Yes, you may well look surprised. I, unfortunately, am _not_ surprised. CAROL [_After a pause_] I’m beginning to understand. EVELYN I’m glad. CAROL Very clever. I must congratulate Edward. EVELYN It’s nothing to do with Edward. CAROL Liar! [_She goes and takes up her cloak._] EVELYN You’re not going yet. CAROL On the contrary, I’m going immediately. EVELYN Not until I choose. CAROL Don’t speak to me like that. EVELYN I’m going to speak to you as you’ve never been spoken to before. CAROL Pompous ass! [_She flings her cloak over her arm and goes toward the door. EVELYN stands between her and the door._] EVELYN You’re going to stay here. CAROL [_Contemptuously_] Don’t be so ridiculous. EVELYN I mean it. CAROL Are you quite mad? EVELYN No, not at all; I’m unflatteringly sane. CAROL Do you intend to use force to keep me here? EVELYN Yes, if necessary. CAROL Evie—what have you been reading? [_She flings down her cloak and returns to the sofa._] EVELYN That’s right. CAROL [_Helping herself to a cigarette_] I always thought you were a fool. EVELYN Thank you. I’m sorry I was less of a fool than you hoped. CAROL I didn’t hope for much, whatever happened. EVELYN You’d forgotten I was Edward’s best friend. CAROL You’re very, very sure of yourself. EVELYN I can afford to be. I live decently. CAROL Rubbish! EVELYN And I’ve got a little honor left. CAROL Even after living decently. EVELYN You would say a thing like that. CAROL I did. EVELYN I should like to say one thing— CAROL Please do. EVELYN If you and I were alone on a desert island I wouldn’t touch you. CAROL That would be very silly of you. EVELYN [_Rapidly losing his temper_] Haven’t you any modesty or shame anywhere? CAROL [_Smiling_] Oh dear! EVELYN Stop being flippant; it’s only a mask to cover your humiliation. CAROL How discerning you are! EVELYN I know you much better than you think I do. CAROL Idiot! EVELYN Flinging epithets at me won’t help. CAROL Fatuous prig. EVELYN Shut up. CAROL [_Rising_] May I go now please? EVELYN [_Almost shouting_] No. CAROL [_Sitting down_] Very well. EVELYN I’m Edward’s best friend. CAROL You’ve said that before. EVELYN And I’m damned if I’m going to stand by and see him cheapened and humiliated by you. CAROL You’re insufferable. EVELYN That’s beside the point. CAROL [_Suddenly furious_]