Cæsar's Wife: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

If he stays here I shall have to see him constantly. I shan't have a chance to get over it. Oh, I can't. I can't. It's intolerable. Have pity on me.

Arthur.

I'm afraid you'll be very unhappy. But you see, something more than your happiness is at stake. A little while ago you said you wanted to do more for your country than you did. Does it strike you that you can do something for it now?

Violet.

I?

Arthur.

We all want to do great and heroic things, but generally we can only do very modest ones. D'you think we ought to shirk them?

Violet.

I don't understand.

Arthur.