She was kind to me too, in a way-- kind and cruel. She didn't want to marry me; she didn't want to marry anybody; she was in love with herself, and her success, and what it was bringing her. But she wouldn't give me the kick. No, she wouldn't do that; I _had_ been something to her. And there's where the kindness came in-- and the merciless cruelty. [_Sitting upon the fauteuil-stool rigidly._] God, if only she'd broken with me then, firmly and finally-- if only she'd broken with me then-- she-- she might have saved me! LILY. [_Struggling with her tears._] Oh, Nicko, Nicko! JEYES. Twelve months ago she did throw me a bone. The regiment was under orders for India, and of course I sent in my papers; and out of pity, I suppose-- and because I was always pestering her-- she promised to become engaged to me if I'd get other work to do. Work! I wonder whether really she was grinning to herself when she made the stipulation! LILY. Oh-- oh----! JEYES. Work! All the spunk, all the energy, had been sapped out of me long before, and even her promise couldn't revive it. My search for a berth wasn't much more than a sham. At the back of my head I knew very well what I'd come to. The only work _I_ was capable of was dancing attendance on _her_, and filling in what remained of the day and night at a rotten restaurant, a Bohemian club, and the bar of the theatre. And that's _been_ my sole employment for the past year-- nothing but that. Pretty, for a man who started life as swimmingly as I did! [_His voice dying away._] Pretty-- pretty-- pretty-- pretty----! LILY. [_After a profound stillness._] I-- I don't think you've ever-- put the case to me-- quite so plainly as this, Nicko. JEYES. I-- I don't think I've ever put it quite so plainly-- to myself. LILY. [_Her lip trembling._] You-- you won't believe me---- JEYES. What? LILY. I-- I've never fully realised it till now-- the harm I've done you. I declare to God I've never realised it till now. [_Faintly._] Nicko----! JEYES. [_After a further pause._] Ah, well--! [_With a deep sigh._] Ah, well! [_To FARNCOMBE, resignedly._] Farncombe, I-- I'm afraid I'm a shocking brute. I-- I got carried away. Forget-- forget the things I've said of this girl. Forget 'em, will yer? [_Starting to his feet._] And look here! A man who isn't a sportsman deserves to be shot. You've won her; I've lost her. Congratulate yer, old chap; congratulate yer! [_Pulling on his cap._] Take care of her, that's all; m-m-mind you take care of her! [_He turns towards the door and she jumps up and runs to him and seizes his arm. FARNCOMBE also rises._ LILY. No, no, Nicko! Nicko--! [_Giving FARNCOMBE a half frightened, half imploring look._] Nicko, I can't undo the mischief I've done; I can't do that. But I can try to make it up to you-- some of it-- and I will, if you'll let me. [_Putting her arms round his shoulders._] Nicko----! JEYES. [_Roughly._] Make it-- up to me? LILY.