Well, you don't want me any more I suppose, Mr. Ben Dixon? I think I'll take a stroll in your pleasant garden. MR. BEN DIXON. Do, Mr. Cherry, do. (_Glances out of window. Then turns and shakes his finger playfully at Adam Cherry._) Ah, you rogue--you rogue. I think I see what makes that garden so particularly pleasant just at this moment --Eh? ADAM CHERRY. (_Chuckling_.) Well, I---- MR. BEN DIXON. (_Pushes him towards windows._) Run along to her, Mr. Cherry. Run along, I don't believe you are a day older than five-and-twenty. ADAM CHERRY. A little--little--I'm afraid. MR. BEN DIXON. Don't believe it. I don't believe it. (_Cherry goes out, laughing. Ben Dixon watches him out, and then turns round again. He says nothing, but his face expresses his huge satisfaction._) (_Enter Theodore Travers._) MR. BEN DIXON. Ah, my dear boy, so you've come down to see the old folks again--come back to the old nest. THEODORE TRAVERS. Well, you've done it, Ben. MR. BEN DIXON. Done what? THEODORE TRAVERS. You are famous at last. You've beaten me. I'm not in it with you this week. MR. BEN DIXON. I have for some time enjoyed a certain reputation, I believe. THEODORE TRAVERS. Among the few that really knew you, yes. Spreading; that's the awkward part of it. MR. BEN DIXON. Wh--what do you mean? (_Beginning to grow anxious._) THEODORE TRAVERS. Have you seen _The Illustrated Police News_ this week? MR. BEN DIXON. My dear Theodore, you know I do not countenance such publications. THEODORE TRAVERS. Um! You've countenanced it this time right enough. (_Takes "Illustrated Police News" from his pocket, and, opening it, holds it up._) "The Councillor and the Strong Woman. Amusing Scene at the Aquarium." MR. BEN DIXON. (_Aghast._) Oh, my---- THEODORE TRAVERS. (_Fixing paper in front of fable_.) It's such an excellent likeness of you, too. I've had friends of mine in this thing before, but it's never been a bit like 'em. This is a genuine portrait of you. No one could mistake it. MR. BEN DIXON. My dear Theodore, I can explain--I can explain everything. THEODORE TRAVERS. You generally can. The question is, step-father, will anybody believe you? MR. BEN DIXON. Let me tell you the truth. THEODORE TRAVERS. Don't you waste time, Ben, I know it. You set to work and invent a plausible lie before the mater finds out about it. MR. BEN DIXON. No, no, my dear boy. You must hear me. It--it was this way. It was the last day we were in town. I started to go to Exeter Hall. THEODORE TRAVERS. Yes--many do. MR. BEN DIXON But passing the Aquarium, it--it occurred to me---- THEODORE TRAVERS. That it was a much more attractive place. MR. BEN DIXON. (_Virtuously._) No, Theo--that it was my duty as a member of the National Vigilance Society to look in and see if--if---- THEODORE TRAVERS. If something could not be found out against it. MR. BEN DIXON.