NED. If you think I came because of a line in a letter about a girl I'd never seen-- ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Mockingly.] The poor, jaded, world-worn man, who is no longer interested in women . . . and girls! The poor, tired pessimist who has lost all faith in the goodness of women-- NED. For which you are responsible. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Incredulously.] I? NED. You are responsible. Why did you throw me over and marry Jack? ALICE HEMINGWAY. Do you want to know? NED. Yes. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Judiciously.] First, because I did not love you. Second, because you did not love me. [She smiles at his protesting hand and at the protesting expression on his face.] And third, because there were just about twenty-seven other women at that time that you loved, or thought you loved. That is why I married Jack. And that is why you lost faith in the goodness of women. You have only yourself to blame. NED. [Admiringly.] You talk so convincingly. I almost believe you as I listen to you. And yet I know all the time that you are like all the rest of your sex--faithless, unveracious, and . . . [He glares at her, but does not proceed.] ALICE HEMINGWAY. Go on. I'm not afraid. NED. [With finality.] And immoral. ALICE HEMINGWAY. Oh! You wretch! NED. [Gloatingly.] That's right. Get angry. You may break the furniture if you wish. I don't mind. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [With sudden change of front, softly.] And how about Loretta? [NED gasps and remains silent.] ALICE HEMINGWAY. The depths of duplicity that must lurk under that sweet and innocent exterior . . . according to your philosophy! NED. [Earnestly.] Loretta is an exception, I confess. She is all that you said in your letter. She is a little fairy, an angel. I never dreamed of anything like her. It is remarkable to find such a woman in this age. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Encouragingly.] She is so naive. NED. [Taking the bait.] Yes, isn't she? Her face and her tongue betray all her secrets. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Nodding her head.] Yes, I have noticed it. NED. [Delightedly.] Have you? ALICE HEMINGWAY. She cannot conceal anything. Do you know that she loves you? NED. [Falling into the trap, eagerly.] Do you think so? ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Laughing and rising.] And to think I once permitted you to make love to me for three weeks! [NED rises.] [MAID enters from left with letters, which she brings to ALICE HEMINGWAY.] ALICE HEMINGWAY. [Running over letters.] None for you, Ned. [Selecting two letters for herself.] Tradesmen. [Handing remainder of letters to MAID.] And three for Loretta. [Speaking to MAID.] Put them on the table, Josie. [MAID puts letters on table to left front, and makes exit to left.] NED. [With shade of jealousy.] Loretta seems to have quite a correspondence. ALICE HEMINGWAY. [With a sigh.] Yes, as I used to when I was a girl. NED. But hers are family letters. ALICE HEMINGWAY. Yes, I did not notice any from Billy.