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Rh

[Thinking resentfully]

Is she trying to humiliate me before him? I’ll teach her!

[Then struggling with himself—remorsefully]

No not this time  I promised  no quarrel  remember

[Acquiescing—with a pleasant nod to ]

Yes, I’m going this week and I expect to be gone at least two years this time—two years of hard work.

[Thinking with scornful pity]

His work! what a pretense! a scientific dilettante! could anything be more pitiable? poor chap!

[Perfunctorily]

Biology must be an interesting study. I wish I knew more about it.

[Stung yet amused by the other’s tone—ironically]

Yes, so do I wish you did, Marsden! Then you might write more about life and less about dear old ladies and devilish bachelors! Why don’t you write a novel about life sometime, Marsden?

[He turns his back on with a glance of repulsion and walks to the window and stares out]

[Confusedly]

Yes—decidedly—but hardly in my line—

[Thinking in anguish—picking up a magazine and turning over the pages aimlessly]