NEWTE. Well, what about the boy? Can't HE talk to them?
FANNY. Vernon! They've brought him up from a baby--spanked him all
round, I expect. Might as well ask a boy to talk to his old
schoolmaster. Besides, if he did talk, then it would all come out.
As I tell you, it's bound to come out--and the sooner the better.
NEWTE. It must NOT come out! It's too late. If we had told him at
the beginning that he was proposing to marry into his own butler's
family--well, it's an awkward situation--he might have decided to
risk it. Or he might have cried off.
FANNY. And a good job if he had.
NEWTE. Now talk sense. You wanted him--you took a fancy to him from
the beginning. He's a nice boy, and there's something owing to him.
[It is his trump card, and he knows it.] Don't forget that. He's
been busy, explaining to all his friends and relations why they
should receive you with open arms: really nice girl, born
gentlewoman, good old Church of England family--no objection
possible. For you to spring the truth upon him NOW--well, it doesn't
seem to me quite fair to HIM.
FANNY. Then am I to live all my life dressed as a charity girl?
NEWTE. You keep your head and things will gradually right
themselves. This family of yours--they've got SOME sense, I suppose?
FANNY. Never noticed any sign of it myself.
NEWTE. Maybe you're not a judge. [Laughs.] They'll listen to
reason. You let ME have a talk to them, one of these days; see if I
can't show them--first one and then the other--the advantage of
leaving to "better" themselves--WITH THE HELP OF A LITTLE READY
MONEY.
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