Penelope: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

[He tries to take away her hands from her face.

Mrs. Fergusson.

Don’t touch me. Don’t come near me.

Dickie.

I’ll do anything you like if you won’t cry. I say, just think if Penelope came in—I was only thinking of the risk to you. Of course, there’s nothing I’d like so much as a jaunt over the Channel.

Mrs. Fergusson.

Is that true?

Dickie.

Yes.

Mrs. Fergusson.