(She takes both of JULIET'S hands.)
JULIET. I read your letter just in time. The fact
Is that it caught me in the very act
Of going out to supper.
HELEN.But you'll stay
Now? It's important—what I've come to say—
And yet so horrible that I've scarce the heart
To speak of it. I don't know how to start.
JULIET. I guess. You've jilted John! I always said
You would. Or has he jilted you instead?
HELEN (breaking). Oh, don't be flippant, Juliet. Can't you see
It's not a laughing matter? Should I be
In such a state about a love-affair?
I'm not pre-Shaw.
JULIET.Then why——
HELEN.As if I'd care
Because John tried to leave me. He'll as soon
Do that as find an oil-field in the moon.
No—this is something serious.
JULIET.Won't you take
Your furs off, and sit down?
HELEN.For goodness' sake
Don't vex me with that calm superior tone!
Once you were sympathetic, but you've grown
More and more selfish every month. Of late
I've hardly seen you. Now I come here straight
From being insulted, being driven half-mad,
By some sly undiscoverable cad,
And there you sit, impassive and content,
Like Middle-Age upon a monument
Smiling at grief.
JULIET.I don't flare up like you,
Helen. But wait! I've been insulted, too.