Exiles

except to you. Because you take advantage of my simplicity as you did⁠—the first time. Richard Violently. And you have the courage to say that to me? Bertha Facing him. Yes, I have! Both then and now. Because I am simple you think you can do what you like with me. Gesticulating. Follow him now. Call him names. Make him be humble before you and make him despise me. Follow him! Richard Controlling himself. You forget that I have allowed you complete liberty⁠—and allow you it still. Bertha Scornfully. Liberty! Richard Yes, complete. But he must know that I know. More calmly. I will speak to him quietly. Appealing. Bertha, believe me, dear! It is not jealousy. You have complete liberty to do as you wish⁠—you and he. But not in this way. He will not despise you. You don’t wish to deceive me or to pretend to deceive me⁠—with him, do you? Bertha No, I do not. Looking full at him. Which of us two is the deceiver? Richard Of us? You and me? Bertha In a calm decided tone. I know why you have allowed me what you call complete liberty. Richard Why? Bertha To have complete liberty with⁠—that girl. Richard Irritated. But, good God, you knew about that this long time. I never hid it. Bertha You did. I thought it was a kind of friendship between you⁠—till we came back, and then I saw. Richard So it is, Bertha. Bertha Shakes her head. No, no. It is much more; and that is why you give me complete liberty. All those things you sit up at night to write about pointing to the study in there⁠—about her. You call that friendship? Richard Believe me, Bertha dear. Believe me as I believe you. Bertha With an impulsive gesture. My God, I feel it! I know it! What else is between you but love? Richard Calmly. You are trying to put that idea into my head but I warn you that I don’t take my ideas from other people. Bertha Hotly. It is, it is! And that is why you allow him to go on. Of course! It doesn’t affect you. You love her. Richard Love! Throws out his hands with a sigh and moves away from her. I cannot argue with you. Bertha You can’t because I am right. Following him a few steps. What would anyone say? Richard Turns to her. Do you think I care? Bertha But I care. What would he say if he knew? You, who talk so much of the high kind of feeling you have for me, expressing yourself in that way to another woman. If he did it, or other men, I could understand because they are false pretenders. But you, Dick! Why do you not tell him then? Richard You can if you like. Bertha I will. Certainly I will. Richard Coolly. He will explain it to you. Bertha He doesn’t say one thing and do another. He is honest in his own way. Richard Plucks one of the roses and throws it at her feet. He is, indeed! The soul of honour! Bertha You may make fun of him as much as you like. I understand more than you think about that business. And so will he. Writing those long letters to her for years, and she to you. For years. But since I came back I understand it⁠—well. Richard You do not. Nor would he. Bertha Laughs scornfully. Of course. Neither he nor I can understand it. Only she can. Because it is such a deep thing! Richard Angrily. Neither he nor you⁠—nor she either! Not one of you! Bertha With great bitterness. She will! She will understand it! The diseased woman! She turns away and walks over to the little table on the right. Richard restrains a sudden gesture. A short pause. Richard Gravely. Bertha, take care of uttering words like that! Bertha Turning, excitedly. I don’t mean any harm! I feel for her more than you can because I am a woman. I do, sincerely. But what I say is true. Richard Is it generous? Think. Bertha Pointing towards the garden. It is she who is not generous. Remember now what I say. Richard What? Bertha Comes nearer; in a calmer tone. You have given that woman very much, Dick. And she may be worthy of it. And she may understand it all, too. I know she is that kind. Richard Do you believe that? Bertha I do. But I believe you will get very little from her in return⁠—or from any of her clan. Remember my words, Dick. Because she is not generous and they are not generous. Is it all wrong what I am saying? Is it? Richard Darkly. No. Not all. She stoops and, picking up the rose from the floor, places it in the vase again. He watches her. Brigid appears at the folding doors on the right. Brigid The tea is on the table, ma’am. Bertha Very well. Brigid Is Master Archie in the garden? Bertha Yes. Call him in. Brigid crosses the room and goes out into the garden. Bertha goes towards the doors on the right. At the lounge she stops and takes up the slip. Brigid In the garden. Master Archie! You are to come in to your tea. Bertha Am I to go to this place? Richard Do you want to go? Bertha I want to find out what he means. Am I to go? Richard Why do you ask me? Decide yourself. Bertha Do you tell me to go? Richard No. Bertha Do you forbid me to go? Richard No. Brigid From the garden. Come quickly, Master Archie! Your tea is waiting on you. Brigid crosses the room and goes out through the folding doors. Bertha folds the slip into the waist of her dress and goes slowly towards the right. Near the door she turns and halts. Bertha Tell me not to go and I will not. Richard Without looking at her. Decide yourself. Bertha Will you blame me then? Richard Excitedly. No, no! I will