CHARLIE. There's a depressing feeling in the air. Have you felt it?
ROSIE (compassionately). You poor boy! Father worries you with problems all day at the works, and when you come here in the evening its business again. No wonder you're depressed. (Going and sitting on the arm of the soja.) Let me cheer you up. I'm not business, am I?
CHARLIE. No. But I think sometimes the problems I face in the laboratory are child's play to those I've to face outside it.
ROSIE. Is it anything I can help with? Let me try.
CHARLIE. It is you.
ROSIE. Am I a problem? (Rising and moving slightly away) How exciting!
CHARLIE. It's not exciting. It's serious.
ROSIE (soberly, above soja). And I'm not? All right. I'll be serious, Charlie. What's the matter?
CHARLIE. Rosie, it's about—about our engagement. We've been engaged quite a long time now.
ROSIE. Two years.