Jack. But I didn't, Elsie. It was an accident. Elsie. He thought not. Jack. Yes. He's wrong. Elsie. Why should he think you did it intentionally? Jack (_sullenly_). Ask him. Elsie. He's just told me to ask you. Now stop being absurd, Jack, and tell me all about it. Jack (_reluctantly_). I told him we wanted to be married-- (_Elsie nods, smiling approval._) --and he offered to strike a bargain. He wants Blackton to win, so I was to play a rotten game for Birchester. Elsie. And you couldn't do it. Jack. No. Elsie (_enthusiastically_). No. You couldn't play badly if you tried, and so you broke your arm instead, for me. Jack, if I was proud of you before, I could worship you now. (_Patting the sling._) Your arm, your poor, hurt arm, mangled for me. My hero, my lover and my king. Jack (_disgustedly_). You think that too! Elsie. Think it! I know it. Don't pretend. It's too late now for modesty. Jack. Modesty! Don't you see if I'd done that, forgotten my sportsmanship and sold a match for my private gain, I'd deserve to be kicked round the county? Elsie. No. I don't see it. You've hurt yourself for my sake, and that's enough to make of me the proudest woman in the land. Jack. It's enough to prove me dishonest if it were true. Elsie (_touching the arm_). Isn't that true? Jack. Don't I tell you that's an accident? Elsie. You've never had an accident before. Jack. Not a serious one. Elsie. No. You're too great a master of the game. Accidents happen to the careless and incompetent. Jack. Then I must be both. I fell and my arm twisted under me. Elsie. And you really didn't do it on purpose? Jack (_hurt_). Elsie, don't you believe me? Elsie. It's so beastly to have to. I thought you were a perfect player, and you have an accident; and I thought you were a perfect lover, and you've been afraid to prove your love. Jack (_stirred up_). Elsie, there are twenty thousand folk about this ground to-day and some of them have come to see the match, but more to see me play an honest game. They're just a football crowd, but there isn't a man upon this ground to-day but knows Jack Metherell is straight. It's left for you to say I ought to be a crook. You're great at golf and hockey. Is that the way you play the game? Elsie. Forgive me, Jack. I did want things to be right for us. Jack. At any price? Elsie. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking of the game. I only thought of you. Jack. I know. But I want things to be right and rightly right. Elsie (_smiling_). And now they are. Jack (_puzzled_). Your father---- Elsie. We've only to let him go on thinking you did it on purpose. Jack. But I didn't. Elsie (_soothingly_). I know. _I_ know it was pure accident. But he doesn't. Jack. He must be told. Elsie. I thought you wanted his consent to our marriage Jack. I do. Elsie. Then let him think you've kept the bargain he proposed. Jack. Let him think I'm dishonest? Elsie. What was he? What does it matter what he thinks if I know the truth?