MRS. CULVER ( to Parlourmaid, stopping her as she goes out, dramatically ). Give me that letter. ( She snatches the letter from the Parlourmaid.) You can go. (Culver rises .) ( Exit Parlourmaid.)
MRS. CULVER. I am determined to make a stand this time.
CULVER ( soothingly ). So I see, darling.
MRS. CULVER. I have given way to you all my life. But I won't give way now. This letter shall not go.
CULVER. As you like, darling.
MRS. CULVER. No. ( She tears the envelope open, without having looked at it, and throws the letter into the fire. In doing so she lets fall a cheque .)
CULVER ( rising and picking up the cheque ). I'll keep the cheque as a memento.
MRS. CULVER. Cheque? What cheque?
CULVER. Darling, once in the old, happy days—I think it was last week—you and I were walking down Bond Street, almost hand in hand, but not quite, and you saw a brooch in a shop window. You simply had to have that brooch. I offered it to you for a Christmas present. You are wearing it now, and very well it suits you. This ( indicating the cheque ) was to pay the bill.
MRS. CULVER. Arthur!