I don't like it. There's too much of it for me. I ought to have begun with small doses. My system can't stand it. I live in an atmosphere of respectability, and it's killing me. I never go anywhere that isn't respectable. I never do anything that isn't respectable. Until this blessed moment I haven't set eyes on anyone who isn't respectable.
ADAM CHERRY.
It must be very monotonous.
MRS. BEN DIXON.
Monotonous! It's suffocating! (Suddenly.) Cherry, you always were a good sort. You said you loved me once.
ADAM CHERRY.
(Alarmed) It was a long time ago, Belinda.
MRS. BEN DIXON.
I know it—fifteen years, if it's a day—but you can't have ceased to care for me altogether. Come and help me now. I'm going to the good man as fast as ever I can. For old love's sake come and hold me back a bit. Come down and spend a week with me. Come down and let me talk to you about the days when you and I and the rest of the crowd used to have sheep's-head suppers sent round from the local tripe-shop, and sit up till four o'clock in the morning, playing penny nap.