BETTY. Liar—yes. Why these stupid, silly lies? "Always, deep down in me!"
Where was it, this beautiful feeling, when you got me to go to your rooms?
WALTER. [Harshly.] We needn't—
BETTY. I liked you—I've said that—I liked you from the first. But I was straight enough. Liked you, of course—but I had no idea, not the slightest…. Thought it fun to play the fool, flirt just a bit. But it was you, you, you who—
WALTER. [Breaking in sulkily and stamping his foot.] Never mind about who it was.
BETTY. [Passionately.] Never mind! You dare!
WALTER. [Doggedly.] Yes—I dare. And look here—since you force me to it—that's all rot—yes, it is—just rot. Just as you like it now, hearing Hector ask me to stop with you, and kissing me the moment his back is turned—so you met me halfway, and more than halfway.
BETTY. You cur!
WALTER. That's what a woman always says, when a man speaks the truth.
Because it is the truth—and you know it. "The way I squeezed your
hand!" D'you think I meant to squeeze it—in a way! Why, as there's a
Heaven above me, you were as sacred to me—as my own sister!
BETTY. [Quietly, as she sits, to right of the table.] What I'm wondering is—you see, you're the only lover I've had—what I wonder is, when a man breaks off, tells a woman he's tired of her, wants to get married—does he always abuse the woman—
WALTER. [Sulkily.] I haven't—