South. Well, what is it, then? Mrs. S. You must leave the house. [SOUTHDOWN goes up towards c. D.] Where are you going? South. To leave the house: didn't you tell me? Mrs. S. Stop! you must leave the house, and then suddenly come in, as if you'd not been here before South. Will that oblige Benson? Mrs. S. Do wait until I've finished the sentence. But do not come in till you hear me say, "Good gracious, here's Trotter !" South. Till I hear you say, "Good gracious, here's Trotter"? I don't understand. Mrs. S. That's not of the least consequence. When you hear that, open the door, and shout out, "Where is she? I'm certain she's here!" South. Who's here? Mrs. S. Me! And you must begin storming at me in the most furious manner. South. Storming at you, Toody! what for? Mrs. S. Because you're jealous of me. South. Jealous! Stuff and nonsense! I'm not jealous. Mrs. S. South. Mrs. S. No, but you must pretend to be. South. But, Toody, I don't think I know how to be jealous-I never was given to that sort of thing. Mrs. S. Just imagine I had been flirting with somebody. South. Bless you, I couldn't imagine such a thing if I tried. Mrs. S. Well, but only suppose I had! [Violently. South. [mildly.] Oh, I should say, "Toody likes it; so it's all right." Mrs. S. Then you don't care for me, Trotter? South. Not care for my Toody? Mrs. S. If you do, pray do what I ask you; besides, I've told you already it's to obligeSouth. Benson! Well, Toody, I'll try. Mrs. S. That's a dear old boy. Now go out at once, and come in just like a lunatic. South. Like a lunatic, eh? Mrs. S. Yes. South. Very well, Toody, I'll try; but how the deuce can that oblige Benson ? Mrs. S. Now do go, Trotter, and don't ask questions-you know I'm always right. South. Of course, Toody. [Aside.] I've not the least notion what she means-but she's such a superior woman. [Exit SOUTHDOWN, C. D. L. Mrs S. Yes, it's a capital plan; and if poor Trotter isn't too stupid Enter MRS. BENSON, L. D. 3 E. Mrs. B. [L.] Well, Lucy, have you succeeded? Mrs. S. [R.] My dear Carry, Meredith refuses to give back the letter. Mrs. B. Then let him keep it, poor fellow! Mrs. B. After all, what can it signify? Mrs. S. My poor dear Carry, if you knew as I do the dreadful consequences of even the slightest flirtation on the part of a married woman Mrs. B. You-you, dear steady old Lucywhat do you know about flirtation? Mrs. S. Ahem! Now for it. [Aside.] Shall I confess to you, my dear, that I have been imprudent enough to accept what I thought harmless attentions from a gentleman-not Trotter— and even to write to him? Mrs. B. You don't say so! Mrs. S. I said at first as you do, "What can it signify ?" "It's only to amuse myself." "And then Trotter don't know what jealousy is." And so I fancied, till one day he found it out. Mrs. B. Good gracious! Mrs. S. And ever since, he's been a perfect brute-a tiger! Mrs. B. Mr. Southdown a tiger! Mrs. S. Oh, in society he restrains himself; but at home-you haven't an idea-it's fearfulnot a moment's peace-suspicions—allusionsquarrels-threats-violence! Mrs. B. Oh, Lucy, how dreadful! This Mrs. S. Why, at the pic-nic yesterday, when he was lying under the chestnuts, he wasn't asleep, my dear; oh, no, bless you, he had his eye on me all the time. I'm almost afraid he saw me take that letter out of your glove. And ever since, it's perfectly awful the way he has been in. morning he said he was going to the farm at Willesden; but it's quite possible it was only a trick to throw me off my guard. I dare say he was hiding in the mews round the corner to watch who called, or to see if I went out, and to follow me. [Noise of footsteps heard without, L. C.] Eh! that step! Oh! Mrs. S. Good gracious! here's Trotter! Mrs. B. [goes up to C. D., and looks off L.] Yes, he's in the hall! South. [without, L. c.] Don't tell me! Stuff! Humbug! [Roaring. Mrs. S. For Heaven's sake, Carry, say you have not left me an instant! Mrs. B. Don't be frightened-I'll say anything. South. [without.] Don't tell me!