G. What can I do? I can only tell you what I think of myself. You can't
think worse than that?
Mrs. H. Oh, yes, I can! And now, will you tell me the reason of all this?
Remorse? Has Bayard been suddenly conscience- stricken?
Capt. G. (Angrily, his eyes still lowered.) No! The thing has come to an end on
my side. That's all. Mafisch!
Mrs. H. "That's all. Mafisch!" As though I were a Cairene Dragoman. You used to
make prettier speeches. D'you remember when you said?--
Capt. G. For Heaven's sake don't bring that back! Call me anything you like and
I'll admit it--
Mrs. H. But you don't care to be reminded of old lies? If I could hope to hurt
you one-tenth as much as you have hurt me tonight--No, I wouldn't--I couldn't
do it--liar though you are.
Capt. G. I've spoken the truth.
Mrs. H. My dear Sir, you flatter yourself. You have lied over the reason. Pip,
remember that I know you as you don't know yourself. You have been everything
to me, though you are--(Fan-guard.) Oh, what a contemptible Thing it is! And so
you are merely tired of me?
Capt. G. Since you insist upon my repeating it--Yes.
Mrs. H. Lie the first. I wish I knew a coarser word. Lie seems so ineffectual
in your case. The fire has just died out and there is no fresh one? Think for a
minute, Pip, if you care whether I despise you more than I do.
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