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Todhunter, John, 1839-1916

"The Black Cat A Play in Three Acts"

Denham.
Undine?
Denham.
Yes. Do you know where she is?
Mrs. Denham.
In her room, I suppose. I told her to stay there.
Denham.
She is not in the room--not in the house.
Mrs. Denham.
But--I locked the door.
Denham.
She must have got out of the window.
Mrs. Denham.
She can't have dropped from the balcony.
Denham.
Stay a moment. (_Exit._)
Mrs. Denham.
(_resuming her position_) No peace! No peace!
(_Re-enter Denham._)
Denham.
Yes. Her skipping rope is tied to the rails. She must have dropped
into the garden. She's as active as a cat.
Mrs. Denham.
And as sly. Another act of disobedience.
Denham.
Tell me, Constance, have you had a--I mean, have you punished her?
Mrs. Denham.
(_bitterly_) I beat her, since you are kind enough to inquire--beat
her for her utter untrustworthiness and mean prevarication. I said I
would, if she disobeyed me again.
Denham.
Poor little wretch! But what did you say to her? A mother's tongue
is sometimes worse than her hands.
Mrs. Denham.
Yes, I know you think me a vulgar scold.
Denham.
I think you sometimes say more than you mean--more than you realise
at the time.


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