VERNON [he puts his arm around her]. You are sure you will never
regret having given up the stage? The excitement, the -
FANNY. The excitement! Do you know what an actress's life always
seemed to me like? Dancing on a tight-rope with everybody throwing
stones at you. One soon gets tired of that sort of excitement. Oh,
I was never in love with the stage. Had to do something for a
living.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. It must be a hard life for a woman.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. Especially for anyone not brought up to
it.
FANNY. You see, I had a good voice and what I suppose you might call
a natural talent for acting. It seemed the easiest thing.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. I suppose your family were very much
opposed to it? [Vernon rises. He stands with his back to the fire.]
FANNY. My family? Hadn't any!
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. No family?
Bennet enters. Vernon and Fanny left the door open. He halts,
framed by the doorway.
FANNY. No. You see, I was an only child. My father and mother both
died before I was fourteen.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. But your uncle?
FANNY. Oh, him! It was to get away from him and all that crew that
I went on the stage.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. It is so sad when relations don't get on
together.
FANNY. Sadder still when they think they've got a right to trample
on you, just because you happen to be an orphan and--I don't want to
talk about my relations.
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