—she is here -I know she's here! Mrs. B. How dreadful! He's frantic! [Gets down to L. corner. Enter SOUTHDOWN, L. C. South. [comes down, R.] I must see her-I will see her-I insist on seeing her-I shall proceed to violence if I don't see her-so Mrs. S. [c.] Oh, sir, not before Mrs. Benson. South. [aside, and stopping short in his violence.] I mustn't, mustn't I? Mrs. S. [aside to him.] Of course you must. South. So, Mrs. Trotter Southdown-so, madameBut, Mr. South Mrs. B [L., Soothingly.] cause, of course-[aside]-what the deuce am I in a tremendous rage for? Mrs. B. I assure you, Mrs. Southdown and I have been sitting quietly here by ourselves. [L. Mrs. S. Oh, he will not believe what you say! [Aside to him.] Say you don't believe her. South. No, madame, no; stuff and nonsense, madame! I don't believe you! Mrs. S. [crying.] Oh, I'm an unhappy woman! To expose me thus before my friend!to exhibit your insane jealousy! Oh, you'll break my heart! South. [goes to her.] Eh! break your heart, Toody? Come! [She pinches him.] Oh! [Resuming his violence.] I don't care, Mrs. Trotter Southdown-break away! Mrs. B. [L.] This violence from you, Mr. Southdown, whom I always thought the mildest of menSouth. Well, I am the mild Mrs. S. [aside to him.] Be a brute! South. Mild! I am mild, naturally-no, I am not --that is, I don't know what I am-on the contrary, because, of course-in short, there are circumstances [Aside] What the deuce ought I to say? Mrs. S. [seated on ottoman, C. Aside to him.] Stride about the room. South. [L. C. Aside to her.] Eh, stride! Yes, I can't stand quiet; my agitation forces me to stride about the room-in this style, madame. [Walks about in long strides. Then aside to MRS. S., stopping, L. C.] Will that do, Toody? Mrs. S. [aside.] Capital! Go on. Sir, you are a brute! a tyrant! [Aside to him.] Tear your hair. [c. South. [aside to her, L. C.] To oblige Benson? Mrs. S. [aside.] Of course! South. It's enough to make a man tear his hair out by the roots. [He seizes his hair and pretends to tear it. Mrs. B. [L.] But, Mr. SouthdownMrs. S. [aside to him.] Capital! Now throw the furniture about and go. South. [aside.] To oblige Benson? [Aloud.] But I will restrain myself no longer-there! [Begins to fling furniture about in pretended rage, but putting it gently down again; flings a chair against door R. 2 E., which hits BENSON, who enters at the moment. Ben. Oh! of course not; but Southdown found it out, eh? Mrs. B. Yes; and then it appears he must have seen Mr. Meredith give his wife a letter at the pic-nic yesterday. Ben. Meredith! so it's he that's been playing the fool, is it? Now, why will Southdown allow his wife to go to such parties? A young woman like her! I can quite understand his agitation now-quite. Poor Southdown! Mrs. B. Oh! but after all, no reasonable man would get into such a passion for such a trifle as that. I am sure you wouldn't-would you, dear? Ben. Eh? hum! I don't know. One can't answer for the consequences in such cases. As I told the jury in Bloggs and Burster, only last week "When the temple of domestic affections is violated, what matters the size of the breach or the plunder that rewards the sacrilegious intruder? That holy seal of confidence which cements the marriage bond is broken-the shrine of the household god has been outraged; and who can wonder if the poor worshiper in that desecrated fane, forgetting himself, should have thrashed the defendant within an inch of his life!" Mrs. B. Beautiful! Ben. But, of course, with a prudent, steady little duck of a wife like you, Carry, [kissing her] there's no fear of such indiscretion. No, no. However, we must get this affair settled without going to law. You go to Mrs. Southdown, and comfort her, and I'll reason with Southdown. Mrs. B. Oh, do pacify him! [Going up and crossing to L. H. Ben. I'll try. [Looking out window, R. 3 E.] There he is, walking up and down in front of the house, mopping his forehead, and trying to curb his indignation, poor fellow! [Calls from window.] Here, Southdown!