Denham.
Hold your tongue, miss. Don't attempt to make excuses. (_Steps back,
looks at Undine._) And just _look_ at that pinafore, that was put on
you clean this morning, and now it is all over dirt! You have been
climbing trees again.
Undine.
(_whimpering_) I wasn't climbing trees. I only climbed _one_ tree.
Denham.
(_aside_) Well parried!
Mrs. Denham.
Oh, these mean prevarications! If I take my eye off you for a
moment, you disobey me. But you _shall_ obey me--you shall obey!
(_Shakes the child; she screams._)
Denham.
Dear! Dear!
Mrs. Denham.
How dare you scream at me like that?
Undine.
(_crying_) But you're hurting me.
Mrs. Denham.
Bear it then, bear it _decently_, without screaming like a beast.
Have you done your sums?
Undine.
Not all.
Mrs. Denham.
(_looking at sums_) Only one done, and that not right. Oh, this
_wicked_ waste of time! You are killing me and killing yourself.
When you waste your time you are wasting your life. Why _will_ you
waste your time?
Undine.
I don't know.
Mrs. Denham.
Then you must be taught to know.
Denham.
May I say a word? I am chiefly to blame.
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