BERTLEY. My dear Wellwyn, the whole question of reform is full of difficulty. When you have two men like Professor Calway and Sir Thomas Hoxton taking diametrically opposite points of view, as we've seen to-night, I confess, I---- WELLWYN. Come in, Vicar, and have some grog. BERTLEY. Not to-night, thanks! Christmas tomorrow! Great temptation, though, this room! Goodnight, Wellwyn; good-night, Ann! ANN. [Coming from the fire towards the tea-table.] Good-night, Canon Bertley. [He goes out, and WELLWYN, shutting the door after him, approaches the fire.] ANN. [Sitting on the little stool, with her back to the fire, and making tea.] Daddy! WELLWYN. My dear? ANN. You say you liked Professor Calway's lecture. Is it going to do you any good, that's the question? WELLWYN. I--I hope so, Ann. ANN. I took you on purpose. Your charity's getting simply awful. Those two this morning cleared out all my housekeeping money. WELLWYN. Um! Um! I quite understand your feeling. ANN. They both had your card, so I couldn't refuse--didn't know what you'd said to them. Why don't you make it a rule never to give your card to anyone except really decent people, and--picture dealers, of course. WELLWYN. My dear, I have--often. ANN. Then why don't you keep it? It's a frightful habit. You are naughty, Daddy. One of these days you'll get yourself into most fearful complications. WELLWYN. My dear, when they--when they look at you? ANN. You know the house wants all sorts of things. Why do you speak to them at all? WELLWYN. I don't--they speak to me. [He takes of his ulster and hangs it over the back of an arm-chair.] ANN. They see you coming. Anybody can see you coming, Daddy. That's why you ought to be so careful. I shall make you wear a hard hat. Those squashy hats of yours are hopelessly inefficient. WELLWYN. [Gazing at his hat.] Calway wears one. ANN. As if anyone would beg of Professor Calway. WELLWYN. Well-perhaps not. You know, Ann, I admire that fellow. Wonderful power of-of-theory! How a man can be so absolutely tidy in his mind! It's most exciting. ANN. Has any one begged of you to-day? WELLWYN. [Doubtfully.] No--no. ANN. [After a long, severe look.] Will you have rum in your tea? WELLWYN. [Crestfallen.] Yes, my dear--a good deal. ANN. [Pouring out the rum, and handing him the glass.] Well, who was it? WELLWYN. He didn't beg of me. [Losing himself in recollection.] Interesting old creature, Ann--real type. Old cabman. ANN. Where? WELLWYN. Just on the Embankment. ANN. Of course! Daddy, you know the Embankment ones are always rotters. WELLWYN. Yes, my dear; but this wasn't. ANN. Did you give him your card? WELLWYN. I--I--don't ANN. Did you, Daddy? WELLWYN. I'm rather afraid I may have! ANN. May have! It's simply immoral. WELLWYN. Well, the old fellow was so awfully human, Ann. Besides, I didn't give him any money--hadn't got any.