Jack. It should have come from me. She'd expect that. But no matter, now she knows. What did she say? Elsie (_hesitating, then plunging_). It's--it's all right, Jack. Jack. Hurrah! Then we've a clear road now. I was a bit afraid. Mother has a will of her own, and she's not easy to please. But I might have known she couldn't resist you. Tell me what she said when you pleaded to her with the loveliest eyes in the world and told her you loved me. Elsie (_awkwardly_). Well---- Jack (_interrupting enthusiastically_). Yes, I know--you needn't tell me. I can see it all. You there, she here, and then you fell into each other's arms, and she kissed you, and what you said to each other I'm not to know, for it was women's talk not meant for men to hear. Elsie. Jack, you've never been like this before. Jack. No, I've never played a great game with a broken arm and come through it unscathed. I've never--oh, but it's you that's done the greatest thing for me. You've won my mother for us. That was the cloud that used to get between. Elsie. And made you talk of self-improvement instead of my eyes? It's only now I learn you know my eyes are good. Jack. I have always known the beauty of your eyes. Elsie. You couldn't tell me about them. Jack. Not till it was all made right with mother. I thought last night to-day would be the saddest day I've known. I had to play for Birchester and go away from Blackton and from you. And there was mother, but you were brave and took that burden from me, and I'm glad, Elsie, I'm glad of everything. Elsie. Even of that? (_Touching his arm._) Jack. It's brought me luck. It's brought me you, safely secure at last. I wish I had a dozen arms to break. Elsie (_smiling_). To get a dozen me's? Jack. To suffer with for you. Elsie (_quickly_). You are suffering? Jack. This bit of pain is nothing to a bad conscience, and it's that I had meeting you and knowing I'd not the pluck to have it out with mother. (_With a touch of brutality._) But now I've got you for my own. No, not a dozen of you, Elsie. One's good enough for me. (_He puts his arm round her, kissing roughly._) Elsie (_frightened_). Jack, you're very strong. Jack (_squeezing masterfully_). I've only one arm, but it's strong. Elsie. I love your strength, Jack, but you do take my breath away. You've never kissed me like that before. Jack (_still holding her against her will_). I've not been free before. I've kissed you guiltily, not as a free man kisses when he can give his whole mind to it. Elsie. Jack, let me go. Jack. Don't you like it? I said you'd be the first to tire of kissing. Elsie (_free of him_). It's--it's almost terrifying, Jack. Jack (_roughly_). Rubbish, lass, you're not made of glass. You can stand it. I needn't kiss you like I kiss my mother. Elsie. How do you kiss your mother? Jack. Why, respectfully. Elsie. You don't respect me, then? Jack. It's not the same. I love you. Elsie (_rather more hopefully_). And you don't love her?