[_Rising slowly again and commanding attention from her majesty of demeanor._] Never! A true wife’s mind should be as clear, as transparent as glass, permitting her husband to read every thought. Paolo, the husband, had the right to know! MRS. BENNETT. But—but— MRS. STEDMAN. Paolo had the right! MRS. BENNETT. But the question was— MISS FESSENDEN. Yes, yes—whether Paolo— He tormented her— MRS. BENNETT. He had no right— MRS. BROKMORTON. But let us consider the play as a play. This is a drama class—what matter whether he had or he hadn’t— MISS JENNINGS. It seems to me— MRS. STEDMAN. When you are considering a play, such questions as these are the first to be dealt with! [_Each interrupted lady mutters the end of her remark, but not so as to prevent the next one’s being heard. An air of excited confusion prevails, no one listening much to what any one says._] MRS. FESSENDEN. [_Rapping._] Order! We will proceed to the next question. [_Reads._] “Do Latin dramatists give greater importance to—er—what is called—sex problems [_she brings out the awful word with a distinct effort_] than those of Teutonic nations?” MRS. BENNETT. [_Hopping up and instantly beginning. One or two others try to speak, but vainly._] Isn’t it a question of attitude rather than importance? The attitude of the Teutonic dramatists, with the exception of Bernard Shaw and his type, is always one of disapproval, implied or expressed, of all passion, whether licit or illicit. They ignore it, or when they can’t ignore it they despise it, whereas the Latin dramatist treats of passion openly and joyously without self-consciousness, as the most exquisite joy—to be grasped whenever and wherever it can be reached. In this instance the author clearly sympathizes with Anna in her regret for her renunciation. Don’t you see his play is a protest against the situation in which she finds herself which obliges her to renounce? We may not agree with the author [_somebody exclaims devoutly “I should hope not!”_], but we might at least try to understand his point of view? [_She speaks passionately. As she sits down MISS FESSENDEN, who is on the edge of her chair, all eagerness, claps her hands softly together in scared approbation. There is a general stir of surprise._] MRS. BROKMORTON. [_Rising._] You mean, of course, merely understanding the point of view, not sympathizing with it? MISS FESSENDEN. But if you understand it—how can you help sympathizing? If she loved— MRS. FESSENDEN. [_Interrupting._] My child! We are getting far from the question [_consults paper_] which related to Latin and Teutonic dramatists. However, let us drop it and proceed to the next, which is important and timely. [_Rapping._] Here is my next question. [_Reads._] “Is Anna’s attitude towards her husband absolutely right?” “How is it possible that the love of years should have changed to hate in this brief twenty-four hours?” MISS JENNINGS.