-I say!-halloa! come up, there's a good fellow !-I want to speak to you. Mrs. B. [up L.] Does he still look excited? Ben. [R.] No-he appears mild-quite mild. The open air has a wonderfully soothing effect in these cases. But go, Carry, and comfort Mrs. Southdown. Mrs. B. I'll go at once. Now do impress upon him, my dear, that there's no harm in what she's done that she wrote the letter without meaning Mrs. S. To use me thus,-before my friends, anything-just as anybody might just as too! Oh, this brutal treatment is not to be might. [Aside.] Oh, dear!-if he found out I borne ! [Exit MRS. SOUTHDOWN, L. D. 3 E. SOUTHDOWN rushes up C. Ben. [B. rubbing his shins.] Trotter! Trotter Southdown! Confound it, Trotter! say, South. Don't tell me I want air, air-quantities of air! [Going c.] Well, this is the oddest way of obliging Benson! [Exit SOUTHDOWN, C. Ben. [crosses to L.] What on earth is the meaning of all this? Mrs. B. [R.] Was ever anything like his violence! Good gracious! To think of Mr. Southdown being jealous of his wife. Ben. I never should think of such a thing. Ben. But what's the reason? Mrs. B. It appears she has had the indiscretion to write to a gentleman a young gentleman. Ben. Ah! that was imprudent-it would make a strong impression on a jury. Mrs. B. Of course there was nothing wrong— Lucy assures me there wasn't. had! [Exit MRS. BENSON, L. D. 3 E. He looks round room, Enter SOUTHDOWN, L. C. and comes down, L. H. South. [L.] Toody not here! Ben. [R.] Now, Trotter, you really must restrain your feelings. Come! you're more reasonable now, aren't you? South. Eh? [Aside.] What a bore Toody's not here to tell me if I ought to go on being crazy or not. Ben. Come, don't sulk, Trotter. Promise me you'll be more master of yourself in future. South. I'll try. [Aside.] I mustn't tell him it was to oblige him. [Aloud.] I say, Benson, I hope I didn't hurt you with that chair? Ben. Don't mention it. But I say, my dear fellow, you really ought not to give way in this style. Remember, if Mrs. Southdown has been a leetle indiscreet, after all you are most to blame. South. Eh! what? [Aside.] Mrs. S. indiscreet! What does he mean? [Aloud.] Do you think so? Mcr. [aside.] As I feared; it's all over. Ben. Yes-what can you expect if you neglect a woman as you do, for that humbugging farm of yours; cultivating Swede turnips and mangelwurzel, instead of domestic affections? naturally feels piqued, and accepts attentions from others. South. Attentions! [Aside.] Toody accept attentions! What is he talking about? Ben. And, though appearances are against her, I'll undertake to satisfy any jury there was nothing in her conduct at the pic-nic yesterday, beyond a leetle indiscretion! South. Her conduct at the pic-nic! Indiscretion! South. My wife's secret!--then my wife's got a secret? Ben. I can answer for it that Meredith meant no harm, either, in writing to her. Ben. [to MEREDITH.] So, sir, you're here! Rash young man! your scandalous intrigues are discovered. The most dreadful consequences are to be apprehended unless you promise to leave London this very day. Mer. But, sir— Ben. No explanations. Your conscience ought to tell you if they can improve matters. Mer. [aside.] Very well, sir, I promise to leave London. Ben. There, thank goodness, that's settled. South. [jumping up.] Settled! You call that settling? I'll show you what settling is! [Crosses to R. C.] Find a friend, sir. We shall be happy to see you with him at Wormwood Scrubbs, with any weapons, provided they are deadly ones, to-morrow morning at six, or earlier, if you like. Mer. A challenge! South. I flatter myself it is; and none of your the cock-pheasants, and to publish in the newspapers. No, sir; a challenge, sir; to be followed by blood, sir, real blood! South [aside.] Meredith write to my wife! indiscretion!