Mrs. Munning. What's that you're hiding behind you all this time?
Zack. I'd forgotten these. (_He discloses a small bunch of roses._) They're wild roses from the hedge and I came back to put them in Virginia's room when she's not there, same as I have done every day, only I'd forgotten them this morning.
Mrs. Munning. You can just leave off doing it then. Virginia's room! Have you no sense of decency?
Paul (_anxiously_). She never told you so?
Zack. No, but I've seen her smiling at me and----
Mrs. Munning. She may well smile. Your ways would make a cat laugh.
Zack. I'll--I'll throw the flowers away. (_He turns towards door._)
Paul. Give me those flowers! (_Following him to door._)
Paul. Go back and get your business done.
(_Enter Virginia from the house. She has a small parcel. There is a conflict of wills at the street door. Then Zack steps into the room again. Paul closes the door. Virginia notices the flowers. She goes towards Paul, smiling._)
Paul. Oh! You've--you've caught me this time.
Virginia. But you needn't look ashamed, Paul.
Paul. I didn't know I did. I'll--I'll take them away now.
(_Zack watches agape. Paul goes out with the roses._)
Virginia. Now, Zack, I don't think you deserve it, but I brought your birthday present down, and here it is. A shaving-set.
Zack. I'm sorry, but I haven't got a coin to give you now for luck.
Mrs. Munning. I'd think not, too, with you disgraced. Haven't you got a word of thanks for your razor?
Zack. Yes. It's the best gift you could make me, Jenny.
Virginia. And you promise me you'll use it, Zack?
Zack. I'll use it right enough. I'll cut my throat with it.
Mrs. Munning. Zack! He doesn't know what he's saying, Jenny.
Zack. I do know, and I mean it, too. (_Tearing at paper of the parcel._)
Virginia (_dryly_). You'd have some trouble, Zack. It's a safety razor.
Zack. You're all against me, all of you, and I don't care what happens to me.
Virginia. Zack, listen to me. I'm not against you, though I'm very, very sorry for what you've done.
Zack. I haven't done anything and nobody will let me tell you and----
Mrs. Munning. Your cousin doesn't want to hear about that, Zack.
Zack. You're trying to stop her hearing and I'm going to tell her now. She's got it all so wrong. I know I'm not an angel in trousers, but I'm not a wrong _'_un neither, and----