Another reminder that Mrs Gould's motivation is idealistic in nature. It is perhaps significant that the nature of her ideal (altruism) is not uttered here: by now the logic of the dream-ideal has proceeded to the point where Charles has started one war in the name of peace and security, and Emily is sending off conscripted troops to another in the name of compassion for the people. Such events must be "purified" indeed in order to be acceptable to them.