside.}
 
(Mrs Price) That's my opinion, however.
(1, 0) 496 Enter Mrs. Jones Shop Flannel, standing in the doorway.
(1, 0) 497 She carries a plain basket.
(Mrs Jones) Is it out yet, Mrs. Evans?
 
(Mrs Evans) Come in, you!
(1, 0) 501 MRS. JONES takes up position by table on left.
(Mrs Richards) And how is Mr. Jones to-night, Mrs. Jones?
 
(Mrs Howells) Well, I wouldn't like to be the one to say so, Mrs. Richards; but you ought to know your own husband best─
(1, 0) 521 JINNIE RICHARDS sees MRS. MORGAN's cloth on table and picks it up.
(Mrs Richards) {Haughtily.}
 
(Mrs Howells) Understand, indeed!
(1, 0) 531 Turns away, as JINNIE rises with cloth in her hand.
(Jinnie) Nice little cloth, indeed, Mrs. Price.
 
(Mrs Price) Hers it is, Mrs. Evans?
(1, 0) 540 MRS. RICHARDS and JINNIE show signs of interest.
(1, 0) 541 The cloth is passed via MRS. JONES to MRS. RICHARDS, who examines it critically.
(Mrs Evans) Yes, yes.
 
(Mrs Howells) Only, of course, in a way of speaking, it means you've got to go on fishing.
(1, 0) 580 JINNIE, overwhelmed, resumes her seat.
(1, 0) 581 MRS. RICHARDS stalks up majestically to table at back, and puts down cloth with a bang.
(Mrs Richards) {Looking fiercely at MRS. HOWELLS.}
 
(Mrs Richards) Well, Jinnie fach, if ever you should happen to get married, I hope it'll be to a man that can walk home on a Saturday night.
(1, 0) 584 MRS. HOWELLS's lips tighten, but she says nothing.
(1, 0) 585 MRS. PRICE, looking at Mrs. RICHARDS, nods approvingly.
(1, 0) 586 Enter MAGGIE HOWELLS─a little girl of twelve.
(1, 0) 587 She carries a basket.
(Maggie) {In doorway.}
 
(Mrs Jones) Such lovely bread I never did see!
(1, 0) 603 During this, MRS. PRICE produces a large piece of sweetmeat, which MAGGIE eyes with appreciation.
(1, 0) 604 She takes it and says, 'Thank you.'
(1, 0) 605 Then crosses and stands by her mother.
(Mrs Howells) {Aside to MAGGIE.}
 
(Mrs Jones) Three small you're baking all the time, I suppose?
(1, 0) 614 MRS. HOWELLS is about to answer when she is suddenly struck by an idea.
(Mrs Howells) Well─er─yes.
 
(Mrs Richards) Both of them?
(1, 0) 630 There is a general flutter of interest.
(Mrs Howells) Yes, Yanto and Zachariah.
 
(Mrs Price) I was thinking of having one of our William─
(1, 0) 639 For a second or two, in dumb show, she seems to be enlarging on the matter to MRS. RICHARDS, MRS. JONES, and JINNIE.)
(Mrs Howells) {Pulling Mrs. Evans to the front right corner.}
 
(Mrs Evans) In the house they are.
(1, 0) 646 She goes towards the door, followed by the others, except MRS. HOWELLS and MAGGIE.
(1, 0) 647 All go off, talking together.
(Mrs Howells) {Jumping up briskly.}
 
(Mrs Howells) I've been young myself; and I know what it is.
(1, 0) 664 Seizing a cloth from nail in the right back corner, takes out two tins holding a dull pasty mass.
(Mrs Howells) Ach y fi!
 
(Mrs Howells) No more like bread than I'm like the Queen of England!
(1, 0) 667 Tips out contents of tins on box on which she sat.
(1, 0) 668 Puts tins on box also.
(Mrs Howells) Anyone coming, Maggie?
 
(Mrs Howells) And if anything shifts me off this old box for a bit, it'll be nothing short of sudden death.
(1, 0) 690 Sits down in a most determined way.
(1, 0) 691 Voices are heard from the house as she takes her seat.
(Mrs Howells) Cera shathre, Maggie.
 
