Page 1 :
Quartermaster. He learnt a lot, and | learnt a lot more, But will you make up your mind now,, Mrs Pearson dear? Put your foot down, once an’ for all, an’ be the mistress of your own house, an’ the boss of your own family., , -Mrs Fitzgerald answers that she did learn the art from East for at least twelve years., While her father was climbing the ladder to becoming Lieutenant Quartermaster, she was, learning this. She then motivates Mrs Pearson to stand for herself and get the respect she, deserves at her home,, , MRS PEARSON: [smiling apologetically] That's easier said than done. Besides I'm so fond of, them even if they are so thoughtless and selfish. They don’t mean to be..., Thoughtless- (of a person or their behaviour) not showing consideration for the needs of, other people, —Here Mrs Pearson replies to Mrs Fitzgerald's advice by telling her it's far more difficult, than it sounds. This is because she loves her family even if they ignore her needs. She loves, to provide for them even if they are self-centered., , MRS FITZGERALD: [cutting in] Maybe not. But it'ud be better for them if they learnt to treat, you properly..., , —Mrs Fitzgerald wants Mrs Pearson to realise that it is not that difficult if she really tries., Moreover, she thinks it would add to their well-being as well if they behaved with love and, respect with her, , MRS PEARSON: Yes, | suppose it would, in a way., —Mrs Pearson agrees with what Mrs Fitzgerald has to say, , MRS FITZGERALD: No doubt about it at all. Who's the better for being spoilt—grown man, lad, or girl? Nobody. You think it does ‘em good when you run after them all the time, take their, orders as if you were the servant in the house, stay at home every night while they go out, enjoying themselves? Never in all your life. It's the ruin of them as well as you. Husbands,, sons, daughters should be taking notice of wives an’ mothers, not giving ‘em orders an’, treating ‘em like dirt. An’ don’t tell me you don’t know what | mean, for | know more than, you've told me., , -Mrs Fitzgerald says they need to learn to treat Mrs Pearson certainly. She further adds, that none of them (husband, daughter and son) have turned out positively as a result of being, spoiled by Mrs Pearson, She enables her to see how running after them, handling their, tantrums, doing all their tasks for them and staying home while they enjoy every night is, harmful for Mrs Pearson as well as her family. She explains how it should be the other way, round; the family must treat wives and mothers with full respect and be after them instead of, throwing orders. Mrs Fitzgerald blatantly tells Mrs Pearson not to act unknown as she is, completely aware of the situation., , MRS PEARSON: [dubiously] |—keep dropping a hint..., Dubious!y- with hesitation or doubt, —Mrs Pearson hesitantly says that she often tries to give her and the family clues in, between conversations, , MRS FITZGERALD: Hint? It's more than hints your family needs, Mrs Pearson,, , -Mrs Fitzegerald is trying to make her understand that it's high time and Mrs Pearson's, family should respect her now and that would require more than just clues. They need to be, brought on track., , MRS PEARSON: [dubiously] | suppose it is, But | do hate any unpleasantness. And it's so hard, to know where to start. | keep making up my mind to have it out with them but somehow |, don't know how to begin. [She glances at her watch or at a clock ] Oh —good gracious! Look, at the time. Nothing ready and they'll be home any minute and probably all in a hurry to go out, again., , [As she is about to rise, Mrs Fitzgerald reaches out across the table and pulls her down.)
