You _can_ help it. What you’re contemplating is utterly without reason. If you’re trying to vindicate your honor, you can’t seriously achieve it by betraying mine. We’ve both behaved abominably, I admit. We’ve both been weak and uncontrolled and given way completely and we shall suffer for it accordingly, you needn’t doubt that for a minute. We’re in a terrible mess, but we’re in it together and together we must remain— EVELYN I shall never be able to look Edward in the face again. CAROL Will you be able to face him any better after you’ve told him? EVELYN Yes. CAROL Why? EVELYN Because I shall have done the only decent thing left to me. CAROL You’ll only succeed in making him suffer as well as yourself and me. Can’t you see the uselessness of it? EVELYN I can’t see him and talk to him with this shame between us. CAROL You must—so must I. It’s the just penalty for what we’ve done. You said just now you never wanted to see me again. Well, I promise you you never shall—alone. You at least can go away. I can’t—I’ve got to stay and get through the next few months as best I can— [_There comes a ring at the front-door bell._] EVELYN [_Pacing the room_] O God! what am I to do? CAROL [_Quickly_] Nothing—nothing yet, anyhow. Think sensibly and quietly—everything depends on your keeping calm— [_BERRY enters and crosses over L. and exits._] EVELYN Is that Edward? CAROL Yes, I expect so. He’s always forgetting his key. EVELYN [_Terribly undecided_] Carol, I— CAROL Promise you’ll do nothing yet. EVELYN I can’t—I— CAROL [_Whispering violently_] Promise me—wait a little—promise me. Will you promise me? EVELYN [_Helplessly_] Yes. [_BERRY re-enters._] BERRY [_Announcing_] Mrs. St. Merryn. [_ZOE enters briskly._] ZOE Good morning, Carol. I haven’t seen you for months. How are you? CAROL [_As they kiss_] Splendid. I heard you were back. ZOE Hallo, Evie! EVELYN [_Coldly_] Good morning. ZOE I gather that Edward is expected? CAROL Yes, he’ll be back at any minute. EVELYN Good-by. [_He goes out abruptly._] ZOE [_Surprised_] That was one of the most sudden exits I’ve ever seen. CAROL [_Carelessly_] I think Evie’s upset about something. ZOE I didn’t think he was capable of it. CAROL [_Conventionally_] Are you glad to be back? ZOE Delighted. London’s looking so pretty with all the roads up. CAROL [_Absently_] Are they? I hadn’t noticed. ZOE I don’t see how you could fail to unless you travel exclusively in the underground. CAROL Where are you staying? ZOE Claridge’s. CAROL Oh! ZOE It’s so beautifully austere. CAROL What? ZOE [_Patiently_] I said it was so beautifully austere. CAROL Oh yes, it is. ZOE You’re looking awfully well. CAROL I am, frightfully well. ZOE Don’t you think I’m looking frightfully well? CAROL Yes, you certainly are. Traveling obviously agrees with you. ZOE