[JENNY _is sewing while_ JAMES BUSH _is lounging in one of the arm chairs_. JAMES. Where's his lordship this afternoon? JENNY. He's gone out for a walk. JAMES. [_With a malevolent laugh._] That's what he tells you, my dear. JENNY. [_Looking up quickly._] Have you seen him anywhere? JAMES. No, I can't say I 'ave. And if I 'ad I wouldn't boast about it. JENNY. [_Insisting._] What did you mean then? JAMES. Well, whenever I come here he's out for a walk.... I say, old tart, could you oblige me with a couple of sovereigns till next Saturday? JENNY. [_Pained to refuse._] Oh no, Jimmie, I can't manage it. Basil made me promise I wouldn't let you have any more. JAMES. What! He made you promise that?--Ugh, the mean skinflint. JENNY. We've lent you so much, Jimmie. And ma's had a lot, too. JAMES. Well, look here, you can manage a sovereign, can't you? You needn't say anything about it. JENNY. I can't really, Jimmie. I would if I could. But we've got a rare lot of debts worrying us, and the rent will be coming along next week. JAMES. [_Sulkily._] You can't lend it me because you won't. I should just like to know what Basil spends his money on. JENNY. He's had a bad year--it's not his fault. And I was so ill after the baby died, we had to pay the doctor nearly fifty pounds. JAMES. [_With a sneer._] Well, it was a wonderful fine thing you did when you married him, Jenny. And you thought you done precious well for yourself, too. JENNY. Jimmie, don't! JAMES. I can't stick 'im at any price, and I don't mind who knows it. JENNY. [_Impetuously._] I won't have you say anything against him. JAMES. All right--keep your shirt in. I'm blowed if I know what you've got to stick up for him about. He don't care much about you. JENNY. [_Hastily._] How d'you know? JAMES. Think I can't see! JENNY. It's not true. It's not true. JAMES. You can't get round me, Jenny. I suppose you 'aven't been crying to-day? JENNY. [_Flushing._] I had a headache. JAMES. I know those sort of headaches. JENNY. We had a little tiff this morning. That's why he went out.... Oh, don't say he doesn't care for me. I couldn't live. JAMES. [_With a laugh._] Go along with you. Basil Kent ain't the only pebble on the beach. JENNY. [_Vehemently._] Oh, Jimmie, Jimmie, sometimes I don't know which way to turn, I'm that unhappy. If the baby had only lived I might have kept my husband--I might have made him love me. [_The sound is heard of a door being closed._] There's Basil. JAMES. Good luck to 'im. JENNY. Oh, Jimmie, take care not to say anything to make him angry. JAMES. I'd just like to give 'im a piece of my mind. JENNY. Oh, Jimmie, don't. It was my fault that we quarrelled this morning. I wanted to make him angry, and I nagged at him. Don't let him see that I've said anything to you. I'll see--I'll see if I can't send you a pound to-morrow, Jimmie. JAMES.