me. Gerald: (politely) Absolutely first class. Mrs Birling: (reproachfully) Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things- Birling: Oh – come come – I’m treating Gerald like one of the family. And I'm sure he won't object. Sheila: (with mocking aggressiveness) Go on, Gerald – just you object! Gerald: (smiling) Wouldn't dream of it. In fact, I insist upon being one of the family now. I've been trying long enough, haven't I? (as she does not reply, with more insistence.) Haven't I? You know I have. Mrs Birling: (smiling) Of course she does. Sheila: (half serious, half playful) Yes – except for all last summer, when you never came near me, and I wondered what had happened to you. Gerald: And I’ve told you – I was awfully busy at the works all that time. Sheila: (same tone as before) Yes,that's what you say. Mrs Birling: Now, Sheila, don't tease him. When you're married you'll realize that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You'll have to get used to that, just as I had. Sheila: I don't believe I will. (half playful, half serious, to Gerald.) So you be careful. Gerald: Oh – I will, I will. //Eric suddenly guffaws. His parents look at him.// Sheila: (severely) Now – what's the joke? Eric: I don't know – really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh. Sheila: You're squiffy. Eric: I’m not. Mrs Birling: What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days! Eric: If you think that's the best she can do-
Inspector: All she knew was – that a customer complained about her – and so she had to go. Sheila: (staring at him, agitated) When was this? Inspector: (impressively) At the end of January – last year. Sheila: What – what did this girl look like? Inspector: If you'll come over here, I'll show you. // He moves nearer a light – perhaps standard lamp – and she crosses to him. He produces the photograph. She looks at it closely, recognizes it with a little cry, gives a half-stifled sob, and then runs out. The inspector puts the photograph back in his pocket and stares speculatively after her. The other three stare in amazement for a moment.// Birling: What's the matter with her? Eric: She recognized her from the photograph, didn't she? Inspector: Yes. Birling: (angrily) Why the devil do you want to go upsetting the child like that? Inspector: I didn't do it. She's upsetting herself. Birling: Well – why – why? Inspector: I don't know – yet. That's something I have to find out. Birling: (still angrily) Well – if you don't mind – I'll find out first. Gerald: Shall I go after her. Birling: (moving) No, leave this to me. I must also have a word with my wife – tell her what's happening. (turns at the door, staring at the inspector angrily.) We were having a nice family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now, haven't you? Inspector: (steadily) That's more or less what I was thinking earlier tonight when I was in the infirmary looking at what was left of Eva Smith. A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody's made of it. // Birling looks as if about to make some retort, then thinks better of it, and goes out, closing door sharply behind him. Gerald and Eric exchange uneasy glances. The inspector ignores them.// Gerald: I’d like to have a look at that photograph now, inspector.
Gerald: (trying to smile) Well what, Sheila? Sheila: How did you come to know this girl – Eva Smith? Gerald: I didn't. Sheila: Daisy renton then – it's the same thing. Gerald: Why should I have to known her? Sheila: Oh don't be stupid. We haven't much time. You gave yourself away as soon as he mentioned her other name. Gerald: All right. I knew her. Let's leave it at that. Sheila: We can't leave it at that. Gerald: (approaching her) Now listen, darling-- Sheila: no, that's no use. You not only knew her but you knew her very well. Otherwise, you wouldn't look so guilty about it. When did you first get to know her? // he does not reply// Was it after she left milwards? When she changed her name, as he said, and began to lead a different sort of life? Were you seeing her last spring and summer, during that time you hardly came near me and said you were so busy? Were you? // he does not reply but looks at her.// Yes, of course you were. Gerald: I'm sorry, Sheila. But it was all over and done with, last summer. I hadn't set eyes on the girl for at least six months. I don't come into this suicide business. Sheila: I thought I didn't half an hour ago. Gerald: You don't. Neither of us does. So – for god's sake – don't say anything to the inspector. Sheila: About you and this girl? Gerald: Yes. We can keep it from him. Sheila: (laughs rather hysterically) why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows. And I
hate to think how much he knows that we don't know yet. You'll see. You'll see. // she looks at him almost in triumph. He looks crushed. The doors slowly opens and the inspector appears, looking steadily and searchingly at them.// Inspector: Well? END OF ACT ONE Act two // At rise, scene and situation are exactly as they were at end of act one. The Inspector remains at the door for a few moments looking at Sheila and Gerald. Then he comes forward, leaving door open behind him.// Inspector: (To Gerald) Well? Sheila: (with hysterical laugh, to Gerald) You see? What did I tell you? Inspector What did you tell him? Gerald (with an effort) inspector, I think miss birling ought to be excused any more of this questioning. She'd nothing more to tell you. She's had a long exciting and tiring day – we were celebrating our engagement, you know – and now she's obviously had about as much as she can stand. You heard her. Sheila: He means that I'm getting hysterical now. Inspector: And are you? Sheila: probably. Inspector: well, I don't want to keep you here. I've no more questions to ask you. Sheila: no, but you haven't finished asking questions – have you? Inspector: No. Sheila: (to gerald) You see? (to inspector.) then I'm staying. Gerald: Why should you? It's bound to be unpleasant and disturbing. Inspector: and you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things? Gerald: if possible – yes.
