JINNY. [_Very short._] No. AUSTIN. That's a good thing, and I hope you are not as disappointed as I am about the theatre. JINNY. [_Half laughs._] Humph! AUSTIN. I'll celebrate _your_ birthday to-morrow and take _you_. JINNY. [_Quickly._] _Why_ did you go to Brooklyn? AUSTIN. On the private business of some one else. JINNY. [_With all her nerves tied tight._] That's the best answer you will give me? AUSTIN. My dear girl, it's the only answer I _can_ give you. JINNY. When you are through I have something for you! AUSTIN. What? JINNY. I'll give it to you when you have finished. AUSTIN. I'm ready. [_He rises. JINNY rises too, and gives him the telegram with the torn tickets on top, and then rings the bell, at Right._] What are these torn papers? JINNY. Our theatre tickets! [_He looks at her._ AUSTIN. And when did this telegram come? JINNY. This afternoon. AUSTIN. Why didn't I get it when I came in? JINNY. [_Bitingly._] I kept it to have the _pleasure_ of giving it to you myself; it's from Ruth Chester. AUSTIN. How do you know? JINNY. Oh, I haven't opened it! But I know! When I held it in my hand it burnt my fingers! [_MAGGIE enters Right._] Take away the tray, please, Maggie. MAGGIE. Yes'm. [_She leaves the room with the tray._ [_JINNY replaces the small table carelessly, almost roughly._ [_AUSTIN opens and reads the telegram; there is a second's pause._ JINNY. May I read it? AUSTIN. [_After a moment's hesitation._] Yes, if you wish. [_Not handing it to her._ JINNY. I _do_! AUSTIN. [_Reaches over and hands her the telegram; he speaks quietly._] When you behave like this it's impossible for me to feel the same toward you. JINNY. And how do you think I feel when I read this? [_Reads it, satirically, bitterly._ "Arrived safely; please let me see you before the day goes. Ruth." "_Ruth_" if you please! AUSTIN. [_Standing over JINNY._] I want you to be careful to-night. I want you to control yourself. I've been through a great deal to-day, and if you make me angry God knows what I mightn't say and _do_! JINNY. And _I've_ been through a great deal _for many a day now_, and I want the truth about this at last! It's all very well for you to spare her by not telling me what this _mysterious_ trouble is about which you've been hoodwinking me ever since we were married, but _now_ you've got to choose between sparing _her_ and sparing _me_! [_She sits determinedly._ AUSTIN. Is this your answer to me when I beg you to be very careful to-night to control yourself? JINNY. It's your turn to be careful! What did you marry me for if you were in love with Ruth? AUSTIN. _Jinny!_ JINNY. [_A little frightened, to excuse herself._] You gave me your word of honor she would stay abroad indefinitely. AUSTIN. Nonsense! I said I understood she was going to stay some time--indefinitely. JINNY. It's the same thing, and here she is back practically the moment we are!