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Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"Soldiers Three"


MRS. G. Why didn't you say--No?
CAPT. G. Good Heavens, child! Have you come in here simply to bully me?
MRS. G. I bully _you?_ How could I! You're so strong. (_Hysterically._)
Strong enough to pick me up and put me outside the door and leave me
there to cry. Aren't you?
CAPT. G. It seems to me that you're an irrational little baby. Are you
quite well?
MRS. G. Do I look ill? (_Returning to table._) Who is your lady friend
with the big gray envelope and the fat monogram outside?
CAPT. G. (_Aside._) Then it wasn't locked up, confound it. (_Aloud._)
'God made her, therefore let her pass for a woman.' You remember what
farcy-buds are like?
MRS. G. (_Showing envelope._) This has nothing to do with _them._ I'm
going to open it. May I?
CAPT. G. Certainly, if you want to. I'd sooner you didn't, though. I
don't ask to look at your letters to the Deercourt girl.
MRS. G. You'd _better_ not, Sir! (_Takes letter from envelope._) Now,
may I look? If you say no, I shall cry.
CAPT. G. You've never cried in my knowledge of you, and I don't believe
you could.
MRS. G. I feel very like it to-day, Pip.


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