(Rather alarmed.) No, my dear, nothing whatever. Don't you rise. It's all right. You were speaking about those dear children, Ted and Nelly?
MRS. BEN DIXON.
Difficult to remember what one is talking about with you pirouetting all over the place like a pantomime fairy. I wanted to talk to you about what we could do for them.
They are going back to-morrow morning, and—— (He peers under the table for the paper.) I'll tell you what it is, Ben, you are doing too much work on that Vigilance Association. It's sapping your brain. Do give the world a rest. Let it go wrong for a bit if it wants to.
MR. BEN DIXON.
I wish I could, my dear. I worry myself too much about others, I know.
MRS. BEN DIXON.
Yes, and I expect that's what the others think too. This is a case where you can trouble yourself about other folks to some advantage—to them. We must do something for those children, Ben. It was your fault they lost their money. We must see that they get some thing back again.
MR. BEN DIXON.
But, you see, my dear, they are both so proud. To offer them help would only be to wound them. We should never, Belinda, do anything to wound the susceptibilities of others.