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. Your own are set forth in that book, I believe.

  TANNER. [eagerly going to the table] What! You've got my book! What do you think of it?

  RAMSDEN. Do you suppose I would read such a book, sir?

  TANNER. Then why did you buy it?

  RAMSDEN. I did not buy it, sir. It has been sent me by some foolish lady who seems to admire your views. I was about to dispose of it when Octavius interrupted me. I shall do so now, with your permission. [He throws the book into the waste paper basket with such vehemence that Tanner recoils under the impression that it is being thrown at his head].

  TANNER. You have no more manners than I have myself. However, that saves ceremony between us. [He sits down again]. What do you intend to do about this will?

  OCTAVIUS. May I make a suggestion?

  RAMSDEN. Certainly, Octavius.

  OCTAVIUS. Aren't we forgetting that Ann herself may have some wishes in this matter?

  RAMSDEN. I quite intend that Annie's wishes shall be consulted in every reasonable way.