No, it wouldn’t. I want to explain how I feel about you, so you’ll understand. It’s like this, Missuz (_swallowing again_) Missuz Curtis. I never used to think I’d ever get to feeling this way about--about somebody that was married, but it--it came over me before I knew you _were_ married. I already _was_ feeling this way before he said, “You mean--you mean Missuz Curtis?” It’d already--(_he swallows_) happened to me before I knew you were a--a married woman. (_Shaking his head._) I certainly never _did_ think I’d feel this way about a married woman. MRS. CURTIS But I’m not--not as you mean it. I’m a widow, Mr. Briggs. MR. BRIGGS (_as in a dim perplexity_) A wid-- You’re a widow? (_He jumps up suddenly, greatly amazed._) Oh, my! MRS. CURTIS What’s the matter? MR. BRIGGS Oh, my! MRS. CURTIS What is it? MR. BRIGGS I guess I’ve got to get used to the idea of it. First I thought you weren’t married, and then I was just gettin’ used to the idea that you _were_, and now--well, I s’pose it’s a good deal better, your bein’ a widow, though, except--except for-- MRS. CURTIS Except for? MR. BRIGGS (_hurriedly_) Oh, I didn’t mean except for your _husband_! I didn’t mean your bein’ a widow was better for-- (_He checks himself and swallows._) MRS. CURTIS Oh! MR. BRIGGS (_frowning with thought_) No. I meant more on account of the way my family treats me. My mother and sister--well, to tell the truth, they always seem to think I’m about four years old. They can’t seem to _realize_; and when I go and tell ’em you’re a _widow_-- MRS. CURTIS You think they’ll be interested in hearing it? I haven’t even met them. MR. BRIGGS No, but--but of course they’ve been _talkin’_ about you quite a good deal. MRS. CURTIS They have? MR. BRIGGS You know how people are in a hotel like this: wondering who everybody else _is_, and whether some woman’s some old man’s wife or his daughter or just a trained nurse, and all so on. Of course my family noticed _you_ right away and then after I _met_ you of course then they said a _lot_ more about you. Golly! (_He shakes his head, indicating that the comment has been unfavorable._) MRS. CURTIS Oh, indeed! MR. BRIGGS (_ruefully_) They watch me like a hawk, and I know what they’ll say now! When I tell ’em you’re a widow, I mean. MRS. CURTIS Do you? MR. BRIGGS (_shaking his head_) I certainly never thought myself I would ever get to feeling this way about a widow _either_! MRS. CURTIS Don’t you _really_ think you’d better run and dance with one of those-- MR. BRIGGS (_absently_)