DAVID: That was charming of you. I’m not much to meet really. MYRA: You see, I’d read “Broken Reeds.” DAVID: Did you like it? MYRA: Like it! I think it’s one of the finest novels I’ve ever read. DAVID: There now! MYRA: How do you manage to know so much about women? DAVID: I’m afraid my knowledge of them is sadly superficial. MYRA: Oh, no; you can’t call Evelyn’s character superficial—it’s amazing. DAVID: Why are you being so nice to me? Have you got a plan about something? MYRA (_laughing_): How suspicious you are! DAVID: I can’t help it—you’re very attractive, and I’m always suspicious of attractive people, on principle. MYRA: Not a very good principle. DAVID: I’ll tell you something—strictly between ourselves. MYRA: Do. DAVID: You’re wrong about me. MYRA: Wrong? In what way? DAVID: I write very bad novels. MYRA: Don’t be so ridiculous. DAVID: And you _know_ I do, because you’re an intelligent person. MYRA: I don’t know anything of the sort. DAVID: Tell me why you’re being so nice to me? MYRA: Because I want to be. DAVID: Why? MYRA: You’re a very clever and amusing man. DAVID: Splendid. MYRA: And I think I’ve rather lost my heart to you. DAVID: Shall we elope? MYRA: David! DAVID: There now, you’ve called me David! MYRA: Do you mind? DAVID: Not at all. MYRA: I’m not sure that you’re being very kind. DAVID: What makes you think that? MYRA: You’re being rather the cynical author laughing up his sleeve at a gushing admirer. DAVID: I think you’re a very interesting woman, and extremely nice-looking. MYRA: Do you? DAVID: Yes. Would you like me to make love to you? MYRA (_rising_): Really—I wish you wouldn’t say things like that. DAVID: I’ve knocked you off your plate—I’ll look away for a minute while you climb on to it again. (_He does so._) MYRA (_laughing affectedly_): This is wonderful! (_She sits down again._) DAVID (_turning_): That’s right. Now then—— MYRA: Now then, what? DAVID: You’re adorable—you’re magnificent—you’re tawny—— MYRA: I’m not tawny. DAVID: Don’t argue. MYRA: This is sheer affectation. DAVID: Affectation’s very nice. MYRA: No, it isn’t—it’s odious. DAVID: You mustn’t get cross. MYRA: I’m not in the least cross. DAVID: Yes, you are—but you’re very alluring. MYRA (_perking up_): Alluring? DAVID: Terribly. MYRA: I can hear your brain clicking—it’s very funny. DAVID: That was rather rude. MYRA: You’ve been consistently rude to me for hours. DAVID: Never mind. MYRA: Why have you? DAVID: I’m always rude to people I like. MYRA: Do you like me? DAVID: Enormously. MYRA: How sweet of you! DAVID: But I don’t like your methods. MYRA: Methods? What methods? DAVID: You’re far too pleasant to occupy yourself with the commonplace. MYRA: And you spoil yourself by trying to be clever. DAVID: Thank you. MYRA: Anyhow, I don’t know what you mean by commonplace. DAVID: You mean you want me to explain? MYRA: Not at all. DAVID: Very well; I will.