-receive attentions! Then it was he-ah! a light breaks in on me. Their conversa-humbugging affairs, mere bouncers to frighten tion this morning when I came upon them unawares his agitation-her abstraction! Oh, the duplicity of woman! It was to blind me--to hoodwink me-she persuaded me to get into a passion and behave as I did-storming and striding, and flinging chairs about-she said it was to oblige you. Ben. To oblige me! [Crosses to R., and leans on back of chair. Mer. [goes up, c.] Mr. Benson, your friend is too excited at present to make any arrangements; but I shall be in my chambers all the afternoon, and any communication I may receive, I will refer to a friend, in the style understood among gentlemen. [Exit MEREDITH, L. C. Ben. [L.] But, Southdown, do reflect coolly. South. [R.] Reflect coolly? Now I ask you as a friend, Benson, am I in a state to reflect coolly? South. Yes, unless I'm here, and then I'll save I'm wet through with emotion. Coolly, indeed! you the trouble. South. Yes. But now, will you oblige me? Ben. In any way in my power, Trotter. South. Next time that fellow, Meredith, sets his foot in your house, you set your foot in histhat is-kick him out, will you? Ben. Kick him out? Enter MEREDITH, L. C. Mer. [at back, R. H.] I've brought the letter. I must give it back or she'll betray me. Ah, Benson and Southdown here! Ben. [to SOUTHDOWN.] Now just let me give you a piece of friendly advice. South. Advice! I know what you are going to say-bring an action against him. Ben. An action? Certainly, of course. Mer. An action! She's betrayed me, then. [Retires up, listening. South. Yes, and you shall lead for me; or, I tell you what, better still, I'll challenge him, and you shall carry the challenge. The scoundrel! Ben. But duelling is illegal, my dear fellow. Good gracious! suppose you shot him! South. I dwell upon the idea with pleasure. Ben. But then you'd be guilty of murder, and I should be an accessory before the fact. South. I'll have revenge in one or other; by the law or against it-an action or a duel-damages or death! Mer. I'd better get it over at once. [Coming forward, R. H. Ben. [c., holding SOUTHDOWN back.] Now, my dear Trotter, be calm. South. Calm! Tell the ocean to be calm between Folkestone and Boulogne. There he is! Let me get at him! Ben. You're in my hands. Sit down. This is my affair. [BENSON forces SOUTHDOWN up the stage into chair, R. of fire-place. [Goes up, R. H. Ben. [R., seeing MRS. S.] Oh, by Jove! here's his wife! Mrs. B. [L. C., aside to MRS. S.] Don't be alarmed; he's quite calm now, Benson told me so. [TO SOUTHDOWN.] Mr. Southdown, here's Lucy. South. [R. C.] Eh, my wife! Take her away. I won't see her. Put her somewhere! Mrs. S. [crossing to c. to him.] Trotter! South. Don't speak to me, Crocodile! [aside.] Capital! Keep it up! South. Keep it up! I don't want you to tell me to keep it up, I can tell you, Rattlesnake! Ben. But, Trotter Mrs. S. South. You be hanged! Mrs. B. [crossing to SOUTHDOWN.] But, Mr. Southdown South. You be-[MRS. BENSON goes up a little, c., and down again, L. H.] That is-I-I beg your pardon; but I'm mad, Mrs. Benson-stark, staring mad! So, Mrs. Southdown, you think to throw dust in my eyes, do you? I am a good, stupid, easy-going man, am I? But you are mistaken, madame; you don't know the demon that is generally chained up under this mild exterior. He's loose