Hotchkiss [rising and leaning on the back of the chair left vacant by the General] I really must point out to you, Father Anthony, that the early Christian rules of life were not made to last, because the early Christians did not believe that the world itself was going to last.  Now we know that we shall have to go through with it.  We have found that there are millions of years behind us; and we know that that there are millions before us.  Mrs Bridgenorth’s question remains unanswered.  How is the world to go on?  You say that that is our business—­that it is the business of Providence.  But the modern Christian view is that we are here to do the business of Providence and nothing else.  The question is, how.  Am I not to use my reason to find out why?  Isnt that what my reason is for?  Well, all my reason tells me at present is that you are an impracticable lunatic.

SOAMEs.  Does that help?

Hotchkiss.  No.

SOAMEs.  Then pray for light.

Hotchkiss.  No:  I am a snob, not a beggar. [He sits down in the
General’s chair].

Collins.  We dont seem to be getting on, do we?  Miss Edith:  you and Mr Sykes had better go off to church and settle the right and wrong of it afterwards.  Itll ease your minds, believe me:  I speak from experience.  You will burn your boats, as one might say.

Soames.  We should never burn our boats.  It is death in life.

Collins.  Well, Father, I will say for you that you have views of your own and are not afraid to out with them.  But some of us are of a more cheerful disposition.  On the Borough Council now, you would be in a minority of one.  You must take human nature as it is.

Soames.  Upon what compulsion must I?  I’ll take divine nature as it is.  I’ll not hold a candle to the devil.

The bishop.  Thats a very unchristian way of treating the devil.

Reginald.  Well, we dont seem to be getting any further, do we?

The bishop.  Will you give it up and get married, Edith?

Edith.  No.  What I propose seems to me quite reasonable.

The bishop.  And you, Lesbia?

Lesbia.  Never.

Mrs Bridgenorth.  Never is a long word, Lesbia.  Dont say it.

Lesbia [with a flash of temper] Dont pity me, Alice, please.  As I said before, I am an English lady, quite prepared to do without anything I cant have on honorable conditions.

Soames [after a silence expressive of utter deadlock] I am still awaiting my instructions.

Reginald.  Well, we dont seem to be getting along, do we?

Leo [out of patience] You said that before, Rejjy.  Do not repeat yourself.

Reginald.  Oh, bother! [He goes to the garden door and looks out gloomily].

Soames [rising with the paper in his hands] Psha! [He tears it in pieces].  So much for the contract!