Mrs builder.  They’ve never had any religion since.

Builder.  H’m! [He takes a short turn up the room] What’s to be done about Athene?

Mrs builder.  You said you had done with her.

Builder.  You know I didn’t mean that.  I might just as well have said I’d done with you!  Apply your wits, Julia!  At any moment this thing may come out.  In a little town like this you can keep nothing dark.  How can I take this nomination for Mayor?

Mrs builder.  Perhaps Ralph could help.

Builder.  What?  His daughters have never done anything disgraceful, and his wife’s a pattern.

Mrs builder.  Yes; Ralph isn’t at all a family man.

Builder. [Staring at her] I do wish you wouldn’t turn things upside down in that ironical way.  It isn’t—­English.

Mrs builder.  I can’t help having been born in Jersey.

Builder.  No; I suppose it’s in your blood.  The French—­ [He stops short].

Mrs builder.  Yes?

Builder.  Very irritating sometimes to a plain Englishman—­that’s all.

Mrs builder.  Shall I get rid of Camille?

Builder. [Staring at her, then dropping his glance] Camille?  What’s she got to do with it?

Mrs builder.  I thought perhaps you found her irritating.

Builder.  Why should I?

     Camille comes in from the dining-room with the coffee.

Put it there.  I want some brandy, please.

Camille.  I bring it, Monsieur.

     She goes back demurely into the dining-room.

Builder.  Topping’s got toothache, poor chap! [Pouring out the coffee] Can’t you suggest any way of making Athene see reason?  Think of the example!  Maud will be kicking over next.  I shan’t be able to hold my head up here.

Mrs builder.  I’m afraid I can’t do that for you.

Builder. [Exasperated] Look here, Julia!  That wretched girl said something to me about our life together.  What—­what’s the matter with that?

Mrs builder.  It is irritating.

Builder.  Be explicit.

Mrs builder.  We have lived together twenty-three years, John.  No talk will change such things.

Builder.  Is it a question of money?  You can always have more.  You know that. [Mrs builder smiles] Oh! don’t smile like that; it makes me feel quite sick!

     Camille enters with a decanter and little glasses, from the
     dining-room.

Camille.  The brandy, sir.  Monsieur Ralph Builder has just come.

Mrs builder.  Ask him in, Camille.

Camille.  Yes, Madame.