e, my dear boy.

LADY FLO: I feel positively ashamed that you should come upon us--upon
your uncle, I mean--at a moment when he is behaving like a raving
madman!

JEM: A raving madman! My uncle Jem!

LADY FLO: Man-like, you side with a man! (_With increasing agitation_) I
have always known your uncle to be a weak, nerveless----(_Enter KITTY.
Looks around, dumfounded._)

[Illustration: JEM: "WHAT IS THE MATTER?"]

KITTY: Dear aunty! I'm frightened! You can't be well! What does this
mean?

LADY FLO: Only that your husband is inciting mine to be abusive.

KITTY: Impossible!

LADY FLO: Woman-like, you side with a man! Let me tell you that your
poor uncle is pitiable in his foolishness this morning.

SIR W.: Florence! Once for all, I assert my authority. Be silent this
moment, or I shall feel obliged to ask you to return home.

LADY FLO: Without you?

SIR W.: If that pleases you!

LADY FLO: It would suit me remarkably well.

SIR W.: In that case--"Go!"

LADY FLO: I shall, instantly; and when you desire to come home, I shall
give the servants orders not to admit you----

SIR W. (_turning to JEM_): A man not admitted to his own house! That's
rather too good, isn't it, Jem?

LADY FLO: We shall see! (_Turns to KITTY_) Meanwhile, Kitty, I bid you
good-bye.

KITTY: Oh! Aunty! You can't mean that! Pray don't say good-bye!

LADY FLO (_dramatically_): Yes, I mean "_Good-bye_"! (_Brushes furiously
past SIR WILLIAM, and exit. KITTY makes movement to follow, but returns
to SIR WILLIAM and JEM._)

SIR W. _(bitterly):_ Don't hold her back, Kitty.

JEM: You are mad!

SIR W.: Less mad than you, when an hour ago you told me you found life
intolerable with Kitty.

KITTY (_moved_): He said that? _Jem_ said that to you?

JEM: No, no! (_Compunctious._)

SIR W.: Oh! It's an easy matter for two young people to kiss again with
tears. 'Twill be a different matter between your aunt and me. Florence
will have no chance, however much she may wish it. The time has come
for me to put down my foot at last. (_Exit, talking and gesticulating
angrily._)

(_After the exit of SIR WILLIAM, JEM and KITTY look up slowly at one
another. Their eyes meet. They turn away._)

JEM: (_much embarrassed_): Kitty!

KITTY: Jem!

JEM: This is painful! In fact, it's worse than wicked--it's vulgar!

KITTY (_gently_): It's simply dreadful to see two people behaving in
such a way.

JEM: And at their time of life!

KITTY: That's the awf