Austin. [Ignoring purposely her mood and manner.] I shouldn't mind! I do feel a little hungry.
[He sits in the arm-chair.
Jinny. [Speaks off through the doorway Left.] Bring in the tray for Mr. Austin, Maggie.
Maggie. [Off stage.] Yes'm.
[Jinny pulls forward a little tea table beside his chair. Her whole manner must be one of slow, dragging carelessness, like the calm before a storm. Her expression must be hard. She carries the telegram still unopened, and on top of it the theatre tickets torn into pieces.
[Maggie brings in the tray, puts it on the table, and goes out Right. On the tray are chops, peas, some whiskey, a syphon, a roll, etc.
Austin. [Sits down quickly and with a show of eagerness.] Ah!
[Begins to eat as if he were hungry and enjoyed it.
[Jinny sits on the sofa at his Left, and looks at him,—Austin is of course conscious of Jinny's mood, but pretends not to notice it.
Austin. [After a silence during which he eats.] I say I am hungry! And these chops are very good, aren't they?