CAROLINE. You don’t mind, father?
DUPONT [much put out, but endeavoring to control himself] Not at all. By no means. Then there’s nothing more to be said. I am a little surprised, of course; hurt even; greatly hurt, in fact.
CAROLINE. I am sorry, father.
DUPONT. No matter. No matter.
CAROLINE. You understand—
DUPONT. I understand that you do not trust your father. That is what I understand. But have your own way. I ask nothing.
CAROLINE. Are you vexed with me?
DUPONT. Oh no. Not the least in the world. Only when you have given everything you possess to some religious community or other, I should like to know what you will have to live upon when you are old. I assume, of course, that it is some community you are thinking of. [Caroline is silent]. You admit it?
CAROLINE. No. I would rather say nothing about it.