ARCHIE BEAL

Does she know all about Hussein?

JOHN BEAL

Yes, everything.  I’ve written fully.

Omar [Off]

Al Shaldomir, Al Shaldomir,
The nightingales that guard thy ways . . .

John Beal [shouting|

O, go away, go away. [To Archie.] I said it was an awful country.  They sit down outside one’s tent and do that kind of thing for no earthly reason.

ARCHIE BEAL

O, I’d let them sing.

JOHN BEAL

O, you can’t have people doing that kind of thing.

Omar [in doorway]

Master, I go.

JOHN BEAL

But why do you come?

OMAR

I came to sing a joyous song to you, master.

JOHN BEAL

Why did you want to sing me a joyous
song?

OMAR

Because a lady is riding out of the West. [Exit.]

JOHN BEAL

A lady out of . . .  Good Lord!

ARCHIE BEAL

She’s coming, Johnny.

JOHN BEAL

Coming?  Good Lord, no, Archie.  He said a lady; there’d be the chaperon too.  There’d be two of them if it was Miss Miralda.  But he said a lady.  One lady.  It can’t be her.  A girl like that alone in Al Shaldomir.  Clean off the map.  Oh, no, it isn’t possible.

ARCHIE BEAL

I wouldn’t worry.

JOHN BEAL

Wouldn’t worry?  But, good Lord, the situation’s impossible.  People would talk.  Don’t you see what people would say?  And where could they go?  Who would look after them?  Do try and understand how awful it is.  But it isn’t.  It’s impossible.  It can’t be them.  For heaven’s sake run out and see if it is; and (good Lord!) I haven’t brushed my hair all day, and, and—­oh, look at me.

[He rushes to camp mirror.  Exit Archie.

John Beal tidies up desperately.

Enter Archie.]

ARCHIE BEAL

It’s what you call them.

JOHN BEAL

What I call them?  Whatever do you
mean?

ARCHIE BEAL

Well, it’s her.  She’s just like what you said.