Gerald: yes. I asked her questions about herself. She told me her name was Daisy Renton, that she'd lost both parents, that she came originally from somewhere outside Brumley. She also told me she'd had a job in one of the works here and had had to leave after a strike. She said something about the shop too, but wouldn't say which it was, and she was deliberately vague about what happened. I couldn't get any exact details from her about herself – just because she felt I was interested and friendly – but at the same time she wanted to be daisy renton – and not eva smith.

Sheila: (staring at him) yes. That's true. You know. ( she goes close to him, wonderingly .) I don't understand about you. Eric: (sitting down) Yes, please. (takes decanter and helps himself.) mother says we mustn't stay too long. But I don't think it matters. I left'em talking about clothes again. You'd think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married. Women are potty about 'em.

Sheila: (eagerly) Yes, that's it. And I know I'm to blame – and I'm desperately sorry – but I can't believe – I won't believe – it's simply my fault that in that in the end she – she committed suicide. That would be too horrible – Mrs Birling: Eric? Oh – I'm afraid he may have had rather too much to drink tonight. We were having a little celebration here-- Birling: Special occasion. And feeling contented, for once, I wanted you to have the benefit of my experience. Birling: (to Eric) Look – just you keep out of this . You hadn't even started in the works when this happened. So they went on strike. That didn't last long, of course. Please refer to this Agreement before adding more titles to your CGP Online Editions account (Your Account). 1. Licence

Inspector: I’d like some information, if you don't mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died on the infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course.

Mrs Birling: you're looking tired, dear. I think you ought to go to bed – and forget about this absurd business . You'll feel better in the morning. The Birling family are holding a dinner party to celebrate the engagement of Sheila to Gerald Croft, the son and heir of Mr Birling’s rival in business. Although there are a few signs that not everything is perfect (Mr Birling is a bit too anxious to impress Gerald, Eric seems rather nervous and Sheila playfully rebukes Gerald for not having come near her the previous summer) there is a happy, light-hearted atmosphere. Inspector: (impressively) I'm a police Inspector, Miss Birling. This afternoon a young woman drank some disinfectant, and died, after several hours of agony, tonight in the infirmary. It's the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody. I've noticed them giving me a sort of look sometimes at Milwards – I noticed it even this afternoon – and I suppose some of them remember. I feel now I can never go there again. Oh – why had this to happen? Birling: (taking one himself) Ah, you don't know what you're missing . I like a good cigar. (indicating decanter.) help yourself.

Birling: Edna'll answer it . Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then we'll join the ladies. That'll stop me giving you good advice. Birling: Thanks. (confidentially.) by the way, there's something I’d like to mention – in strict confidence – while we're by ourselves. I have an idea that your mother – lady croft – while she doesn't object to my girl – feels you might have done better for yourself socially - Sheila:(urgently) I don't want to get poor Eric into trouble. He's probably in enough trouble already. But we really must stop these silly pretences. This isn't the time to pretend that Eric isn't used to drink. He's been steadily drinking too much for the last two years. The Library's buildings remain fully open but some services are limited, including access to collection items. We're To make sense of these strange happenings, Dunne proposed that time takes place on parallel planes. The time that we experience passing in our waking lives can be observed from within another timeframe, our dreams, for example. In theory, there may be an infinite regress of times.Inspector: as soon as I mentioned the name Daisy Renton, it was obvious you'd known her. You gave yourself away at once. Mrs Birling: (staggered) it isn't true. You know him, Gerald - and you're a man – you must know it isn't true. On its own, the event would have been little more than a curiosity, but more disturbing coincidences were to follow. Inspector: (sternly to them both) You see, we have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt.