The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Mrs. Emptage.

[Removing Theophila’s bonnet.] In your bonnet all day again; your head must be splitting. I know. Do you remember my head at the flower-show at Eastbourne?

[Mrs. Cloys bends over Theophila and helps her to get rid of her cape.

Theophila.

Thanks, awfully.

[She takes her bonnet from Mrs. Emptage, and fiercely begins to roll it in her cape, as if about to crush them together.

Mrs. Emptage.

[Uttering a little scream, running round the settee to her.] What are you doing?

[There is a general movement.

Theophila.