Janet (Rises and turns fiercely on him). Whose heart’s hardened?
Tanner. Come, come. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for you, and your parents, too.
Janet. Well, I’ll tell you flat, I don’t want none of your pity.
Mrs. Ransome. Janet, don’t speak like that to him. You’re excited. (To Tanner). She don’t mean it, sir—she’s all worked up.
Janet (Her excitement increasing, and speaking in loud tones). All right, mother—I’ll tell him again—I don’t want none of his pity. I c’n get along without it. An’ if you and him think that writin’ a few words in his marriage register—or whatever he calls it—is going to make any difference, well—you’re welcome to.
Tanner. My dear girl. Don’t you understand, if it was merely a question of writing a few words, I’d do it in a minute. But it’s the principle of the thing.
Janet (Bitingly). Huh! Principle of the thing! I heard it all. You preached against it, didn’t yer? It’s a pity you never preached a sermon on how me and him could have gotten married two years ago, instead of waiting till now, when it’s too late.
Tanner. Others have to wait.
Janet. We did wait. Isn’t three years long enough? D’ye think we was made of stone? How much longer d’ye think we could wait? We waited until we couldn’t hold out no longer. I only wish to God we hadn’t waited at all, instead of wastin’ all them years.
Mrs. Ransome (Shocked). Janet, you don’t know what you’re sayin’.