FARRANT. Otherwise ... well, we must admit, Cantelupe, that if it hadn't
been for the particular consequence of this it wouldn't be anything to be so
mightily shocked about.
CANTELUPE. I disagree.
FARRANT. My dear fellow, it's our business to make laws and we know the
difference of saying in one of 'em you may or you must. Who ever proposed to
insist on pillorying every case of spasmodic adultery? One would never have
done! Some of these attachments do more harm ... to the third party, I mean
... some less. But it's only when a menage becomes socially impossible that
a sensible man will interfere. [_He adds quite unnecessarily._] I'm speaking
quite impersonally, of course.
CANTELUPE. [_As coldly as ever._] Trebell is morally responsible for every
consequence of the original sin.
WEDGECROFT. That is a hard saying.
FARRANT. [_Continuing his own remarks quite independently._] And I put aside
the possibility that he deliberately helped her to her death to save a
scandal because I don't believe it is a possibility. But if that were so I'd
lift my finger to help him to his. I'd see him hanged with pleasure.
WEDGECROFT. [_Settling this part of the matter._] Well, Farrant, to all
intents and purposes he didn't know and he'd have stopped it if he could.
FARRANT. Yes, I believe that. But what makes you so sure?
WEDGECROFT. I asked him and he told me.
FARRANT. That's no proof.
WEDGECROFT. You read the letter that he sent her ... unless you think it was
written as a blind.
FARRANT. Oh ... to be sure ... yes. I might have thought of that.
_He settles down again. Again no one has anything to say._
CANTELUPE. What is to be said to Mr. O'Connell when he comes?
HORSHAM. Yes ... what exactly do you propose we shall say to O'Connell,
Wedgecroft?
WEDGECROFT. Get him to open his oyster of a mind and....
FARRANT. So it is and his face like a stone wall yesterday. Absolutely
refused to discuss the matter with me!
CANTELUPE. May I ask, Cyril, why are we concerning ourselves with this
wickedness at all?
HORSHAM. Just at this moment when we have official weight without official
responsibility, Charles....
WEDGECROFT. I wish I could have let Percival out of bed, but these first
touches of autumn are dangerous to a convalescent of his age.
HORSHAM. But you saw him, Farrant ... and he gave you his opinion, didn't
he?
FARRANT. Last night ... yes.
HORSHAM. I suppose it's a pity Blackborough hasn't turned up.
FARRANT. Never mind him.
HORSHAM. He gets people to agree with him. That's a gift.
FARRANT. Wedgecroft, what is the utmost O'Connell will be called upon to do
for us ... for Trebell?
WEDGECROFT. Probably only to hold his tongue at the inquest to-morrow. As
far as I know there's no one but her maid to prove that Mrs. O'Connell
didn't meet her husband some time in the summer. He'll be called upon to
tell a lie or two by implication.
FARRANT. Cantelupe ... what does perjury to that extent mean to a Roman
Catholic?