542
PARTISAN REVIEW
see. And then what?
(A pause. Speaking as if he knows the whole
story)
Well, in that case, Marianne, all I can say is ... no, you can
say something, talk as long as you want,
I
won't interrupt you.
Go
ahead.
(A pause.)
Oh, that's how you. feel! Well, my dear, darling
Marianne,
I
knew it all the time. Now
I
understand the whole thing
perfectly, it's all clear, all explained, wonderful
(raising his voice)
-you don't have to say one more word.
The door opens.
MARIANNE
enters, dressed in a red evening
gown.
JESSE
gets up from the chair, turns proudly to
HENRY.
JESSE:
You see,
I
got her to come out.
HENRY:
(disgusted)
I
don't know what you're so proud about, you
haven't found out a thing. Now, ask her some questions.
(to
MARI–
ANNE)
I'm just trying to teach J esse how to be a proper husband
to you, Marianne.
JESSE:
What happened to you, Mariannei'
HENRY:
Sister, it seems you'd been in some trouble.
MARIANNE:
I'm all right, Henry... .
HENRY:
Jesse tells me he sent you out to mail a speech of his.. .. Now,
did you mail it?
MARIANNE:
Yes!
(A pause.)
No!
HENRY:
Well, did you or didn't you?
MARIANNE:
(after a pause)
No.
HENRY:
Then you must still have it. (
He looks at
JESSE.)
Do you?
MARIANNE:
(after a pause)
No.
HENRY:
Well, did you mail it, Marianne? That's all I'm asking you
to tell me.
MARIANNE:
Y&s, I mailed it.
HENRY:
I don't like the way you're answering me.
JESSE :
I don't like the way you're questioning her, Henry. You're talk–
ing to her as if she had something to hide.
HENRY:
I'm sure Marianne has something to tell that I, at least, want
to hear, and right now. What happened to you, Marianne?
MARIANNE:
(Another pause.)
Oh, it was terrible.. .. I went to Sutton–
ville and I went up into the store, and I had the letter weighed and
I got the postage stamps, and just as I was leaving Young Williarns–
HENRY:
(looking at
JESSE)
Young Williams!
MARIANNE:
Young Williams, who was standing by the door, grabbed
me, he's a big man, and kissed me. I got away from him and ran
out to the car, and fell and cut my cheek and tore my dress... . He
was after me and tried to hold me but I got into the car and drove
back here. And that's all there was to it.
