TANKER. Oh, for Heaven's sake don't try to invent anything worse. I capitulate. I consent to Jack. I embrace Jack. Here endeth my first and last attempt to assert my authority.
ANN. You see, Mamma, they all really like to have pet names.
MRS WHITEFIELD. Well, I think you might at least drop them until we are out of mourning.
ANN. [reproachfully, stricken to the soul] Oh, how could you remind me, mother? [She hastily leaves the room to conceal her emotion].
MRS WHITEFIELD. Of course. My fault as usual! [She follows Ann].
TANNER. [coming from the bockcase] Ramsden: we're beaten—smashed—nonentitized, like her mother.
RAMSDEN. Stuff, Sir. [He follows Mrs Whitefield out of the room].
TANNER. [left alone with Octavius, stares whimsically at him] Tavy: do you want to count for something in the world?
OCTAVIUS. I want to count for something as a poet: I want to write a great play.
TANNER. With Ann as the heroine?