(_Nelly stands thus for a moment, then takes the empty glasses from the table and crosses with them towards the cupboard._) _Curtain_. THE SECOND ACT. _A large sunny drawing-room, handsomely and somewhat showily furnished, opening on garden. Adam Cherry and Mr. Ben Dixon are sitting talking._ MR. BEN DIXON. You see, my dear sir, this is not an ordinary worldly speculation. We are promoting this company--myself and a few Christian friends--not merely to earn an income for our shareholders--though that we shall do, Mr. Cherry, that we shall do--but also to benefit humanity at large. Think, Mr. Cherry, what a grand thing it will be to be helping the good cause--to be doing good among one's fellow-creatures--and at a profit, Mr. Cherry--at a very handsome profit--that's the beauty of the scheme. Mr. Cherry, as a man not altogether inexperienced in these matters, I say that never--never before has such an opportunity been presented to the investing public of combining the earthly comfort of a certain 15 per cent, dividend with the ennobling--I say the ennobling--satisfaction of furthering the cause of Heaven. ADAM CHERRY. Well, to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Ben Dixon, I am thinking more of the earthly than of the heavenly part of it. I hope I try to do my bit of good in the world, but I never mix the two things up. When I invest my money, what I think about is the return. MR. BEN DIXON. Quite right, Mr. Cherry, quite right. We--myself and the other directors--are, perhaps, a little too etherial in these matters. We need among us such a man as yourself, Mr. Cherry--you will join our hoard, Mr. Cherry? You will give us the benefit of your experience-- of your grasp of business? ADAM CHERRY. (_Pleased_.) Well, if you really think I could be of any help---- MR. BEN DIXON. Think it! My dear sir, you are the very man we want. I think, Mr. Cherry--I think you suggested put-ting £8,000 into the affair? ADAM CHERRY. Yes, Mr. Ben Dixon. It is a big sum for me. In fact--in fact, it represents nearly all my savings. But the scheme seems a very safe one. MR. BEN DIXON. Mr. Cherry do you think that I would allow you to put your money in this thing if I did not know that it was safe? How can we fail! We have the Lord Mayor. (_Confidentially._) I am even in hopes of having the Archbishop of Canterbury. Besides, look at the scheme itself. We buy up and amalgamate all the leading manufactories of temperance drinks throughout the kingdom. My dear sir, do you know the amount that is spent every year in this country on lemonade and ginger-beer alone? ADAM CHERRY. Oh, I am quite with you, Mr. Ben Dixon. The business ought to be a good one. MR. BEN DIXON.