_She_ (_forcibly_). And it is her business which takes you out to-night?
_He_ (_going toward the left-hand door_). I have to go across to the Bar Association to look up some points, and--
_She_ (_rising quickly_). And you can just send me a cab. I shall go to Mrs. Playfair’s to rehearse again for the private theatricals.
_He_ (_annoyed, coming back_). But I had asked you to give it up.
_She_ (_with growing excitement_). And I had almost determined to give it up, but I have changed my mind. That’s a woman’s privilege, isn’t it? I am tired of spending my evenings by myself.
_He._ Now be reasonable, Jenny: I must work.
_She._ And I must play--in the private theatricals.
_He._ But I don’t like private theatricals.
_He._ And I particularly dislike amateur actors.
_She._ Do you? I don’t. I like some of them very much; and some of them like me, too.
_She._ Tom Thursby and Dick Carey and Harry Wylde were all disputing who should make love to me.
_She._ In the play--in _Husbands and Wives_.
_He._ Do you mean to say that you are going to act on the stage with those brainless idiots?
_She_ (_interrupting_). Do not call my friends names: it is in bad taste.
_He._ What will people say when they see my wife pawed and clawed by those fellows?
_She._ Let them say what they please. Do you think I care for the tittle-tattle of the riffraff of society?
_He._ But, Jenny--(_Brusquely._) Confound it! I have no patience with you!
_She._ So I have discovered. But you need not lose your temper here, and swear. Go outside and do it, and leave me alone, as I am every evening.
_She_ (_sarcastically_). Do I? That is very wicked of me, isn’t it? You take the best possible care of me, you are ever thinking of me, and you never leave my side for a moment. Oh no, you do not ill-treat me--or abuse me--or neglect me (_breaking down_)--or make me miserable. There is nothing the matter with me, of course. But you never will believe I have a heart until you have broken it! (_Sinking on chair, C._)
_He_ (_crossing to her_). You are excited, I see; still, I must say this is a little too much.
_She_ (_starting up_). Don’t come near me! (_Sarcastically._) Don’t let me keep you from your work (_going to door R. 2d E_), and don’t fail to send me a cab. At last I revolt against your neglect.