Chapter 3 of 5 · 3941 words · ~20 min read

Part 3

You mean you’ve never quite approved of me.

EVELYN

I didn’t say that.

CAROL

I believe it’s true, all the same.

EVELYN

I’ve wondered a bit what you were really like.

CAROL

[_With subtle pathos_]

I don’t think I know, myself.

EVELYN

You haven’t had much time to think, have you?

CAROL

No—I suppose not.

EVELYN

[_Sententiously_]

We’re all so different underneath.

CAROL

[_Laughing_]

Oh, Evie!

EVELYN

What?

CAROL

You’re awfully serious.

EVELYN

Don’t laugh at me.

CAROL

I wasn’t.

EVELYN

I don’t mind, really; it shows that you’re enjoying yourself.

CAROL

I am thoroughly.

EVELYN

I was terrified that you’d be bored.

CAROL

You’re fishing again.

EVELYN

I wish you weren’t so quick; it embarrasses me.

[_He laughs._]

CAROL

I’ll try to be slower.

[_She laughs too._]

EVELYN

I’m the plodding sort, you know—gets there in the end, but takes a long time about it.

CAROL

Nonsense!

EVELYN

The British army doesn’t specialize in wit.

CAROL

I won’t hear a word against the British army.

EVELYN

[_With jocularity_]

Hurrah!

[_They both laugh._]

CAROL

You’re like a schoolboy.

EVELYN

I feel one with you.

CAROL

Do I look so terribly old?

EVELYN

You know I didn’t mean that.

CAROL

I’ll let you off this time, but you mustn’t do it again.

[_BLACKWELL enters with the soup; he takes away the caviare plates._]

EVELYN

How long is it since you dined quietly like this?

CAROL

Oh, ages.

EVELYN

I thought so.

CAROL

You’re looking disapproving again.

[_BLACKWELL serves the soup and exits._]

EVELYN

I think I’m envious.

CAROL

Envious?

EVELYN

Yes.

CAROL

No, you’re not, really.

EVELYN

Your life would never suit me, I know, but somehow it does sound rather fun, for a change.

CAROL

Let’s make a bargain.

EVELYN

I know what you’re going to say.

CAROL

Change over for a bit.

EVELYN

Temptress.

CAROL

You come out to a few theaters and parties with me—

EVELYN

I can’t dance well enough.

CAROL

I’ll soon teach you.

EVELYN

I’d drive you mad.

CAROL

Have you a gramophone here?

EVELYN

Yes.

CAROL

We’ll start after dinner.

EVELYN

All right.

CAROL

And whenever I’m tired and sick of everything, I’ll come here and dine quietly like this.

EVELYN

Will you, honestly?

CAROL

Of course, if you stick to your side of the compact.

EVELYN

I don’t believe you’ll have the patience to carry it through.

CAROL

You must despise me.

EVELYN

Despise you? Good Heavens! Why?

CAROL

You’re so untrusting.

EVELYN

No, I’m not; but it does look as though I were going to get more out of this than you.

CAROL

Not at all. It’s a perfectly fair exchange. You’ve no idea how utterly weary I get every now and then.

EVELYN

Poor Carol.

CAROL

This is peace, absolute peace, and I’m tremendously grateful to you for it.

[_They look at each other in silence for a moment. EVELYN’S expression is faintly nonplused._]

EVELYN

The compact’s on.

CAROL

Good! Shake hands.

EVELYN

Right you are.

[_They shake hands across the table. CAROL allows hers to remain in his a shade more than is strictly necessary._]

CAROL

Do you want to come to the first night of “Round Pegs” on Thursday?

EVELYN

What on earth’s that?

CAROL

A new play by Burton Trask.

EVELYN

Who’s he?

CAROL

[_Laughing_]

Oh, Evie!

EVELYN

Well, how should I know?

CAROL

He’s only the most talked of dramatist we’ve got.

EVELYN

Sorry.

CAROL

He wrote “The Sinful Spinster.”

EVELYN

Oh, the play all the fuss was about last year.

CAROL

Yes.

EVELYN

It sounded pretty hot stuff.

CAROL

It wasn’t, really, but the woman in it fell in love with a man younger than herself and the Church of England didn’t like it.

EVELYN

Oh, I see!

CAROL

You need educating badly.

EVELYN

I’m afraid I do.

