COLONEL. ‘Another lie! My shoulders are broad; why shouldn’t I have it to bear as well as you?’
ALICE. ‘There is nothing to bear but just a little folly.’
COLONEL. ‘Folly! And neither of them able to say a word?’
Indeed they are very cold lovers; Amy’s lip is curled at Steve. To make matters worse, the cupboard door, which has so far had the decency to remain quiet, now presumes to have its say. It opens of itself a few inches, creaking guiltily. Three people are so startled that a new suspicion is roused in the fourth.
ALICE, who can read his face so well, ‘She wasn’t there, Robert, she wasn’t.’
COLONEL. ‘My God! I understand now; she didn’t follow us; she hid there when I came.’
ALICE. ‘No, Robert, no.’
He goes into the cupboard and returns with something in his hand, which he gives to Amy.
COLONEL. ‘Your other glove, Amy.’
ALICE. ‘I can’t keep it from you any longer, Robert; I have done my best.’ She goes to Amy to protect her. ‘But Amy is still my child.’