WALTER. It's not that. But you see-- BETTY. [_Moaning._] You don't, you don't! [_She stands there, crushed, overwhelmed, dry-eyed, broken moans escaping from her; suddenly she hears a key turning in the lock of the hall-door outside, and rushes to the card-table._ BETTY. Hector! Quick, quick--the cards! [WALTER _flies to the table, and sits by her side. He seizes one pack and proceeds to shuffle it, she is dealing with the other. All this takes only a second._ HECTOR _comes in--they both spring up._ BETTY. Hector! You're not ill? HECTOR. [_Kissing her._] Play postponed, my child--bit of luck! When I got to the theatre I found that the actor-manager's car had collided with a cab outside the stage-door--he was thrown through the window--there's a magnificent exit for you! and has been cut about a bit. Nothing serious. But the play's postponed for a week. Bit of luck! WALTER. [_Sitting._] Not for him. HECTOR. Oh _he_ has had luck enough--tons of it! I'll get into a jacket--then we'll have some bridge. See what progress you've made, Betty! [_He hurries out, and closes the door._ BETTY. [_Producing a little mirror from her bag, looking into it, touching her hair._] We were only just in time. WALTER. [_Eagerly, as he bends across the table._] You're splendid--you are--splendid! BETTY. Yes. All very nice and comfortable for you--isn't it? [_She puts the mirror back into the bag._] WALTER. [_Coaxingly._] Betty. BETTY. To-morrow you'll go to her--or to-night perhaps-- WALTER. To-night--ridiculous! At this hour! BETTY. She's a deceitful little cat. I saw her last week--she never told me-- WALTER. I don't think she knew. I only proposed to-day. BETTY. [_Flinging herself back in her chair, and opening wide eyes._] You--proposed--to-day! WALTER. [_Very embarrassed._] Yes--I mean-- BETTY. You--proposed--to-day! And waited till she had accepted you--to tell _me_-- WALTER. [_Eagerly._] Don't be so silly--come, come, he'll be back in a minute.... And, believe me, I'm not worth making a fuss about! BETTY. [_Looking contemptuously at him._] That's true. WALTER. Yes, it is, worse luck! I deserve all you've said to me. And you'll be ... much better ... without me. BETTY. Better? WALTER. Yes, better, better--any way you choose to put it! I'm a--but never mind that!--Look here--you'd like me to stop? BETTY. He wants to play bridge. WALTER. Don't you think that I-- BETTY.[_Hearing_ HECTOR _coming._] Sh. [HECTOR _comes in--she is idly tossing the cards about._ HECTOR _has put on a smoking-jacket--he comes in, very jolly, fussing around, rubbing his hands, so glad to be home. He sits, to the right of_ BETTY. HECTOR. Now for a game! [_He seizes a pack, and spreads out the cards._ BETTY. [_Leaning back._] Not sure that I want to play. HECTOR. Don't be disagreeable, Betty! Why? BETTY. [_Listlessly, as she rises and moves across the room._] No fun, being three.