[She burst into tears.]
[She burst into tears.]
Tom
[Flummoxed]
I say—Bunty—for Heaven’s sake——
[He puts his arm round her.]
[He puts his arm round her.]
Bunty
[Shaking him off]
Don’t, don’t. Give me my shoes——
[He picks up her shoes; she puts them on. She is half sobbing all the time.]
[He picks up her shoes; she puts them on. She is half sobbing all the time.]
Tom
I say, old girl, hadn’t you better go to bed? You’re all wrought up!
Bunty
He said beastly things.
Tom
I’ll wring his neck.
Bunty
[With a fresh burst of tears]
Shut up, Tom, shut up——
Tom
Bunty, stop crying—there’s a dear; please, please stop crying——
[He takes her in his arms and kisses her; she is groping for her handkerchief.Florencecomes quietly downstairs.]
[He takes her in his arms and kisses her; she is groping for her handkerchief.Florencecomes quietly downstairs.]
Bunty
I can’t find my hanky!
Tom
Here’s mine.
Florence
[Like a pistol shot]
Tom!
[TomandBuntybreak away.]
[TomandBuntybreak away.]
Tom
Yes, Florence?
Florence
[Ominously]
What does this mean?
Tom
I’m sorry, Florence—I——
Florence
You utter cad!
Bunty
Look here—I should like to say——
Florence
Be quiet—mind your own business.
[Nickyenters.]
[Nickyenters.]
Nicky
[Seeing tears onBunty’sface]
What’s the matter—is anybody hurt?
Florence
[Ominously]
No, not hurt!
Bunty
I banged my hand, that’s all.
Florence
Liar!
Nicky
Mother—don’t be so stupid——
Tom
Florence—I——
Florence
Don’tspeakto me——
Nicky
[Quietly]
Mother—not now—not now—it’s all wrong. Control yourself! Bunty—Bunty—do go to bed—please.
[He goes to the piano and begins to play jazz.]
[He goes to the piano and begins to play jazz.]
Bunty
All right—Tom——
[Florencegoes to the fireplace, trembling with rage.Nickygoes on playing.TomandBuntygo towards the stairs.]
[Florencegoes to the fireplace, trembling with rage.Nickygoes on playing.TomandBuntygo towards the stairs.]
Florence
Stop—I want an explanation, please!
Bunty
How dare you speak to me like that?
Florence
Get out of my house! Get out of my house!
Bunty
This is disgusting!
Tom
I say, Florence——
Florence
Get out of my house!
Bunty
I shall leave the first thing in the morning; it’s much too late to-night.
[She goes off.][Nickynever stops playing for a moment.]
[She goes off.]
[Nickynever stops playing for a moment.]
Florence
Tom. [He goes towards her, absolutely silent.] You kissed her—you kissed her—I saw you!——
Tom
Yes.
Florence
In this house!
Tom
Yes, Florence. I apologize.
Florence
Apologize! You’re beneath contempt. Never speak to me again, never touch me again—I hate you!
Tom
Look here, Florence—I’m desperately sorry. You see, I’m afraid I love her.
Florence
[Hysterically]
You dare to stand there and say that to me? It’s incredible—after all I’ve done for you—after all we’ve been to each other. Love! You don’t know what it means. You’ve lied to me—all these months. It’s contemptible—humiliating. Get out of my sight!
Tom
[Turning and going upstairs]
Very well.
Florence
[Suddenly realizing that he is gone]
Tom—Tom—come back—come back!——
[She runs upstairs after him.Nickyat last stops playing and lets his hands drop from the keys.]
[She runs upstairs after him.Nickyat last stops playing and lets his hands drop from the keys.]
Curtain