I offer you a home
here during my life time, and all that I own after I am dead. I _do_ care
for you, my boy, I know it now as I know my own name. Surely, Richard, you
need not take this offer amiss?
RICHARD
Well, but you see, Uncle Richard....
UNCLE RICHARD
Do you prefer poverty for its own sake?
RICHARD
Of course not. But I prefer it to hypocrisy and compromise.
UNCLE RICHARD
Well then. You will accept, Richard? For my sake, Richard?
RICHARD
Well....
UNCLE RICHARD
It is the only pleasure left to me, Richard, thinking of the old name
going down honourably in you. And as for the past, my mistakes were due to
not having a son of my own. You have no idea what a difference it makes.
It's my dream, Richard, don't destroy it!
RICHARD
If you really mean it that way--
UNCLE RICHARD
My dear Richard! My dear boy! Why--now I know why we have been quarreling,
Richard!
RICHARD
Why?
UNCLE RICHARD
Because we are so much alike. At your age I was the same self-willed
beggar you are. Richard, you are more like me than you are like your own
father!
RICHARD
Le roi est morte, vive le roi.
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