LATIMER. Of course! What is there mysterious about this house? What is there mysterious about this—er—Mr. Latimer? And as for any one being kept prisoner—here—in this respectable England—why!
ANNE. It is absurd, isn’t it?
LATIMER. Quite ridiculous.
ANNE (getting up—now she will show him). I thought it was. (She goes to the front door and turns the handle. To her surprise the door opens. But MR. LATIMER mustn’t know that she is surprised.) You see, I thought it was! [132](She steps out into the garden.) You see, the gates are open too! (She comes back.) What an absurd dream to have had! (She sits down again.)
LATIMER. There’s no accounting for dreams. I had an absurd one too last night.
ANNE. What was it?
LATIMER. A lonely house. Father and daughter living together. Father old, selfish, absorbed in his work. Daughter left to herself; her only companion, books; knowing nothing of the world. A man comes into her life—the first. He makes much of her. It is a new experience for the daughter. She is grateful to him, so grateful, so very proud that she means anything to him. He tells her when it is too late that he is married; talks of an impossible wife; tells her that she is his real mate. Let her come with him and see something of the world which she has never known. She comes.... Dear me, what silly things one dreams!
ANNE. Absurd things.... (So he knows! He knows all about it! But she will not be treated as a child. She will carry it off yet.) When can we have the car? (Now she is carrying it off.)
LATIMER. The car?
ANNE. Leonard’s car.