edward. Why . . haven't I thanked you for putting an end to all my troubles? I do . . I promise you I do.
mr. booth. [shouting, and his sudden courage failing as he shouts.] Prove this . . prove it to me! I'm not to be frightened so easily. One can't lose half of all one has and then be told of it in two minutes . . sitting at a table. [his voice tails off to a piteous whimper.]
edward. [quietly now and kindly.] If my father had told you this in plain words you'd have believed him.
mr. booth. [bowing his head.] Yes.
edward looks at the poor old thing with great pity.
edward. What on earth did you want to withdraw your account for? You need never have known . . you could have died happy. Settling with all those charities in your will would certainly have smashed us up. But proving your will is many years off yet we'll hope.
mr. booth. [pathetic and bewildered.] I don't understand. No, I don't understand . . because your father . . But I must understand, Edward.
edward. Don't shock yourself trying to understand my father, for you never will. Pull yourself together, Mr. Booth. After all, this isn't a vital matter to you. It's not even as if you had a family to consider . . like some of the others.
mr. booth. [vaguely.] What others?