THE ARCHBISHOP. Yes: our duty is pretty clear.
MRS LUTESTRING. Have you time to come home with me and discuss the matter?
THE ARCHBISHOP [rising] With pleasure.
BARNABAS [rising also and rushing past Mrs Lutestring to the door, where he turns to bar her way] No you don't. Burge: you understand, don't you?
BURGE-LUBIN. No. What is it?
BARNABAS. These two are going to marry.
BURGE-LUBIN. Why shouldn't they, if they want to?
BARNABAS. They don't want to. They will do it in cold blood because their children will live three hundred years. It mustnt be allowed.
CONFUCIUS. You cannot prevent it. There is no law that gives you power to interfere with them.
BARNABAS. If they force me to it I will obtain legislation against marriages above the age of seventy-eight.