The Major revives.
booth. You will do nothing of the sort, Beatrice.
beatrice. [unruffled.] How will you stop me, Booth?
booth. I shall tell Hugh he must command you to stay.
beatrice. [with a little smile.] Now that might make a difference. It was one of the illusions of my girlhood that I should love a man who would master me.
booth. Hugh must assert himself.
He begins to walk about, giving some indication of how it should be done. beatrice's smile has vanished.
beatrice. Don't think I've enjoyed taking the lead in everything throughout my married life. But someone had to plan and scheme and be foreseeing . . we weren't sparrows or lilies of the field . . someone had to get up and do something. [she becomes conscious of his strutting and smiles rather mischievously.] Ah . . if I'd married you, Booth!
booth's face grows beatific.
booth. Well, I must own to thinking that I am a masterful man . . that is the duty of every man to be so. [he adds forgivingly.] Poor old Hugh!