VIDA. [_To_ CYNTHIA, _most gently, and seeing there's nothing to be gained of_ JOHN.] Oh, pray feel at home, Cynthia, dear! [_Stopping by the door to her bedroom; to_ JOHN.] When I've a nice street frock on, I'll ask you to present me to Cynthia K. [VIDA _opens the door and goes out._ CYNTHIA _and_ JOHN _involuntarily exchange glances._ CYNTHIA. [_Agitated and frank._] Of course, I told you yesterday I was coming here. JOHN. [_Irritated._] And I was to deny myself the privilege of being here? CYNTHIA. [_Curt and agitated._] Yes. JOHN. [_Ready to fight._] And you guessed I would do that? CYNTHIA. No. JOHN. What? CYNTHIA. [_Speaks with agitation, frankness and good will._] Jack--I mean, Mr. Karslake,--no, I mean, Jack! I came because--well, you see, it's my wedding day!--and--and--I--I--was rude to you last evening. I'd like to apologize and make peace with you before I go-- JOHN. [_Determined to be disagreeable._] Before you go to your last, long home! CYNTHIA. I came to apologize. JOHN. But you'll remain to quarrel! CYNTHIA. [_Still frank and kind._] I will not quarrel. No!--and I'm only here for a moment. I'm to be married at three, and just look at the clock! Besides, I told Philip I was going to Louise's shop, and I did--on the way here; but, you see, if I stay too long he'll telephone Louise and find I'm not there, and he might guess I was here. So you see I'm risking a scandal. And now, Jack, see here, I lay my hand on the table, I'm here on the square, and,--what I want to say is, why--Jack, even if we have made a mess of our married life, let's put by anger and pride. It's all over now and can't be helped. So let's be human, let's be reasonable, and let's be kind to each other! Won't you give me your hand? [JOHN _refuses._] I wish you every happiness! JOHN. [_Turning away, the past rankling._] I had a client once, a murderer; he told me he murdered the man, and he told me, too, that he never felt so kindly to anybody as he did to that man after he'd killed him! CYNTHIA. Jack! JOHN. [_Unforgiving._] You murdered my happiness! CYNTHIA. I won't recriminate! JOHN. And now I must put by anger and pride! I do! But not self-respect, not a just indignation--not the facts and my clear memory of them! CYNTHIA. Jack! JOHN. No! CYNTHIA. [_With growing emotion, and holding out her hand._] I give you one more chance! Yes, I'm determined to be generous. I forgive everything you ever did to me. I'm ready to be friends. I wish you every happiness and every--every--horse in the world! I can't do more than that! [_She offers it again._] You refuse? JOHN. [_Moved but surly._] I like wildcats and I like Christians, but I don't like Christian wildcats! Now I'm close hauled, trot out your tornado! Let the Tiger loose! It's the tamer, the man in the cage that has to look lively and use the red hot crowbar! But, by Jove, I'm out of the cage! I'm a mere spectator of the married circus! [_He puffs vigorously._