Ste. What's to do? You've been saying the same to them yourself, haven't you?
Walter. I did my best to gild the pill.
Ste. Well, I'm not a parson. I haven't the gift of using big words for little 'uns and talking sweetly about Hell.
Vin. (dropping r. of Walter to below him). Well, now look here, Mr. Verity, you needn't suppose that I'm influenced in the slightest by your extremely forcible language, but a possible compromise occurs to me.
Ste. Does it? I thought I heard you say just now "no compromise."
Vin. (r. c.). This is a compromise of my own suggesting, sir.
Ste. I'm not the compromising sort. Still, go ahead. What's your idea?
Vin. It's this, sir. I grant you we're drones, and I can see there's something in what you say about the sight of a few idle people taking a lot of room, though I take exception to the way you put it.
Ste. (drily). Aye.
Vin. (r. c.). Now we've an affection for these houses of ours.