The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts

by W. Somerset Maugham

C.-C. Curiosity, my dear child. A surely pardonable curiosity.

Elizabeth. And since then you’ve been here all the time. You don’t generally favour us with so much of your company when you’re down at your cottage.

C.-C. I’ve been excessively amused.

Elizabeth. It has struck me that whenever they started fripping you took a malicious pleasure in goading them on.

C.-C. I don’t think there’s much love lost between them now, do you?

[Teddie is making as though to leave the room.

Elizabeth. Don’t go, Teddie.

C.-C. No, please don’t. I’m only staying a minute. We were talking about Lady Kitty just before she arrived. [To Elizabeth.] Do you remember? The pale, frail lady in black satin and old lace.

Elizabeth. [With a chuckle.] You are a devil, you know.