John. [Moved but surly.] I like wildcats and I like Christians, but I don't like Christian wildcats! Now I'm close hauled, trot out your tornado! Let the Tiger loose! It's the tamer, the man in the cage that has to look lively and use the red hot crowbar! But, by Jove, I'm out of the cage! I'm a mere spectator of the married circus! [He puffs vigorously.
Cynthia. Be a game sport then! Our marriage was a wager; you wagered you could live with me. You lost; you paid with a divorce; and now is the time to show your sporting blood. Come on, shake hands and part friends.
John. Not in this world! Friends with you, no! I have a proper pride. I don't propose to put my pride in my pocket.
Cynthia. [Jealous and plain spoken.] Oh, I wouldn't ask you to put your pride in your pocket while Vida's handkerchief is there. [John looks angered.] Pretty little bijou of a handkerchief! [Pulling out the handkerchief.] And she is charming, and divorced, and reasonably well made up.
John. Oh, well, Vida is a woman. [Toying with the handkerchief.] I'm a man, a handkerchief is a handkerchief, and, as some old Aristotle or other said, whatever concerns a woman, concerns me!
Cynthia. [Not oblivious of him, but in a low voice.] Insufferable! Well, yes. [She sits down. She is too much wounded to make any further appeal.] You're perfectly right. There's no possible harmony between divorced people! I withdraw my hand and all good feeling. No wonder I couldn't stand you. Eh? However, that's pleasantly past! But at least, my dear Karslake, let us have some sort of beauty behaviour! If we cannot be decent, let us endeavour to be graceful. If we can't be moral, at least we can avoid being vulgar.
John. Well—
Cynthia. If there's to be no more marriage in the world—
John. [Cynically.] Oh, but that's not it; there's to be more and more and more!
Cynthia. [With a touch of bitterness.] Very well! I repeat then, if there's to be nothing but marriage and divorce, and re-marriage, and re-divorce, at least, at least, those who are divorced can avoid the vulgarity of meeting each other here, there, and everywhere!