Mrs. Birling doesn't believe anyone "killed" the young woman; her confrontation with Eva Smith was doing her duty when she refused to help her. "She blatantly denies any role, Boyles said.

Mr Birling turns on his son Eric and nearly attacks him physically. "Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I'll -" Mr Birling implies here that Eric is a 'fool' because he is young.