6) how can we tell there is something wrong with Eric before the inspector arrives?

Eric seems to be hiding something when the subject of women comes up. Eric enters, commenting that the women are talking about clothes again. Birling advises in good humor that clothes to a woman are a “sign or token of their self-respect.” Eric starts to say something, but then checks himself and falls silent—even when prompted by Birling to continue.

Eric is uneasy, and feels excluded from Gerald and his fathers. He finds it difficult to take a joke.