Part 17 (1/2)

GERALD.

My name is Gerald.

MARGERY.

Mr. Gerald!

GERALD.

Gerald! Call me so, Margery.

MARGERY.

I couldn't, sir. Don't ask me!

GERALD.

Then you refuse me? [_MARGERY is silent--he turns away._] Well, I don't deserve you.

MARGERY [_approaching him._]

Oh, don't think I mean that! Do you suppose you are the only man that's ever made love to me? It's a man's business to make love; and it's a woman's business to stop him--when he makes love too hard. But if we can't be lovers, Mr. Gerald, we can be friends.

GERALD.

It's got past friends.h.i.+p with me, Margery. Since I came back to town, everything's changed. My pursuits all feel so empty and so meaningless; every woman I meet seems different from what she was: and oh, how different from _you!_

MARGERY.

Gentry _are_ different. We're different breeds. That's why we can't be lovers.

GERALD.

We can be man and wife!

MARGERY.

Isn't that being lovers?

GERALD.

In my case, it would be!

MARGERY.

Hus.h.!.+ Mr. Gerald, that's impossible. My lady will be asking for me.

Let me go!

GERALD.