BLACKMORE (_struggling, in an altered voice_) Look at me and kiss me. [_Her sobs are heard distinctly. Blackmore lays his hand on her cheek, caressing her always with his hand._ BLACKMORE My God, but I hate him! I wish either he was dead or me. (_Mrs. Holroyd hides against him; her sobs cease; after a while he continues in the same murmuring fashion_) It can't go on like it any more. I feel as if I should come in two. I can't keep away from you. I simply can't. Come with me. Come with me and leave him. If you knew what a hell it is for me to have you here--and to see him. I can't go without you, I can't. It's been hell every moment for six months now. You say I don't love you. Perhaps I don't, for all I know about it. But oh, my God, don't keep me like it any longer. Why should _he_ have you--and I've never had anything. MRS. HOLROYD Have you never loved anybody? BLACKMORE No--I've tried. Kiss me of your own wish--will you? MRS. HOLROYD I don't know. BLACKMORE (_after a pause_) Let's break clear. Let's go right away. Do you care for me? MRS. HOLROYD I don't know. (_She loosens herself, rises dumbly_) BLACKMORE When do you think you _will_ know? [_She sits down helplessly._ MRS. HOLROYD I don't know. BLACKMORE Yes, you do know, really. If he was dead, should you marry me? MRS. HOLROYD Don't say it-- BLACKMORE Why not? If wishing of mine would kill him, he'd soon be out of the way. MRS. HOLROYD But the children! BLACKMORE I'm fond of them. I shall have good money. MRS. HOLROYD But he's their father. BLACKMORE What does that mean--? MRS. HOLROYD Yes, I know--(_a pause_) but-- BLACKMORE Is it _him_ that keeps you? MRS. HOLROYD No. BLACKMORE Then come with me. Will you? (_He stands waiting for her; then he turns and takes his overcoat; pulls it on, leaving the collar turned up, ceasing to twist his cap_) Well--will you tell me to-morrow? [_She goes forward and flings her arms round his neck. He suddenly kisses her passionately._ MRS. HOLROYD But I ought not. (_She draws away a little; he will not let her go_) BLACKMORE Yes, it's all right. (_He holds her close_) MRS. HOLROYD Is it? BLACKMORE Yes, it is. It's all right. [_He kisses her again. She releases herself but holds his hand. They keep listening._ MRS. HOLROYD Do you love me? BLACKMORE What do you ask for? MRS. HOLROYD Have I hurt you these months? BLACKMORE _You_ haven't. And I don't care what it's been if you'll come with me. (_There is a noise upstairs and they wait_) You _will_ soon, won't you? [_She kisses him._ MRS. HOLROYD He's not safe. (_She disengages herself and sits on the sofa_) BLACKMORE (_takes a place beside her, holding her hand in both his_) You should have waited for me. MRS. HOLROYD How wait? BLACKMORE And not have married him. MRS. HOLROYD I might never have known you--I married him to get out of my place. BLACKMORE Why? MRS. HOLROYD