(_Exit John by door r.c. A slight pause. Rosie looks at Charlie._)
Rosie. Well, haven't you a word to throw at a dog? (_Charlie is silent._) Charlie, you're not ill, are you?
Rosie. Well, suppose you say "Good evening" to me.
Charlie (_collecting himselj_). I'm sorry. (_He crosses over and kisses her per junctorily, then sits down absent-mindedly on soja. Rosie watches him for a moment._)
Rosie. You're not very brilliant to-night.
Charlie. There's a depressing feeling in the air. Have you felt it?
Rosie (_compassionately_). You poor boy! Father worries you with problems all day at the works, and when you come here in the evening its business again. No wonder you're depressed. (_Going and sitting on the arm of the soja._) Let me cheer you up. I'm not business, am I?
Charlie. No. But I think sometimes the problems I face in the laboratory are child's play to those I've to face outside it.
Rosie. Is it anything I can help with? Let me try.
Rosie. Am I a problem? (_Rising and moving slightly away_) How exciting!
Charlie. It's not exciting. It's serious.
Rosie (_soberly, above soja_). And I'm not? All right. I'll be serious, Charlie. What's the matter?
Charlie. Rosie, it's about--about our engagement. We've been engaged quite a long time now.
Charlie. Yes. It seems people are wondering why we don't get married.
Rosie (_simply_). I'm ready when you are, Charlie.
Charlie. It's a difficult thing to say, but I'm not ready.
Rosie (_sympathetically, standing in front of sofa_). I don't think I mind very much what people say, Charlie. If you want me to wait a little longer, I can wait. I don't want to hurry you. You must choose your own time. (_More lightly._) So that's all right and the cloud's passed now.
Charlie (_moved_). Oh--if you only knew how hard you're making it for me. You're too good, too true to realize what a weakling I am, what a criminal fool I've been to let things go on to this stage.
Rosie (_startled_). Charlie, what do you mean?
Charlie (_rising and crossing to Rosie_). I'm going to hurt you, Rosie. It's all my cursed fault. Try to think of me as kindly as you can. Rosie, it's not a case of waiting a little longer. I wish to God it was. It's that I can't marry you at all.
Charlie. Oh, don't think worse of me than you must. It's not another woman. It never was and it never can be. I shall never love any one but you.