trebell. [Disregardful.] And what is it makes my pressing attentions endurable . . if one may ask?

amy o'connell. Some spiritual need or other, I suppose, which makes me risk unhappiness . . in fact, welcome it.

trebell. [With great briskness.] Your present need is a good shaking . . I seriously mean that. You get to attach importance to these shades of emotion. A slight physical shock would settle them all. That's why I asked you to kiss me just now.

amy o'connell. You haven't very nice ideas, have you?

trebell. There are three facts in life that call up emotion . . Birth, Death, and the Desire for Children. The niceties are shams.

amy o'connell. Then why do you want to kiss me?

trebell. I don't . . seriously. But I shall in a minute just to finish the argument. Too much diplomacy always ends in a fight.

amy o'connell. And if I don't fight . . it'd be no fun for you, I suppose?

trebell. You would get that much good out of me. For it's my point of honour . . to leave nothing I touch as I find it.

He is very close to her.