ACT I
But I’d better see her . . . she may need something . . . perhaps there’s something I can do, and I ought specially to be kind to people while Chris is away. One wants to deserve well of Heaven. And now who’s being sentimental, eh?
Jenny : Oh, Kitty . . . don’t think me accusing . . .
Kitty : Of course not. I understand, Jenny, perfectly. (Kisses her.) It’s only that we don’t react to things the same way. But underneath we feel the same . . . don’t we?
[Ellen shows in Mrs. Grey. She is a faded, dowdy woman of about thirty-six. She was obviously attractive once—her figure is still good and her face still pretty—but her clothes are poor and shabby—and She shows the ravages of ten years of marriage in pinched circumstances, housework, and dreary living. She wears a raincoat and carries an umbrella.
(Sotto voce) Oh, my Lord . . . look! (She advances, sweetly) Mrs. Grey?
Margaret : Yes. (A slight pause.) Are you Mrs. Baldry?
Kitty : Yes. Won’t you sit down?
Margaret : Oh, thank you . . . it’s quite all right. [She sits.
Kitty : Let me take your umbrella.
Margaret : Please . . . please don’t trouble, It’ll be quite all right here.
[She lays it beside the chair.
15
