WALTER. Tired of the life I lead--the beastly, empty rooms--the meals at the Club. And I'm thirty-eight--it's now or never.
WALTER. You didn't think this would last for ever?
BETTY. [_Nodding her head._] I did--yes--I did. Why shouldn't it?
WALTER. [_Working himself into a fury again._] Why? You ask that? Why? Oh yes, it's all right for _you_--you've your home and your husband--I'm there as an--annexe. To be telephoned to, when I'm wanted, at your beck and call, throw over everything, come when you whistle. And it's not only that--I tell you it makes me feel--horrid. After all, he's my--friend.
BETTY. He has been that always. You didn't feel--horrid--before.... Who is she?
WALTER. [_Shortly, as he turns back to the fire._] That doesn't matter.
WALTER. [_Fretfully._] Oh, why should we--
BETTY. I want to know--I'm _entitled_ to know.
WALTER. [_Still with his back to her._] Mary Gillingham.
WALTER. [_Firmly, swinging round to her._] Yes.
BETTY. Whom I introduced you to--my own friend?
WALTER. [_Grumbling._] What _has_ that to do with it? And besides ... [_He suddenly changes his tone, noticing how calm she has become--he takes a step towards her, and stands by her side, at the back of the table, his voice becomes gentle and affectionate._] But I say, really, you're taking it awfully well--pluckily. I knew you would--I knew I was an ass to be so--afraid.... And look here, we'll always be pals--the very best of pals. I'll ... never forget--never. You may be quite sure ... of that. I want to get married--I do--have a home of my own, and so forth--but you'll still be--just the one woman I really have loved--the one woman in my life--to whom I owe--everything.
BETTY. [_With a mirthless laugh._] Do you tell all that--to Mary Gillingham?
WALTER. [_Pettishly, as he moves away._] Do I--don't be so absurd.
BETTY. You tell _her_ she is the only _girl_ you have loved.
WALTER. [_Moving back to the fire, with his back to her._] I tell her--I tell her--what does it matter what I tell her? And one girl or another--she or someone else--
BETTY. But you haven't answered my question--what's to become of me?
WALTER. [_Angrily, facing her._] Become of you! Don't talk such nonsense. Because it is--really it is. You'll be as you were. And Hector's a splendid chap--and after all we've been frightfully wrong--treating him infernally badly--despicably. Oh yes, we have--and you know it. Lord, there've been nights when I have--but never mind that--that's all over! In future we can look him in the face without feeling guilty--we can--