RAMSDEN. [out of patience] That girl's mad about her duty to her parents. [He starts off like a goaded ox in the direction of John Bright, in whose expression there is no sympathy for him. As he speaks, he fumes down to Herbert Spencer, who receives him still more coldly] Excuse me, Octavius; but there are limits to social toleration. You know that I am not a bigoted or prejudiced man. You know that I am plain Roebuck Ramsden when other men who have done less have got handles to their names, because I have stood for equality and liberty of conscience while they were truckling to the Church and to the aristocracy. Whitefield and I lost chance after chance through our advanced opinions. But I draw the line at Anarchism and Free Love and that sort of thing. If I am to be Annie's guardian, she will have to learn that she has a duty to me. I won't have it: I will not have it. She must forbid John Tanner the house; and so must you. The parlormaid returns. OCTAVIUS. But-- RAMSDEN. [calling his attention to the servant] Ssh! Well? THE MAID. Mr Tanner wishes to see you, sir. RAMSDEN. Mr Tanner! OCTAVIUS. Jack! RAMSDEN. How dare Mr Tanner call on me! Say I cannot see him. OCTAVIUS. [hurt] I am sorry you are turning my friend from your door like that. THE MAID. [calmly] He's not at the door, sir. He's upstairs in the drawingroom with Miss Ramsden. He came with Mrs Whitefield and Miss Ann and Miss Robinson, sir. Ramsden's feelings are beyond words. OCTAVIUS. [grinning] That's very like Jack, Mr Ramsden. You must see him, even if it's only to turn him out. RAMSDEN. [hammering out his words with suppressed fury] Go upstairs and ask Mr Tanner to be good enough to step down here. [The parlormaid goes out; and Ramsden returns to the fireplace, as to a fortified position]. I must say that of all the confounded pieces of impertinence--well, if these are Anarchist manners I hope you like them. And Annie with him! Annie! A-- [he chokes]. OCTAVIUS. Yes: that's what surprises me. He's so desperately afraid of Ann. There must be something the matter.