Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 125

JENNY.

[_Pa.s.sionately._] Oh no. You didn't say it, but you hinted it. You never say anything, but you're always hinting and insinuating--till you drive me out of my senses.

BASIL.

[_After a moment's pause, gravely._] I'm very sorry if I hurt your feelings. I promise you I don't mean to. I always try to be kind to you.

[_He looks at_ JENNY, _expecting her to say something in forgiveness or in apology. But she, shrugging her shoulders, looks down sullenly at her work, without a word, and begins again to sew. Then_ BASIL, _tightening his lips, picks up writing materials and goes towards the door_.

JENNY.

[_Looking up quickly._] Where are you going?

BASIL.

[_Stopping._] I have some letters to write.

JENNY.

Can't you write them here?

BASIL.

Certainly--if it pleases you.

JENNY.

Don't you want me to see who you're writing to?

BASIL.

I haven't the least objection to your knowing all about my correspondence.... And that's fortunate, since you invariably make yourself acquainted with it.

JENNY.

Accuse me of reading your letters now.

BASIL.

[_With a smile._] You always leave my papers in such disorder after you've been to my desk.

JENNY.

You've got no right to say that.

[BASIL _pauses and looks at her steadily_.

BASIL.

Are you willing to swear that you don't go to my desk when I'm away to read my letters? Come, Jenny, answer that question.

JENNY.

[_Disturbed but forced by his glance to reply._] Well, I'm you're wife, I have a right to know.

BASIL.

[_Bitterly._] You have such odd ideas about the duties of a wife, Jenny.

They include reading my letters and following me in the street. But tolerance and charity and forbearance don't seem to come in your scheme of things.

JENNY.

[_Sullenly._] Why d'you want to write your letters elsewhere?

BASIL.

[_Shrugging his shoulders._] I thought I should be quieter.

JENNY.

I suppose I disturb you?

BASIL.

It's a little difficult to write when you're talking.

JENNY.

Why shouldn't I talk? D'you think I'm not good enough, eh? I should have thought I was more important than your letters.

[BASIL _does not answer_.

JENNY.

[_Angrily._] Am I your wife or not?

BASIL.

[_Ironically._] You have your marriage lines carefully locked up to prove it.

JENNY.

Then why don't you treat me as your wife? You seem to think I'm only fit to see after the house and order the dinner and mend your clothes. And after that I can go and sit in the kitchen with the servant.

BASIL.

[_Moving again towards the door._] D'you think it's worth while making a scene? We seem to have said all this before so many times.

JENNY.