COLONEL, after a long pause, ‘If you wish it.’
ALICE. ‘Leave her to her mother.’
When he has gone Amy leans across the top of a chair, sobbing her little heart away. Alice tries to take her—the whole of her—in her arms, but is rebuffed with a shudder.
AMY. ‘I wonder you can touch me.’
ALICE. ‘The more you ask of your mother the more she has to give. It is my love you need, Amy; and you can draw upon it, and draw upon it.’
AMY. ‘Pray excuse me.’
ALICE. ‘How can you be so hard! My child, I am not saying one harsh word to you. I am asking you only to hide your head upon your mother’s breast.’
AMY. ‘I decline.’
ALICE. ‘Take care, Amy, or I shall begin to believe that your father was right. What do you think would happen if I were to leave you to him!’
AMY. ‘Poor father.’