FOSTER. But after all, we undertake responsibilities when we marry, Mr. Wilson. We can't overlook them. CHARLEY. I don't want to. But I don't think we ought to talk as if when a man gets married he must always bring in just the same money. FOSTER. If you have the misfortune to have your salary reduced, nobody would blame you. CHARLEY. I don't know. I felt a bit of a beast when I had to tell Lil about that. MAGGIE. [_suddenly._] If you went away, Lily could come and live with us. MRS. M. [_scandalised._] How could she? Everybody would think she was divorced or something. FOSTER. Live with _us,_ dear? MAGGIE. [_impatiently._] No, here, I meant. CHARLEY. I've got a little cash put by that she could live on. _Don't_ cry, Lil, for heaven's sake! Can't any of you see my point--or won't you? MASSEY. I suppose you're a Socialist. CHARLEY. Doesn't anybody but a Socialist ever have an idea? MASSEY. They're mostly mad, if that's what you mean. And they're always talking about the wickedness of the boss and the sweetness of the working man. CHARLEY. I never said anything about either, and I'm not a Socialist. PERCY. You'll be better when Tennant's gone. CHARLEY. [_viciously._] Just you wait till you're two years older, my boy. FOSTER. You see it isn't as if you had any prospects in the Colonies. Has Mr. Tennant? CHARLEY. He's got an introduction to a firm. MASSEY. What's the good of that? LILY. [_tearfully._] Perhaps I could go with Charlie. I'm quite willing to--rough it a little. MAGGIE. You'd help him more by staying here. MRS. M. He doesn't want her. He said so. LILY. [_still tearfully._] If Charley really means it--I think--I-- MRS. M. My dear, don't think anything about it. It's worrying you and making you ill--you want nursing, not frightening. [_This with a glare of indignation at CHARLEY._] LILY. I'm all right. CHARLEY. [_suddenly dropping his defiance._] Oh, let's go home, Lil. You're tired. MRS. M. Have you just noticed that? MAGGIE. Mother! MRS. M. She's my child, and if her husband won't think of her, I must. LILY. Mother, dear, Charley means all right. I'm sure he does. Yes, dear--I'm quite ready to go. _LILY and MRS. MASSEY go out._ [Transcriber's note: stage direction missing from source.] FOSTER. [_with the air of pouring oil on troubled waters._] Well, at any rate, it needn't be settled tonight. Perhaps after a night's rest-- MAGGIE. [_vehemently._] I like impulse. MASSEY. I expect you do. You don't know what's good for you. MAGGIE. Well, at any rate, Daddy, you can't say I have much. There's not much chance at Jones & Freeman's. PERCY. So you've caught it, too, Mag. SYBIL. Don't tease. _Enter LILY, dressed for going out, also MRS. MASSEY. LILY goes round, kissing and shaking hands, with a watery smile and a forced tearful cheerfulness._ CHARLEY. [_without going all round and calling from the door._] Good night, all! _Exeunt LILY and CHARLEY._ MRS. M. Well, I must say--