Leonard.

Clara? (Aside.) I didn’t expect this. (Aloud.) Didn’t you get my letter? Oh—perhaps your father’s sent you to pay the rates. How much is it? (Turning leaves in a journal.) I ought to know it without looking it up.

Clara.

I’ve come to give you your letter back. Here it is. Read it again.

Leonard (reads it very seriously).

It’s quite a sensible letter. How can a man, who’s in charge of public money, marry into a family that—(swallowing a word) your brother belongs to?

Clara.

Leonard!

Leonard.

Perhaps the whole town’s wrong? Your brother isn’t in prison? Never been in prison? You’re not the sister of—of your brother?