Menelaus. You've promised that too often.
Helena [sadly]. Things are not as they used to be.
Menelaus. Are you going to start that again?
Helena [with a tinge of melancholy]. I suppose you'd like me to be still and sad.
Menelaus [bitterly]. Is it too much to hope that you might be still and happy?
Helena [speaking very quickly and tragically]. Don't treat me cruelly, Moo Moo. You don't understand me. No man ever really understands a woman. There are terrible depths to my nature. I had a long talk with Dr. Æsculapius only last week, and he told me I'm too introspective. It's the curse of us emotional women. I'm really quite worried, but much you care, much you care. [A note of tears comes into her voice.] I'm sure you don't love me any more, Moo Moo. No! No! Don't answer me! If you did you couldn't speak to me the way you do. I've never wronged you in deed or in thought. No, never—never. I've given up my hopes and aspirations, because I knew you wanted me around you. And now, NOW—[She can contain the tears no longer.] Because I have neglected my beauty and because I am old and ugly, you regret that Ulysses or Agamemnon didn't marry me when you all wanted me, and I know you curse the day you ever saw me.
[She is breathless.]
Menelaus [fuming]. Well! Have you done?
Helena. No. I could say a great deal more, but I'm not a talkative woman.
[Analytikos comes in from the library.]