ISOBEL. But if he does——? It has been attacked so much that he has a sort of mother-love for it now, and even I feel protective towards it, and want to say, “Come here, darling, nobody loves you.” Say something kind if you can. Of course I know it isn’t his best, but when you’ve been praised as much as he, the little praise which is withheld is always the praise you want the most.
ROYCE. How delightfully human that sounds. That is just what I’ve always felt in my own small way.
WILLIAM comes fussily in.
WILLIAM. Is Mr. Royce——? Ah, there you are! (Looking round the room) You’ve done the flowers, Isobel? That’s right. Well, Mr. Royce, I hope they’ve been looking after you properly.
ROYCE. Oh, yes, thanks.
WILLIAM. That’s right. Isobel—(he looks, in a statesmanlike way, at his watch)—in five minutes, shall we say?
ISOBEL. Yes.
WILLIAM. How is he just now?
ISOBEL. He seems better to-day.
[206]WILLIAM. That’s right. We shall drink the health in here.