HE [watching her with great gravity] Perfect love casteth out
fear. That is why I am not afraid. Mrs Bompas: you do not love
me.

SHE [turning to him with a gasp of relief] Oh, thank you, thank
you! You really can be very nice, Henry.

HE. Why do you thank me?

SHE [coming prettily to him from the fireplace] For calling me
Mrs Bompas again. I feel now that you are going to be reasonable
and behave like a gentleman. [He drops on the stool; covers his
face with his hand; and groans]. What's the matter?

HE. Once or twice in my life I have dreamed that I was
exquisitely happy and blessed. But oh! the misgiving at the first
stir of consciousness! the stab of reality! the prison walls of
the bedroom! the bitter, bitter disappointment of waking! And
this time! oh, this time I thought I was awake.

SHE. Listen to me, Henry: we really haven't time for all that
sort of flapdoodle now. [He starts to his feet as if she had
pulled a trigger and straightened him by the release of a
powerful spring, and goes past her with set teeth to the little
table]. Oh, take care: you nearly hit me in the chin with the top
of your head.

HE [with fierce politeness] I beg your pardon. What is it you
want me to do? I am at your service. I am ready to behave like a
gentleman if you will be kind enough to explain exactly how.