Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/279

 —You defend his bad manners just as graciously as you suffered them a while ago. You are a brave and clever girl—a perfect martyr. I have just learned from your mother that you [sarcastically] were the innocent target of certain unwelcome attentions  and that you have endured them with such patience, such goodness

—[Very agitated; looks from to  in fear that they will quarrel.] Mother is mistaken, Albert. And you judge him wrongly. You don't understand him.

—[Ironically.] It is not easy to understand him.

—[Excitedly.] You can't possibly understand him. [ laughs mockingly.] Don't laugh at him, Albert. He is a scientist and a poet He is an astronomer.

—An ill-bred little astronomer.

—[With a threatening movement.] Your highness!

—[Trembling with excitement; passionately.] Albert, you are going too far. You must not say that.

—But he is.

—I won't have him insulted like this

—[To .] Your highness, I

—[Quite composed.] You are an imper