Well, you"re easily shocked!
VICTORIA.
You have a latch-key?
[_Triumphantly._
MARGERY [_simply_].
Yes, we have a latch-key!
BOTH [_in different tones_].
_We?_
MARGERY.
What would Gerald do without one?
VICTORIA [_with contempt_].
Gerald!
MARGERY.
When he comes home late.
ENID.
_Does_ he come home late?
VICTORIA.
All men do!
ENID.
_Before_ marriage. Would that were _all_ they did. [_Mysteriously._]
Has he told you everything?
MARGERY.
He"s told me everything I"ve asked him.
VICTORIA [_with curiosity, putting down cigarette_].
What have you asked him?
MARGERY.
Nothing!
ENID.
Margery! [_rises_] it"s such women as you on whom men prey!
[_Turns off._
VICTORIA [_rises_].
And it"s such men as him that women marry!
[_Turns off._
MARGERY.
When they get the chance! [_Grimace at audience._
_Re-enter WELLS, L._
WELLS.
Colonel Cazenove.
[_ENID hides her cigarette behind her back; MARGERY flings hers away, jumps down and runs to meet him. Exit WELLS, L._
_Enter COLONEL._
MARGERY.
Uncle!
[_Flings her arms round his neck, and gives him three smacking kisses.
COLONEL smiles all over his face. ENID and VICTORIA exchange shrugs._
COLONEL.
Bless me! what a smell of tobacco! [_Looks about, sniffing, sees VICTORIA._] Ah, the foolish--beg pardon!--Miss Vivash! [_Bow._] Dear me, something burning!
[_Sniffs. VICTORIA sits again._
ENID [_confused_].
Yes, Mr. Cazenove--the next room
COLONEL [_seeing her_].
Man the Be---- Miss Bethune, I think?