"Because he ought to know who are going. I will not go."
"You will not, Nora. Is that a proper way of speaking?"
"Dear mamma, I mean it to be proper. I hope it is proper. But is it not best that we should understand each other? All my life depends on my going or my staying now. I must decide."
"After what has passed, you do not, I suppose, mean to live in Mr. Glascock's house?"
"Certainly not. I mean to live with,—with,—with my husband. Mamma, I promised not to write, and I have not written. And he has not written,—because I told him not. Therefore, nothing is settled. But it is not fair to throw it in my teeth that nothing is settled."
"I have thrown nothing in your teeth, Nora."
"Papa talks sneeringly about chairs and tables. Of course, I know what he is thinking of. As I cannot go with him to the Mandarins, I think I ought to be allowed to look after the chairs and tables."
"What do you mean, my dear?"
"That you should absolve me from my promise, and let me write to Mr. Stanbury. I do not want to be left without a home."
"You cannot wish to write to a gentleman and ask him to marry you!"