George Bernard Shaw a penn State Electronic Classics Series Publication

back.) Oh, here you are! (Severely) Come here: let me see
you. (Essie timidly goes to her. Mrs. Dudgeon takes her roughly
by the arm and pulls her round to inspect the results of her at-
tempt to clean and tidy herself—results which show little prac-
tice and less conviction.) Mm! That’s what you call doing your
hair properly, I suppose. It’s easy to see what you are, and
how you were brought up. (She throws her arms away, and
goes on, peremptorily.) Now you listen to me and do as you’re
told. You sit down there in the corner by the fire; and when
the company comes don’t dare to speak until you’re spoken
to. (Essie creeps away to the fireplace.) Your father’s people had
better see you and know you’re there: they’re as much bound
to keep you from starvation as I am. At any rate they might
help. But let me have no chattering and making free with
them, as if you were their equal. Do you hear?
ESSIE
. Yes.
MRS. DUDGEON
. Well, then go and do as you’re told.
(Essie sits down miserably on the corner of the fender furthest
from the door.) Never mind her, Mrs. Anderson: you know
who she is and what she is. If she gives you any trouble, just
tell me; and I’ll settle accounts with her. (Mrs. Dudgeon goes
into the bedroom, shutting the door sharply behind her as if
even it had to be made to do its duty with a ruthless hand.)
JUDITH 
(patronizing Essie, and arranging the cake and wine
on the table more becomingly). You must not mind if your
aunt is strict with you. She is a very good woman, and de-
sires your good too.
ESSIE 
(in listless misery). Yes.
JUDITH 
(annoyed with Essie for her failure to be consoled and
edified, and to appreciate the kindly condescension of the re-
mark). You are not going to be sullen, I hope, Essie.
ESSIE
. No.
JUDITH
. That’s a good girl! (She places a couple of chairs at
the table with their backs to the window, with a pleasant sense
of being a more thoughtful housekeeper than Mrs. Dudgeon.)
Do you know any of your father’s relatives?
ESSIE
. No. They wouldn’t have anything to do with him:
they were too religious. Father used to talk about Dick Dud-
geon; but I never saw him.
JUDITH 
(ostentatiously shocked). Dick Dudgeon! Essie: do
you wish to be a really respectable and grateful girl, and to
make a place for yourself here by steady good conduct?
ESSIE 
(very half-heartedly). Yes.

---

14
The Devil’s Disciple
JUDITH
. Then you must never mention the name of Rich-
ard Dudgeon—never even think about him. He is a bad man.
ESSIE
. What has he done?
JUDITH
. You must not ask questions about him, Essie. You
are too young to know what it is to be a bad man. But he is
a smuggler; and he lives with gypsies; and he has no love for
his mother and his family; and he wrestles and plays games
on Sunday instead of going to church. Never let him into
your presence, if you can help it, Essie; and try to keep your-
self and all womanhood unspotted by contact with such men.
ESSIE
. Yes.
JUDITH 
(again displeased). I am afraid you say Yes and No
without thinking very deeply.
ESSIE
. Yes. At least I mean—
JUDITH 
(severely). What do you mean?
ESSIE 
(almost crying). Only—my father was a smuggler;
and—(Someone knocks.)
JUDITH
. They are beginning to come. Now remember your
aunt’s directions, Essie; and be a good girl. (Christy comes