Page:The Return of the Soldier (Van Druten).djvu/92

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THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER

in the other were Kitty and I, in bright dresses, walking through the garden . . . just as we are for always. There’s nothing more to us than what you see. He looked into Margaret’s crystal for a long time, and gave just a glance at ours before he put out his hand . . . for hers . . . and his sleeve caught our ball and sent it on to the floor, shivered into a thousand pieces. The old man went on smiling, just the same . . . no more interested in us than in the bare-armed woman next door.

Frank : Well?

Jenny : That’s all.

Frank : I don’t understand.

Jenny : No, I don’t know that I expected you to.

Frank : Unless you mean it as a parable of the most offensive and blasphemous kind.

Jenny : It’s all inhuman . . . fantastic cruelty. Nobody cares.

Frank : My dear Jenny, that is a state of mind that cannot possibly bring you any comfort. . . .

Jenny : It doesn’t. It’s how I see it. That’s all.

[Ellen announces: “Mrs. Grey.”? Margaret comes in.

Jenny : Oh, good afternoon. (They shake hands.) You know my cousin, I think?

Margaret : (bowing to Frank) : Yes. He was here the first time. I left my hat and coat in the

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