I think you owe me some explanation of your extraordinary action last night. DEAN. _My_ extraordinary action!... CLARE. Yes—in deliberately hiding yourself in the summer-house to overhear a private conversation. DEAN. You amaze me, Clare! Instead of being grateful for my silence on the events of yesterday, you turn on me as though you had a grievance! My action was amply justified by the circumstances. CLARE. I don’t see how eavesdropping can ever be justified. And now you’re bent on giving us “beans” from the pulpit. I’m awfully sorry to have to say it, father, but really it’s rotten bad form.... DEAN. We won’t discuss the matter any further. Believe me, I am the best judge of my actions. CLARE. And I of mine. DEAN. You refer to the unhappy discoveries Mrs. O’Farrel and I made last night? CLARE. I do. DEAN. Certainly, if you’re heartily ashamed of yourself, you’re a competent judge of your actions. CLARE. I’m not in the least ashamed of myself. DEAN. Then, my dear child—— CLARE. And why should I be? I’ve done nothing wrong. DEAN. You have done very wrong indeed. But I don’t wish to exaggerate. Of course, I know this has been nothing more than a foolish flirtation. Reprehensible—most reprehensible. A grave error, but scarcely a sin. We will say no more about it.... One thing, however, I am bound to insist upon after what came to my knowledge last night. You must have nothing more to do with that young man. CLARE. What young man? Michael’s forty, if he’s a day. DEAN. I was not speaking of Mr. Cosway. Honestly, your future relations with him don’t cause me acute anxiety. I was alluding to young O’Farrel. CLARE. (_Sitting up._) Bill! DEAN. I think, my dear, we will leave the use of his Christian name to the unhappy lady—or ladies—with whom he is intimate. Certain facts have come to my knowledge. He is not a fit companion for a young girl. Your acquaintance with him must cease from to-day. CLARE. Oh!... And may I ask what he has done? DEAN. It is quite superfluous to go into—er—unsavoury details. CLARE. You seriously expect me to cut him because he doesn’t quite meet with your approval? DEAN. I expect you to obey me implicitly. CLARE. (_Rising._) I had better tell you at once, father, that I shall do nothing of the kind. (_The gateway bell rings._) DEAN. Clare! (_The DEAN looks at the gateway and lowers his voice._) You forget yourself! CLARE. His crime hasn’t by chance anything to do with Patricia? DEAN. H’m—well, since you appear to know something about this, it would be—er—affectation on my part to deny it. His conduct has been shameful, outrageous, and ungentlemanly. CLARE. His conduct has been splendid. That detestable creature got hold of him somehow, and he behaved perfectly from start to finish. Of course you side with her because you think her pretty. But—— DEAN.