GILBEY. Maria: if you keep interrupting with silly questions, I
shall go out of my senses. Heres the boy in gaol and me disgraced for
ever; and all you care to know is what a squiffer is.
DORA. Well, remember it has gold keys. The man wouldnt take a penny
less than 15 pounds for it. It was a presentation one.
GILBEY. [shouting at her] Wheres my son? Whats happened to my
son? Will you tell me that, and stop cackling about your squiffer?
DORA. Oh, aint we impatient! Well, it does you credit, old dear.
And you neednt fuss: theres no disgrace. Bobby behaved like a
perfect gentleman. Besides, it was all my fault. I'll own it: I
took too much champagne. I was not what you might call drunk; but I
was bright, and a little beyond myself; and--I'll confess it--I wanted
to shew off before Bobby, because he was a bit taken by a woman on the
stage; and she was pretending to be game for anything. You see youve
brought Bobby up too strict; and when he gets loose theres no holding
him. He does enjoy life more than any lad I ever met.
GILBEY. Never you mind how hes been brought up: thats my business.
Tell me how hes been brought down: thats yours.
MRS GILBEY. Oh, dont be rude to the lady, Rob.
DORA. I'm coming to it, old dear: dont you be so headstrong. Well,
it was a beautiful moonlight night; and we couldnt get a cab on the
nod; so we started to walk, very jolly, you know: arm in arm, and
dancing along, singing and all that.
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