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.