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that. BUILDER. [Uneasily] That! You were just kids. MAUD. Perhaps you'd like to begin again? BUILDER. Don't twist my tail, Maud. I had the most painful scene with Athene this morning. Now come! Give up this silly notion! It's really too childish! MAUD. [Looking at him curiously] I've heard you say ever so many times that no man was any good who couldn't make his own way, father. Well, women are the same as men, now. It's the law of the country. I only want to make my own way. BUILDER. [Trying to subdue his anger] Now, Maud, don't be foolish. Consider my position here--a Town Councillor, a Magistrate, and Mayor next year. With one daughter living with a man she isn't married to-- MAUD. [With lively interest] Oh! So you did catch them out? BUILDER. D'you mean to say you knew? MAUD. Of course. BUILDER. My God! I thought we were a Christian family. MAUD. Oh! father. BUILDER. Don't sneer at Christianity! MAUD. There's only one thing wrong with Christians--they aren't! BUILDER Seizes her by the shoulders and shakes her vigorously. When he drops her shoulders, she gets up, gives him a vicious look, and suddenly stamps her foot on his toe with all her might. BUILDER. [With a yowl of pain] You little devil! MAUD. [Who has put the table between them] I won't stand being shaken. BUILDER. [Staring at her across the table] You've got my temper up and you'll take the consequences. I'll make you toe the line. MAUD. If you knew what a Prussian expression you've got! BUILDER passes his hand across his face uneasily, as if to wipe something off. No! It's too deep! BUILDER. Are you my daughter or are you not? MAUD. I certainly never wanted to be. I've always disliked you, father, ever since I was so high. I've seen through you. Do you remember when you used to come into the nursery because Jenny was pretty? You think we didn't notice that, but we did. And in the schoolroom--Miss Tipton. And d'you remember knocking our heads together? No, you don't; but we do. And-- BUILDER. You disrespectful monkey! Will you be quiet? MAUD. No; you've got to hear things. You don't really love anybody but yourself, father. What's good for you has to be good for everybody. I've often heard you talk about independence, but it's a limited company and you've got all the shares. BUILDER. Rot; only people who can support themselves have a right to
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