Denham.
Yes. Her skipping rope is tied to the rails. She must have dropped into the garden. She's as active as a cat.
Mrs. Denham.
And as sly. Another act of disobedience.
Denham.
Tell me, Constance, have you had a—I mean, have you punished her?
Mrs. Denham.
(bitterly) I beat her, since you are kind enough to inquire—beat her for her utter untrustworthiness and mean prevarication. I said I would, if she disobeyed me again.
Denham.
Poor little wretch! But what did you say to her? A mother's tongue is sometimes worse than her hands.