BETTY. Liar--yes. Why these stupid, silly lies? "Always, deep down in me!" Where was it, this beautiful feeling, when you got me to go to your rooms? WALTER. [_Harshly._] We needn't-- BETTY. I liked you--I've said that--I liked you from the first. But I was straight enough. Liked you, of course--but I had no idea, not the slightest.... Thought it fun to play the fool, flirt just a bit. But it was you, you, _you_ who-- WALTER. [_Breaking in sulkily and stamping his foot._] Never mind about who it was. BETTY. [_Passionately._] Never mind! You dare! WALTER. [_Doggedly._] Yes--I dare. And look here--since you force me to it--that's all rot--yes, it is--just rot. Just as you like it now, hearing Hector ask me to stop with you, and kissing me the moment his back is turned--so you met me halfway, and more than halfway. BETTY. You cur! WALTER. That's what a woman always says, when a man speaks the truth. Because it _is_ the truth--and you know it. "The way I squeezed your hand!" D'you think I _meant_ to squeeze it--in a way! Why, as there's a Heaven above me, you were as sacred to me--as my own sister! BETTY. [_Quietly, as she sits, to right of the table._] What I'm wondering is--you see, you're the only lover I've had--what I wonder is, when a man breaks off, tells a woman he's tired of her, wants to get married--does he _always_ abuse the woman-- WALTER. [_Sulkily._] I haven't-- BETTY. Degrade, and throw mud on, the love she has had for him? WALTER. [_With a bitter shrug._] Love-- BETTY. [_Passionately, as she springs to her feet._] Love, love, yes, you--cruel man! Love, what else? I adore you, don't you know that? Live for you! would give up everything in the world--everything, everything! And Walter, Walter! If it's only _that_--that you want a home--well, let's go off together. He'll divorce us--we can get married. Don't go away, and leave me here, alone with him! I couldn't stand it--Walter, I couldn't, I couldn't! [_She goes eagerly to him, flings her arms round his neck, and a dry sob bursts from her._ WALTER. [_Very gently._] Betty, Betty, you've been so brave ... Betty, dear, the horrid things I've said were only to make you angry, to make you feel what a brute I was, how well you're rid of me. Oh, I'm not proud of myself! But look here, we must be sensible--we must, really.... You know, if you were divorced--if I were the co-respondent in a divorce case--I'd lose my berth, get the sack-- BETTY. [_Clinging to him._] We could go to Australia--anywhere-- WALTER. I've no money. BETTY. [_With a sudden movement, raising her head and leaving him._] And Mary Gillingham has lots? WALTER. It's not for her money that I-- BETTY. [_With a start._] You love her? WALTER. [_Dropping his head, and speaking under his breath._] Yes. BETTY. [_Wringing her hands._] You do, you do? WALTER. Yes, that's the truth--I do. Oh, Betty I'm so frightfully sorry-- BETTY. [_With a groan._] Then you don't love me any more ...