(_Gives him a look of intense malevolence and begins to write_) '.--"My dear children, before leaving England, under circumstances needless to be stated here, my thoughts naturally revert to my beloved ones."--Mr. Cherry, I consider you to be a damned scoundrel.--"It has all along been my intention to make good to you, my dear children, the loss you sustained when Providence ceased to smile upon the Nonconformist Building Society, Limited (_with concentrated rage._) My doing so leaves me a comparative pauper, but do not grieve for me." ADAM CHERRY. (_Who is standing beside him, looking over._) That's rather needless, isn't it? MR. BEN DIXON. (_Savagely_.) Shut up! (_Writing._) "Committing you, my dear beloved ones, to the care of Providence, and trusting that one day we may be all reunited in the bourne of the righteous, I remain your loving and affectionate uncle, Henry." (_Lays letter down and addresses envelope._) ADAM CHERRY. (_Taking up and looking at letter._) Very good--very good indeed. MR. BEN DIXON. (_Snatching letter away, and putting it in envelope._) Hypocrite! (_Takes out pocket-book and begins counting notes--pausing half-way through._) It's a lot of money, Mr. Cherry, to put all at once into the hands of two inexperienced young persons. Wouldn't it be better for us to give them £2,000 now, and let me send them the rest later on? ADAM CHERRY. Don't be silly! You're wasting time. Mrs. Wheedles will be down in a minute. MR. BEN DIXON. (_He gives Cherry another savage look and goes on counting; having finished he puts them in an envelope._) All my little savings, and me an old man. (_Is about to close envelope._) ADAM CHERRY. (_Taking it from him_.) You don't mind my counting them? MR. BEN DIXON. (_Wounded._) Do you mistrust me? ADAM CHERRY. (_Counting._) Merely a matter of form. £3,995 here, Mr. Wheedles. MR. BEN DIXON. (_He has collected his baggage, and is on the point of slipping off. He now draws forth and hands Cherry another note._) I look upon you as a common thief, sir, and if I was a young man, I'd---- ADAM CHERRY. There's nothing further that need detain you, Mr. Wheedles. MR. BEN DIXON. I am going, sir. I shake the dust of this house off my feet. (_Opens door at back and glances out, then turns towards Cherry and speaks in a suppressed voice._) I should never have thought it possible that any man could be so deceived in another as I have been in you. (_Looks out again and then round._) I have no hesitation in describing you, Mr. Cherry, as a blackleg--an experienced blackleg, sir. (_Looks out as before._) I only hope that----- (_Hears noise, looks out, slips round door, and disappears._) ADAM CHERRY. (He follows to door and looks after him.) Ah, well, I think that counts one to you, Adam Cherry. (_Enter Nelly._) NELLY MORRIS. Will you come upstairs and see my aunt before she goes, Adam? ADAM CHERRY.