JUDITH. (_frantically clinging to him_). What shall I do? Oh my God, what shall I do?
ANDERSON. Never mind, never mind, my dearest dear: it was my fault. Come: you’re safe now; and you’re not hurt, are you? (_He takes his arms from her to see whether she can stand._) There: that’s right, that’s right. If only you are not hurt, nothing else matters.
ANDERSON. Thank Heaven for that! Come now: (_leading her to the railed seat and making her sit down beside him_) sit down and rest: you can tell me about it to-morrow. Or, (_misunderstanding her distress_) you shall not tell me at all if it worries you. There, there! (_Cheerfully._) I’ll make you some fresh tea: that will set you up again. (_He goes to the table, and empties the teapot into the slop bowl._)
JUDITH. Do you think we are only in a dream now?
ANDERSON. (_glancing round at her for a moment with a pang of anxiety, though he goes on steadily and cheerfully putting fresh tea into the pot_). Perhaps so, pet. But you may as well dream a cup of tea when you’re about it.
JUDITH. Oh, stop, stop. You don’t know— (_Distracted she buries her face in her knotted hands._)
ANDERSON. (_breaking down and coming to her_). My dear, what is it? I can’t bear it any longer: you must tell me. It was all my fault: I was mad to trust him.
JUDITH. No: don’t say that. You mustn’t say that. He—oh no, no: I can’t. Tony: don’t speak to me. Take my hands—both my hands. (_He takes them, wondering._) Make me think of you, not of him. There’s danger, frightful danger; but it is your danger; and I can’t keep thinking of it: I can’t, I can’t: my mind goes back to his danger. He must be saved—no: you must be saved: you, you, you. (_She springs up as if to do something or go somewhere, exclaiming_) Oh, Heaven help me!
ANDERSON. (_keeping his seat and holding her hands with resolute composure_). Calmly, calmly, my pet. You’re quite distracted.
JUDITH. I may well be. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do. (_Tearing her hands away._) I must save him. (_Anderson rises in alarm as she runs wildly to the door. It is opened in her face by Essie, who hurries in, full of anxiety. The surprise is so disagreeable to Judith that it brings her to her senses. Her tone is sharp and angry as she demands_) What do you want?