THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER
she oughtn’t to see you, that she ought to leave you alone. She’s only just gone.
Chris : I must go after her.
Jenny : Chris, wait. I understand, Chris dear, I do indeed. . . . We all do. But you mustn’t be in a hurry. There are things you don’t realise. She’s married now . . . and middle-aged and . . .
Chris : As if that mattered! I must go to her. Let me go to her.
Kitty : You can’t go to her now. (Bitterly) She has her husband’s tea to get . . . and her house and her new maid to see to.
Chris (blindly) : I must see her.
Kitty : You shall see her. But wait . . . wait till to-morrow. I tell you she has her own life . . . her own affairs. You can’t disturb her to-night. Her husband will be there. To-morrow I will send the car down for her. You shall see her to-morrow. You shall see as much of her as you like.
Chris (subsiding weakly) : Thank you. I expect you're right. I mustn’t be impatient. It’s good of you, Kitty . . . believe me, I appreciate it. I do indeed. You’re all being so kind. . . . I’ll wait . . . till to-morrow . . . to-morrow.
Jenny : Chris, dear . . .
Chris : To-morrow . . .
[He sits looking at the closed door. They stand watching him helplessly.
CURTAIN
42