BETTY. [_Still staring helplessly at him._] You ...
WALTER. [_Feverishly._] Yes, I, I! Now it's out, at least--it's spoken! I
mean to get married, like other men--fooled, too, I dare say, like the
others--at least I deserve it! But I'm tired, I tell you--tired--
BETTY. Of me?
WALTER. Tired of the life I lead--the beastly, empty rooms--the meals at
the Club. And I'm thirty-eight--it's now or never.
BETTY. [_Slowly._] And how about--me?
WALTER. You?
BETTY. [_Passionately._] Yes. Me. Me!
WALTER. You didn't think this would last for ever?
BETTY. [_Nodding her head._] I did--yes--I did. Why shouldn't it?
WALTER. [_Working himself into a fury again._] Why? You ask that? Why? Oh
yes, it's all right for _you_--you've your home and your husband--I'm
there as an--annexe. To be telephoned to, when I'm wanted, at your beck
and call, throw over everything, come when you whistle. And it's not only
that--I tell you it makes me feel--horrid. After all, he's my--friend.
BETTY. He has been that always. You didn't feel--horrid--before.... Who is
she?
WALTER. [_Shortly, as he turns back to the fire._] That doesn't matter.
BETTY. Yes, it does. Who?
WALTER. [_Fretfully._] Oh, why should we--
BETTY. I want to know--I'm _entitled_ to know.
WALTER. [_Still with his back to her._] Mary Gillingham.
BETTY. Mary Gillingham!
WALTER. [_Firmly, swinging round to her._] Yes.
BETTY. That child, that chit of a girl!
WALTER. She's twenty-three.
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