any better for me if I could have helped you and didn't. However,
I'm quite certain that I _couldn't_ have helped you then. We'll take
the other accusation, that I stole Pamela from you. I've only got
two things to say to that. First, that Pamela was not engaged to
you, and was perfectly free to choose between us. Secondly, that you
never told me, and I hadn't the slightest idea, that you were the
least bit fond of her. Indeed, I don't believe you realized it
yourself at that time.

BOB (rather shamefaced). I've realized it since.

GERALD. Yes, and you've taken Pamela back since. I think if I were
you I would keep her out of it. (BOB looks away and GERALD goes
on) Now we come to the general charge, which seems to be (very
deliberately) that I'm better than you at games, that I've got
better manners than you, that I'm cleverer than you--in fact, that
I'm superior to you in every outward way, and am only inferior to
you in--well, in the moral qualities. (Quietly) Bob, what are these
moral qualities in which I am so deficient and you so endowed?
You judge me by the qualities I am supposed to have shown to you;
now what have you shown to _me_? Have _you_ been generous, have
_you_ been friendly, have _you_ been sympathetic? No; you've just
told me that for fifteen years you've hated me and been jealous of
me. Things have been rotten for you, I admit; have you ever tried to
make the best of them? You've had disadvantages to fight against;
have you ever fought against them? Never! You've turned every
trouble into a grievance, and hoarded it up. I said just now I was
sick of you. I am--utterly. You said just now you didn't want my
pity. You haven't got it; you've only got my contempt. ... (He turns
away, and then suddenly turns back, and, holding out his hand to