MRS. GWYN. [Resentfully.] Then why do you want him?
JOY. [Almost under her breath.] Because of that man.
MRS. GWYN. Indeed!
JOY. I will never--never make friends with him.
MRS. GWYN. [Cuttingly.] I have not asked you to.
JOY. [With a blind movement of her hand.] Oh, Mother!
[MRS. GWYN half turns away.]
Mother--won't you? Let's tell Uncle Tom and go away from him?
MRS. GWYN. If you were not, a child, Joy, you wouldn't say such
things.
JOY. [Eagerly.] I'm not a child, I'm--I'm a woman. I am.
MRS. GWYN. No! You--are--not a woman, Joy.
[She sees joy throw up her arms as though warding off a blow,
and turning finds that LEVER is standing in the opening of the
wall.]
LEVER. [Looking from face to face.] What's the matter? [There is
no answer.] What is it, Joy?
JOY. [Passionately.] I heard you, I don't care who knows. I'd
listen again.
LEVER. [Impassively.] Ah! and what did I say that was so very
dreadful?
JOY. You're a--a--you 're a--coward!
MRS. GWYN. [With a sort of groan.] Joy!
LEVER. [Stepping up to JOY, and standing with his hands behind him--
in a low voice.] Now hit me in the face--hit me--hit me as hard as
you can.
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