Page:Playinthreexiles00joycrich.djvu/141

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Act III]

131

Bertha

[Insistently but softly.] Yes. You know what it means to hate a person?

Beatrice

Why should I hate you? I have never hated anyone.

Bertha

Have you ever loved anyone? [She puts her hand on Beatrice's wrist.] Tell me. You have?

Beatrice

[Also softly.] Yes. In the past.

Bertha

Not now?

Beatrice

No.

Bertha

Can you say that to me—truly. Look at me.

Beatrice

[Looks at her.] Yes, I can.

[A short pause. Bertha withdraws her hand, and turns away her head in some embarrassment.]

Bertha

You said just now that another person is intimate in this house. You meant your cousin . . . Was it he?

Beatrice

Yes.

Bertha

Have you not forgotten him?

Beatrice

[Quietly.] I have tried to.

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