Austin. May I speak plainly, then? Frankly, don't you think your attitude is selfish. We've all to see our children go from us, or the world would never get on. Let me appeal to you--and I think you will acknowledge that a man of my position is not accustomed to appeal to a woman of--well, you'll admit the difference between us, and the fact that I make very earnestly this petition should---- Mrs. Metherell. Yes. I'll admit the difference between us. You're ruined. I'm not. Austin (_taken aback_). Ruined! Mrs. Metherell. Didn't you say so? Austin (_bitterly_). Yes. I'm ruined. Mrs. Metherell. You've a family. It's a good lift to a ruined man with a family to get a daughter off his hands. That's why you've come to push her on to us. We mayn't be swells, but we can keep her, and that's more than you can do, so---- Austin (_to Jack_). Metherell, you don't believe that, do you? Jack (_avoiding Mrs. Metherell's eye_). No. I think you're sorry you forgot yourself this morning. Austin. I've done my best to make amends. Jack. Yes. Austin. Is it----? Elsie. Yes, father. It's impossible. Jack. Elsie! Elsie (_to Jack_). Isn't it impossible? Jack (_after a pause while he looks from Elsie to Mrs. Metherell, finally meeting Mrs. Metherell's eye and bending his head._) Yes. (_Edmund knocks and enters without waiting._) Edmund. May I come in? Austin. You here, Edmund! Edmund. I came back for Elsie. I've been looking for you everywhere. Mrs. Metherell. Well, now you've found him, you'd better take him away. I'll be charging some of you rent for the use of my room. Edmund. But what's happened? Elsie. Oh, you've won. Edmund. I've won? Elsie. Yes. The old guard. You and Mrs. Metherell. Mrs. Metherell. Yes. You saw it wouldn't do. You're the only Whitworth in your senses. Edmund. Thank you, Mrs. Metherell. Austin (_cornering Edmund, anxiously_). You know we lost the match. Edmund. Yes. What are you going to do? Austin. I've not had time to think about myself. This affair came first. Edmund. Well, this is where I come in. Austin (_with a touch of an elder brother's contempt_). What can you do? The club's wound up. Edmund. If I like, I can do a good deal. I'm a bachelor with a good city practice, and no expensive hobbies, Austin. Austin (_bitterly_). I never thought it would come to this. My young brother. Edmund. Not so young. Oh, if it stings a bit, perhaps it ought to. You'd the old man's house and the lion's share of his money, and I've got to pull you out of the hole you dug yourself. There's only one person who'll like it less than you, and that's my energetic nephew. Austin. Leo! Edmund. I'll present Master Leo with his articles. The law's a splendid cure for lungs and laziness. Jack (_approaching Edmund_). Mr. Whitworth, there's no ill feeling, is there? Edmund. Not a bit. Jack. And Mr. Austin fancies he owes me something. Edmund. Oh? Austin. I have that bribery business badly on my mind.