[FILE, spoken]
You may be right — that it can last. But it didn't. She walked out on me.

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Was it someone else?

[FILE, spoken]
Yes, it was. He was a schoolteacher. Dammit, a schoolteacher!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Well, what was he like?

[FILE, spoken]
He had weak hands and nearsighted eyes! — and he always looked like he was about ready to faint! — and she ran off with him! And there I was —!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Well, maybe the schoolteacher needed her and you didn't.

[FILE, spoken]
Sure I needed her!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Did you tell her so?

[FILE, spoken]
No, I didn't. If it gets so bad you gotta say things like that —
[LIZZIE, spoken]
You gotta say things like that all the time! File, if you'da asked, maybe she mighta stayed!

[FILE, spoken]
I know damn well she mighta stayed! The night she left, she said to me: "Tell me 'don't go!'".

[LIZZIE, spoken]
And you didn't?!

[FILE, spoken]
I tried — I couldn't!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Oh, pride!

[FILE, spoken]
Oh, if a woman wants to go, let her go! If you have to hold her back —

[LIZZIE, spoken]
File, it's just two words — "don't go" — and you couldn't say them?

[FILE, spoken]
It's not the words! It's beggin' — and I won't beg!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Oh, well you are a fool!
[Abruptly realizing she has put her foot in it with her impulsive honesty, she is stricken. In extremis, she resorts to becoming Lily Ann Beasley.]

Oh, my. What am I gettin' so serious about? I'm... not a serious-talking girl at all — not at all! No, I'm not. What I am is happy-go-lucky! Oh, my! What a lovely black bow tie! Did I ever tell you I just adore a man with a black bow tie! Do you make it yourself?

[FILE, spoken]
No, it comes ready made.

[She has snatched up his hat, so he won't leave. He reaches for it. She pretends not to notice.]

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Oh! Well, it's lovely, and look at your shiny buttons. Can I count your buttons? Let's see, you got one — two — three —

[FILE, spoken]
Quit that! Stop sashayin' around, makin' a fool of yourself!

[LIZZIE, spoken]
Oh, and those pearly white teeth!

[FILE, spoken]
Stop it! What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?

[LIZZIE, spoken]
File, I-I was just —

[FILE, spoken]
Don't! Don't be so damn ridiculous. Be yourself!
[He snatches his hat off her head and runs off.]

[LIZZIE, spoken]
File! — File!