(Miss Stannardgoes out quickly leavingPatriciadumb at her mis-reading of the situation.Mrs. Frowde,who has been too confused throughout to speak, now vents her anger onMiss Stannard.)
(Miss Stannardgoes out quickly leavingPatriciadumb at her mis-reading of the situation.
Mrs. Frowde,who has been too confused throughout to speak, now vents her anger onMiss Stannard.)
Mrs. Frowde
The brazen hussy! You see what she is—to insult you so after your splendid defense of her!
Patricia
(Slowly)
She was right.
Mrs. Frowde
Not at all. She doesn’t understand the difference with a lady of temperament.
Patricia
Temperament—oh, yes. (She smiles sarcastically and then looks surprised atMrs. Frowde.) And you are not angry with me?
Mrs. Frowde
(Affectionately)
Atyou, my dear friend? Indeed not. I know you didn’t meanme. And besides I would have understood you if you had.
Patricia
(Eyeing her with undetected cynicism)
Yes, yes. You would have understood.
Mrs. Frowde
(Impulsively)
Won’t you stay and have a bite to eat with me—all alone? I can drive you to the theater.
Patricia
I have an interview.
Mrs. Frowde
(As they walk to the door)
Too bad they misquote so.
Patricia
Yes, isn’t it? I’ve had such a dear afternoon.
Mrs. Frowde
(Embracing her affectionately)
And you’ll come to lunch Tuesday?
Patricia
(As though wishing to escape)
No ... I....
Mrs. Frowde
(Solicitously)
But Mavosky will be here and he’s taken quite fancy to you. Thinks you’d make a splendid study.
Patricia
(Recalling)
Mavosky! Oh, yes. I thought you said Wednesday; that’smatinéeday. Tuesday is all right.
Mrs. Frowde
Say at two?
Patricia
I may be a moment late.
Mrs. Frowde
We’ll wait for you. (As they are walking out) I hope you’ll forget whatshesaid.
Patricia
Oh, Miss Stannard hasn’t any temperament. And it does make a difference, doesn’t it?
(They go out leaving the room empty, with the candles on the table winking in their sockets.)
(They go out leaving the room empty, with the candles on the table winking in their sockets.)
[Curtain]