So we'll leave it at that.
FANNY. But you will promise to tell my father that lots of people
write plays just like this one--that I havnt selected it out of mere
heartlessness?
TROTTER. I cant possibly tell you what I shall say to your father
about the play until Ive seen the play. But I'll tell you what I
shall say to him about you. I shall say that youre a very foolish
young lady; that youve got into a very questionable set; and that the
sooner he takes you away from Cambridge and its Fabian Society, the
better.
FANNY. It's so funny to hear you pretending to be a heavy father. In
Cambridge we regard you as a _bel esprit_, a wit, an Irresponsible, a
Parisian Immoralist, _tres chic_.
TROTTER. I!
FANNY. Theres quite a Trotter set.
TROTTER. Well, upon my word!
FANNY. They go in for adventures and call you Aramis.
TROTTER. They wouldnt dare!
FANNY. You always make such delicious fun of the serious people.
Your _insouciance_--
TROTTER. [frantic] Stop talking French to me: it's not a proper
language for a young girl. Great heavens! how is it possible that a
few innocent pleasantries should be so frightfully misunderstood? Ive
tried all my life to be sincere and simple, to be unassuming and
kindly. Ive lived a blameless life. Ive supported the Censorship in
the face of ridicule and insult. And now I'm told that I'm a centre
of Immoralism! of Modern Minxism! a trifler with the most sacred
subjects! a Nietzschean!! perhaps a Shavian!!!
FANNY.
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