Dawker.  Now, don’t carry on!  That won’t help you.

Chloe.  What d’you call it—­to dog a woman down like this, just because you happen to have a quarrel with a man?

Dawker.  Who made the quarrel?  Not me, missis.  You ought to know that in a row it’s the weak and helpless—­we won’t say the innocent —­that get it in the neck.  That can’t be helped.

Chloe. [Regarding him intently] I hope your mother or your sister, if you’ve got any, may go through what I’m going through ever since you got on my track.  I hope they’ll know what fear means.  I hope they’ll love and find out that it’s hanging on a thread, and—­and—­ Oh! you coward, you persecuting coward!  Call yourself a man!

Dawker. [With his grin] Ah!  You look quite pretty like that.  By George! you’re a handsome woman when you’re roused.

     [Chloe’s passion fades out as quickly as it blazed up.  She
     sinks down on the sofa, shudders, looks here and there, and
     then for a moment up at him.]

Chloe.  Is there anything you’ll take, not to spoil my life? [Clasping her hands on her breast; under her breath] Me?

Dawker. [Wiping his brow] By God!  That’s an offer. [He recoils towards the window] You—­you touched me there.  Look here!  I’ve got to use you and I’m going to use you, but I’ll do my best to let you down as easy as I can.  No, I don’t want anything you can give me—­that is—­[He wipes his brow again] I’d like it—­but I won’t take it.

     [Chloe buries her face in her hands.]

There!  Keep your pecker up; don’t cry.  Good-night! [He goes through the window.]

Chloe. [Springing up] Ugh!  Rat in a trap!  Rat——!

[She stands listening; flies to the door, unlocks it, and, going back to the sofa, lies down and doses her eyes.  Charles comes in very quietly and stands over her, looking to see if she is asleep.  She opens her eyes.]

Charles.  Well, Clo!  Had a sleep, old girl?

Chloe.  Ye-es.

Charles. [Sitting on the arm of the sofa and caressing her] Feel better, dear?

Chloe.  Yes, better, Charlie.

Charles.  That’s right.  Would you like some soup?

Chloe. [With a shudder] No.

Charles.  I say-what gives you these heads?  You’ve been very on and off all this last month.

Chloe.  I don’t know.  Except that—­except that I am going to have a child, Charlie.

Charles.  After all!  By Jove!  Sure?

Chloe. [Nodding] Are you glad?

Charles.  Well—­I suppose I am.  The guv’nor will be mighty pleased, anyway.

Chloe.  Don’t tell him—­yet.

Charles.  All right! [Bending over and drawing her to him] My poor girl, I’m so sorry you’re seedy.  Give us a kiss.