FullReads

EMILY
(unconvinced). Well, I think that Philip’s four years out there have made him more of a man; he doesn’t seem somehow like a boy who can be told what to do. I’m sure they’ve taught him something.

JAMES
. I’ve no doubt that they’ve taught him something about–er–bombs and–er–which end a revolver goes off, and how to form fours. But I don’t see that that sort of thing helps him to decide upon the most suitable career for a young man in after-war conditions.

EMILY
. Well, I can only say you’ll find him different.

JAMES
. I didn’t notice any particular difference last night.

EMILY
. I think you’ll find him rather more–I can’t quite think of the word, but Mrs. Higgins could tell you what I mean.

JAMES
. Of course, if he likes to earn his living any other way, he may; but I don t see how he proposes to do it so long as I hold the purse-strings. (Looking at his watch) Perhaps you’d better tell him that I cannot wait any longer.

(EMILY opens the door leading into the dining-room and talks through it to PHILIP.)

EMILY
. Philip, your uncle is waiting to see you before he goes to the office. Will you be long, dear?

PHILIP
(from the dining-room). Is he in a hurry?

JAMES
(shortly). Yes.

EMILY
. He says he is rather, dear.

PHILIP
. Couldn’t he come and talk in here? It wouldn’t interfere with my breakfast.

JAMES
. No.

EMILY
. He says he’d rather you came to him, darling.

PHILIP
(resigned). Oh, well.

EMILY
(to JAMES). He’ll be here directly, dear. Just sit down in front of the fire and make yourself comfortable with the paper. He won’t keep you long. (She arranges him.)

JAMES
(taking the paper). The morning is not the time to make oneself comfortable. It’s a most dangerous habit. I nearly found myself dropping off in front of the fire just now. I don’t like this hanging about, wasting the day. (He opens the paper.)

EMILY
. You should have had a nice sleep, dear, while you could. We were up so late last night listening to Philip’s stories.

JAMES
. Yes, yes. (He begins a yawn and stifles it hurriedly.) You mustn’t neglect your duties, Emily. I’ve no doubt you have plenty to do.

EMILY
. All right, James, then I’ll leave you. But don’t be hard on the boy.

JAMES
(sleepily). I shall be just, Emily; you can rely upon that.

EMILY
(going to the door). I don’t think that’s quite what I meant. [She goes out.]

(JAMES, who is now quite comfortable, begins to nod. He wakes up with a start, turns over the paper, and nods again. Soon he is breathing deeply with closed eyes.)

***

PHILIP
(coming in). Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was a bit late for breakfast. (He takes out his pipe.) Are we going to talk business or what?

JAMES
(taking out his match). A bit late! I make it just two hours.

PHILIP
(pleasantly). All right, Uncle James. Call it two hours late. Or twenty-two hours early for tomorrow’s breakfast, if you like. (He sits down in a chair on the opposite side of the table from his uncle, and lights his pipe.)

JAMES
. You smoke now?

PHILIP
(staggered). I what?

JAMES
(nodding at his pipe). You smoke?

PHILIP
. Good heavens! what did yolk think we did in France?

JAMES
. Before you start smoking all over the house, I should have thought you would have asked your aunt’s permission.