PHILIP. Oh yes. Perhaps that's why I'm so sick of it now.... No, it's no good, Uncle James; you must think of something else.
JAMES (with a sneer). Perhaps you've thought of something else?
PHILIP. Well, I had some idea of being an architect—
JAMES. You propose to start learning to be an architect at twenty-three?
PHILIP (smiling). Well, I couldn't start before, could I?
JAMES. Exactly. And now you'll find it's too late.
PHILIP. Is it? Aren't there going to be any more architects, or doctors, or solicitors, or barristers? Because we've all lost four years of our lives, are all the professions going to die out?
JAMES. And how old do you suppose you'll be before you're earning money as an architect?
PHILIP. The usual time, whatever that may be. If I'm four years behind, so is everybody else.
JAMES. Well, I think it's high time you began to earn a living at once.