CHARLIE. Yes. It seems people are wondering why we don't get married.
ROSIE (simply). I'm ready when you are, Charlie.
CHARLIE. Yes—yes. That's just it.
ROSIE. What?
CHARLIE. It's a difficult thing to say, but I'm not ready.
ROSIE (sympathetically, standing in front of sofa). I don't think I mind very much what people say, Charlie. If you want me to wait a little longer, I can wait. I don't want to hurry you. You must choose your own time. (More lightly.) So that's all right and the cloud's passed now.
CHARLIE (moved). Oh—if you only knew how hard you're making it for me. You're too good, too true to realize what a weakling I am, what a criminal fool I've been to let things go on to this stage.
ROSIE (startled). Charlie, what do you mean?
CHARLIE (rising and crossing to Rosie). I'm going to hurt you, Rosie. It's all my cursed fault. Try to think of me as kindly as you can. Rosie, it's not a case of waiting a little longer. I wish to God it was. It's that I can't marry you at all.
ROSIE. You can't marry me!