JACK. She's my mother, Elsie.
ELSIE. Yes. Who comes first? Your mother or the woman you—the woman I used to think you loved.
JACK (hurt). Elsie, you know I love you.
ELSIE. Do I? Is it love? Love hasn't widened your horizon. Love should break through, but you can't see beyond your mother for all your love.
AUSTIN (peace-making). Elsie, you mustn't ask a man to make a choice like that. These relationships don't clash. They sort themselves out.
ELSIE. That's all you know about it. If you'd been here earlier, you'd have seen the clash all right.
AUSTIN. I didn't see it, but I know you're very capable of looking after yourself.
ELSIE. Oh, I can manage you. And I can manage Jack. You're men, but——
MRS. METHERELL. You can't manage me.
ELSIE (agreeing). I've met my match.