Surely you don't suspect Ann of—of DECEIT!!
MRS WHITEFIELD.
Well, never mind, Tavy.
I don't know which is best for a young man: to know too little, like you, or too much, like Jack.
Tanner returns.
TANNER.
Well, I've disposed of old Malone.
I've introduced him to Mendoza, Limited; and left the two brigands together to talk it out.
Hullo, Tavy! anything wrong?
OCTAVIUS.
I must go wash my face, I see. [To Mrs Whitefield] Tell him what you wish. [To Tanner] You may take it from me, Jack, that Ann approves of it.
TANNER. [puzzled by his manner] Approves of what?
OCTAVIUS.
Of what Mrs Whitefield wishes. [He goes his way with sad dignity to the villa].
TANNER. [to Mrs Whitefield] This is very mysterious.
What is it you wish?
It shall be done, whatever it is.
MRS WHITEFIELD. [with snivelling gratitude] Thank you, Jack. [She sits down.
Tanner brings the other chair from the table and sits close to her with his elbows on his knees, giving her his whole attention].
I don't know why it is that other people's children are so nice to me, and that my own have so little consideration for me.
It's no wonder I don't seem able to care for Ann and Rhoda as I do for you and Tavy and Violet.
It's a very queer world.
It used to be so straightforward and simple; and now nobody seems to think and feel as they ought.
Nothing has been right since that speech that Professor Tyndall made at Belfast.
TANNER.
Yes: life is more complicated than we used to think.
But what am I to do for you?
MRS WHITEFIELD.
That's just what I want to tell you.
Of course you'll marry Ann whether I like it myself or not—
TANNER. [starting] It seems to me that I shall presently be married to Ann whether I like it myself or not.
MRS WHITEFIELD. [peacefully] Oh, very likely you will: you know what she is when she has set her mind on anything. But don't put it on me: that's all I ask.
Tavy has just let out that she's been saying that I am making her marry you; and the poor boy is breaking his heart about it; for he is in love with her himself, though what he sees in her so wonderful, goodness knows: I don't.
It's no use telling Tavy that Ann puts things into people's heads by telling them that I want them when the thought of them never crossed my mind.
It only sets Tavy against me.
But you know better than that.
So if you marry her, don't put the blame on me.
TANNER. [emphatically] I haven't the slightest intention of marrying her.
MRS WHITEFIELD. [slyly] She'd suit you better than Tavy.
She'd meet her match in you, Jack.
I'd like to see her meet her match.
TANNER.
No man is a match for a woman, except with a poker and a pair of hobnailed boots.
Not always even then.
Anyhow, I can't take the poker to her.
I should be a mere slave.
MRS WHITEFIELD.
No: she's afraid of you.
At all events, you would tell her the truth about herself.
She wouldn't be able to slip out of it as she does with me.