[She approaches her lips to his—he almost fretfully unclasps her arms.

WALTER. Betty—I want to say a—serious word …

BETTY. [Looking fondly at him.] Well, isn't what I'm saying serious?

WALTER. I'm thirty-eight.

BETTY. Yes. I'm only thirty. But I'm not complaining.

WALTER. Has it ever occurred to you—

[He stops.

BETTY. What?

[WALTER looks at her—tries to speak, but cannot—then he breaks away, goes across the room to the fireplace and stands for a moment looking into the fire. She has remained where she was, her eyes following him wonderingly. Suddenly he stamps his foot violently.

WALTER. Damn it! DAMN it!