edward. [still serious.] I'm sorry for it.
alice. Oh, Edward, be a little proud of poor humanity . . take your own share in it gladly. It so discourages the rest of us if you don't.
Suddenly he breaks down completely.
edward. I can't let myself be glad and live. There's the future to think of. And I'm so afraid of that. I must pretend I don't care . . even to myself . . even to you.
alice. [her mocking at an end.] What is it you fear most about the future . . not just the obviously unpleasant things?
edward. They'll put me in prison.
alice. Perhaps.
edward. Who'll be the man who comes out?
alice. Yourself.
edward. No, no! I'm a coward. I can't stand alone, it's too lonely. I need affection . . I need friends. I cling to people that I don't care for deeply . . just for the comfort of it. I've no home of my own. Every house that welcomes me now I like to think of as something of a home. And I know that this disgrace in store will leave me for a long time or a short time . . homeless.