]
OCEANA. [Smiles at Henry.] Now then!
HENRY. You wanted it, my dear!
[They turn, gazing right. The sleigh-bells have come nearer, then
stopped. Some one is heard to step upon the piazza and stamp the snow
from the feet.]
LETITIA. [Enters right, stares at Oceana and screams.] Oceana!
OCEANA. Letitia . . .
LETITIA. [Gasps for breath.] Henry! How dared you bring me here to
meet that woman?
OCEANA. Letitia . . .
LETITIA. Don't speak to me! Don't you dare to speak to me! [She sinks
down by table and bursts into tears.] Oh, how horrible! How horrible!
As if I had not humiliations enough already!
HENRY. [Taking step toward her.] Letitia . . .
OCEANA. [With a swift gesture.] Wait!
LETITIA. Oh, who would have thought it possible! To bring me 'way up
here . . .
OCEANA. You might as well understand at the outset . . . the thing
cannot be done that way.
LETITIA. [With concentrated hatred.] You dare!
OCEANA. We have sent for you . . .
LETITIA. WE have sent for you!
OCEANA. Because we wished to talk things out with you in a sensible
way. And you'll have to make up your mind to control yourself.
LETITIA. [Sobbing.] Henry, you permit this shameful humiliation!
OCEANA. Henry has nothing to do with this affair, Letitia. It is I who
have to talk to you.
LETITIA. [Bursts into hysterical weeping again.] Oh, that I should
have lived to see this!
OCEANA. You will find out before you get through that I mean to deal
with you fairly.
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