Leo. Nor in mine. As I'm her brother I can't cut the other fellow out and marry her myself. I'm rather thankful, too. Elsie takes a lot of stopping when she's got the bit between her teeth. Austin. I don't get much help from you. Florence. Why should you? Leo. It's no use jibbing, father. Much easier to give them your blessing and a cheque. Austin. It is always easiest to give way, Leo. Leo. Yes. Isn't it? Austin (_wildly_). Good heavens, do you young people care about nothing? Leo. We're tremendously in earnest about a lot of things, only they're not the things you're in earnest about. There are fashions in shibboleths just as much as in socks, and you're a little out of date in both. Austin. Possibly. But blood is still thicker than water, Leo. Metherell is a man of the people and---- Leo. Oh, my dear father, don't talk about the people as if they inhabited an inferior universe. The class bogey is one of the ghosts we've laid to-day. Austin. Indeed. I'd an idea it was rather rampant. Leo. I believe it used to be. As a matter of fact, I do object to Metherell. Austin. Oh! You have some sense left. Florence. I don't. I only wish I was in Elsie's shoes. Leo. Was I speaking, Flo, or were you? Florence. You were, too much. Leo. I object theoretically on aesthetic grounds because of the destined fatness of the retired footballer. But I have Elsie's assurance that Metherell's a teetotaller and I trust her to give him a lively enough time to keep him decently thin, so that practically my objection falls to pieces. Austin. Leo, I didn't expect much help from you, but upon my word your cynicism is disgusting. Leo. I expect, you know, that's pretty much what grandfather thought of you. (_Enter Elsie and Jack._) Hullo! are there no taxis? Elsie (_angry_). I think every taxi in the town is outside the ground, but the men are too keen on getting a free sight of the game from the roofs of their cabs to take a fare. Florence. It's a sporting town, Blackton. Leo. I should have thought they'd take it as an honour to drive Metherell home. Jack (_bitterly_). Not in the Birchester colours. Leo (_sarcastically_). Sporting town, Blackton, Elsie (_at white heat_). They're beasts. Beasts. They jeered. They're glad he's hurt. Jack. That's what you've done for me, Mr. Whitworth. I'm laughed at in Blackton. Last Saturday I was their idol, and now---- Austin. You've done it for yourself, my boy. Jack (_hotly_). You transferred me. Austin. I meant the broken arm, not the broken idol. Jack (_scornfully_). Do you still think I did it purposely? Austin. I don't think, Metherell. I know. And I'm very much obliged to you. The chances are it's won the match. Jack (_sulkily_). It was an accident.