Hilary. It’s naked need!
Margaret. What good should I be to you? I don’t love you, Hilary—poor Hilary. I love him. I never think of anything but him.
Hilary. But it’s me you married. You promised—you promised—better or worse—in sickness in health—You can’t go back on your promise.
Margaret. It isn’t fair.
Hilary. Anything’s fair! You don’t know what misery means.
Margaret. I’m learning.
Hilary. But you don’t know. You couldn’t leave me to it if you knew. Why, I’ve never known you hurt a creature in all your life! Remember the rat-hunts in the barn, the way we used to chaff you? and the starling? and the kitten you found? Why, I’ve seen you step aside for a little creeping green thing on the path. You’ve never hurt anything. Then how can you hurt me so? You can’t have changed since yesterday—
Margaret. [In despairing protest] It’s half my life ago—
Hilary. It’s yesterday, it’s yesterday!
Margaret. [With the fleeting courage of a half caught bird] Yes, it is yesterday. It’s how you took me—yesterday—and now you’re doing it again!