May monologue (Act 2) — Comrades: A Drama in Three Acts

What can keep Bess so long? She went off riding with Matt two hours ago. She seems very fond of him. (_Goes up to door, looks off, and returns_ C.) I don’t like that. For Roy’s sake I have endeavored to make this man’s stay with us pleasant, and though I can never forget his rough introduction, I have no reason to complain of his conduct since. He is gentle and obliging, has not tasted a drop of liquor since that day, and in every way shown himself to be at heart a gentleman. (_Sits in chair_ R. _of table._) And yet I have some good reasons for complaint. He claims so much of Roy’s time. The hours he spent with me here are now given to Matt, smoking in the garden, fighting their battles over again, I dare say. I’m afraid I’m a little jealous of that; and then his fondness for Bess, and her fondness for him. Ah! there’s grave cause for anxiety there. Roy laughs at me when I speak of it; but suppose they should fall in love with each other? Roy says he’s much older than she. He forgets there is almost as much difference in our ages as there is in theirs. I don’t like it. I believe Roy would be pleased to have them marry; but not I. No! no! Oh, if Marcus Graves would only return!