goodhumored.) All the same, Pastor, I respect you more than I did
before. By the way, did I hear, or did I not, that our late
lamented Uncle Peter, though unmarried, was a father?

UNCLE TITUS. He had only one irregular child, sir.

RICHARD. Only one! He thinks one a mere trifle! I blush for you,
Uncle Titus.

ANDERSON. Mr. Dudgeon you are in the presence of your mother and
her grief.

RICHARD. It touches me profoundly, Pastor. By the way, what has
become of the irregular child?

ANDERSON (pointing to Essie). There, sir, listening to you.

RICHARD (shocked into sincerity). What! Why the devil didn't you
tell me that before? Children suffer enough in this house
without-- (He hurries remorsefully to Essie.) Come, little
cousin! never mind me: it was not meant to hurt you. (She looks
up gratefully at him. Her tearstained face affects him violently,
and he bursts out, in a transport of wrath) Who has been making
her cry? Who has been ill-treating her? By God--

MRS. DUDGEON (rising and confronting him). Silence your
blasphemous tongue. I will hear no more of this. Leave my house.

RICHARD. How do you know it's your house until the will is read?
(They look at one another for a moment with intense hatred; and