MR. VOYSEY. I don't doubt it . . your voice must drown all discussion. MAJOR BOOTH VOYSEY. You can't say I don't listen to you, sir. MR. VOYSEY. I don't . . and I'm not blaming you. But I must say I often think what a devil of a time the family will have with you when I'm gone. Fortunately for your poor mother, she's deaf. MAJOR BOOTH VOYSEY. And wouldn't you wish me, sir, as eldest son . . . Trenchard not counting . . . MR. VOYSEY. [_with the crack of another nut._] Trenchard not counting. By all means, bully them. Get up your subjects a bit better, and then bully them. I don't manage things that way myself, but I think it's your best chance . . if there weren't other people present I'd say your only chance, Booth. MAJOR BOOTH VOYSEY. [_with some discomfort._] Ha! If I were a conceited man, sir, I could trust you to take it out of me. MR. VOYSEY. [_as he taps_ MR. BOOTH _with the nut crackers_.] Help yourself, George, and drink to your godson's health. Long may he keep his chest notes! Never heard him on parade, have you? TREGONING. I notice military men must display themselves . . that's why Booth acts as a firescreen. I believe that after mess that position is positively rushed. MAJOR BOOTH VOYSEY. [_cheering to find an opponent he can tackle._] If you want a bit of fire, say so, you sucking Lord Chancellor. Because I mean to allow you to be my brother-in-law, you think you can be impertinent. _So_ TREGONING _moves to the fire and that changes the conversation_. MR. VOYSEY. By the bye, Vicar, you were at Lady Mary's yesterday. Is she giving us anything towards that window? MR. COLPUS. Five pounds more; she has promised me five pounds. MR. VOYSEY. Then how will the debt stand? MR. COLPUS. Thirty-three . . no, thirty-two pounds. MR. VOYSEY. We're a long time clearing it off. MR. COLPUS. [_gently querulous._] Yes, now that the window is up, people don't seem so ready to contribute as they were. TREGONING. We must mention that to Hugh! MR. COLPUS. [_tactful at once._] Not that the work is not universally admired. I have heard Hugh's design praised by quite competent judges. But certainly I feel now it might have been wiser to have delayed the unveiling until the money was forthcoming. TREGONING. Never deliver goods to the Church on credit. MR. COLPUS. Eh? [TREGONING _knows he is a little hard of hearing_.] MR. VOYSEY. Well, as it was my wish that my son should do the design, I suppose in the end I shall have to send you a cheque. MAJOR BOOTH VOYSEY. Anonymously. MR. COLPUS. Oh, that would be-- MR. VOYSEY. No, why should I? Here, George Booth, you shall halve it with me. MR. GEORGE BOOTH. I'm damned if I do.