[Gruffly.] You may as well do it in front of my face as behind my back.
Rose
[Lifting up her lips.] Good-night.
[He kisses her, and the Admiral and Rose go out.
Lady Frederick
Oh lord, I wish I were eighteen.
[She sinks into a chair, and an expression of utter weariness comes over her face.
Gerald
I say, what's up?
Lady Frederick
[Starting.] I thought you'd gone. Nothing.
Gerald
Come, out with it.
Lady Frederick
Oh, my poor boy, if you only knew. I'm so worried that I don't know what on earth to do.
Gerald
Money?
Lady Frederick
Last year I made a solemn determination to be economical. And it's ruined me.
Gerald
My dear, how could it?
Lady Frederick
I can't make it out. It seems very unfair. The more I tried not to be extravagant, the more I spent.
Gerald
Can't you borrow?
Lady Frederick
[Laughing.] I have borrowed. That's just it.
Gerald
Well, borrow again.
Lady Frederick
I've tried to. But no one's such a fool as to lend me a penny.
Gerald
Did you say I'd sign anything they liked?
Lady Frederick
I was so desperate I said we'd both sign anything. It was Dick Cohen.
Gerald
Oh lord, what did he say?
Lady Frederick
[Imitating a Jewish accent.] What's the good of wathting a nithe clean sheet of paper, my dear lady?
Gerald
[Shouting with laughter.] By George, don't I know it.
Lady Frederick
For heaven's sake don't let's talk of my affairs. They're in such a state that if I think of them at all I shall have a violent fit of hysterics.
Gerald
But look here, what d'you really mean?
Lady Frederick
Well, if you want it – I owe my dressmaker seven hundred pounds, and last year I signed two horrid bills, one for fifteen hundred and the other for two thousand. They fall due the day after to-morrow, and if I can't raise the money I shall have to go through the Bankruptcy Court.
Gerald
By George, that's serious.
Lady Frederick