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Act I]
67

Bertha

Do you forbid me to go?

Richard

No.

Brigid

[From the garden.] Come quickly, Master Archie! Your tea is waiting on you.

[Brigid crosses the room and goes out through the folding doors. Bertha folds the slip into the waist of her dress and goes slowly towards the right. Near the door she turns and halts.]

Bertha

Tell me not to go and I will not.

Richard

[Without looking at her.] Decide yourself.

Bertha

Will you blame me then?

Richard

[Excitedly.] No, no! I will not blame you. You are free. I cannot blame you.

[Archie appears at the garden door.]

Bertha

I did not deceive you.

[She goes out through the folding doors. Richard remains standing at the table. Archie, when his mother has gone, runs down to Richard.]

Archie

[Quickly.] Well, did you ask her?