mr. voysey draws himself up, dignified and magniloquent.
mr. voysey. My dear Edward, for the future my mind is open to you, you can discover for yourself how matters stand to-day. But I decline to gratify your curiosity as to what is over and done with.
edward. [with entire comprehension.] Thank you, sir. The condition I wish to make is that we should really do what we have pretended to be doing . . try and put the accounts straight.
mr. voysey. [with a little polite shrug.] I've no doubt you'll prove an abler man of business than I.
edward. One by one.
mr. voysey. Which one will you begin with?
edward. I shall begin, Father, by halving the salary I draw from the firm.
mr. voysey. I see . . Retrenchment and Reform.
edward. And I think you cannot give Ethel this five thousand pounds dowry.