[_BLACKWELL enters and takes away their soup plates._]

CAROL

Wasn’t it funny us talking this afternoon and you asking me to dine all in a minute?

EVELYN

Awfully funny, but very lucky for me.

CAROL

You make me feel shy when you say things like that. It was just as lucky for me.

EVELYN

[_With intensity_]

Was it, honestly?

CAROL

[_Looking down_]

Of course.

[_BLACKWELL enters with partridges and attendant vegetables. He serves them during the ensuing dialogue._]

EVELYN

Edward’s looking awfully tired these days.

CAROL

[_Absently_]

Is he? I haven’t noticed it.

EVELYN

Why, you said so yourself this afternoon.

CAROL

So I did. I remember he looked very wan when I came in. By the way, what were you two discussing so intently. I felt as though I were interrupting a Masonic meeting.

EVELYN

Nothing particular.

CAROL

Me, by any chance?

EVELYN

Good Heavens, no!

CAROL

There’s no need to be so vehement about it; it wouldn’t have mattered if you had been.

EVELYN

Have some more champagne.

CAROL

Thanks—just a little.

[_She holds out her glass and he fills it, also his own._]

EVELYN

[_With great boldness_]

Why did you think we were talking about you?

CAROL

You both looked so guilty.

EVELYN

Surely that proves we weren’t.

CAROL

Very good, Evie.

EVELYN

You’re embarrassing me dreadfully.

CAROL

Am I? Why?

EVELYN

Because we _were_ discussing you.

CAROL

Ah!

EVELYN

I see it’s useless to try and deceive you for moment.

CAROL

What were you saying?

EVELYN

Must I tell you?

CAROL

Certainly.

EVELYN

You’re terribly unrelenting.

CAROL

Come on—out with it.

EVELYN

I was lecturing Edward.

[_BLACKWELL goes out._]

CAROL

Lecturing him?

EVELYN

Yes. I said he was paying too much attention to his work and not enough to you.

CAROL

And do you think that’s true?

EVELYN

Yes.

CAROL

It isn’t; it’s the other way round, really. I neglect Edward. You should have saved your lecture for me.

EVELYN

I’m sure it’s his fault, really, he’s so damned lackadaisical.

CAROL

It was nice of you, but a little interfering.

EVELYN

I’m sorry. I suppose I deserve to be snubbed.

CAROL

I’m not snubbing you, exactly, but I’m puzzled.

EVELYN

Why puzzled?

CAROL

It seems so strange that you should have taken up the cudgels on my side.

EVELYN

That was how I saw the situation.

CAROL

I never realized there was a situation.

EVELYN

There isn’t, but there may be soon.

CAROL

How horrid of you!

EVELYN

I know Edward pretty well, you know.

CAROL

And me hardly at all.

EVELYN

Exactly. That’s why I went to him, as I told you this afternoon. I always felt that you disliked me and thought me dull.

CAROL

How absurd!

EVELYN

You did, all the same. You’d have crushed me to the earth if I’d dared mention the subject to you.

CAROL

You must have thought me a prig.

EVELYN

Not in the least. I quite saw your point.

CAROL

And now—?

EVELYN

Now I’m muddled.

CAROL

Have I muddled you, Evie?

EVELYN

Yes, terribly.

CAROL

I’m so glad.

EVELYN

That’s malicious of you.

CAROL

Go ahead with your lecture.

EVELYN

Certainly not.

CAROL

Whose fault do you consider this slight drifting apart—Edward’s or mine?

EVELYN

Edward’s.

CAROL

I told you it was mine.

EVELYN

I don’t believe you.

CAROL

Stubborn.

EVELYN

Is it yours?

CAROL

Yes.

EVELYN

Why?

CAROL

[_Seriously_]

Oh, Evie—

EVELYN

Tell me.

CAROL

It’s rather difficult.

EVELYN

I’m awfully sympathetic.

CAROL

I believe you are.

EVELYN

You love him still, don’t you?

CAROL

Yes—in a way.

EVELYN

But not so much as you did?

CAROL

Not quite so much.

EVELYN

I suppose that’s inevitable in married life, always.

CAROL

I expect it is.

EVELYN

It’s sad, though.

CAROL

Not if one isn’t sentimental about it.

EVELYN

Are you ever sentimental about anything?

CAROL

[_Wistfully_]

Do I seem so hard?

EVELYN

A little, I think.

