) Now, I am going downstairs to talk to Hannah.
LAURA. You will do nothing of the kind, Martha.
MARTHA. I'm not going to be bullied--not by you or anyone.
LAURA. I must request you to wait and hear what I've got to say.
MARTHA. I don't want to hear it.
LAURA. Julia, are we not to discuss this matter, pray?
(_Julia, who has her eye on Martha, and is quite enjoying this tussle of
the two, says nothing_)
MARTHA. You and Julia can discuss it. I am going downstairs.
(_Mrs. James crosses the room, locks the door, and, standing mistress of
all she surveys, inquires with grim humour_.)
LAURA. And where are you going to be, Julia?
JULIA. I am where I am, Laura. I'm not going out of the window, or up the
chimney, if that's what you mean.
(_She continues gracefully to do her crochet._)
LAURA. Now, Martha, if you please.
MARTHA (_goaded into victory_). I'm sorry, Julia. You'd better
explain. I'm going downstairs.
(_Suiting the action to the word, she commits herself doggedly to the
experiment, descending bluntly and without grace through the carpet into
the room below. Mrs. James stands stupent._)
LAURA. Martha!... Am I to be defied in this way?
JULIA. You brought it on yourself, Laura.
LAURA. You told her to do it!
JULIA. She would have soon found out for herself.
(_Collectedly, she folds up her work and rises_.) And now,
I think, I will go to my room and wash my hands for supper.
(_As she makes her stately move, her ear is attracted by a curious
metallic sound repeated at intervals.
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