Mrs. Birling speaks confidently to the Inspector, claiming she does not think she can provide much help to his investigation into the suicide of a young woman. Her daughter Sheila urges her not to say things she will later regret, warning that the Inspector's questioning made all of them realize how confident and pleased with themselves they had been. When Mrs. Birling tells Sheila she seems tired and should go to bed, Sheila refuses, saying she wants to understand why the girl killed herself. Mrs. Birling dismisses this as "morbid curiosity" but Sheila insists and tries to warn her mother not to distance herself from the girl or the Inspector will break down any barriers she tries to erect.