Can't I prevail on you? MARGERY [_takes one_]. Well, I don't mind trying. [_Lights hers from VICTORIA'S, VICTORIA putting the case on the table._ ENID. How _can_ you, Margery? I call it shocking! To take a nasty, evil-smelling thing like this [_taking a cigarette out of VICTORIA'S case_]--and put it to your lips--brrh! [_Shudders, but puts it in her mouth. MARGERY presses her burning cigarette against it till it is alight._] Don't, Margery, don't! I call it horrid--most unladylike! MARGERY. Now puff! [_All three sit and puff vigorously. MARGERY perched on table._ VICTORIA. Well, dear, and how are you getting on? MARGERY. Oh, famously! ENID. I hope you've taken my advice to heart! VICTORIA. And mine! Have you a latch-key yet? MARGERY. Oh, yes! ENID. Margery, you shock me! MARGERY. Well, you're easily shocked! VICTORIA. You have a latch-key? [_Triumphantly._ MARGERY [_simply_]. Yes, we have a latch-key! BOTH [_in different tones_]. _We?_ MARGERY. What would Gerald do without one? VICTORIA [_with contempt_]. Gerald! MARGERY. When he comes home late. ENID. _Does_ he come home late? VICTORIA. All men do! ENID. _Before_ marriage. Would that were _all_ they did. [_Mysteriously._] Has he told you everything? MARGERY. He's told me everything I've asked him. VICTORIA [_with curiosity, putting down cigarette_]. What have you asked him? MARGERY. Nothing! ENID. Margery! [_rises_] it's such women as you on whom men prey! [_Turns off._ VICTORIA [_rises_]. And it's such men as him that women marry! [_Turns off._ MARGERY. When they get the chance! [_Grimace at audience._ _Re-enter WELLS, L._ WELLS. Colonel Cazenove. [_ENID hides her cigarette behind her back; MARGERY flings hers away, jumps down and runs to meet him. Exit WELLS, L._ _Enter COLONEL._ MARGERY. Uncle! [_Flings her arms round his neck, and gives him three smacking kisses. COLONEL smiles all over his face. ENID and VICTORIA exchange shrugs._ COLONEL. Bless me! what a smell of tobacco! [_Looks about, sniffing, sees VICTORIA._] Ah, the foolish--beg pardon!--Miss Vivash! [_Bow._] Dear me, something burning! [_Sniffs. VICTORIA sits again._ ENID [_confused_]. Yes, Mr. Cazenove--the next room COLONEL [_seeing her_]. Man the Be---- Miss Bethune, I think? [_Holds out his hand. ENID has to change the cigarette into her left hand behind her back; shakes hands, then turns to wipe the nicotine from her lips, unconsciously presenting the turning cigarette to COLONEL'S eyeglass. MARGERY laughs. COLONEL grins at audience._ COLONEL. I thought something was burning. [_ENID throws cigarette into the grate, and covers her face. COLONEL lifts his finger._] And you said Mr. Cazenove! ENID. Well, it wasn't a story. He _is_ in the next room. COLONEL. So man has not a monopoly of the vices! ENID. We're none of us perfect! COLONEL. No, [_rubbing his hands_] thank Heaven! It's the spice of the old Adam that makes life endurable!