30
CRAIG’S WIFE
- she does it. Really, it’s the most transparently obvious thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
Craig
- Well, why do you think she does it?
Mrs. Craig
- Why do I think she does it?
Craig
- Yes.
- [Mrs. Craig laughs, with a shade of amused impatience.
Mrs. Craig
- Well now, Walter—why do certain women go about all the time with a child by the hand, or a dog on a leash. To facilitate the—approach. (She returns to the table and puts her gloves in her pocketbook; and Craig sits looking at her, mystified) Only the lady upstairs uses roses. So, really, I wouldn’t be sitting there when she comes down, if I were you, Walter; you know there is a danger in propinquity.
Craig (resuming his letters)
- I guess she could have gotten plenty of men if she’d wanted them.
Mrs. Craig
- But she may not have been able to get the kind she wanted. And you may be the kind. (He looks at her and laughs) And this little visit this afternoon, laden with flowers, may be simply the initial attack in a very highly premeditated campaign.
Craig
- Did you say she brought some flowers over this afternoon?
Mrs. Craig
- I said, “highly premeditated.” I believe you told me you’d stopped a number of times to talk to her.