Spread. I’m indignant to hear it—I assure you that I am positively indignant to hear it. You would have made some fellow so infernally happy; (rises) I’m sorry for that fellow’s sake—I don’t know him, but still I am sorry. Ah, I wish I had remained in England. I do wish, for the very first time since I left it, that I had remained in England.
Jen. Indeed! And why?
Spread. Why? Because I should have done my best to remove that reproach from society. I should indeed, Jane! Ha, ha! After all, it don’t much matter, for you wouldn’t have had me. Oh yes! you had no idea of it; but, do you know, I’ve a great mind to tell you—I will tell you. Do you know, I was in love with you at one time. Boy and girl, you know—boy and girl. Ha, ha! you’d no idea of it, but I was!
Jen. (in wonder). Oh yes; I knew it very well.
Spread. (much astonished). You knew it? You knew that I was attached to you!
Jen. Why, of course I did!
Spread. Did you, indeed! Bless me, you don’t say so! Now that’s amazingly curious. Leave a woman alone to find that out! It’s instinctive, positively instinctive. Now, my dear Jane, I’m a very close student of human nature, and in pursuit of that study I should like above all things to know by what signs you detected my secret admiration for you. (Takes her hand.)
Jen. Why, bless the man! There was no mystery in the matter! You told me all about it!
Spread. I told you all about it?
Jen. Certainly you did—here, in this garden.