(Move from all.)
Sylvia. Why did you do it?
Daniel (laughing with forced roguishness). Ah!...
Sylvia (firmly—with emphasis on each word). Why did you do it?
Daniel. Do you really want to know?
Evangeline (below form). Of course we do.
Daniel. Very well, then I'll tell you. The reason was this. You were a set of idle young bounders. (A move from all.) You'd never done a stroke of work in your lives—neither have I, but I didn't see why you shouldn't. There was your poor mother left comparatively hard up—you would have to have left this house which would have made her perfectly miserable, so I determined to spur you on to do something (breaking into a smile.) I say, you must admit I've succeeded!
Sylvia. Never mind, that—go on.
Daniel (still smiling). Well, not having a penny in the world with which to help you myself——
Everyone. What!!!!!