DEARTH. The bluntness of you, the adorable wildness of you, you untamed thing! There were never any shades in you; kiss or kill was your motto, Alice. I felt from the first moment I saw you that you would love me or knife me. (Memories of their shooting star flare in both of them for as long as a sheet of paper might take to burn.) ALICE. I didn't knife you. DEARTH. No. I suppose that was where you made the mistake. It is hard on you, old lady. (Becoming watery.) I suppose it's too late to try to patch things up? ALICE. Let's be honest; it is too late, Will. DEARTH (whose tears would smell of brandy). Perhaps if we had had children--Pity! ALICE. A blessing I should think, seeing what sort of a father they would have had. DEARTH (ever reasonable). I dare say you're right. Well, Alice, I know that somehow it's my fault. I'm sorry for you. ALICE. I'm sorry for myself. If I hadn't married you what a different woman I should be. What a fool I was. DEARTH. Ah! Three things they say come not back to men nor women--the spoken word, the past life and the neglected opportunity. Wonder if we should make any more of them, Alice, if they did come back to us. ALICE. You wouldn't. DEARTH (avoiding a hiccup). I guess you're right. ALICE. But I-- DEARTH (sincerely). Yes, what a boon for you. But I hope it's not Freddy Finch-Fallowe you would put in my place; I know he is following you about again. (He is far from threatening her, he has too beery an opinion of himself for that.) ALICE. He followed me about, as you put it, before I knew you. I don't know why I quarrelled with him. DEARTH. Your heart told you that he was no good, Alice. ALICE. My heart told me that you were. So it wasn't of much service to me, my heart! DEARTH. The Honourable Freddy Finch-Fallowe is a rotter. ALICE (ever inflammable). You are certainly an authority on the subject. DEARTH (with the sad smile of the disillusioned). You have me there. After which brief, but pleasant, little connubial chat, he pursued his dishonoured way into the garden. (He is however prevented doing so for the moment by the return of the others. They are all still in their dinner clothes though wearing wraps. They crowd in through the door, chattering.) LOB. Here they are. Are you ready, dear lady? MRS. COADE (seeing that DEARTH's hand is on the window curtains). Are you not coming with us to find the wood, Mr. Dearth. DEARTH. Alas, I am unavoidably detained. You will find me in the garden when you come back. JOANNA (whose sense of humour has been restored). If we ever do come back! DEARTH. Precisely. (With a groggy bow.) Should we never meet again, Alice, fare thee well. Purdie, if you find the tree of knowledge in the wood bring me back an apple. PURDIE. I promise. LOB. Come quickly. Matey mustn't see me. (He is turning out the lights.) LADY CAROLINE (pouncing). Matey? What difference would that make, Lob? LOB. He would take me off to bed; it's past my time.