[Turning to Nina]
I think I’ll write to my sister in California and ask her to come on and live with me. She’s alone now that her youngest daughter is married, and she has very little money. And my hands are tied as far as sharing the estate with her is concerned. According to Mother’s will, I’m cut off too if I give her a penny. Mother never got over her bitter feeling about Jane’s marriage. In a way, she was right. Jane’s husband wasn’t much—no family or position or ability—and I doubt if she was ever happy with him.
[Sarcastically]
It was one of those love matches!
Nina
[Smiling—teasingly]
There’s no danger of your ever making a love match, is there, Charlie?
Marsden
[Wincing—thinking]
She can’t believe any woman could possibly love me! . . .
[Caustically]
I trust I’ll never make that kind of a fool of myself, Nina!
Nina
[Teasingly]
Pooh! Aren’t you the superior bachelor! I don’t see anything to be so proud of! You’re simply shirking, Charlie!
Marsden
[Wincing but forcing a teasing air]
You were my only true love, Nina. I made a vow of perpetual bachelorhood when you threw me over in Sam’s favor!
