Margaret. I should think not, indeed!
Crawshaw [unconsciously rising from his chair]. And without this preposterous condition attached I should be pleased to accept this trust, and I would endeavor, Mr. Speaker—[He sits down again suddenly.] I would endeavor, Margaret, to carry it out to the best of my poor ability. But—Wurzel-Flummery!
Margaret. You would soon get used to it, dear. I had to get used to the name of Crawshaw after I had been Debenham for twenty-five years. It is surprising how quickly it comes to you. I think I only signed my name Margaret Debenham once after I was married.
Crawshaw [kindly]. The cases are rather different, Margaret. Naturally a woman, who from her cradle looks forward to the day when she will change her name, cannot have this feeling for the—ah—honor of his name, which every man—ah—feels. Such a feeling is naturally more present in my own case since I have been privileged to make the name of Crawshaw in some degree—ah—well-known, I might almost say famous.
Margaret [wistfully]. I used to be called "the beautiful Miss Debenham of Leamington." Everybody in Leamington knew of me. Of course, I am very proud to be Mrs. Robert Crawshaw.
Crawshaw [getting up and walking over to the fireplace]. In a way it would mean beginning all over again. It is half the battle in politics to get your name before the public. "Whoever is this man Wurzel-Flummery?" people will say.
Margaret. Anyhow, dear, let us look on the bright side. Fifty thousand pounds is fifty thousand pounds.
Crawshaw. It is, Margaret. And no doubt it is my duty to accept it. But—well, all I say is that a gentleman would have left it without any conditions. Or at least he would merely have expressed his wish that I should take the name, without going so far as to enforce it. Then I could have looked at the matter all round in an impartial spirit.
Margaret [pursuing her thoughts]. The linen is marked R. M. C. now. Of course, we should have to have that altered. Do you think R. M. F. would do, or would it have to be R. M. W. hyphen F.?
Crawshaw. What? Oh—yes, there will be a good deal of that to attend to. [Going up to her.] I think, Margaret, I had better talk to Richard about this. Of course, it would be absurd to refuse the money, but—well, I should like to have his opinion.