Act 2 Flashcards
(60 cards)
Emma:
My God! But - look here -
You know, don’t you?
Jemi:
It’s a good job for him he doesn’t, isn’t it?
Why?
Jemi:
Because mother’s been busy blaming everything on the young man who got this girl into trouble, and saying he shouldn’t escape and should be made an example of.
You haven’t made it any easier for me, have you, mother?
Bibi:
And I’ll be obliged if you’ll let us get on without any further interruptions. Now then.
Could I have a drink first?
Bibi:
When did you first meet this girl?
One night last November.
Bibi:
Where did you meet her?
In the palace bar. I’d been there an hour or so with two or three chaps. I was a bit squiffy.
Bibi:
What happened then?
I began talking to her, and stood her a few drinks. I was rather far gone by the time we had to go.
Bibi:
Was she drunk too?
She told me afterwards that she was a bit, chiefly because she’d not had much to eat that day.
Bibi:
You went with her to her lodgings that night?
Yes, I insisted – it seems. I’m not very clear about it, but afterwards she told me she didn’t want me to go in but that – well, I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatened to make a row.
Bibi:
So she let you in?
Yes. And that’s when it happened. And I didn’t even remember – that’s the hellish thing. Oh – my God! - how stupid it all is!
Bibi:
When did you meet her again?
About a fortnight afterwards.
Bibi:
By appointment?
No. And I couldn’t remember her name or where she lived. It was all very vague. But I happened to see her again in the palace bar.
Bibi:
But you took her home again?
Yes. And this time we talked a bit. She told me something about herself and I talked too. Told her my name and what I did.
Bibi:
And you made love again?
Yes. I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport -
Emma:
So you had to go to bed with her?
Well, I’m old enough to be married, aren’t I, and I’m not married, and I hate these fat old tarts round the town – the ones I see some of your respectable friends with -
Bibi:
Settle it afterwards. Did you arrange to see each other after that?
Yes. And the next time – or the time after that – she told me she thought she was going to have a baby.
Bibi:
And of course she was very worried about it?
Yes, and so was I. I was in a hell of a state about it.
Bibi:
Did she suggest that you ought to marry her?
No. she didn’t want me to marry her. Said I didn’t love her – and all that. In a way, she treated me – as if I were a kid. Though I was nearly as old as she was.
Bibi:
So what did you propose to do?
Well, she hadn’t a job – and didn’t feel like trying again for one – and she’d no money left – so I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going – until she refused to take any more -
Bibi:
How much did you give her altogether?
I suppose - about fifty pounds all told.
Bibi:
That’s my question too.
I got it - from the office -
Emma:
My office?
Yes.
Rose:
Eric! You stole money?
No, not really. I intended to pay it back.
Emma:
We’ve heard that story before. How could you have paid it back?
I’d have managed somehow. I had to have some money-