CURT. I begin to understand that prison is not enough——
ALICE. No, it is not—there must be shame also.
CURT. A strange world! You commit a shameful act, and the shame falls on him.
ALICE. Well, if the world be so stupid——
CURT. It is as if these prison walls had absorbed all the corruption of the criminals, and it gets into you if you merely breathe this air. You were thinking of the theatre and the supper, I suppose. I was thinking of my son.
ALICE. [Strikes him on the mouth with her glove] Fogey!
[CURT lifts his hand as if to strike her.
ALICE. [Drawing back] Tout beau!
CURT. Forgive me!
ALICE. Yes—on your knees! [CURT kneels down] Down on your face! [CURT touches the ground with his forehead] Kiss my foot! [CURT kisses her foot] And don't you ever do it again! Get up!