In this short scene, Mr. Lorry tells his wife that he has just seen her son in the emergency room at the central hospital. He tells her that he threw a large quantity of soup at her because she was pregnant. She tells him that if he does not have a baby soon, she will divorce him. She says that she will divide his property equally with him. Mr. Jarndyce says that his son has violated public safety regulations by driving under the influence. He asks Lorry not to give up his position as garage clerk. He has commissioned the new man, the director of the hospital, to help him find someone of his own.