They’re awfully deceptive. CAROL [_Sipping her cocktail_] Are they, Evie? EVELYN Yes. I’m as weak as water, really. CAROL You’ll have to prove it to me before I believe it. EVELYN I’d rather not. [_BLACKWELL enters with caviare._] EVELYN Come and sit down. CAROL [_Sitting at table_] What divine roses! EVELYN They’re in your honor. CAROL Thank you. I hoped they were. [_BLACKWELL helps her to caviare._] EVELYN [_Opening champagne_] I feel awfully flattered at your being here. CAROL Why should you? EVELYN I just do. CAROL Don’t be silly. [_He fills her glass and his own._] Thanks. EVELYN I feel flattered because it’s something I never thought possible. CAROL Me dining with you? EVELYN Yes. CAROL Idiot. [_She smiles._] EVELYN I’ve always seen you as a frightfully dazzling creature—always in demand—always rushing about. CAROL Just because you feel flattered yourself, you mustn’t begin to flatter me. EVELYN Is that flattery? CAROL Isn’t it? EVELYN Well yes, and no. CAROL You mean you’ve never quite approved of me. EVELYN I didn’t say that. CAROL I believe it’s true, all the same. EVELYN I’ve wondered a bit what you were really like. CAROL [_With subtle pathos_] I don’t think I know, myself. EVELYN You haven’t had much time to think, have you? CAROL No—I suppose not. EVELYN [_Sententiously_] We’re all so different underneath. CAROL [_Laughing_] Oh, Evie! EVELYN What? CAROL You’re awfully serious. EVELYN Don’t laugh at me. CAROL I wasn’t. EVELYN I don’t mind, really; it shows that you’re enjoying yourself. CAROL I am thoroughly. EVELYN I was terrified that you’d be bored. CAROL You’re fishing again. EVELYN I wish you weren’t so quick; it embarrasses me. [_He laughs._] CAROL I’ll try to be slower. [_She laughs too._] EVELYN I’m the plodding sort, you know—gets there in the end, but takes a long time about it. CAROL Nonsense! EVELYN The British army doesn’t specialize in wit. CAROL I won’t hear a word against the British army. EVELYN [_With jocularity_] Hurrah! [_They both laugh._] CAROL You’re like a schoolboy. EVELYN I feel one with you. CAROL Do I look so terribly old? EVELYN You know I didn’t mean that. CAROL I’ll let you off this time, but you mustn’t do it again. [_BLACKWELL enters with the soup; he takes away the caviare plates._] EVELYN How long is it since you dined quietly like this? CAROL Oh, ages. EVELYN I thought so. CAROL You’re looking disapproving again. [_BLACKWELL serves the soup and exits._] EVELYN I think I’m envious. CAROL Envious? EVELYN Yes. CAROL No, you’re not, really. EVELYN Your life would never suit me, I know, but somehow it does sound rather fun, for a change. CAROL Let’s make a bargain. EVELYN I know what you’re going to say. CAROL Change over for a bit. EVELYN Temptress. CAROL