You? Go on! That's the way with you girls! You think all the men are after you. I'm sure he said nothing to hurt you. MARGERY. But he has written since. ARMSTRONG [_scratches his head_]. I didn't know he'd written. MARGERY. Nearly every day. ARMSTRONG. Those letters were from _him?_ I thought they were from---- [_Hesitates._ MARGERY. No! From Captain Sylvester. ARMSTRONG. Of course you haven't answered them? MARGERY. Only the last. ARMSTRONG. I shouldn't have done that. MARGERY. Yes, you would, dad! ARMSTRONG. Well, you know best. You always went your own way, Margery, and it was always the right road. MARGERY. Where shall I put these apples? ARMSTRONG. Nay, I've the broadest shoulders. Give me a hand; I'll take 'em. [_MARGERY helps him to put the basket on his shoulders. Exit, C._ MARGERY. Dear old dad! We leave our parents, and we return to them; they let us go, and they take us back again! How little we think of their partings, and how much of our own! [_Sits, R._ _Enter SYLVESTER, L. front._ SYLVESTER. I saw you in the apple-tree, and took a short cut. MARGERY. You got my message then? SYLVESTER. How good of you to send for me! So then my letters have had some effect? MARGERY. I sent for you because I want to speak to you. SYLVESTER. And I to you. Margery, I've left my wife. MARGERY. Yes, so I heard. SYLVESTER. She was no wife to me. For years our marriage has been a mockery, and it was best to put an end to it. Now I am free. MARGERY. Because you've left your wife? SYLVESTER. It's no use beating about the bush. Things have gone too far, and I'm too much in earnest. She loves your husband. It is common talk. I've shut my eyes as long as possible, and you've shut yours; but we both know the truth. MARGERY. That you've deserted her! SYLVESTER. What if I have? MARGERY. Go back. SYLVESTER. Back to a wife who is no wife! MARGERY. Back to the woman you promised to protect, and whom you left when she most needed you. SYLVESTER. Because I love you, Margery! MARGERY. That love won't last long. Love can't live on nothing! SYLVESTER. There is no hope for me? MARGERY. No, not a scrap! SYLVESTER. Then what do you propose? To sacrifice your life to an idea--to be true to a phantom? You owe no faith to one who is unfaithful. Think! You are young--your real life lies before you--would you end it before it's begun? A widow before you're a wife? MARGERY. I am a wife, and I shall not forget it. If I have lost my husband's love, at least I'll save his honour. A public scandal mayn't mean much to _you,_ but it means your wife's ruin--it means Gerald's. Gerald shall not be ruined! You _shall_ go back to her! SYLVESTER. Is it a challenge? MARGERY.