CAROL

I’m not, really.

EVELYN

I’m afraid Edward’s unhappy.

CAROL

Not deep down inside.

EVELYN

Are you sure?

CAROL

He may think he is.

EVELYN

Poor Edward.

CAROL

He doesn’t love me quite so much, either, you know.

EVELYN

Perhaps he wants to, but you won’t let him.

CAROL

Evie, why are we talking like this?

EVELYN

I don’t know.

CAROL

I can’t bear to pretend about things.

EVELYN

You’re quite right; it doesn’t pay in the long run.

CAROL

But I don’t want you to blame Edward and lecture him for something that’s not entirely his fault.

EVELYN

I see.

CAROL

I’m awfully fond of him and I always shall be, but—

EVELYN

But what?

CAROL

Don’t let’s say any more about it.

EVELYN

All right. You’re rather a dear, you know.

CAROL

Am I?

EVELYN

More than I ever suspected!

CAROL

Oh, Evie!

[_They look at each other for a moment, EVELYN intently, CAROL with a faintly wistful smile. BLACKWELL enters to collect the plates and serve the sweet—pêche Melba—which he does during ensuing dialogue._]

EVELYN

You don’t like Zoe St. Merryn, do you?

CAROL

Why do you suddenly ask that?

EVELYN

I felt you didn’t this afternoon.

CAROL

She’s rather obvious, I think.

EVELYN

In what way?

CAROL

She tries to be clever.

EVELYN

I always thought she was clever.

CAROL

Yes, most men do, but very few women.

EVELYN

Why is that?

CAROL

Because they see through her. All that divorce business was a put-up job.

EVELYN

I say, Carol!

CAROL

Don’t look so shocked. Of course it was. She’s been so brave and defiant over it. Men love that.

EVELYN

Aren’t you being a little hard on her?

CAROL

No, not really. I know her type so well.

EVELYN

She’s an old friend of Edward’s, isn’t she?

CAROL

Yes, but that hasn’t anything to do with it. She tried to marry him once.

EVELYN

He seems very fond of her.

CAROL

She flatters him terribly. He’s an awful baby.

EVELYN

Thank Heaven I haven’t got your feminine intuition. It must complicate life dreadfully.

CAROL

It’s very useful sometimes.

EVELYN

Do you size everyone up so mercilessly.

CAROL

[_Laughing_]

Perhaps.

EVELYN

I’m trembling visibly.

CAROL

Nonsense! You’re not frightened by anything, really.

EVELYN

You don’t know!

[_BLACKWELL goes out._]

CAROL

Well, you shouldn’t be, anyhow.

EVELYN

That’s different.

CAROL

Why did you ask me not to tell Edward I was dining with you?

EVELYN

[_Nonplused_]

Did I?

CAROL

You know you did.

EVELYN

Perhaps I was afraid he’d think I was interfering again.

CAROL

Did he tell you that, too?

EVELYN

Yes.

CAROL

[_Smiling_]

Never mind.

EVELYN

I don’t. I’m used to Edward.

CAROL

So am I.

EVELYN

But when you tell me I’m interfering, I feel beastly.

CAROL

You are, you know.

EVELYN

There! You’ve done it again.

CAROL

People like Edward and me should be left to manage our own troubles.

EVELYN

All right. From now on I won’t say a word.

CAROL

Cheer up.

EVELYN

I’m a blundering fool, anyhow.

CAROL

[_Laughing_]

Yes.

EVELYN

And instead of making you like me, I’ve made you laugh at me.

CAROL

That’s not quite true.

EVELYN

I’m afraid it is.

CAROL

You don’t know a bit what I’m really like.

EVELYN

No.

CAROL

Do you want to?

EVELYN

Yes.

CAROL

I’m not sure that it’s wise.

EVELYN

Why not?

CAROL

You might be shocked.

EVELYN

As bad as that?

CAROL

Yes—as bad as that.

EVELYN

I don’t believe it.

CAROL

Good.

EVELYN

You’re too sensitive to behave really badly.

CAROL

That’s nonsense.

EVELYN

No, it isn’t.

CAROL

Sensitiveness hasn’t anything to do with it.

EVELYN

Yes, it has.

CAROL

Don’t contradict me.

EVELYN

[_With truculence_]

Why shouldn’t I?

CAROL

Because it infuriates me.

