It _is_ a shame. Why do you insist on drawing people in such agonizing positions? EDWARD It makes them feel they’re getting their money’s worth. You can rest in a moment and have a cigarette. MARGOT Was Violet Netherson pleased with your malicious portrayal of all her worst points? EDWARD Delighted. As a matter of fact, it _is_ one of the best things I’ve done. MARGOT Yes, but hardly from her point of view. I should never forgive you if you did that to me. EDWARD I shall do something much worse if you don’t keep still. MARGOT What about that cigarette? EDWARD Shut up. MARGOT All right. [_There is silence for a moment._] Is that one by the door new? EDWARD Yes, it’s the Fenwick girl—her mother’s convinced that she’s a wild woodland type. MARGOT St. John’s Woodland. EDWARD I had a bit of a tussle with her. MARGOT I like it. EDWARD There now, you can relax. I shan’t do any more to-day. [_MARGOT rises quickly and strides about._] MARGOT I should loathe to be a professional model. EDWARD There are worse fates I believe. Would you like tea or cocktails or anything? MARGOT I should like some tea now and a cocktail later on. EDWARD Are you going to stay a long time? MARGOT I told Bobbie to pick me up. EDWARD [_Ringing bell_] How is Bobbie? MARGOT Splendid. I’m still mad about him. EDWARD That’s right. MARGOT You don’t like him, do you? EDWARD I hardly know him. MARGOT He’s such a darling, and a great comfort to me. EDWARD [_Standing back and regarding his sketch_] I shall only need one more sitting. MARGOT I believe you disapprove of me and Bobbie. EDWARD Don’t be ridiculous. Why should I? MARGOT You must _never_ disapprove of things, Edward. It’s so second rate. EDWARD You don’t mean that a bit. MARGOT Yes, I do. EDWARD You secretly disapprove of the whole affair, yourself, really. That’s why you always talk about it so much—to sort of brazen it out and put yourself straight with yourself. MARGOT Edward, how _can_ you! Anyhow, why shouldn’t I talk about it. You all know. Everybody knows. EDWARD Reticence as a national quality seems to be on the wane. MARGOT What a pompous remark! EDWARD Perhaps—but true. [_Enter BERRY._] Tea please, Berry. BERRY Very good, sir. MARGOT Lemon with mine, please, Berry. BERRY Yes, my lady. [_He goes out._] MARGOT You’re an awfully difficult person to know properly. EDWARD Am I? MARGOT You don’t give an inch, do you? EDWARD Why should I? MARGOT Oh, I don’t know. Confidences and discussions of everything make life so much more amusing. EDWARD Modern society seems to demand intimacy all in a minute. You all lay bare your private affairs to comparative strangers without a qualm. MARGOT Oh, Edward, dear, _we’re_ not strangers. EDWARD We met for the first time six months ago. MARGOT It seems _ever_ so much more. EDWARD