Eric: (bitterly) You haven't made it any easier for me, have you, mother? Mrs Birling: But I didn't know it was you I never dreamt. Besides, you're not the type – – you don't get drunk- Sheila: Of course he does. I told you he did. Eric: You told her. Why, you little sneak! Sheila: No, that's not fair, eric. I could have told her months ago, but of course I didn't. I only told her tonight because I knew everything was coming out it was simply bound to come out – tonight so I thought she might as well know in advance. Don't forget I've already been though – – it. Mrs Birling: Sheila, I simply don't understand your attitude. Birling: Neither do I. If you'd had any sense of loyalty- Inspector: (cutting Just a minute, Mr birling. There be plenty of time, when in, smoothly) i've gone, for you all to adjust your family relationships. But now I must hear what your son has to tell me. ( And I'll be obliged if you'll let us get on without any further sternly, to the three of them.) interruptions. (turning Eric.) Now then. to Eric: (miserably) could I have a drink first? Birling: (explosively) No. Inspector: (firmly) Yes. ( Birling I know he's your As looks like interrupting explosively.) – son and this is your house but look at him. He needs a drink now just to see him through. – Birling: (To Eric) All right. Go on. // Eric goes for a whisky. His whole manner of handling the decanter and then the drink shows his familiarity with quick heavy drinking. The others watch him narrowly.// (bitterly) I understand a lot of things now I didn't understand before. Inspector: Don't start on that. I want to get on. (To Eric.) When did you first meet this girl? Eric: One night last November. Inspector: where did you meet her? Eric: In the palace bar. I'd been there an hour or so with two or three chaps. I was a bit squiffy. Inspector: What happened then?
Eric: (bitterly) You haven't made it any easier for me, have you, mother? Mrs Birling: But I didn't know it was you – I never dreamt. Besides, you're not the type – you don't get drunk- Sheila: Of course he does. I told you he did. Eric: You told her. Why, you little sneak! Sheila: No, that's not fair, eric. I could have told her months ago, but of course I didn't. I only told her tonight because I knew everything was coming out – it was simply bound to come out tonight – so I thought she might as well know in advance. Don't forget – I've already been though it. Mrs Birling: Sheila, I simply don't understand your attitude. Birling: Neither do I. If you'd had any sense of loyalty- Inspector: (cutting in, smoothly) Just a minute, Mr birling. There be plenty of time, when i've gone, for you all to adjust your family relationships. But now I must hear what your son has to tell me. ( sternly, to the three of them.) And I'll be obliged if you'll let us get on without any further interruptions. (turning to Eric.) Now then. Eric: (miserably) could I have a drink first? Birling: (explosively) No. Inspector: (firmly) Yes. ( As Birling looks like interrupting explosively.) I know – he's your son and this is your house – but look at him. He needs a drink now just to see him through. Birling: (To Eric) All right. Go on. // Eric goes for a whisky. His whole manner of handling the decanter and then the drink shows his familiarity with quick heavy drinking. The others watch him narrowly.// (bitterly) I understand a lot of things now I didn't understand before. Inspector: Don't start on that. I want to get on. (To Eric.) When did you first meet this girl? Eric: One night last November. Inspector: where did you meet her? Eric: In the palace bar. I'd been there an hour or so with two or three chaps. I was a bit squiffy. Inspector: What happened then?