Arnold. I believe she tried to see me when I was little, but my father thought it better she shouldn’t.
Anna. Yes, but when you were grown up?
Arnold. She was always in Italy. I never went to Italy.
Elizabeth. It seems to me so pathetic that if you saw one another in the street you wouldn’t recognise each other.
Arnold. Is it my fault?
Elizabeth. You’ve promised to be very gentle with her and very kind.
Arnold. The mistake was asking Porteous to come too. It looks as though we condoned the whole thing. And how am I to treat him? Am I to shake him by the hand and slap him on the back? He absolutely ruined my father’s life.
Elizabeth. [Smiling.] How much would you give for a nice motor accident that prevented them from coming?
Arnold. I let you persuade me against my better judgment, and I’ve regretted it ever since.
Elizabeth. [Good-humouredly.] I think it’s very lucky that Anna and Teddie are here. I don’t foresee a very successful party.