EDWARD. [_earnestly._] I'm trying to straighten things a little. I'm trying to undo what my father did . . to do again what he undid. It's a poor dull sort of work now . . throwing penny after penny hardly earned into the pit of our deficit. But I've been doing that for what it's worth in the time that was left to me . . till this should happen. I never thought you'd bring it to pass. I can continue to do that if you choose . . until the next smash comes. I'm pleased to call this my duty. [_He searches_ MR. BOOTH'S _face and finds there only disbelief and fear. He bursts out._] Oh, why won't you believe me? It can't hurt you to believe it. MR. BOOTH. You must admit, Edward, it isn't easy to believe anything in this office . . just for the moment. EDWARD. [_bowing to the extreme reasonableness of this._] I suppose not. I can prove it to you. I'll take you through the books . . you won't understand them . . but I could prove it. MR. BOOTH. I think I'd rather not. D'you think I ought to hold any further communication with you at all? [_and at this he takes his hat._] EDWARD. [_with a little explosion of contemptuous anger._] Certainly not. Prosecute . . prosecute! MR. BOOTH. [_with dignity._] Don't lose your temper. You know it's my place to be angry with you. EDWARD. I beg your pardon. [_then he is elaborately explanatory._] I shall be =grateful= if you'll prosecute. MR. BOOTH. [_more puzzled than ever._] There's something in this which I don't understand. EDWARD. [_with deliberate unconcern._] Think it over. MR. BOOTH. [_hesitating, fidgetting._] But surely I oughtn't to have to make up my mind! There must be a right or a wrong thing to do. Edward, can't =you= tell me? EDWARD. I'm prejudiced. MR. BOOTH. [_angrily._] What do you mean by placing me in a dilemma? I believe you're simply trying to practise upon my goodness of heart. Certainly I ought to prosecute at once . . Oughtn't I? [_then at the nadir of helplessness._] Can't I consult another solicitor? EDWARD. [_his chin in the air._] Write to the Times about it! MR. BOOTH. [_shocked and grieved at his attitude._] Edward, how can you be so cool and heartless? EDWARD. [_changing his tone._] D'you think I shan't be glad to sleep at nights? MR. BOOTH. Perhaps you'll be put in prison? EDWARD. I =am= in prison . . a less pleasant one than Wormwood Scrubbs. But we're all prisoners, Mr. Booth. MR. BOOTH. [_wagging his head._] Yes, this is what comes of your philosophy. Why aren't you on your knees? EDWARD. To you? _This was not what_ MR. BOOTH _meant, but as he gets up from his chair he feels all but mighty_. MR. BOOTH. And why should you expect me to shrink from vindicating the law? EDWARD. [_shortly._] I don't. I've explained you'll be doing me a kindness. When I'm wanted you'll find me here at my desk. [_then as an afterthought._] If you take long to decide . . don't alter your behaviour to my family in the meantime. They know the main points of the business and--