LOCHES [without energy] Never.
DOCTOR. Are you quite sure that you have the right to be so inflexible? Was it not within your power at a certain moment to spare your daughter the possibility of this misery?
LOCHES. Within my power! Do you imply that I am responsible?
DOCTOR. Yes; I do. When the marriage was proposed you doubtless made enquiries concerning your future son-in-law’s income; you investigated his securities; you satisfied yourself as to his character. You only omitted one point, but it was the most important of all: you made no enquiries concerning his health.
LOCHES. No.
DOCTOR. And why?
LOCHES. Because it is not the custom.
DOCTOR. Well, it ought to be made the custom. Before giving his daughter in marriage a father ought to take as much care with regard to her husband as a house of business takes in engaging an employee.
LOCHES. You are right, a law should be passed.