The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

Thank you. [Quickly.] No, no—I’ll tell them. You couldn’t do it—how could you?

Mrs. Emptage returns.

Mrs. Emptage.

Tea, tea! [Sitting.] Alec, come and sit by me. [Fraser sits at a distance, his lips compressed, his hands gripped together.] Oh, fie! all that way off! You will persist in treating me as an ordinary mother-in-law! [Fraser moves his chair a little nearer.] That’s better. [Triumphantly.] Well, Harriet, you see all my children round me—a happy family!

[Claude brings tea to Mrs. Cloys.

Sir Fletcher Portwood.

[Bringing a cup of tea to Theophila.] I make no excuse for devoting myself to Theo—on this occasion. [Theophila takes the tea and gulps it.] You looked charming in the witness-box—piquant. [Returning to the tea-table.] Piquant—just the word—piquant.

Mrs. Emptage.

Now, Alec dear, tell us. Did Mrs. Allingham’s counsel, Mr. What’s-his-name, express regret when it was all over?

Fraser.