Part 11 (1/2)
(Jack looks over top of paper absently, then resumes reading.)
_Maude_ (explosively). Jack, what do you think? Only fancy--Valeria is--Jack, listen! Put down your horrid paper! Valeria is married.
(He looks at her vacantly.)
_Jack_ Well?
_Maude_ Well? Listen: Valeria is married.
_Jack_ (waking to the situation). Is that so! Valeria--well, well. I'm not astonished.
_Maude_ (pensively). Why not?
_Jack_ (at a venture). O, because--she is so--so handsome.
_Maude_ (scornfully). She isn't handsome! Where are your eyes? She's clever--clever, that's what Valeria is. But not handsome,--certainly not. She squints.
_Jack_ (staring). I thought you were so fond of her.
_Maude_ (with dignity). I am, I am awfully fond of her--I've always been. But (cuttingly) affection doesn't blind me. I can love her and see her faults. n.o.body ever called Valeria handsome.
_Jack_ (hunting his place on the page). Maybe it was stunning.
_Maude_ (with intense emphasis). Stunning!
_Jack_ (turning the page with a prodigious rattling). Hal used to rave over her.
_Maude_ O! Hal, he--don't rattle your paper so, you make me nervous! Hal didn't care for her.
_Jack_ (absently). No, I suppose not, I suppose not. Of course, n.o.body could.
(Silence. Both read.)
_Maude_ (intent on letter and all to herself). I wonder what she wore!
She is too old for white. (reads aloud). ”You'll be surprised, my dear.” Yes, I confess I am. (gazing at coffee urn thoughtfully). Yes, I am. (resumes reading). Where was I? ”I want to tell you first, dear.” Here it is. So she did wear white--now, I am astonished. (reads on). For pity sakes! Jack
_Jack_ (starts violently, crus.h.i.+ng paper). A man might as well live on Vesuvius.
_Maude_ (in great excitement). But, Jack, guess who married her.
_Jack_ (with calm certainty). The man in the Moon. He's too jolly to mind squints.
_Maude_ Just guess. You never can.
_Jack_ (impatiently, much wrought upon.) Then tell me.
_Maude_ (in an explosive). Hal!
_Jack_ (inanely). Hal!
_Maude_ (calmly, the mine sprung). Hal Taylor.