HARVEY. She must. I can't let her be turned out. It would break her heart.
MRS. WESTERN. [Turning right round, and staring at him.] What?
HARVEY. [Doggedly.] Yes—it would. She's very fond of me, that's the truth. I know that I've been to blame—but it's too late for that now. She's romantic, of course—what you'd call sentimental. I dare say I've played on her feelings—she saw I was lonely. She has a side that you've never suspected—a tender, sensitive side—she has ideals…. Well, do you realise what it would mean, with a girl like that? No one knows her as I do. I'm quite startled sometimes, to find how fond she is of me. Oh, have some sympathy! It's difficult, I know—it's terribly difficult. But she loves me—that's the truth—and a young girl's love—why, she might throw herself into the river! Oh yes, you smile—but she might! What do you know of life, with your Blue-books? Anyhow, I daren't risk it. By-and-by—there's no hurry, is there? And I put it to you—be merciful! You're not the ordinary woman—you have a brain—you're not conventional. Don't act like the others. Don't drive this girl out of the house. It would end in tragedy. Believe it!
MRS. WESTERN. You can't really expect me to keep a girl here, as governess to my children, who, as you say, is in love with you.
HARVEY. [Pleading.] I expect you—I'm asking you—to help her—and me.
MRS. WESTERN. [Shaking her head.] That's too much. We won't turn her out to-night—I'll give her a reference, and all that—
HARVEY. [Springing to his feet again.] Alice, I can't let her go!
MRS. WESTERN. [Conciliatorily.] Ask Tom, ask any one—
HARVEY. [More and more passionately.] I tell you, I can't let her go!
MRS. WESTERN. Be sensible, Harvey—you must realise yourself there's no alternative—