(Mrs Howells) Cera waft!
(1, 0) 694 MAGGIE goes out.
(Mrs Richards) {Without.}
 
(Mrs Richards) Yes, Mrs. Evans, if there's one thing I do like to see, it's people showing respect for the dead.
(1, 0) 697 Enter MRS. RICHARDS.
(1, 0) 698 Takes former position.
(Mrs Price) {As she enters.}
 
(Mrs Jones) It wouldn't be fair to make a difference.
(1, 0) 705 MRS. JONES takes position by table at back.
(1, 0) 706 MRS. EVANS crosses towards MRS. HOWELLS, who whispers to her, pointing to oven as if explaining.
(Jinnie) {Entering quickly.}
 
(Jinnie) She's coming.
(1, 0) 709 Takes up position left of MRS. JONES.
(1, 0) 710 MRS. MORGAN is seen hurrying past window.
(Mrs Howells) Well, Betsi, how about the bread?
 
(Mrs Howells) Well, Betsi, how about the bread?
(1, 0) 712 BETSI opens oven door.
(1, 0) 713 MRS. MORGAN appears.
(1, 0) 714 Seeing the RICHARDSES, she is nonplussed.
(1, 0) 715 The RICHARDSES stiffen in their manner.
(Mrs Howells) Oh!
 
(Mrs Howells) Here's the bread coming out now, however!
(1, 0) 726 MRS. MORGAN gasps and retreats a few steps, taking position to MRS. JONES's right, by table at back.
(1, 0) 727 JINNIE moves over to MRS. PRICE and her mother.
(Mrs Morgan) {Staring fascinated at the oven.}
 
(Mrs Howells) That's my lot.
(1, 0) 736 MRS. JONES looks at MRS. HOWELLS's bread with frank admiration.
(1, 0) 737 MRS. RICHARDS and Co. eye it sideways with ill-disguised envy.
(1, 0) 738 MRS. MORGAN looks at it with a kind of solemn awe.
(Mrs Evans) {Turning again to oven.}
 
(Mrs Morgan) Oh!
(1, 0) 743 The RICHARDS faction move in a little, watching.
(Mrs Evans) Two, isn't it─bake-house tins, and no mark?
 
(Mrs Evans) Here we are then!
(1, 0) 748 Produces two splendid loaves and advances a few steps, holding them out.
(1, 0) 749 There is a general murmur.
(1, 0) 750 Mrs. Morgan claps her hands with a cry of delight.
(Mrs Jones) Da iawn, merch i!
 
(Mrs Morgan) Are these─mine?
(1, 0) 759 Mrs. Evans nods.
(Mrs Howells) {Rising, takes loaves from tins with apron, taps them and examines them critically.}
 
(Mrs Howells) I wouldn't be ashamed to see it in my own tins.
(1, 0) 764 MRS. MORGAN turns round and takes up her tray.
(1, 0) 765 MRS. JONES opens out the cloth.
(1, 0) 766 With a laugh of triumph and a victorious glance towards JINNIE, MRS. MORGAN holds out tray to MRS. HOWELLS, who puts loaves on.
(1, 0) 767 MRS. JONES covers them reverentially.
(1, 0) 768 MRS. MORGAN turns to go.)
(Mrs Evans) That'll be a penny, Mrs. Morgan.
 
(Mrs Morgan) I was forgetting.
(1, 0) 772 Hands tray to MRS. JONES; produces purse and pays MRS. EVANS; takes tray again; to MRS. HOWELLS.)
(Mrs Morgan) P'raps you'll come up and have a cup of tea with me one day this week, Mrs. Howells?
 
(Mrs Morgan) Good night, Mrs. Richards; good night, Miss Richards.
(1, 0) 788 MRS. RICHARDS and party, crushed and crestfallen, turn slowly and stare at her as she goes out.
(1, 0) 789 MRS. HOWELLS resumes her seat, sighing softly to herself.
(1, 0) 790 ~
(1, 0) 791 CURTAIN