58
CRAIG’S WIFE
Miss Austen
- I didn’t think you would.
Craig
- Why not, Harriet?
Mrs. Craig
- Because I have something more important to do than listen to a lot of absurdities.
Miss Austen
- Then I shall have to regard your going as an admission of the truth of those absurdities.
Mrs. Craig
- Well, you may regard it as you please: only I hope when you’ve finished discussing me, you’ll be as frank in letting Walter know something of what I’ve been putting up with during the past two years.
- [She goes out through the portières.
Miss Austen
- Playing the martyr as usual. (Craig takes a step or two towards the portières, and they stand for a second looking after her. Then he turns and looks at his aunt) I could have almost spoken those last words for her, Walter; I know her so well.
Craig (coming down to the front of the table)
- I wish you’d tell me what’s happened here, Auntie.
Miss Austen (crossing to him)
- That isn’t so easy to tell to a man, Walter; it requires a bit of elucidation.
Craig
- What is it?
Miss Austen
- Walter—why do you suppose your mother asked you to promise her, when she was dying, that you’d take me with you when you married?
