STUDENT. Incredible! Yet such things have to be borne. It is very beautiful, although a little cold. Why don't you have a fire?
YOUNG LADY. Because the smoke comes into the room.
STUDENT. Have the chimney swept!
YOUNG LADY. It doesn't help.—Do you see that writing-table?
STUDENT. Remarkably handsome!
YOUNG LADY. But one leg is too short. Every day I put a piece of cork under that leg. Every day the chambermaid takes it away when she sweeps the room. Every day I have to cut a new piece. Both my penholder and my inkstand are covered with ink every morning, and I have to clean them after that woman—as sure as the sun rises. [Pause] What is the worst thing you can think of?
STUDENT. To count the wash. Ugh!
YOUNG LADY. That's what I have to do. Ugh!
STUDENT. Anything else?
YOUNG LADY. To be waked out of your sleep and have to get up and dose the window—which the chambermaid has left unlatched.