CRAIG’S WIFE
65
Craig
- But, I promised Mother that you’d always have a home with me, and if you go, I’ll feel somehow that I’m breaking that promise.
Miss Austen
- You haven’t a home to offer me, Walter. (He looks at her) You have a house—with furniture in it—that can only be used under highly specified conditions. I have the impression somehow or other, when I look at these rooms—that they are rooms that have died—and are laid out.
- [She turns and starts up the stairs.
Craig
- Well, whatever they are, they’ll seem less if you leave them. I don’t think I’d feel worse if it were Mother herself that were leaving.
- [Miss Austen turns, with her hand on the balustrade.
Miss Austen
- Be glad that it isn’t your mother, Walter; she would have left long ago.
- [She goes on up the stairs, and he stands looking after her. There is a ring at the front door. He turns and looks out through the French windows, then moves to the middle of the room and looks out through the portières. The bell rings again; then Mazie comes down the stairs.
Craig
- There’s a little boy at the front door, Mazie.
Mazie
- Yes, sir, I heard the bell.
Craig
- I’m expecting a gentleman, too, Mazie, in a few minutes; I’ll be upstairs.
