TANNER. [rising and going to Octavius to console him, but still lamenting] If he wanted a young guardian, why didn't he appoint Tavy?
RAMSDEN.
Ah! why indeed?
OCTAVIUS.
I will tell you.
He sounded me about it; but I refused the trust because I loved her.
I had no right to let myself be forced on her as a guardian by her father.
He spoke to her about it; and she said I was right.
You know I love her, Mr Ramsden; and Jack knows it too.
If Jack loved a woman, I would not compare her to a boa constrictor in his presence, however much I might dislike her [he sits down between the busts and turns his face to the wall].
RAMSDEN.
I do not believe that Whitefield was in his right senses when he made that will.
You have admitted that he made it under your influence.
TANNER.
You ought to be pretty well obliged to me for my influence.
He leaves you two thousand five hundred for your trouble.
He leaves Tavy a dowry for his sister and five thousand for himself.
OCTAVIUS. [his tears flowing afresh] Oh, I can't take it.
He was too good to us.
TANNER.
You won't get it, my boy, if Ramsden upsets the will.
RAMSDEN.
Ha! I see.
You have got me in a cleft stick.
TANNER.
He leaves me nothing but the charge of Ann's morals, on the ground that I have already more money than is good for me.
That shows that he had his wits about him, doesn't it?
RAMSDEN. [grimly] I admit that.
OCTAVIUS. [rising and coming from his refuge by the wall] Mr Ramsden: I think you are prejudiced against Jack.
He is a man of honor, and incapable of abusing—
TANNER.
Don't, Tavy: you'll make me ill.
I am not a man of honor: I am a man struck down by a dead hand.
Tavy: you must marry her after all and take her off my hands.
And I had set my heart on saving you from her!
OCTAVIUS.
Oh, Jack, you talk of saving me from my highest happiness.
TANNER.
Yes, a lifetime of happiness.
If it were only the first half hour's happiness, Tavy, I would buy it for you with my last penny.
But a lifetime of happiness!
No man alive could bear it: it would be hell on earth.
RAMSDEN. [violently] Stuff, sir.
Talk sense; or else go and waste someone else's time: I have something better to do than listen to your fooleries [he positively kicks his way to his table and resumes his seat].
TANNER.
You hear him, Tavy!
Not an idea in his head later than eighteen-sixty.
We can't leave Ann with no other guardian to turn to.
RAMSDEN.
I am proud of your contempt for my character and opinions, sir.