END OF THE FIRST ACT.
THE SECOND ACT
AN INTERVAL OF ONE YEAR ELAPSES BETWEEN ACTS I. AND II.
_The drawing-room in Basil's house at Putney. In the wall facing the auditorium there is a door leading from the passage. On the right two doors lead into bedrooms, and opposite these is a bay window. The same pictures and plates decorate the walls as in the preceding Scene; the writing-table is between the side doors._ JENNY'S _influence is noticeable in the cushions in the wicker-work arm-chairs, in the window curtains and portieres of art serge, and in the huge chrysanthemums of the wall paper_.
[JENNY _is sewing while_ JAMES BUSH _is lounging in one of the arm chairs_.
JAMES.
Where's his lordship this afternoon?
JENNY.
He's gone out for a walk.
JAMES.
[_With a malevolent laugh._] That's what he tells you, my dear.
JENNY.
[_Looking up quickly._] Have you seen him anywhere?
JAMES.
No, I can't say I 'ave. And if I 'ad I wouldn't boast about it.
JENNY.
[_Insisting._] What did you mean then?
JAMES.
Well, whenever I come here he's out for a walk.... I say, old tart, could you oblige me with a couple of sovereigns till next Saturday?
JENNY.
[_Pained to refuse._] Oh no, Jimmie, I can't manage it. Basil made me promise I wouldn't let you have any more.
JAMES.
What! He made you promise that?--Ugh, the mean skinflint.
JENNY.
We've lent you so much, Jimmie. And ma's had a lot, too.
JAMES.
Well, look here, you can manage a sovereign, can't you? You needn't say anything about it.
JENNY.
I can't really, Jimmie. I would if I could. But we've got a rare lot of debts worrying us, and the rent will be coming along next week.
JAMES.
[_Sulkily._] You can't lend it me because you won't. I should just like to know what Basil spends his money on.
JENNY.
He's had a bad year--it's not his fault. And I was so ill after the baby died, we had to pay the doctor nearly fifty pounds.
JAMES.
[_With a sneer._] Well, it was a wonderful fine thing you did when you married him, Jenny. And you thought you done precious well for yourself, too.
JENNY.
Jimmie, don't!
JAMES.
I can't stick 'im at any price, and I don't mind who knows it.
JENNY.
[_Impetuously._] I won't have you say anything against him.
JAMES.
All right--keep your shirt in. I'm blowed if I know what you've got to stick up for him about. He don't care much about you.
JENNY.
[_Hastily._] How d'you know?
JAMES.
Think I can't see!