_Mr. Toovey (to himself)._ I do wish he'd sit down, and not look at me in that austere way! (_Aloud._) Won't you take a chair? It would be so much more comfortable. [_He shifts his seat uneasily._ _Curphew (stiffly)._ Thanks, Mr. TOOVEY, but I'd rather stand--for so short a time. (_A pause._) Well, Sir, you have something to say to me, I believe? _Mr. Toov. (to himself)._ Oh dear, I'm almost sorry now I--he won't make sufficient allowances for me. (_Aloud, after another pause._) The fact is, Mr. CURPHEW, I--I've just made a--a very painful discovery, which--is there any water in that decanter? because I--I feel a little thirsty. [CURPHEW _pours him out a glass of water, which he sips_. _Curph._ Come, Sir, we needn't beat about the bush. I think I can spare you the preliminaries. I suppose you've heard about the Eldorado? _Mr. Toov. (to himself)._ He knows already! These journalists find out everything. (_Aloud._) I--I have indeed, but I assure you that, up to the very moment my nephew informed me, I had no more suspicion---- _Curph._ You naturally consider that I ought to have told you at once, but the fact is, I--well, I had some reason to doubt whether Mrs. TOOVEY---- _Mr. Toov._ Oh, you were quite right, it would never have done--never have done. I haven't breathed a word to Mrs. TOOVEY myself as yet. I was afraid I might be obliged to this morning. She discovered that dreadful Eldorado programme in one of my pockets, and was curious, very naturally curious, as to why I had kept it, but I passed it off--I managed to pass it off. I--I thought it better, at all events, till--till I had talked it over with you. _Curph. (to himself, relieved)._ He takes it wonderfully well. I shouldn't be surprised if I could talk him over. (_Aloud._) Oh, decidedly, Sir. And may I ask you what your own views are? _Mr. Toov._ I--I don't know what to think. For a man in my position to have even the remotest connection with--with a London music-hall! Wouldn't it be considered scandalous, or at least indecorous, if it were to leak out now? Shouldn't I be regarded as--as inconsistent, for example? _Curph._ Oh, no one could reproach _you_, at all events, Sir! _Mr. Toov. (to himself)._ And I thought he was going to be so hard on me! (_Aloud._) I am glad you take that view of it--yes, I can't be held responsible for what I did in absolute ignorance; but, now that I _do_ know, I can't go on, can I?--after a lifetime spent in condemning such entertainments! _Curph._ But are you quite sure, Sir, that your condemnation was based on any real foundation; mayn't you have been too ready to think the worst? Have you ever troubled yourself to inquire into the way they were conducted? _Mr. Toov. (to himself, in astonishment)._ Why, he's actually making excuses for them! (_Aloud._) I have always been given to understand that they were most improper places, Sir; that was sufficient for me--quite sufficient!