Walter, On being my successful rival for the hand of Miss Verity. Bam. What's this? Was _he_ the other you spoke of? (_To Stephen._) Walter (_to Lucy_). Don't be afraid. Ste. Yes. Bam. (_to Walter_). Who told you about me? Walter. Oh, news soon gets round. (_Lightly._) Bam. (_r. c._). Does it? Well, there's two sorts of news. Correct news and incorrect news. Both sorts gets round, but incorrect news gets round most. See what I mean? Ste. (_sternly_). I don't. Bam. (_to Stephen_). You will. (_To Walter._) Look here, have you given her up? Walter. You wouldn't have me stand in your way, would you? Bam. So you _have_ given her up. Why? Walter. Oh, I had my reasons. Bam. Had you now? I'd like to hear those reasons. Walter. That's not quite fair to the lady, I think. Ste. No. He's out of it. Bam. Is he? I take no man's leavings without I know why he left 'em. Walter. It's all square, man. She's yours now. Bam. I beg to differ. Ste. (_angrily_). What? Lucy (_rises to go_). The goods needn't be on exhibition while the sale proceeds. (_Stephen points her angrily to chair l. She sits._) Ste. Here, sit down. Now, Sam, what's it all about? Bam. I'd as lief tell you when you're by yourself. Walter. I thought so. Ste. You can speak now. We're all concerned in this. Walter. I beg your pardon. I've ceased to---- Ste. (_his back to the right door_). Now, Sam? Walter (_sitting below fire_). Oh, very well. Bam. (_r. c., awkwardly_). Well, I've been thinking things over. The married state and--well---- (_Hesitating._) Ste. (_grimly_). Yes, go on. Bam. (_desperately_). It means giving up too much. Ste. (_c._). And a good thing, too, Sam Bamford. How much longer do you think you'll last at the pace you go? You're cracking up already--not half the man you were. Lucy (_icily_). Think how nice it would be to have me for a nurse. I warm father's carpet slippers beautifully, don't I, and my gruel's a dream. Bam. There's many a long day between me and carpet slippers and gruel. I like roving about, Verity, and that's a fact. Ste. Didn't you think of that before? Bam. I spoke hurried. Ste. It's time you settled down. You won't lose much that a thousand a year and home comforts don't match. Bam. I'm rich enough. Ste. You didn't talk like that on Tuesday. Bam. (_irritably_). I tell you, I've thought things over. Fact is, I didn't half like the way she answered you back. A man gets enough worries in his working day. When he gets home he wants peace and no back answers. Ste. She's all right now. It was having him asking (_indicating Walter_) that made her proud. He's thrown her over--not good enough for him. Bam. And she's not good enough for me, either. I can be a bit particular myself. I like 'em quiet. Ste. She's as quiet as they make 'em. Lucy. Father, I absolutely and finally decline to marry Mr. Bamford. Bam. I ask you, does that sound like a quiet life?