BERTHA. [_With an impulsive gesture._] My God, I feel it! I know it! What else is between you but love? RICHARD. [_Calmly._] You are trying to put that idea into my head but I warn you that I don’t take my ideas from other people. BERTHA. [_Hotly._] It is, it is! And that is why you allow him to go on. Of course! It doesn’t affect you. You love her. RICHARD. Love! [_Throws out his hands with a sigh and moves away from her._] I cannot argue with you. BERTHA. You can’t because I am right. [_Following him a few steps._] What would anyone say? RICHARD. [_Turns to her._] Do you think I care? BERTHA. But I care. What would he say if he knew? You, who talk so much of the high kind of feeling you have for me, expressing yourself in that way to another woman. If he did it, or other men, I could understand because they are false pretenders. But you, Dick! Why do you not tell him then? RICHARD. You can if you like. BERTHA. I will. Certainly I will. RICHARD. [_Coolly._] He will explain it to you. BERTHA. He doesn’t say one thing and do another. He is honest in his own way. RICHARD. [_Plucks one of the roses and throws it at her feet._] He is, indeed! The soul of honour! BERTHA. You may make fun of him as much as you like. I understand more than you think about that business. And so will he. Writing those long letters to her for years, and she to you. For years. But since I came back I understand it—well. RICHARD. You do not. Nor would he. BERTHA. [_Laughs scornfully._] Of course. Neither he nor I can understand it. Only she can. Because it is such a deep thing! RICHARD. [_Angrily._] Neither he nor you—nor she either! Not one of you! BERTHA. [_With great bitterness._] She will! She will understand it! The diseased woman! [_She turns away and walks over to the little table on the right. Richard restrains a sudden gesture. A short pause._] RICHARD. [_Gravely._] Bertha, take care of uttering words like that! BERTHA. [_Turning, excitedly._] I don’t mean any harm! I feel for her more than you can because I am a woman. I do, sincerely. But what I say is true. RICHARD. Is it generous? Think. BERTHA. [_Pointing towards the garden._] It is she who is not generous. Remember now what I say. RICHARD. What? BERTHA. [_Comes nearer; in a calmer tone._] You have given that woman very much, Dick. And she may be worthy of it. And she may understand it all, too. I know she is that kind. RICHARD. Do you believe that? BERTHA. I do. But I believe you will get very little from her in return—or from any of her clan. Remember my words, Dick. Because she is not generous and they are not generous. Is it all wrong what I am saying? Is it? RICHARD. [_Darkly._] No. Not all. [_She stoops and, picking up the rose from the floor, places it in the vase again. He watches her. Brigid appears at the folding doors on the right._] BRIGID. The tea is on the table, ma’am. BERTHA. Very well. BRIGID. Is Master Archie in the garden? BERTHA. Yes. Call him in.