MRS. WESTERN. [Sitting, and with a shrug of the shoulder.] A ridiculous fairy tale!

JUDGE.  My dear Alice, take my advice, and believe your husband.

MRS. WESTERN.  You too!

MRS. BANKET.  All alike, when there’s a pretty face!

JUDGE.  Let her find another situation, by all means....  But to turn a girl out, at a moment’s notice!  You couldn’t.

MRS. WESTERN. [Turning to the JUDGE.] You are really suggesting that I should sleep under the same roof with—­

JUDGE. [Almost sternly.] You are condemning, without the slightest evidence.  And condemning, remember, an utterly defenceless creature.  This girl has a claim on you:  were your suspicions justified, she-would still have a claim.

MRS. WESTERN.  Indeed!

MRS. BANKET.  The nonsense he talks!  It’s really too silly!

JUDGE.  You are extraordinary, you women!  You exact such rigid morality from the governess and the housemaid!  You’re full of excuses when it’s one of yourselves!

MRS. BANKET. [Indignantly.] Tom!

JUDGE.  Well, that’s true—­we all know it!  And here—­I believe every word
Harvey has said.

MRS. WESTERN. [Scarcely believing her ears.] You do!

JUDGE.  Because he is a man of honour, and men of honour have their code.  Their children’s governess ... is safe.  You will do well to believe it, too.  Now, Fanny, we’ll go.  Be sensible, Alice—­I tell you again, Harvey’s right; the girl must not be—­summarily dismissed:  it would be an act of cruel injustice.  Good-bye. [He offers to kiss her—­she turns away.] As you like.  Good-bye, Harvey, old man.

HARVEY.  Good-bye, Tom. [They shake hands.] And thank you.

MRS. BANKET. [Kissing MRS. WESTERN.] My poor, dear Alice!

MRS. WESTERN.  Good-bye, Fanny.  I’m sorry that our party to-night—­

MRS. BANKET.  Oh, that doesn’t matter!  Poor thing!  I promise you that Tom shall have a good talking to!

     [She is too angry with HARVEY to say good-bye to him:  she and
     the JUDGE go.  The moment the door closes, HARVEY begins,
     feverishly and passionately.

HARVEY.  Now just listen.  I’m going to speak to you—­I’m going to say things—­things that have been in my heart, in my life, for years.  I’m not going to spare you, I’m going to tell you the truth, and the truth, and the truth!

MRS. WESTERN. [Calmly, looking ironically at him.] If it’s the same kind of truth you’ve been giving us to-night—­

HARVEY.  We’ve been married ten years.  Oh, I know, we were neither of us very young.  But anyhow the last five have been nothing but misery for me.  Misery—­do you hear that?  You sitting there, calm and collected—­not caring one damn for me—­

MRS. WESTERN. [Quietly.] That’s not true.