CRAIG’S WIFE
141
- smiles bitterly) I saw your entire plan of life, Harriet,and its relationship to me. And my instinct of self-preservation suggested the need of immediate action—the inauguration of a new régime here: so I smashed the little ornament there—as a kind of opening gun. And I was going to smash all the other little ornaments—and Gods you had set up in the temple here, and been worshipping before me. I was going to put my house in order, including my wife; and rule it with a red of iron. (Mrs. Croig turns away, faintly amused) I don’t wonder that amuses you; it amused me; particularly when I suddenly remembered the truth of what you called me last night; and in view of that, the absurdity of my trying to sustain such a rôle indefinitely. It made me laugh—But I’m rather sorry you couldn’t have seen me, anyway; I think you would at least have appreciated the sincerity of my attempt to continue here as your husband.
- [He turns slowly and moves towards the portières.
Mrs. Craig
- What do you mean, your attempt to continue here as my husband?
Craig
- The rôle is not for me, Harriet; I can only play a romantic part.
- [She turns her head quietly and looks at him; and he holds her eye for a second, then goes out through the portières; and she stands looking after him. Then she moves slowly to the portières and stands, thinking. The doorbell rings, but evidently she doesn’t hear it, She moves forward slowly, still thinking narrowly. Mrs. Harold comes through the portières hurriedly.
