I don't want to leave Daisy! I don't want to leave Daisy! What shall I
do? What shall I do? How was I to know? He didn't tell me. Nobody
else ever kissed me. [NED stops curiously to listen. As he listens his
face brightens.] I never dreamed a kiss could be so terrible . . . until
. . . until he told me. He only told me this morning.
NED. [Abruptly.] Is that what you are crying about?
LORETTA. [Reluctantly.] N-no.
NED. [In hopeless voice, the brightness gone out of his face, about to
begin pacing again.] Then what are you crying about?
LORETTA. Because you said I had to marry Billy. I don't want to marry
Billy. I don't want to leave Daisy. I don't know what I want. I wish I
were dead.
NED. [Nerving himself for another effort.] Now look here, Loretta, be
sensible. What is this about kisses? You haven't told me everything
after all.
LORETTA. I . . . I don't want to tell you everything.
NED. [Imperatively.] You must.
LORETTA. [Surrendering.] Well, then . . . must I?
NED. You must.
LORETTA. [Floundering.] He . . . I . . . we . . . I let him, and he
kissed me.
NED. [Desperately, controlling himself.] Go on.
LORETTA. He says eight, but I can't think of more than five times.
NED. Yes, go on.
LORETTA. That's all.
NED. [With vast incredulity.] All?
LORETTA. [Puzzled.] All?
NED. [Awkwardly.] I mean . . . er . . . nothing worse?