_SAME SCENE AND TIME. MRS. RIVENLUTE DISCOVERED ALONE_.
_Mrs. R._ He might at _least_ have made _some_ allusion to the day--it
would have been only _decent_! He can't possibly have _forgotten_! I
don't know, though, very likely he has.... Well, _I'm_ not going to
remind him! I suppose he means to stay downstairs, smoking, as usual,
all the evening. Oh, if I could only make him ashamed of himself just
_once_!... _I_ know! Uncle JOHN'S phonograph! He can't help hearing
_that_. (_She winds it up, as JACK R. enters, yawning._) Dear me, this
_is_ an unexpected honour. (_Softening slightly._) Have you come up to
keep me company--for once?
_Jack._ Well, to tell you the truth, my dear, I fancy I left the
evening paper here. An, there it is.
[_He seizes it, and prepares to go._
_Mrs. R._ You can read it here, if you _like_, you know--I don't mind
your smoking.
_Jack._ Thanks--but it's cosier in the study.
_Mrs. R._ Of course I know that any place where I don't happen to be
is cosier in _your_ opinion.
_Jack._ Oh, hang it, don't begin all that again--there, _I_'ll stay!
(_He chooses a comfortable chair._) What the doose is that?
[_The phonograph has begun to buzz and hum._
_Mrs. R._ Hush!--it's Uncle JOHN'S present.
[_The "Wedding March" strikes up with a deafening blare._
_Jack_ (_startled_). Bless my soul! I thought something had blown up.
"_Hallelujah Chorus_," is it--or what?
_Mrs. R._ (_coldly_). As it happens, it is MENDELSSOHN'S "_Wedding
March._"
_Jack._ Sounded familiar somehow. 'Jove! MENDELSSOHN was determined to
let 'em know _he_ was married!
_Mrs. R._ That was intended to let people know _we_ were married. It
is our Wedding March.
_Jack._ Ours? You said it was _MENDELSSOHN'S_ just now! But what are
you turning it on _now_, for?
_Mrs. R._ Do you remember what day this is, by any chance?
_Jack._ Haven't an idea. Isn't there a calendar on your
writing-table?--that ought to tell you, if you want to know.
_Mrs. R._ Thank you, _I_ don't require a calendar. To-day is the
twenty-third--the day you and I were married. [_Sighs._
_Jack._ 'Pon my word I believe you're right. The twenty-third--so it
is! [_He becomes silent._
_Mrs. R._ (_to herself, as the "Wedding March" continues jubilantly_).
He _is_ ashamed of himself. I _knew_ he would be--only he doesn't
quite know how to tell me so; he will presently.... I wish I could
see his face.... If he is only sorry enough, I _think_ I shall
forgive him. JACK! (_Softly._) JACK dear! (_A prolonged snore from the
arm-chair. She goes to him and touches his arm._) You had better go
down-stairs and have your cigar, hadn't you? It may keep you awake!
(_Bitterly._)
_Jack_ (_opening his eyes_). Eh?--oh! Well, if you're sure you don't
mind being alone, I rather think I will.
_Mrs. R._ I should infinitely _prefer_ being alone--I am so used to
it.
[_Exit JACK, as the "Wedding March" comes to a triumphant conclusion._