Page:The Return of the Soldier (Van Druten).djvu/53

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ACT II

Frank : It’s natural you should feel bitterly about it.

Kitty : Bitterly? Isn’t it true? Wasn’t his behaviour a lesson in good manners and consideration for my feelings . . . a stranger’s feelings?

Frank : We must all be charitable.

Kitty : Charitable? That’s what it is. Charity! I feel I’m living in this house on charity . . . his charity. In my own house! His wife . . . and he doesn’t even like me. He hates me. I can see it in his eyes, behind all his politeness.

Jenny : No, Kitty.

Kitty : Yes. You said yesterday, Frank, that when you spoke to him of me . . . in the hospital . . . he was . . . hostile. What did he say . . . exactly?

Frank : Kitty . . . does it matter . . . now?

Kitty : I think so.

Frank : Really, Kitty . . .

Kitty : I want to know.

Jenny : Kitty . . . you’re only hurting yourself.

Kitty : What did he say?

Frank : Kitty . . . it’s very hard. . . . He . . . he appeared to have formed an unreasoning prejudice against you. I described you to him, told him that you were small and dark and beautiful, and mentioned that you had a lovely

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