THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER
have been sly to sit there and not tell him. I told him, anyhow. Oh, but I can’t do it. I can’t! Go out and put an end to the poor love’s happiness, remind him of all this . . . after the time he’s had, and the war and all. And then he’ll have to go back there . . . back to France. I can’t! I can’t! I oughtn’t to do it, ought I? You know . . . you love him, too. I oughtn’t.
Jenny (hardly above a whisper) : No . . . leave him . . . let him be happy.
[The door R. opens and Kitty comes in. She is carrying Confucius, the Pekinese dog. She freezes as she sees the two women and the toys on the floor.
Kitty : I’m sorry . . . I didn’t mean to disturb you. Haven’t you finished yet? Chris is waiting for you, Mrs. Grey.
[Margaret stares at her, open-mouthed. She passes on, averting her head from the toys, and goes out by the door L.
Margaret (staring after her) : Oh, the poor thing! The little dog’s hers? Chris thought it must be yours. He didn’t think she’d be fond of dogs.
Jenny : I’ve never seen her notice it before.
[A long silence.
I’ll put these things back.
Margaret (stonily) : No! Chris is a man. He’s grown up. He’s got to face things. It was
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