can't believe – I won't believe – it's simply my fault that in that in the end she – she committed suicide. That would be too horrible – Inspector: (sternly to them both) You see, we have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt. Sheila: (staring at him) yes. That's true. You know. (she goes close to him, wonderingly.) I don't understand about you. Inspector: (calmly) there's no reason why you should. // he regards her calmly while she stares at him wonderingly and dubiously. Now Mrs Birling. Enters, briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little scene that has just passed. Sheila feels this at once.// Mrs Birling: (smiling social) Good evening inspector. Inspector: good evening, madam. Mrs Birling: (same easy tone) I'm Mrs Birling, y'know. My husband has just explained why you're here, and while we'll be glad to tell you anything you want to know, I don't think we can help you much. Sheila: No. mother – please! Mrs Birling: (affecting great surprise) what's the matter, Sheila? Sheila:(hesitantly) I know it sounds silly-- Mrs Birling: what does? Sheila: you see, I feel you're beginning all wrong. And I'm afraid you'll say or do something that you'll be sorry for afterwards. Mrs Birling: I don't know what you're talking about, sheila. Sheila: we all started like that – so confident, so pleased with ourselves until he began asking us questions. // Mrs Birling looks from sheila to the inspector.// Mrs Birling: you seem to have made a great impression on this child, inspector. Inspector: (coolly) we often do on the young ones. They're more impressionable. //He and Mrs Birling look at each other for a moment. Then Mrs Birling turns to sheila again//
Inspector:(as Gerald hesitates) Well, Mr Croft? Gerald: (apologetically, to Mrs Birling) I'm afraid it is, y'know. Actually I've never seen much of him outside this house – but- well, I have gathered that he does drink pretty hard. Mrs Birling: (bitterly) And this is the time you choose to tell me. Sheila: yes, of course it is. That's what I meant when I talked about building up a wall that's sure to be knocked flat. It makes it all harder to bear. Mrs Birling: But it's you – and not the inspector here – who's doing it-- Sheila: yes, but don't you see? He hasn't started on you yet. Mrs Birling: (after a pause, recovering herself) if necessary I shall be glad to answer any questions the inspector wishes to ask me. Though naturally I don't know anything about this girl. Inspector: (gravely) we'll see, Mrs Birling. //enter birling, who closes door behind him// Birling: (rather hot, bothered) I've been trying to persuade Eric to go to bed, but he won't. Now he says you told him to stay up. Did you? Inspector: Y es, I did. Birling: why? Inspector: because I shall want to talk to him, Mr Birling. Birling: I can't see why you should, but if you must, then I suggest you do it now. Have him in and get it over, then let the lad go. Inspector: no, I can't do that yet. I'm sorry, but he'll have to wait. Birling: now look here, inspector-- inspector: (cutting in, with authority) he must wait his turn. Sheila: (to Mrs Birling) you see? Mrs Birling: no, I don't. And please be quiet, Sheila. Birling: (angrily) inspector, I've told you before, I don't like the tone nor the way you're handling this inquiry. And I don't propose to give you much rope.