Act I

Myra Arundel. I’ve asked her down.

You’ve⁠—what?

I’ve asked Myra down for the weekend⁠—she’s awfully amusing.

Well, all I can say is, it’s beastly of you. You might have warned me. What on earth will Richard say?

Something exquisitely noncommittal, I expect.

This is too much! Do you mean to tell me, Simon⁠—

Yes, Mother, I do. I’ve asked Myra down, and I have a perfect right to. You’ve always brought us up to be free about things.

Myra Arundel is straining freedom to its utmost limits.

Don’t you like her?

No, dear, I detest her. She’s far too old for you, and she goes about using Sex as a sort of shrimping net.

Really, Mother⁠—!