MRS. WESTERN. Well?
HARVEY. Because--oh, because--well, she admired it--and _she_ liked pretty
things too....
MRS. WESTERN. I don't think you need say anything more.
MRS. BANKET. No. He needn't. It's clear enough!
HARVEY. [_Eagerly._] Look here, on my honour--I _am_ fond of her, of
course, in a way--but I'm old enough to be her father--and I swear to you
all--I've seen her about, of course, a good deal--and I gave her that
thing--but beyond that, nothing, nothing!
MRS. WESTERN. [_Sitting, and with a shrug of the shoulder._] A ridiculous
fairy tale!
JUDGE. My dear Alice, take my advice, and believe your husband.
MRS. WESTERN. You too!
MRS. BANKET. All alike, when there's a pretty face!
JUDGE. Let her find another situation, by all means.... But to turn a girl
out, at a moment's notice! You couldn't.
MRS. WESTERN. [_Turning to the_ JUDGE.] You are really suggesting that I
should sleep under the same roof with--
JUDGE. [_Almost sternly._] You are condemning, without the slightest
evidence. And condemning, remember, an utterly defenceless creature. This
girl has a claim on you: were your suspicions justified, she-would _still_
have a claim.
MRS. WESTERN. Indeed!
MRS. BANKET. The nonsense he talks! It's really too silly!
JUDGE. You are extraordinary, you women! You exact such rigid morality
from the governess and the housemaid! You're full of excuses when it's one
of yourselves!
MRS. BANKET. [_Indignantly._] Tom!
JUDGE. Well, that's true--we all know it! And here--I believe every word
Harvey has said.
MRS. WESTERN. [_Scarcely believing her ears._] You do!
JUDGE. Because he is a man of honour, and men of honour have their code.
Their children's governess ... is safe. You will do well to believe it,
too. Now, Fanny, we'll go. Be sensible, Alice--I tell you again, Harvey's
right; the girl must not be--summarily dismissed: it would be an act of
cruel injustice. Good-bye. [_He offers to kiss her--she turns away._] As
you like. Good-bye, Harvey, old man.
HARVEY. Good-bye, Tom. [_They shake hands._] And thank you.
MRS. BANKET. [_Kissing_ MRS. WESTERN.] My poor, dear Alice!