ister--at once.

JUDITH (to Anderson). Oh, not before you've had some tea.

ANDERSON. I shall enjoy it more when I come back, dear. (He is about to
take up his cloak.)

CHRISTY. The rain's over.

ANDERSON (dropping the cloak and picking up his hat from the fender).
Where is your mother, Christy?

CHRISTY. At Uncle Titus's.

ANDERSON. Have you fetched the doctor?

CHRISTY. No: she didn't tell me to.

ANDERSON. Go on there at once: I'll overtake you on his doorstep.
(Christy turns to go.) Wait a moment. Your brother must be anxious to
know the particulars.

RICHARD. Psha! not I: he doesn't know; and I don't care. (Violently.)
Be off, you oaf. (Christy runs out. Richard adds, a little
shamefacedly) We shall know soon enough.

ANDERSON. Well, perhaps you will let me bring you the news myself.
Judith: will you give Mr. Dudgeon his tea, and keep him here until I
return?

JUDITH (white and trembling). Must I--

ANDERSON (taking her hands and interrupting her to cover her
agitation). My dear: I can depend on you?

JUDITH (with a piteous effort to be worthy of his trust). Yes.

ANDERSON (pressing her hand against his cheek). You will not mind two
old people like us, Mr. Dudgeon. (Going.) I shall not say good evening:
you will be here when I come back. (He goes out.)

They watch him pass the window, and then look at each other dumbly,
quite disconcerted. Richard, noting the quiver of her lips, is the
first to pull himself together.

RICHARD. Mrs. Anderson: I am perfectly aware of the nature of your
sentiments towards me. I shall not intrude on you. Good evening. (Again
he starts for the fireplace to get his coat.)

JUDITH (getting between him and the coat). No, no. Don't go: please
don't go.

RICHARD (roughly). Why? You don't want me here.

JUDITH. Yes, I-- (wringing her hands in despair) Oh, if I tell you the
truth, you will use it to torment me.

RICHARD (indignantly). Torment! What right have you to say that? Do you
expect me to stay after that?

JUDITH. I want you to stay; but (suddenly raging at him like an angry
child) it is not because I like you.

RICHARD. Indeed!

JUDITH. Yes: I had rather you did go than mistake me about that. I hate
and dread you; and my husband knows it. If you are not here when he
comes back, he will believe that I disobeyed him and drove you away.

RICHARD (ironically). Whereas, of course, you have really been so kind
and hospitable and charming to me that I only wan