BOHUN. I will tell you what it matters, sir. It matters that if this family difference is to be smoothed over as we all hope it may be, Mrs. Clandon, as a matter of social convenience and decency, will have to resume her husband's name. (Mrs. Clandon assumes an expression of the most determined obstinacy.) Or else Mr. Crampton will have to call himself Mr. Clandon. (Crampton looks indomitably resolved to do nothing of the sort.) No doubt you think that an easy matter, Mr. Valentine. (He looks pointedly at Mrs. Clandon, then at Crampton.) I differ from you. (He throws himself back in his chair, frowning heavily.) McCOMAS (timidly). I think, Bohun, we had perhaps better dispose of the important questions first. BOHUN. McComas: there will be no difficulty about the important questions. There never is. It is the trifles that will wreck you at the harbor mouth. (McComas looks as if he considered this a paradox.) You don't agree with me, eh? McCOMAS (flatteringly). If I did-- BOHUN (interrupting him). If you did, you would be me, instead of being what you are. McCOMAS (fawning on him). Of course, Bohun, your specialty-- BOHUN (again interrupting him). My specialty is being right when other people are wrong. If you agreed with me I should be of no use here. (He nods at him to drive the point home; then turns suddenly and forcibly on Crampton.) Now you, Mr. Crampton: what point in this business have you most at heart? CRAMPTON (beginning slowly). I wish to put all considerations of self aside in this matter-- BOHUN (interrupting him). So do we all, Mr. Crampton. (To Mrs. Clandon.) Y o u wish to put self aside, Mrs. Clandon? MRS. CLANDON. Yes: I am not consulting my own feelings in being here. BOHUN. So do you, Miss Clandon? GLORIA. Yes. BOHUN. I thought so. We all do. VALENTINE. Except me. My aims are selfish. BOHUN. That's because you think an impression of sincerity will produce a better effect on Miss Clandon than an impression of disinterestedness. (Valentine, utterly dismantled and destroyed by this just remark, takes refuge in a feeble, speechless smile. Bohun, satisfied at having now effectually crushed all rebellion, throws himself back in his chair, with an air of being prepared to listen tolerantly to their grievances.) Now, Mr. Crampton, go on. It's understood that self is put aside. Human nature always begins by saying that. CRAMPTON. But I mean it, sir. BOHUN. Quite so. Now for your point. CRAMPTON. Every reasonable person will admit that it's an unselfish one--the children. BOHUN. Well? What about the children? CRAMPTON (with emotion). They have-- BOHUN (pouncing forward again). Stop. You're going to tell me about your feelings, Mr. Crampton. Don't: I sympathize with them; but they're not my business. Tell us exactly what you want: that's what we have to get at. CRAMPTON (uneasily). It's a very difficult question to answer, Mr. Bohun.