MAGGIE. [_impatiently drawing her hand away._] It's still the mood. I can't help it. I don't feel like love-making. FOSTER. All right, dear--I won't bother you. MAGGIE. Perhaps if you did bother--no, never mind. You know I asked you not to come to-day. FOSTER. Yes. MAGGIE. Well, I had no reason, except that I didn't feel like it. But I ought to feel like you always, didn't I? FOSTER. You're different from me. I always feel like you. MAGGIE. Walter, I don't want to settle down. I want to go and--and do things. FOSTER. What things, dear? MAGGIE. Oh, I don't know. [_A pause._] Did you ever go abroad? FOSTER. Yes, to Paris, once at Easter. MAGGIE. Oh! just for a holiday. Wouldn't you just love to go out and try your luck? Have a change?--Do something with your hands? Aren't you ever tired of what you are doing? FOSTER. I can't say I am, really. Why should I? The work is not too hard. But you like change. I have a good salary, you know, dear. When we are married you can go about a lot, you'll be quite free. MAGGIE. No, I shan't. FOSTER. But you can have a servant and all that, you know. MAGGIE. Oh, yes--yes--I understand. FOSTER. If I went abroad--suppose it, for instance--I shouldn't have you, should I? MAGGIE. No, and a good thing for you. You deserve something better. You know--you _know,_ Walter, that I don't love you half or a quarter as you love me. FOSTER. Yes, I know that. But you don't love anybody else. MAGGIE. No. Have you ever thought that I'm really marrying you to get out of the shop? FOSTER. Of course not. Of course you are glad to leave the shop because you don't like it. You are so tied. MAGGIE. I should love to be absolutely independent, quite--altogether free for a whole year. Oh! FOSTER. [_a little hurt._] You will be free when you are married to me, Maggie. You can do anything you like. MAGGIE. [_looking at him despairingly for a moment, then suddenly going up to him._] You are a dear!--you are, really! Marry me quick, Walter! _He takes her in his arms delightedly._ Quick--or--or-- FOSTER. Or what? [_Very tenderly._] MAGGIE. Or I shall run away. FOSTER. And where would you run to? MAGGIE. Perhaps if I'd known where to run to--I should have gone before. FOSTER. Dearest, don't talk like that! MAGGIE. [_turning away a little._] But I don't! I'm safe! _MASSEY is heard outside the door, coughing and making a noise. Enters._ I'm afraid you've caught a cold in the kitchen, Daddy. I thought you went for the "Argus"? MASSEY. So I did. [_He looks down at it._] MAGGIE. And you've brought the "Family Herald." [_She takes it from him._] _Enter MRS. MASSEY, CHARLEY, LILY, PERCY and SYBIL._ MRS. M. Play something, Lily. _LILY goes to piano and picks out some music. SYBIL and PERCY occupy one big chair between them. CHARLEY stands idly at window, turning over an album._ PERCY. Going to church, mother? MRS. M. No, dear, it's a very nasty night. Such a cold wind.