MRS. EMPTAGE. You were wrong, then, Fletcher, you see. SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Holding up his hand._] Wait, wait, please! I don’t think I am _very_ often out in my calculations. [_To_ THEOPHILA.] What sort of demonstration occurred at the close, may I venture to ask? THEOPHILA. Demonstration? MRS. EMPTAGE. Did they cheer you much, darling? That’s what your uncle means. THEOPHILA. _Cheer_ me, mother——? [FRASER _rises abruptly, placing his cup, with a clatter, on the piano_. FRASER. I—I feel as Theophila does. I must dip my face into cold water. The atmosphere of that place stifles one even now. Do excuse me. [_He goes out; all, except_ THEOPHILA, _look after him, surprised_. THEOPHILA. Mother dear—Uncle Fletcher—you seem to have a wrong impression—— MRS. EMPTAGE. Wrong impression? THEOPHILA. Oh, Mrs. Allingham’s petition has been dismissed—yes. But Sir John Clarkson and Mr. Martyn, my other counsel—all my friends in fact—were a little too sanguine. MRS. EMPTAGE. Too sanguine? THEOPHILA. Oh, much too sanguine. The judge was rather rough on me. MRS. EMPTAGE. What on earth do you——? THEOPHILA. Rather down on me—severe. My behaviour—my conduct—has been careless—indiscreet, he says—— MRS. EMPTAGE. [_Under her breath._] Indiscreet? THEOPHILA. Hardly characteristic of a woman who is properly watchful of her own and her husband’s reputation—honour. JUSTINA. [_Coming forward a few steps._] Theo! THEOPHILA. [_Disjointedly._] But at the same time, he said, Mrs. Allingham had scarcely succeeded in establishing conclusively to his mind ... oh!... and he thought that even the petitioner herself, on further reflection, would be desirous that I should receive the—the benefit of the doubt ... and—and something about costs.... [_She breaks off; they all remain silent for a time._ MRS. EMPTAGE. This—this will appear in the papers! Won’t it? Won’t it? [_No one replies_; SIR FLETCHER _sinks into a chair, with a blank look_.] Can’t anybody answer me? Fletcher, will this be in the papers? SIR FLETCHER PORTWOOD. [_Confused._] The papers—! No strong-minded public man ever looks at the papers. When I have spoken in the House I never—— JUSTINA. [_In a hard voice._] Why, of course, a dozen papers will have it. What a silly question to ask, ma!