The Tenth Man. W. Somerset Maugham

given me because they thought I hadn’t a chance. I won it off my own bat, because I imposed myself on Middlepool and forced them to vote for me. I was in the public eye. I was a power already. The world seemed at my feet.

      Catherine.

      All that’s very harmless. You flattered me. The life you offered me seemed so large, so full, and I was very young. I was dazzled by your brilliancy and your success. I mistook it for love.

      George Winter.

      And I married you because I wanted a wife. You happened to have an uncle who’s a duke, and aristocratic connexions are devilish useful in England to a Radical politician.

      Catherine.

      [Bitterly.] Oh, yes, I found out soon enough why you married me.

      George Winter.

      It was a business arrangement on both sides, and you’ve had your full share of the profits.

      Catherine.

      [Outraged.] Oh, how can you?

      George Winter.

      You’d always lived in a pokey way and I gave you magnificence. I’ve kept even the spirit of my part of the bargain. Your father wasn’t mentioned in the settlements. But every stick of furniture in this house has been bought with my money. The very clothes on your mother’s back are paid for by me.

      Catherine.

      That’s not true.

      George Winter.

      You don’t think your father is worth the money I give him. He’s as incompetent as all the rest of these damned fools who come from the West-End and think they can make money in the City. The nincompoop thinks himself a financial authority. The charwoman of a bucket-shop could give him points.

      Catherine.

      He has his name and his position.

      George Winter.

      Nowadays even a country curate will fight shy of a title on a prospectus. The salaries he gets are merely payments for you.

      Catherine.

      Oh, you’ve said all this so often. For years you’ve bullied me with your money. I was such a fool, because you said it was dishonest of me to go, rather than that even you should have the smallest cause to blame me, I bore everything. I clenched my hands and suffered.

      George Winter.

      [With a chuckle.] In a diamond tiara and a Paquin dress.

      Catherine.

      I thought I should have the strength to suffer to the end. But I haven’t. If you bought an article and it hasn’t turned out worth the money you gave for it, that’s your look out. You see, you’ve taught me something after all.