you are not as disappointed as I
am about the theatre.

JINNY. [_Half laughs._] Humph!

AUSTIN. I'll celebrate _your_ birthday to-morrow and take _you_.

JINNY. [_Quickly._] _Why_ did you go to Brooklyn?

AUSTIN. On the private business of some one else.

JINNY. [_With all her nerves tied tight._] That's the best answer you
will give me?

AUSTIN. My dear girl, it's the only answer I _can_ give you.

JINNY. When you are through I have something for you!

AUSTIN. What?

JINNY. I'll give it to you when you have finished.

AUSTIN. I'm ready. [_He rises. JINNY rises too, and gives him the
telegram with the torn tickets on top, and then rings the bell, at
Right._] What are these torn papers?

JINNY. Our theatre tickets!

[_He looks at her._

AUSTIN. And when did this telegram come?

JINNY. This afternoon.

AUSTIN. Why didn't I get it when I came in?

JINNY. [_Bitingly._] I kept it to have the _pleasure_ of giving it to
you myself; it's from Ruth Chester.

AUSTIN. How do you know?

JINNY. Oh, I haven't opened it! But I know! When I held it in my hand it
burnt my fingers! [_MAGGIE enters Right._] Take away the tray, please,
Maggie.

MAGGIE. Yes'm.

[_She leaves the room with the tray._

[_JINNY replaces the small table carelessly, almost roughly._

[_AUSTIN opens and reads the telegram; there is a second's pause._

JINNY. May I read it?

AUSTIN. [_After a moment's hesitation._] Yes, if you wish.

[_Not handing it to her._

JINNY. I _do_!

AUSTIN. [_Reaches over and hands her the telegram; he speaks quietly._]
When you behave like this it's impossible for me to feel the same toward
you.

JINNY. And how do you think I feel when I read this?

[_Reads it, satirically, bitterly._

"Arrived safely; please let me see you before the day goes. Ruth."
"_Ruth_" if you please!

AUSTIN. [_Standing over JINNY._] I want you to be careful to-night. I
want you to control yourself. I've been through a great deal to-day, and
if you make me angry God knows what I mightn't say and _do_!

JINNY. And _I've_ been through a great deal _for many a day now_, and I
want the truth about this at last! It's all very well for you to spare
her by not telling me what this _mysterious_ trouble is about which
you've been hoodwinking me ever since we were married, but _now_ you've
got to choose between sparing _her_ and sparing _me_!

[_She sits determinedly._

AUSTIN. Is this your answer to me when I b