now, Basilisk! Mrs. S. [C., aside.] Excellent! He's improved wonderfully in his acting. South. I've found out the wretch, madame--the destroyer of my peace of mind-the bomb-shel! that has burst in my house, and blown my domestic felicity to immortal smash! Mrs. S. [aside.] I declare, he's inimitable!! [Aloud.] Oh, mercy, mercy! South. I've challenged him, madame; and at six o'clock to-morrow, at Wormwood Scrubbs— Mrs. S. [aside.] Better and better! [Aloud.] You will murder him! South. I flatter myself I will, in the most coldblooded manner. Mrs. S. [falling on her knees.] Oh, spare me, sir-spare him! South. You hear the Cobra de Capella; she asks me to spare him! Do you hear, Benson? Oh, I shall go crazy! Ben. But, Trotter! South. Don't come near me. [Crosses to R.] I may bite-I can't answer for it I shall not bite! Mrs. S. [aside.] How well he does it! South. Let me go! [Crosses to c.] I want airI want room-don't attempt to hold me! [He walks about, overturning the furniture.] Let the hurricane rage on! Ben. [R.] Oh, this will never do! Trotter! Trotter Southdown! you're damaging the furniture! South. [up stage, L. c.] It relieves my mind to smash things! [Breaks chair. Mrs. S. [aside.] He's overdoing it. [Aside to him.] Trotter, stop; that will do; you're going too far. South. [down L. H.] Ah! going too far! On the contrary, I've not gone far enough-there! [Breaks a vase on mantel-piece. Mrs. B. [R. D.] Oh, sir! Ben. [R.] Carry's favorite vase! Mrs. S. [L. C., aside to SOUTHDOWN.] Remember this isn't your house. South. All the better! [He smashes another case.] There! Ben. But, Mr. Southdown, this wanton destruction! Mrs. B. It is too bad! Mrs. S. [aside.] I must put a stop to this. Oh, mercy, mercy! I'm dying! [Sinks on ottoman, c. Mrs. B. [running to her, L. of ottoman.] She has fainted! Oh, Lucy, Lucy! [SOUTHDOWN throws himself, quite exhausted, into arm-chair, L. | Ben. [R. of ottoman.] Here's a pretty state you've thrown your wife into! South. [in chair, L.] Here's a pretty state she's thrown me into ! Mrs. B. Lucy! Oh! she's recovering! Ben. Take my arm, Mrs. Southdown. [Going, leading MRS. SOUTHDOWN up c. To MRS. BENSON, who is following.] Stay with him, or he may do himself a mischief. [MRS. SOUTHDOWN goes towards c., leaning on BENSON'S arm; SOUTH DOWN sobbing in chair. Mrs. B. [coming down L. of SOUTHDOWN, looking at him. Poor man! what dreadful agony! Mrs. S. [aside and looking back.] How wonderfully well he does it! [Exit MRS. SOUTHDOWN, supported by BENSON, L. C. Mrs. B. [approaching SOUTHDOWN, L.] Come, Mr. Southdown, cheer up-Lucy may have been imprudent South. A woman I adored, madame! [Rises and comes forward, c.] A woman I thought more of than my great ruta-baga, mangold-wurzel, or my liquid manure tank-a woman I'd have given up high farming for if she had asked me. Mrs. B. [L.] I'm sure she repents bitterly of her imprudence. South. Repents! Suppose I'd been of an apoplectic habit of body--the shock would have been fatal, ma'am. However, there's the duel to come. Mrs. B. Oh, you don't mean to say you'll fight? South. Till one of us is brought home a mangled corse by the usual mode of conveyance-a shutter. Mrs B. Oh, sir, do not talk in this dreadful manner. [She puts her handkerchief to her eyes. South. You feel for me-I'm extremely obliged to you-oh, try to conceive what I suffer. Imagine Benson in my predicament. He's a happy man if ever there was one-fond of you-working away from morning till night for your sake. Well, now suppose a d-d good-natured friend was to come to him and say, "Your pupil, Mr. Meredith, is paying attentions to Mrs. Benson!" Mrs. B. Oh, sir! South. "Mrs. B. has written him a letter." Mr. Southdown! South. I say, only imagine such a thing-of course you wouldn't be guilty of anything of the kind; but