EVELYN

[_Slowly_]

We’re almost quarreling.

CAROL

Yes.

EVELYN

I’m sorry.

CAROL

Antagonism is a bad sign.

EVELYN

What do you mean?

CAROL

[_Suddenly burying her face in her hands_]

Oh, Evie!

EVELYN

[_Alarmed_]

What on earth’s the matter?

CAROL

[_Muffled_]

Nothing.

EVELYN

Carol, don’t—please—

[_He gets up and comes to her._]

CAROL

No, no. Sit down. Your man will be in in a moment.

EVELYN

Do tell me what’s wrong.

CAROL

Sit down, please.

EVELYN

All right.

[_He sits down._]

CAROL

Give me my bag, will you? It’s over there. I want to powder my nose.

[_EVELYN rises. When his back is toward her, an expression of extreme satisfaction flits across CAROL’S face. By the time he has turned she is once again bravely melancholy._]

EVELYN

Here.

[_He gives her her bag._]

CAROL

Thank you.

[_She looks up at him with a weary smile. BLACKWELL enters and takes away the remains of the sweet._]

EVELYN

Serve the coffee at once, Blackwell; then I shan’t want you any more.

BLACKWELL

Very good, sir.

[_He goes out._]

CAROL

I feel better now.

EVELYN

I don’t suppose you’ll ever want to dine with me again.

CAROL

Don’t be silly. Of course I shall.

EVELYN

I seem to have depressed you terribly.

CAROL

No—it’s not your fault, really.

EVELYN

I wish I understood you a bit better.

CAROL

I’m glad you don’t.

[_BLACKWELL enters with coffee and liqueurs, which he places beside EVELYN._]

EVELYN

Thank you, Blackwell. Good night.

BLACKWELL

Good night, sir.

[_He goes out._]

EVELYN

Coffee?

CAROL

Yes, please.

EVELYN

[_Pouring it out_]

Sugar?

CAROL

One.

EVELYN

[_Handing it to her_]

There. Cointreau or brandy?

CAROL

Cointreau—just a little.

EVELYN

The brandy’s very good.

CAROL

All right. Brandy, then—you’re so dominant.

EVELYN

Don’t laugh at me any more.

CAROL

I must a little.

EVELYN

Here you are.

[_He gives her some brandy and takes some himself._]

CAROL

Next time I come I’ll try to be more amusing.

EVELYN

I don’t want you to be amusing if you don’t feel like it.

CAROL

You’re awfully kind and gentle.

EVELYN

I want you to relax completely.

CAROL

I am relaxing completely.

EVELYN

I feel you need it.

CAROL

No one else has ever taken the trouble to feel that.

EVELYN

They’re all too occupied in enjoying themselves.

CAROL

But I don’t think they do, really.

EVELYN

That’s true, but they wouldn’t dare admit it.

CAROL

Put the gramophone on.

EVELYN

Now?

CAROL

Yes, please, or I shall cry again.

EVELYN

[_Rising_]

What shall we have?

CAROL

Something blaring and noisy.

EVELYN

What a baby you are!

CAROL

Am I? [_He puts on a foxtrot and stands by the machine looking at her. After a pause she speaks._] I love this tune.

EVELYN

It’s not very new, I’m afraid. I must get some more of the latest ones.

CAROL

Are you ready for your lesson?

EVELYN

Lesson?

CAROL

Yes, your dancing lesson.

EVELYN

If you are.

CAROL

Of course I am! Come on.

[_She rises._]

EVELYN

I’ll push the table back. [_He does so._] There.

CAROL

Now then.

[_They begin to dance._]

EVELYN

Is the time all right?

CAROL

A scrap too fast.

EVELYN

Wait a minute.

[_He stops for a second and regulates the time._]

CAROL

That’s better.

[_They dance again._]

EVELYN

I’m so sorry. Did I kick you?

CAROL

No.

EVELYN

I warned you, didn’t I?

CAROL

Hold me a little tighter.

EVELYN

All right.

[_They dance in silence for a moment._]

CAROL

This is divine.

EVELYN

You’re not teaching me a thing.

CAROL

You don’t need it.

EVELYN

You’re just being polite. I dance like an elephant.

CAROL

Don’t be ridiculous. It would be terribly funny if anyone suddenly came in and found us.

EVELYN

There’s not the least chance of it.

