AMY. 'Leave go.' ALICE. 'How did you get to know them?' AMY. 'To know them? They are characters in plays.' ALICE, bereft, 'Characters in plays? Plays!' AMY. 'We went to five last week.' Wild hopes spring up in Alice's breast. ALICE. 'Amy, tell me quickly, when did you see Steve for the first time?' AMY. 'When you were saying good-bye to him this afternoon.' ALICE. 'Can it be true!' AMY. 'Perhaps we shouldn't have listened; but they always listen when there is a screen.' ALICE. 'Listened? What did you hear?' AMY. 'Everything, mother! We saw him kiss you and heard you make an assignation to meet him here.' ALICE. 'I shall whip you directly, but go on, darling.' AMY, childishly, 'You shan't whip me.' Then once more heroic, 'As in a flash Ginevra and I saw that there was only one way to save you. I must go to his chambers, and force him to return the letters.' ALICE, inspired, 'My letters?' AMY. 'Of course. He behaved at first as they all do--pretended that he did not know what I was talking about. At that moment, a visitor; I knew at once that it must be the husband; it always is, it was; I hid. Again a visitor. I knew it must be you, it was; oh, the agony to me in there. I was wondering when he would begin to suspect, for I knew the time would come, and I stood ready to emerge and sacrifice myself to save you.' ALICE. 'As you have done, Amy?' AMY. 'As I have done.' Once more the arms go round her. 'I want none of that.'