Madden [unheeding.—Taking a step or two back toward her from the table. With deep feeling]. Florrie. I got somethin' I want to tell you. [She does not look up. He takes another step toward her.] After you'd gone out, I kept thinkin' ... thinkin' what mighta happened to you.
Mrs. Madden [with a short chuckle]. Y' poor boob!
Madden. Florrie—look at me. [She looks up with an expression of lazy annoyance.] Out there—[He gestures toward the door] the river looked so cold an' black—An' I couldn't find you— ... I knew all of a sudden I ... I hadn't really meant what I said to you.
Mrs. Madden [impatiently]. That's all right. [She looks down again at her book.]
Madden [with increasing emotion. Going to the arm chair and looking down at her tenderly from behind it]. I kept thinkin' ... thinkin' how pretty an' how ... how good natured you are. [With some embarrassment.] I thought how we used to walk ... down by the river. Four years ago ... you know—just before we was married.
Mrs. Madden [with growing annoyance]. Don' choo want 'nuther choclick, Jim?
Madden [unheeding]. Florrie—d'you remember that time ... the first time you let me hold your hand?
Mrs. Madden [looking up impatiently]. W'at's bitin' you? Don't y' see I'm readin'? [He steps back and to the left a pace or two. She looks down again.]
Madden [humbly]. Scuse me, Florrie. I just wanted to tell you. [With great earnestness.] You know, I'd forgotten.... I mean I didn't realize ... till just now—[Awkwardly.] how fond ... how much I ... I love you.
Mrs. Madden [thickly, through a chocolate cream which she is eating. Without looking up.] Tha's ... nice.