MARCHBANKS (softly, losing himself in the music of the name). Candida, Candida, Candida, Candida, Candida. I must say that now, because you have put me on my honor and truth; and I never think or feel Mrs. Morell: it is always Candida. CANDIDA. Of course. And what have you to say to Candida? MARCHBANKS. Nothing, but to repeat your name a thousand times. Don't you feel that every time is a prayer to you? CANDIDA. Doesn't it make you happy to be able to pray? MARCHBANKS. Yes, very happy. CANDIDA. Well, that happiness is the answer to your prayer. Do you want anything more? MARCHBANKS (in beatitude). No: I have come into heaven, where want is unknown. (Morell comes in. He halts on the threshold, and takes in the scene at a glance.) MORELL (grave and self-contained). I hope I don't disturb you. (Candida starts up violently, but without the smallest embarrassment, laughing at herself. Eugene, still kneeling, saves himself from falling by putting his hands on the seat of the chair, and remains there, staring open mouthed at Morell.) CANDIDA (as she rises). Oh, James, how you startled me! I was so taken up with Eugene that I didn't hear your latch-key. How did the meeting go off? Did you speak well? MORELL. I have never spoken better in my life. CANDIDA. That was first rate! How much was the collection? MORELL. I forgot to ask. CANDIDA (to Eugene). He must have spoken splendidly, or he would never have forgotten that. (To Morell.) Where are all the others? MORELL. They left long before I could get away: I thought I should never escape. I believe they are having supper somewhere. CANDIDA (in her domestic business tone). Oh; in that case, Maria may go to bed. I'll tell her. (She goes out to the kitchen.) MORELL (looking sternly down at Marchbanks). Well? MARCHBANKS (squatting cross-legged on the hearth-rug, and actually at ease with Morell--even impishly humorous). Well? MORELL. Have you anything to tell me? MARCHBANKS. Only that I have been making a fool of myself here in private whilst you have been making a fool of yourself in public. MORELL. Hardly in the same way, I think. MARCHBANKS (scrambling up--eagerly). The very, very, VERY same way. I have been playing the good man just like you. When you began your heroics about leaving me here with Candida-- MORELL (involuntarily). Candida? MARCHBANKS. Oh, yes: I've got that far. Heroics are infectious: I caught the disease from you. I swore not to say a word in your absence that I would not have said a month ago in your presence. MORELL. Did you keep your oath? MARCHBANKS. (suddenly perching himself grotesquely on the easy chair). I was ass enough to keep it until about ten minutes ago. Up to that moment I went on desperately reading to her--reading my own poems--anybody's poems--to stave off a conversation. I was standing outside the gate of Heaven, and refusing to go in. Oh, you can't think how heroic it was, and how uncomfortable! Then--