HUGH. No. Nor in England at all . . it's nothing but a big back garden. [_now he collects himself for a final outburst._] But if there's no place on this earth where a man can prove his right to live by some other means than robbing his neighbour . . I'd better go and request the next horse I meet to ride me . . to the nearest lunatic asylum. EDWARD _waits till the effects of this explosion are over_. EDWARD. And what does Beatrice say to your emigrating to the backwoods . . if that is exactly what you mean? HUGH. Now that we're separating-- EDWARD. [_taken aback._] What? HUGH. We mean to separate. EDWARD. This is the first I've heard of it. HUGH. Beatrice is making some money by her books, so it has become possible. EDWARD. [_humorously._] Have you told anyone yet? HUGH. We mean to now. I think a thing comes to pass quicker in public. EDWARD. Say nothing at home until after Christmas. HUGH. Oh Lord, I forgot! They'll discuss it solemnly. [_then he whistles._] Emily knows! EDWARD. [_having considered._] I shan't accept this money from you . . there's no need. All the good has been done that I wanted to do. No one will be beggared now. So why should you be? HUGH. [_with clumsy affection._] We've taken a fine lot of interest in your labours, haven't we, Hercules? EDWARD. You hold your tongue about the office affairs, don't you? It's not safe. HUGH. When will you be quit of the beastly business? EDWARD. [_becoming reserved and cold at once._] I'm in no hurry. HUGH. What do you gain by hanging on now? EDWARD. Occupation. HUGH. But, Edward, it must be an awfully wearying state of things. I suppose any moment a policeman may knock at the door . . so to speak? EDWARD. [_appreciating the figure of speech._] Any moment. I take no precautions. I suppose that's why he doesn't come. At first I listened for him, day by day. Then I said to myself . . next week. But a year has gone by and more. I've ceased expecting to hear the knock at all. HUGH. But look here . . is all this worth while? EDWARD. [_supremely ironical._] My dear Hugh, what a silly question! HUGH. [_very seriously._] But have you the right to make a mean thing of your life like this? EDWARD. Does my life matter? HUGH. Well . . of course! EDWARD. I find no evidence to convince me of it. The World that you talk about so finely is using me up. A little wantonly . . a little needlessly, I do think. But she knows her own damn business . . or so she says, if you try to teach it her. And why should I trouble to fit myself for better work than she has given me to do . . nursing fools' money? HUGH. [_responding at once to this vein._] Edward, we must turn this world upside down. It's her stupidity that drives me mad. We all want a lesson in values. We're never taught what is worth having and what isn't. Why should your real happiness be sacrificed to the sham happiness which people have invested in the firm?