RAMSDEN. I do not believe that Whitefield was in his right senses when he made that will. You have admitted that he made it under your influence. TANNER. You ought to be pretty well obliged to me for my influence. He leaves you two thousand five hundred for your trouble. He leaves Tavy a dowry for his sister and five thousand for himself. OCTAVIUS. [his tears flowing afresh] Oh, I can't take it. He was too good to us. TANNER. You won't get it, my boy, if Ramsden upsets the will. RAMSDEN. Ha! I see. You have got me in a cleft stick. TANNER. He leaves me nothing but the charge of Ann's morals, on the ground that I have already more money than is good for me. That shows that he had his wits about him, doesn't it? RAMSDEN. [grimly] I admit that. OCTAVIUS. [rising and coming from his refuge by the wall] Mr Ramsden: I think you are prejudiced against Jack. He is a man of honor, and incapable of abusing-- TANNER. Don't, Tavy: you'll make me ill. I am not a man of honor: I am a man struck down by a dead hand. Tavy: you must marry her after all and take her off my hands. And I had set my heart on saving you from her! OCTAVIUS. Oh, Jack, you talk of saving me from my highest happiness. TANNER. Yes, a lifetime of happiness. If it were only the first half hour's happiness, Tavy, I would buy it for you with my last penny. But a lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it: it would be hell on earth. RAMSDEN. [violently] Stuff, sir. Talk sense; or else go and waste someone else's time: I have something better to do than listen to your fooleries [he positively kicks his way to his table and resumes his seat]. TANNER. You hear him, Tavy! Not an idea in his head later than eighteen-sixty. We can't leave Ann with no other guardian to turn to. RAMSDEN. I am proud of your contempt for my character and opinions, sir. Your own are set forth in that book, I believe. TANNER. [eagerly going to the table] What! You've got my book! What do you think of it? RAMSDEN. Do you suppose I would read such a book, sir? TANNER. Then why did you buy it? RAMSDEN. I did not buy it, sir. It has been sent me by some foolish lady who seems to admire your views. I was about to dispose of it when Octavius interrupted me. I shall do so now, with your permission. [He throws the book into the waste paper basket with such vehemence that Tanner recoils under the impression that it is being thrown at his head]. TANNER. You have no more manners than I have myself. However, that saves ceremony between us. [He sits down again]. What do you intend to do about this will? OCTAVIUS. May I make a suggestion? RAMSDEN. Certainly, Octavius. OCTAVIUS. Aren't we forgetting that Ann herself may have some wishes in this matter? RAMSDEN. I quite intend that Annie's wishes shall be consulted in every reasonable way. But she is only a woman, and a young and inexperienced woman at that. TANNER. Ramsden: I begin to pity you.