(They go towards the window, and are met by
Valentine, who comes in from the garden walking quickly, with his face
set and sulky.)
VALENTINE (stiffly). Excuse me. I thought the party had quite
broken up.
GLORIA (nagging). Then why did you come back?
VALENTINE. I came back because I am penniless. I can't get out that
way without a five shilling ticket.
MRS. CLANDON. Has anything annoyed you, Mr. Valentine?
GLORIA. Never mind him, mother. This is a fresh insult to me: that
is all.
MRS. CLANDON (hardly able to realize that Gloria is deliberately
provoking an altercation). Gloria!
VALENTINE. Mrs. Clandon: have I said anything insulting? Have I
done anything insulting?
GLORIA. you have implied that my past has been like yours. That is
the worst of insults.
VALENTINE. I imply nothing of the sort. I declare that my past has
been blameless in comparison with yours.
MRS. CLANDON (most indignantly). Mr. Valentine!
VALENTINE. Well, what am I to think when I learn that Miss Clandon
has made exactly the same speeches to other men that she has made to
me---when I hear of at least five former lovers, with a tame naval
lieutenant thrown in? Oh, it's too bad.
MRS. CLANDON. But you surely do not believe that these affairs---
mere jokes of the children's---were serious, Mr.
Pages:
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158