MRS. BEN DIXON.
I! I lure away that! You silly old woman!
MRS. WHEEDLES.
No more a silly old woman than you are, ma'am. He was a loving Christian husband till you came between us with your painted face.
MRS. BEN DIXON.
(Close to her.) You say I paint my face, and I'll pull your false front off.
MR. BEN DIXON.
(He has hitherto remained standing between them in an attitude expressive of pious indifference, his finger-tips pressed against each other.) Ladies! ladies!
MRS. BEN DIXON.
(Turns fiercely on him.) You be quiet (he skips out of her way), and keep your breath to bamboozle that poor fool with. You take him back again, my dear, you haven't had enough of him as yet. I shan't interfere I am only too glad to be rid of him. Only if he makes a fool of you a second time, don't you come to me for sympathy. I've done with you both, and I've done with respectability. I've paid enough for being a prude. For the future give me something wholesome and disreputable. (She sweeps out by door at back which she slams behind her.)