Birling: (sharply, what's the matter with you? staring at him) Eric: (defiantly) Nothing. Edna: (opening Inspector door, and announcing) // inspector Edna inspector the enters, and goes, closing door after her. The need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking.// Inspector: Mr Birling? Birling: Yes. Sit down inspector. Inspector: (sitting) Thank you, sir. Birling: Have a glass of port or a little whisky? – Inspector: No, thank you, Mr Birling. I'm on duty. Birling: You're new, aren't you? Inspector: Yes, sir. Only recently transferred. Birling: I thought you must be. I was an alderman for and lord mayor two years – ago and I’m still on the bench so I know the brumley police offices pretty well and I – – – thought I’d never seen you before. Inspector: Quite so. Birling: Well, what can I do for you? Some trouble about a warrant? Inspector: No, Mr Birling. Birling: (after Well, what is it then? a pause, with a touch of impatience) Inspector: I’d like some information, if you don't mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died on the infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course. Eric: (involuntarily) My god! Inspector: Yes, she was in great agony. They did everything they could for her at the infirmary, but she died. Suicide, of course.
Birling: (sharply, staring at him) what's the matter with you? Eric: (defiantly) Nothing. Edna: (opening door, and announcing) Inspector // the inspector enters, and Edna goes, closing door after her. The inspector need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking.// Inspector: Mr Birling? Birling: Yes. Sit down inspector. Inspector: (sitting) Thank you, sir. Birling: Have a glass of port – or a little whisky? Inspector: No, thank you, Mr Birling. I'm on duty. Birling: You're new, aren't you? Inspector: Yes, sir. Only recently transferred. Birling: I thought you must be. I was an alderman for – and lord mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the bench – so I know the brumley police offices pretty well – and I thought I’d never seen you before. Inspector: Quite so. Birling: Well, what can I do for you? Some trouble about a warrant? Inspector: No, Mr Birling. Birling: (after a pause, with a touch of impatience) Well, what is it then? Inspector: I’d like some information, if you don't mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died on the infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course. Eric: (involuntarily) My god! Inspector: Yes, she was in great agony. They did everything they could for her at the infirmary, but she died. Suicide, of course.