GILBEY. [to Dora, angrily] Listen here, you.
DORA. Oh, aint we cross!
GILBEY. I want none of your gaiety here. This is a respectable
household. Youve gone and got my poor innocent boy into trouble.
It's the like of you thats the ruin of the like of him.
DORA. So you always say, you old dears. But you know better. Bobby
came to me: I didnt come to him.
GILBEY. Would he have gone if you hadnt been there for him to go to?
Tell me that. You know why he went to you, I suppose?
DORA. [charitably] It was dull for him at home, poor lad, wasnt
it?
MRS GILBEY. Oh no. I'm at home on first Thursdays. And we have the
Knoxes to dinner every Friday. Margaret Knox and Bobby are as good as
engaged. Mr Knox is my husband's partner. Mrs Knox is very
religious; but shes quite cheerful. We dine with them on Tuesdays.
So thats two evenings pleasure every week.
GILBEY. [almost in tears] We done what we could for the boy.
Short of letting him go into temptations of all sorts, he can do what
he likes. What more does he want?
DORA. Well, old dear, he wants me; and thats about the long and short
of it. And I must say youre not very nice to me about it. Ive talked
to him like a mother, and tried my best to keep him straight; but I
dont deny I like a bit of fun myself; and we both get a bit giddy when
we're lighthearted. Him and me is a pair, I'm afraid.
GILBEY. Dont talk foolishness, girl. How could you and he be a pair,
you being what you are, and he brought up as he has been, with the
example of a religious woman like Mrs Knox before his eyes? I cant
understand how he could bring himself to be seen in the street with
you.
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