_Played for the first time on October 25, 1915, by Mr. BENJAMIN CARPENTER, Mrs. CHARLES ATKINSON, and Mrs. ARTHUR ALDIS._ TEMPERAMENT. A MUSICAL TRAGEDY IN TWO SCENES. CHARACTERS: HUGH IRWIN, _a Musician_. ANNABELLE IRWIN, _his wife_. GLADYS HUNTINGTON, _an Actress_. TIME: _The present._ SCENE I: _Library of the Irwins’ house in the country, simply and tastefully furnished. Black and white and rose idea—one blue jar, etc. A piano closed and covered with an embroidery—flowers about. An air of comfort and dainty luxury. The time is ten o’clock of a winter’s evening. A wood fire crackles behind bright brasses._ _When the curtain rises ANNABELLE is seated by the fire under a rose-shaded lamp, sewing. Now she is plump and charming. Later on she will be too stout. She holds up a child’s frock of light-blue material and examines it critically, then pounces on an unfinished spot and sets to work. HUGH IRWIN on the other side of the room has been reading “The Nation.” He puts it down once or twice and regards ANNABELLE over his eye-glasses as if desiring to speak, in fact he gets as far as opening his mouth, but, seeing her preoccupation, gives it up and attacks “The Nation” with renewed determination. Finally he slaps it down._ HUGH. Why in thunder don’t you say something? ANNABELLE. [_With five pins between her lips._] Haven’t anything to say. Why don’t you? HUGH. Can’t you make up something? ANNABELLE. [_Pinning intently._] In a minute! In a minute! This is so puzzling! Now I thought I had the front part of that yoke—[_Her voice trails off in a soliloquy about the intricacies of little girls’ frocks. Finally with a “ha” of satisfaction she lays it in her lap and comes to._] What was that you said, dear? Make up something! What a funny idea! You’re just like baby Gertrude! What do you want me to say? I can’t think of anything. [_She looks longingly at the frock and sneaks in another pin._] HUGH. You might tell me my faults. ANNABELLE. Your faults? Why, my dear! [_Pins more happily and frankly._] You haven’t any! At least if you have I don’t see them. [_Her voice indicates she is talking with the top of her mind._] HUGH. Good Lord! [_He takes up “The Nation” again, then drops it._] You mean I have so many you can’t be bothered trying to enumerate them? ANNABELLE.