[Ignoring the remark.] In the meanwhile there is no necessity that my husband should know the reason of your going. You can make some excuse. I wouldn"t have him know for worlds.
Miss Woodward.
Of course he shall never know from me-but I want you to quite understand, Mrs. Parbury, that I am not going to Carfields to-morrow. Rather than go home under the circ.u.mstances I would starve in the gutter.
Mrs. Parbury.
Well, you must find a lodging till you get other employment. You will have a month"s salary, of course. Anyway, I"m determined you leave this house in the morning.
[Goes up C. Puts A.B.C. on chair up L.C.
Miss Woodward.
Is there any real occasion for my leaving?
Mrs. Parbury.
Haven"t you sufficient delicacy of feeling left to teach you that?
Miss Woodward.
[Warmly.] I don"t think I need lessons of delicacy of feeling from you. [Slight pause.] I"m sorry I said that, and it means a great deal for me to say I"m sorry. I"m sorry too about the photograph. I think it all might be forgotten.
Mrs. Parbury.
Forgotten!
Miss Woodward.
After all, I"m only a girl; and I"ve worked very hard for Mr. Parbury. I think you might be more lenient.
Mrs. Parbury.
[At fireplace.] I"m very sorry for you, Miss Woodward; but I owe a duty to myself and to my husband. You must go in the morning.
[She moves to return to garden.
Miss Woodward.
[Crosses to L.C.] Mrs. Parbury!
Mrs. Parbury.
Well?
Miss Woodward.
I suppose I ought to be a lady and go, because you, the mistress of the house, wish me to. But I don"t feel a bit like a lady just now. I only feel like a poor girl whose chances in life are being ruined for a very small and innocent folly.
Mrs. Parbury.
Well, what does all this mean?
Miss Woodward.
[Fiercely.] It means that I am in Mr. Parbury"s employment, not yours, and that I will take my dismissal from him only.
Mrs. Parbury.
Oh, I can promise you that. [She calls into the garden.] Clement!
[Exit Mrs. Parbury to garden, R.
[Miss Woodward throws a hard look after her. Then her eyes fall on the broken cup and saucer. She stoops, collects the fragments, and puts them in waste-paper basket. Then she goes to desk, sits and works on proof sheets as before.
Enter Mr. and Mrs. Parbury, R.
Parbury.
Working again, Miss Woodward! Really, you are indefatigable!
Miss Woodward.
I"m only correcting these proof sheets.
Mrs. Parbury.
No doubt Miss Woodward wishes to finish the work to-night, as she is leaving to-morrow.
Parbury.
Leaving to-morrow?
Miss Woodward.
I think Mrs. Parbury is mistaken.
Parbury.
[To Mrs. Parbury.] What do you mean, dear?
Mrs. Parbury.
I wish her to go.
Parbury.
Why?
Mrs. Parbury.
I can"t tell you. It is not a thing you would understand. It is simply impossible for her to remain. In her heart she knows I am right.
[Slight pause. Parbury goes to Miss Woodward.
Parbury.
Are you satisfied here?
Miss Woodward.
Perfectly.
Parbury.
You have no wish to go away?
Miss Woodward.
Not while you wish me to remain.
Parbury.
Do you know why my wife wishes you to go?
Miss Woodward.
Yes.
Parbury.
Will you kindly tell me?
Miss Woodward.
I"m sorry I can"t. I"ve promised. But-[with a look at Mrs. Parbury]-I don"t think that Mrs. Parbury"s reasons are adequate.
[Pause. Parbury is thoughtful.
Parbury.
[To Mrs. Parbury.] Have you anything more to say?
Mrs. Parbury.
I have only to repeat that it is quite impossible for Miss Woodward to stay.
Parbury.
Well, I have made up my mind that there is something very foolish under all this, and I shall not allow it to deprive me of Miss Woodward"s services. [Mrs. Parbury looks surprised.] I don"t mind saying in her presence that she is invaluable to me. I should never be able to replace her. [Sense of relief on Miss Woodward"s part.] Now, come. [Looking from one to the other.] What is it? A tiff-a stupid misunderstanding? Oh, you women, why will you fuss about little things? Make it up, do. Think of "The Roll of Ages." Shake hands, cry, embrace, kiss, or whatever your pet method may be. Weep if you like, though personally I"d rather you didn"t. Anyway, as far as I am concerned, the incident is closed.
[He turns to go.
Mrs. Parbury.
[Doggedly.] Miss Woodward leaves this house in the morning.
Parbury.
[Looks at his wife for a moment, then turns to Miss Woodward.] Miss Woodward, would you be so very kind-- [He opens the door for her with great courtesy. Miss Woodward bows, and exits L. He comes to C.
Mrs. Parbury.
[Turning to him with a.s.sumed brightness.] Now, darling, it will be different. Of course, I couldn"t say much before her. You were quite right to be nice and courteous to her now she is going.
Parbury.
But I a.s.sure you she is not.
[They are C. Mrs. Parbury takes his arm caressingly.
Mrs. Parbury.
But she is-believe me, she is. Of course, we don"t want to be hard on her, and she shall have a month"s salary and a strong recommendation.
Parbury.
[Disengaging his arm.] My dear Mabel, I absolutely refuse to act in the dark. I hate mysteries. If you care to tell me what all this bother is about, I"ll judge for myself what"s the right thing to do.
[Sits on sofa.
Mrs. Parbury.
I can"t-it"s impossible. There are some things that men can"t be trusted to know about. You must leave this matter to me.
[Sits next him.
Parbury.
That I quite decline to do.
[She again takes his arm and talks rapidly, gradually rather hysterically, towards the end appearing about to cry.
Mrs. Parbury.
Darling, do listen. You don"t understand. You have never been like this with me before. I"m sure I"m not asking very much. You can easily get another secretary. Another time you shall have a man one, as you originally wanted to. You were right, dear-you often are. [Parbury rises; crosses to R. Mrs. Parbury follows him.] Darling, do be reasonable. I"ve been a good wife to you, haven"t I? I"ve always respected your wishes, and not bothered you more than I could help. This is only a little thing, and you must let me have my own way. You must trust me absolutely, dear. You know anything I would do would only be for your good, for you know that I love you. [She takes out her handkerchief.] I adore you, darling. You must give way-you must-you must!
Parbury.