MRS. G. (Still more faintly.) My finger wasn't scalded at all.
I--wanted to speak to you about--about--something else, and--I didn't
know how.
CAPT. G. Speak away, then. (Looking into her eyes.) Eb! Wha-at? Minnie!
Here, don't go away! You don't mean?
MRS. G. (Hysterically, backing to portiere and hiding her face in
its fold's.) The--the Almost Inevitable Consequences! (Flits through
portiere as G. attempts to catch her, and bolts her self in her own
room.)
CAPT. G. (His arms full of portiere.) Oh! (Sitting down heavily in
chair.) I'm a brute--a pig--a bully, and a blackguard. My poor, poor
little darling! “Made to be amused only?”--
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW Knowing Good and Evil.
SCENE.--The GADSBYS' bungalow in the Plains, in June. Punkah--coolies
asleep in veranda where Captain GADSBY is walking up and down. DOCTOR'S
trap in porch. JUNIOR CHAPLAIN drifting generally and uneasily through
the house. Time, 3:40 A. M. Heat 94 degrees in veranda.
DOCTOR. (Coming into veranda and touching G. on the shoulder.) You had
better go in and see her now.
CAPT. G. (The color of good cigar-ash.) Eb, wha-at? Oh, yes, of course.
What did you say?
DOCTOR. (Syllable by syllable.) Go--in--to--the--room--and--see--her.
She wants to speak to you. (Aside, testily.) I shall have him on my
hands next.