MR. R. HASLAM. Nineteen thousand four hundred pounds.
MRS. R. HASLAM. I don't boast, but you see what comes of trying to do one's wifely duty!
FLORA. Some women can do nothing but earn money. (CEDRIC _begins playing mechanically with an object on the table_.) I can only spend it. Two different talents! If I had a hundred pounds to throw away at this moment, I know what I should spend it on---- (_A pause. She looks round; exerting all her wayward charm._) Come, why doesn't some one ask me what I should spend it on?
MRS. R. HASLAM. (_Gloomily perfunctory._) What should you spend it on?
FLORA. I should erect a statue to Mr. Frampington. It would be a good thing if there were a few more Frampingtons about, just to give people who've got as far as the vestry a chance of reconsidering their position.
MRS. R. HASLAM. Upon my word, Flora (_cuttingly_), one would say, from your sparkling wit, that you were quite in high spirits over the situation.
FLORA. Well, my dear, in one way I could cry my eyes out, but in another I _am_ rather uplifted when I think of what Mr. Frampington has saved us from.
MRS. R. HASLAM. Saved you from! (_Very courteously and quietly._) Really, I should have thought that any woman would have been more than a little flattered at the prospect of marrying into the Haslam family, of being the wife of Cedric. No house in London is more sought after than ours. It isn't too much to say that Cedric is now one of the most celebrated men in England----
CEDRIC. (_Crossly._) Look here, mater---- (_He keeps his head down; he is still playing with the object on the table._)
MR. R. HASLAM. (_Sharply._) Cedric! (MRS. REACH HASLAM _looks at her husband, as if expecting him majestically to reprove his son_.) I wish you'd play with something else for a change.
MRS. R. HASLAM. I speak kindly, but I speak plainly, and I'm not ashamed of doing so. I say one of the most celebrated men in England. Indeed, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that among the masses of the people Cedric is better known even than I am myself.
MR. R. HASLAM. (_Severely to him._) You'll kindly stay where you are. There are times when one ought to be frank. (_Still very courteously and quietly to_ FLORA.) You know I was not at first altogether in favour of this marriage--not what could be described as uncontrollably enthusiastic about it. I have appreciated your excellent qualities, but----