pepperiness.) You don't believe me? (He turns and faces her. She
pounces at him with spitfire energy.) You think I'm jealous. Oh,
what a profound knowledge of the human heart you have, Mr. Lexy
Mill! How well you know the weaknesses of Woman, don't you? It
must be so nice to be a man and have a fine penetrating intellect
instead of mere emotions like us, and to know that the reason we
don't share your amorous delusions is that we're all jealous
of one another! (She abandons him with a toss of her shoulders,
and crosses to the fire to warm her hands.)

LEXY. Ah, if you women only had the same clue to Man's strength
that you have to his weakness, Miss Prossy, there would be no
Woman Question.

PROSERPINE (over her shoulder, as she stoops, holding her hands
to the blaze). Where did you hear Morell say that? You didn't
invent it yourself: you're not clever enough.

LEXY. That's quite true. I am not ashamed of owing him that, as I
owe him so many other spiritual truths. He said it at the annual
conference of the Women's Liberal Federation. Allow me to add
that though they didn't appreciate it, I, a mere man, did. (He
turns to the bookcase again, hoping that this may leave her
crushed.)

PROSERPINE (putting her hair straight at the little panel of
mirror in the mantelpiece). Well, when you talk to me, give me
your own ideas, such as they are, and not his. You never cut a
poorer figure than when you are trying to imitate him.