No, but they thought you were. (A pause. Abel gazes round at them.)
Abel : Oho! So that’s why you’re all in black to-day. You thought I was dead. (He
chuckles.) That was a big mistake. (He sits and resumes his tea.)
Mrs. Slater :
(sobbing)Father.
Abel :
It didn’t take you long to start dividing my things between you. I’ll tell you
what I’m going to do. Since your mother died, I’ve lived part of the time
with you, Amelia, and part with you, Lizzie. Well, I shall make a new will,
leaving all my bits of things to whoever I’m living with when I die. How
does that strike you?
Mrs. Jordan :
You know, father, it’s quite time you came to live with us again. We’d make
you very comfortable.
Mrs. Slater :
No, he’s not been with us as long as he was with you.
Mrs. Jordan :
I may be wrong, but I don’t think father will fancy living on with you after
what’s happened today.
Abel :
It seems to me that neither of you has any cause to feel proud about the way
you’ve treated me.
Mrs. Slater :
If I’ve done anything wrong, I’m sure I’m sorry for it.
Mrs. Jordan :
And I can’t say more than that, too.
Abel :
It’s a bit late to say it, now. Neither of you cared to put up with me.
Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan: No, no, father.
Abel :
Aye, you both say that because of what I’ve told you about leaving my money.
Well, since you don’t want me, I’ll go to someone that does.
Ben :
Come, Mr. Merryweather, you’ve got to live with one of your daughters.