COLIN: Why not? GWEN: Yes. COLIN: Because ... because I won’t stand for it! GWEN: You won’t stand for it? COLIN: No. Why should I? Your head’s full of his stuff. GWEN: It’s full of his stuff because I believe it’s true. COLIN: Oh, damn it all, Gwen; what d’you believe’s true? GWEN: I believe with all my soul to marry you now, straight off, would be a wrong thing to do. (_She is passionately sincere._) Really! Really! I don’t believe it would be _right_! If I did, it would only be to save bother. I want to do what’s right. Oh, I can’t talk; I can’t say what I mean; I feel it; it isn’t only myself ... it’s the others. COLIN: The others? GWEN: Yes; we’re supposed to; it isn’t easy to hold out; some girls are; I want to be on their side; I want to keep hold of my part in the future; if I give in right at the beginning, how can I ever take any part, or interest ever again, without being ashamed ... if that’s a “stunt”; if it’s all “rot” to you ... it’s no good; you’d better go! COLIN: And you say you love me! GWEN: Yes; I love you; make no mistake about that. I don’t know what I shall do, if you go.... I love you so much, I don’t want our first love to be spoiled by feeling I’m doing wrong. COLIN: You’re obstinate. GWEN: I can’t help it.... Oh, Colin, please, don’t you see ... if _you’re_ certain, it’ll make no difference in the end. COLIN: Oh, it’ll make a difference all right! GWEN: What difference? COLIN: It’s going to be very unpleasant for me. GWEN: If I’m not more important than unpleasantness---- COLIN: Suppose I’m obstinate too; and just as conscientious; and I don’t want it to be spoiled, and I think we _ought_ to get married. GWEN: You don’t. You want to avoid unpleasantness. COLIN: Thanks. GWEN: It’s true. COLIN: Suppose it’s a question of doing things my way, or saying good-bye? GWEN: Oh no! COLIN: Yes. GWEN: Colin! ... if I gave in, I shouldn’t be any _good_ to you; something in me would die. COLIN: I’ll risk that. GWEN: I can’t give in. COLIN: My way, or saying good-bye. GWEN: Oh, Colin. COLIN: ... Well? GWEN: Colin!---- [_MR. FREEMAN enters. He has hurried and is in a temper anyhow, which is not improved by finding “that feller” alone with his daughter._ MR. FREEMAN: Oh!... Where’s John? GWEN: He went out. MR. FREEMAN: Where to? GWEN: I don’t know. MR. FREEMAN: He’s got no business to go out. I want to speak to him. I told him I wanted to speak to him. [_A whistle from the speaking-tube._ That’s probably him. [_GWEN has gone to answer. She takes the receiver and speaks._ GWEN: Hullo! MR. FREEMAN (_taking it from her_): Here, give it to me. (_He listens._) ... Has he _“popped” what_? No. It’s me speaking. _Me._ I don’t know what you’re talking about. Come down. At once. (_He replaces the instrument._) ... What the devil did he mean?... Going off his chump! That’s what’s the matter with him. Off their chumps! That’s what’s the matter with the whole family.