miscreant. They call that murder. But when the entire youth and manhood of a whole nation rises up to slaughter the entire youth and manhood of another, not even for the gold fillings in each other’s teeth, then society condones and applauds the outrage, and calls it war. How, then, can I say that I disapprove of murder, seeing that I have, in the last Great War, acted on these assumptions myself? A lamentable thing, certainly, and responsible for the fact that to-night, instead of being able to fool around the gramophone with you two—a thing I should very much like to have done—I have to hobble about like an old man, on one leg. But the point is that I have proved that I don’t disapprove of murder. Haven’t I?
Leila. No. You’ve done nothing of the sort. You’d be the first to be horrified by murder if it happened under your own nose.
Rupert. I wonder. (Pause.)
Leila. Besides, you must have some moral standards.
Rupert. Must I? I can’t recall any.
Leila. Don’t be absurd. You wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Rupert. Wouldn’t I? I’ve hurt thousands in my time.
[There is a pause. Rupert and Leila begin talking at the same time.
| Leila. | Well, I call——— | |
| and | ||
| Rupert. | Anyway, perhaps——— |
Rupert. I beg your pardon.
Leila. No, do go on.
Rupert. No, do go on, please.
Leila. No, do go on.
| Rupert | All I was going to say——— | ||
| and | |||
| Leila. | I was merely about to——— |
Rupert. I’m very sorry.
Leila. No, do go on.
[ 61 ]
