CHLOE. No; but you act as if I had.
MRS. H. I'm not aware that I've acted at all—as yet. You are nothing to me, except as one of your family.
CHLOE. 'Tisn't I that wants to spoil your home.
MRS. H. Stop them then. I see your husband down there with his father.
CHLOE. I—I have tried.
MRS. H. [Looking at her] Oh! I suppose such men don't pay attention to what women ask them.
CHLOE. [With a flash of spirit] I'm fond of my husband. I——
MRS. H. [Looking at her steadily] I don't quite know why you spoke to me.
CHLOE. [With a sort of pathetic sullenness] I only thought perhaps you'd like to treat me as a human being.
MRS. H. Really, if you don't mind, I should like to be left alone just now.