Page:The Return of the Soldier (Van Druten).djvu/117

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ACT III

Margaret : She loves him.

Jenny : As much as she can.

Margaret : She’s his wife. She gave him his child . . . his son. That’s what he said. And then he drew up all proud and like a man again . . . to go to her.

Jenny : And you . . . ?

Margaret : Me?

Jenny : What did he say . . . to you?

Margaret (bows her head) : I can’t! We said good-bye. At least we could do that. We never did before.

Jenny (taking her hands) : My dear.

Margaret : That’s all.

Jenny: And now . . . to come back to this . . . all it stands for . . . and the war. Did he speak of the war?

Margaret : Just as a joke. His eyes were scared, but he laughed. He said, “It’ll all be over by July, the papers say.” He said, “Shall I send you a postcard from Berlin?” And then, when he went back to the house, he smiled . . . a dreadful, decent smile . . . and he was whistling “Tipperary” and walking like a soldier. That’s how he’ll go back . . . out there . . . to France.

Jenny : Oh, my dear!

[She breaks down.

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