Getting Married

surprised to hear it. Rising. But what’s it got to do with our business here today? Is it you that’s going to be married or is it Edith? Hotchkiss I’m so sorry, I get so interested in myself that I thrust myself into the front of every discussion in the most insufferable way. Reginald, with an exclamation of disgust, crosses the kitchen towards the study door. But, my dear Rejjy, are you quite sure that Miss Bridgenorth is going to be married? Are you, Miss Bridgenorth? Before Edith has time to answer her mother returns with Leo and Lesbia. Leo Yes, here she is, of course. I told you I heard her dash downstairs. She comes to the end of the table next the fireplace. Mrs. Bridgenorth Transfixed in the middle of the kitchen. And Cecil!! Lesbia And Sinjon! The Bishop Edith wishes to speak to Cecil. Mrs. Bridgenorth comes to him. Lesbia goes into the garden, as before. Let us go into my study. Leo But she must come and dress. Look at the hour! Mrs. Bridgenorth Come, Leo dear. Leo follows her reluctantly. They are about to go into the study with the Bishop. Hotchkiss Do you know, Miss Bridgenorth, I should most awfully like to hear what you have to say to poor Cecil. Reginald Scandalized. Well! Edith Who is poor Cecil, pray? Hotchkiss One always calls a man that on his wedding morning: I don’t know why. I’m his best man, you know. Don’t you think it gives me a certain right to be present in Cecil’s interest? The General Gravely. There is such a thing as delicacy, Mr. Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss There is such a thing as curiosity, General. The General Furious. Delicacy is thrown away here, Alfred. Edith: you had better take Sykes into the study. The group at the study door breaks up. The General flings himself into the last chair on the long side of the table, near the garden door. Leo sits at the end, next him, and Mrs. Bridgenorth next Leo. Reginald returns to the oak chest, to be near Leo; and the Bishop goes to his wife and stands by her. Hotchkiss To Edith. Of course I’ll go if you wish me to. But Cecil’s objection to go through with it was so entirely on public grounds⁠— Edith With quick suspicion. His objection? Sykes Sinjon: you have no right to say that. I expressly said that I’m ready to go through with it. Edith Cecil: do you mean to say that you have been raising difficulties about our marriage? Sykes I raise no difficulty. But I do beg you to be careful what you say about people. You must remember, my dear, that when we are married I shall be responsible for everything you say. Only last week you said on a public platform that Slattox and Chinnery were scoundrels. They could have got a thousand pounds damages apiece from me for that if we’d been married at the time. Edith Austerely. I never said anything of the sort. I never stoop to mere vituperation: what would my girls say of me if I did? I chose my words most carefully. I said they were tyrants, liars, and thieves; and so they are. Slattox is even worse. Hotchkiss I’m afraid that would be at least five thousand pounds. Sykes If it were only myself, I shouldn’t care. But my mother and sisters! I’ve no right to sacrifice them. Edith You needn’t be alarmed. I’m not going to be married. All The Rest Not! Sykes In consternation. Edith! Are you throwing me over? Edith How can I? you have been beforehand with me. Sykes On my honor, no. All I said was that I didn’t know the law when I asked you to be my wife. Edith And you wouldn’t have asked me if you had. Is that it? Sykes No. I should have asked you for my sake be a little more careful⁠—not to ruin me uselessly. Edith You think the truth useless? Hotchkiss Much worse than useless, I assure you. Frequently most mischievous. Edith Sinjon: hold your tongue. You are a chatterbox and a fool! Shocked. Mrs. Bridgenorth Edith! The Bishop My love! Hotchkiss Mildly. I shall not take an action, Cecil. Edith To Hotchkiss. Sorry; but you are old enough to know better. To the others. And now since there is to be no wedding, we had better get back to our work. Mamma: will you tell Collins to cut up the wedding cake into thirty-three pieces for the club girls? My not being married is no reason why they should be disappointed. She turns to go. Hotchkiss Gallantly. If you’ll allow me to take Cecil’s place, Miss Bridgenorth⁠— Leo Sinjon! Hotchkiss Oh, I forgot. I beg your pardon. To Edith, apologetically. A prior engagement. Edith What! You and Leo! I thought so. Well, hadn’t you two better get married at once? I don’t approve of long engagements. The breakfast’s ready: the cake’s ready: everything’s ready. I’ll lend Leo my veil and things. The Bishop I’m afraid they must wait until the decree is made absolute, my dear. And the license is not transferable. Edith Oh well, it can’t be helped. Is there anything else before I go off to the Club? Sykes You don’t seem much disappointed, Edith. I can’t help saying that much. Edith And you can’t help looking enormously relieved, Cecil. We shan’t be any worse friends, shall we? Sykes Distractedly. Of course not. Still⁠—I’m perfectly ready⁠—at least⁠—if it were not for my mother⁠—Oh, I don’t know what to do. I’ve been so fond of you; and when the worry of the wedding was over I should have been so fond of you again⁠— Edith Petting him. Come, come! don’t make a scene, dear. You’re quite right. I don’t think a woman doing public work ought to get married unless her husband feels about it as she does. I don’t blame you at all for throwing me over. Reginald