MORELL (with a laugh which is half a sob). I suppose not. I beg all your pardons: I was not conscious of making a fuss. (Pulling himself together.) Well, well, well, well, well! (He goes back to his place at the table, setting to work at his papers again with resolute cheerfulness.) CANDIDA (going to the sofa and sitting beside Marchbanks, still in a bantering humor). Well, Eugene, why are you so sad? Did the onions make you cry? (Morell cannot prevent himself from watching them.) MARCHBANKS (aside to her). It is your cruelty. I hate cruelty. It is a horrible thing to see one person make another suffer. CANDIDA (petting him ironically). Poor boy, have I been cruel? Did I make it slice nasty little red onions? MARCHBANKS (earnestly). Oh, stop, stop: I don't mean myself. You have made him suffer frightfully. I feel his pain in my own heart. I know that it is not your fault--it is something that must happen; but don't make light of it. I shudder when you torture him and laugh. CANDIDA (incredulously). I torture James! Nonsense, Eugene: how you exaggerate! Silly! (She looks round at Morell, who hastily resumes his writing. She goes to him and stands behind his chair, bending over him.) Don't work any more, dear. Come and talk to us. MORELL (affectionately but bitterly). Ah no: I can't talk. I can only preach. CANDIDA (caressing him). Well, come and preach. BURGESS (strongly remonstrating). Aw, no, Candy. 'Ang it all! (Lexy Mill comes in, looking anxious and important.) LEXY (hastening to shake hands with Candida). How do you do, Mrs. Morell? So glad to see you back again. CANDIDA. Thank you, Lexy. You know Eugene, don't you? LEXY. Oh, yes. How do you do, Marchbanks? MARCHBANKS. Quite well, thanks. LEXY (to Morell). I've just come from the Guild of St. Matthew. They are in the greatest consternation about your telegram. There's nothing wrong, is there? CANDIDA. What did you telegraph about, James? LEXY (to Candida). He was to have spoken for them tonight. They've taken the large hall in Mare Street and spent a lot of money on posters. Morell's telegram was to say he couldn't come. It came on them like a thunderbolt. CANDIDA (surprized, and beginning to suspect something wrong). Given up an engagement to speak! BURGESS. First time in his life, I'll bet. Ain' it, Candy? LEXY (to Morell). They decided to send an urgent telegram to you asking whether you could not change your mind. Have you received it? MORELL (with restrained impatience). Yes, yes: I got it. LEXY. It was reply paid. MORELL. Yes, I know. I answered it. I can't go. CANDIDA. But why, James? MORELL (almost fiercely). Because I don't choose. These people forget that I am a man: they think I am a talking machine to be turned on for their pleasure every evening of my life. May I not have ONE night at home, with my wife, and my friends? (They are all amazed at this outburst, except Eugene. His expression remains unchanged.)