WALTER. [With a movement that he can't control.] Betty!
BETTY. [Turning smilingly to him.] No harm in my telling Hector—he scarcely knows her! [She swings round to HECTOR again.] Why, Walter simply loathes the poor girl! That's what made it so funny! [At the mere thought of it she bursts out laughing again, and goes on speaking through her laughter.] And I tell you—if you ever hear he's engaged to her—why, you can believe the rest of the story too!
HECTOR. [Laughing heartily as he pats WALTER on the shoulder.] Poor old Walter! And, d'you know, I was quite pleased at the thought of his getting married! I was! [He turns to him.] But it's better, old chap, for us—we'd have missed you—terribly! [With another pat on WALTER'S shoulder, he goes to the fire, and drops in the letter.] Mustn't leave that lying about! [He turns.] Well, by Jove, if any one had told me…. And drinking to him, and all!
BETTY. If you'll fetch me that glass of Hock now, I will drink to him,
Hector. To Walter, the Bachelor!
HECTOR. [Beaming.] So we will! Good. I'll get it.
[He bustles into the dining-room.
BETTY. [Moving swiftly to WALTER.] Well, now's your time. One thing or the other.
WALTER. [Savagely.] You fiend!
BETTY. I'll go and see her to-morrow—see her constantly—
WALTER. Why are you doing this?