(_Crying._) Yes, Mr. Cherry. I just looked in to comfort her a bit, you know. I'm sure the poor child needs it. ADAM CHERRY. Ah, I'll tell you what it is, Mrs. Wheedles. Wheedles must have had a damp time of it. I don't wonder at his leaving you. NELLY MORRIS. Oh, do you think it wise to start her on Wheedles? MRS. WHEEDLES. I don't expect anyone to, Mr. Cherry, I'm sure. He was a fine-looking man, and there were those that lured him away. Not that I think it right that a man who's once promised to---- ADAM CHERRY. No, no! of course not! I didn't mean that. He was a villain, Mrs. Wheedles--a villain. (_He bustles her, still crying, towards the door._) MRS. WHEEDLES. No, I won't say that. ADAM CHERRY. Oh, I would, Mrs. Wheedles, if I were you. Only I'd go downstairs where I could have a good cry about it all to myself, and not come up again till I felt better. MRS. WHEEDLES. Ah, no, Mr. Cherry, crying won't mend matters. We must grin and bear things in this world. (_She is still crying._) You bring down those potatoes whenever you're ready, dear. (_She goes off crying._) NELLY MORRIS. Thank you, Mrs. Wheedles. ADAM CHERRY. (_He closes the door and returns to Nelly._) That woman never wants to go to the seaside, you know. She has a salt-water bath every day. NELLY MORRIS. Poor old soul. I think she gets all her enjoyment out of being miserable. ADAM CHERRY. Yes, and you can't say she's selfish with it either. Oh, I just came up to bring you this (_showing book in his hand_)--"Gray's Anatomy." I came across it in turning over some old books of mine. It's--it's the book your brother was saying he wanted, isn't it? NELLY MORRIS. (Smiling as she looks at the palpably new volume.) You keep your "old books" nice and clean, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. (_A little confused._) Yes. I--I'm very careful of my books. NELLY MORRIS. (_Opening and reading title-page._) Tenth edition, London, 1893. (_She goes up to him, and without speakings gives him her hand very quietly. He takes it in both his and pats it gently._) ADAM CHERRY. How is Ted? NELLY MORRIS. Very overworked, Mr. Cherry. ADAM CHERRY. Ah, well, the examination is only six weeks off now, and then he must have a long rest. NELLY MORRIS. Yes, if he passes; if he doesn't, it means the old struggle all over again, only with less heart and (_Aside_) less bread-and-butter. ADAM CHERRY. Ah, now, that old woman has been doing that. You mustn't _think_ about his not passing. He's _bound_ to pass. I do wish she'd keep downstairs. NELLY MORRIS.