GERTRUDE. You mad thing!
AGNES. [Releasing herself, facing GERTRUDE and AMOS.] You're only breaking in upon my hour.
GERTRUDE. Your hour—?
AGNES. [Waving them away.] I ask you to go—to go! [GERTRUDE returns to AMOS.]
AMOS. My dear Gertrude, you see what our position is here. If Mrs.
Ebbsmith asks for our help it is our duty to give it.
GERTRUDE. It is especially my duty, Amos.
AMOS. And I should have thought it especially mine. However, Mrs. Ebbsmith appears to firmly decline our help. And at this point, I confess, I would rather you left it—you, at least.
GERTRUDE. You would rather I left it—I, the virtuous, unsoiled woman! Yes, I am a virtuous woman, Amos; and it strikes you as odd, I suppose, my insisting upon friendship with her. But look here, both of you. I'll tell you a secret. You never knew it, Amos my dear. I never allowed anybody to suspect it—
AMOS. Never knew what?
GERTRUDE. The sort of married life mine was. It didn't last long, but it was dreadful, almost intolerable.