[_They dance in silence for a little._]

CAROL

Oh!

EVELYN

What is it?

CAROL

We nearly crashed into that chair.

EVELYN

I’m afraid I wasn’t concentrating.

CAROL

That’s very naughty of you. You must.

EVELYN

All right.

[_The record comes to an end._]

CAROL

Put on another.

EVELYN

Very well.

[_While he does so, CAROL looks at herself carefully in the glass over the mantelpiece._]

CAROL

I’m enjoying myself frightfully.

EVELYN

Are you, really?

CAROL

Aren’t you?

EVELYN

You know I am.

[_He takes her in his arms again._]

CAROL

You really must hold me a little tighter—it’s so much easier to follow.

EVELYN

Like that?

CAROL

Yes—like that.

[_They stand still, she surrendering herself to him, and holds up her face deliberately to be kissed._]

EVELYN

[_Softly_]

Carol!

[_He kisses her. They stand tightly clasped for a moment; then he firmly disentangles himself and turns off the gramophone._]

CAROL

[_Sinking onto the sofa and passing her hand across her eyes_]

Oh, Evie!

EVELYN

[_In a different tone_]

I thought so.

CAROL

[_Looking up quickly_]

What do you mean?

EVELYN

It’s unbelievable.

[_He strides about a little._]

CAROL

[_Alarmed_]

What on earth are you talking about?

EVELYN

I was right. I knew it.

CAROL

[_Becoming exasperated_]

Knew what?

EVELYN

I’m not quite such easy game as all that.

CAROL

[_Rising_]

Evie!

EVELYN

What a little rotter you are.

CAROL

[_Outraged_]

What!!

EVELYN

Yes, you may well look surprised. I, unfortunately, am _not_ surprised.

CAROL

[_After a pause_]

I’m beginning to understand.

EVELYN

I’m glad.

CAROL

Very clever. I must congratulate Edward.

EVELYN

It’s nothing to do with Edward.

CAROL

Liar!

[_She goes and takes up her cloak._]

EVELYN

You’re not going yet.

CAROL

On the contrary, I’m going immediately.

EVELYN

Not until I choose.

CAROL

Don’t speak to me like that.

EVELYN

I’m going to speak to you as you’ve never been spoken to before.

CAROL

Pompous ass!

[_She flings her cloak over her arm and goes toward the door. EVELYN stands between her and the door._]

EVELYN

You’re going to stay here.

CAROL

[_Contemptuously_]

Don’t be so ridiculous.

EVELYN

I mean it.

CAROL

Are you quite mad?

EVELYN

No, not at all; I’m unflatteringly sane.

CAROL

Do you intend to use force to keep me here?

EVELYN

Yes, if necessary.

CAROL

Evie—what have you been reading?

[_She flings down her cloak and returns to the sofa._]

EVELYN

That’s right.

CAROL

[_Helping herself to a cigarette_]

I always thought you were a fool.

EVELYN

Thank you. I’m sorry I was less of a fool than you hoped.

CAROL

I didn’t hope for much, whatever happened.

EVELYN

You’d forgotten I was Edward’s best friend.

CAROL

You’re very, very sure of yourself.

EVELYN

I can afford to be. I live decently.

CAROL

Rubbish!

EVELYN

And I’ve got a little honor left.

CAROL

Even after living decently.

EVELYN

You would say a thing like that.

CAROL

I did.

EVELYN

I should like to say one thing—

CAROL

Please do.

EVELYN

If you and I were alone on a desert island I wouldn’t touch you.

CAROL

That would be very silly of you.

EVELYN

[_Rapidly losing his temper_]

Haven’t you any modesty or shame anywhere?

CAROL

[_Smiling_]

Oh dear!

EVELYN

Stop being flippant; it’s only a mask to cover your humiliation.

CAROL

How discerning you are!

EVELYN

I know you much better than you think I do.

CAROL

Idiot!

EVELYN

Flinging epithets at me won’t help.

CAROL

Fatuous prig.

EVELYN

Shut up.

CAROL

[_Rising_]

May I go now please?

EVELYN

[_Almost shouting_]

No.

CAROL

[_Sitting down_]

Very well.

EVELYN

I’m Edward’s best friend.

CAROL

You’ve said that before.

EVELYN

And I’m damned if I’m going to stand by and see him cheapened and humiliated by you.

CAROL

You’re insufferable.

