Billeted

About the show

Act I (Morning room of the Manor House. Afternoon in August 1915.) Rev. Liptrott and his sister visit the Manor House. Miss Liptrott chides Rose for missing a Bible Study meeting. Penelope Moon keeps the Liptrotts company while waiting for Betty to appear. She lets slip that Betty is only a grass widow. Miss Liptrott seizes on this as a way of prying Col. Preedy loose from the Manor House. She tells him that Betty's husband is still alive, so his presence at the Manor House is inappropriate. The Colonel was unaware of this, as also was Mr. McFarlane. He had hopes of recouping Betty's overdrafts from her husband's life insurance. Betty wants Col. Preedy to stay, for Penelope's sake. She sends a telegram to herself, announcing the death of Peter Taradine in Africa. But as she accepts the condolences of Col. Preedy, his adjutant, Capt. Rymill appears: it is her husband Peter, who enlisted in Egypt under a false name. Betty faints. (Curtain) Act II (Same as Act I. The next morning at nine o'clock.) Peter and Penelope greet Col. Preedy and Betty at breakfast. Betty ducks out when Rose announces Rev. Liptrott, who has come to offer a memorial service. Preedy, who is wearing a mourning band, suggests Peter don one as well. Betty and Peter, alone at last, exchange recriminations. Peter asks why she waited until now to declare him dead. Betty mistakes Peter's admiration for Penelope, and later cautions Pen about him, without revealing his true identity. When Peter tries to telephone the Orderly Room, he finds the line is dead, cut off for non-payment. Penelope and he go off to the Post Office. Mrs. Brace remonstrates with Betty about the suppliers complaints of overdue payments. Preedy finds Betty crying afterwards, for her loss as he thinks. Penelope hears the Colonel consoling Betty, and snubs his suggestion of a walk. Penelope says that Peter went into the Post Office and was there a long time. Peter scolds Penelope for rejecting the Colonel's overtures. Peter explains to Betty why he enlisted under a false name. As he starts to go, he puts on a mourning armband, which Betty tears off. "Idiot", she says, as the telephone suddenly rings. (Curtain) Act III (Same as Act I. Three days later, after dinner.) Betty learns that Peter told Penelope days ago he is married, but not to whom. Penelope tells Betty that she has trouble thinking of men as friends; to her, Peter is just that, a friend. Col. Preedy has received a telegram from the War Office. He and Capt. Rymill will be deploying overseas in two days. Rev. Liptrott calls, bringing a volume of Meditations for Betty. He and Peter engage in a discussion of love, women and marriage, with the Reverend asserting that a dose of Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus will make Betty more amenable to a religious life. Peter is startled when the Reverend declares extravagance is Betty's main virtue: she spends freely in giving love. When Peter demurs, he suggests "experience is the thief of wisdom". Peter lies to Col. Preedy, saying Betty expects him to propose to Penelope. Peter then sends Penelope outside to join the Colonel. Betty suggests a divorce, but Peter dismisses the idea. He explains there is no evidence for divoce, and he prefers reconciliation. They embrace, startling Penelope, who goes off with her new fiancé, the Colonel. As they kiss, Betty tells Peter that she has been so lonely... (Curtain)