KIT. [_Burdened_]--and I just wanted to tell you that I can’t tell you what I think of my father over this business. It makes me wild. SYDNEY. Kit, you’d better shut up. KIT. [_Turning to_ SYDNEY] Well, I only wanted her to understand that I’m not responsible for my father--that he’s not my own choice, if you know what I mean. [_They talk aside._] RECTOR. His mother’s right hand! I don’t know what’s come over him. MISS FAIRFIELD. [_Grimly_] A pretty face, Rector! RECTOR. Ah! the very point! I shall be glad to see you alone, Mrs. Fairfield--not you, of course, Miss Fairfield, but--er-- [_He glances at_ KIT _and_ SYDNEY.] MARGARET. [_Resignedly_] Sydney, have you shown Kit all your presents? SYDNEY. [_Reluctantly taking the hint, but continuing the conversation as they go out_] What did you let him come for? Oh, you’re no good! [_The door bangs behind them._] MARGARET. [_Half smiling_] Well, Mr. Pumphrey, I suppose it’s about Sydney and Kit? RECTOR. Mrs. Fairfield, until last night we encouraged, we were gratified-- MARGARET. Last night? Oh, the dance! RECTOR. I sat up for my son until three fifteen of Christmas morning. His excuse was your daughter-- MARGARET. [_With dignity_] Do you take objection to Sydney, Mr. Pumphrey? RECTOR. Now, my dear lady, you mustn’t misunderstand me-- MARGARET. [_Quietly_] To me, then? RECTOR. Mrs. Fairfield, I beg--But in the course of a slight--er--altercation between Christopher and myself it transpired-- MARGARET. [_She has been prepared for it_] I see, it’s her father-- RECTOR. I am grieved--grieved for you. MARGARET. But his illness was no secret. RECTOR. My heart, Mrs. Fairfield, and Mrs. Pumphrey’s heart has gone out to you in your affliction. When the light of reason-- MARGARET. Then you did know. _Then_ I don’t follow. RECTOR. But according to Christopher-- MARGARET. Well? RECTOR. Mrs. Fairfield, is your husband alive or dead? MARGARET. My former husband is alive. RECTOR. [_With a half deprecatory, half triumphant gesture_] Out of your own mouth, Mrs. Fairfield-- MARGARET. [_Bewildered_] But you say you knew he was insane? RECTOR. But I didn’t know he was alive. MISS FAIRFIELD. [_Irritated_] Don’t be so foolish, Margaret. It’s not the insanity, it’s the divorce. RECTOR. When I realised that I had been within a week of re-marrying a divorced person-- MARGARET. [_Coldly_] Why didn’t you go to Mr. Meredith? RECTOR. Mr. Meredith is--er--a difficult man to--er--approach. I felt that an appeal to your feelings, as a Christian, as a mother-- MARGARET. You mean you’ll prevent Kit marrying Sydney--? RECTOR. It depends on you, Mrs. Fairfield. I won’t let him marry the child of a woman who remarries while her husband is alive. MARGARET. But the church allows it? MISS FAIRFIELD. [_Correcting her_] Winks at it, Margaret. RECTOR. [_With dignity_] “Winks” is hardly the word-- MARGARET. Then what word would you use, Mr. Pumphrey? RECTOR. I am not concerned with words.