(On the bow of the boat,
a moonlit sky in the background, on the couple's second night
together)
JEAN
The air is good isn't it?…It makes you feel all clean inside
and nice.
CHARLES (suddenly)
Don't move.
JEAN
What?
CHARLES
I've just understood something…you see, every time I've looked
at you here on the boat it wasn't only here I saw you: you seemed
to go way back…I know that isn't clear but I saw you here
and at the same time further away and then still further away
and then very small…like converging perspective lines…
no, that isn't it, more like figures following each other in a
forest glade. 
Only
way back there you were a little girl in short dresses with your
hair falling on your shoulders, in the middle distance your hair
is up but you're still gawky like a colt…then when you get
nearer you look more like you do now, except not so pretty…but
I've only told you half of it, because way back there a little
boy is standing with you, holding your hand, and in the middle
distance I'm still with you, not holding your hand anymore because
it isn't manly, but wanting to. And then still nearer we look
terrible: you with your legs like a colt and mine like a calf…what
I'm trying to say, only I'm not a poet I'm an ophiologist, is
that I've always loved you…I mean I've never loved anyone
but you. I suppose that sounds as dull as a drugstore novel, and
what I see inside I'll never be able to cast into words…but
that's what I mean. I wish we were married and on our honeymoon.
JEAN
So do I. But it isn't as simple as all that, Hopsie…I'm terribly
in love….and you seem to be too, so one of us has to think
and try to keep things clear…and maybe I can do that better
than you can…they say a moonlit deck is a woman's business
office.
(Charles kisses her passionately)
JEAN (freeing herself)
What kind of business is that?
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the next excerpt from The Lady Eve
