Trebell smiles at some mental picture he is making.
Trebell. Can your cousins and aunts make it so awkward for you, Horsham?
Horsham. [Repaying humour with humour.] I bear up against their affectionate attentions.
Trebell. But I quite understand how uncongenial I may be. What made you take up with me at all?
Farrant. Your brains, Trebell.
Trebell. He should have enquired into my character first, shouldn't he, Cantelupe?
Cantelupe. [With crushing sincerity.] Yes.
Trebell. Oh, the old unnecessary choice ... Wisdom or Virtue. We all think we must make it ... and we all discover we can't. But if you've to choose between Cantelupe and me, Horsham, I quite see you've no choice.
Horsham now takes the field, using his own weapons.
Horsham. Charles, it seems to me that we are somewhat in the position of men who have overheard a private conversation. Do you feel justified in making public use of it?