MRS WARREN.  Well, Vivie, what did you go away like that for without saying a word to me!  How could you do such a thing!  And what have you done to poor George?  I wanted him to come with me; but he shuffled out of it.  I could see that he was quite afraid of you.  Only fancy:  he wanted me not to come.  As if [trembling] I should be afraid of you, dearie. [Vivie’s gravity deepens].  But of course I told him it was all settled and comfortable between us, and that we were on the best of terms. [She breaks down].  Vivie:  whats the meaning of this? [She produces a commercial envelope, and fumbles at the enclosure with trembling fingers].  I got it from the bank this morning.

VIVIE.  It is my month’s allowance.  They sent it to me as usual the other day.  I simply sent it back to be placed to your credit, and asked them to send you the lodgment receipt.  In future I shall support myself.

MRS WARREN [not daring to understand] Wasn’t it enough?  Why didn’t you tell me? [With a cunning gleam in her eye] I’ll double it:  I was intending to double it.  Only let me know how much you want.

VIVIE.  You know very well that that has nothing to do with it.  From this time I go my own way in my own business and among my own friends.  And you will go yours. [She rises].  Goodbye.

MRS WARREN [rising, appalled] Goodbye?

VIVIE.  Yes:  goodbye.  Come:  don’t let us make a useless scene:  you understand perfectly well.  Sir George Crofts has told me the whole business.

MRS WARREN [angrily] Silly old—­[She swallows an epithet, and then turns white at the narrowness of her escape from uttering it].

VIVIE.  Just so.

MRS WARREN.  He ought to have his tongue cut out.  But I thought it was ended:  you said you didn’t mind.

VIVIE [steadfastly] Excuse me:  I do mind.

MRS WARREN.  But I explained—­

VIVIE.  You explained how it came about.  You did not tell me that it is still going on [She sits].

[Mrs Warren, silenced for a moment, looks forlornly at Vivie, who waits, secretly hoping that the combat is over.  But the cunning expression comes back into Mrs Warren’s face; and she bends across the table, sly and urgent, half whispering.]

MRS WARREN.  Vivie:  do you know how rich I am?

VIVIE.  I have no doubt you are very rich.

MRS WARREN.  But you don’t know all that that means; youre too young.  It means a new dress every day; it means theatres and balls every night; it means having the pick of all the gentlemen in Europe at your feet; it means a lovely house and plenty of servants; it means the choicest of eating and drinking; it means everything you like, everything you want, everything you can think of.  And what are you here?  A mere drudge, toiling and moiling early and late for your bare living and two cheap dresses a year.  Think over it. [Soothingly] Youre shocked, I know.  I can enter into your feelings; and I think they do you credit; but trust me, nobody will blame you:  you may take my word for that.  I know what young girls are; and I know youll think better of it when you’ve turned it over in your mind.