Mrs. Dale (critically). But the rest of it’s poorly done—very poorly. (Reads the letter over.) H’m—I didn’t know how to leave off. It takes me forever to get out of the door.
Ventnor (gayly). Perhaps I was there to prevent you! (After a pause.) I wonder what I said in return?
Mrs. Dale (interested). Shall we look? (She rises.) Shall we—really? I have them all here, you know. (She goes toward the cabinet.)
Ventnor (following her with repressed eagerness). Oh—all!
Mrs. Dale (throws open the door of the cabinet, revealing a number of packets). Don’t you believe me now?
Ventnor. Good heavens! How I must have repeated myself! But then you were so very deaf.
Mrs. Dale (takes out a packet and returns to her seat. Ventnor extends an impatient hand for the letters). No—no; wait! I want to find your answer to the one I was just reading. (After a pause.) Here it is—yes, I thought so!
Ventnor. What did you think?
Mrs. Dale (triumphantly). I thought it was the one in which you quoted Epipsychidion—
Ventnor. Mercy! Did I quote things? I don’t wonder you were cruel.