Liza.  If I was doing it proper, what was you laughing at? [To
Higgins] Have I said anything I oughtn’t?

Mrs. Higgins [interposing] Not at all, Miss Doolittle.

Liza.  Well, that’s a mercy, anyhow. [Expansively] What I always say is—­

Higgins [rising and looking at his watch] Ahem!

Liza [looking round at him; taking the hint; and rising] Well:  I must go. [They all rise.  Freddy goes to the door].  So pleased to have met you.  Good-bye. [She shakes hands with Mrs. Higgins].

Mrs. Higgins.  Good-bye.

Liza.  Good-bye, Colonel Pickering.

Pickering.  Good-bye, Miss Doolittle. [They shake hands].

Liza [nodding to the others] Good-bye, all.

Freddy [opening the door for her] Are you walking across the
Park, Miss Doolittle?  If so—­

Liza.  Walk!  Not bloody likely. [Sensation].  I am going in a taxi. [She goes out].

Pickering gasps and sits down.  Freddy goes out on the balcony to catch another glimpse of Eliza.

Mrs. Eynsford Hill [suffering from shock] Well, I really can’t get used to the new ways.

Clara [throwing herself discontentedly into the Elizabethan chair].  Oh, it’s all right, mamma, quite right.  People will think we never go anywhere or see anybody if you are so old-fashioned.

Mrs. Eynsford Hill.  I daresay I am very old-fashioned; but I do hope you won’t begin using that expression, Clara.  I have got accustomed to hear you talking about men as rotters, and calling everything filthy and beastly; though I do think it horrible and unladylike.  But this last is really too much.  Don’t you think so, Colonel Pickering?

Pickering.  Don’t ask me.  I’ve been away in India for several years; and manners have changed so much that I sometimes don’t know whether I’m at a respectable dinner-table or in a ship’s forecastle.

Clara.  It’s all a matter of habit.  There’s no right or wrong in it.  Nobody means anything by it.  And it’s so quaint, and gives such a smart emphasis to things that are not in themselves very witty.  I find the new small talk delightful and quite innocent.

Mrs. Eynsford Hill [rising] Well, after that, I think it’s time for us to go.

Pickering and Higgins rise.

Clara [rising] Oh yes:  we have three at homes to go to still.  Good-bye, Mrs. Higgins.  Good-bye, Colonel Pickering.  Good-bye, Professor Higgins.

Higgins [coming grimly at her from the divan, and accompanying her to the door] Good-bye.  Be sure you try on that small talk at the three at-homes.  Don’t be nervous about it.  Pitch it in strong.

Clara [all smiles] I will.  Good-bye.  Such nonsense, all this early Victorian prudery!