But I can’t. EDWARD Surely that’s rather silly. EVELYN I tried to shoot myself this morning. EDWARD You what!!! EVELYN Tried to shoot myself. EDWARD [_Alarmed_] In God’s name, why? EVELYN [_Brokenly_] Oh, Edward! EDWARD Evie, what _has_ happened? EVELYN I’m the filthiest cad in the world. EDWARD Don’t be ridiculous. EVELYN Our friendship is over forever. EDWARD [_With irritation_] Do stop all this melodrama, Evie, and tell me what’s the matter. EVELYN I’ve betrayed you, utterly. EDWARD [_In great astonishment_] Betrayed _me_? EVELYN [_Looking down_] Yes. EDWARD How? EVELYN [_Brokenly_] Carol! EDWARD Carol! Well, what about her? EVELYN Carol dined with me last night. EDWARD Oh, did she? EVELYN And—and—O my God! [_He sinks into a chair by the table and leans his head on his arms._] EDWARD [_In amazement_] You don’t seriously mean to tell me— EVELYN [_In muffled tones_] Yes. EDWARD You and Carol! EVELYN Yes. EDWARD This is too much! [_He bursts out laughing._] EVELYN [_Looking up astounded_] Edward! EDWARD I can’t bear it. [_He laughs louder._] EVELYN [_Rising_] Edward—old man—please— EDWARD [_Helplessly_] It’s unbelievable—incredible. Oh dear! [_He collapses on the window seat._] EVELYN [_Approaching him_] Edward—for God’s sake— EDWARD [_Weakly_] Don’t come near me. I shall be all right in a minute. EVELYN [_With growing anger_] You must be mad. EDWARD I certainly feel very strange. [_He goes into fits of laughter again._] EVELYN [_Outraged_] Edward—do you realize what I’ve just told you? EDWARD [_Trying to control himself_] Yes—perfectly. EVELYN And you can laugh! EDWARD Will you hand me a cigarette, please? EVELYN [_Irately_] Look here, Edward— EDWARD [_With sudden firmness_] Will you hand me a cigarette, please. EVELYN Here. [_He offers him his case._] EDWARD Thanks. [_He takes one._] Light. EVELYN Here. [_He strikes a match._] EDWARD Thanks. I feel better now. EVELYN Well! What are you going to do about it? EDWARD Ring that bell, will you? By the door. EVELYN I can find my own way out. EDWARD [_Firmly_] You’re not going yet. Ring the bell, please. [_EVELYN looks at him and then goes and rings the bell._] EVELYN Look here, Edward, I came here this morning because I felt I owed it to our friendship to confess the truth to you— EDWARD You’re out of your depth, Evie—far, far out of your depth. EVELYN I don’t know what you mean. EDWARD This is reality, not fiction. [_BERRY enters._] BERRY You rang, sir? EDWARD Will you ask your mistress to come down immediately, please, Berry? It’s very important. BERRY Yes, sir. [_He goes out._] EVELYN [_Panic-stricken_] Edward, this is not fair of you. EDWARD [_Unceremoniously_] Shut up. EVELYN This is between us. EDWARD