suppose you had been, and Benson were to be told of it suddenly-he's of a fuller habit of body than I am-it would be fatal to him. Mrs. B. Oh, Mr. Southdown, how can you imagine such dreadful things? Now just reflect—– South. Reflect! Reflect, indeed! I'm past the stage of reflection, madame. [He goes to table R., and sits, taking up blotting-book. 66 Mrs. B. What are you going to do now? South. To write to Mrs. Southdown's family to tell them what a wreck she's made of our once happy home. [Writes.] "My dear mother-inlaw-" [He smashes a pen and takes another, and a fresh sheet of paper.] No, I'll spare her mamma. My dear father-in-law-" No, that is not heartbroken enough. [Throws pen away, and writes with a fresh one on a fresh piece of paper.] Wretched parent-" Eh! I've smashed all the pens and used up all the paper. Oh! in Benson's study I shall find the means of putting my emotions into black and white. [Exit SOUTHDOWN. Mrs. B. All this misery has been caused by a mere indiscretion-a letter! Good gracious! To think I might have caused as much suffering to poor dear Benson! Oh! it will be a lesson to me for life. Enter BENSON and MRS. SOUTHDOWN, L. C. Here he comes, and Lucy. Mrs. S. [L.] Do not tell me, sir. It's always the husband's fault. Ben. [c.] But allow me Mrs. S. After you're once married you think you have a right to neglect us. Engrossed by your pleasures-your clubs-your public dinners --your white bait parties-you don't think about us moping at home-and, of course Ben. But, my dear Mrs. Southdown, that's what I'm always preaching to Trotter. "Now, look here, Southdown"-I've said to him a hundred times "your head's always running on turnips, and guano, and clod-crushers. You don't think how Mrs. S. is bored all the while mewed up by herself in Clarges street, while you are drilling, and harrowing, and surface-soiling down at Willesden. Why don't you do as I do?" Mrs. S. As you do? Ben. Yes, ask Carry if I'm not the most attentive husband in the Temple. Why, when we were first married, there never was a night but I took her to a party, or to a play, or the opera. It bored me dreadfully, but I did it from a stern sense of duty-didn't I, Carry? so Mrs. B. [R.] Yes, when we were first married. Ben. And I should have gone on, only Carry got economical-so afraid I was spending too much on her, that, egad, the only way I could manage, was to let Meredith take the boxes, and pretend they were given him. Mrs. B. Then it was you? Ben. Of course it was. I knew how you adored the opera. Mrs. B. And you never told me. Ben. Why should I? To poison your pleasure? I only mention it now, because Meredith's going to leave town to-day. Mrs. B. Oh! I hope we shall see him again before he goes, to thank him for the very handsome way in which he has offered us his uncle's cottage for the summer. Ben. Oh, never mind, considering I pay old Trueblue fifty pounds for the three months. Mrs. B. You pay fifty pounds! Then, it's not a politeness of his, but an attention of yours, dear? Ben. Of course it is! Do you think I value fifty pounds, when it's to give pleasure to my Carry? Mrs. B. [aside.] And I thought him careless -neglectful! Ben. I merely mention these things to show Mrs. Southdown what I have always preached to Trotter. But he never would listen to me. Mrs. B. Do you know [embracing BENSON, and getting to C.] you're a dear, darling, attentive old hubby, and I love you very much. Ben. Of course you do. I know that. [MRS. B. appears affected.] Why, what's the matter? Mrs. B. Nothing, dear, only-when I thinkif you only knew Mrs. S. [L., aside.] The little fool! Hush! But where is my husband? Mrs. B. He's gone to Mr. Benson's study to write to your parents. Mrs. S. To my parents! [Aside.] The dear fellow! I never thought he was half so intelligent. Mrs. B. He's