BOOTH. Very well then! If what he said was true about his father and all that . . and why shouldn't we believe him if we can? . . and he did effect an improvement, that's all to his credit. Let us at least be just, Edward. EDWARD. [_patiently polite._] I am very sorry to appear unjust. He has left me in a rather unfortunate position. BOOTH. Yes, his death was a tragedy. It seems to me that if he had been spared he might have succeeded at length in this tremendous task and restored to us our family honour. EDWARD. Yes, Booth, he spoke very feelingly of that. BOOTH. [_Irony lost upon him._] I can well believe it. And I can tell you that now . . I may be right or I may be wrong . . I am feeling far less concerned about the clients' money than I am at the terrible blow to the Family which this exposure will strike. Money, after all, can to a certain extent be done without . . but Honour-- _This is too much for_ EDWARD. EDWARD. Our honour! Does one of you mean to give me a single penny towards undoing all the wrong that has been done? BOOTH. I take Trenchard's word for it that that would be illegal. EDWARD. Well . . don't talk to me of honour. BOOTH. [_somewhat nettled at this outburst._] I am speaking of the public exposure. Edward, can't that be prevented? EDWARD. [_with quick suspicion._] How? BOOTH. Well . . how was it being prevented before he died--before we knew anything about it? EDWARD. [_appealing to the spirits that watch over him._] Oh, listen to this! First Trenchard . . and now you! You've the poison in your blood, every one of you. Who am I to talk? I daresay so have I. BOOTH. [_reprovingly._] I am beginning to think that you have worked yourself into rather an hysterical state over this unhappy business. EDWARD. [_rating him._] Perhaps you'd have been glad . . glad if I'd held my tongue and gone on lying and cheating . . and married and begotten a son to go on lying and cheating after me . . and to pay you your interest . . your interest in the lie and the cheat. BOOTH. [_with statesman-like calm._] Look here, Edward, this rhetoric is exceedingly out of place. The simple question before us is . . What is the best course to pursue? EDWARD. There is no question before us. There's only one course to pursue.