Penelope: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

Mrs. Fergusson.

I do envy you, having your husband always at hand. When I think of mine bravely serving his country—and you know, every doctor I go to tells me it would be most dangerous for me to join him.

[Dickie comes in with a little medicine glass, filled with a milky fluid.

Dickie.

Here it is.

Penelope.

Oh, no, Dickie, I’d much rather not.

Dickie.

Don’t be silly, darling. This’ll pull you together like anything.

Mrs. Fergusson.