TANNER.
I won't have it, Ann.
I am no more that schoolboy now than I am the dotard of ninety I shall grow into if I live long enough.
It is over: let me forget it.
ANN.
Wasn't it a happy time? [She attempts to take his arm again].
TANNER.
Sit down and behave yourself. [He makes her sit down in the chair next the writing table]. No doubt it was a happy time for you.
You were a good girl and never compromised yourself.
And yet the wickedest child that ever was slapped could hardly have had a better time.
I can understand the success with which you bullied the other girls: your virtue imposed on them.
But tell me this: did you ever know a good boy?
ANN.
Of course.
All boys are foolish sometimes; but Tavy was always a really good boy.
TANNER. [struck by this] Yes: you're right.
For some reason you never tempted Tavy.
ANN.
Tempted!
Jack!
TANNER.
Yes, my dear Lady Mephistopheles, tempted.
You were insatiably curious as to what a boy might be capable of, and diabolically clever at getting through his guard and surprising his inmost secrets.
ANN.
What nonsense!
All because you used to tell me long stories of the wicked things you had done—silly boys tricks!
And you call such things inmost secrets: Boys' secrets are just like men's; and you know what they are!
TANNER. [obstinately] No I don't.
What are they, pray?
ANN.
Why, the things they tell everybody, of course.
TANNER.
Now I swear I told you things I told no one else.
You lured me into a compact by which we were to have no secrets from one another. We were to tell one another everything, I didn't notice that you never told me anything.
ANN.
You didn't want to talk about me, Jack.
You wanted to talk about yourself.
TANNER.
Ah, true, horribly true.
But what a devil of a child you must have been to know that weakness and to play on it for the satisfaction of your own curiosity!
I wanted to brag to you, to make myself interesting.
And I found myself doing all sorts of mischievous things simply to have something to tell you about.
I fought with boys I didn't hate; I lied about things I might just as well have told the truth about; I stole things I didn't want; I kissed little girls I didn't care for.
It was all bravado: passionless and therefore unreal.
ANN.
I never told of you, Jack.
TANNER.
No; but if you had wanted to stop me you would have told of me.
You wanted me to go on.
ANN. [flashing out] Oh, that's not true: it's NOT true, Jack.