alice. Yes, he's rather a credulous man.
edward. [ignoring her little joke.] He might have been lucky and have done some good. I'm a weak sort of creature, just a collection of principles as you say. Look, all I've been able to do in this business . . at the cost of my whole life perhaps . . has been to sit senselessly by my father's side and prevent things going from bad to worse.
alice. That was worth doing. The cost is your own affair.
She is watching him, stilly and closely. Suddenly his face lights a little and he turns to her.
edward. Alice . . there's something else I could do.
alice. What?
edward. It's illegal.
alice. So much the better perhaps. Oh, I'm lawless by birthright, being a woman.
edward. I could take the money that's in my father's name and use it only to put right the smaller accounts. It'd take a few months to do it well . . and cover the tracks. That'd be necessary.