MARGARET: I had a good training as a secretary. Then an election came and I had a girl to help me, and I found I could boss her. So I got three girls and bossed them--made them work for me, instead of me working for somebody else. Now I’ve got ten in the office--and several young men. GWEN: It must be splendid to have built up something like that for yourself. MARGARET: It’s very interesting. The girls are interesting, too; they bring all their troubles to me. GWEN: What sort of troubles? MARGARET: Men--mostly! GWEN: Are you a good sort of person to bring your troubles to? MARGARET: I’ve had some of my own--so perhaps I am. [_FRANKIE comes in._ GWEN (_surprised_): Hullo, Frankie! ... you know Margaret. FRANKIE: Of course. MARGARET: Good evening. FRANKIE: I thought I’d go to bed, and then I thought I wouldn’t. I should just lie and think; and I heard you come up. [_The other two have nothing to say. She goes on; to MARGARET:_ Do you know what’s happened to-night? MARGARET: Vaguely. FRANKIE: Did you know this girl? MARGARET: Vaguely. FRANKIE: Everybody seems to think it’s my fault! GWEN: Frankie! I didn’t say.... FRANKIE: Yes you did. So did John. [_Again a silence; again she continues:_ I’ve been crying; I’ve got that over, now I’ve got used to the idea. John says he doesn’t love me. [_Again they have nothing to say; but she encourages them._ You can say what you like; I shan’t cry again. GWEN (_gently_): He did: I don’t think he does now. FRANKIE (_unexpectedly defiant_): Well, I’m quite sure I don’t love him! I was sobbing away upstairs, but I found it was for the drawing-room curtains I’m not going to buy; not for him. Of course, I’m angry and hurt at being deceived. And I don’t see why I shouldn’t be!... But you can say what you like. GWEN (_suddenly_): Margaret! MARGARET: Yes? GWEN: If I ask you some questions--things that’ll help me if I know--will you answer them? MARGARET: If I can. GWEN: You’re not married? MARGARET: No. GWEN: Have you ever let anybody love you? You know what I mean. Words are difficult--I don’t want to be frightened by them.... Have you? MARGARET: Yes. GWEN: Just one man, or more than one? MARGARET: More than one. GWEN: Tell me about it, with _all_ of them, please! [_A little smile breaks on MARGARET’S lips, and the tiniest laugh. Perhaps the audience laughs louder; so much the better, for GWEN answers----_ GWEN: Don’t laugh, please. I don’t mean it to be anything to laugh at. I ask because I want to know. Not about you, but about love. I’m ashamed to be as old as I am, and not know--You have knowledge, and I haven’t.... So will you tell me, please? MARGARET: Ask away. GWEN: When you didn’t know anything at all, how did it first happen? [_A pause. Then:_