EVELYN

That’s beside the point.

CAROL

[_Suddenly furious_]

It is _not_ beside the point! How dare you behave like this! If you were Edward’s Siamese twin you’ve no right to ask me here and insult me. You surely don’t imagine that by talking until you’re blue in the face you could ever alter my life one way or another. You’ve played a filthy second-rate trick on me and you think you did it for Edward’s sake, but all the time it was only to prove to yourself how clever you are. You’ve got to let me go now—at once. Do you hear? If not I’ll scream the place down. [_She rises and makes a dash for the door. He intercepts her. She struggles. He grasps her wrist._] Let me go. Help! Help!

EVELYN

Shut up, you little fool!

[_He puts his hand over her mouth and drags her back to the sofa, upon which she collapses, sobbing._]

CAROL

[_Almost hysterical, in muffled tones_]

How dare you! Oh, how dare you! It’s outrageous! It’s—

EVELYN

Do you want some brandy?

CAROL

Don’t speak to me.

EVELYN

[_With emphasis_]

Do you want some brandy!

CAROL

No.

EVELYN

You’d better have some. Stay where you are. [_He goes over and pours out a glass of brandy and brings it to her._] Here—sit up.

CAROL

Go away. Don’t come near me.

EVELYN

You’re hysterical. Drink this and pull yourself together.

[_He puts his arm round her to lift her up. She wriggles free of him, sits up quickly by herself, snatches the glass from his hand and flings it into the fireplace._]

CAROL

I don’t want your filthy brandy.

EVELYN

That was childish.

CAROL

Why are you doing this to me? Why? Why? What have I ever done to you?

EVELYN

You’re on the verge of ruining the life of one of the best men that ever lived.

CAROL

[_Tearfully_]

How?

EVELYN

You know perfectly well how.

CAROL

It’s no business of yours—what I do—ever.

EVELYN

I’ve made it my business. What you attempted to-night with me you’ve accomplished with other men—you’ve flirted and encouraged them to make love to you, and in many cases you’ve given yourself to them—

CAROL

Evie!

EVELYN

I don’t want you to deny it or affirm it. I _know_ it’s true, but I don’t think Edward does; he loves you too much to believe it possible, and my object in playing on you this second-rate trick, as you call it, is to make you realize what a hideous mess you’re making both of his life and your own. [_During this speech CAROL is looking at EVIE intently. He begins to stride up and down while he talks._] Edward’s too sensitive and reserved to fight for his own rights. I’ve known for ages that he wasn’t happy—that something was weighing on his mind. To-day I asked him plump out and he admitted—

[_He pauses._]

CAROL

What did he admit?

EVELYN

That he was worried and miserable about you.

CAROL

[_Calmly_]

And what did you advise him to do?

EVELYN

Give you hell.

CAROL

How crude of you!

EVELYN

Women of your sort require a little crudity occasionally.

CAROL

What do you mean “women of my sort”?

EVELYN

Do you want me to tell you?

CAROL

No; I don’t want you to say any more at all.

EVELYN

You have the soul of a harlot!

CAROL

[_Suddenly bursting out laughing_]

Oh, Evie!

EVELYN

[_Losing control_]

Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.

CAROL

[_Continuing to laugh_]

What do you expect me to do? You’re so ridiculous—

EVELYN

I suppose you consider anyone with decent ideals ridiculous?

CAROL

[_Laughing helplessly_]

Oh dear! Oh dear!

EVELYN

[_Working himself up more and more_]

You think it funny that I should make an attempt to defend the honor of my best friend, who is too shamed by your utter wantonness to defend himself—

CAROL

[_Growing hysterical_]

You’re mad—quite, quite mad—

EVELYN

You’re deliberately ruining his reputation and wrecking his happiness because you never make the slightest effort to control your rotten passions—

CAROL

[_Rising, trying to control her hysteria_]

How dare you say that—how dare you—

EVELYN

Dare! I’ll say it again and again. Rotten passions! All you live for, all you think of—women of your type can’t exist without men—men—nothing but men all the time—

CAROL

[_Frantically_]

Stop! Stop! You shan’t say any more. [_She gives him a ringing slap on the face. He stands quite still._] Cad! cad! unutterable cad! [_She gives him another slap between each word. He remains motionless. They stand facing each other. CAROL puts her hand to her head._] I think—I think I’m going to be ill.