Sheila: I don't dislike you as I did half an hour ago, gerald. In fact, in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I've ever done before. I knew anyhow you were lying about those months last year when you hardly came near me. I knew there was something fishy about that time. And now at least you've been honest. And I believe what you told us about the way you helped her at first. Just out of pity. And it was my fault really that she was so desperate when you first met her. But this has made a diffence. You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here. We'd have to start all over again, getting to know each other-- Sheila: I'd gone in to try something on. It was an idea of my own – mother had been against it, and so had the assistant – but I insisted. As soon as I tried it on, I knew they'd been right. It just didn't suit me at all. I looked silly in the thing. Well, this girl had brought the dress up from the workroom, and when the assistant – miss Francis – had asked her something about it, this girl, to show us what she meant, had held the dress up, as if she was wearing it . And it just suited her. She was the right type for it, just as I was the wrong type. She was very pretty too – with big dark eyes – and that didn't make it any better. Well, when I tried the thing on and looked at myself and knew that it was all wrong, I caught sight of this girl smiling at miss Francis – as if to say: 'doesn't she look awful' – and I was absolutely furious. I was very rude to both of them, and then I went to the manager and told him that this girl had been very impertinent – and – and – ( she almost breaks down, but just controls herself. ) How could I know what would happen afterwards? If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I don't suppose I’d have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself . I couldn't be sorry for her.

Birling: (noticing that his wife has not taken any) Now then, Sybil , you must a take a little tonight . Special occasion, y'know, eh? Inspector: ( very deliberately) then the next time you imagine it, just remember that this girl was going to have a child. Birling: (angrily) Look here, Inspector, I consider this uncalled-for and officious. I've half a mind to report you. I've told you all I know – and it doesn't seem to me very important – and now there isn't the slightest reason why my daughter should be dragged into this unpleasant business .Gerald: Yes, I think you were . I know we'd have done the same thing. Don't look like that Sheila . Birling: I see. Sensible really. (moves restlessly, then turns.) you've had enough of that port, Eric. 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?

Birling: (angrily, to Inspector) Look here, I'm not going to have this, Inspector. You'll apologize at once. 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: And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer and also of a man well known in the town, to punish the girl just because she made you feel like that? 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. Sheila : (taking out the ring) Oh – it's wonderful! Look – mummy – isn't it a beauty? Oh – darling -Inspector: (sternly) That's what I asked myself tonight when I was looking at that dead girl. And then I said to myself: 'well, we'll try to understand why it had to happen?' and that's why I'm here, and why I’m, not going until I know all that happened. Eva Smith lost her job with Birling and company because the strike failed and they were determined not to have another one. At last she found another job – under what name I don't know – in a big shop, and had to leave there because you were annoyed with yourself and passed the annoyance on to her. Now she had to try something else. So first she changed her name to Daisy Renton- Act Two begins with the same set. The Inspector questions Gerald about Daisy Renton, and Gerald admits to the affair in front of Sheila and her parents, Arthur and Sybil. Gerald is embarrassed by his indiscretion, but insists his concern for Daisy was authentic. Sheila wonders if she can forgive Gerald enough to continue their relationship. Gerald tells the Inspector he is going to leave for a walk. Priestley, J.B. (1950). Introduction to the Plays of J.B.Priestly. Vol.III. London: Heinemann. pp.xii–xiii. Burnt her inside out..." Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer, is holding a family dinner party to celebrate his daughter's engagement.

Gerald: No. she refused to talk about that. I got the idea, once or twice from what she said, that she thought of leaving brumley. Whether she did or not – I don't know. Did she? Gerald: (lightly) Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (nodding confidentially to Birling.) and that would be awkward, wouldn't it? 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. Birling: Yes, my dear, I know – I’m talking too much. But you youngsters just remember what I said. We can't let these Bernard Shaws and H.G.Wellses do all the talking. We hard-headed practical business men must say something sometime . And we don't guess – we've had experience - and we know. 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: i'm glad to hear it. Though I must add that it seems to me that we have more reason for taking offence. Gerald: I didn't propose to stay long down there. I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women. But then I noticed a girl who looked quite different . She was very pretty – soft brown hair and big dark eyes- (breaks off.) My god! Sheila: (slowly, carefully now) you mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do, then the Inspector will just break it down. And it'll be all the worse when he d oes. 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. Eric: (suddenly bursting out) I'm sorry – but you see – we were having a little party – and I’ve had a few drinks, including rather a lot of champagne – and I’ve got a headache – and as I'm only in the way here – I think I'd better turn in.