Sheila merely nods, still staring at him, and he goes across to the tantalus on the sideboard for a whiskey.//

Birling looks as if about to make some retort, then thinks better of it, and goes out, closing door sharply behind him. Gerald and Eric exchange uneasy glances. The Inspector ignores them.// Mrs Birling: (with dignity) Yes. We've done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases . Gerald: (cutting, rather impatiently) Mrs Birling, the inspector knows all that. And I don't think it's a very good idea to remind him-- Sheila: So nothing really happened. So there's nothing to be sorry for, nothing to learn. We can all go on behaving just as we did.

SparkNotes—the stress-free way to a better GPA

Sheila: yes, and it was I who had the girl turned out of her job at Milwards. And I'm supposed to be engaged to Gerald. And I'm not a child , don't forget. I've got a right to know. Were you in love with her, Gerald? Birling: I’m delighted about this engagement and I hope it won't be too long before you're married. And I want to say this. There's a good deal of silly talk about these days – but – and I speak as a hard-headed businessman , who has to take risks and know what he's about – I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk. When you marry, you'll be marrying at a very good time . Yes, a very good time – and soon it'll be an even better time. Last month, just because the miners came out on strike, there's a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the near future. Don't worry. We've passed the worst of it . We employers , at last, are coming together to see that our interests – and the interests of capital – are properly protected. And we're in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity. Sheila: But that's not what I'm talking about. I don't care about that. The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything. Eric: (laughing) Oh – for God's sake! What does it matter now whether they give you a knighthood or not? Mrs Birling. (rising. The others rise) Yes, of course, dear. Well, don't keep Gerald in here too long. Eric – I want you a minute.

Sheila: we all started like that – so confident, so pleased with ourselves until he began asking us questions. Gerald: (lightly) Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (nodding confidentially to Birling.) and that would be awkward, wouldn't it? Birling: (noticing that his wife has not taken any) Now then, Sybil , you must a take a little tonight . Special occasion, y'know, eh?Gerald: all right, if you must have it. I met her first, sometime in March last year, in the stalls bar at the palace. I mean the palace music hall here in Brumley - Eric: I don't see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. Nor can mother. We did her in all right. Sheila: but you're forgetting I'm supposed to be engaged to the hero of it. Go on, Gerald. You went down to the bar, which is a favourite haunt of the women of the town. Birling: (rather heavily) I just want to say this. (noticing that Sheila is still admiring her ring.) are you listening, Sheila? This concerns you too. And after all, I don't often make speeches at you -