WOMAN. Yes, sir. But they’re during working hours, and then, it’s a long way to come. One has to wait one’s turn with all the others and sometimes it takes the best part of the day, and I’m afraid of losing my place if I stop away so much. So I wait till I can’t help coming again. And then— DOCTOR. Well? WOMAN. Oh, it’s nothing, sir. You’re too kind to me. DOCTOR. Go on, go on. WOMAN. I know I oughtn’t to mind, but I haven’t always been so poor. We were well off before my husband fell ill, and I’ve always lived by my own work. It’s not as it is for a woman who hasn’t any self-respect. I know it’s wrong, but having to wait like that with everyone else and to tell all about myself before everyone—I know I’m wrong, but it’s hard all the same, it’s very hard. DOCTOR. Poor woman. [_A pause. Then very gently_] So it was from your husband that you caught this disease? WOMAN. Yes, sir. We used to live in the country and then my husband caught it and went half mad. He didn’t know what he was doing, and used to order all kinds of things we couldn’t pay for. DOCTOR. Why did he not get himself looked after? WOMAN. He didn’t know. We were sold up and came to Paris: we hadn’t any more money. Then he went to the hospital. DOCTOR. Well? WOMAN. He got looked after there, but they wouldn’t give him any medicines. DOCTOR. How was that? WOMAN. Because we had only been three months in Paris. They only give you the medicines free if you have lived here six months. LOCHES. Is that so? DOCTOR. Yes, that is the rule. WOMAN. You see it isn’t our fault. DOCTOR. You have no children, have you? WOMAN. I couldn’t ever bring one to birth, sir. My husband was taken at the very beginning of our marriage, while he was doing his time as a reservist. There are women that hang about the barracks. _A silence._ DOCTOR. Ah! Well, this is my private address; you come to see me there every Sunday morning. [_At the door he slips a piece of money into her hand. Roughly_] There, just take that and run along. What’s that? Tut, tut! Nonsense! Nonsense! I haven’t time to listen to you. Run along, now. [_He pushes her out. To someone who is invisible to the audience_] What can I do for you? MAN [_outside_] I am the father of the young man you saw this morning. I asked leave to speak to you after the consultation was over. DOCTOR. Ah yes, just so, I recognize you. Your son is at college, isn’t he? MAN [_in the doorway_] Yes, sir. DOCTOR. Come in, come in. You can talk before this gentleman.