What's the matter with poor Jack?
TANNER.
My views are too advanced for him.
RAMSDEN. [indignantly] They are not.
I deny it.
ANN.
Of course not.
What nonsense!
Nobody is more advanced than Granny.
I am sure it is Jack himself who has made all the difficulty.
Come, Jack!
Be kind to me in my sorrow.
You don't refuse to accept me as your ward, do you?
TANNER. [gloomily] No.
I let myself in for it; so I suppose I must face it. [He turns away to the bookcase, and stands there, moodily studying the titles of the volumes].
ANN. [rising and expanding with subdued but gushing delight] Then we are all agreed; and my dear father's will is to be carried out.
You don't know what a joy that is to me and to my mother! [She goes to Ramsden and presses both his hands, saying] And I shall have my dear Granny to help and advise me. [She casts a glance at Tanner over her shoulder]. And Jack the Giant Killer. [She goes past her mother to Octavius]. And Jack's inseparable friend Ricky-ticky-tavy [he blushes and looks inexpressibly foolish].
MRS WHITEFIELD. [rising and shaking her widow's weeds straight] Now that you are Ann's guardian, Mr Ramsden, I wish you would speak to her about her habit of giving people nicknames.
They can't be expected to like it. [She moves towards the door].
ANN.
How can you say such a thing, Mamma! [Glowing with affectionate remorse] Oh, I wonder can you be right!
Have I been inconsiderate? [She turns to Octavius, who is sitting astride his chair with his elbows on the back of it. Putting her hand on his forehead she turns his face up suddenly]. Do you want to be treated like a grown up man?
Must I call you Mr Robinson in future?
OCTAVIUS. [earnestly] Oh please call me Ricky-ticky-tavy,
"Mr Robinson" would hurt me cruelly. [She laughs and pats his cheek with her finger; then comes back to Ramsden].
You know I'm beginning to think that Granny is rather a piece of impertinence.
But I never dreamt of its hurting you.
RAMSDEN. [breezily, as he pats her affectionately on the back] My dear Annie, nonsense.
I insist on Granny.
I won't answer to any other name than Annie's Granny.
ANN. [gratefully] You all spoil me, except Jack.
TANNER. [over his shoulder, from the bookcase] I think you ought to call me Mr Tanner.
ANN. [gently] No you don't, Jack.
That's like the things you say on purpose to shock people: those who know you pay no attention to them.
But, if you like, I'll call you after your famous ancestor Don Juan.
RAMSDEN.
Don Juan!
ANN. [innocently] Oh, is there any harm in it?
I didn't know.
Then I certainly won't call you that.
May I call you Jack until I can think of something else?
TANKER.
Oh, for Heaven's sake don't try to invent anything worse.
I capitulate.
I consent to Jack.
I embrace Jack.
Here endeth my first and last attempt to assert my authority.
ANN.
You see, Mamma, they all really like to have pet names.
MRS WHITEFIELD.