The Black Cat | Page 7

on edge. (_Crosses, and sits R
of table._)
Mrs. Denham.
My brain has been torn to pieces by children all my life. I was a slave
to my own brothers and sisters, because I was the eldest.
Denham.
That was very hard, I know; but your own child is different, surely?
Mrs. Denham.
You seem to think I don't love her?
Denham.
Not wisely, but too well--as you love me.
(_Re-enter Undine, dressed to go out, and stands just inside door. Mrs.
Denham rises, and Undine comes slowly towards her._)
Mrs. Denham.
Well, dear, have you washed your hands and face?
Undine.
Yes, mother.
Mrs. Denham.

That's my nice clean little girl. (_She embraces and kisses her._) Why
does my little girl make mother angry?
Undine.
I don't know.
Mrs. Denham.
Well, kiss father, and go out while it is fine and bright.
Undine.
(_coming behind Denham, and pulling back his head_) Father, I'm
going to bring you some buttercups, to put on your table and make your
work look pretty.
Denham.
Thanks, my wee one. And bring me some sunshine in their cups, like a
good little fairy.
Undine.
I will.
Denham.
(_kissing her_) Good-bye, and now run away.
Undine.
I'll bring you some speedwell, mother.
Mrs. Denham.
(_kissing her_) Thanks, my little Undine.
(_Undine goes out, then peeps back through the door._)

Undine.
And I'll make a daisy chain for Demeter.
Mrs. Denham.
That will be pretty. Good-bye.
Undine.
Good-bye. (_Kisses her hand to Denham._)
(_Exit Undine._)
Denham.
Well, it isn't such a very wicked idiot, after all. Now is it? (_Crosses L,
and sits._)
Mrs. Denham.
Oh, she is good enough when she hasn't to do what she dislikes.
(_Crosses back of table._)
Denham.
Children are shockingly human, just like you and me. I wish I could
cure you of this intense irritability, Constance.
Mrs. Denham.
You have often lost your own temper with her when you have tried to
teach her anything--often enough. (_Sits L of table._)
Denham.
Yes, it was sheer stupidity. It is a bad educational method. It involves
loss of dignity on both sides. Be as stern as you please, but not furious.

Mrs. Denham.
Furious! (_Rises_) Thank you for the word. (_Crosses R._) I know I am
making myself hated by her and despised by you; but I must do my
duty as best I can in the teeth of your cruel criticism. I must think of her
future.
Denham.
(_rises, and lights pipe_) Oh, damn the future--and the past too! You
take life too seriously. You are a born self-tormentor, too full of anxiety
to live. You have the worst form of the great malady of the age,
conscience in the agnostic form. You suffer from the new hysteria.
Mrs. Denham.
I am not hysterical.
Denham.
Pardon me, we are all hysterical nowadays. We have lost our
self-possession. You don't kick on the hearthrug and that kind of thing.
A bucket of cold water is not "indicated" in your case.
Mrs. Denham.
It seems to me you are always throwing buckets of cold water over me.
Denham.
For heaven's sake, go and reform the world! That is the modern
woman's true vocation--and cure. Denounce our sensuality and
selfishness from the platform, as well as from the hearth. They are the
defects of our qualities. If you don't like us as we are, mould us.
Mrs. Denham.
(_approaching_) That is what we are trying to do.

Denham.
Yes. You have not mastered your material yet. Your technique is a little
crude. (_He resumes his seat in the armchair, and puts down his pipe as
she comes._)
Mrs. Denham.
(_kneeling beside him_) Why will you push me away from you, Arthur?
You know I only want to be your wife. You are always implying that
our marriage is a failure. Why not say it directly?
Denham.
We are creatures of the transition. We have not quite found the new
centre of equilibrium. Marriage, except as a symbol, is either a
superfluous bond or the consecration of a mistake. You have taught us
this great truth, anyhow.
Mrs. Denham.
Why did you get married then?
Denham.
Practically it is still a necessary evil, like war and politics. The brute
world, howling, forces us into bonds. It is our business to adjust them
so as to gall us as little as possible.
Mrs. Denham.
(_starting up, crosses R_) If the bonds gall you so much, break them.
Don't spend your breath in this puling talk. If you are tired of me, go!
As far as I am concerned, I set you free. Find some other woman, if you
can, who will be more satisfactory.
Denham.
(_rising, and standing with his back to the fire_) But why one other

woman? Why not extend my freedom to two?
Mrs. Denham.
Two or