more furious than ever. Mrs. S. Oh, leave me to soothe him. Ben. I'm afraid you will find it difficult. I never saw a man in such a state as he was when I mentioned the letter you had written to Meredith. Mrs. S. The letter I had written? Ben. Yes. Carry let it out to me, and I let it out to him. That is, I mentioned it— Mrs. S. You mentioned my writing a letter to Mr. Meredith? Ben. Why, as he knew of it before. It was that first put him in such a frenzy-wasn't it? Mrs. S. Ah! I see it all now. [Aside.] He's not making believe to be jealous! He is jealous in sober earnest. Ben. [going up.] I had better see him. Mrs. S. No, no. I must explain matters alone. You'll make the matter twenty times worse. Ben. Well, perhaps you're right. You women have a way of managing things. Come, Carry, let's leave the parties to settle the case out of It often answers when we lawyers can't do anything. court. [Exit MR. and MRS. BENSON, L. D. 3 E. Mrs. S. Here he comes! I must open his eyes-poor, dear old stupid! Enter SOUTHDOWN R. D. 2 E., with an open letter. South. I think this will do. Wretched old man!" It's perhaps not very [Reads.] polite to address one's father-in-law in that manwill lead him to anticipate the misery that's in store ner, but it paints the desolation of my mind, and for him. "Wretched old man! Your wife, whom have the misfortune to call my daughter-" I Mrs. S. [L.] Pooh! pooh! Trotter! [She takes the letter and crumples it up.] If you must write to papa, don't write nonsense. South. [R.] Eh! So, Mrs. Southdown— Mrs. S. [laughing.] There, there! and to think of your being in earnest all the while. Ha! ha! this is too hardened! South. So, madame, you're laughing! Oh! Mrs. S. Don't you see? It's all a farce. South. A farce! say a tragedy, madame, with everybody killed in the last act! Mrs. S. Stuff and nonsense-how stupid you Mr. Meredith's letter-it wasn't to me! are! Don't you understand? This flirtation South. Not to you, eh? not to you? Mrs. S. No, of course not, but to Mrs. Benson. answer was for her, and I wanted you to act She was foolish enough to send that letter-the jealousy, only to frighten her out of such indis cretions for the future. South. So, to frighten her, eh? an angry husband can go; even such a kind, softMrs. S. Yes, by showing her to what lengths hearted, easy creature as you are. South. Oh, no! really I call this coming it a leetle too strong, even for such a kind, softhearted, easy creature as I am! So, it's Mrs. Benson, is it? Mrs. S. Hush! or Benson will hear you. South. Mrs. Benson! oh, oh! this is too rich. Here, Benson, Benson! [Crosses to L. C. Enter BENSON and MRS. BEnson, L. d. 3 e. Ben. [L. c.] Well, you've made it up? South. [R. c.] Made it up, indeed! Only imagine the cock-and-bull story this abandoned female has invented to humbug me! Mrs. S. [R.] Mr. Southdown, don't! South. Don't! how dare you say "don't" to me! Only imagine, Benson, she says the real culprit— Mrs S. Silence, Mr. Southdown, this instant! South. Silence yourself, audacious woman! She says the real culprit is Mrs. Benson. Mrs. B. [L.] Oh, goodness gracious! South. That it's Mrs. Benson that Meredith paid attentions to-that it was Mrs. Benson who wrote him a letter, and that the letter he gave her at the pic-nic yesterday was meant for Mrs. Benson. Mrs. B. [L.] Oh, Lucy, how could you? Mrs. S. [aside to MRS. B., behind SOUTHDOWN and BENSON.] Hush! South. There, Benson! you thought "crocodile" too strong an expression for such a woman what do you think now? Ben. [L. C., aside.] It's a desperate move of hers, but we must back her up-anything to save her from his fury. [TO SOUTHDOWN.] Well, Trotter, what Mrs. Southdown has told you, is the truth. South. The truth! [MRS. BENSON and MRS. SOUTHDOWN look astonished-BENSON makes signs to them. |