'Oh, Kate! I beg of you not to go in there,' said Dick; 'you've had enough; do come home!'
'Come home!' she shrieked, 'and with you, you beast! It was you who seduced me, who got me away from my husband.'
This occasioned a good deal of amusement in the crowd, and several voices asked for information.
'And how did he manage to do that, marm?' said one.
'With a bottle of gin. What do you think?' cried another.
There were moments when Dick longed for the earth to open; but he nevertheless continued to try to prevent Kate from entering the public-house.
'I will drink! I will drink! I will drink! And not because I like it, but to spite you, because I hate you.'
When she came out she appeared to be a little quieted, and Dick tried very hard to persuade her to get into a cab and drive home. But the very sound of his voice, the very sight of him, seemed to excite her, and in a few moments she broke forth into the usual harangue. Several times the temptation to run away became almost irresistible, but with a noble effort of will he forced himself to remain with her. Hoping to avoid some part of the ridicule that was being so liberally showered upon him, he besought of her to keep up Drury Lane and not descend into the Strand.
'You don't want to be seen with me; I know, you'd prefer to walk there with
Mrs. Forest. You think I shall disgrace you. Well, come along, then.
'"Look at me here! look at me there!
Criticize me everywhere!
I am so sweet from head to feet,
And most perfect and complete."'