GEORGE (_dubiously_). Your husband"s. Telworthy"s.
OLIVIA (_gently_). If I belong to anybody but myself, I think I belong to you.
GEORGE. Not in the eyes of the Law. Not in the eyes of the Church. Not even in the eyes of--er----
OLIVIA. The County?
GEORGE (_annoyed_). I was about to say "Heaven."
OLIVIA. Oh!
GEORGE (_rising and crossing below_ OLIVIA _to_ C.). That this should happen to _us_! (OLIVIA _works in silence. Then she shakes out her curtains_.)
OLIVIA (_looking at them_). I do hope Jacko will like these.
GEORGE (_turning and seeing curtains_). What! You----(_Going up to her quickly and taking her by the hands raises her from the settee_.) Olivia, Olivia, have you no heart?
OLIVIA. Ought you to talk like that to another man"s wife?
GEORGE. Confound it, is this just a joke to you?
OLIVIA. You must forgive me, George; I am a little over-excited--at the thought of returning to Jacob.
GEORGE. Do you _want_ to return to him?
OLIVIA. One wants to do what is right. In the eyes of--er--Heaven.
GEORGE. Seeing what sort of a man he is, I have no doubt that you could get a separation, supposing that he didn"t--er--divorce you. I don"t know _what_ is best. I must consult my solicitor. The whole position has been sprung on us, and (_miserably sits on stool_ L.C.) I don"t know, I don"t know. I can"t take it all in. (_Leaning forward and burying his face in his hands_.)
OLIVIA. Wouldn"t you like to consult your Aunt Julia too? She could tell you what the County--I mean what Heaven really thought about it.
GEORGE. Yes, yes. Aunt Julia has plenty of common sense. You"re quite right, Olivia. This isn"t a thing we can keep from the family.
OLIVIA. Do I still call her _Aunt_ Julia?
(ANNE _comes in from staircase up_ R. GEORGE _does not see her, but_ OLIVIA _attracts his attention_.)
GEORGE (_looking up at_ OLIVIA). What? What? (_Rising and crossing up to_ ANNE.) Well, what is it?
ANNE. Mr. Pim says he will come down at once, sir.
GEORGE. Oh, thank you, thank you.
(OLIVIA _picks up curtains._ ANNE _goes out up staircase up_ R.)
OLIVIA. George, Mr. Pim has got to know.
GEORGE. I don"t see the necessity.
OLIVIA. Not even for me? When a woman suddenly hears that her long-lost husband is restored to her, don"t you think she wants to ask questions?
Where is he living, and how is he looking, and--
GEORGE (_very angry, going to writing-table, sits_). Of course, if you are interested in these things--
OLIVIA. How can I help being? Don"t be so silly, George. (_Moves up to_ R. _of_ GEORGE _with the curtains on her arm_.) We _must_ know what Jacko--
GEORGE (_annoyed_) I wish you wouldn"t call him by that ridiculous name.
OLIVIA. My husband--
GEORGE (_wincing_). Yes, well--your husband?
OLIVIA. Well, we must know his plans--where we can communicate with him, and so on.
GEORGE. I have no wish to communicate with him.
OLIVIA. I"m afraid you"ll have to, dear.
GEORGE. I don"t see the necessity.
OLIVIA. Well, you"ll want to--to apologize to him for living with his wife for so long. (GEORGE _looks up and round at her nonplussed_). And as I belong to him, he ought to be told where he can--call for me.
GEORGE (_after a struggle and scratching his head_). You put it in a very peculiar way, but I see your point. (_With a shudder_.) Oh, the horrible publicity of it all! (_Turns away and leans on writing-table_.)
OLIVIA (_going up to him and comforting him, placing her hands on his shoulders_). Poor George. Dear, don"t think I don"t sympathize with you.
I understand so exactly what you are feeling. The publicity! It"s terrible.
GEORGE (_miserably and turning in his chair to her_). I want to do what"s right. You believe that, don"t you?
OLIVIA. Of course I do. (_Taking her hands away_.) It"s only that we don"t quite agree as to what is right and what is wrong.
GEORGE. It isn"t a question of agreeing. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, all the world over.
OLIVIA (_with a sad little smile_). But more particularly in Buckinghamshire, I think.
GEORGE. If I only considered myself, I should say: "Let us pack this man Telworthy back to Australia. He would make no claim. He would accept money to go away and say nothing about it." If I consulted simply my own happiness, Olivia, that, is what I should say. But when I consult--er--
OLIVIA (_with great feeling_). Mine?
GEORGE. My conscience----
OLIVIA (_disappointed_). Oh!
GEORGE. Then I can"t do it. (_Rises and is going up_ L.) It"s wrong.
OLIVIA (_making her first appeal_). Yes; but, George, don"t you think I"m worth a little--
GEORGE (_turning round, seeing_ DINAH _coming_). H"sh! Dinah! (_Moves back to writing-table. Loudly for_ DINAH"S _benefit_.) Well, then I"ll write to him and--Ah, Dinah, where"s Aunt Julia?