ROBERT. (_irritably_) Oh, all right then. Bring it in and I’ll try to eat. RUTH. I’ve got to get her to bed first. (_She goes to lift_ MARY _off his lap_) Come, dear. It’s after time and you can hardly keep your eyes open now. MARY. (_crying_) No, no! (_Appealing to her father_) Dada! No! RUTH. (_accusingly to_ ROBERT) There! Now see what you’ve done! I told you not to---- ROBERT. (_shortly_) Let her alone, then. She’s all right where she is. She’ll fall asleep on my lap in a minute if you’ll stop bothering her. RUTH. (_hotly_) She’ll not do any such thing! She’s got to learn to mind me! (_Shaking her finger at_ MARY) You naughty child! Will you come with Mama when she tells you for your own good? MARY. (_clinging to her father_) No, Dada! RUTH. (_losing her temper_) A good spanking’s what you need, my young lady--and you’ll get one from me if you don’t mind better, d’you hear? (MARY _starts to whimper frightenedly_). ROBERT. (_with sudden anger_) Leave her alone! How often have I told you not to threaten her with whipping? I won’t have it. (_Soothing the wailing_ MARY) There! There, little girl! Baby mustn’t cry. Dada won’t like you if you do. Dada’ll hold you and you must promise to go to sleep like a good little girl. Will you when Dada asks you? MARY. (_cuddling up to him_) Yes, Dada. RUTH. (_looking at them, her pale face set and drawn_) A fine one you are to be telling folks how to do things! (_She bites her lips. Husband and wife look into each other’s eyes with something akin to hatred in their expressions; then_ RUTH _turns away with a shrug of affected indifference_) All right, take care of her then, if you think it’s so easy. (_She walks away into the kitchen_). ROBERT. (_smoothing_ MARY’S _hair--tenderly_) We’ll show Mama you’re a good little girl, won’t we? MARY. (_crooning drowsily_) Dada, Dada. ROBERT. Let’s see: Does your mother take off your shoes and stockings before your nap? MARY. (_nodding with half-shut eyes_) Yes, Dada.