[_He is heard striking a match, and putting a glass shade on a lamp. A pink light comes in through the doorway. Bertha glances at her watch at her wristlet and then sits at the table._] ROBERT. [_As before._] Do you like the effect of the light? BERTHA. O, yes. ROBERT. Can you admire it from where you are? BERTHA. Yes, quite well. ROBERT. It was for you. BERTHA. [_Confused._] I am not worthy even of that. ROBERT. [_Clearly, harshly._] Love’s labour lost. BERTHA. [_Rising nervously._] Robert! ROBERT. Yes? BERTHA. Come here, quickly! Quickly, I say! ROBERT. I am ready. [_He appears in the doorway, wearing a darkgreen velvet jacket. Seeing her agitation, he comes quickly towards her._] ROBERT. What is it, Bertha? BERTHA. [_Trembling._] I was afraid. ROBERT. Of being alone? BERTHA. [_Catches his hands._] You know what I mean. My nerves are all upset. ROBERT. That I...? BERTHA. Promise me, Robert, not to think of such a thing. Never. If you like me at all. I thought that moment... ROBERT. What an idea? BERTHA. But promise me if you like me. ROBERT. If I like you, Bertha! I promise. Of course, I promise. You are trembling all over. BERTHA. Let me sit down somewhere. It will pass in a moment. ROBERT. My poor Bertha! Sit down. Come. [_He leads her towards a chair near the table. She sits down. He stands beside her._] ROBERT. [_After a short pause._] Has it passed? BERTHA. Yes. It was only for a moment. I was very silly. I was afraid that... I wanted to see you near me. ROBERT. That... that you made me promise not to think of? BERTHA. Yes. ROBERT. [_Keenly._] Or something else? BERTHA. [_Helplessly._] Robert, I feared something. I am not sure what. ROBERT. And now? BERTHA. Now you are here. I can see you. Now it has passed. ROBERT. [_With resignation._] Passed. Yes. Love’s labour lost. BERTHA. [_Looks up at him._] Listen, Robert. I want to explain to you about that. I could not deceive Dick. Never. In nothing. I told him everything—from the first. Then it went on and on; and still you never spoke or asked me. I wanted you to. ROBERT. Is that the truth, Bertha? BERTHA. Yes, because it annoyed me that you could think I was like... like the other women I suppose you knew that way. I think that Dick is right too. Why should there be secrets? ROBERT. [_Softly._] Still, secrets can be very sweet. Can they not? BERTHA. [_Smiles._] Yes, I know they can. But, you see, I could not keep things secret from Dick. Besides, what is the good? They always come out in the end. Is it not better for people to know? ROBERT. [_Softly and a little shyly._] How could you, Bertha, tell him everything? Did you? Every single thing that passed between us? BERTHA. Yes. Everything he asked me. ROBERT. Did he ask you—much? BERTHA. You know the kind he is. He asks about everything. The ins and outs. ROBERT. About our kissing, too? BERTHA. Of course. I told him all.