FullReads

(The door opens, and NORWOOD starts back quickly as DENNIS comes in.)

DENNIS
(looking at his watch). Innings declared closed. (to NORWOOD) The dining-room is nicely warmed now, and I’ve left you an evening paper.

NORWOOD
(going to KATE). Look here, Mr. Camberley, Kate and I–

DENNIS
. Mrs. Camberley, no doubt, will tell me.

(He holds the door open and waits politely for NORWOOD to go.)

NORWOOD
. I don’t know what your game is–

DENNIS
. You’ve never been in Mesopotamia, Mr. Norwood?

NORWOOD
. Never.

DENNIS
. It’s a very trying place for the temper. . . . I’m waiting for you.

NORWOOD
(irresolute). Well, I—- (He comes sulkily to the door) Well, I shall come back for Kate in five minutes.

DENNIS
. Mrs. Camberley and I will be ready for you. You know your way?

[NORWOOD goes out.]

(DENNIS shuts the door. He comes into the room and stands looking at KATE.)

KATE
(uncomfortably). Well?

DENNIS
. No, don’t move. I just want to look at you. . . . I’ve seen you like that for four years. Don’t move. . . . I’ve been in some dreary places, but you’ve been with me most of the time. Just let’s have a last look.

KATE
. A last look?

DENNIS
. Yes.

KATE
. You’re saying good-bye to me?

DENNIS
. I don’t know whether it’s to you, Kate. To the girl who has been with me these last four years. Was that you?

KATE
(dropping her eyes). I don’t know, Dennis.

DENNIS
. I wish to God I wasn’t your husband.

KATE
. What would you do if you weren’t my husband?

DENNIS
. Make love to you.

KATE
. Can’t you do that now?

DENNIS
. Being your husband rather handicaps me, you know. I never really stood a chance against the other fellow.

KATE
. I was to choose between you, you said. You think that I have already made up my mind?

DENNIS
(smiling). I think so.

KATE
. And chosen him?

DENNIS
(shaking his head). Oh, no!

KATE
(surprised). You think I have chosen you?

DENNIS
(nodding). M’m.

KATE
(indignantly). Really, Dennis! Considering that I had practically arranged to run away with him twenty minutes ago! You must think me very fickle.

DENNIS
. Not fickle. Imaginative.

KATE
. What do you mean? And why are you so certain that I am going to choose you? And why in that case did you talk about taking a last look at me? And what–?

DENNIS
. Of course, we’ve only got five minutes, but I think that if you asked your questions one at a time—-

KATE
(smiling). Well, you needn’t answer them all together.

DENNIS
. All right then, one at a time. Why am I certain that you will choose me? Because for the first time in your life you have just been alone with Mr. Cyril Norwood. That’s what I meant by saying you were imaginative. The Norwood you’ve been thinking yourself in love with doesn’t exist. I’m certain that you’ve seen him for the first time in these last few minutes. Why, the Archangel Gabriel would have made a hash of a five minutes like that; it would have been impossible for him to have said the right thing to you. Norwood? Good Lord, he didn’t stand a chance. You were judging him all the time, weren’t you?

KATE
(thoughtfully). You’re very clever, Dennis.

DENNIS
(cheerfully). Four years’ study of the Turkish character.