[_He stops._
BETTY. What?
[WALTER _looks at her--tries to speak, but cannot--then he breaks
away, goes across the room to the fireplace and stands for a
moment looking into the fire. She has remained where she was, her
eyes following him wonderingly. Suddenly he stamps his foot
violently._
WALTER. Damn it! DAMN it!
BETTY. [_Moving towards him in alarm._] What's the matter?
WALTER. [_With a swift turn towards her._] I'm going to get married.
BETTY. [_Stonily, stopping by the round table._] You ...
WALTER. [_Savagely._] Going to get married, yes. Married, married!
[_She stands there and doesn't stir--doesn't speak or try to
speak; merely stands there, and looks at him, giving no sign. Her
silence irritates him; he becomes more and more violent, as
though to give himself courage._
WALTER. You're wonderful, you women--you really are. Always contrive to
make us seem brutes, or cowards! I've wanted to tell you this a dozen
times--I've not had the pluck. Well, to-day I must. Must, do you hear
that?... Oh, for Heaven's sake, say something.
BETTY. [_Still staring helplessly at him._] You ...
WALTER. [_Feverishly._] Yes, I, I! Now it's out, at least--it's spoken! I
mean to get married, like other men--fooled, too, I dare say, like the
others--at least I deserve it! But I'm tired, I tell you--tired--
BETTY. Of me?
WALTER. Tired of the life I lead--the beastly, empty rooms--the meals at
the Club. And I'm thirty-eight--it's now or never.
BETTY. [_Slowly._] And how about--me?
WALTER. You?
BETTY. [_Passionately._] Yes. Me. Me!
WALTER. You didn't think this would last for ever?
BETTY. [_Nodding her head._] I did--yes--I did. Why shouldn't it?
WALTER. [_Working himself into a fury again._] Why? You ask that? Why? Oh
yes, it's all right for _you_--you've your home and your husband--I'm
there as an--annexe. To be telephoned to, when I'm wanted, at your beck
and call, throw over everything, come when you whistle. And it's not only
that--I tell you it makes me feel--horrid. After all, he's my--friend.
BETTY. He has been that always. You didn't feel--horrid--before.... Who is
she?
WALTER. [_Shortly, as he turns back to the fire._] That doesn't matter.
BETTY. Yes, it does. Who?