Page:The Return of the Soldier (Van Druten).djvu/65

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ACT II

splendid, handsome Chris . . . to be like that. (She cries weakly.) I’ve not been able to sleep for thinking of him . . . broken and queer, like that.

Jenny : Oh, don’t . . . don’t. He’s not so bad. He’ll get quite well.

Margaret : I know, I know. I don’t believe that anything bad could be allowed to happen to Chris for long. And I’m sure you’re looking after him beautifully. It isn’t that. But when a thing you thought had ended fifteen years ago starts all over again, and you're very tired . . . Oh, I suppose I ought to say he isn’t right in his head, and that I’m married, so we'd better not meet, but, oh . . . I want to see him so! It’s wrong, I know it’s wrong, but I am so glad Chris wants to see me too!

[Ellen enters with tea, which she places on table before Jenny, and goes.

Jenny : Come . . . tea will do you good. Milk and sugar?

Margaret : No sugar, thank you. I’ve given it up since the war. I thought it was the least I could do. Thank you. I’m glad of a cup of tea. I’ve been baking all the morning, and it takes it out of you. You can’t get a girl nowadays that understands the baking. And my kitchen gets so hot.

[Jenny passes bread and butter. Margaret takes a piece.

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