Have you ever tried, mother?
MRS BUILDER looks at the YOUNG MAN, who turns away out of hearing.
MRS BUILDER. Athene, you're mistaken. I've always stood up to him in my own way.
ATHENE. Oh! but, mother—listen!
The beating and rattling have recommenced, and the voice: "Are you
coming?"
[Passionately] And that's family life! Father was all right before he married, I expect. And now it's like this. How you survive—!
MRS BUILDER. He's only in a passion, my dear.
ATHENE. It's wicked.
MRS BUILDER. It doesn't work otherwise, Athene.
A single loud bang on the door.