I suppose you meant very well, Miss Tenner; you said it just as though it were a scene in some play--with the proper emphasis and pause and nice phrases. But believe me, Mrs. Frowde is right: we can’t judge people by the same standards. (_Contemptuously_) There _is_ a difference between you and me. _I_ feel it myself. When I need forgiveness I shall only want it of my own class. (_Scornfully_) The tolerance of yours means nothing to me. (_Very quietly_) I am sorry, Mrs. Frowde. I’ll not call again till he and I are married. Then, of course, it will be all right. Good-bye. (MISS STANNARD _goes out quickly leaving_ PATRICIA _dumb at her mis-reading of the situation_. MRS. FROWDE, _who has been too confused throughout to speak, now vents her anger on_ MISS STANNARD.) MRS. FROWDE The brazen hussy! You see what she is--to insult you so after your splendid defense of her! PATRICIA (_Slowly_) She was right. MRS. FROWDE Not at all. She doesn’t understand the difference with a lady of temperament. PATRICIA Temperament--oh, yes. (_She smiles sarcastically and then looks surprised at_ MRS. FROWDE.) And you are not angry with me? MRS. FROWDE (_Affectionately_) At _you_, my dear friend? Indeed not. I know you didn’t mean _me_. And besides I would have understood you if you had. PATRICIA (_Eyeing her with undetected cynicism_) Yes, yes. You would have understood. MRS. FROWDE (_Impulsively_) Won’t you stay and have a bite to eat with me--all alone? I can drive you to the theater. PATRICIA I have an interview. MRS. FROWDE (_As they walk to the door_) Too bad they misquote so. PATRICIA Yes, isn’t it? I’ve had such a dear afternoon. MRS. FROWDE (_Embracing her affectionately_) And you’ll come to lunch Tuesday? PATRICIA (_As though wishing to escape_) No ... I.... MRS. FROWDE (_Solicitously_) But Mavosky will be here and he’s taken quite fancy to you. Thinks you’d make a splendid study. PATRICIA (_Recalling_) Mavosky! Oh, yes. I thought you said Wednesday; that’s matinée day. Tuesday is all right. MRS. FROWDE Say at two? PATRICIA I may be a moment late. MRS. FROWDE We’ll wait for you. (_As they are walking out_) I hope you’ll forget what _she_ said. PATRICIA Oh, Miss Stannard hasn’t any temperament. And it does make a difference, doesn’t it? (_They go out leaving the room empty, with the candles on the table winking in their sockets._) [CURTAIN] [D] Copyright by George Middleton. See back of title page. THE REASON THE PEOPLE LOCKSLEY RANDOLPH, _a retired merchant_. PAULA, _his daughter_. TOM SABINE, _his secretary_. MARY SABINE, _his secretary’s wife_. SCENE _Sitting-room at the Randolph home in a suburb of the city; an early winter night._ THE REASON[E]