I ask Mrs. Cazenove's pardon. [_In a casual tone_] You don't object to the collaboration, then?
I think it's fun! They are so serious over it. As if the world depended on a book! As if there were no Providence or anything, and they two had to keep creation going by scratching upon little bits of paper! I love to watch them, biting at their pens, and staring at that little crack up there. [_Looking at the ceiling. SYLVESTER looks also._] I often think to myself, you may well look--there's something there that'll keep the world going round, just as it is, long after your precious book is dust and ashes.
Then you do watch them, Margery--Mrs. Cazenove?
Oh, often, from my room. [_Indicates curtains._] But I can scarcely keep from laughing all the time. Some day I mean to have such fun with them! I mean to steal in here, [_business_] and put my head out, so--and just when they are putting the world right, say Bo!
[_Runs back, and bursts into a peal of laughter. SYLVESTER laughs also._
Good morning, dear. [_Kisses MARGERY._] What! Captain Sylvester! you here, and Agnes not?
No need to apologize! A wife is just as much entitled to entertain another woman's husband as a husband to entertain another man's wife. You're getting on, dear. That's philosophy!
Humph! [_Sits._] Well, how long do you give it?
The Cazenove _ménage._ Another six months? These love-matches are honeymoon affairs. When once that's over, there's an end of everything.
Everybody's talking. Cazenove is bored to death.
Ah, that will come in time; and when it does, I mean to take Margery in hand. She is neglected shamefully. _She_ hasn't discovered it yet, but all her friends have.
If a husband ignores his wife, the wife is entitled to ignore her husband. What would a man do under the same circumstances?
Is not the question rather, what a man _ought_ to do?
That is Utopian. We must take the world as we find it.
I'm afraid Mrs. Cazenove won't be an apt pupil.
No spirit--no proper pride. But things can't go on as they're going long. Margery is on the edge of a volcano. I give it six months.
Never at home--and when he is--"in the next room." Never takes her anywhere, and I don't wonder at it. Margery is too _gauche_ for anything. But what could be expected, when a man throws himself away in that manner? Bless me, there were other women in the world!