MRS. TIMBRELL. I won't say that. [_She listens for a moment to a distant sound._] Perhaps you'd better go. [_EDGAR enters._] EDGAR. Aren't you coming, mother? It's most awkward. There'll be an awful row. MRS. TIMBRELL. Yes. Edgar, is it any use their coming? Mr. Pendleton was going to see whether-- EDGAR. I don't think it's the slightest use. He's boiling over. MARY. Oh! let us go. LEONARD. Come on. But look here. It's no use our going home. Edgar, lend us a sovereign. EDGAR. You'd condescend to borrow from me, then? LEONARD. My dear fellow you don't seem to understand that I'm magnanimous. [_EDGAR laughs._] You think that's a joke. You never see my jokes. EDGAR. I can't stay. LEONARD. Have you any money about you, mother? MRS. TIMBRELL. [_To EDGAR._] Give it to him. LEONARD. Mother will repay you out of the housekeeping. [_EDGAR fumbles in his pocket._] Look here. Make it two pounds. Mary and I don't often have a treat together. It's a special occasion. We may as well do it handsome for once. What about the Savoy and a music-hall, Mary? You look the part fine. [_His spirits are obviously rising._] MARY. I wonder if I'd not better go home. MRS. TIMBRELL. Go and enjoy yourself, my dear. [_EDGAR hands money to LEONARD who looks at it._] LEONARD. Well, I'm damned. One pound ten. EDGAR. Quite enough, too. LEONARD. It's not that I'm thinking of. It's the extraordinary meanness of your character. [_Enter ADA._] ADA. Mother, do come. He says I'm to bring you or else the Family Bible. LEONARD. The devil! MRS. TIMBRELL. I'll come. [_Curtain falls._] ACT III. [_Rather poor lodgings. MARY, neatly but very plainly dressed, is sewing at a child's garment. LEONARD sprawls on the sofa smoking cheap cigarettes. He is carelessly dressed to the point of slovenliness and a little anxiety begins to shew through his calmness which is generally maintained. It is afternoon. Two or three months have elapsed._] LEONARD. I don't think it's that the old man's mean. He's got on the high horse and doesn't know how to get down. MARY. We oughtn't to take the money from your mother. It's very hard for her. LEONARD. Oh! but it only means that she gives them rice pudding instead of gooseberry tart. It'll do them good. I expect the old man sees the difference and pretends he doesn't. And Edgar will be furious. MARY. If little Leonard had a brother and they were like you and your brother--I couldn't bear that. LEONARD. It's a long way off, old lady. MARY. Thing's aren't a long way off if you think they might come. LEONARD. Don't worry, now. Don't worry. MARY. I'm a great deal happier than you. I've got him. LEONARD. Well, haven't I? MARY. No, you haven't. Not like me. LEONARD. You don't think I'm such a bad father, do you? MARY. I don't know. You're funny with him and I like to see you together but-- LEONARD. Well? MARY. You keep spending the money. LEONARD. But, Mary, you don't know how much more I could spend if I had it.