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Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"Soldiers Three"

H. But you don't care to be reminded of old lies? If I could hope
to hurt you one-tenth as much as you have hurt me to-night--No, I
wouldn't--I couldn't do it--liar though you are.
CAPT. G. I've spoken the truth.
MRS. H. My _dear_ Sir, you flatter yourself. You have lied over the
reason. Pip, remember that I know you as you don't know yourself. You
have been everything to me, though you are--(_Fan-guard_.) Oh, what
a contemptible _Thing_ it is! And so you are merely tired of me?
CAPT. G. Since you insist upon my repeating it--Yes.
MRS. H. Lie the first. I wish I knew a coarser word. Lie seems so
ineffectual in your case. The fire has just died out and there is no
fresh one? Think for a minute, Pip, if you care whether I despise you
more than I do. Simply _Mafisch_, is it?
CAPT. G. Yes. (_Aside_.) I think I deserve this.
MRS. H. Lie number two. Before the next glass chokes you, tell me her
name.
CAPT. G. (_Aside_.). I'll make her pay for dragging Minnie into the
business! (_Aloud_.) Is it likely?
MRS. H. _Very_ likely if you thought that it would flatter your vanity.
You'd cry my name on the house-tops to make people turn round.


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