Think about Eric as a bit of a misfit. He is "not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive." He is weak-willed and looks for an easy way out of his troubles . He sees his father as "not the kind of father a chap would go to when he's in trouble." Notice how he doesn't share his father's "hard-headed" attitude to business and to his employer. Notice also how the unpleasant side of his character is brought out when he drinks. He insists on going home with the girl, but cannot remember what had happened that first time. He makes the girl pregnant and steals money from his fathers firm. When the girl suspects he has stolen the money she refuses to take any more, and also refuses to marry him. Like Sheila, Eric believes that their experiences at the hands of the Inspector should make the improve their behaviour.