MRS. GWYN. Save me? [Breaking into laughter.]
JOY. I can't bear it that you—if you 'll only—I'll never leave you. You think I don't know what I 'm saying, but I do, because even now I—I half love somebody. Oh, Mother! [Pressing her breast.] I feel—I feel so awful—as if everybody knew.
MRS. GWYN. You think I'm a monster to hurt you. Ah! yes! You'll understand better some day.
JOY. [In a sudden outburst of excited fear.] I won't believe it—
I—I—can't—you're deserting me, Mother.
MRS. GWYN. Oh, you untouched things! You——
[Joy' looks up suddenly, sees her face, and sinks down on her knees.]
JOY. Mother—it 's for me!
GWYN. Ask for my life, JOY—don't be afraid.
[Joy turns her face away. MRS. GWYN bends suddenly and touches
her daughter's hair; JOY shrinks from that touch.]
[Recoiling as though she had been stung.] I forgot—I 'm deserting you.