MARGARET. Ive lived a lot since I saw you last. I wasnt at my aunt's. All that time that you were in Brighton, I mean. BOBBY. I wasnt at Brighton, Meg. I'd better tell you: youre bound to find out sooner or later. [He begins his confession humbly, avoiding her gaze]. Meg: it's rather awful: youll think me no end of a beast. Ive been in prison. MARGARET. You! BOBBY. Yes, me. For being drunk and assaulting the police. MARGARET. Do you mean to say that you--oh! this is a let-down for me. [She comes off the table and drops, disconsolate, into a chair at the end of it furthest from the hearth]. BOBBY. Of course I couldnt hold you to our engagement after that. I was writing to you to break it off. [He also descends from the table and makes slowly for the hearth]. You must think me an utter rotter. MARGARET. Oh, has everybody been in prison for being drunk and assaulting the police? How long were you in? BOBBY. A fortnight. MARGARET. Thats what I was in for. BOBBY. What are you talking about? In where? MARGARET. In quod. BOBBY. But I'm serious: I'm not rotting. Really and truly-- MARGARET. What did you do to the copper? BOBBY. Nothing, absolutely nothing. He exaggerated grossly. I only laughed at him. MARGARET. [jumping up, triumphant] Ive beaten you hollow. I knocked out two of his teeth. Ive got one of them. He sold it to me for ten shillings. BOBBY. Now please do stop fooling, Meg. I tell you I'm not rotting. [He sits down in the armchair, rather sulkily]. MARGARET. [taking up the copy of Lloyd's Weekly and going to him] And I tell you I'm not either. Look! Heres a report of it. The daily papers are no good; but the Sunday papers are splendid. [She sits on the arm of the chair]. See! [Reading]: "Hardened at Eighteen. A quietly dressed, respectable-looking girl who refuses her name"--thats me. BOBBY. [pausing a moment in his perusal] Do you mean to say that you went on the loose out of pure devilment? MARGARET. I did no harm. I went to see a lovely dance. I picked up a nice man and went to have a dance myself. I cant imagine anything more innocent and more happy. All the bad part was done by other people: they did it out of pure devilment if you like. Anyhow, here we are, two gaolbirds, Bobby, disgraced forever. Isnt it a relief? BOBBY. [rising stiffly] But you know, it's not the same for a girl. A man may do things a woman maynt. [He stands on the hearthrug with his back to the fire]. MARGARET. Are you scandalized, Bobby? BOBBY. Well, you cant expect me to approve of it, can you, Meg? I never thought you were that sort of girl. MARGARET. [rising indignantly] I'm not. You mustnt pretend to think that _I_'m a clergyman's daughter, Bobby. BOBBY. I wish you wouldnt chaff about that. Dont forget the row you got into for letting out that you admired Juggins [she turns her back on him quickly]--a footman! And what about the Frenchman?