6
MRS. HOLROYD
[ACT I
Blackmore
- Why, bless my life, I ’m a lot dirtier than the towel. I don’t want another.
Mrs. Holroyd (going into the scullery)
- Here you are.
Blackmore (softly, now she is near him)
- Why did you trouble now? Pride, you know, pride, nothing else.
Mrs. Holroyd (also playful)
- It ’s nothing but decency.
Blackmore (softly)
- Pride, pride, pride!
- [A child of eight suddenly appears in the doorway.
Jack Oo, how dark!
Mrs. Holroyd (hurrying agitated into the kitchen)
- Why, where have you been—what have you been doing now?
Jack (surprised) Why — I’ve only been out to play.
Mrs. Holroyd (still sharply)
- And where ’s Minnie?
- [A little girl of six appears by the door.
Minnie
- I ’m here, mam, and what do you think—?
Mrs. Holroyd (softening, as she recovers equanimity)
- Well, and what should I think?
Jack
- Oh, yes, mam—you know my father—?
Mrs. Holroyd (ironically)
- I should hope so.
Minnie
- We saw him dancing, mam, with a paper bonnet.
