BURGE [_suddenly bursting into energetic action and shaking hands heartily with Conrad_] By reputation only, but very well, of course. How I wish I could have devoted myself to biology! I have always been interested in rocks and strata and volcanoes and so forth: they throw such a light on the age of the earth. [_With conviction_] There is nothing like biology. 'The cloud-capped towers, the solemn binnacles, the gorgeous temples, the great globe itself: yea, all that it inherit shall dissolve, and, like this influential pageant faded, leave not a rack behind.' Thats biology, you know: good sound biology. [_He sits down. So do the others, Franklyn on the stool, and Conrad on his Chippendale_]. Well, my dear Barnabas, what do you think of the situation? Dont you think the time has come for us to make a move? FRANKLYN. The time has always come to make a move. BURGE. How true! But what is the move to be? You are a man of enormous influence. We know that. Weve always known it. We have to consult you whether we like it or not. We-- FRANKLYN [_interrupting firmly_] I never meddle in party politics now. SAVVY. It's no use saying you have no influence, daddy. Heaps of people swear by you. BURGE [_shining at her_] Of course they do. Come! let me prove to you what we think of you. Shall we find you a first-rate constituency to contest at the next election? One that wont cost you a penny. A metropolitan seat. What do you say to the Strand? FRANKLYN. My dear Burge, I am not a child. Why do you go on wasting your party funds on the Strand? You know you cannot win it. BURGE. We cannot win it; but you-- FRANKLYN. Oh, please! SAVVY. The Strand's no use, Mr Burge. I once canvassed for a Socialist there. Cheese it. BURGE. Cheese it! HASLAM [_spluttering with suppressed laughter_] Priceless! SAVVY. Well, I suppose I shouldnt say cheese it to a Right Honorable. But the Strand, you know! Do come off it. FRANKLYN. You must excuse my daughter's shocking manners, Burge; but I agree with her that popular democratic statesmen soon come to believe that everyone they speak to is an ignorant dupe and a born fool into the bargain. BURGE [_laughing genially_] You old aristocrat, you! But believe me, the instinct of the people is sound-- CONRAD [_cutting in sharply_] Then why are you in the Opposition instead of in the Government? BURGE [_shewing signs of temper under this heckling_] I deny that I am in the Opposition _morally_. The Government does not represent the country. I was chucked out of the Coalition by a Tory conspiracy. The people want me back. I dont want to go back. FRANKLYN [_gently remonstrant_] My dear Burge: of course you do.