Part 23 (1/2)

_Dolly._ Harry, you don't mean that? Oh, that's absurd with our income!

_Harry._ Will you have the goodness to do as I say, and at once, please?

[_He is dotting down figures. She stands still in the middle of the room._] Did you hear me?

[_She bursts into tears. He turns round and shows symptoms of relenting towards her, but steels himself and turns to the bills.

She bursts into renewed tears. He goes on figuring._

_Dolly._ [_Piteously._] Harry! Harry! [_Goes up to him and plucks his sleeve._] Harry!

_Harry._ Well?

[_He turns and looks at her, is about to yield, but resists, turns away from her, settles resolutely to his figures._

_Dolly._ And on the first night of the New Year, too! Just as we were going to be so happy! Harry! [_Holds out her arms appealingly._] Harry!

[HARRY _suddenly turns round and clasps her._] How could you be so unkind to me?

_Harry._ Was I? I didn't mean to be. Now! Dry your tears, and help me reckon this up----

_Dolly._ Ye-es.

_Harry._ But first of all let me have the remainder of the bills----

_Dolly._ Yes.

_Harry._ At once, my darling--it's getting late.

_Dolly._ Yes. [_Goes up to desk._] You won't reproach me?

_Harry._ Of course I won't.

_Dolly._ I can bear anything except your reproaches. Promise you won't reproach me.

_Harry._ I won't, unless----

_Dolly._ Unless what?

_Harry._ It's something too awful.

_Dolly._ Oh, it isn't. Not at all. Not at all. [_Goes up to the desk, brings down about ten more bills with great affected cheerfulness._]

There! You see, it's nothing.

_Harry._ [_Hastily looking at the totals._] Nothing? You call these nothing!!?

_Dolly._ Nothing to speak about--nothing awful!

_Harry._ Good heavens! How any woman with the least care for her husband, or her home---- [_looking at one total after another_] how any woman with the least self-respect---- [DOLLY _goes to him, puts her arms round him, tries to embrace--he repulses her._] No, please. I've had enough of that old dodge.

_Dolly._ Dodge!