Hotchkiss [to Collins] May I, as a friend of the family, have the privilege of calling you Bill?

Collins.  With pleasure, sir, I’m sure, sir.

Hotchkiss.  My own pet name in the bosom of my family is Sonny.

Mrs George.  Why didnt you tell me that before?  Sonny is just the name I wanted for you. [She pats his cheek familiarly; he rises abruptly and goes to the hearth, where he throws himself moodily into the railed chair] Bill:  I’m not going into the hall until there are enough people there to make a proper little court for me.  Send the Beadle for me when you think it looks good enough.

Collins.  Right, maam. [He goes out through the tower].

Mrs George left alone with Hotchkiss and Soames, suddenly puts her hands on Soames’s shoulders and bends over him.

Mrs George.  The Bishop said I was to tempt you, Anthony.

Soames [without looking round] Woman:  go away.

Mrs George.  Anthony: 
                “When other lips and other hearts
                 Their tale of love shall tell

Hotchkiss [sardonically]
                 In language whose excess imparts
                 The power they feel so well.

Mrs George. 
                 Though hollow hearts may wear a mask,
                 Twould break your own to see
                 In such a moment I but ask
                 That youll remember me.” 
And you will, Anthony.  I shall put my spell on you.

Soames.  Do you think that a man who has sung the Magnificat and adored the Queen of Heaven has any ears for such trash as that or any eyes for such trash as you—­saving your poor little soul’s presence.  Go home to your duties, woman.

Mrs George [highly approving his fortitude] Anthony:  I adopt you as my father.  Thats the talk!  Give me a man whose whole life doesnt hang on some scrubby woman in the next street; and I’ll never let him go [she slaps him heartily on the back].

Soames.  Thats enough.  You have another man to talk to.  I’m busy.

Mrs George [leaving Soames and going a step or two nearer Hotchkiss] Why arnt you like him, Sonny?  Why do you hang on to a scrubby woman in the next street?

Hotchkiss [thoughtfully] I must apologize to Billiter.

Mrs George.  Who is Billiter?

Hotchkiss.  A man who eats rice pudding with a spoon.  Ive been eating rice pudding with a spoon ever since I saw you first.[He rises].  We all eat our rice pudding with a spoon, dont we, Soames?

Soames.  We are members of one another.  There is no need to refer to me.  In the first place, I’m busy:  in the second, youll find it all in the Church Catechism, which contains most of the new discoveries with which the age is bursting.  Of course you should apologize to Billiter.  He is your equal.  He will go to the same heaven if he behaves himself and to the same hell if he doesnt.