His remarks were infamous! I could have taken him by the throat and thrown him into the body of the Court. No right-thinking person would have blamed me for doing so. OLIVE. However, he gave her the benefit of the doubt—— JOHN. [_Scornfully._] The benefit of the doubt! OLIVE. And paid me the compliment of believing that I would, as one woman to another, prefer such a course being adopted. JOHN. [_Pacing to and fro._] Poor, wretched little Mrs. Fraser! OLIVE. Wait! Even _I_ see the injustice of it. JOHN. [_Eagerly._] You do? OLIVE. Haven’t I told you I am reasonable at last? For whether she be innocent or guilty is no longer the question. JOHN. I’m glad that is no longer the question! OLIVE. The point is, this woman is entitled to the benefit of the doubt. [_Rising and walking to and fro._] But how can she ever receive the benefit of the doubt if those words, which imply the doubt, are always to hang over her? JOHN. That’s it! OLIVE. And they will hang over her—for ever. JOHN. For ever. OLIVE. For ever. [_Turning to him._] Unless I cancel them—remove them. JOHN. You! OLIVE. I could, John—by my attitude towards her in public—in society. JOHN. [_Staring at her._] Why, certainly you could. OLIVE. [_Leaning over a chair, and speaking almost into his ear._] Would you like me to? JOHN. Like you to! OLIVE. I want to atone to you, if I can, in some measure, for the suffering I’ve caused you. Would you like me to right Mrs. Fraser? JOHN. Oh, Olive!—— OLIVE. John! JOHN. [_With emotion._] If you were always so generous—so good! OLIVE. [_Drawing back, suddenly._] Ah! JOHN. [_After a brief pause._] I’ve offended you by saying that. OLIVE. [_In a hard voice._] You are evidently very keen concerning her. JOHN. [_Blankly._] Keen! OLIVE. She’s a vulgar, common little thing, I’m afraid. JOHN. That’s not true. OLIVE. Her people are common—excessively bad tone. JOHN.