listens again, and lets her head go slowly round, preceded by her
eyes; breaks it off, and says:

What should you say I was?

TOPPING. Guilty, Miss.

MAUD. [With triumph] There! Then you think I've got it?

TOPPING. Well, of course, I couldn't say just what sort of a crime you'd
committed, but I should think pretty 'ot stuff.

MAUD. Yes; I've got them here. [She pats her chest].

TOPPING. Really, Miss.

MAUD. Yes. There's just one point, Topping; it's psychological.

TOPPING. Indeed, Miss?

MAUD. Should I naturally put my hand on them; or would there be a
reaction quick enough to stop me? You see, I'm alone--and the point is
whether the fear of being seen would stop me although I knew I couldn't
be seen. It's rather subtle.

TOPPING. I think there's be a rehaction, Miss.

MAUD. So do I. To touch them [She clasps her chest] is a bit obvious,
isn't it?

TOPPING. If the haudience knows you've got 'em there.

MAUD. Oh! yes, it's seen me put them. Look here, I'll show you that
too.

She opens an imaginary drawer, takes out some bits of sealing-wax,
and with every circumstance of stealth in face and hands, conceals
them in her bosom.

All right?

TOPPING. [Nodding] Fine, Miss. You have got a film face. What are
they, if I may ask?

MAUD. [Reproducing the sealing-wax] The Fanshawe diamonds. There's
just one thing here too, Topping.

In real life, which should I naturally do--put them in here [She touches
her chest] or in my bag?

TOPPING. [Touching his waistcoat--earnestly] Well! To put 'em in here,
Miss, I should say is more--more pishchological.

MAUD. [Subduing her lips] Yes; but--

TOPPING. You see, then you've got 'em on you.

MAUD. But that's just the point. Shouldn't I naturally think: Safer in
my bag; then I can pretend somebody put them there. You see, nobody
could put them on me.

TOPPING. Well, I should say that depends on your character. Of course I
don't know what your character is.

MAUD. No; that's the beastly part of it--the author doesn't, either.
It's all left to me.

TOPPING. In that case, I should please myself, Miss. To put 'em in
'ere's warmer.

MAUD. Yes, I think you're right. It's more human.

TOPPING. I didn't know you 'ad a taste this way, Miss Maud.

MAUD. More than a taste, Topping--a talent.

TOPPING. Well, in my belief, we all have a vice about us somewhere. But
if I were you, Miss, I would