Read-Aloud Plays Part 24

EVERITT

What?

MRS. EVERITT

Walter knows he was born here. He wants to know why we didn't mention it to-day.

EVERITT

So do I! So do I want to know why we didn't mention it! It's been between us all these years! (_Walter enters with his portfolio. He stands unnoticed at the door_)

MRS. EVERITT

You want to know? You know very well yourself! It's I who ought to ask what the matter is!

EVERITT

You? Good heavens! Wasn't it you who suddenly made up your mind we had to leave this town, and insisted and insisted until I sold the house? Didn't I do that to please you, because you went into hysterics about it, and I had to think of Walter? I didn't want to go. It isn't every man who would change his whole life for a woman's unreasonable whim!

MRS. EVERITT

Whim! It isn't every wife who--Oh! Oh!

EVERITT

Yes whim! And haven't I stayed away all these years from my people because you wouldn't hear to our coming back even for a visit?

MRS. EVERITT

No you didn't stay away! You sneaked up here the very next year when you made that trip to Boston. And you can't deny it, because Janet Richardson wrote me.

EVERITT

Sneaked up here! Deny it! Are you mad? The only reason I didn't mention it was because I never understood your positive hatred for the place. What harm was there in coming back for a day or two? On every other subject you are all right, but whenever we get within a mile of mentioning this town I feel your hysteria, so I have kept still. But if there's anything you can say to explain yourself, for goodness sake say it! This nightmare has been between us long enough.

MRS. EVERITT

Yes, it has! Too long! And I like your way of saying you had to think of Walter! It was I had to think of my baby! If it hadn't been for Walter, I wouldn't have lived with you another day! I kept on at first so that he might be born with a father to look out for him, and then I kept on so that he needn't grow up in the shame of a divorce. But oh, the pain of it!

To keep silent, year after year!

EVERITT

Look here, are we both crazy? Out with it!

MRS. EVERITT

_Annie Pratt!_

EVERITT

What? Who?

MRS. EVERITT

Annie Pratt!

EVERITT

Who the devil's Annie Pratt? What's she got to do with it?

MRS. EVERITT

Ha! Not faithful even to her! Or are you trying to lie out of it? You can't, _because I've still got the letter_.

EVERITT

What letter? I'm not going to stand these hysterics any longer!

MRS. EVERITT

You needn't. But you've got to stand the truth, do you hear me? I found the letter in your pocket. We hadn't been married a year. I was so happy!

Oh! Oh!

EVERITT

So was I happy, Oh! Oh!

MRS. EVERITT

Hypocrite! "Dearest Charlie: You said it is I who am your wife really, because it's I who make you happy." Vile cat!

EVERITT

Annie Pratt, Annie Pratt. I remember her....

MRS. EVERITT

I should think you would! But any man who will--

EVERITT

Look here! I've got the whole thing! You found that letter in my pocket?

MRS. EVERITT

Yes I did.

EVERITT